Hydrothermal Metalliferous Sediments and Waters Off the Lesser Antilles

Considerable metal enrichments have been found in hydrothermal fluids and metalliferous sediments off the central Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc. The elements variably enriched in the fluids as a result of the hydrothermal activity are Fe, Mn, As, Si, B, Li and in the sediments, Fe, P, Mo, As, Sb, Hg, Cu and Pb. Variations in the concentrations of these elements in both fluids and sediments along the arc result from a number of factors, the most important of which is the stage that each island's volcano has reached in its eruptive cycle. Although hydrothermal mineralization on the sea floor off the islands is only low grade, phase separation in the hydrothermal fluids at depth could be leading to higher grade stockwork mineralization below the vent fields or the discharge of metal rich brines on the lower flanks of the volcanic islands.     

Hydrothermal Metalliferous Sediments and Waters Off the Lesser Antilles

Abstract

Considerable metal enrichments have been found in hydrothermal fluids and metalliferous sediments off the central Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc. The elements variably enriched in the fluids as a result of the hydrothermal activity are Fe, Mn, As, Si, B, Li and in the sediments, Fe, P, Mo, As, Sb, Hg, Cu and Pb. Variations in the concentrations of these elements in both fluids and sediments along the arc result from a number of factors, the most important of which is the stage that each island's volcano has reached in its eruptive cycle. Although hydrothermal mineralization on the sea floor off the islands is only low grade, phase separation in the hydrothermal fluids at depth could be leading to higher grade stockwork mineralization below the vent fields or the discharge of metal rich brines on the lower flanks of the volcanic islands.     

Geochemistry and particle size of surface sediments of Gulf of Manfredonia (Southern Adriatic sea)

In this study we describe mechanisms influencing the spatial distribution of the surface sediments in the Gulf of Manfredonia. Seventy-three samples were collected on a regional grid and analyzed for grain-size, major and trace elements and organic matter content. Sediments contain marine-derived carbonate as well as terrigenous fractions indicating highly heterogeneous sediment composition dictated by different provenance and complex transport processes. Principal Component Analysis provides information about processes involved in the formation and dispersal of the sediments. The regional sediment distribution is function of the Gulf's morphology and sedimentary inputs from fluvial sources, mainly from the Ofanto River, and from the North and Central Adriatic basin. Biogenic carbonate reefs, identified in two restricted coastal areas add complexity to sediment shelf dispersal. The North-Adriatic current flowing southward transports and deposits sediments from the Northern basin in the offshore area of the Gulf while an inner anticyclonic current distributes and mixes northern and fluvial sediment with a clockwise pattern. In order to better assess the fluvial contribution also bedload samples from the main river debouching into the Gulf were sampled, enabling the identification of geochemical indexes to distinguish the role of both fluvial inputs and hydrodynamic processes affecting solid particles dispersion within the Gulf. This study provides a contribution to a qualitative estimate of the sediment supply entailed in the Southwestern Adriatic basin.     

珠江口贫氧区沉积物中微量金属元素的地球化学特征

研究了珠江口贫氧区表层沉积物中Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd,Fe和Mn含量的相互关系;探讨它们在迁移和固-液平衡过程相互作用的特征;研究了沉积物的环境因素和重要组分对其沉积-溶解作用的影响;研究了表层沉积物对它们的富集作用。结果发现,沉积物对Cu,Pb,Zn和Cd的富集系数(K)排列次序为K_(Cd)>K_(Pb)>K_(Cu)>K_(Zn)。K_(Cd)大于对照区和长江口的相应值。此结果说明,上述区域的表层沉积物中可能有自生的CdS。且贫氧水的表层沉积物中Fe,Mn,Cu,Pb和Cd的地球化学特性尚未有显著的改变。     

Submarine Hydrothermal Mineralization on the Izu-Bonin Arc, South of Japan: An Overview

