Smectite formation in metalliferous sediments near the East Pacific Rise at 13°N

A 43 cm long E271 sediment core collected near the East Pacific Rise(EPR) at 13°N were studied to investigate the origin of smectite for understanding better the geochemical behavior of hydrothermal material after deposition.E271 sediments are typical metalliferous sediments. After removal of organic matter, carbonate, biogenic opal,and Fe-Mn oxide by a series of chemical procedures, clay minerals(2 μm) were investigated by X-ray diffraction,chemical analysis and Si isotope analysis. Due to the influence of seafloor hydrothermal activity and close to continent, the sources of clay minerals are complex. Illite, chlorite and kaolinite are suggested to be transported from either North or Central America by rivers or winds, but smectite is authigenic. It is enriched in iron, and its contents are highest in clay minerals. Data show that smectite is most likely formed by the reaction of hydrothermal Fe-oxyhydroxide with silica and seawater in metalliferous sediments. The Si that participates in this reaction may be derived from siliceous microfossils(diatoms or radiolarians), hydrothermal fluids, or detrital mineral phases. And their δ30 Si values are higher than those of authigenic smectites, which implies that a Si isotope fractionation occurs during the formation because of the selective absorption of light Si isotopes onto Feoxyhydroxides. Sm/Fe mass ratios(a proxy for overall REE/Fe ratio) in E271 clay minerals are lower than those in metalliferous sediments, as well as distal hydrothermal plume particles and terrigenous clay minerals. This result suggests that some REE are lost during the smectite formation, perhaps because their large ionic radii of REE scavenged by Fe-oxyhydroxides preclude substitution in either tetrahedral or octahedral lattice sites of this mineral structure, which decreases the value of metalliferous sediments as a potential resource for REE.     

南海西部表层沉积物黏土矿物的分布

对南海西部表层沉积物进行系统取样分析表明,该区黏土矿物总体以伊利石为主,平均含量超过50%,其次为蒙脱石、绿泥石和高岭石含量较低,伊利石和蒙脱石含量变化较大,两者呈负相关关系,而绿泥石和高岭石含量变化较小,两者呈正相关关系。根据黏土矿物组合及其分布特征,南海西部海域大致可以分为A、B、C、D四区,其中A区以高伊利石和低蒙脱石含量为特征,B区伊利石含量明显下降,蒙脱石含量增多,C区以较高蒙脱石含量和低绿泥石、高岭石含量为特征,D区为相对低伊利石,高蒙脱石、绿泥石和高岭石,且往东南方向蒙脱石含量增大,而伊利石含量下降。与邻区黏土矿物组合对比研究表明,高伊利石含量的A区物源,除来自华南大陆的珠江、韩江等大小河流外,可能有相当部分来自东北方向,包括台湾岛及台湾海峡等。越南岸外的陆坡区细粒沉积物与陆架区有明显的继承性,表明其物源主要来自中南半岛,而红河物源对陆坡及深海盆的影响相对较小。南部陆架-陆坡区的物源主要有湄公河和加里曼丹岛,但两者的混合明显。因此,从区域分布来看,来自台湾海峡的细粒沉积物对南海深海盆影响最大,这可能主要是有由于表层环流所致。     

南海北部西侧海域粘土矿物的含量分布特征及来源分析

应用X射线衍射(XRD)方法对南海北部西侧海域315个表层沉积物<2μm的粘土组分进行分析.结果表明,本研究区粘土矿物有伊利石、绿泥石、蒙脱石和高岭石,其组合特征在不同区域表现出明显的差异.根据粘土矿物的空间分布特征以及研究区的海底地形特征,研究区大致可以分为3个不同区块:A区是珠江口外的大陆架区域;B区是海南岛以东陆架陆坡区域;C区为西沙海槽至西沙群岛附近区域.根据研究区表层粘土矿物分布特征、周围河流供给的主要粘土成分以及洋流搬运作用,发现A区高岭石(平均含量为19%)主要来自珠江,伊利石与绿泥石(平均含量分别为53%和18%)主要由台湾的河流提供,有珠江物质的混合,蒙脱石含量较低(平均含量为10%).B区的高岭石(平均含量为13%)主要由海南岛的河流提供,蒙脱石(平均含量为16%)主要由吕宋岛的河流提供,B区东部的伊利石和绿泥石来自台湾的河流,B区西部伊利石和绿泥石主要来自红河、越南中部河流,海南岛物源亦有贡献.C区高岭石含量较低(平均含量为12%),越南中部河流和红河为C区蒙脱石(平均含量为14%)的主要物源区,C区东部伊利石和绿泥石来自台湾的河流,C区西部伊利石和绿泥石主要来自红河、越南中部河流.     

