Formation and evolution of carbonate chimneys at the Lost City Hydrothermal Field

The Lost City Hydrothermal Field at 30°N, near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, is an off-axis, moderate temperature, high-pH (9-10.8), serpentinite-hosted vent system. The field is hosted on ∼1.5 Ma crust, near the summit of the Atlantis Massif. Within the field, actively venting carbonate chimneys tower up to 60 m above the seafloor, making them the tallest vent structures known. The chemistry of the chimneys and vent fluids is controlled by serpentinization reactions between seawater and underlying peridotite. Mixing of <40-91 °C calcium-rich vent fluids with seawater results in the precipitation of variable mixtures of aragonite, calcite, and brucite. The resultant deposits range from tall, graceful pinnacles to fragile flanges and delicate precipitates that grow outward from fissures in the bedrock. In this study, mineralogy, petrographic analyses, major and trace element concentrations, and Sr isotopic compositions are used to propose a model for the growth and chemical evolution of carbonate chimneys in a serpentinite-hosted environment. Our results show that nascent chimneys are characterized by a porous, interlacing network of aragonite, and brucite minerals that form extremely fragile structures. The chemistry of these young deposits is characterized by ∼10 wt% Ca and up to 27 wt% Mg, extremely low trace metal concentrations, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope ratios near 0.70760. During aging of the chimneys, progressive reactions with seawater result in the dissolution of brucite, the conversion of aragonite to calcite, and infilling of pore spaces with calcite. The oldest chimneys are dominated by calcite, with bulk rock values of up to 36 wt% Ca and <1 wt% Mg. These older structures contain higher concentrations of trace metals (e.g., Mn and Ti), and have Sr isotope ratios near seawater values (0.70908). Exposed ultramafic rocks are prevalent along the Mid-Atlantic, Arctic, and Indian Ocean ridge networks and it is likely that other Lost City-type systems exist.     

U-Th systematics and Th ages of carbonate chimneys at the Lost City Hydrothermal Field

The Lost City Hydrothermal Field (LCHF) is a serpentinite-hosted vent field located 15 km west of the spreading axis of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In this study, uranium-thorium (U-Th) geochronological techniques have been used to examine the U-Th systematics of hydrothermal fluids and the ²³⁰Th ages of hydrothermally-precipitated carbonate chimneys at the LCHF. Fluid sample analyses indicate that endmember fluids likely contain only 0.0073 ng/g U or less compared to 3.28 ± 0.03 ng/g of U in ambient seawater. For fluid samples containing only 2-21% ambient seawater (1.1-11 mmol/kg Mg), Th concentration is 0.11-0.13 pg/g and surrounding seawater concentrations average 0.133 ± 0.016 pg/g. The ²³⁰Th/²³²Th atomic ratios of the vent fluids range from 1 (±10) × 10⁻⁶ to 11 (±5) × 10⁻⁶, are less than those of seawater, and indicate that the vent fluids may contribute a minor amount of non-radiogenic ²³⁰Th to the LCHF carbonate chimney deposits. Chimney ²³⁸U concentrations range from 1 to 10 μg/g and the average chimney corrected initial δ²³⁴U is 147.2 ± 0.8, which is not significantly different from the ambient seawater value of 146.5 ± 0.6. Carbonate ²³²Th concentrations range broadly from 0.0038 ± 0.0003 to 125 ± 16 ng/g and ²³⁰Th/²³²Th atomic ratios vary from near seawater values of 43 (±8) × 10⁻⁶ up to 530 (±25) × 10⁻³. Chimney ages, corrected for initial ²³⁰Th, range from 17 ± 6 yrs to 120 ± 13 kyrs. The youngest chimneys are at the intersection of two active, steeply-dipping normal faults that cut the Atlantis Massif; the oldest chimneys are located in the southwest portion of the field. Vent deposits on a steep, fault-bounded wall on the east side of the field are all <4 kyrs old, indicating that mass wasting in this region is relatively recent. Comparison of results to prior age-dating investigations of submarine hydrothermal systems shows that the LCHF is the most long-lived hydrothermal system known to date. It is likely that seismic activity and active faulting within the Atlantis Massif and the Atlantis Fracture Zone, coupled with volumetric expansion of the underlying serpentinized host rocks play major roles in sustaining hydrothermal activity at this site. The longevity of venting at the LCHF may have implications for ecological succession of microorganisms within serpentinite-hosted vent environments.     