Considerable effort has been expended in studying the Izu-Bonin Arc over the past 15 years. In particular, 43 dives of the Shinkai 2000 have been undertaken there to discover and evaluate the extent of submarine hydrothermal activity and mineraliza tion. Most effort has been focused on Myojin Knoll (23 dives), Suiyo Seamount (6 dives), and Kaikata Caldera (10 dives). The Izu-Bonin Arc is divided in two by the Sofugan Tectonic Line. Eight submarine caldera are located north of this line but only one is south of it. The physiography of the northern sector of the arc is quite different from that of the southern sector. Volcanic rocks from the northern sector are more acidic than those from the southern sector. Evidence for submarine hydrothermal mineralization has been observed at four seamounts along the Izu-Bonin Arc (Myojin Knoll, Myojinsho, Suiyo Seamount, and Kaikata Caldera), and submarine hydrothermal activity is evident at another three seamounts along the arc (Kurose Hole, Mokuyo Seamount, and Doyo Seamount). The most extensive submarine hydrothermal mineral deposit so far located on the Izu-Bonin Arc is the Sunrise deposit at Myojin Knoll. This deposit, at least 400 m in diameter and 30 m high, is associated with black smoker venting, inactive sulfide chimneys, massive sulfides, hydrothermal Mn crusts, and a hydrothermal vent fauna. The maximum recorded temperature of the hydrothermal vents there was 278°C. Some of the sulfide chimneys contained as much as 49 μg / g Au and 3,400 μg / g Ag. The sunrise deposit is one of the largest submarine volcanic massive sulfide deposits so far discovered in midocean ridge, backarc, or arc settings and has an estimated mass of 9 x 10 6 t. This deposit may be of the Kuroko-type. The discovery of the Sunrise deposit in 1997 gives hope that other, similarly large, sulfide deposits may be found in other caldera along the Izu-Bonin Arc. The geological variability along the arc, the high seismicity, the occurrence of active volcanism and submarine hydrothermal venting, and a proven submarine hydrothermal mineral potential coupled with the proximity of the region to Japan suggest that the Izu-Bonin Arc could profitably serve as a natural laboratory for the long-term monitoring of the seafloor.     

Submarine Hydrothermal Mineralization on the Izu–Bonin Arc,South of Japan: An Overview

Abstract

Considerable effort has been expended in studying the Izu–Bonin Arc over the past 15 years. In particular, 43 dives of the Shinkai 2000 have been undertaken there to discover and evaluate the extent of submarine hydrothermal activity and mineralization. Most effort has been focused on Myojin Knoll (23 dives), Suiyo Seamount (6 dives), and Kaikata Caldera (10 dives).

The Izu–Bonin Arc is divided in two by the Sofugan Tectonic Line. Eight submarine caldera are located north of this line but only one is south of it. The physiography of the northern sector of the arc is quite different from that of the southern sector. Volcanic rocks from the northern sector are more acidic than those from the southern sector.

Evidence for submarine hydrothermal mineralization has been observed at four seamounts along the Izu–Bonin Arc (Myojin Knoll, Myojinsho, Suiyo Seamount, and Kaikata Caldera), and submarine hydrothermal activity is evident at another three seamounts along the arc (Kurose Hole, Mokuyo Seamount, and Doyo Seamount).

The most extensive submarine hydrothermal mineral deposit so far located on the Izu–Bonin Arc is the Sunrise deposit at Myojin Knoll. This deposit, at least 400 m in diameter and 30 m high, is associated with black smoker venting, inactive sulfide chimneys, massive sulfides, hydrothermal Mn crusts, and a hydrothermal vent fauna. The maximum recorded temperature of the hydrothermal vents there was 278°C. Some of the sulfide chimneys contained as much as 49 μg/g Au and 3,400 μg/g Ag. The sunrise deposit is one of the largest submarine volcanic massive sulfide deposits so far discovered in midocean ridge, backarc, or arc settings and has an estimated mass of 9 × 10⁶ t. This deposit may be of the Kuroko-type. The discovery of the Sunrise deposit in 1997 gives hope that other, similarly large, sulfide deposits may be found in other caldera along the Izu–Bonin Arc.

