洋中脊热液系统中的锇及其同位素

洋中脊热液系统是将相对富集在深部的Os运移到海底表面的重要媒介,同时该过程也是全球Os循环的重要组成部分.在归纳总结洋中脊热液系统各物源组分和产物中Os的化学形态、含量及其同位素组成特征的基础上,探讨了Os在洋中脊热液活动各阶段中的分布演化规律及物源贡献特征.在缺乏沉积物覆盖的洋中脊区域,热液系统中的Os及其同位素组成特征主要受控于海水和不同构造环境下洋壳组分特征的差异以及这两种物源组分混合比例的不同.经历了海底之下的水岩反应后,围岩会将下渗海水中的部分放射性成因Os固定,而将自身富集的非放射性成因Os释放进入热液流体中.堆积在海底之上的各种热液产物中的Os大多来自海水,而海底之下的热液产物则因为海水下渗深度以及海水与热液流体混合程度的差异而体现出宽泛的Os含量和187Os/188Os比值变化范围.      

海洋环境Fe同位素地球化学研究进展

Fe是海洋“生物泵”中限制浮游生物生长和控制海洋初级生产力的主要因素之一,也可间接影响大气中CO2含量,反馈于全球的气候变化。近年来基于多接收电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(MC ICP MS)分析方法的改进及测试精度的提高,应用Fe同位素组成、变化及其分馏机制,为研究海水中Fe的主要来源以及示踪海洋环境中Fe的循环过程等,提供了一个有效地球化学指标,也对示踪地球不同演化阶段的海洋沉积环境变化具有指示意义。较为详细地介绍了海洋环境中不同储库的Fe同位素组成,洋中脊热液流体—玄武岩、海水—大洋玄武岩等水—岩反应影响Fe同位素分馏效应的主要因素及地球不同演化阶段古海洋沉积环境中的Fe同位素变化。认为海洋环境下Fe同位素可以产生较为明显的分馏作用,轻铁同位素具有更易活动、易迁移的特征,并进一步提出不同相态、不同矿物间Fe同位素分馏系数的确定等相关问题仍是今后Fe同位素研究的主要方向。     

早前寒武纪硫铁矿矿床Fe同位素特征及其地质意义——以山东石河庄和河北大川为例

报道了山东石河庄和河北大川地区前寒武纪层状硫化物矿床中黄铁矿单矿物的Fe同位素组成.相对于标准物质IRMM-014,大川黄铁矿的ε575Fe为-38.8～-13.1,石河庄黄铁矿的ε57Fe为-39.4～-15.1,表明形成这两个层状硫化物矿床的新元古代海水富集Fe的轻同位素.世界不同地区新太古代黑色页岩中的黄铁矿的Fe同位素组成与华北两个硫铁矿矿床的Fe同位素特征基本一致,暗示新太古代海洋富集Fe的轻同位素可能是全球现象.导致早前寒武纪海洋富集Fe轻同位素的原因是海水中大量的Fe被氧化形成了富集Fe重同位素的磁铁矿和赤铁矿.     

