Hydrothermal manganese oxide deposits from Baby Bare seamount in the Northeast Pacific Ocean

Manganese oxide crusts were recovered from Baby Bare seamount in order to investigate the history of off-axis hydrothermal venting. Baby Bare is a small basement high protruding from a regional sediment cover on the eastern flank of the Juan de Fuca Ridge that acts as a focus for discharging crustal fluids. Stratabound Mn-oxide crusts were collected where warm venting has been observed near the seamount summit. Mn-oxide crusts are composed primarily of 10 Å manganate ± pyrolusite, with minor nontronite, saponite, and/or barite. These assemblage and chemical characteristics such as high Mn/Fe ratios and low trace metal and REE concentrations are indicative of a hydrothermal origin. Minimum ages for these deposits, calculated using growth rates (324 to ∼ 1800 mm/Ma) and estimated thicknesses of manganese outcrops, show that Baby Bare has been hydrothermally active for at least 0.5 Myr, and possibly since its formation (1.7–2.7 Ma). Hydrothermal manganese oxide crusts such as these from Baby Bare record interactions between the hydrothermal fluids and seawater and are important tools for estimating the longevity of off-axis hydrothermal activity.     

西南印度洋脊49.6°E热液区热液产物和玄武岩地球化学特征

利用X射线荧光法和ICP-MS等方法对取自超慢速扩张的西南印度洋脊(SWIR) 49.6°E热液区的热液产物和玄武岩样品进行元素地球化学特征分析研究,结果表明:(1)与亏损型洋中脊玄武岩(N-MORB)相比,研究区玄武岩样品的主量元素组成显示其偏碱性,而微量元素对比表明该区玄武岩明显富集Pb元素;(2)对热液产物的综合分析表明这些样品多为Fe-Si-Mn氧羟化物且都为热液来源;(3)热液产物的∑REE含量介于玄武岩和海水之间,经球粒陨石标准化的稀土元素(REE)分布模式均表现出Eu正异常和轻稀土(LREE)富集的特征。另外,本研究还表明,利用玄武岩和热液产物地球化学指标不仅能够模拟出以热液喷口为中心的元素地球化学晕,而且能反映出热液活动的影响范围。     

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.     

Comparison of Modern Zn-Ba-Pb Ore Deposits at Convergent Plate Margins and Fe-Cu-Zn Deposits at Divergent Plate Margins

At divergent plate margins, black smoke forms immediately on contact of ascending hydrothermal solutions with sea water. The black smoke, consisting mainly of black ore (BO) and barite ore (BaO), is rapidly dispersed in seawater leaving behind a dominantly yellow ore (YO). At convergent plate margins, on the other hand, zinc sulfides and associated chalcophilic elements start depositing within the hydothermal mound at mesothermal temperatures, and are largely trapped there to form a mixed yellow, black and barite ore (YO-BO-BaO). The abundance of individual chalcophilic elements within the mixed ore varies by more than four orders of magnitude, with Zn-Pb-Ba-Cu-As-Sb-Cd being the elements most enriched in these deposits. The differing patterns of element deposition in these two tectonic settings is related to the temperature of the hydrothermal fluids, which is a function of water depth and therefore of tectonic setting (mid-ocean ridge vs volcanic arc). In highly sedimented basins, such as the JADE hydrothermal field in the Okinawa Trough, Pb and other chalcophilic elements are leached from the sediment by slowly migrating hydrothermal fluids to form a mixed black-yellow-barite ore (BO-YO-BaO). This type of deposit is the most enriched in Zn-Pb-Ba-As-Sb-Ag in decreasing order of element abundance. These results indicate that black ore (sphalerite plus galena) is most enriched in sedimented-hosted deposits such as the JADE deposit, is moderately enriched in submarine hydrothermal mineral deposits from convergent plate margins and is poorly enriched in submarine hydrothermal mineral deposits from divergent plate margins.     

