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.     

Geochemistry of pyrite and chalcopyrite from an active black smoker in 49.6°E Southwest Indian Ridge

Active hydrothermal chimneys, as the product of submarine hydrothermal activity, can be used to determine the fluid evolution and formation process of potential volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits. A hard-won specimen from an active hydrothermal chimney was collected in the 49.6°E ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) field through a television-guided grab. A geochemical study of prominent sulfide (e.g., pyrite and chalcopyrite) included in this sample was performed using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The early sulfides produced at low temperature are of disseminated fine-grained anhedral morphology, whereas the late ones with massive, coarse euhedral features precipitated in a high-temperature setting. The systematic variations in the contents of minor and trace elements are apparently related to the crystallization sequence, as well as to texture. Micro-disseminated anhedral sulfides rich in Pb, As, Ni, Ba, Mn, Mo, U, and V were formed during the initial chimney wall growth, whereas those rich in Sn, Se, and Co with massive, coarse euhedral morphology were formed within the late metallogenic stage. The hydrothermal fluid composition has experienced a great change during the chimney growth. Such a conclusion is consistent with that indicated by using principal component analysis, which is a powerful statistical analysis method widely used to project multidimensional datasets (e.g., element contents in different mineral phases) into a few directions. This distribution pattern points to crystallographic controls on minor and trace element uptake during chimney growth, occurring with concomitant variations in the fluid composition evolutionary history. In this pyrite-chalcopyrite-bearing active hydrothermal chimney at the SWIR, the metal concentration and precipitation of sulfides largely occurred at the seafloor as a result of mixing between the upwelling hot hydrothermal fluid and cold seawater. Over the course of mixing, significant variations in metal solubility were caused by changes in temperature, pH, and redox conditions in the parental fluid phase.     

西南印度洋脊“断桥”热液区深部地质构造研究

Polymetalic sulfide is the main product of sea-floor hydrothermal venting, and has become an important sea-floor mineral resources for its rich in many kinds of precious metal elements. Since 2007, a number of investigations have been carried out by the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association(COMRA)cruises(CCCs) along the Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR). In 2011, the COMRA signed an exploration contract of sea-floor polymetallic sulfides of 10 000 km2 on the SWIR with the International Seabed Authority. Based on the multibeam data and shipborne gravity data obtained in 2010 by the R/V Dayang Yihao during the leg 6 of CCCs21, together with the global satellite surveys, the characteristics of gravity anomalies are analyzed in the Duanqiao hydrothermal field(37°39′S, 50°24′E). The "subarea calibration" terrain-correcting method is employed to calculate the Bouguer gravity anomaly, and the ocean bottom seismometer(OBS) profile is used to constrain the two-dimensional gravity anomaly simulation. The absent Moho in a previous seismic model is also calculated.The results show that the crustal thickness varies between 3 and 10 km along the profile, and the maximum crustal thickness reaches up to 10 km in the Duanqiao hydrothermal field with an average of 7.5 km. It is by far the most thicker crust discovered along the SWIR. The calculated crust thickness at the Longqi hydrothermal field is approximately 3 km, 1 km less than that indicated by seismic models, possibly due to the outcome of an oceanic core complex(OCC).     

Rare earth element geochemistry of hydrothermal deposits from Southwest Indian Ridge

The REE compositions of hydrothermal deposits and basalt samples from the Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) were determined with ICP-MS.The results show that there are significant differences between different types of samples although all samples show relative LREE enrichment.The contents of REE in hydrothermal sulfides and alterated rocks samples are lower (from 7.036 × 10 6 to 23.660 × 10 6),while those in the white chimney deposits are relatively higher (ranging from 84.496 × 10 6 to 103.511 × 10 6).Both of them are lower than basalts.Chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns show that sulfides and alterated rocks samples are characterized by significant positive Eu anomalies.On the contrary,white chimney deposits have obvious negative Eu anomalies,which may be caused by abundant calcite existing in the white chimney samples.Both the content and distribution pattern of REE in sulfides suggest that REE most possibly is originally derived from hydrothermal fluids,but influenced by the submarine reducing ore-forming environment,seawater convection,mineral compositions as well as the constraint of mineral crystallizations.     

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.     