Extraordinary C enrichment of diether lipids at the Lost City Hydrothermal Field indicates a carbon-limited ecosystem

Active and inactive carbonate chimneys from the Lost City Hydrothermal Field contain up to 0.6% organic carbon with diverse lipid assemblages. The δ¹³C values of total organic carbon range from −21.5‰ vs. VPDB at an extinct carbonate chimney to −2.8‰ at a 70 °C, actively venting carbonate chimney. Samples collected at locations with total organic carbon with δ¹³C > −15‰ also contained high abundances of isoprenoidal and nonisoprenoidal diether lipids. Samples with TOC more depleted in ¹³C lacked or contained lower amounts of these diethers.Isoprenoidal diethers, including sn-2 hydroxyarchaeol, sn-3 hydroxyarchaeol, and putative dihydroxyarchaeol, are likely to derive from methanogenic archaea. These compounds have δ¹³C values ranging from −2.9 to +6.7‰ vs. VPDB. Nonisoprenoidal diethers and monoethers are presumably derived from bacteria, and have structures similar to those produced by sulfate-reducing bacteria in culture and at cold seeps. In samples that also contained abundant hydroxyarchaeols, these diethers have δ¹³C values between −11.8 and +3.6‰. In samples without abundant hydroxyarchaeols, the nonisoprenoidal diethers were typically more depleted in ¹³C, with δ¹³C as low as −28.7‰ in chimneys and −45‰ in fissures.The diethers at Lost City are probably derived from hydrogen-consuming methanogens and bacteria. High hydrogen concentrations favor methanogenesis over methanotrophy and allow the concurrent growth of methanogens and sulfate-reducing bacteria. The unusual enrichment of ¹³C in lipids can be attributed to nearly complete consumption of bioavailable carbon in vent fluids. Under carbon-limited conditions, the isotope effects that usually lead to ¹³C-depletion in organic material cannot be expressed. Consequently, metabolic products such as lipids and methane have δ¹³C values typical of abiotic carbon.     

Low temperature volatile production at the Lost City Hydrothermal Field, evidence from a hydrogen stable isotope geothermometer

Although commonly utilized in continental geothermal work, the water-hydrogen and methane-hydrogen isotope geothermometers have been neglected in hydrothermal studies. Here we report δD-CH₄ and δD-H₂ values from high-temperature, black smoker-type hydrothermal vents and low-temperature carbonate-hosted samples from the recently discovered Lost City Hydrothermal Field. Methane deuterium content is uniform across the dataset at − 120 ± 12‰. Hydrogen δD values vary from − 420‰ to − 330‰ at high-temperature vents to − 700‰ to − 600‰ at Lost City. The application of several geothermometer equations to a suite of hydrothermal vent volatile samples reveals that predicted temperatures are similar to measured vent temperatures at high-temperature vents, and 20-60 °C higher than those measured at the Lost City vents. We conclude that the overestimation of temperature at Lost City reflects 1) that methane and hydrogen are produced by serpentinization at > 110 °C, and 2) that isotopic equilibrium at temperatures < 70 °C is mediated by microbial sulfate reduction. The successful application of hydrogen isotope geothermometers to low-temperature Lost City hydrothermal samples encourages its employment with low-temperature diffuse hydrothermal fluids.     