The geological variability along the arc, the high seismicity, the occurrence of active volcanism and submarine hydrothermal venting, and a proven submarine hydrothermal mineral potential coupled with the proximity of the region to Japan suggest that the Izu–Bonin Arc could profitably serve as a natural laboratory for the long-term monitoring of the seafloor.     

东太平洋海隆13°N表层含金属沉积物物质组成与元素赋存状态

为了解不同类型含金属沉积物在物质组成和元素赋存状态的差异,对东太平洋海隆13°N洋中脊两侧表层含金属沉积物(站号:E271和E53)进行了矿物学、地球化学分析,顺序提取实验,并与前人对轴部表层沉积物(站号:17A-EPR-TVG1)的研究结果作了对比分析。研究结果表明, E271和E53是远端含金属沉积物,由非浮力热液羽状流中颗粒物沉降所形成的;17A-EPR-TVG1沉积物是近喷口含金属沉积物,由黑烟囱或者热液硫化物丘状体崩塌、堆积,或者由热液羽状流中Fe-Mn氧化物和硫化物快速沉淀而形成的,近喷口沉积物比远端沉积物更富集Fe、Cu和Zn等元素。元素在两种含金属沉积物中的赋存状态基本相同,除了Fe,Cu,Zn,Mo和稀土元素(REE)等元素在远端沉积物中主要存在于Fe-Mn氧化物相,在近喷口沉积物中主要在残留相中。远端沉积物中REE页岩标准化配分模式与海水相似,表明REE主要来自海水,而近喷口沉积物中REE配分模式与热液流体相似,说明REE以高温热液流体来源为主。相关研究结果加深了对热液沉积作用研究的认识。     

空间因子分析与沉积地球化学旋回元素组合的确定

１９９５年５月,引用地矿部“七五”东北太平洋ＣＣＡ１２１柱状沉积物的８个元素地球化学分析数据,利用空间因子分析方法确定两种周期度（Ｄ１＝６５ｃｍ,Ｄ２＝１０５ｃｍ）内的沉积地球化学旋回元素组合,并据此探讨多金属结核成矿与物源环境的关系,研究表明,与小尺度周期（Ｄ１＝６５ｃｍ）对应的元素组合：Ｕｄ１（Ｍｎ,Ｃｏ,Ｃｕ,Ａｌ２Ｏ３,ＳｉＯ２和Ｕｄ２（Ｆｅ,Ｃａ,Ｃｏ,Ｃｕ）与大尺度周期对应的元素组合为     

基于PXRF的西南印度洋脊硫化物表层沉积物地球化学找矿研究

海底热液喷发形成的热液羽状流中富含成矿物质,并沉淀在距离热液喷口不等的范围内。对西南印度洋中脊热液喷口附近、距离喷口中等距离、远离喷口的六个表层沉积物样品开展了不同粒度沉积物的便携式XRF（PXRF）分析。结果表明,PXRF可以有效获得的洋中脊钙质沉积物中成矿元素的富集特征。>40目的沉积物样品具有较高的Cu、Zn、Fe、Mn等元素含量,40目以下沉积物中则相对稳定,可能与粗粒沉积物中玄武岩碎屑/玻璃含量较高有关,与镜下鉴定结果一致。以热液喷口为中心,表层沉积物中表现出Cu、Zn、As、Fe、Mn的元素分带,靠近喷口的沉积物中具有较高的成矿元素的含量,并具有较高的Cu/Fe、Zn/Fe比值或者Cu/Mn与Zn/Mn比值。上述结论表明,洋中脊沉积物中成矿元素的含量主要受与喷口的距离的影响,而与粒度的关系不大,洋中脊沉积物地球化学找矿应采用40目以下粒径沉积物作为分析样品。通过PXRF获得的Cu、Zn、As、Fe、Mn等元素含量及其比值特征可以作为海底多金属硫化物沉积物地球化学找矿的指标,该方法满足快速有效识别洋中脊沉积物中地球化学异常的要求。     

Hydrothermal Mineralizing Processes and Associated Sedimentation in the Santorini Hydrothermal Embayments