超慢速扩张环境下超镁铁质岩系统的热液硫化物成矿机理以及启示

西南印度洋63.5°E热液区是在超慢速扩张洋脊发现的首个超镁铁质岩热液系统。对取自该区的热液硫化物样品进行了系统的矿物学和地球化学分析，矿物学分析结果表明:该热液区硫化物为富Fe型高温硫化物，且经历了较深程度的氧化蚀变，大量中间态的Fe氧化物充填在硫化物矿物间的孔隙及内部解理中；这些硫化物相以白铁矿为主，其次是等轴古巴矿和少量铜蓝，缺乏黄铁矿、闪锌矿。据推断，该区的热液成矿作用分为4个阶段:低温白铁矿阶段→高温等轴古巴矿阶段→自形白铁矿阶段→后期海底风化阶段（少量铜蓝以及大量的Fe的羟氧化物）。与之相对应，地球化学分析结果表明这些硫化物的Fe含量较高（31.57%~44.59%），Cu含量次之（0.16%~7.24%），而Zn含量普遍较低（0.01%~0.11%）；微量元素较为富集Co（328×10-6~2 400×10-6）和Mn（48.5×10-6~1 730×10-6）。该区硫化物中较高含量的Fe、Co与超镁铁质岩热液系统相似，明显高于镁铁质岩热液系统。独特的热液硫化物矿物学特征和元素组成可能与该区普遍出露的地幔岩、橄榄岩蛇纹石化作用以及拆离断层的广泛发育的环境有关。     

TEM investigations of South Atlantic Ridge 13.2°S hydrothermal area

According to the exploration contract about polymetallic sulfides in the SWIR （Southwest Indian Ridge） signed by China with the International Seabed Authority, to delineate sulfide minerals and estimate resource quantity are urgent tasks. We independently developed our first coincident loop Transient Electromagnetic Method （TEM） device in 2010, and gained the TEM data for seafloor sulfide at South Atlantic Ridge 13.2°S in June 2011. In contrast with the widely applied CSEM （Marine controlled-source electromagnetic） method, whose goal is to explore hydrocarbons （oil/gas） of higher resistivity than seawater from 102 to 103 m below the sea floor, the TEM is for low resistivity minerals, and the target depth is from 0 to 100 m below the sea floor. Based on the development of complex sulfide geoelectrial models, this paper analyzed the TEM data obtained, proposing a new method for seafloor sulfide detection. We present the preliminary trial results, in the form of apparent resistivity sections for both half-space and full-space conditions. The results cor- respond well with the observations of the actual hydrothermal vent area, and the detection depth reached 50-100m below the bed, which verified the capability of the equipment.     

Petrophysical characteristics of rocks and sulfides from the SWIR hydrothermal field

Study of petrophysical properties of rocks in seafioor hydrothermal fields has great significance for inves- tigation of seafloor hydrothermal activities, especially for polymetallic sulfides prospecting. In the present study, based on the current experimental conditions, we conducted systematic experiments to measure the magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, porosity, density, as well as acoustic wave velocity of seafloor rocks and sulfides. Subsequently, we measured the physical characteristics of hydrothermal sulfides, basalts and peridotites which were collected from newly discovered seafloor hydrothermal fields at 49.6°E, 50.5°E, 5 1°E, 63.5°E, and 63.9°E of the Southwest Indian Ridge （SWIR）. Previously available and newly collected data were combined to characterize the physical differences between polymetallic sulfides and rocks. We also discussed the impact of hydrothermal alteration on the bedrock and demonstrated how these petrophysical properties of rocks can help in geophysical prospecting of seafloor hydrothermal fields as indicators.     

A preliminary study on microtextures, structures and mineralizing processes of hydrothermal chimneys in Mariana Trough

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The occurrence of gold in hydrothermal sulfide at Southwest Indian Ridge 49.6°E

