About VentBase

VentBase is a workshop with the aim of standardising methods used for assessing the ecological impacts of commercial mineral extraction at seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) deposits. Methods that will be introduced and discussed include appropriate survey design, state of the art molecular approaches for assessing geneflow and connectivity, plankton/larval sampling, macrofaunal studies, video/photographic time series and statistical approaches.

A primary goal of VentBase is the production of a best practice document that can inform stakeholders and highlight the most up to date methodologies, both current and soon to be available.

The workshop will use a relaxed format to allow for communication among participants with presentations from experts in the field followed by discussion sessions. Participants will be facilitated in their exploring of the West of Ireland and their enjoyment of the famous city of the tribes, Galway City.

The number of participants is limited so please submit abstracts as soon as possible to enable us to present  the most suitable programme.

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Seafloor massive sulphides are chimney-like deposits formed by the precipitation of metal sulphides as acidic hydrothermal fluids exit the seafloor along the margins of tectonic plates .

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In 2011 the International Seabed Authority granted a permit to a Russian  concerns to begin prospecting on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

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In 2011 a joint Irish/UK team discovered the Moytirra vent field. This is the most Northerly hydrothermal vent endemic community found so far in the Atlantic and the closest vent field to mainland Europe. One of the Chimneys, the fomorian, is photo-mosiaced  to the left.