New discovery of seafloor hydrothermal activity on the Indian Ocean Carlsberg Ridge and Southern North Atlantic Ridge—progress during the 26th Chinese COMRA cruise

The 26th Chinese COMRA (China Ocean Mineral Resources Research & Development Association) cruise was an important cruise. The Carlsberg Ridge (CR) of the Northwest Indian Ocean and the North Atlantic Ridge (NAR), in which less investigation has been carried out for hydrothermal activities, were investigated and studied during the first two legs of the 26th COMRA cruise. During the first leg, we found one hydrothermal activity field located in the CR at 3.5 -3.8 N on the Northwest Indian Ocean Ridge (NWIR), and sampled seafloor polymetallic sulfide deposits where only abnormalities were found before. During the second leg, we found a new hydrothermal anomaly field located in the NAR at 4 -7 N. The discovery of two hydrothermal and anomaly fields filled in the gap of hydrothermal investigation and study in the corresponding regions for China.     

海底热液多金属矿床的研究现况

海底扩张中心的热液矿化作用是国际地球科学研究中最为活跃的领域之一。本文介绍了:1.热液多金属矿床调查的历史沿革;2.九十年代热液多金属矿床的海上调查方法;3.海底热液矿床的赋存条件;4.海底热液矿化作用过程;5.高强度热液活动与地质构造事件;6.热液矿体形状和流体动力学。作者认为,在我国开展太平洋多金属结核资源调查的同时,应对热液矿床的研究给予足够的重视。     

Metalliferous Sediment and a Silica-Hematite Deposit within the Blanco Fracture Zone,Northeast Pacific

A Tiburon ROV dive within the East Blanco Depression (EBD) increased the mapped extent of a known hydrothermal field by an order of magnitude. In addition, a unique opal-CT (cristobalite-tridymite)-hematite mound was discovered, and mineralized sediments and rock were collected and analyzed. Silica-hematite mounds have not previously been found on the deep ocean floor. The light-weight rock of the porous mound consists predominantly of opal-CT and hematite filaments, rods, and strands, and averages 77.8% SiO₂ and 11.8% Fe₂O₃. The hematite and opal-CT precipitated from a low-temperature (≥ 115° C), strongly oxidized, silica- and iron-rich, sulfur-poor hydrothermal fluid; a bacterial mat provided the framework for precipitation.

Samples collected from a volcaniclastic rock outcrop consist primarily of quartz with lesser plagioclase, smectite, pyroxene, and sulfides; SiO₂ content averages 72.5%. Formation of these quartz-rich samples is best explained by cooling in an up-flow zone of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids within a low permeability system. Opal-A, opal-CT, and quartz mineralization found in different places within the EBD hydrothermal field likely reflects decreasing silica saturation and increasing temperature of the mineralizing fluid with increasing silica crystallinity.

Six push cores recovered gravel, coarse sand, and mud mineralized variously by Fe or Mn oxides, silica, and sulfides. Total rare-earth element concentrations are low for both the rock and push core samples. Ce and Eu anomalies reflect high and low temperature hydrothermal components and detrital phases.

A remarkable variety of types of mineralization occur within the EBD field, yet a consistent suite of elements is enriched (relative to basalt and unmineralized cores) in all samples analyzed: Ag, Au, S, Mo, Hg, As, Sb, Sr, and U; most samples are also enriched in Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn. On the basis of these element enrichments, the EBD hydrothermal field might best be described as a base- and precious-metal-bearing, silica-Fe-oxide-barite deposit. Such deposits are commonly spatially and temporally associated with volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) ores. A plot of data for pathfinder elements shows a large hot spot at the northwestern margin of the field, which may mark a region where moderate to high temperature sulfide deposits are forming at depth; further exploration of the hydrothermal field to the northwest is warranted.     

Hydrothermal manganese mineralization in the Peterbourgskoye ore field (North Atlantic)

The manganese crust covered by pelagic sediment was recovered from the 3 km depth from the Peterbourgskoye ore field located on the eastern flank of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The crust comprises a platy brittle aggregate 1–5 cm thick made of black heterogeneous and partly porous material. The inner structure consists of aggregated parallel microplaits several micrometers to 0.2 mm thick consisting of well-crystallized bisnessite with a minor admixture of colloform vernadite. The chemical composition of the crust is dominated by manganese (more than 60% MnO) with minor iron (1.7% Fe₂O₃) and somewhat notable sodium and sulfur. The trace element composition is characterized by very high molybdenum, moderate gallium and uranium, and very low values of 40 other trace elements. Compared to previous publications, the composition of this crust is fairly different from the average values previously defined for hydrothermal crusts. On the other hand, it is rather close to some crusts recovered from subsea volcanoes in the Sea of Japan.     

