Seawater interacting with hot sea floor at spreading ridges may produce mineral deposits.

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Seawater interacting with hot sea floor at spreading ridges can contain dissolved minerals, which may precipitate out and form mineral deposits. These deposits can include sulfide minerals that contain valuable metals such as copper, zinc, and gold, among others. Such mineral deposits can form massive sulfide deposits, which have been mined on the ocean floor at hydrothermal vents.

Seawater Interacting with Hot Sea Floor at Spreading Ridges May