Transport ofBe andBe in the ocean

Beryllium isotopes (¹⁰Be and⁹Be) have been measured in suspended particles of < 1 mm size collected by mid-water sediment traps deployed in the eastern Pacific at MANOP sites H (6°32′N, 92°50′W, water depth 3600 m) and M (8°50′N, 104°00′W, 3100 m). For comparison, surface sediments from box cores taken from the two sites were also studied. The concentrations of¹⁰Be and⁹Be in sediment-trap particles are about an order of magnitude smaller than those in the bottom sediments which contain about 8 × 10⁹ and 6 × 10¹⁶ atoms g⁻¹ of¹⁰Be and⁹Be, respectively. The sediment trap samples collected from 50 m off the bottom showed significant (26–63%) contributions from resuspended bottom sediments. The¹⁰Be/⁹Be ratio in trap samples varies from 3 to 20 × 10⁻⁸. The variation may partly result from varied proportion of authigenic/detrital material. The fluxes of both isotopes exhibit a very strong seasonality. The fluxes of¹⁰Be into the traps at about 1500 m are estimated as 9 × 10⁵ and 4 × 10⁵ atoms cm⁻² a⁻¹ at sites H and M respectively. These values are to be compared with the fluxes into the sediments of 4–5 × 10⁵ atoms cm⁻² a⁻¹ at both locations. Good correlations exist between¹⁰Be,⁹Be and²⁷Al indicating that the primary carrier phase(s) for the beryllium isotopes in the water column may be aluminosilicates.     

Role of suspended sediments on the distribution of PCB in the Seine Estuary (France)

PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) contamination and its relationship to SPM (suspended particulate material) have been studied in the Seine Estuary, which is heavily polluted by these persistent and hydrophobic man-made chemicals. Two sampling cruises have been performed during different freshwater discharge conditions. PCB and SPM concentrations, as well as grain-size distributions in the particulate material have been determined. Water samples have been collected at fixed positions during a tidal cycle, and along transects within the estuary.PCB concentrations vary from 2 ng 1⁻¹ in the marine zone to 250 ng 1⁻¹ within the estuary, and reach 1.3 × 10³ ng 1⁻¹ in the turbidity maximum zone. During a tidal cycle, low PCB concentrations are observed at high water, and are in the same range in February as in July. High PCB contamination is observed at low water, but PCB concentrations are about five times higher in February. SPM and PCB variations are well correlated in both periods of observations. Higher PCB contamination during February is explained by higher SPM inputs, mainly due to particles of riverine origin. The transport of PCB within the estuary depends on the quantity and the grainsize composition of suspended material, which varies according to freshwater discharge and tidal amplitude.     

Fine-grained sediment transport in Chignecto Bay, Bay of Fundy, Canada

This paper describes measurements of suspended sediment fluxes at a total of 32 stations situated on four reference sections in the turbid estuary of Chignecto Bay, Bay of Fundy, Canada. The purpose of the study was to determine the sediment budget (sources, transport paths and sinks) and the seasonal variations in particulate fluxes. The major sources of sediment are the eroding cliffs surrounding the bay (1.0 × 10⁶ m³ y⁻¹) and the seabed (6 × 10⁶ m³ y⁻¹. There are no present-day sinks within the estuary; sediment is principally moved in suspension to the wider part of the Bay of Fundy. Residuals in sediment mass transport are strongly affected by storms. These disrupt the logarithmic longitudinal sediment concentration profile which is normally present, and cause sediment to be transported out of the estuary. Well-defined turbid ribbons occur which meander unpredictably through the sampling sites; estimates of sediment mass transport are thus dubious.     

Fluxes and seasonal changes in composition of organic matter in the English Channel

