Physicochemical and acoustic conditions of habitats surrounding Kueishan Island, Yilan, Taiwan

In the past, research on hydrothermal vents has primarily focused on deep
sea, but shallow-water ones have gained increasing attention in recent
years. Shallow-water hydrothermal systems experience greater fluctuation
due to various epipelagic factors such as insolation, tides, currents, and
seasonality. While existing studies have explored geochemical and
biological features of hydrothermal vents mostly through snapshot
investigations, little is known about their spatio-temporal effects on the
surrounding environments. In the present study, we monitored the
physicochemical and audio conditions around Kueishan Island, Taiwan.
Within a vertical distance of less than 4 km, Kueishan Island possesses
both hydrothermal vents and coral ecosystems, making it an ideal platform
to address these issues. Our results reveal that the impacts of
hydrothermal vents on the ecological habitats surrounding Kueishan Island
were not constant, which is attributed to the intermittent discharge of
vent fluids. Additionally, we observed a potential connection between
hydrothermal venting and earthquake activities, hinting at possible
geophysical implications. Overall, our research provides insights into
exploring these fascinating environments with a greater mastery of them.
Prospectively, long-term, and continuous monitoring could broader our
knowledge of hydrothermal vents, including interkingdom evolutionary
processes, economic opportunities, and developing strategies for
safeguarding these precious natural resources for future generations.