Massive sulfide precipitates found in the Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR) 49.6°E hydrothermal field are enriched in gold.Here,the mineralogy and mineral chemistry of these massive sulfides to constrain the process of gold precipitation were studied.Sulfide samples in this field include lowertemperature Zn-rich sulfides and relative higher-temperature Fe-rich sulfides.Zn-rich sulfides are dominated by sphalerite-pyrite-chalcopyrite assemblages,with concentrations of gold ranging from 9.08 to 17.0 μg/g.Fe-rich sulfides consist mainly of pyrite-marcasite-isocubanite assemblages,with gold concentrations from 2.17 to 3.79 μg/g.The significant enrichment in gold within the lowertemperature Zn-rich sulfides and the effective separation of Zn and Fe in hydrothermal precipitates at the surface of this field are here interpreted to reflect the strong temperature dependence of gold transportation and deposition within the sulfides.In Zn-rich samples,large amounts of isolated native gold grains were identified.They were found mainly as inclusions up to 8 μm in diameter,occupying porous cavities in sphalerite or in the elevated iron content rim of sphalerite.The fineness of the gold ranged from 810 to 830.Unlike previously published results on other hydrothermal fields,these data show a low gold fineness values in SWIR 49.6°E.The FeS content of sphalerite associated with gold grains ranged from 3.2 mole % to 18.9 mole %.This was higher than in other fields,indicating that the sulfur activity is relatively low during the gold precipitation process and that sulfur activity may be one of the main factors affecting gold fineness in the SWIR 49.6°E hydrothermal field.Evidence regarding gold fineness and sulfur activity suggests that gold was quite likely transported as AuHS0 rather than as a Au(HS)-2 complex.     

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.     

Mafic-hosted seafloor sulfide mineralization at the margin of a non-transform discontinuity on the southern mid-Atlantic ridge

Abstract

Mineralogical, geochemical and S-isotopic studies were carried out on seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) and hydrothermally altered rocks from the mafic-hosted TaiJi field (including TaiJi-1 and TaiJi-2 sites), which is located on the margin of a nontransform discontinuity (NTD) on the Southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (SMAR). The main hydrothermal precipitates of TaiJi-1 were massive sulfides, while TaiJi-2 produced a large amount of semi-massive sulfides. Significant rock alteration is an important feature of this field, and large amounts of clay minerals (chlorite) occurred in the semi-massive sulfides. Geochemically, notable negative correlations were identified between rock forming elements (Mg) and major hydrothermal metal elements such as Zn?+?Cu and Co in semisulfides. Such mineralogical and geochemical characteristics, together with low Co/Ni ratio (similar to the surrounding rocks) of the semi-massive sulfides and the unique REE features of some altered rocks, tell us that the prominent mineralization mechanism for these semi-massive sulfides was probably related to rock mineralization. Thus, TaiJi-2 appears to differ significantly from the TaiJi-1 in terms of sulfide mineralization mechanism. Moreover, the TaiJi sulfides are remarkable for large δ³⁴S variation (7.2–15.3%). We suggest that seawater corrosion after sulfides precipitation were responsible for ³⁴S enrichment in sulfides. Furthermore, our work sheds some light on the comparison between TaiJi and other NTD-related fields along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. We argue that rock mineralization may represent an important mineralization type in NTDs.     

Mineralogical and geochemical variation in hydrothermal sulfides from Vienna Woods field, Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea: constraints on their evolution

Polymetallic sulfides from two hydrothermal chimneys and talus deposit from the Vienna Woods field of Manus Basin were studied for mineralogy, elemental composition, and S-isotope ratio to understand their evolution. The factors including the nature of source fluid, mineral paragenesis, and related geochemical processes have been discussed. Mineralogy and elemental concentration of Cu and Fe-rich large chimney at the central part of this hydrothermal field was completely different from the smaller Zn-rich peripheral chimney and Fe-rich talus deposit, suggesting the variable degree of alterations generate physico-chemically different source fluids responsible for these hydrothermal structures. Similarly, S-isotope ratios also indicate chemically diverse fluids and different modes of precipitation were involved in their evolution. Distinct mineral zonings and associated elemental and isotopic compositions within individual deposit confirm paragenetic shifts were involved during their growth process.     

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.     

Horizontal and vertical distributions of <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs in seabed sediments around the river mouth near Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