Dissolved and particulate organic matter (DOM and POM) have been investigated along a transect between Cherbourg and the Isle of Wight. In addition, the relative contribution of different sources of POM have been assessed by the use of lipid biomarkers (e.g. fatty acids). Seawater samples were collected at two depths (subsurface and above the bottom) at five stations located on the transect during five cruises (from September 1994 to July 1995). Particulate organic carbon (POC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations vary between 30–530 μg l⁻¹ and 0.5–2.7 mg l⁻¹, respectively, for all the cruises. Fluxes of POM and DOM have been estimated at 0.6×10¹² g yr⁻¹ and 6.5×10¹² g yr⁻¹ of carbon, respectively. General fluxes of water and therefore of DOC and POC are oriented eastward. However, around the Isle of Wight a westward oriented flux exists due to a gyre located in the area. The major DOC and POC fluxes occur in the central part of the Channel where the water column is deepest. Seasonal variations of different sources of POM (algal, bacterial and terrigenous) have been examined for the five cruises. The fresh algal organic fraction is relatively important in September in coastal waters with a predominance of diatom species on the English side, whereas it has a low or undetectable contribution during winter months. The bacterial fraction generally varies in concert with the algal component. It is low during the winter period and more important in bloom or post-bloom conditions, as for example in May. Terrestrial organic matter is restricted to coastal areas in September, and is present at low levels in May and July. Nevertheless, in November and February, terrigenous inputs have been clearly identified for the whole transect even in central waters.     

Distributions of polychlorinated biphenyls in the Daliao River estuary of Liaodong Bay,Bohai Sea (China)

The distributions of 41 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in the aqueous phase, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediment of the Daliao River estuary in Liaodong Bay, Bohai Sea (China). The total PCB concentrations ranged from 5.51 to 40.28 ng L⁻¹ in the surface water, from 6.78 to 66.55 ng L⁻¹ dry weight in the SPM, and from 0.83 to 7.29 ng g⁻¹ dry weight in the sediment. The PCB concentrations in water, SPM, and sediment were moderate relative to those reported for other estuary and marine systems around the world. Sedimentary PCB concentrations decreased offshore due to the active deposition of laterally transported river-borne particles. The predominance of the highly chlorinated congeners for the water, SPM, and sediment samples are an indication of either a lack of degradation or the presence of nearby or recent releases into the environment.     

Sediment transport in distributary channels and its export to the pro-deltaic environment in a tidally dominated delta: Fly River, Papua New Guinea

Current metre deployments, suspended sediment measurements and surface sediment samples were collected from three locations within distributary channels of the tidally dominated Fly River delta in southern Papua New Guinea. Net bedload transport vectors and the occurrence of elongate tidal bars indicate that mutually evasive ebb- and flood-dominant transport zones occur in each of the distributary channels. Suspended sediment experiments at two locations show a phase relationship between tidal velocity and sediment concentration such that the net suspended sediment flux is directed seaward. Processes that control the export of fluid muds with concentrations up to 10 g l⁻¹ from the distributary channels across the delta front and onto the pro-delta are assessed in relation to the available data. Peak spring tidal current speeds (measured at 100 cm above the bed) drop off from around 100 cm s⁻¹ within the distributary channels to <50 cm s⁻¹ on the delta front. Gravity-driven, 2-m thick, fluid mud layers generated in the distributary channels are estimated to require at least 35 h to traverse the 20-km-wide, low-gradient (2×10⁻³ degrees) delta front. The velocities of such currents are well below those required for autosuspension. A 1-month time series of suspended sediment concentration and current velocity from the delta front indicates that tidal currents alone are unable to cause significant cross-delta mud transport. Wave-induced resuspension together with tides, storm surge and barotropic return-flow may play a role in maintaining the transport of fine sediment across the delta front, but insufficient data are available at present to make any reliable estimates.     

Efficient trapping of organic carbon in sediments on the continental margin with high fluvial sediment input off southwestern Taiwan