Geologic setting of the Snake Pit hydrothermal site: An active vent field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

TheSnake Pit Hydrothermal Site lies on the axis of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 23°22′ N latitude, about 30 km south of the Kane Transform Intersection. Active ‘black smoker’ vents and a surrounding field of hydrothermal sediment occur at the crest of a laterally extensive neovolcanic ridge. It is one of the first active hydrothermal vent fields to be found on a slow-spreading ridge axis and despite significant differences in its geologic setting from those of the East Pacific Rise, has many similarities to its fast-spreading counterparts. Although preliminary reports have documented many interesting aspects of these vents and their surroundings, new data collected from the manned submersible ALVIN and the deep-towed ANGUS camera system define the regional tectonic setting as well as the local geologic environment of this fascinating area. The Snake Pit vents are located on a local peak of a volcanic constructional ridge at a depth of 3450 m, 700–800 m deeper than vents known from the East Pacific Rise, Galapagos, or Juan de Fuca spreading centers. The vent field is at least 600 m long and up to 200 m wide and is covered by a thick blanket of greenish to yellow-orange hydrothermal sediment. Both active and extinct vents are perched along the crests of steep-sided sulfide mounds that reach heights of over 40 m. High-temperature (350° C) fluids are vented from black smoker chimneys and low-temperature (226° C) fluids seep from sulphide domes and subordinate anhydrite constructions. Water temperatures, flow rates, fluid chemistries, and mineralization are strikingly similar to vents of faster spreading ridge crests; however, a somewhat distinct fauna inhabit the area.     

<Superscript>230</Superscript>Th/<Superscript>238</Superscript>U dating of hydrothermal sulfides from Duanqiao hydrothermal field,Southwest Indian Ridge

Duanqiao hydrothermal field is located between the Indomed and Gallieni fracture zones at the central volcano, at 50°28′E in the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR). Twenty-eight subsamples from a relict chimney and massive sulfides were dated using the ²³⁰Th/²³⁸U method. Four main episodes of hydrothermal activity were determined according to the restricted results: 68.9–84.3, 43.9–48.4, 25.3–34.8, and 0.7–17.3 kyrs. Hydrothermal activity of Duanqiao probably started about 84.3 (±0.5) kyrs ago and ceased about 0.737 (±0.023) kyrs ago. The periodic character of hydrothermal activity may be related to the heat source provided by the interaction of local magmatism and tectonism. The estimated mean growth rate of the sulfide chimney is <0.02 mm/yr. This study is the first to estimate the growth rate of chimneys in the SWIR. The maximum age of the relict chimney in Duanqiao hydrothermal filed is close to that of the chimneys from Mt. Jourdanne (70 kyrs). The hydrothermal activity in Dragon Flag field is much more recent than that of Duanqiao or Mt. Jourdanne fields. The massive sulfides are younger than the sulfides from other hydrothermal fields such as Rainbow, Sonne and Ashadze-2. The preliminarily estimated reserves of sulfide ores of Duanqiao are approximately 0.5–2.9 million tons.     

Two New Hydrothermal Fields at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Two new major hydrothermal fields have been discovered in the rift valley of the MAR at 13°N (Ashadze) and l6°38′N (Krasnov). The Ashadze field consists of a cluster of active hydrothermal sites associated with ultramafic rocks and located at the greatest depth in the ocean (4,200 m). By contrast, the Krasnov field consists of inactive sulfide mounds hosted in basalts. The Krasnov is the largest hydrothermal deposit on the MAR (17.4 Mt) so far discovered with iron sulfide as the principal mineral type. By contrast, Cu-Zn sulfides are the major minerals in the Ashadze deposits, which are also enriched in gold and several other metals.     