安徽新桥矿床矿相学与Fe同位素特征及其对矿床成因的制约

对安徽新桥矿床进行系统的野外地质调查和矿相学研究发现,层状矿体中的胶状黄铁矿交代矽卡岩磁铁矿矿体,为探讨层状硫化物矿床是早期沉积成因还是岩浆热液成因提供了新的地质约束。对铜陵矿集区内的新桥矿床层状菱铁矿矿体和凤凰山矽卡岩型矿体中的菱铁矿开展了Fe同位素组成的对比研究,结果显示：新桥矿床菱铁矿与典型低温热液脉型矿床和沉积铁矿中的菱铁矿在Fe同位素组成特征上有所不同,而与凤凰山矽卡岩型矿床中的菱铁矿更为接近;新桥矿床中胶状黄铁矿和菱铁矿相对于磁铁矿富集Fe的轻同位素,表明磁铁矿不是过去认为的由胶状黄铁矿和菱铁矿矿胚层经热液改造形成,而是与典型的岩浆热液有关。新桥矿区层状硫化物矿体和矽卡岩型矿体中,近岩体矽卡岩和最早形成的金属矿物磁铁矿比岩体更为富集Fe的轻同位素,而赋矿围岩比岩体更为富集Fe的重同位素。同时,不同矿化阶段形成的含铁矿物和不同空间位置的硫化物中的Fe同位素组成呈现出时空分带现象,Fe同位素组成的时空演化特征与流体出溶、流体演化非常一致,并且符合同位素分馏的基本理论,表明层状硫化物矿体和矽卡岩型矿体具有相同的成矿物质来源,为同一流体体系演化的产物。新桥矿区岩相学的研究结果和Fe同位素组成特征均表明,新桥层状硫化物矿床不是海西期喷流沉积成矿作用的产物,而是燕山期热液成矿作用的产物,为一个典型的热液成因矿床。     

大西洋洋中脊TAG热液区中块状硫化物的Os同位素研究

新测得TAG热液区中5件海底块状硫化物样品的锇含量及其同位素组成,187Os/186Os比值在2.305～7.879之间,均值为5.986,介于现代海水和上部洋壳岩石的锇同位素组成之间,表明该区海底块状硫化物中锇是海水和上部洋壳来源锇混合的产物.在海底热液循环过程中,海水的混入对该区热液流体的Os浓度及其同位素组成产生了明显的影响。     

辽宁弓长岭铁矿二矿区条带状铁建造地球化学特征及成因探讨

本文以弓长岭铁矿二矿区磁铁石英岩、磁铁富矿和蚀变围岩样品为研究对象,进行了主量元素、微量元素、稀土元素和Fe同位素的测试。结果表明:磁铁石英岩主要由TFe2O3和SiO2组成,Al2O3和TiO2质量分数较低,微量元素质量分数和稀土元素质量分数均较低;经澳大利亚后太古界平均页岩(PAAS)标准化的稀土配分模式呈现出轻稀土亏损和重稀土富集,La、Eu和Y的正异常明显,Ce的异常不明显,Y/Ho值较高;富集Fe的重同位素,且与海底喷发热液经过氧化沉淀后的Fe同位素特征一致。磁铁富矿与磁铁石英岩的地球化学特征有很好的一致性和继承性,但磁铁富矿的REE和Eu质量分数较高,且较磁铁石英岩富集Fe的轻同位素,范围更大,与蚀变岩的Fe同位素组成相近。弓长岭铁矿的磁铁石英岩是陆源物质加入很少的古海洋化学沉积岩,为喷出的海底热液与海水的混合条件下氧化沉淀形成的。磁铁富矿推测为富Fe的轻同位素热液对磁铁石英岩进行改造,经过去硅富铁作用形成的。     

大西洋中脊热液硫化物矿点地形制约及勘探靶区筛选

<正>近几十年来,由于勘探技术的进步,世界诸国开始重视和进行深海大洋海底矿产资源的调查勘探工作。海底多金属硫化物是海底矿产资源极为重要的一项,对其的研究具有明显的经济与科学意义。大西洋中脊属于慢速扩张脊,慢速扩张洋中脊容易发育大型的热液多金属硫化物。大西洋的热液硫化物主要分布于洋中脊地区,底部基岩主要由基性玄武岩与少量超基性岩组成。大西洋中脊的热液硫化物可主要分为Cu-Zn型和Cu-Fe型硫化物。已发现的热液硫化物区域在地形上具有显著差异,主     