Accumulation rates of marine and terrigenous organic carbon in the continental margin sediments off southwestern Taiwan were estimated from the measured concentrations and isotopic compositions of total organic carbon (TOC) and previously reported sedimentation rates. Surficial sediments were collected from the study area spanning from the narrow shelf near the Kaoping River mouth to the deep slope with depths reaching almost 3000 m. The average sediment loading of Kaoping River is 17 Mt/yr, which yields high sediment accumulation rates ranging from 0.08 to 1.44 g cm⁻² yr⁻¹ in the continental margin. About half of the discharged sediments were deposited on the margin within 120 km of the river mouth. Carbon isotopic compositions of terrestrial and marine end-members of organic matter were determined, respectively, based on suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected from three major rivers in the southwestern Taiwan and from an offshore station. All samples were analyzed for the TOC content and its isotopic composition (δ¹³C_org). The SPM samples were also analyzed for the total nitrogen (TN) content. TOC content in marine sediments ranges from 0.45% to 1.35% with the highest values on the upper slope near the Kaoping River mouth. The TOC/TN ratio of the SPM samples from the offshore station is 6.8±0.6, almost identical to the Redfield ratio, indicating their predominantly marine origin; their δ¹³C_org values are also typically marine with a mean of −21.5±0.3‰. The riverine SPM samples exhibit typical terrestrial δ¹³C_org values around −25‰. The δ¹³C_org values of surficial sediments range from −24.8‰ to −21.2‰, showing a distribution pattern influenced by inputs from the Kaoping River. The relative contributions from marine and terrestrial sources to sedimentary organic carbon were determined by the isotope mixing model with end-member compositions derived from the riverine and marine SPM. High fluvial sediment inputs lead to efficient trapping of organic carbon over a wide range of water depth in this continental margin. The marine organic accumulation rate ranges from 1.6 to 70 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹ with an area weighted mean of 4.2 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹, which is on a par with the mean terrestrial contribution and accounts for 2.3% of mean primary production. The depth-dependent accumulation rate of marine organic carbon can be simulated with a function involving primary productivity and mineral accumulation rate, which may be applicable to other continental margins with high sedimentation rates. Away from the nearshore area, the content of terrigenous organic carbon in surficial sediments decreases with distance from the river mouth, indicating its degradation in marine environments.     

Quantifying the response of optical backscatter devices and transmissometers to variations in suspended particulate matter

Optical instruments have been used effectively in studies of sediment dynamics for several decades. Without accurate instrument calibrations, calculated concentrations of suspended particulate matter (SPM) may be unreliable, with implications for interpretations of sedimentary processes and sediment fluxes. This review aims to quantify the effect of variations in SPM characteristics on the response of optical instruments (optical backscatter sensors OBS and transmissometers) and to note the implications for users of these instruments. A number of factors have a significant impact on instrument response, for example; a change in grain size from medium sands to fine silts may lead to a×100 increase in instrument response; flocculation of fine particles may decrease instrument response by×2; and the presence of plankton in suspension may lead to poor instrument calibrations of SPM concentration. Calibrations carried out in environments either with multi-modal bottom sediments, where flocculation of fine-grained sediments is likely, or where the hydrodynamics or grain type are highly variable must also include a determination of the changing nature of the suspended load in space and time. A more complete understanding of instrument response to SPM and of calibration requirements may enable optical devices to be used to a greater potential as long-term measures of SPM concentration, and also enable improvements in calculations of net sediment fluxes.     

Distributions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Daliao River Estuary of Liaodong Bay, Bohai Sea (China)

The distributions of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in the aqueous phase, suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediment, and pore water of the Daliao River Estuary in Liaodong Bay, Bohai Sea (China). Total PAH concentrations ranged from 139.16 to 1717.87 ng L⁻¹ in surface water, from 226.57 to 1404.85 ng L⁻¹ dry weight in SPM, from 276.26 to 1606.89 ng g⁻¹ dry weight in sediments, and from 10.20 to 47.27 μg L⁻¹ in pore water. PAH concentrations were at relatively moderate levels in water, SPM, sediment and pore water in comparison with those reported for other estuary and marine systems around the world. Sedimentary PAH concentrations decreased offshore owing to active deposition of laterally-transported river-borne particles. PCA analysis of the possible PAH source suggested petrogenic and pyrolytic PAH inputs in the studied region.     

A device to examine the in situ response of intertidal cohesive sediment deposits to fluid shear

A self-contained, field-portable recirculating seawater flume was designed and constructed in order to measure in situ the erodibility of cohesive estuarine muds. The flume can be easily deployed by one person and is designed for subaerial use only. Bed shear stresses up to 0.6 Nm⁻² can be generated by the flume. Rates of sediment erosion are assessed in terms of the mass of particulate material eroded with time. Flow calibrations yield a drag coefficient (C_D) of 4.5 × 10⁻³ which enables single mid-depth velocity measurements to be related directly to the imposed bed stress. Water motions within the flume are complex, but secondary (radial) circulations are not considered sufficiently competent to dominate sediment erosion. Stratification effects due to high levels of suspended sediment ( 1.5 gl⁻¹) are negligible. However, the drag-reducing properties of the sediment suspension are uncertain.     

