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.     

现代海底热液沉积物的硫同位素组成及其地质意义

共收集到现代海底热液沉积物的1264个硫同位素数据,结合我们对冲绳海槽Jade热液区和大西洋中脊TAG热液区中表层热液沉积物的硫同位素研究成果,对比分析了不同地质-构造环境中海底热液沉积物的硫同位素组成特征及其硫源问题.结果表明:(1)现代海底热液沉积物中硫化物的硫同位素组成集中分布在1‰～9‰之间,均值为4.5‰(n=1042),而硫酸盐矿物的硫同位素组成主要分布在19‰～24‰之间,均值为21.3‰(n=217);(2)无论在洋中脊还是在弧后盆地扩张中心,无沉积物覆盖热液活动区中热液沉积物与有沉积物覆盖热液活动区相比,其硫同位素组成的分布范围相对狭窄;(3)各热液活动区中硫化物硫同位素组成的不同,反映出各自硫源的差异性.无沉积物覆盖洋中脊中热液成因硫化物的硫主要来自玄武岩,部分来自海水,是玄武岩和海水硫酸盐中硫不同比例混合的结果,而在弧后盆地和有沉积物覆盖的洋中脊,除了火山岩以外,沉积物和有机质均可能为热液硫化物的形成提供硫;(4)现代海底热液沉积物硫同位素组成的变化和硫源的不同可能归因于海底热液体系中流体物理化学性质的变化、岩浆演化和构造-地质背景的不同.     

南海神狐海域沉积物自生黄铁矿和石膏S同位素特征及对甲烷渗漏强度的示踪

The northern slope of the South China Sea is a gas-hydrate-bearing region related to a high deposition rate of organic-rich sediments co-occurring with intense methanogenesis in subseafloor environments.Anaerobic oxidation of methane(AOM) coupled with bacterial sulfate reduction results in the precipitation of solid phase minerals in seepage sediment,including pyrite and gypsum.Abundant aggregates of pyrites and gypsums are observed between the depth of 667 and 850 cm below the seafloor(cmbsf) in the entire core sediment of HS328 from the northern South China Sea.Most pyrites are tubes consisting of framboidal cores and outer crusts.Gypsum aggregates occur as rosettes and spheroids consisting of plates.Some of them grow over pyrite,indicating that gypsum precipitation postdates pyrite formation.The sulfur isotopic values(δ~(34) S) of pyrite vary greatly(from –46.6‰ to –12.3‰ V-CDT) and increase with depth.Thus,the pyrite in the shallow sediments resulted from organoclastic sulfate reduction(OSR) and is influenced by AOM with depth.The relative high abundance and δ~(34) S values of pyrite in sediments at depths from 580 to 810 cmbsf indicate that this interval is the location of a paleo-sulfate methane transition zone(SMTZ).The sulfur isotopic composition of gypsum(from–25‰ to –20.7‰) is much lower than that of the seawater sulfate,indicating the existence of a 34 S-depletion source of sulfur species that most likely are products of the oxidation of pyrites formed in OSR.Pyrite oxidation is controlled by ambient electron acceptors such as MnO_2,iron(Ⅲ) and oxygen driven by the SMTZ location shift to great depths.The δ~(34) S values of gypsum at greater depth are lower than those of the associated pyrite,revealing downward diffusion of 34 S-depleted sulfate from the mixture of oxidation of pyrite derived by OSR and the seawater sulfate.These sulfates also lead to an increase of calcium ions from the dissolution of calcium carbonate mineral,which will be favor to the formation of gypsum.Overall,the mineralogy and sulfur isotopic composition of the pyrite and gypsum suggest variable redox conditions caused by reduced seepage intensities,and the pyrite and gypsum can be a recorder of the intensity evolution of methane seepage.     

Mineralogical characteristics of polymetallic sulfides from the Deyin-1 hydrothermal field near 15°S,southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge

