Characteristics of a ridge-transform inside corner intersection and associated mafic-hosted seafloor hydrothermal field (14.0°S,Mid-Atlantic Ridge)

Morphotectonic analysis of the inside corner intersection (14.0°S) between the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Cardno fracture zone indicate a young rough massif emerging after the termination of a previous oceanic core complex. The massif, which hosts an off-axis hydrothermal field, is characterized by a magmatic inactive volcanic structure, based on geologic mapping and sample studies. Mineralogical analyses show that the prominent hydrothermal deposit was characterized by massive pyrite-marcasite breccias with silica-rich gangue minerals. Geochemical analyses of the sulfide breccias indicate two element groups: the Fe-rich ore mineral group and silica-rich gangue mineral group. Rare earth element distribution patterns showing coexistence of positive Eu anomalies and negative Ce anomalies suggest that sulfides were precipitated from diffused discharge resulted from mixing between seawater and vent fluids. Different from several low temperature hydrothermal systems occurring on other intersection dome-like massifs that are recognized as detachment fault surfaces associated with variably metamorphosed ultramafic rocks, the 14.0°S field, hosted in gabbroic-basaltic substrate, is inferred to be of a high temperature system and likely to be driven by deep high temperature gabbroic intrusions. Additionally, the subsurface fossil detachment fault is also likely to play an important role in focusing hydrothermal fluids.     

海底热液成因含金属沉积物的研究现状及展望

海底热液成因含金属沉积物广泛分布于全球各大洋与弧后活动扩张中心、大洋玄武岩上覆沉积层的底部以及板内火山的顶部等区域.块状硫化物烟囱体经氧化蚀变发生再沉积作用、热液羽流的扩散和沉降作用或低温弥散流的直接沉淀均可形成含金属沉积物.尽管不同热液区的含金属沉积物在矿物和化学组成上具有一定的差异,但其相对正常远洋沉积物均表现为富...     

台湾东北部龟山岛附近海域自然硫烟囱体的铅同位素组成及地质意义

为了探讨龟山岛附近热液自然硫烟囱体的物质来源,通过测定烟囱体内铅同位素的组成特征,分析了该地区热液活动的铅元素物源.研究结果表明,龟山岛附近热液自然硫烟囱体中的铅同位素组成具有很小的变化范围和较均一的铅同位素组成特征,但是与其它深海热液沉积物的铅源不同,与北半球铅同位素的参考线(NHRL)相距甚远.虽然自然硫烟囱体出现在海水环境,但是海水对其不存在铅的贡献,烟囱体内的元素铅主要是陆壳来源.根据以上结果可以进一步推断,龟山岛热液活动区的下伏地层中,存在一定分布范围的陆壳,这对于研究该地区复杂的地质构造特征具有一定意义.     

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.     

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.     

Investigation into extremely acidic hydrothermal fluids off Kueishan Tao, Taiwan, China

Kueishan Tao (24°51′N, 121°55′E) is located at a tectonic junction of the fault system extension of Taiwan and the southern rifting end of the Okinawa Trough. A cluster of over 30 vents, at a water depth of about 10-20 m off the eastern tip of the tao emits hy-drothermal fluids and volcanic gases such as H2S. A sulfur chimney or mound, formed by condensation of the sulfur contained in the hydrothermal fluid, can usually be seen around the     

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。     

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.     

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.     

<Superscript>230</Superscript>Th/<Superscript>238</Superscript>U dating of hydrothermal sulfides from Duanqiao hydrothermal field,Southwest Indian Ridge

Duanqiao hydrothermal field is located between the Indomed and Gallieni fracture zones at the central volcano, at 50°28′E in the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR). Twenty-eight subsamples from a relict chimney and massive sulfides were dated using the ²³⁰Th/²³⁸U method. Four main episodes of hydrothermal activity were determined according to the restricted results: 68.9–84.3, 43.9–48.4, 25.3–34.8, and 0.7–17.3 kyrs. Hydrothermal activity of Duanqiao probably started about 84.3 (±0.5) kyrs ago and ceased about 0.737 (±0.023) kyrs ago. The periodic character of hydrothermal activity may be related to the heat source provided by the interaction of local magmatism and tectonism. The estimated mean growth rate of the sulfide chimney is <0.02 mm/yr. This study is the first to estimate the growth rate of chimneys in the SWIR. The maximum age of the relict chimney in Duanqiao hydrothermal filed is close to that of the chimneys from Mt. Jourdanne (70 kyrs). The hydrothermal activity in Dragon Flag field is much more recent than that of Duanqiao or Mt. Jourdanne fields. The massive sulfides are younger than the sulfides from other hydrothermal fields such as Rainbow, Sonne and Ashadze-2. The preliminarily estimated reserves of sulfide ores of Duanqiao are approximately 0.5–2.9 million tons.     