南海南部沉积物中黏土矿物组成变化及其古沉积信息记录初探

通过对南海南部2个代表13万a以来柱状沉积样品高分辨率的黏土矿物组成分析,认为所研究的黏土矿物主要为陆源碎屑成因,埋藏过程中的成岩变化或黏土矿物自生特征不明显,而以采样点南面加里曼丹岛、菲律宾东、西两侧的火山群岛和湄公河流域为主要陆源的地质条件、风化环境及物质迁移途径的差异控制了南海南部沉积物中黏土矿物组成的空间和时间变化.研究发现,沉积物样品中较高的蒙皂石含量对应于地质历史上的暖期,而较低的蒙皂石含量对应于冷期.伊利石的行为及其古海洋指示意义则与蒙皂石相反.将柱状沉积物样品上高分辨率的黏土矿物组成分析作为一种研究方法,有助于研究晚第四纪以来南海陆源碎屑物的源区特征、迁移途径及海区古环境演变.     

Clay Minerals and Geotechnical Index Properties of Marine Clays in East Asia

Clay mineral composition and geotechnical index properties of marine clays collected from Singapore, Korea, and Japan were investigated, and the correlation of clay mineral composition with the consistency limits and activity of the clays was examined. Predominant clay minerals were kaolinite for Singapore clay, kaolinite, vermiculite, and illite for Pusan clay, and smectite for Hachirogata and Ariake clay from Japan. The activity of clay indicates that Singapore clay is classified as normal or inactive, Pusan clay as normal, and Hachirogata and Ariake clays mostly as active. Significant positive correlations were found between smectite percentage in bulk soil and the liquid and plastic limits of the clays.     

Clay Minerals and Geotechnical Index Properties of Marine Clays in East Asia

Clay mineral composition and geotechnical index properties of marine clays collected from Singapore, Korea, and Japan were investigated, and the correlation of clay mineral composition with the consistency limits and activity of the clays was examined. Predominant clay minerals were kaolinite for Singapore clay, kaolinite, vermiculite, and illite for Pusan clay, and smectite for Hachirogata and Ariake clay from Japan. The activity of clay indicates that Singapore clay is classified as normal or inactive, Pusan clay as normal, and Hachirogata and Ariake clays mostly as active. Significant positive correlations were found between smectite percentage in bulk soil and the liquid and plastic limits of the clays.     

Newly discovered hydrothermal fields along the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge around 63°E

The ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR) to the east of the Melville fracture zone is characterized by very low melt supply and intensive tectonic activity. Due to its weak thermal budget and extremely slow spreading rate, the easternmost SWIR was considered to be devoid of hydrothermal activity until the discovery of the inactive Mt. Jourdanne hydrothermal field(27°51′S, 63°56′E) in 1998. During the COMRA DY115-20 cruise in2009, two additional hydrothermal fields(i.e., the Tiancheng(27°51′S, 63°55′E) and Tianzuo(27°57′S, 63°32′E)fields) were discovered. Further detailed investigations of these two hydrothermal sites were conducted by Chinese manned submersible Jiaolong in 2014–2015. The Tiancheng filed can be characterized as a lowtemperature(up to 13.2°C) diffuse flow hydrothermal field, and is hosted by fractured basalts with hydrothermal fauna widespread on the seafloor. The Tianzuo hydrothermal field is an inactive sulfide field, which is hosted by ultramafic rocks and controlled by detachment fault. The discovery of the three hydrothermal fields around Segment #11 which receives more melt than the regional average, provided evidence for local enhanced magmatism providing heat source to drive hydrothermal circulation. We further imply that hydrothermal activity and sulfide deposits may be rather promising along the easternmost SWIR.     

