Which mineral could have been deposited by black smokers on the seafloor?(1 point)
Responses
silicon
silicon
calcium
calcium
barium
barium
iron sulfide
Correct answer: iron sulfide
The mineral that could have been deposited by black smokers on the seafloor is iron sulfide.
The mineral that could have been deposited by black smokers on the seafloor is iron sulfide. To determine the answer, we need to understand what black smokers are. Black smokers are hydrothermal vents on the seafloor that release hot, mineral-rich fluids. These fluids contain various minerals that can precipitate when they come into contact with cold seawater.
Iron sulfide is commonly found in black smokers. It forms when iron-rich fluids interact with sulfur-rich fluids. The combination of these elements leads to the formation of iron sulfide minerals such as pyrite (FeS2) or greigite (Fe3S4).
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is iron sulfide.