Preliminary results of experiments to determine the effects of suspended sediments on the estuarine copepod Eurytemora affinis

Suspended sediment did not significantly affect Eurytemora affinis, which is the numerically dominant, late winter, early spring mesozooplankton taxon in Chesapeake Bay. In preliminary analyses of survival, broods per female and nauplii development for suspended sediment concentrations from 0 to 350 mg l⁻¹, few significant differences were observed between populations exposed to no suspended sediment, and those in 50, 100 and 350 mg l⁻¹. However, in every case, highest suspended sediment levels reduced physiological or reproductive parameters in the copepod. These results suggest that current levels of suspended sediment in the Chesapeake Bay should not reduce population success of the copepod. However, copepod production could decline at slightly higher suspended sediment concentrations resulting from urban population growth and development in the watershed, as well as at levels which are typical of several European estuaries.     

Helium accumulation in groundwater, III. Limits on helium transfer across the mantle-crust boundary beneath Australia and the magnitude of mantle degassing

The groundwaters of the Great Artesian Basin (Australia) have been previously shown to be accumulating in-situ production helium for groundwaters ages < 50 kyr and an external helium flux equivalent to whole crustal production for groundwater ages > 100 kyr [1,2]. New helium isotope measurements show that the observed in-situ production helium (³He/⁴He 1.6 × 10⁻⁸) is isotopically distinct from the crustal degassing helium flux (³He/⁴He 6.6 × 10⁻⁸). Furthermore, the crustal degassing helium isotope ratio is marginally in excess of the whole crustal production ratio (³He/⁴He= 3.5 × 10⁻⁸) and the production ratio in a variety of continental rock types. This suggests that the upper limit on volatile transport across the mantle-crust boundary beneath the (relatively) stable and “complacent” Australian continent can be characterized by a “conductive-diffusive” helium/heat flux ratio of 2.6 × 10⁶⁴He atoms mW⁻¹ s⁻¹ which is two orders of magnitude less than the “intrusive-volcanic” ratio of 2.9 × 10⁸⁴He atoms mW⁻¹ s⁻¹ measured at the Galapagos [16]. These results constrain the transcrustal mantle degassing fluxes of⁴He and⁴⁰Ar to be much less than the mid-ocean ridge degassing fluxes; which are much less than the degassing of⁴He and⁴⁰Ar from continental crust. Thus, the degassing of the Earth's interior is dominated by magmatic processes but the dominant fluxes of⁴He and⁴⁰Ar to the atmosphere must come from the continental crust.     

Variation of nutrients in response to the highly dynamic suspended particulate matter in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) plume

During four surveys at spring and neap tides in July and November 2005, continuous observations were conducted at four stations adjacent to the Changjiang (Yangtze River) mouth. The observation times lasted for 26 h that covered two consecutive semidiurnal cycles. Resuspension events and subsequently enhancements of suspended particulate matter (SPM) were commonly observed within a tidal cycle. Although nutrients (SiO₃²⁻, NO₃⁻, and PO₄³⁻) were primarily governed by salinity, their statistically significant correlations with SPM could always be extracted after partial correlation analysis. Three parameter (salinity, SPM, nutrients) regressions generally produced better results of simulating nutrient concentrations than two parameter (salinity and nutrients) regressions, although compared to the latter, the former R² values were elevated by no more than 13%. The partial correlation between SPM and a specific nutrient could be either positive or negative in different surveys, suggesting SPM influenced the nutrients in different ways under various conditions. The minor (albeit statistically significant) impacts of highly dynamic SPM on nutrients might be ascribed to the short duration time of resuspension events and estuarine mixing process, together with the complex nature of circulation in the Changjiang plume seawater.     