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.     

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.     

大西洋中脊胶状黄铁矿的特征及其成因

大西洋中脊热液硫化物（矿床）中广泛出现松散粒状和胶状黄铁矿，利用1988年所采样品通过其形态、成份和热电性质的研究，对这种黄铁矿的成因、环带成因和热液演化特征进行初步探讨。结果表明，松散粒状和胶状黄铁矿是热液进入海底与海水混合后沉积形成，与固结粒状黄铁矿分属不同矿化阶段（期），反映热液活动的多阶段成矿特征；胶状黄铁矿环带和微环带是黄铁矿胶体沉淀后重结晶作用形成的；松散粒状黄铁矿和胶状黄铁矿同时出现是已经停止活动的烟囱物特征。     

西南印度洋脊龙旂热液区蚀变岩岩石学特征及对热液流体循环的指示

慢速−超慢速扩张洋脊的海底热液活动区多出露类型多样的蚀变岩石,记录了地壳深部的流体与围岩的相互作用,为研究深部热液流体特征以及循环过程提供了样本。本研究选取了中国大洋第30、34和40航次在超慢速扩张西南印度洋脊龙旂热液区(A区、B区和C区)利用电视抓斗采集的蚀变玄武岩、蚀变辉长岩、蚀变辉石岩和蛇纹岩等蚀变岩样品,利用光学显微镜、电子探针开展了岩相学和矿物化学分析。岩相学结果表明,龙旂热液区蚀变岩石样品约95%发生了地壳浅部的脆性变形作用,靠近龙旂1号热液区(A区)约有5%的蚀变岩石混合发育了脆性变形及脆性−塑性变形特征。研究区岩石蚀变属于中−低温变质作用,变质相近似绿片岩相,变质矿物组合为绿泥石−绿帘石−钠长石−阳起石−榍石。其中,A区的蚀变岩中的绿泥石形成温度(201～341℃)以及蛇纹石、阳起石、绿泥石等蚀变矿物的Fe元素含量(17.5%～27.5%)都高于龙旂3号热液区(B区和C区)的绿泥石形成温度(239～303℃)和Fe元素含量(16.8%～26.5%),这也与在该区观测到高温的热液喷口相符合。本研究认为龙旂热液区所在洋脊段发育的拆离断层为热液流体的向上运移提供了通道,洋壳扩张后期轴部的岩浆熔体在轴侧区域的岩浆侵入或喷发活动可能为热液循环提供了热源。     

Intense hydrothermal activity at the axis of the east pacific rise near 13°N: Sumbersible witnesses the growth of sulfide chimney

A submersible study of a fast spreading (12 cm yr^-1) Mid-Ocean ridge segment (East Pacific Rise near 12°50′ N) led to the discovery of intense hydrothermal activity. Twenty four sites with active vents and sixty inactive hydrothermal deposits were found within a narrow graben averaging about 300 m in width along a 20 km long segment of the ridge crest. The graben is floored with fresh basaltic sheet flows including collapsed pits or lava lake structures. From both deep towed camera stations and manned submersible observations, it is estimated that the average spacing between the ridge axis hydrothermal deposits averaging in size 10–50 m in diameter lies between 100 to 200 m. The hydrothermal deposits found in the central graben are believed to have formed rapidly (on the order of a few decades). Detailed investigations of one active site have enabled us to witness the growth of an active chimney which increased its height by 40 cm in 5 days i.e. 8 cm per day. Extensive hydrothermal deposits were discovered on an off-axis seamount located 6 km East of the ridge axis. The hydrothermal deposits found on both the ridge axis and on the seamount are similar in composition and consist essentially of zinc, copper and iron mineral phases. Chemical studies conducted on the venting fluids (320°C) showed that the concentration of the dissolved major metal ions (Fe, Mn, and Zn) is about 0.10–0.13 gl^-1. If we accept an average flow rate of 10ls^-1 based on visual observations the mass of metallic products spewing out from an active chimney must be about 100 kg per day.     