Structural diversity of biogenic carbonate particles in microbial mats

Non-skeletal carbonate particles in microbial mats were studied using thin sections and scanning electron microscopy. The microbial mats form biolaminated units (so-called potential stromatolites) in salterns. This study emphasizes the coexistence of different particle forms and makes a genetic connection between the heterogeneity of the organic substrate built by bacteria and diatoms and their extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Whereas allochthonous particles are scarce, Lanzarote microbial mats provide various autochthonous surfaces for the attachment of cells and EPS, including sheaths and capsules of cyanobacteria, frustules of diatoms, metabolic products such as gas bubbles, liquid globules and faecal pellets, as well as the carbonate precipitates themselves. Morphologically different carbonate precipitates are: (i) calcified organic clumps (peloids), (ii) particles composed of concentric aragonite and biofilm laminae (ooids and oncoids), (hi) isolated particles floating in gel-supported mats and coated by rims of fibrous cement (cortoids), (iv) particles bound by cryptocrystalline matrices or cement, resulting in aggregate grains and (v) lobate cement which fills out spaces and pores and fixes the particles. Peloids are suggested to represent faecal pellets although microbial systems also generate cell clumps by non-faecal processes. Ooid and oncoid constructions clearly record alternating processes of biofilm accumulation and aragonite encrustation. Further characteristic features of carbonate particles generated within a microbial mat are: (i) an irregular distribution ranging from isolated particles floating within the gel-like matrix to closely packed particles, (ii) the amalgamation of different particle types (e.g. peloids and ooids) in aggregate grains, (iii) the heterogeneous nature of nuclei comprising bacterial clumps, intraclasts, individual cells, cell colonies and bubbles, (iv) the enrichment of remains, casts and imprints of cells within precipitates and (v) deformation (e.g. truncated cortices) of particles.     

Structural diversity and fate of intact polar lipids in marine sediments

Marine sediments harbor an enormous quantity of microorganisms, including a multitude of novel species. The habitable zone of the marine sediment column begins at the sediment-water interface and probably extends to depths of several thousands of meters. Studies of the microbial diversity in this ecosystem have mostly relied on molecular biological techniques. We used a complementary method - analysis of intact polar membrane lipids - to characterize the in-situ microbial community in sediments covering a wide range of environmental conditions from Peru Margin, Equatorial Pacific, Hydrate Ridge, and Juan de Fuca Ridge. Bacterial and eukaryotic phospholipids were only detected in surface sediments from the Peru Margin. In contrast, deeply buried sediments, independent of their geographic location, were dominated by archaeal diether and tetraether lipids with various polar head groups and core lipids. We compared ring distributions of archaeal tetraether lipids derived from polar glycosidic precursors with those that are present as core lipids. The distributions of these related compound pools were distinct, suggestive of different archaeal sources, i.e., the polar compounds derive from sedimentary communities and the core lipids are fossil remnants from planktonic communities with possible admixtures of decayed sedimentary archaea. This in-situ production of distinct archaeal lipid populations potentially affects applications of the TEX86 paleotemperature proxy as demonstrated by offsets in reconstructed temperatures between both pools. We evaluated how varying cell and lipid stabilities will influence the sedimentary pool by using a box-model. The results are consistent with (i) a requirement of continuous inputs of freshly synthesized lipids in subsurface sediments for explaining the observed distribution of intact polar lipids, and (ii) decreasing lipid inputs with increasing burial depth.     

Carbon geochemistry of serpentinites in the Lost City Hydrothermal System (30°N, MAR)

The carbon geochemistry of serpentinized peridotites and gabbroic rocks recovered at the Lost City Hydrothermal Field (LCHF) and drilled at IODP Hole 1309D at the central dome of the Atlantis Massif (Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 30°N) was examined to characterize carbon sources and speciation in oceanic basement rocks affected by long-lived hydrothermal alteration. Our study presents new data on the geochemistry of organic carbon in the oceanic lithosphere and provides constraints on the fate of dissolved organic carbon in seawater during serpentinization. The basement rocks of the Atlantis Massif are characterized by total carbon (TC) contents of 59 ppm to 1.6 wt% and δ¹³C_TC values ranging from −28.7‰ to +2.3‰. In contrast, total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations and isotopic compositions are relatively constant (δ¹³C_TOC: −28.9‰ to −21.5‰) and variations in δ¹³C_TC reflect mixing of organic carbon with carbonates of marine origin. Saturated hydrocarbons extracted from serpentinites beneath the LCHF consist of n-alkanes ranging from C₁₅ to C₃₀. Longer-chain hydrocarbons (up to C₄₀) are observed in olivine-rich samples from the central dome (IODP Hole 1309D). Occurrences of isoprenoids (pristane, phytane and squalane), polycyclic compounds (hopanes and steranes) and higher relative abundances of n-C₁₆ to n-C₂₀ alkanes in the serpentinites of the southern wall suggest a marine organic input. The vent fluids are characterized by high concentrations of methane and hydrogen, with a putative abiotic origin of hydrocarbons; however, evidence for an inorganic source of n-alkanes in the basement rocks remains equivocal. We propose that high seawater fluxes in the southern part of the Atlantis Massif likely favor the transport and incorporation of marine dissolved organic carbon and overprints possible abiotic geochemical signatures. The presence of pristane, phytane and squalane biomarkers in olivine-rich samples associated with local faults at the central dome implies fracture-controlled seawater circulation deep into the gabbroic core of the massif. Thus, our study indicates that hydrocarbons account for an important proportion of the total carbon stored in the Atlantis Massif basement and suggests that serpentinites may represent an important—as yet unidentified—reservoir for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from seawater.     