A seafloor hydrothermal field, named Deyin-1 later, near 15°S southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR) was newly found during the 22 nd cruise carried out by the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research Development Association(COMRA). Sulfide samples were collected at three stations from the hydrothermal field during the26 th cruise in 2012. In this paper, mineralogical characteristics of the sulfides were analyzed with optical microscope, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope and electron microprobe to study the crystallization sequence of minerals and the process of hydrothermal mineralization. According to the difference of the ore-forming metal elements, the sulfide samples can be divided into three types:(1) the Ferich sulfide, which contains mainly pyrite and chalcopyrite;(2) the Fe-Cu-rich sulfide consisting predominantly of pyrite, chalcopyrite and isocubanite, with lesser amount of sphalerite, marmatite and pyrrhotine; and(3) the Fe-Zn-rich sulfide dominated by pyrite, sphalerite and marmatite, with variable amounts of chalcopyrite, isocubanite, pyrrhotine, marcasite, galena and gratonite. Mineral precipitations in these sulfides are in the sequence of chalcopyrite(isocubanite and possible coarse pyrite), fine pyrite,sphalerite(marmatite), galena, gratonite and then the minerals out of the dissolution. Two morphologically distinct generations(Py-I and Py-II) of pyrite are identified in each of the samples; inclusions of marmatite tend to exist in the coarse pyrite crystals(Py-I). Sphalerite in the Fe-Zn-rich sulfide is characterized by a"chalcopyrite disease" phenomenon. Mineral paragenetic relationships and a wide range of chemical compositions suggest that the environment of hydrothermal mineralization was largely changing. By comparison, the Fe-rich sulfide was formed in a relatively stable environment with a high temperature, but the conditions for the formation of the Fe-Cu-rich sulfide were variable. The Fe-Zn-rich sulfide was precipitated during the hydrothermal venting at relatively low temperature.     

Sulfur isotopic composition of modern seafloor hydrothermal sediment and its geological significance

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慢速扩张洋中脊热液成矿的典型实例——青藏高原北部德尔尼铜矿地质对比研究

青海德尔尼铜矿是发育在青藏高原北部的块状硫化物矿床,其赋矿围岩为阿尼玛卿蛇绿岩套中的超基性岩,代表了古特提斯洋的残骸。通过对德尔尼铜矿的详细地质解剖,认为其保留了大量海底热液喷流的地质记录,包括:矿体上部普遍发育的薄层喷流岩;多孔状硫化物中保留下来的胶状结构、草莓结构和角砾结构;矿石的主要矿物组成;与黄铁矿碎屑同期形成的方解石、长英质胶结物;与大西洋Rainbow、TAG热液硫化物矿床相似的矿体分带性。根据洋脊玄武岩中TiO2全岩含量估算德尔尼蛇绿岩所代表的这一段古特提斯洋洋中脊为慢速-超慢速扩张洋中脊,半扩张速率为1.1~2.5cm/a。类比现今洋中脊热液硫化物成矿过程,认为德尔尼铜矿经历了海底喷流、冷却保存和俯冲侵位等3个阶段,其中海底喷流阶段可能与洋底核杂岩具有成因联系,俯冲侵位过程中的矿体和超基性岩、玄武岩受逆冲断层控制。与世界上其他陆地上保存的类似矿床相比,德尔尼铜矿时代年轻(石炭纪),矿床结构和构造及其围岩蚀变特征保存完整,是慢速-超慢速洋脊超基性围岩热液成矿作用的典型实例,可以称之为德尔尼型成矿作用,研究其成矿过程,对研究和理解现今洋中脊超基性岩系统热液成矿作用(尤其是深部成矿作用)具有重要的意义。     

Mechanisms of sulfur incorporation and isotope fractionation during early diagenesis in sediments of the gulf of California

Sediment cores were taken from the Gulf of California, and pore waters recovered by mechanical squeezing. The chemistry and isotopic abundance of sulfur in these pore fluids were compared with coexisting solid phases to deduce the mechanisms involved in pyrite formation. The results suggest that burrowing activities of benthonic organisms supply sulfate sulfur to sediments to depths of approximately 0.5 m from the surface. This is inferred from essentially constant pore water concentration profiles of dissolved ions in horizons where sulfate reduction is demonstrated by the presence of iron sulfides.For a core from Pescadero Basin, it is estimated that beneath the mixed zone, diffusion adds 0.4% sulfur by dry weight of sediment, whereas burial of sulfate adds less than 0.1% sulfur. It is shown that diffusion can add isotopically light sulfur to sediments, due to more rapid relative addition of ³²SO₄^2? compared to ³⁴SO₄^2? down a concentration gradient maintained by bacterial processes. The overall net isotopic value of the sulfate so added is $\text{δ}{}^{34}\text{S = ?4.5‰}$. The depth distribution of S-isotope in sulfur is controlled by the balance between a bacterial kinetic isotope effect preferentially removing ³²S relative to ³⁴S, and the supply of sulfate by diffusion. The isotopic fractionation factor, α, calculated by a mathematical formulation which takes diffusion into account, is larger (1.060±0.010) than when sulfate reduction is assumed to occur in a closed system (1.035). The larger value is supported by the sulfur isotope distribution in metastable iron sulfide. Essentially, the same open-system α was calculated for a core from Carmen Basin.     