Quartz cement and its origin in tight sandstone reservoirs of the Cretaceous Quantou formation in the southern Songliao basin,China

The tight sandstones of the Cretaceous Quantou formation are the main exploration target for hydrocarbons in the southern Songliao basin. Authigenic quartz is a significant cementing material in these sandstones, significantly reducing porosity and permeability. For efficient predicting and extrapolating the petrophysical properties within these tight sandstones, the quartz cement and its origin need to be better understood. The tight sandstones have been examined by a variety of methods. The sandstones are mostly lithic arkoses and feldspathic litharenites, compositionally immature with an average framework composition of Q₄₃F₂₆L₃₁, which are characterized by abundant volcanic rock fragments. Mixed-layer illite/smectite (I/S) ordered interstratified with R = 1 and R = 3 is the dominating clay mineral in the studied sandstone reservoirs. Two different types of quartz cementation modes, namely quartz grain overgrowth and pore-filling authigenic quartz, have been identified through petrographic observations, CL and SEM analysis. Homogenization temperatures of the aqueous fluid inclusions indicate that both quartz overgrowths and pore-filling authigenic quartz formed with a continuous process from about 70 °C to 130 °C. Sources for quartz cement produced are the conversion of volcanic fragments, smectite to illite reaction and pressure solution at micro stylolites. Potassium for the illitization of smectite has been sourced from K-feldspar dissolution and albitization. Silica sourced from K-feldspars dissolution and kaolinite to illite conversion is probably only minor amount and volumetrically insignificant. The internal supplied silica precipitate within a closed system where the transport mechanism is diffusion. The quartz cementation can destroy both porosity and permeability, but strengthen the rock framework and increase the rock brittleness effectively at the same time.     

渤海—北黄海沉积物黏土矿物特征及其环境意义

基于409个表层沉积物样品黏土组成的分析测试结果,结合周边河流沉积物黏土矿物组成数据,研究了渤海—北黄海底质沉积物中黏土矿物的分布特征、来源和输运趋势。渤海—北黄海底质沉积物中黏土矿物组分质量分数从高到低依次为伊利石(70%)、高岭石(12%)、绿泥石(11%)和蒙皂石(7%)。根据沉积物黏土矿物的组成和分布特征,可以把研究区分为2个区和6个亚区。I区物质来源主要为黄河,分布在黄河口外,向东北延伸至渤海海盆、东南向经莱州湾再向东北延伸至北黄海南部海域;II区物质来源主要为潍河、六股河、滦河和辽河等,还包括海岸侵蚀物质,主要分布在辽东湾、渤海湾北部和北黄海北部等海域。黏土矿物的输运和分布除了受到物源的影响外,主要受渤海环流的控制。     

大连湾近海表层沉积物矿物组合分布特征及其物源环境

对大连湾、大窑湾外近海表层沉积物进行了黏土矿物X射线衍射分析以及轻矿物的分离和鉴定,根据其组合分布特征,探讨了该区沉积物中黏土矿物和轻矿物的来源,并对沉积环境及其主控因素进行了初步分析。结果表明:研究区黏土矿物主要由伊利石(59%)、蒙皂石(20%)、绿泥石(16%)和高岭石(5%)组成,研究区西部伊利石较高,而东部绿泥石较高,蒙皂石有向湾内富集的趋势。轻矿物由斜长石(45%)、石英(34%)、钾长石(10%)、绿泥石(8%)、白云母(2%)和方解石(0.4%)组成,呈东西向条带状分布,与沉积物粒度分布特征较为一致。矿物分布受潮流、地形影响明显,研究区北部近岸水下岸坡区,水动力条件较强,沉积物粒度较粗,矿物组合以长石、石英富集为特征;向南水深增加,东部为一水下台地,矿物组合以白云母、绿泥石含量高为特征;研究区南部水深增加,又出现一水下岸坡,其下地形趋于平坦,因受出入渤海的潮流和进入渤海的黄海暖流的影响,水动力条件最强,沉积物粒度较粗,长石含量最高,轻矿物含量高。研究区潮流、地形对矿物组成、组合和含量具有控制作用。北部水下岸坡及以内近岸浅水区沉积物粒度较粗,轻矿物含量低,石英、长石含量高,物质主要来自沿岸侵蚀及...     

