The first identification of hydrogeochemical indicators of mud volcanic activity

Hydrogeochemical monitoring has been implemented at a mud volcano for the first time in the world. Measurements were carried out during the field season of 2015 at five gryphons of the South Sakhalin mud volcano with various degrees of activity. Statistically significant differences in the chemical compositions of mud-volcano waters from different gryphons are established. These differences are determined by the activity of the gryphons.     

Gases of mud volcanoes in the Copper River Basin,Alaska

The gases emitted from mud volcanoes in the Copper River Basin of Alaska fall into two distinct types which are not mixed during vertical migration. The gases in the eastern volcanoes are nearly pure carbon dioxide, whereas the western ones contain methane and nitrogen and almost no carbon dioxide. Chemical and carbon isotopic compositions suggest the carbon dioxide rich gases originated by solution of limestones and that methane rich gases probably formed by thermal decomposition of coals.Permafrost may be a strong factor in separating the Copper River Basin gases. Extending downward for several hundred feet, the permafrost would prevent shallow lateral migration and focus the energy of the gas into occasional mud volcano vents. Soil gas analyses show rapidly decreasing amounts of the methane to about 150 m and of carbon dioxide to about 20–40 m away from the mud volcano pools. Isotopic variations of these natural methane and carbon dioxide gases, which are not intermixed, indicate that calculations of formation temperatures based on δ¹³C ratios cannot be used generally.     

Simulation of the 2011 South Sakhalin mud volcano eruption based on the GPS data

Sakhalin Island is the only region in the Russian Far East where mud volcanism is manifested on land. The South Sakhalin mud volcano is located in the south of the island in the zone of the Central Sakhalin Fault (upthrow-thrust). The horizontal and vertical displacements of the earth’s surface after this mud volcano erupted in 2011 are revealed for the first time based on the GPS observation data. On the basis of the inversion of the measured displacements for the homogeneous elastic half-space, a model of the finite spherical eruption source is constructed. The coordinates, depth, and possible size of the source are defined and the volumes of the erupted clay rock, water, and gas are estimated.     

Characteristic features of the occurrence of gas-fluid emanations on the northeastern slope of Sakhalin Island, Sea of Okhotsk

This paper summarizes the results of combined studies in the areas of the occurrence of gas-fluid emanations in the water column, on the seafloor, and in the upper part of the sedimentary section on the northeastern slope of Sakhalin Island (Sea of Okhotsk). The phenomena typical of methane seeps were characterized in detail: the presence of acoustic anomalies, high concentrations of methane in the water and sediments, and the specific features of the sedimentary section (the textural and structural features, the character of the mineral inclusions and gas hydrates, and the chemical composition). The component composition of the gases (including the accompanying gas hydrates), which is almost free of heavy hydrocarbon homologues of methane; the light carbon isotopic compositions of the methane and carbonate concretions; and the low temperatures of the near-bottom water and sediments suggest that the occurrence of numerous methane emanations is related to gas generation in the upper part of the sedimentary sequence. No evidence was found for the existence of a deep center of gas formation within the seafloor area considered. Typical submarine mud volcanic edifices were also not found.     

Modeling of the temperature regime of mud volcano gryphons

This paper is devoted to modeling of the dynamics of the temperature regime of mud volcano gryphons. The model is elaborated on the basis of a nonstationary equation of thermal conductivity with a convective component and describes well the observed regularities of thermal regime of South Sakhalin mud volcano gryphons. It is shown that anomalous changes in the temperature of the water-mud mixture after the Gornozavodsk and Nevelsk earthquakes in 2006–2007 are caused by variations in motion velocity of the mixture in the supply pipes of gryphons. It also has been shown that influx of deep geofluids cannot be considered as the main reason for thermal anomalies.     

Deep structure of the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk mud volcano: Results of multidisciplinary seismic surveys

The paper presents the results of multidisciplinary seismic surveys carried out by refraction and reflection methods for compressional and shear waves on Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk mud volcano. A large extinct (approximately 60–70 years ago) volcano was identified near the active volcano, and its structure was studied. It was found that the recognized intermediate fluid-bearing chambers correlate with the distinguished tectonic dislocations. A supposition was made that the mud volcanism is sequentially developed in the northeastern direction and related to the modern tectonics of the Central Sakhalin Fault.     