Seven sediment cores from the Palaea and Nea Kameni hydrothermal embayments (PK and NK) on Santorini have been studied by using sediment smear slides, X-ray diffraction, and radiocarbon techniques to determine their lithology, mineralogy, and age, respectively. The cores have been analyzed chemically for a suite of elements, including selective chemical leaching, to determine the partition of elements between coexisting phases. Lithologically and chemically, the sediments from the two embayments are very different. Sediments from PK are oxidized in the upper parts of the cores and reduced at depth; they comprise mainly hydrothermal pyritiferous diatomaceous ooze with minor Fe oxyhydroxide, volcanic debris, gypsum, and siderite. Sediments from NK are oxidized throughout and comprise predominantly amorphous iron oxyhydroxides and goethite; they are thought to have formed by direct precipitation from solution. In PK, biogenic, detrital seawater evaporate, and hydrothermal sediment phases have been identified but only the detrital inputs can be correlated between cores. Mn shows a pronounced enrichment towards the outer part of the embayment because of its dispersion down the embayment and precipitation in the more-oxidizing sediments towards the open sea. In NK, the sediments contain detrital, seawater evaporate, and hydrothermally precipitated and scavenged phases. The presence of substantial amounts of organic matter in the PK sediments but not in the NK sediments is probably the main reason why geochemical processes in the two embayments are different. Age dates obtained from the cores by using the 14 C technique indicate that sedimentation in the PK embayment commenced at approximately 50 AD, whereas in the NK embayment it commenced at approximately 1900 AD, which is consistent with the known history of Santorini. Based on these dates, calculated metal accumulation rates in both embayments are higher than in any other dated hydrothermal metalliferous sediments with the exception of those in the Atlantis II Deep of the Red Sea. Sediment ponding in the embayments is the principal cause of these results.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of hydrothermal sediments from the serpentinite-hosted Saldanha hydrothermal field (36°34′N; 33°26′W) at MAR

The Saldanha hydrothermal field is located at the top of a serpentinized massif (Mount Saldanha, MS) at a non-transform offset (NTO5) along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR), south of the Azores. It is one of the rare known sites on a worldwide basis where direct evidence of low-temperature (7–9 °C) hydrothermal activity has been provided by direct observation of hydrothermal fluid venting through small orifices in the ocean floor sedimentary cover. This study focuses on the mineralogy and geochemistry of 14 sediment cores collected at MS. For comparison, four samples collected at the Rainbow site (NTO6) were also studied. Mount Saldanha hydrothermal sediments are highly “diluted” within a dominant foraminiferal nanofossiliferous ooze with small fragments of underlying rocks. The mineral assemblage of the hydrothermal component is characterized by sulphides, nontronite, smectites, poorly crystallized Mn oxyhydroxides and amorphous material. Cu, Zn and Fe sulphides, Mn–Mg oxy-hydroxides and putative manganobrucite were also identified in one sample collected at an orifice vent. In this sample, micro-chimneys (conduits) composed of isocubanite and sphalerite were also identified. Mount Saldanha sediments show a clear enrichment in elements such as Mn, Mg, Fe, Cu, P and V, derived from hydrothermal fluids, and Ni, Cr and Co, derived from ultramafic rocks. The geochemical data together with the observed mineral assemblage suggest that the hydrothermal fluids are at a higher temperature than those measured at the escape orifices (7–9 °C), and a strong enrichment in Mg, mainly at the top of the mount, agrees with extensive mixing of the hydrothermal fluid with unmodified seawater. Nevertheless, the mineral assemblage of MS sediments is consistent with the precipitation from hydrothermal fluids at much lower temperatures than at Rainbow. The presence of serpentinized and steatitized (talcshist) ultramafic rocks and the occurrence of a strong methane anomaly within the overlying water column collectively suggest that the hydrothermal circulation at MS is driven by exothermic reactions closely associated with the serpentinization process. Rainbow sediments have a higher concentration in transition metals and consequently an enrichment in sulphides. These differences are likely to be a consequence of the higher temperature of hydrothermal fluids, reflected in the composition of hydrothermal solutions, and of a stronger hydrothermal flux at the Rainbow site.     