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。     

太平洋三海区热液硫化物中黄铁矿的形态标型和矿物标型特征研究

以成因矿物学的理论和方法,围绕太平洋三区四地海底热液硫化物和烟囱物中黄铁矿为主线的形态标型(扫描电镜)、矿物标型(粉晶X射线衍射法)及矿物组合,揭示了黄铁矿及伴生矿物在不同热液喷发类型中的标型特征,并由此反证了不同标型特征的热液矿物与热液喷发环境相互依存的紧密关系。     

Distal axis sulfide mineralization on the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge: an LA-ICP-MS study of pyrite from the East Longjing-2 hydrothermal field

The newly discovered East Longjing-2 hydrothermal field (ELHF-2) is located on the Dragon Horn oceanic core complex of the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge, approximately 12 km from the ridge axis. This study measured the chemical compositions of pyrite from ELHF-2 using a laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to investigate the genesis of the field. Three generations of pyrite were classified, and found that: Py1 and Py2, rich in V, Mn, U, and Se, occur in altered basalt debris and the silica alteration matrix, respectively. Py3 was mainly intergrown with chalcopyrite in quartz veins and had higher Cu, In, Ag, Sb, and Au contents than Py1 and Py2. Some elements, such as Au, Se, and Pb, are likely presented as direct substitution with Fe2+ in pyrite, while Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, and Ag probably occur both as direct substitution with Fe and as distributed micro- to nanoparticle-sized sulfides. Meanwhile, the occurrence of V, Mn, and U is likely presented as oxide inclusions. Trace element geochemistry suggested that the pyrite was formed under high-temperature conditions, and the ore forming elements were likely derived from ultramafic rocks. In addition, Py1 and Py2 were formed under higher water/rock ratio and higher temperature conditions, with more seawater involvement compared with Py3. The formation of ELHF-2 was probably driven by exothermic serpentinization reactions with an additional magmatic heat. This study shows that high-temperature hydrothermal circulation driven by magmatic activity can be developed on distal rift flank areas of magma-starved ultraslow-spreading ridges.     

Modes of sapropel formation in the eastern Mediterranean: some constraints based on pyrite properties

Pyrite formation within and directly below sapropels in the eastern Mediterranean was governed by the relative rates of sulphide production and Fe liberation and supply to the organic-rich layers. At times of relatively high SO²⁻₄ reduction, sulphide could diffuse downward from the sapropel and formed pyrite in underlying sediments. The sources of Fe for pyrite formation comprised detrital Fe and diagenetically liberated Fe(II) from sapropel-underlying sediments. In organic-rich sapropels, input of Fe from the water column via Fe sulphide formation in the water may have been important as well. Rapid pyrite formation at high saturation levels resulted in the formation of framboidal pyrite within the sapropels, whereas below the sapropels slow euhedral pyrite formation at low saturation levels occurred. δ³⁴S values of pyrite are −33‰ to −50‰. Below the sapropels δ³⁴S is lower than within the sapropels, as a result of increased sulphide re-oxidation at times of relatively high sulphide production and concentration when sulphide could escape from the sediment. The percentage of initially formed sulphide that was re-oxidized was estimated from organic carbon fluxes and burial efficiencies in the sediment. It ranges from 34% to 80%, varying significantly between sapropels. Increased palaeoproductivity as well as enhanced preservation contributed to magnified accumulation of organic matter in sapropels.     

南海北部柱状沉积物中黄铁矿的分布特征和形貌研究

对南海北部陆坡柱状沉积物样品总有机碳、总硫含量,以及其中的自生黄铁矿形貌、含量进行分析．结果显示,沉积物中黄铁矿（FeS2）、总有机碳（TOC）、总硫（TS）的质量分数分别为0～0,71％、0．37％～1．18％、0．04％～0．81％;黄铁矿和总有机碳、总硫的含量随深度加深逐渐增大,达到峰值后不断减少,三者的分布趋势基本一致;扫描电镜下观察到黄铁矿主要以莓球状集合体和八面体微晶形貌产出,局部层位亦发现管状、生物内膜状和立方体状黄铁矿晶体．表明该区浅表层环境为缺氧环境,硫化物主要以黄铁矿形式产出,其成因与有机质的厌氧氧化作用有关,而甲烷的厌氧氧化作用也可能促使自生黄铁矿的加速形成．莓球状黄铁矿占主导亦指示一种强还原性的缺氧微环境．黄铁矿富集的缺氧环境与下伏地层中天然气水合物分解释放的甲烷有关,为天然气水合物在该区的勘探提供一定的科荤依据．     