冀东司家营条带状含铁建造铁矿石铁同位素特征及其地质意义

司家营条带状含铁建造（Banded iron formation,BIF）型铁矿床是冀东地区规模最大的铁矿床,前人对其进行了大量的年代学、岩石学和元素地球化学工作,但目前尚未对其进行Fe同位素研究。本文通过Fe同位素和主微量、稀土元素相结合的方法对司家营BIF的成矿物质来源和形成背景提出了有效制约,同时对司家营BIF的锆石U- Pb年龄数据进行补充。锆石U- Pb年代学显示,司家营BIF形成于2537~2531Ma。地球化学数据显示司家营BIF矿石主要由TFe2O3和SiO2组成,具有较低的Al2O3和TiO2含量,富集Fe重同位素（δ56Fe=0.341‰~0.525‰）;稀土元素配分模式呈现轻稀土亏损、重稀土富集的特征,具有明显的Eu、Y、La正异常,Y/Ho比率较高（Y/Ho=34.96~45.84）。这些特征表明司家营BIF是基本无碎屑物质参与的化学沉积岩,稀土元素来源于高温热液和海水的混合溶液,铁质来源于海相热液流体。司家营BIF缺乏真正的Ce负异常和Fe同位素组成均为正值指示其形成于缺氧环境。综合对比世界上其他地区太古宙BIF的Fe同位素特征,本文认为新太古代时期地球海洋含氧量逐步上升,此时海洋总体属于缺氧环境,但部分地区氧气含量较高。     

大西洋洋中脊TAG热液区硫化物铅和硫同位素研究

位于大西洋洋中脊26.08°N的 TAG 热液区是目前己知的赋存在无沉积物覆盖的洋中脊区的一个最大的海底热液硫化物矿床。新测得来自 ODP-158航次钻孔的9件热液硫化物的铅、硫同位素组成;2件铁锰氧化物和1件底盘玄武岩的铅同位素组成。结果表明,矿石硫化物的铅同位素组成~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb 为18.2343～18.3181,~(207)pb/~(204)Ph 为15.4717～15.5061,~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb 为37.7371～37.8417;它们位于该区底盘玄武岩(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb=18.1454,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb=15.4572,~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb=37.6534)和近洋底铁锰氧化物(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb,~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb 分别为18.6907～18.9264,15.5615～15.6279,38.1164～38.3687)的铅同位素组成之间。三者呈线性相关关系,说明硫化物中铅来源于地幔(玄武岩)与海水(铁锰氧化物)的两端元混合。硫化物的硫同位素组成δ~(34)S 为6.2‰～9.5‰,它明显高于地幔玄武岩的硫同位素组成(δ~(34)S=±0‰),也高于东太平洋海隆 EPR21°N(δ~(34)S=0.9‰～4.0‰)和大西洋洋中脊 MAR23°N(δ~(34)S=1.2‰～2.8‰)等热液活动区硫化物的硫同位素组成,这一特征反映了 TAG 热液体系中硫来源于地幔玄武岩硫与海水硫酸盐无机还原作用产生的硫的两端元混合。此,铅硫同位素研究为现代大洋底热液硫化物矿床形成过程中矿质来源及流体混合作用提供了十分有益的信息。     

蚀变洋壳和俯冲带变质流体的Fe-Mg同位素组成

贫碳酸盐的蚀变洋壳具有与新鲜洋中脊玄武岩一致的Mg同位素组成,说明低温和高温洋壳蚀变不会导致Mg同位素分馏.大别山港河和花凉亭的早期变质脉比榴辉岩具有偏高的δ56Fe-δ26Mg值,而且早期到晚期变质脉的δ56Fe-δ26Mg值逐渐降低.这些结果说明,在流体-岩石反应和流体演化过程中,Fe-Mg同位素发生了显著的分馏,且矿物溶解-再沉淀是同位素分馏的控制因素.相比洋中脊玄武岩,蚀变洋壳和变质脉具有相似或偏高的δ56Fe-δ26Mg值,说明蚀变洋壳脱水产生的流体富集重Fe-Mg同位素,不能解释弧岩浆岩的轻Fe/重Mg同位素组成.因此,弧岩浆岩异常的Fe-Mg同位素组成是熔体提取和富集54Fe-26Mg的蛇纹岩流体交代地幔楔两个过程共同作用的结果.      