Assessment of elemental contamination in estuarine and coastal environments based on geochemical and statistical modeling of sediments

Sediment of variable mineralogical, textural and metal contaminant composition was collected from 38 estuaries along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States and analyzed for total Al, Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, Sn, Tl and Zn concentrations. Based on observed covariation of elements at 15 estuaries remote from contaminant inputs, linear regressions of metals on Al were used to model the metal content in baseline sediments. A geochemical model for the covariation was developed, verified and used to guide the statistical modelling approach. Comparison of metal concentrations predicted by the models with those occurring in uncontaminated geological materials suggests that baseline relationships are valid for the entire region sampled. Using these baseline relationships, sediment metal concentrations can be partitioned into natural and anthropogenic fractions. Models improve the comparability of metal levels in sediments by correcting for variable background concentrations that, if left uncorrected, only serve to increase total data variability and reduce detection of spatial and temporal differences.Examples of the application of baseline models to pollution studies are provided. A continuing decline in Pb concentrations in Mississippi River delta sediments is observed consistent with the declining use of Pb additives in gasoline since 1970. Major spatial trends in contaminant metals in sediments along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts are noted.     

太湖北部沉积物微量元素垂直分布特征及指示意义

分析了太湖北部柱状沉积物微量元素含量,以深层沉积物作背景样品,揭示了重金属垂向变化特征及指示意义。中深层沉积物中重金属Pb、Cu、Ni、Cr与Li呈显著正相关,反映了沉积物来源为流域基岩风化产物;表层沉积物中重金属Cu、Ni、Cr与有机碳具有良好正相关性,表明了沉积物受近年来环湖工农业活动影响。中深层沉积物与流域基岩在稀土特征上表现出亲源性;而表层沉积物稀土特征反映了人类活动的影响。     

Mineralogy and composition of manganese crusts and nodules and sediments from the Manihiki plateau and adjacent areas: Results of HMNZS Tui Cruises

Forty‐four sediment samples and 23 Mn crusts and Mn nodules have been analyzed for several elements in order to characterize their geochemical nature. Most of the Mn crusts and Mn nodules are of hydrogenous origin, although one crust (U375) from the flanks of the Rarotonga volcano is thought to be of hydrothermal origin. δ‐MnO₂ is the principal Mn mineral in the crusts, whereas todorokite and birnessite occur in addition to δ‐MnO₂ in the nodules. The sediments can be divided into carbonates, with calcite as the dominant phase, and deep‐sea clay, consisting mainly of illite and smectite.     

Hydrothermal Mineralizing Processes and Associated Sedimentation in the Santorini Hydrothermal Embayments

Abstract

Seven sediment cores from the Palaea and Nea Kameni hydrothermal embayments (PK and NK) on Santorini have been studied by using sediment smear slides, X-ray diffraction, and radiocarbon techniques to determine their lithology, mineralogy, and age, respectively. The cores have been analyzed chemically for a suite of elements, including selective chemical leaching, to determine the partition of elements between coexisting phases. Lithologically and chemically, the sediments from the two embayments are very different. Sediments from PK are oxidized in the upper parts of the cores and reduced at depth; they comprise mainly hydrothermal pyritiferous diatomaceous ooze with minor Fe oxyhydroxide, volcanic debris, gypsum, and siderite. Sediments from NK are oxidized throughout and comprise predominantly amorphous iron oxyhydroxides and goethite; they are thought to have formed by direct precipitation from solution. In PK, biogenic, detrital seawater evaporate, and hydrothermal sediment phases have been identified but only the detrital inputs can be correlated between cores. Mn shows a pronounced enrichment towards the outer part of the embayment because of its dispersion down the embayment and precipitation in the more-oxidizing sediments towards the open sea. In NK, the sediments contain detrital, seawater evaporate, and hydrothermally precipitated and scavenged phases. The presence of substantial amounts of organic matter in the PK sediments but not in the NK sediments is probably the main reason why geochemical processes in the two embayments are different.