Investigations including a bathymetric survey, sonic prospecting, and vibrocoring were performed to understand the horizontal and vertical distribution of ¹³⁷Cs in seabed sediments in shallow seas with depths less than 30 m near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Especially, features of ¹³⁷Cs distributions in deeper sections of the seabed sediments were studied to evaluate the vertical heterogeneity of ¹³⁷Cs distribution in the seabed sediments in shallow seas. The distribution area of the seabed sediments was less than half of the investigation area, and the locations of the seabed sediments were divided into flat and terrace-like seafloors based on their topographical features. The thicknesses of the seabed sediment layers were mostly <2 m. The ¹³⁷Cs inventories in the seabed sediments varied from 13 ± 1 to 3,510 ± 26 kBq m^?2, and continuous distributions of ¹³⁷Cs at depths greater than 81 cm were observed. The ¹³⁷Cs distributions were not uniform; however, the ¹³⁷Cs inventories tended to be larger near the base of the steeper ascending slopes than in the terrace-like seafloors themselves. Based on the relationship between the ¹³⁷Cs inventories and mean shear stress, features of the seafloor topography were inferred to be significant control factors governing the horizontal and vertical distribution of ¹³⁷Cs in the seabed sediments. Rapid changes and multiple peaks in the vertical profile of the ¹³⁷Cs distributions suggest that they are related to pulse input caused by heavy-rain events. Change in the ¹³⁷Cs inventories with depth in this study are larger than those reported in previous studies, indicating earlier results of ¹³⁷Cs inventories per unit in seabed sediments in shallow seas, especially near the river mouth, which drains a radiologically highly-contaminated basin, were underestimated.     

Seasonal export fluxes of particulate organic carbon from <Superscript>234</Superscript>Th/<Superscript>238</Superscript>U disequilibrium measurements in the Ulleung Basin<Superscript>1</Superscript> (Tsushima Basin) of the East Sea<Superscript>1</Superscript> (Sea of Japan)

Export fluxes of particulate organic carbon (POC) were estimated from the ²³⁴Th/²³⁸U disequilibrium in the Ulleung Basin¹ (UB) of the East/Japan Sea¹ (EJS) over four seasons. The fluxes were calculated by multiplying the average POC/²³⁴Th ratio of sinking particles larger than 0.7 μm at 100- and 200-m water depths to ²³⁴Th fluxes by the integrated ²³⁴Th/²³⁸U disequilibrium from the surface to 100-m water depth. In spring, the ²³⁴Th profiles changed dramatically with sampling time, and hence a non-steady-state ²³⁴Th model was used to estimate the ²³⁴Th fluxes. The ²³⁴Th flux estimated from the non-steady-state model was an order of magnitude higher than that estimated from the steady-state model. The ²³⁴Th fluxes estimated using the steady-state model showed distinct seasonal variation, with high values in summer and winter and low values in autumn. In spring, the phytoplankton biomass had the highest value, and primary production was higher than in summer and autumn, but the ²³⁴Th fluxes were moderate. However, these values might have been significantly underestimated, as the ²³⁴Th fluxes were estimated using the steady-state model. The POC export fluxes estimated in autumn were about four times lower than those in other seasons when they were rather similar. The annually averaged POC flux was estimated to be 161 ± 76 mgC m⁻² day⁻¹, which was somewhat lower than that in highly productive coastal areas, and higher than that in oligotrophic regions. The export/primary production (ThE) ratios ranged from 7.0 to 56.1%, with higher values in spring and summer and lower values in autumn and winter. In summer, a high ThE ratio of 48.4 ± 7.0% was measured. This may be attributed to the mass diatom sinking event following nitrate depletion. In the UB¹, the annually averaged ThE ratio was estimated to be 34.4 ± 12.9%, much higher than that in oligotrophic oceans. The high ThE ratio may have contributed to the high organic carbon accumulation in the UB¹.     

Processes affecting long-term changes in <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs concentration in surface sediments off Fukushima

Temporal changes in cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) concentrations in the surface (0–10 cm) layer of seabed sediment were quantified from continuous observation data at 71 stations within a 150-km radius of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, and the primary processes affecting temporal changes were identified. From March 2011 to the end of 2015, about 80% of the initially deposited ¹³⁷Cs in the surface sediment in the coastal region (bottom depth ≤100 m) region has dissipated (radioactive decay is not included). Such a remarkable change in the ¹³⁷Cs concentration was not observed in the offshore (>100 m) region. This paper focuses on the following three processes that affected the decrease in the ¹³⁷Cs concentrations, and assesses their relative importance; (1) resuspension and transport of ¹³⁷Cs-bound sediment, (2) desorption of ¹³⁷Cs from the sediment, and (3) dilution of ¹³⁷Cs by vertical mixing of sediment. Consequently, it was estimated that the first two processes together have potentially contributed to reduce the ¹³⁷Cs inventory in the top 10 cm of the coastal region by at most 35%. Furthermore, by applying a pulse input sediment mixing model to the observed vertical distribution of sedimentary ¹³⁷Cs, it was also estimated that more than 43% of the ¹³⁷Cs in the surface sediment was transported to deeper sediment layers by vertical mixing of the sediment. This indicates that the decrease of ¹³⁷Cs concentrations in coastal sediments was mainly affected by mixing of ¹³⁷Cs-bound surface sediment with less contaminated sediment in the deeper layers.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of clay samples from active hydrothermal vents off the north coast of Iceland