冲绳海槽Jade热液场烟囱物稀土元素和锶、钕同位素地球化学特征

热液烟囱物是弧后扩张盆地现代海底热液活动成矿系统的重要产物.冲绳海槽中的伊是名(Izena)海洼Jade热液活动区烟囱物稀土元素特征表现为轻稀土元素相对富集,并具有铕的较强的正异常.87Sr/86Sr和143Nd/144Nd的平均值分别为0.708928和0.512292,介于冲绳海槽海水和海槽酸性浮岩中的值之间.这些特征表明,Jade热液活动区的热液硫化物矿床的成矿物质来源于下伏的酸性火山岩.矿床的成矿机制可描述为:下渗的海水被加热,它与酸性火山岩发生水-岩热化学交换反应时淋滤出大量的成矿物质形成以富含轻稀土元素为特征的热水溶液;当热液喷出并发生快速结晶沉淀时,形成了以具有轻稀土元素相对富集和铕的正异常为特征的铜-锌硫化物和重晶石-非晶质SiO₂型矿石.     

台湾近海热液体系独特的生物及地球化学特征

台湾地处西太平洋构造活动带,近海发育了多处热液活动,其中最典型的为龟山岛和绿岛热液体系。本文对海峡两岸在龟山岛和绿岛热液的地球化学特征以及周边生物体的响应的研究进展进行了综述。龟山岛热液喷出流体具有全球最低的pH(1.52),富含重金属元素和CO₂等酸性气体,是周围海水中有色溶解有机质的来源;绿岛具有全球热液中最低的溶解有机碳浓度(14 μmol /L),且具有特殊的动力学特性。喷口周边分布了较为罕见的自然硫烟囱体和硫磺球。喷口的高毒性、高酸性热液改变了热液区生物体如螃蟹的生活习性和解毒机制。热液区的主要活跃菌群为参与碳、硫和氮代谢途径的γ-和ε-变形菌。主要生物质合成以硫还原和硫氧化的化能无机自养型生物为主,微生物硫代谢促进了热液系统中的微生物能量流动和元素循环作用。某些热液生物采用繁殖期迁徙的机制应对高毒性、高酸性热液环境。在热液活动的胁迫下,这些微生物产生了新颖独特的代谢产物。此外,龟山岛和绿岛热液体系还受到了潮汐、台风和地震等灾害性事件的影响。台湾近海热液体系的研究对认识热液地球化学循环、探讨热液的生态环境效应等具有重要的意义。     

金在洋脊超镁铁质与镁铁质热液系统中的差异性聚集

洋脊是地球上规模最大的山脉体系,主要由超镁铁质和镁铁质岩所组成,因构造和岩浆作用,这两类岩层分别孕育了超镁铁质和镁铁质含金热液系统。金首先通过水岩反应从洋脊源区岩层内迁移出来,再经历运移堆积作用汇聚到硫化物堆积体内,最后遭受后期蚀变活化迁移改造。以上过程构成了金在这两类热液系统中的完整演化历程。超镁铁质热液系统内的金在汇源端员间的比值远高于镁铁质热液系统。这种差异性聚集暗示了这两类热液系统分别演化出了独具特色的载金属性特征及富集迁移机制。相比于镁铁质热液系统,超镁铁质热液系统内围岩普遍具有的高金含量和高孔高渗特征、热液流体中溶解态非生物有机质和气态物质含量高、硫化物堆积体所处区域裂隙发育及构造稳定等因素,都是造成两者之间存在显著差异性聚集过程的主要原因。持续性地对洋脊热液系统各深部结构体进行更多更精细有关金的丰度、赋存状态及演化变迁的测试分析及模拟研究工作,是未来量化揭示金在不同类型热液系统内的物源贡献及各演化阶段中富集亏损的关键,也将为未来人工海底干预富集成矿工程累积信息。     

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.