Age dates obtained from the cores by using the ¹⁴C technique indicate that sedimentation in the PK embayment commenced at ～ 50 AD, whereas in the NK embayment it commenced at ～ 1900 AD, which is consistent with the known history of Santorini. Based on these dates, calculated metal accumulation rates in both embayments are higher than in any other dated hydrothermal metalliferous sediments with the exception of those in the Atlantis II Deep of the Red Sea. Sediment ponding in the embayments is the principal cause of these results.     

The distribution and geochemistry of some trace metals in the Bermuda coastal environment

Results of the analyses of the water column and sediments of the Bermuda Platform for Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn are presented. The major process controlling the water column concentrations is physical mixing of open ocean waters with inshore waters, which are polluted by a wide range of diffuse inputs. Sedimentation within the inshore waters plays a lesser, but significant, role as do fluxes from the sediments of Fe and Mn and possibly phytoplankton uptake of Zn. Concentrations within the sediments are controlled by the formation of trace metal enriched clay/organic particles in the inshore areas and their subsequent redistribution by sediment resuspension, except for Fe and Mn which are largely associated with clay lattices.     

Trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations in deep Gulf of Mexico sediments

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace elements were determined for surface (top 2 cm) sediment samples collected during the deep Gulf of Mexico benthos (DGoMB) study .These elements and compounds are known to be toxic to organisms at high concentrations and may affect biological communities. There is no indication of major anthropogenic input of the elements Be, Co, Cr, Fe, Si, Tl, V, K, Mg, Ca, Sr and Zn, based on normalization to Al. The concentrations of these metals in the sediment are a function of the relative amounts of trace-metal-rich Mississippi River-derived silicate material and trace-metal-poor plankton-derived carbonate. This is not true for the elements Ba, Ni, Pb, Cd, As, Cu and Mn, whose concentrations show considerable scatter when normalized to Al and a general enrichment. On a normalized basis, Mn is enriched 5–10 fold, Cu and Ni 2–3 fold and Pb 2 fold over Mississippi River-derived material. These enrichments are likely the result of remobilization of metals from depths in the sediment column where reducing conditions exist. The Ba concentrations at selected sites are higher than those of average clay-rich sediments, but are typical of sediments from near oil well platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico. In the case of Ba, it seems likely that the enrichments, as high as a factor of 10, are due to disposal of oil well drilling mud. The Ba-enriched samples are from the three shallowest water sites in the Mississippi Trough (sites MT1, 2 and 3) and from site C1 and WC5. All are in an area of intense petroleum exploration and development. PAH concentrations are also elevated at MT1, MT3 and C1. The total PAH concentration ranged from not detected (ND) to 1033 ng/g with a mean of 140 ng/g. Even at the sites most enriched in PAHs and trace elements, the concentrations are not at the levels expected to adversely affect the biota. However, these predicted non-effects are based on research using mostly near-shore estuarine species, not on the indigenous species at the sampling sites.     

Offshore geological hazards in the Hellenic arc

Abstract

The Hellenic Arc is located within one of world's most seismically active areas and has experienced extreme tectonism through Tertiary and Quaternary times. This activity controls the rates of uplift and subsidence and determines the sediments supply and depot centers. This paper discusses the various geological hazards detected in selected parts of the Hellenic Arc and examines the causative factors. The areas surveyed were the North Aegean Trough, the Kythera Ridge in the outer island arc, the Corfu/Kefalinia/Zante shelf/slope, and the Thermaicos, Corinth, Patras, Amvrakia, and Malliacos gulfs, as well as the Trichonis Lake. The potential geological hazards observed are (1) active faulting, (2) sediment instabilities, (3) gas‐charged sediments, (4) salt doming, (5) erosion, transport, and deposition of sediments, and (6) seismicity, volcanism, and tsunamis. The major types of sediment instabilities that have been documented on seabed include (1) surficial sediment creep in slopes ranging from 1 to 2° resulting infolding and faulting of the surficial sediments, (2) translational and rotational slides in slopes ranging from 2 to 40°, (3) debris flow, and (4) turbidity currents. Factors that contribute to slope instability in the Hellenic Arc are (1) sloping bottom, (2) thick accumulations of Plio‐Quatemary sediments, (3) present day high rates of sedimentation, (4) closely spaced active faults, (5) earthquakes, and (6) active diapirism. The contribution of long period waves to slope failure in these areas appears to be of minor importance, since the slope failures occur in depths of more than 150 m. Gas‐charged sediments and pockmarks have been observed in areas associated with deltaic, fjord‐like, and open sea environments. This gas is presumably formed by the decomposition of biogenic material. Numerous disasters that took place during historical times and greatly affected the coastal zone were caused by the above‐mentioned hazards. Damage to offshore installations are limited to cable failure.     