台湾岛东北部龟山岛附近海域自然硫烟囱体的基本特征研究

龟山岛热液活动区位于冲绳海槽向西延伸的部位，菲律宾海板块向欧亚板块下方俯冲在此隐没，热液活动的出现为研究该地区进一步的发展提供了契机．龟山岛热液活动产生的烟囱体高度富集自然硫，几乎没有其它矿物结晶形成，烟囱体本身呈现分层现象，自然硫的含量也是从烟囱体的外层到内层依次增高，与烟囱体颜色上表观的分层呈现良好的对应关系．我们根据这种分层现象探讨了烟囱体的成因机制和热液流体随时间的变化特征，同时根据等离子质谱（ICP-MS）和X射线衍射仪（XRF）的实验数据分析了自然硫烟囱体存在两种物质来源：热液活动区基底的安山岩和地幔，但是对于地幔物质以何种形式加入到热液流体中还需进一步研究．     

长江水下三角洲表层沉积物粘土矿物分布及其影响因素

采用X射线衍射(XRD)分析技术分析了长江水下三角洲地区65个表层沉积物样品的粘土矿物。结果表明,长江水下三角洲粘土矿物主要由伊利石、绿泥石、高岭石和蒙皂石构成;长江水下三角洲亚环境粘土矿物组成则不同,三角洲前缘亚环境中高岭石和绿泥石的平均含量高于前三角洲的含量,而前三角洲亚环境中伊利石和蒙皂石的平均含量高于三角洲前缘的含量。研究区粘土矿物主要来自长江流域,属于长江源,其分布主要受沉积动力环境和粘土本身性质的制约。     

Diagenetic model of the Bajo Barreal formation (Cretaceous) in the southwestern flank of the Golfo de San Jorge Basin (Patagonia, Argentina)

This paper analyses the diagenetic evolution of sandstones belonging to the Bajo Barreal Formation (Cretaceous) in the Golfo de San Jorge Basin (Patagonia, Argentina). The Bajo Barreal Formation includes the main reservoirs, which are located along the western area of the basin and is composed of sandstones, conglomerates, mudstones, tuffaceous mudstones and some layers of tuffs. The principal reservoirs comprise medium-to coarse-grained sandstones, which are dominated by feldspathic litharenites and contain minor amounts of litharenites and lithic arkoses. The authigenic minerals include kaolinite, smectite, chlorite, quartz overgrowths, microquartz and calcite, with minor proportions of megaquartz, siderite, analcime, laumontite, feldspar overgrowths and illite/smectite and chlorite/smectite mixed layers. Secondary porosity is much more important than primary porosity and is produced by the dissolution of feldspar, lithic clasts and clay cements. The diagenetic history of the Bajo Barreal sandstones can be divided into seven diagenetic stages, each of which is characterized by a specific assemblage of authigenic minerals and diagenetic processes. Eogenetic conditions occur in stages 1, 2, 3 and 4. Stage 1 corresponds to shallow burial characterized by the physical reduction of primary porosity by compaction; during stage 2, rim clay cements of chlorite, smectite and clinoptilolite, as well as thin quartz overgrowths, were formed. The precipitation of pore-filling cements of kaolinite, chlorite and smectite occurred during stage 3, while stage 4 records the intense dissolution of feldspar, lithic fragments and kaolinite cements. Mesogenesis occurs in diagenetic stages 5 and 6. The former corresponds to a new phase of authigenic kaolinite, while the latter records the significant dissolution of feldspar, lithic clasts and previous cements, which produced the highest values of secondary porosity. Finally, stage 7 corresponds to the highest degree of diagenesis in the Bajo Barreal Formation (mesogenesis), which resulted in the precipitation of cements of zeolites and calcite, as well as quartz and plagioclase overgrowths.     

峰高与峰面积统计量表示岩心黏土矿物相对含量的差异

目前黏土矿物分析主要依据XRD衍射峰的峰高或峰面积统计量,为了分析两种统计量计算黏土矿物相对含量的差异。对取自黄海的YSZD02岩心短柱开展了黏土矿物XRD测试,分别利用峰高和峰面积表示4种主要黏土矿物蒙皂石、伊利石、高岭石、绿泥石的相对百分含量,探究两种统计量表示黏土矿物相对含量随深度变化的差异,结果发现两算法都能显示黏土矿物的相对组成特征,对YSZD02岩心而言,其黏土矿物主要为伊利石,其次为高岭石,再次为绿泥石,最次为蒙皂石。两种算法得到的4种矿物的相关系数由高到低依次为:高岭石0.94,绿泥石0.93,蒙皂石0.82,伊利石0.73,呈正相关。峰面积法求4种矿物的相对含量随深度变化的离散程度比峰高法大。用峰高、峰面积法表示黏土矿物相对含量随深度的变化,两种方法相对差异由小到大依次为伊利石,高岭石,绿泥石和蒙皂石。以上结果表明两种算法既有共性又有明显的差异。随着分析技术的不断更新,相较于峰高法较难解决的误差问题,未来峰面积法会得到更广泛的应用。因此研发更精确的计算机分析软件、统一研究方法将是未来发展的必然趋势。本文的研究加深了对峰高与峰面积统计量的理解,为其他分析方法的比较与选择提供了参考。     