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.     

Hydrothermal mineralization along submarine rift zones,Hawaii

This is the first article to describe mineralization of midplate submarine rift zones and hydrothermal manganese oxide mineralization of midplate volcanic edifices. Hydrothermal Mn oxides were recovered from submarine extensions of two Hawaiian rift zones, along Haleakala and Puna Ridges. These Mn oxides form two types of deposits, metallic stratiform layers in volcaniclastic rocks and cement for clastic rocks; both deposit types are composed of todorokite and bimessite. Thin Fe‐Mn crusts that coat some rocks formed by a combination of hydrogenetic and hydrothermal processes and are composed of δ‐MnO₂. The stratiform layers have high Mn contents (mean 40%) and a large fractionation between Mn and Fe (Fe/Mn = 0.04). Unlike most other hydrothermal Mn oxide deposits, those from Hawaiian rift zones are enriched in the trace metals Zn, Co, Ba, Mo, Sr, V, and especially Ni (mean 0.16%). Metals are derived from three sources: mafic and ultramafic rocks leached by circulating hydrothermal fluids, clastic material (in Mn‐cemented sandstone), and seawater that mixed with the hydrothermal fluids. Mineralization on Haleakala Ridge occurred sometime during the past 200 to 400 ka, when the summit was at a water depth of more than 1,000 m. Hydrothermal circulation was probably driven by heat produced by intrusion of dikces, magma reservoirs, and flow of magma through axial and lateral conduits. The supply of seawater to ridge interiors must be extensive because of their high porosity and permeability. Precipitation of Mn oxide below the seafloor is indicated by its occurrence as cement, growth textures that show mineralizing fluids were introduced from below, and pervasive replacement of original matrix of clastic rocks.     

海底热液活动研究综述

本文简要介绍海底热液活动的研究历史以及目前的研究状况，同时谈了作者对海底热液活动研究的一些认识。     

冲绳海槽中段沉积物物源识别及其热液活动指示

冲绳海槽中段热液活动区表层沉积物的主、微量和稀土元素分析结果表明:区内沉积物主要由陆源物质与热液源物质组分组成,Hg、Au、Sb、Cu、Pb、Zn、Ba、As、Fe和Co等微量元素富集;沉积物的化学风化程度中等,A-CN-K图解表明其暂未受到钾交代影响,且其母岩成分接近花岗闪长岩;北美页岩标准化稀土配分模式曲线整体较为平坦,轻重稀土分馏较弱,部分样品具有与热液流体类似的明显正铕异常.受热液活动影响,部分沉积物中的Fe、Cu、As、Pb和Zn显著富集,结合样品所处站位,整体显示含金属沉积物-过渡沉积物-正常沉积物的空间分配模式.结合(La/Sm)N、(La/Yb)N比值指示区内沉积物的陆源物质主要来自于黄河与台湾岛河流.     

Hydrothermal plume mapping as a prospecting tool for seafloor sulfide deposits: a case study at the Zouyu-1 and Zouyu-2 hydrothermal fields in the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Seafloor hydrothermal polymetallic sulfide deposits are a new type of resource, with great potential economic value and good prospect development. This paper discusses turbidity, oxidation–reduction potential, and temperature anomalies of hydrothermal plumes from the Zouyu-1 and Zouyu-2 hydrothermal fields on the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge. We use the known location of these vent fields and plume data collected in multiple years (2009, 2011, 2013) to demonstrate how real-time plume exploration can be used to locate active vent fields, and thus associated sulfide deposits. Turbidity anomalies can be detected 10 s of km from an active source, but the location precision is no better than a few kilometers because fine-grained particles are quasi-conservative over periods of many days. Temperature and oxidation–reduction potential anomalies provide location precision of a few hundred meters. Temperature anomalies are generally weak and difficult to reliably detect, except by chance encounters of a buoyant plume. Oxidation–reduction potential is highly sensitive (nmol concentrations of reduced hydrothermal chemicals) to discharges of all temperatures and responds immediately to a plume encounter. Real-time surveys using continuous tows of turbidity and oxidation–reduction potential sensors offer the most efficient and precise surface ship exploration presently possible.     