Accumulation rates of hydrothermal metalliferous sediments in the Lau Basin,S. W. Pacific

Five cores were recovered on a traverse in the Lau Basin at 18°30′S crossing a supposed active spreading center. The sediments were subjected to selective chemical leaching for Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and As. Accumulation rates were determined using¹⁴C. These rates increase from west to east, reflecting the influence of volcaniclastic inputs from the Tonga- Kermadec Ridge. All elements display highest non-detrital accumulation rates closest to the supposed spreading center, suggesting a hydrothermal input to the sediments there. Variable hydrothermal inputs also influence the other cores.     

Major,Trace, and Rare Earth Elements in the Sediments of the Central Indian Ocean Basin: Their Source and Distribution

Abstract

A large number of surface sediments as well as short sediment cores collected in the Central Indian Ocean Basin have been subjected to various geochemical investigations during the last one and half decade. The studies varied, covering different aspects of sediments and resulting in a number of publications. In the present article, we have put together the data from 82 surface sediments and 14 short sediment cores, including 25 new analyses, to study the trend of their distribution and source at large. The distribution maps of elements show that highest concentrations of Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn, Co, and biogenic opal in the surface sediment occurs between 10°S and 16°S latitude, where diagenetic ferromanganese nodules rich in Mn, Cu, Ni, and Zn are present. The studies highlight that the excess element concentration (detrital unsupported) such as Mn, Cu, Ba, Ni, Co, Pb, and Zn have contributed >80% of their respective bulk composition. These excess elements exhibit strong positive correlation with each other suggesting their association with a single authigenic phase such as Mn oxide. Biogenic opal contributes 30–50% of the total silica in the siliceous sediment. Aluminum, Fe, and K have contributed >60% from terrigenous detrital source compared to their bulk composition. In calcareous ooze, Ca, and Sr excess contribute >95% while, in siliceous ooze it is only 50% of their bulk composition. Nearly 35% of structurally unsupported Al in the sediment raises doubt of using Al as a terrigenous index element to normalize the trace and minor elements. Biogenic apatite is evident by the positive correlation between Ca (<1%) and P. Calcium, Sr, and P depict a common source such as biogenic. Bulk element concentration such as Li, V, Cr, Sc, and Zr are positively correlated with Ti indicating their terrigenous detrital source. Rare earth element (REE) concentration increases from calcareous ooze to siliceous ooze and reaches a maximum in the red clay. Presence of positive Eu-anomaly in these sediments has been attributed to aeolian input. REE in these sediments are mostly carried by authigenic phases such as manganese oxide and biogenic apatite. Based on the distribution of transition elements in the sediment cores, three distinct zones—oxic at top, suboxic at intermediate depth, and a subsurface maxima—have been identified. Oxic and suboxic zones are incidentally associated with high and low micronodule abundance in the coarse fraction (>63 μm) respectively. Ash layers encountered at intermediate depth between 10 to 35 cm are correlative with the Youngest Toba eruption of ～74ka from Northern Sumatra. This ash is mainly responsible for the high bulk Al/Ti ratio up to 48.5 (three times higher than Post Archean Australian Shale), other than scavenging of dissolved Al by biogenic components.