Geochemical constraints on the modes of carbonate precipitation in peridotites from the Logatchev Hydrothermal Vent Field and Gakkel Ridge

The ultramafic-hosted Logatchev Hydrothermal Field (LHF) at 15°N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Arctic Gakkel Ridge (GR) feature carbonate precipitates (aragonite, calcite, and dolomite) in voids and fractures within different types of host rocks. We present chemical and Sr isotopic compositions of these different carbonates to examine the conditions that led to their formation. Our data reveal that different processes have led to the precipitation of carbonates in the various settings. Seawater-like ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios for aragonite in serpentinites (0.70909 to 0.70917) from the LHF are similar to those of aragonite from the GR (0.70912 to 0.70917) and indicate aragonite precipitation from seawater at ambient conditions at both sites. Aragonite veins in sulfide breccias from LHF also have seawater-like Sr isotope compositions (0.70909 to 0.70915), however, their rare earth element (REE) patterns show a clear positive europium (Eu) anomaly indicative of a small (< 1%) hydrothermal contribution. In contrast to aragonite, dolomite from the LHF has precipitated at much higher temperatures (~ 100 °C), and yet its ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.70896 to 0.70907) are only slightly lower than those of aragonite. Even higher temperatures are calculated for the precipitation of deformed calcite veins in serpentine–talc fault schists form north of the LHF. These calcites show unradiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.70460 to 0.70499) indicative of precipitation from evolved hydrothermal fluids. A simple mixing model based on Sr mass balance and enthalpy conservation indicates strongly variable conditions of fluid mixing and heat transfers involved in carbonate formation. Dolomite precipitated from a mixture of 97% seawater and 3% hydrothermal fluid that should have had a temperature of approximately 14 °C assuming that no heat was transferred. The much higher apparent precipitation temperatures based on oxygen isotopes (~ 100 °C) may be indicative of conductive heating, probably of seawater prior to mixing. The hydrothermal calcite in the fault schist has precipitated from a mixture of 67% hydrothermal fluid and 33% seawater, which should have had an isenthalpic mixing temperature of ~ 250 °C. The significantly lower temperatures calculated from oxygen isotopes are likely due to conductive cooling of hydrothermal fluid discharging along faults. Rare earth element patterns corroborate the results of the mixing model, since the hydrothermal calcite, which formed from waters with the greatest hydrothermal contribution, has REE patterns that closely resemble those of vent fluids from the LHF. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that (1) precipitation from pure seawater, (2) conductive heating of seawater, and (3) conductive cooling of hydrothermal fluids in the sub-seafloor all can lead to carbonate precipitation within a single ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal system.     

冲绳海槽中部Jade热液区热液沉积物中Ag的富集成矿作用

冲绳海槽Jade热液活动区热液沉积物主要以块状硫化物和硫酸盐矿物为主。与其它热液活动区相比,本区的热液沉积物以富含Pb和Ag等元素为特征。电子探针和中子活化的分析结果表明,在块状硫化物矿石中,Ag主要以分散态富集在粗粒硫化物和细粒硫化物集合体中,在热液活动的早期和晚期均有Ag的富集。在以硬石膏为主的块状矿石中,Ag主要在细粒硫化物集合体中富集,其富集成矿的时间为热液活动的中后期,富集成矿温度在150℃以上。在重晶石为主的块状矿石中,Ag主要以颗粒状自然银的形式在热液活动后期富集成矿,其成矿温度低于160℃。     