西南印度洋中脊表层沉积物中存在热液组分的地球化学证据

Hydrothermal materials in deep-sea sediments provide a robust tracer to the localized hydrothermal activity at mid-ocean ridges. Major, trace and rare earth element(REE) data for surface sediments collected from the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge are presented to examine the existence of hydrothermal component.Biogenic carbonate oozes dominate all the sediment samples, with CaO content varying from 85.5% to 89.9% on a volatile-free basis. The leaching residue of bulk sediments by ~5% HCl is compositionally comparable to the Upper Continental Crust(UCC) in SiO_2, Al_2O_3, CaO, MgO, alkali elements(Rb, Cs) and high field strength elements(Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti). These detritus-hosted elements are inferred to be prominently derived from the Australian continent by means of eolian dust, while the contribution of local volcaniclastics is insignificant. In addition, the residual fraction shows a clear enrichment in Fe, Mn, and Ba compared with the UCC. Combining the positive Eu anomaly of residual fraction which is opposed to the UCC but the characteristic of hydrothermal fluids and associated precipitates occurred at mid-ocean ridges, the incorporation of localized hydrothermal component can be constrained. REE mixing calculations indicate that more than half REE within the residual fraction(~55%–60%) are derived from a hydrothermal component, which is inferred to be resulted from a diffuse fluid mineralization. The low-temperature diffuse flow may be widely distributed along the slow-ultraslow spreading ridges where crustal faults and fissures abound, and probably have a great mineralization potential.     

科科斯脊玄武岩斜长石矿物化学及地质意义

综合大洋钻探计划(IODP) 334和344航次在U1381站位处的两个钻孔(A孔和C孔)获得了中美洲西海岸外科科斯脊基底拉斑玄武岩,对其岩浆过程开展研究可为理解其岩石成因提供重要依据。本文对科科斯脊玄武岩中斜长石斑晶和微晶进行了详细的原位主微量元素分析,结果表明,斜长石种属为培长石、拉长石及少量中长石。部分斜长石斑晶具有正环带结构;但多数斜长石斑晶不具有明显环带,仅从核部到边部存在微弱的成分变化。斜长石斑晶与微晶的微量元素差别较大:斜长石斑晶富集轻稀土和大离子亲石元素、亏损高场强元素,且具有明显的Eu正异常;斜长石微晶不相容元素含量通常高于斜长石斑晶。根据斜长石温度计计算获得斜长石斑晶结晶温度为1 050～1 253℃,斜长石微晶结晶温度为866～1 033℃。基于以上特征,推测斜长石斑晶核部是相对原始岩浆的产物,而斑晶边部以及微晶是演化岩浆的结晶产物。斜长石斑晶的成分变化及熔蚀麻点结构是由于岩浆补给及岩浆减压上升造成的。最后,本研究推测科科斯脊基底玄武岩来自于开放的岩浆房,且岩浆房内可能存在原始岩浆的不断注入及岩浆对流。     

冲绳海槽中部现代海底热液活动在沉积物中的元素地球化学记录

对采自冲绳海槽中部现代海底热液活动区的H9岩心沉积物进行了常量、微量元素分析,结果表明大部分元素含量在岩心75~80 cm处有一个明显的突变,上段中明显富集多种微量元素,这些元素正好对应于海槽中非热液活动区沉积物中相对亏损的元素,是热液活动区沉积物中的富集特征元素.75~80 cm处岩心沉积物中元素含量突变标志着冲绳海槽中部现代海底热液活动的开始或显著加强.除锰外,在其他热液活动区(如洋中脊等)显著富集的铁、铜、钴、镍在该区富集程度不高,但铅、鉮、锑、汞在上段岩心沉积物中的平均含量较下段高3~6倍,较非热液活动区沉积物中含量高3~12倍.这些富集元素与冲绳海槽热液活动成因硫化物中富集元素非常一致,表明该区热液活动对沉积物中锰、铅、鉮、锑、汞具有重要贡献,锰、铅、鉮、锑、汞是海槽中部现代海底热液活动的特征性示踪元素组合.岩心沉积物中很好地记录了热液活动的发展演化,该区海底热液活动从距今5740a开始发生或显著增强,并且一直持续到现在,只是其间活动程度经历了强弱变化,岩心上段锰的平均堆积速率约为40.461μg/(cm2·ka),与其他热液活动区的相当.     