Fluid flow from pore pressure measurements off La Palma, Canary Islands

In situ subseafloor pore pressure results from the western flank of the island of La Palma, Canary Islands, are presented. The data obtained with a Pop Up Pore Pressure Instrument (PUPPI) provide constraints on the fluid circulation and its causes in a very special context: The sediment piles near an intraplate oceanic island built on the continental rise of the Northwest African Margin. The ambient pore pressures estimated from 2 to 4 days long record are negative in almost all cases with values, at depths of a few meters below sea floor, usually on the order of −10 to −70 Pa. Excess pore pressures develop only in the distal most areas. The permeabilities and compressibilities obtained respectively from the decay of the insertion pressures and the amplitude of the tidally induced pore pressure variations range between 2.5×10⁻¹⁸ and 6.6×10⁻¹⁶ m² and, 6.2×10⁻⁹ and 1.5×10⁻⁷ Pa⁻¹. According to these permeabilities fluid flow is estimated to be mostly downward and usually on the range between 0 and −0.3 mm y⁻¹. However, from the excess pore pressure profile a complex pattern of fluid circulation is inferred where horizontal fluid motion cannot be neglected. Horizontal flow is probably controlled by significant contrasts in the permeability of the different layers. The prevailing downward fluid flow is abnormal for a classical passive margin. We thus interpret these results as the superposition to the loss of fluids by sediment compaction (on the continental rise), of a large-scale flow system stimulated by thermal buoyancy (100 km wide) related to the volcanic activity on the island of La Palma.     

Properties of suspended sediment in the estuarine turbidity maximum of the highly turbid Humber Estuary system, UK

Measurements are presented of the properties of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) of the upper Humber and Ouse estuaries during transient, relatively low freshwater inflow conditions of September 1995. Very high concentrations of near-bed SPM (more than 100 g l⁻¹) were observed in the low-salinity (less than 1), upper reaches. SPM within the ETM consisted largely of fine sediment (silt and clay) that existed as microfloc and macrofloc aggregates and individual particles. Primary sediment particles were very fine grained, and typically, about 20–30% was clay-sized at high water. The clay mineralogy was dominated by chlorite and illite. There was a pronounced increase in particle size in the tidal river, up-estuary of the ETM. The mean specific surface area (SSA) of near-bed SPM within the ETM was 22 m² g⁻¹ on a spring tide and 24 m² g⁻¹ on a neap tide. A tidal cycle of measurements within a near-bed, high concentration SPM layer during a very small neap tide gave a mean SSA of 26 m² g⁻¹. The percentage of silt and clay in surficial bed sediments along the main channel of the estuary varied strongly. The relatively low silt and clay percentage of surficial bed sediments (about 10–35%) within the ETM’s region of highest near-bed SPM concentrations and their low SSA values were in marked contrast to the overlying SPM. The loss on ignition (LOI) of near-bed SPM in the turbid reaches of the estuary was about 10%, compared with about 12% for surface SPM and more than 40% in the very low turbidity waters up-estuary of the ETM. Settling velocities of Humber–Ouse SPM, sampled in situ and measured using a settling column, maximized at 1.5 mm s⁻¹ and exhibited hindered settling at higher SPM concentrations.     

Hydrocarbon concentrations in water and sediments from UK marine waters,determined by fluorescence spectroscopy

Between January 1978 and September 1979 samples of subsurface (1 m) water and surface sediment were collected from sites in the North Sea, English Channel, Irish Sea and a number of estuarine areas. These have been analysed by fluorescence spectroscopy (UVF) in order to provide information on the levels of hydrocarbons generally present in UK marine waters.Total hydrocarbon concentrations (THCs) of water samples ranged from 1.1–74 μg l.^?1 Ekofisk crude oil equivalents, all values greater than 3.5 μg l.^?1 occurring inshore. In offshore areas the mean THCs were: 1.3 μg l.^?1 in the northern North Sea, 1.5 μg l.^?1 in the western Channel, 2.5 μg l.^?1 in the eastern Channel and southern North Sea, and 2.6 μg l.^?1 in the Irish Sea.THCs of sediment samples ranged from 0.27–340 μ g^?1 dry weight Ekofisk crude oil equivalents, the highest concentration being in the Queen's Channel, the main entrance to the River Mersey.     

