Overview
Cold seeps are areas on the seafloor where methane-rich fluids are released due to geologic or seafloor-sediment related processes. They can form either near the coast or in deeper waters, including the abyssal plains. These fluids contain a variety of organic compounds and are rich in nutrients that can be used by a variety of organisms, making them important biological hotspots in the ocean. Cold seeps are home to deep-sea microbial communities and host a variety of animals, some of which have adapted to the high methane concentrations. These animals include mussels, tubeworms, clams, and other mollusks, as well as vent shrimp, crabs, and many fish species. Cold seeps are considered to be very efficient sources of energy for the food web and are excellent indicators of the health and functioning of oxygen-minimum zones. Additionally, their role in the global carbon cycle is just beginning to be understood, with cold seeps found to be important sources of methane emissions to the atmosphere.