多接收电感耦合等离子体质谱仪测定沉积物中Cu和Zn同位素

本文介绍了海洋沉积物中Cu和Zn同位素的化学预处理及测定方法,报道了冲绳海槽20件表层沉积物和5件柱状沉积物样品的Cu和Zn同位素组成.采用大孔径阴离子交换树脂AGMP-1M,分别以8.2 mol/L HCl+0.01％HF+0.001％H2O2、2 mol/L HCl+0.001％H2O2和0.5 mol/L HNO...     

Geochemistry and stable isotope constraints on high-temperature activity from sediment cores of the Saldanha hydrothermal field

The Saldanha hydrothermal field is hosted atop a mafic–ultramafic seamount, located at a non-transform offset on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Previous observations revealed a field where transparent low-temperature fluids discharge through centimeter-sized vents without the formation of chimney structures. We present geochemical and stable isotope (O and C) analyses from sediment samples collected at this field, both at and far from the vent area. Most sediments, including some directly adjacent to orifice vents, are pelagic oozes with only a weak hydrothermal overprinting. Hydrothermal precipitates are characterized by Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides and a minor amount of Cu–Zn sulphide minerals. However, one of the cores (SCD7) collected at the vent area shows a much stronger hydrothermal signature. This core is composed of a matrix of serpentine + talc ± chlorite with high porosity, where calcite + chalcopyrite + sphalerite/wurtzite ± pyrite–pyrrhotite were precipitated. In this core, metal enrichments, REE patterns, and the oxygen and carbon isotope composition of calcites indicate that mineralization must have occurred in the subsurface by high-temperature fluids, with minor mixing with seawater and with a significant magmatic contribution. Thus, while most samples confirm previous findings indicating that Saldanha hydrothermal fluid discharge is mainly diffuse and of low temperature, data from core SCD7 suggest that areas of high-temperature hydrothermal activity also occur, where temperatures of the fluids could reach > 260 °C and maximum temperatures of 330 °C. We suggest that fluids can flow through faults at the top of the mount and discharge in a more focused way through vent orifices, producing intense hydrothermal alteration of the sediments. At these locations complex hydrothermal processes occur, including reactions of the hydrothermal fluids with mafic and ultramafic rocks and magma degassing, as suggested by the carbon isotope composition of hydrothermal calcites. The high temperature of the fluid inferred from the geochemistry of the hydrothermal minerals requires a significant heat input to the system, suggesting an additional magmatic heat source to the already proposed exothermic serpentinization reactions.     

Evolution and diagenetic implications of framboids in the methane-related carbonates of the northern Okinawa Trough

Authigenic carbonate samples were collected from the northern Okinawa Trough. Based on their carbon and oxygen isotopes, these samples were found to be methane-related carbonates precipitated by the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). Petrological analysis revealed numerous framboidal pyrites that had been partly oxidized. In order to trace the variation and diagenetic information of these framboidal pyrites, their diameters and geochemical components were studied using an electron probe. The results showed that their diameters varied from 4 μm to 17 μm (n = 60; geometric mean of 9.9 μm) and were of a normal distribution. The diameters of single pyrite that formed the framboidal pyrites varied from 1 μm to 2 μm. The framboidal pyrites with diameters of 6–14 μm accounted for ～80％ of the total. The geometric mean of 9.9 μm indicates that they are probably diagenetic pyrites that were precipitated in a lower dysoxic environment (weakly oxygenated bottom waters). The S/Fe ratio of the framboidal minerals ranged from 0 to 1.67, and the pyrite content of single framboid varied between 0％ and 86.4％. Therefore, numerous pyrites were oxygenated to iron oxides or oxyhydroxides, and were retained as pseudomorphism pyrites. The size of framboidal pyrites precipitated in cold seeps can be used to trace the redox environment; however, acquisition of additional data via investigation of different cold seeps is necessary to obtain more persuasive results.     