Elevated concentrations of formate, acetate and dissolved organic carbon found at the Lost City hydrothermal field

Fluids from the ultramafic-hosted Lost City hydrothermal field were analyzed for total dissolved organic carbon and dissolved organic acids. Formate (36-158 μmol/kg) and acetate (1-35 μmol/kg) concentrations are higher than in other fluids from unsedimented hydrothermal vents, and are a higher ratio of the total dissolved organic carbon than has been found in most marine geothermal systems. Isotopic evidence is consistent with an abiotic formation mechanism for formate, perhaps during serpentinization processes in the sub-surface. Further support comes from previous studies where the abiological formation of low molecular weight organic acids has been shown to be thermodynamically favorable during hydrothermal alteration of olivine, and laboratory studies in which the reduction of carbon dioxide to formate has been confirmed. As the second most prevalent carbon species after methane, formate may be an important substrate to microbial communities in an environment where dissolved inorganic carbon is limited. Acetate is found in locations where sulfate reduction is believed to be important and is likely to be a microbial by-product, formed either directly by autotrophic metabolic activity or indirectly during the fermentative degradation of larger organic molecules. Given the common occurrence of exposed ultramafic rocks and active serpentinization within the worlds ocean basins, the abiotic formation of formate may be an important process supporting life in these high pH environments and may have critical implications to understanding the organic precursors from which life evolved.     

鄂尔多斯盆地镇泾工区钻井堵漏技术措施

鄂尔多斯盆地镇泾工区钻井中遇到井漏难题,针对不同的漏失特点采用不同方法堵漏。第四系黄土层漏失采取控时钻进加短程起下钻方法;渗透性砂岩层漏失采用以预防为主,随钻加入单封堵漏方法;纵向裂隙层漏失采用复合堵漏材料方法,恶性漏失采用桥接材料＋水泥封堵方法。实践证明,所采用的堵漏技术措施有效。     

Hydrothermal Fossilization of Microorganisms at the Earth's Surface in Iceland

The fossilization of biota and formation of low- and high-temperature hydrothermally altered rocks were studied in solfataric fields, artificial hot lakes, at natural hot springs, and on heated beach within the present-day rift zone at the Reykjanes, Nesjavellir, Geysir, Landmannalaugar, Namafjall, and Oxarfjodur geothermal areas. The hydrothermally altered rocks can be divided into the following mineral types: (1) smectite assemblage with iron oxides and hydroxides; (2) smectite assemblage with sulfides (pyrite); (3) kaolinite-metahalloysite assemblage with sulfates, anatase, and boehmite; and (4) siliceous assemblage. The detailed study of the hydrothermally altered rocks allowed us to elucidate some environmental features of modern fossilization and replacement of organic matter with clay minerals, iron oxyhydroxides, and silica. The fossilized microstructures have been described in rocks of the smectite and siliceous assemblages. It has been shown that the pseudobiomorphic (actually, abiogenic) micro- and nannostructures are formed in the moving water of silica deposition zone.     

Clay Minerals in an Active Hydrothermal Field at Iheya‐North‐Knoll,Okinawa Trough