Iron isotope fractionation in a buoyant hydrothermal plume, 5°S Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Fe isotopes are a potential tool for tracing the biogeochemical redox cycle of Fe in the ocean. Specifically, it is hypothesized that Fe isotopes could enable estimation of the contributions from multiple Fe sources to the dissolved Fe budget, an issue that has received much attention in recent years. The first priority however, is to understand any Fe isotope fractionation processes that may occur as Fe enters the ocean, resulting in modification of original source compositions. In this study, we have investigated the Fe inputs from a basalt-hosted, deep-sea hydrothermal system and the fractionation processes that occur as the hot, chemically reduced and acidic vent fluids mix with cold, oxygen-rich seawater.The samples collected were both end-member vent fluids taken from hydrothermal chimneys, and rising buoyant plume samples collected directly above the same vents at 5°S, Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Our analyzes of these samples reveal that, for the particulate Fe species within the buoyant plume, 25% of the Fe is precipitated as Fe-sulfides. The isotope fractionation caused by the formation of these Fe-sulfides is δ_Fe(II)–FeS = +0.60 ± 0.12‰.The source isotope composition for the buoyant plume samples collected above the Red Lion vents is calculated to be −0.29 ± 0.05‰. This is identical to the value measured in end-member vent fluids collected from the underlying “Tannenbaum” chimney. The resulting isotope compositions of the Fe-sulfide and Fe-oxyhydroxide species in this buoyant plume are −0.89 ± 0.11‰ and −0.19 ± 0.09‰, respectively. From mass balance calculations, we have been able to calculate the isotope composition of the dissolved Fe fraction, and hypothesize that the isotope composition of any stabilised dissolved Fe species exported to the surrounding ocean may be heavier than the original vent fluid. Such species would be expected to travel some distance from areas of hydrothermal venting and, hence, contribute to not only the dissolved Fe budget of the deep-ocean but also it’s dissolved Fe isotope signature.     

Subsurface processes at the lucky strike hydrothermal field, Mid-Atlantic ridge: evidence from sulfur, selenium, and iron isotopes

At Lucky Strike near the Azores Triple Junction, the seafloor setting of the hydrothermal field in a caldera system with abundant low-permeability layers of cemented breccia, provides a unique opportunity to study the influence of subsurface geological conditions on the hydrothermal fluid evolution. Coupled analyses of S isotopes performed in conjunction with Se and Fe isotopes have been applied for the first time to the study of seafloor hydrothermal systems. These data provide a tool for resolving the different abiotic and potential biotic near-surface hydrothermal reactions. The δ³⁴S (between 1.5‰ and 4.6‰) and Se values (between 213 and 1640 ppm) of chalcopyrite suggest a high temperature end-member hydrothermal fluid with a dual source of sulfur: sulfur that was leached from basaltic rocks, and sulfur derived from the reduction of seawater sulfate. In contrast, pyrite and marcasite generally have lower δ³⁴S within the range of magmatic values (0 ± 1‰) and are characterized by low concentrations of Se (<50 ppm). For ⁸²Se/⁷⁶Se ratios, the δ⁸²Se values range from basaltic values of near −1.5‰ to −7‰. The large range and highly negative values of hydrothermal deposits observed cannot be explained by simple mixing between Se leached from igneous rock and Se derived from seawater. We interpret the Se isotope signature to be a result of leaching and mixing of a fractionated Se source located beneath hydrothermal chimneys in the hydrothermal fluid. At Lucky Strike we consider two sources for S and Se: (1) the “end-member” hydrothermal fluid with basaltic Se isotopic values (−1.5‰) and typical S isotope hydrothermal values of 1.5‰; (2) a fractionated source hosted in subsurface environment with negative δ³⁴S values, probably from bacterial reduction of seawater sulfate and negative δ⁸²Se values possibly derived from inorganic reduction of Se oxyanions. Fluid trapped in the subsurface environment is conductively cooled and has restricted mixing and provide favorable conditions for subsurface microbial activity which is potentially recorded by S isotopes. Fe isotope systematic reveals that Se-rich high temperature samples have δ⁵⁷Fe values close to basaltic values (∼0‰) whereas Se-depleted samples precipitated at medium to low temperature are systematically lighter (δ⁵⁷Fe values between −1 to −3‰). An important implication of our finding is that light Fe isotope composition down to −3.2‰ may be explained entirely by abiotic fractionation, in which a reservoir effect during sulfide precipitation was able to produce highly fractionated compositions.     