Major and trace element distributions in manganese nodules and micronodules as well as abyssal clay from the Clarion-Clipperton abyssal plain,Northeast Pacific

The contents of seven major components (TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O and P₂O₅) and 15 trace elements (Sc, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Yb and Th) were determined by ICP-AE spectrometry in 27 samples of manganese nodules, micronodules as well as abyssal clay collected by dredging from an area of nearly 1,9802 nautical miles in the central Clarion-Clipperton abyssal plain at a depth of about 4,500 m. Statistical analyses were used to compare among individual as well as pooled datasets, in addition to different indicators such as La/Th, Ni/Cu and LREE/HREE ratios for the Clarion-Clipperton samples, as well as between these and corresponding values for the upper continental crust (UCC), North America Shale Composite (NASC), and igneous Indian and Pacific Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalts (MORBs). The results show significant correlations between major components in the Clarion-Clipperton samples and Pacific Ocean MORB, whereas trace elements (excepting Ni and Cu) correlate better with the UCC and NASC. There is also depletion in LREEs, together with a Ce negative anomaly for all Clarion-Clipperton samples. The nodule, micronodule and abyssal clay datasets each reveal typical clusters of components such as P₂O₅ and Y, La, Nd, Eu, Tb, or Ni and Cu. Compared to abyssal clay, the nodule as well as micronodules show significant enrichment in Ni and Cu; nevertheless, an essentially constant Ni/Cu ratio indicates that all samples come from the sediment surface. The distributions of major components as well as trace elements for the Clarion-Clipperton samples present, to different degrees, characteristics common to both the upper continental crust and Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt, strongly implying a hydrothermal origin, most probably from East Pacific Rise material transported by the Pacific North Equatorial Current.     

西南印度洋中脊热液产物稀土元素组成变化及其来源

对西南印度洋中脊热液区不同热液产物稀土元素(REE)进行了分析,探讨了热液产物形成过程中稀土元素组成变化及其来源。研究结果表明:不同热液产物稀土元素总量变化范围从3.47×10-7到4.80×10-5,轻重稀土比值(LREE/HREE)从2.06到6.16,表明轻重稀土有较大程度分异,δEu异常(δEu=0.86~3.88)和δCe异常(δCe=0.40~0.86)显示热液产物中REE呈Eu富集和Ce亏损特征。稀土元素球粒陨石标准化模式呈现两种类型:(1)呈轻微富集LREE的平坦模式,REE大于2×10-5;(2)呈显著富集LREE和正Eu异常模式,REE小于5×10-7。模式1类似于洋壳火山岩REE配分模式,而模式2与西南印度洋中脊黑烟囱REE模式相似,也与典型洋中脊热液喷口流体和硫化物LREE富集和正Eu异常模式类似。热液产物中稀土元素含量变化和模式特征以及Mg与LREE极强正相关关系可能反映了西南印度洋中脊硫化物形成在热液流体与海水混合沉淀的初始阶段,后期经历了广泛的热液流体再循环和海水蚀变过程。     

Neogene sedimentation patterns in north-central peninsular Florida

Sea level fluctuations and shoreline migrations are responsible for commonly oriented ridges and hills of north-central Florida. Lake Wales Ridge is the principal geomorphic feature of the region, with younger ridges, including Trail Ridge, occurring to the north and east.Sand is the dominant sediment size of the deposits forming these ridges, but gravels and clay beds also occur. Cross-laminations and burrowing are prominent in certain horizons. Generalized sections resemble marine regressive patterns and a marine barrier environment. The deposits reflect a prograding shoreline and the subaerial evolution of the Florida peninsula.     

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.