Iheya‐North‐Knoll is one of the small knolls covered with thick sediments in the Okinawa Trough back‐arc basin. At the east slope of Iheya‐North‐Knoll, nine hydrothermal vents with sulfide mounds are present. The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 331 studied Iheya‐North‐Knoll in September 2010. The expedition provided us with the opportunity to study clay minerals in deep sediments in Iheya‐North‐Knoll. To reveal characteristics of clay minerals in the deep sediments, samples from the drilling cores at three sites close to the most active hydrothermal vent were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The sediments are classified into Layer 0 (shallow), Layer 1 (deep), Layer 2 (deeper) and Layer 3 (deepest) on the basis of the assemblage of clay minerals. Layer 0 contains no clay minerals. Layer 1 contains smectite, kaolinite and illite/smectite mixed‐layer mineral. Layer 2 contains chlorite, corrensite and chlorite/smectite mixed‐layer mineral. Layer 3 is grouped into three sub‐layers, 3A, 3B and 3C; Sub‐layer 3A contains chlorite and illite/smectite mixed‐layer mineral, sub‐layer 3B contains chlorite/smectite and illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals, and sub‐layer 3C contains chlorite and illite. Large amounts of di‐octahedral clay minerals such as smectite, kaolinite, illite and illite/smectite mixed‐layer mineral are found in Iheya‐North‐Knoll, which is rarely observed in hydrothermal fields in mid‐ocean ridges. Tri‐octahedral clay minerals such as chlorite, corrensite and chlorite/smectite mixed‐layer mineral in Iheya‐North‐Knoll have low Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios compared with those in mid‐ocean ridges. In conclusion, the characteristics of clay minerals in Iheya‐North‐Knoll differ from those in mid‐ocean ridges; di‐octahedral clay minerals and Fe‐poor tri‐octahedral clay minerals occur in Iheya‐North‐Knoll but not in mid‐ocean ridges.     

Hydrothermal Alteration and Fluid Geochemistry of the Tongonan Geothermal Field, Philippines

Abstract: The alteration mineralogy, the present-day fluid chemistry, and some fluid inclusion data are used to make inferences on the chemical changes that have occurred in the fluids during the history of the Tongonan Geothermal Field. Thermal activity in the Tongonan area began in the Miocene when emplacement of many plutons forming a batholith contact metamorphosed the overlying volcanics to hornblende hornfels assemblages. In the early Pliocene, when tectonic uplift occurred along the Philippine Fault, about 2 mole % of mainly carbon dioxide and sulfur gas was released to a geothermal fluid and condensed in groundwater with geothermal steam. The condensate intensely altered the reservoir rock and formed an acid mineral assemblage, which was overprinted by a later, lower temperature, neutral-pH assemblage. Some chlorite, epidote and illite in the reservoir rock formed at temperatures up to 100°C lower than present-day temperatures possibly during the Plio-Pleistocene uplift period, i.e., the system was heating up. The assemblage garnet-anhydrite formed in fractures from a condensate after the gas had nearly completely separated from the deep, CO₂-rich fluid during vigorous boiling possibly during hydrothermal eruptions. The output of gas to the geothermal fluid decreased, while the salinity (10,000 mg/kg or - 2 wt% NaCl) and the temperature of the geothermal fluid remained nearly constant throughout the Quaternary. When this neutral-pH, alkali chloride fluid boiled, it initially precipitated albite or epidote on the rims then anhydrite at the center of fractures at high temperatures (-250–300°C). At lower temperatures (-150–250°C), adularia or wairakite and later calcite were deposited as the proportion of gas in the steam condensate increased. The origin of solutes is also discussed.     

Chemical evidence for advection of hydrothermal solutions in the sediments of the Galapagos Mounds Hydrothermal Field

Pore water profiles of Ca, Mg, F, PO₄^?3 and Mn in the Galapagos Mounds Hydrothermal Field are believed to reflect, in part, upwelling of hydrothermal solutions through the sediments. Concentration-depth profiles in a low heat flow area just north of the Mounds Field display diagenetic changes typical of those found in pore waters underlying highly productive surface waters, consistent with the inference of no water flow or very slow downwelling ($\text{w < 5}\text{cm/yr}$) of bottom water through these sediments. Rates of upward advection calculated from Mounds Field pore water profiles of Ca, Mg, and F profiles agree well with each other, averaging about 1 cm/yr in the pelagic sediments near the mounds and 15–30 cm/yr within the hydrothermal mounds themselves. The upward advection also modifies the shape of PO₄^?3 and Mn profiles.Advection rates inferred from the pore water data are generally in reasonable agreement with those made from heat flow data.The higher Ca and lower Mg, F, PO₄^?3 and Mn concentrations in Mounds Field pore waters (compared with those of the low heat flow area) suggest chemical exchange between the solution and basalt prior to upwelling. Li⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Sr⁺⁺ and SO₄^? concentrations are indistinguishable from bottom water. This suggests very high effective water/rock ratios during the reactions which produced the upwelling solutions, perhaps due to extensive prior alteration of basalt adjacent to the flow path of water through the crust Inferred reaction temperatures are between 70–150°C.     