Iron-Molybdenum Isotopes and the Chemical Evolution of Ancient-Oceans

Iron(Fe) is abundant in nature while molybdenum(Mo) is the most abundant transition metal in seawater. Due to their high sensitivity to the redox state of the environment, the isotopic compositions of Fe and Mo as well as variations have been widely used to probe the redox conditions and the evolution of ancient ocean chemistry in favor of improved analytical techniques. Here, we summarized isotopic fractionation mechanisms and natural distribution of both iron and molybdenum isotopes, and further we summarized and partially reinterpreted the redox evolution of ancient oceans through time based on available Fe-Mo data compiled in this study. The process that causes the largest iron isotope fractionation is redox reaction and the iron in oxidation state is generally enriched in ⁵⁶Fe. Biotic and abiotic pyrite formations also produce a large Fe isotope fractionations. Isotopic fractionation of molybdenum in seawater is mainly caused by the adsorption process of dissolved Mo onto ferromanganese oxides or hydroxides in sediments. Fe-Mn (hydro)oxides tend to adsorb isotopically light molybdenum resulting in the isotopic composition of Mo in seawater heavier. However, the Mo sinks in euxinic settings cause almost no molybdenum isotope fractionation. The Fe Mo isotope isotopic records through geological timegenerally suggest similar ocean redox evolution: Oceans older than 2.3 Ga was mainly dominated by ferruginous condition, and there was a slight increase in oxygen content between 2.6 and 2.5 Ga. Earth’s surface was initially oxidized during 2.3 to 1.8 Ga, during which euxinic deposition of sulfide was elevated. Euxinic waters may have expanded greatly between 1.8 and 0.8 Ga, and after that, Earth’s surface had being gradually oxidized and the euxinic waters shrank substantially.Finally, suggestions are proposed for further work on the Fe-Mo isotope research in the context of ancient ocean chemistry.     

Variations in seawater osmium isotope composition since the last glacial maximum: A case study from the Japan Sea

Concentrations of Re and Os, and the isotopic composition of Os have been measured in the Japan Sea sediments to assess the response of the Japan Sea to glacial–interglacial climate change and associated weathering fluxes. The osmium concentrations in the sediment samples analyzed vary from 59 to 371 pg/g, and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os from 0.935 to 1.042. Only ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of sediment samples from dark laminations deposited under suboxic to anoxic conditions and having elevated concentrations of Re and Os, and with ≥ 80% hydrogenous Os are explained in terms of seawater composition. Lower ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os were observed for sediments deposited during the last glacial maximum (LGM) when planktonic foraminifera from the Japan Sea recorded lighter oxygen isotopic composition. Decrease in dissolved Os fluxes from continents and/or change in the composition of the dissolved load to the Japan Sea are suggested as the driving mechanisms for the observed lower LGM ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os. The results of this study, coupled with lower ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os during the last glacial observed at other sites from ocean basins with different lithology and contrasting sediment accumulation rates, suggest that this trend is characteristic of the global oceans.

Data from this study show that the Japan Sea recorded higher ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os during the current interglacial coinciding with excursions of oxygen isotopic compositions of planktonic foraminifera to heavier values. This is explained in terms of preferential release of ¹⁸⁷Os during deglacial weathering and/or higher continental Os flux driven by warm and wet climate. This study demonstrates that Os isotopic composition of reducing margin sediments has immense potential to track variations in the seawater composition. In addition, ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of reducing sediments may be used to draw inferences about local paleoceanographic processes in semi-enclosed basins such as the Japan Sea.     