Airborne measurements of particle and gas emissions from the December 1994–January 1995 eruption of Popocatépetl volcano (Mexico)

Airborne and ground-based (correlation spectrometer, cascade impactor, and photoelectric counter together with intake filter probes) measurements are described for the volcanic emissions from Popocatépetl volcano (Mexico) from December 23, 1994 to January 28, 1995. Measurements of SO₂ restarted 48 h after the eruption onset of December 21, 1994. Maximum sulfur dioxide (4560 t d⁻¹) plus 3.8×10⁴ t d⁻¹ of particulate matter were ejected on December 24, 1994. The maximum rate of ejection occurred coincidentally with the maximum amplitude of harmonic tremor and the maximum number of seismic type B events. Sulfur dioxide emission rates ranged from 1790 to 2070 t d⁻¹ (December 23–24, 1994). Afterwards, sulfur dioxide emission rates clearly indicated a consistent decline. However, frequent gas and ash emission puffs exhibited SO₂ fluxes reaching values as high as 3060 t d⁻¹. The emission SO₂ baseline for the period of study (February 1994–January 1995) was about 1000 t d⁻¹. Ejection velocity of particulate matter was approximately 270 m s⁻¹ reaching a height of about 2.5 km over the summit. The immediate aerosol dispersion area was estimated at 6.0×10⁴ km² maximum. The microscopic structure of particles (aerosol and tephra) showed a fragile material, probably coming from weathered crustal layers. X-ray fluorescence and neutron-activation analysis from the impactor samples found the following elements: Si, Al, Ca, S, P, Cl, K, Ni, Fe, Ti, Sc, Cu, Zn, Mn, Sr, Cr, Co, Y, Br, Se, Ga, Rb, Hg and Pb. Morphological analysis shows that ash samples might be from pulverized basaltic rock indicating that the Popocatépetl eruption of December 21, 1994 was at low temperature. The microscopic structure of puff material showed substance aggregates consisted of fragile rock, water and adsorbed SO₂. These aggregates were observed within water droplets of approximately 1 mm and even larger. Sulfur transformations in the droplets occurred intensively. Volcanic ash contained 5–6% of sulfur during the first expulsion hours. Elemental relative concentrations with respect to Al show that both Si and S have relative concentrations >1, i.e., 13.73 and 2.17, respectively in agreement with the photoelectric counter and COSPEC measurements.     

Rare earth elements in the pore waters of reducing nearshore sediments

The REE are mobile during early diagenesis in reducing nearshore sediments of Buzzards Bay leading to greatly enhanced concentrations in pore waters, e.g. 815 pmol kg⁻¹ Nd and 1910 pmol kg⁻¹ Ce within 30 cm of the sediment-seawater interface, about 10–50 times local seawater values. Two principal diagenetic reactions have been identified. Preferential Ce enrichment (positive Ce anomalies) and preferential heavy REE enrichment (light REE removal) in the pore waters is associated with redox cycling of Fe and Mn within the upper few centimeters of the sediment. Release of REE, without fractionation, from sediments and addition to pore waters occurs deeper within the sediment column. The impact on the bulk sediment chemistry is undetectable but the porewater gradients imply that there are significant dissolved REE fluxes, both internal to the sediment system and across the sediment-seawater interface.     

Hydrothermal vent waters at 13°N on the East Pacific Rise: isotopic composition and gas concentration

Gas concentrations and isotopic compositions of water have been measured in hydrothermal waters from 13°N on the East Pacific Rise. In the most Mg-depleted samples ( 5 × 10⁻³ moles/kg) the gas concentrations are: 3–4.5 × 10⁻⁵ cm³ STP/kg helium, 0.62–1.24 cm³ STP/kg CH₄, 10.80–16.71 × 10⁻³ moles/kg CO₂. The samples contain large quantities (95–126 cm³/kg) of H₂ and some carbon monoxide (0.26–0.36 cm³/kg) which result from reaction with the titanium sampling bottles. δ¹³C in methane and CO₂ (−16.6 to −19.5 and −4.1 to −5.5 respectively) indicate temperatures between 475 and 550°C, whereas δ¹³C_CO is compatible with formation by reduction of CO₂ on Ti at 350°C close to the sampling temperature.³He/⁴He are very homogeneous at (7.5 ± 0.1)R_A(³He/⁴He = 1.0 × 10⁻⁵) and very similar to already published data as well as CH₄/³He ratios between 1.4 and 2.1 × 10⁶.¹⁸O and D in water show enrichments from 0.39 to 0.69‰ and from 0.62 to 1.49‰ respectively. These values correspond to W/R ratios of 0.4–7. The distinct¹⁸O enrichments indicate that the isotopic composition of the oceans is not completely buffered by the hydrothermal circulations. The³He-enthalpy relationship is discussed in terms of both hydrothermal heat flux and³He mantle flux.