Sulfur Isotopes in the Upper Part of the Black Sea Anoxic Zone

New data are reported on the sulfur isotope composition and concentration of sulfide and sulfate in the upper part of the Black Sea anoxic zone as a function of the potential water density. The observations were performed at a station with the coordinates 44.489° N and 37.869° E three times a week every two days. A local negative deficiency in sulfate concentration up to 1.7% related to the sulfate reduction processes was recorded. This anomaly in sulfate concentration was short-lived and did not affect the sulfur isotope composition. In the upper part of the anaerobic zone, the δ³⁴S(SO₄) value varied from 21.2 to 21.5‰, which could have occurred from mixing of water masses from the oxic zone (21.1‰) and the Bottom Convective Layer (23.0 ± 0.2‰). The sulfur isotope composition of sulfide ranged from ?40.8% at a depth of 250 m to ?39.4‰ at the upper boundary of the anoxic zone with a H₂S content of only 2.7 μM. Two models (mass balance and fractionation of sulfur isotopes using the Rayleigh equation) are considered to explain the differences in δ³⁴S(H₂S) values observed.     

Sulfur isotopic composition of seafloor hydrothermal sediment from the Jade hydrothermal field in the central Okinawa Trough and its geological significance

Eighteen samples of hydrothermal sediments from the Jade hydrothermal field in the central Okinawa Trough have been analyzed. Sulfur isotopic values for 10 sulfide samples vary from 5.2 × 10~(-3) to 7.2× 10(-3), δ~(34)S values for 7 sulfate samples vary from 16.3 × 10~(-3) to 22.3 × 10~(-3), and 1 native sulphur sample has a δ~(34)S value of 8.2× 10~(-3). The major sources of sulfur for hydrothermal sediment are intermediate to acid volcanic rocks and sea water sulfate, and it is possible that the partial sulfur of hydrothermal sediment is from the pelagic sediment by the interaction between hydrothermal fluid and sediment. The reasons of causing the distinct differences in sulfur isotopic values for sulfide samples from hydrothermal sediment ( compared with other hydrothermal fields), are the differences in the sources of sulfur, the magmatic activity and the tectonic evolution in different hydrothermal fields. The sulfur evolution is a long and complex process in the seafloor hydrothermal system     

Diagenetic deposition of manganese in sediment of a historically meromictic lake,Lake Suigetsu,Japan

Vertical profiles of manganese concentration in interstitial waters and of manganese and iron contents in five chemically-separated fractions of sediments have been studied in a sediment core (73 cm long) from a meromictic lake, Lake Suigetsu, which changed from freshwater to brackish conditions in 1664 A.D. The interstitial waters show a minimum manganese concentration of 0.13 ppm near a depth of 10 cm and a maximum of 26 ppm near 65 cm in the core. A predominant amount of manganese, up to 0.17%, is found in the hydrogen peroxide-soluble fraction of sediments in layers above a depth of 52 cm. It is suggested that the manganese is included in stable iron sulfides such as pyrite. Manganese, which diffuses upward from the lower layer, is thought to be deposited along with stable iron sulfide during diagenetic formation of the latter near a depth of 10 cm in the core.     

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.     

Sources of Minor and Rare-Earth Elements in Hydrothermal Edifices of Near-Continental Rifts with Sedimentary Cover: Evidence from the Guaymas Basin,Southern Trough

The mineralogy and geochemistry of a fragment of an active hydrothermal edifice from the Hydrothermal Hill of the Southern Trough valley of the Guaymas Basin in the Gulf of California were studied. The sample was collected from a depth of 1995 m by the Pisces manned submersible on cruise 12 of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh, Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences. The fragment and the edifice itself consists of two accrete pipes: ore (pyrrhotite) and barren (carbonate) combined in a single edifice by an outer barite–opal zone. The ore edifice is located in the rift zone of the Guaymas Basin with a thick sedimentary cover and is depleted in metals in comparison with ores from rift zones of the open ocean, which are not blocked by sedimentary deposits. This is explained by loss of metals at the boundary between hot sills and sedimentary rocks and by the processes of interaction of hydrothermal solutions with sedimentary deposits. The sedimentary series faciitates long-term preservation of endogenous heat and the ore formation process. Ore edifices of the Guaymas Basin are mostly composed of pyrrhotite, have a specific set of major elements, microelements and REEs, and contain naphthenic hydrocarbons. They may be search signs of hidden polymetallic deposits, considered to be the roots of ore occurrences localized under the surface of the bottom in young active rifts with high spreading and sedimentation rates, i.e., in near-continental areas of rifts of the humid zone with avalanche sedimentation.