Insights to magmatic-hydrothermal processes in the Manus back-arc basin as recorded by anhydrite

Microchemical analyses of rare earth element (REE) concentrations and Sr and S isotope ratios of anhydrite are used to identify sub-seafloor processes governing the formation of hydrothermal fluids in the convergent margin Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea. Samples comprise drill-core vein anhydrite and seafloor massive anhydrite from the PACMANUS (Roman Ruins, Snowcap and Fenway) and SuSu Knolls (North Su) active hydrothermal fields. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns in anhydrite show remarkable heterogeneity on the scale of individual grains, different from the near uniform REE_N patterns measured in anhydrite from mid-ocean ridge deposits. The REE_N patterns in anhydrite are correlated with REE distributions measured in hydrothermal fluids venting at the seafloor at these vent fields and are interpreted to record episodes of hydrothermal fluid formation affected by magmatic volatile degassing. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios vary dramatically within individual grains between that of contemporary seawater and that of endmember hydrothermal fluid. Anhydrite was precipitated from a highly variable mixture of the two. The intra-grain heterogeneity implies that anhydrite preserves periods of contrasting hydrothermal versus seawater dominant near-seafloor fluid circulation. Most sulfate δ³⁴S values of anhydrite cluster around that of contemporary seawater, consistent with anhydrite precipitating from hydrothermal fluid mixed with locally entrained seawater. Sulfate δ³⁴S isotope ratios in some anhydrites are, however, lighter than that of seawater, which are interpreted as recording a source of sulfate derived from magmatic SO₂ degassed from underlying felsic magmas in the Manus Basin. The range of elemental and isotopic signatures observed in anhydrite records a range of sub-seafloor processes including high-temperature hydrothermal fluid circulation, varying extents of magmatic volatile degassing, seawater entrainment and fluid mixing. The chemical and isotopic heterogeneity recorded in anhydrite at the inter- and intra-grain scale captures the dynamics of hydrothermal fluid formation and sub-seafloor circulation that is highly variable both spatially and temporally on timescales over which hydrothermal deposits are formed. Microchemical analysis of hydrothermal minerals can provide information about the temporal history of submarine hydrothermal systems that are variable over time and cannot necessarily be inferred only from the study of vent fluids.     

铁同位素体系及其在矿床学中的应用

本文报道了世界范围内不同含铁矿物的Fe同位素组成,进一步了解了铁同位素在不同含铁矿物中的基本分布特征;系统总结了铁同位素在不同储库和不同类型矿床中的分布特征,构筑了铁同位素体系的基本框架;结合最新的研究成果,较全面地总结了铁同位素在矿床学领域的应用,得出了铁同位素可以用来示踪流体出溶、流体演化、表生蚀变作用和成矿物质来源的基本认识。在流体出溶过程中,相对于岩体,出溶的流体富集铁的轻同位素;成矿流体体系的演化过程中,矿物的结晶沉淀会导致铁同位素发生分馏,随着Fe(III)矿物的结晶沉淀,流体逐渐富集铁的轻同位素,随着Fe(II)矿物的结晶沉淀,流体逐渐富集铁的重同位素,随着矿物的结晶沉淀,流体的Fe同位素组成随时间发生演化;在成矿后的表生蚀变作用过程,高温蚀变作用形成的产物相对于原矿物富集铁重同位素,低温蚀变作用形成的产物基本保留了原矿物的铁同位素组成;Fe同位素在示踪成矿物质来源具有应用潜力,流体出溶、流体演化等重要成矿作用过程中Fe同位素组成的变化规律是利用Fe同位素示踪Fe来源的关键所在。     

Chemical compositions of mussels and clams from the Tangyin and Yonaguni Knoll IV hydrothermal fields in the southwestern Okinawa Trough