Mineralization Characteristics and Structural Controls of Hydrothermal Deposits in the Gyeongsang Basin, South Korea

Abstract. Hydrothermal deposits in the Gyeongsang Basin show the genetic relationship with igneous activity from Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary in the spatial and temporal viewpoints. Many hydrothermal Au-Ag-Cu-Pb-Zn and clay deposits are dominantly distributed within the Gyeongsang Basin. The Gyeongsang Basin is divided into seven metallogenic provinces by spatial distribution. The age ranges of igneous activity and mineralization are 140∼40 Ma and 100∼40 Ma, respectively, and the most dominant age ranges of the both activities are from 90 Ma (Coniacian) to 50 Ma (Eocene). The age consistency between igneous activity and mineralization suggests that this age range is the climactic period of the hydrothermal activity of the Gyeongsang Basin. The metallogenic epochs in the Gyeongsang Basin are divided into three epochs of 100∼80 Ma (western part of the Gyeongsang Basin), 80∼60 Ma (central part of the Gyeongsang Basin), and 60∼40 Ma (eastern part of the Gyeongsang Basin). The mineralization and igneous activity tend to become young eastward in the Gyeongsang Basin.
NNW-SSE mineralized veins from 100 to 80 Ma in the western part of the Gyeongsang Basin are interpreted as the control of the parallel tensional fissures caused by NNW-SSE compressional stress. NW-SE mineralized veins from 80 to 60 Ma in the central part of the Gyeongsang Basin seem to have been formed under the same stress as that of the Gaeum and Yangsan Fault Systems. Namely, NW-SE tensional stress is associated with a conjugate set of fracturing of the WNW-ESE Gaeum Fault System and NNE-SSW Yangsan Fault System. Also NE-SW mineralized veins from 60 to 40 Ma in the eastern part of the Gyeongsang Basin seem to be controlled by the NE-SW fractures. The fractures are related with NE-SW compressional stress and are developed as secondary fractures within the dextral strike slip Yangsan Fault System.     

东太平洋海隆热液活动区沉积岩心的地球化学研究

东太平洋隆是现代海底热液活动及热液沉积分布最为广泛的构造环境之一。本文对采自 EPR13°N 现代海底热液活动区附近的两个沉积物岩心分别进行了元素地球化学分析，并结合沉积物中有孔虫壳体对岩心进行关键层位 14C 年代学研究。目的在于通过对比距现代海底热液喷口不同距离的两岩心的地球化学特征，研究热液活动在岩心沉积物中所何存的地球化学记录，探讨海底热液活动对洋中脊附近沉积作用的贡献，以及热液活动在一定地质历史时期内的变化规律。显示，距热液喷口区相对较近的 B13－26 岩心沉积物含有丰富的热液特征组分，绝大多数微量元素和 REE 都与 Fe和Mn 成较强的正相关关系，而与 Al、Na、Ca、Mg、Ti 等元素相关性较弱或呈负相关，说明这些元素的富集机制主要是热液成因非晶质 Fe－Mn 化合物对热液及海水中元素的吸附作用。距热液喷口区相对较远的 B13－62岩心上部沉积物中元素的富集特征与 B13－26 岩心相似，但中下部沉积物中 Fe 与 Mn 无明显的相关关系，说明这些元素的富集主要受深海粘土沉积的影响，而受热液活动的影响减弱或消失。由于与海隆扩张轴距离的不同，两岩心受热液活动影响的强度不同。由海隆扩张轴向外，沉积作用受热活动的影响逐渐减弱，正常深海沉积作用逐渐加强。两个岩心沉积物地球化学上的共性是 Ca 和 Sr 都与其他元素呈现负相关关系或极微弱的正相关关系，表明生物碳酸盐沉积作用的独特性。有孔虫 14C 年龄测定结果表明，B13－26 岩心 35～250cm 段年龄十分接近，前后相差仅在几百年内。根据年龄测量中的误差范围，可以断定这段沉积物岩心是短时间内快速沉积的产物。结合热液活动特征性元素在岩心中的分布特征，判断该岩心段记录一次强烈的热液活动事件，从而形成了典型的事件沉积。在 B13－62 岩心的45～50cm 处测得有孔虫的 14C 年龄为距今 32900±530 yr。由于 14C 测年方法上的局限性，在岩心 135～140cm 处 14C 测年只能给出大于40000 yr 的结果。显然，B13－62 岩心处早期并没有受到热液活动明显的影响，沉积速率非常缓慢，只是在近期受到了热液活动的影响，形成了上部富含 Fe、Mn、Zn、Cr、Co、Ni、V 等热液活动特征元素的沉积。     