Clay minerals as an indicator of the accumulation of the Upper Quaternary deposits in the St. Anna Trough (Kara Sea)

This paper is devoted to the studies of clay minerals from two cores collected in the northern and central regions of the St. Anna Trough, the largest trough of the Kara Sea. The Upper Quaternary glacial, glaciomarine, and marine deposits are characterized by various contents of kaolinite, chlorite, illite, and smectite. It is established that, from older to younger deposits, the amounts of kaolinite and chlorite generally decrease, while those of illite and smectite, on the contrary, increase. A joint analysis of the distributions of clay and heavy minerals over the section allowed us to refine the position of the sources for the terrigenous matter and their temporal variability. It is shown the changes in the sources of supply were directly related to the climate changes that occurred when passing from the glacial to marine sedimentation environments.     

Spatial structures of hydrothermal vents and vent-associated megafauna in the back-arc basin system of the Okinawa Trough,western Pacific

Spatial patterns and morphology of hydrothermal vents and the occurrence of vent-associated megafauna were investigated in the back-arc basin system of the Okinawa Trough, western Pacific. Amongst hydrothermal vent fields located on the rising slopes to the NE and S of the basin, the Iheya North area has been subjected to a series of intensive diving surveys. Hydrothermal vents demonstrated concentrated patterns of distribution on different spatial scales. In Iheya North, the majority of vents occurred in lines parallel to the NE to W/SW alignment of the spreading axis, within a radius of ca. 200 m around the most active sulphide structure with the highest recorded fluid temperature of over 300°C. The morphology of hydrothermal vents varied greatly from an incipient flat rock with crevices to a 20- to 30-m-tall, multi-flanged structure with concomitant variation in the distribution and abundance of vent-associated megafauna, particularly a galatheid Shinkaia crosnieri and Bathymodiolus mussels. Comparison of active and inactive vents revealed that the spatial extent of Shinkaia ‘aggregation’ (a group of individuals with short nearest-neighbour distances) effectively defined a habitat unit of this species, and active hydrothermal chimneys contained more of these units, leading to greater spatial occupancy by Shinkaia. Given the temporally unstable nature of vent structures as recognised by repeated surveys, vent assemblages are thought to be closely dictated by the spatio-temporal dynamics of vents in the Okinawa Trough back-arc system.     

海底热液成因含金属沉积物的研究现状及展望

海底热液成因含金属沉积物广泛分布于全球各大洋与弧后活动扩张中心、大洋玄武岩上覆沉积层的底部以及板内火山的顶部等区域。块状硫化物烟囱体经氧化蚀变发生再沉积作用、热液羽流的扩散和沉降作用或低温弥散流的直接沉淀均可形成含金属沉积物。尽管不同热液区的含金属沉积物在矿物和化学组成上具有一定的差异,但其相对正常远洋沉积物均表现为富含Fe、Mn并亏损 Al 和Ti等组分,其中的主要矿物通常为结晶程度较差的铁锰氧化物/氢氧化物和富铁蒙脱石（绿脱石）。自上世纪七十年代末发现现代海底热液活动以来,大量的研究不仅基本明确了含金属沉积物的形成机制,还在与之相关的微生物矿化作用和自生粘土矿物的成因研究等方面取得了重要的进展。对含金属沉积物开展综合研究,确定其鉴别分类标准,既能丰富人们对海底热液循环系统、热液活动对全球海洋热和化学通量的贡献以及对海底深部生物圈的认识,也可为寻找多金属硫化物矿床、揭示古板块中类似矿床的成因和分布规律以及探索古海洋环境演化等提供重要信息。