Active hydrothermal vent sites were sampled during 1997 in a series of submersible dives at the active Grimsey (GHF) and Kolbeinsey (KHF) hydrothermal fields off the north coast of Iceland. This study focuses on secondary clay minerals which were formed in two different settings. The GHF is characterized by the presence of clay minerals precipitated within active chimneys. By contrast, the KHF is characterized by the presence of secondary clay minerals, which are the products of hydrothermal alteration of lava fragments. Based on XRD, electron microprobe and ICP-MS analyses, the dominant clay mineral in both hydrothermal fields is saponite (Mg-rich smectite). Chlorite and chlorite–smectite mixed-layer minerals also occur at the KHF. The Mg-rich nature of saponite from the GHF chimneys suggests intense Mg metasomatism in the mixing zone where hydrothermal fluids interact with seawater at temperatures of 250 °C. Saponite formation resulted in the additional uptake of Cu, Zn, and Pb. Enrichment in Ba is evident in the almost pure saponite from the KHF. Based on oxygen isotope data, the saponite formation at the KHF occurred at 148 °C, which is close to the maximum measured fluid temperature of 131 °C in this field.     

Basin-scale distribution of NH<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript> and NO<Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript> in the Pacific Ocean

We used more than 25,000 nutrient samples to elucidate for the first time basin-scale distributions and seasonal changes of surface ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) and nitrite (NO₂ ^?) concentrations in the Pacific Ocean. The highest NH₄ ⁺, NO₂ ^?, and nitrate (NO₃ ^?) concentrations were observed north of 40°N, in the coastal upwelling region off the coast of Mexico, and in the Tasman Sea. NH₄ ⁺ concentrations were elevated during May–October in the western subarctic North Pacific, May–December in the eastern subarctic North Pacific, and June–September in the subtropical South Pacific. NO₂ ^? concentrations were highest in winter in both hemispheres. The seasonal cycle of NH₄ ⁺ was synchronous with NO₂ ^?, NO₃ ^?, and satellite chlorophyll a concentrations in the western subtropical South Pacific, whereas it was synchronous with chlorophyll-a but out of phase with NO₂ ^? and NO₃ ^? in the subarctic regions.     

The potential hydrothermal systems unexplored in the Southwest Indian Ocean

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents possess complex ecosystems and abundant metallic mineral deposits valuable to human being. On-axial vents along tectonic plate boundaries have achieved prominent results and obtained huge resources, while nearly 90% of the global mid-ocean ridge and the majority of the off-axial vents buried by thick oceanic sediments within plates remain as relatively undiscovered domains. Based on previous detailed investigations, hydrothermal vents have been mapped along five sections along the Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) with different bathymetry, spreading rates, and gravity features, two at the western end (10°–16°E Section B and 16°–25°E Section C) and three at the eastern end (49°–52°E Section D, 52°–61°E Section E and 61°–70°E Section F). Hydrothermal vents along the Sections B, C, E and F with thin oceanic crust are hosted by ultramafic rocks under tectonic-controlled magmatic-starved settings, and hydrothermal vents along the Section D are associated with exceed magmatism. Limited coverage of investigations is provided along the 35°–47°E SWIR (between Marion and Indomed fracture zones) and a lot of research has been done around the Bouvet Island, while no hydrothermal vents has been reported. Analyzing bathymetry, gravity and geochemical data, magmatism settings are favourable for the occurrence of hydrothermal systems along these two sections. An off-axial hydrothermal system in the southern flank of the SWIR that exhibits ultra-thin oceanic crust associated with an oceanic continental transition is postulated to exist along the 100-Ma slow-spreading isochron in the Enderby Basin. A discrete, denser enriched or less depleted mantle beneath the Antarctic Plate is an alternative explanation for the large scale thin oceanic crust concentrated on the southern flank of the SWIR.