大西洋洋中脊TAG热液区中块状硫化物的Os同位素研究

新测得TAG热液区中5件海底块状硫化物样品的锇含量及其同位素组成,187Os/186Os比值在2.305～7.879之间,均值为5.986,介于现代海水和上部洋壳岩石的锇同位素组成之间,表明该区海底块状硫化物中锇是海水和上部洋壳来源锇混合的产物.在海底热液循环过程中,海水的混入对该区热液流体的Os浓度及其同位素组成产生了明显的影响。     

塔河地区奥陶系油田水分布与运动学特征研究

塔河油田是我国最大的陆上整装碳酸盐岩油田,其油田水分布与运动特征反映了油气运移规律。该区奥陶系油田水现今总体矿化度高,南北向存在从低到高再到低的3个矿化带,各带内平面分割性强,纵向层间差异大。塔河油田奥陶系的流体经历了多期次活动,奥陶系储层共捕获了4～5期盐水包裹体,其均一温度范围集中在60～80℃,90～105℃,110～140℃和145～170℃,盐度集中在0.5%～4%、5%～10%、10%～13%、14%～18%、>18%,反映出奥陶系储层曾经历过了4～5期热流体活动,对照埋藏史与油气运移史,高盐度流体活动与油气运移具有良好的匹配关系,油田水化学指标(油田水变质系数、碳酸盐岩平衡系数等)反映出塔河油区现今保存条件良好。井剖面包裹体纵向温度、盐度纵向不规则变化表明流体的活动以侧向运移为主。流体势分析说明运移方向不仅包括塔河东、南面是烃源岩方向,而且具有高流体势的西面也可能是油气来源方向。     

Chemical and isotopic constraints on water/rock interactions at the Lost City hydrothermal field, 30°N Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Low temperature vent fluids (<91 °C) issuing from the ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal system at Lost City, 30°N Mid-Atlantic Ridge, are enriched in dissolved volatiles (H₂,CH₄) while attaining elevated pH values, indicative of the serpentization processes that govern water/rock interactions deep in the oceanic crust. Here, we present a series of theoretical models to evaluate the extent of hydrothermal alteration and assess the effect of cooling on the systematics of pH-controlled B aqueous species. Peridotite-seawater equilibria calculations indicate that the mineral assemblage composed of diopside, brucite and chrysotile likely dictates fluid pH at moderate temperature serpentinization processes (<300 °C), by imposing constraints on the aCa⁺⁺/a²H⁺ ratios and the activity of dissolved SiO₂. Based on Sr abundances and the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope ratios of vent fluids reported from Lost City, estimated water/rock mass ratios (w/r = 2-4) are consistent with published models involving dissolved CO₂ and alkane concentrations. Combining the reported δ¹⁸O values of vent fluids (0.7‰) with such w/r mass ratios, allows us to bracket subseafloor reaction temperatures in the vicinity of 250 °C. These estimates are in agreement with previous theoretical studies supporting extensive conductive heat loss within the upflow zones. Experimental studies on peridotite-seawater alteration suggest that fluid pH increases during cooling which then rapidly enhances boron removal from solution and incorporation into secondary phases, providing an explanation for the highly depleted dissolved boron concentrations measured in the low temperature but alkaline Lost City vent fluids. Finally, to account for the depleted ¹¹B composition (δ¹¹B ∼25-30‰) of vent fluids relative to seawater, isotopic fractionation between tetrahedrally coordinated aqueous boron species with BO₃-bearing mineral sites (e.g. in calcite, brucite) is proposed.