Studies of the chemical characteristics of mussels and clams in seafloor hydrothermal fields are important for understanding mass fluxes and elemental partitioning from hydrothermal vents into the biosphere, metal bioaccumulation of seafloor hydrothermal ecosystems, and the sources and sinks of biogeochemical and fluid cycles. We are the first to measure the mineral, major, trace and rare earth element, and carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of mussels (Bathymodiolus platifrons) and clams (Conchocele bisecta) from the Tangyin and Yonaguni Knoll IV hydrothermal fields in the southwestern Okinawa Trough. Mineralogical analysis shows that the carbonate shells of the mussel and clam samples are mainly composed of calcite and aragonite. Metal elements exhibit linear correlations in the shells (e.g., V and U) and tissues (e.g., Li and Rb) of the mussels and clams, suggesting that not all positive correlations of elements in tissues are inherited by the shells. V/As, Ca/Sr, and Fe/Cr ratios in the mussels and clams are close to those in the seawater, indicating that element ratios of seawater might be inherited by the mussels and clams. In addition, the Fe/Cr ratio of the shells of both mussels and clams can be used to trace the local seawater composition.The total LREE concentrations of mussel and clam tissue samples are higher than those of the mussel and clam shell samples, are similar to the hydrothermal fluids, exhibit LREE enrichment (La_CN/Nd_CN ratios = 1.86-32.1), and no or only slightly negative Eu anomalies, indicating that benthic animals are a sink of LREEs from hydrothermal fluids, and that the Eu/Eu* ratios of fluids change when fluids are incorporated into the tissues of the mussels and clams. In addition, the δ¹³C values of mussel shell samples are heavier than those of the clam shell samples in the hydrothermal field, indicating that more than one carbon source may be involved in defining the δ¹³C compositions of the shells. The majority of the δ¹⁸O values of clam shell samples fall in the range of δ¹⁸O values of the mussel shell samples, and are close to the hydrothermal fluid δ¹⁸O_H2O values, implying that the δ¹⁸O values of mussel and clam shell carbonate is influenced by the hydrothermal environment (magmatic water and fluid dilution with seawater).     

Geochemistry of a sediment push-core from the Lucky Strike hydrothermal field,Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Hydrothermal sediment mineralogy and geochemistry can provide insights into seafloor mineralization processes and changes through time. We report a geochemical investigation of a short (22 cm) near-vent hydrothermal metalliferous sediment core from the Lucky Strike site (LS), on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). The sediment was collected from the base of an active white smoker vent and comprises pure hydrothermal precipitates, mainly chalcopyrite, sphalerite, pyrite and barite, with negligible detrital and biogenic inputs. Geochemically, the core is enriched in elements derived from high-temperature hydrothermalism (Fe, Cu, Zn and Ba) and depleted in elements derived from low-temperature hydrothermalism (Mn), and metasomatism (Mg). The U/Fe content ratio is elevated, particularly in the deeper parts of the core, consistent with uptake from seawater associated with sulphide alteration. Rare earth elements (REE) concentrations are low and chondrite-normalized patterns are characteristic of high-temperature vent fluids with an enrichment in light REE and a pronounced positive Eu anomaly. A stronger positive Eu anomaly associated with higher La_n/Sm_n at the core top is controlled by barite precipitation. The hydrothermal influence on the REE decreases downcore with some evidence for a stronger seawater influence at depth. Nd isotopes also exhibit an increased detrital/seawater influence downcore. Pb isotope ratios are uniform and plot on the Northern Hemisphere Reference Line in a small domain defined by LS basalts and exhibit no detrital or seawater influence. Lucky Strike sediments are derived from high-temperature mineralization and are overprinted by a weak seawater–sediment interaction when compared with other Atlantic hydrothermal sites such as TAG. The larger seawater input and/or a larger detrital contribution in deeper layers can be explained by variable hydrothermal activity during sediment formation, suggesting different pulses in activity of the LS hydrothermal system.