陆地水热系统气体地球化学研究进展

地表水热活动常伴有通量不等的气体释放，作为水-岩反应和地球深部脱气的产物，泉气的化学和同位素组成因其热储所处的大地构造单元、岩性和应力状态的差异而有所不同。对泉气化学和同位素组成时空变化的观测和研究是了解地壳-岩石圈动力学的重要方面，有助于地震、火山活动等地质灾害的监测和地热资源的开发利用。     

松辽盆地昌德气田天气气成因及成藏模式

通过对昌德气田中天然气的化学组分和碳同位素的分析发现,该区天然气的成因类型很复杂,既有有机成因天然气,又有无机成因天然气。昌德气藏和昌德东气藏中的天然气成因有一定的差别。昌德气藏中天然气重烃含量相对较低,出现重碳同位素和负碳同位素系列,可能有无机烃类气体的混入。昌德东气藏除有机成因的煤型气外,还发现有幔源成因的高纯二氧化碳气藏。非烃气体在纵向上的分布以登娄库组以下地层的营城组火山岩系地层含量最高。     

松辽盆地昌德气田天然气成因及成藏模式

通过对昌德气田中天然气的化学组分和碳同位素的分析发现 ,该区天然气的成因类型很复杂 ,既有有机成因天然气 ,又有无机成因天然气。昌德气藏和昌德东气藏中的天然气成因有一定的差别。昌德气藏中天然气重烃含量相对较低 ,出现重碳同位素和负碳同位素系列 ,可能有无机烃类气体的混入。昌德东气藏除有机成因的煤型气外 ,还发现有幔源成因的高纯二氧化碳气藏。非烃气体在纵向上的分布以登娄库组以下地层的营城组火山岩系地层含量最高。在平面上高含量非烃气体的分布常与深大断裂的走向一致 ,主要为无机成因     

Volcanic degassing at Somma–Vesuvio (Italy) inferred by chemical and isotopic signatures of groundwater

A geochemical model is proposed for water evolution at Somma–Vesuvio, based on the chemical and isotopic composition of groundwaters, submarine gas emission and chemical composition of the dissolved gases. The active degassing processes, present in the highest part of the volcano edifice, strongly influence the groundwater evolution. The geological–volcanological setting of the volcano forces the waters infiltrating at Somma–Vesuvio caldera, enriched in volcanic gases, to flow towards the southern sector to an area of high pCO₂ groundwaters. Reaction path modelling applied to this conceptual model, involving gas–water–rock interaction, highlights an intense degassing process in the aquifer controlling the chemical and isotopic composition of dissolved gases, total dissolved inorganic C (TDIC) and submarine gas emission. Mapping of TDIC shows a unique area of high values situated SSE of Vesuvio volcano with an average TDIC value of 0.039 mol/L, i.e., one order of magnitude higher than groundwaters from other sectors of the volcano. On the basis of TDIC values, the amount of CO₂ transported by Vesuvio groundwaters was estimated at about 150 t/d. This estimate does not take into account the fraction of gas loss by degassing, however, it represents a relevant part of the CO₂ emitted in this quiescent period by the Vesuvio volcanic system, being of the same order of magnitude as the CO₂ diffusely degassed from the crater area.     

Sources of volatiles for a subduction zone volcano: Mutnovsky volcano,Kamchatka

Mass balance calculations of volatiles were performed for Mutnovsky volcano, Kamchatka, by comparing the chemical and isotopic compositions of gas emissions with the compositions of the main geochemical reservoirs in the subduction zone using a simple mixing model. The predominant deep component (up to 73% in the highest temperature fumaroles) is composed of slab fluid released during dehydration of the Pacific Plate. The mantle component does not exceed 2.1%. The fraction of gases from the continental crust varies from 0.5 to 5% depending on the composition of the crustal endmember that was used in the calculations. In terms of the gas composition, Mutnovsky volcano is a typical subduction volcano, but its fluid system has a complex structure. The observed compositional pattern in the volcanic fumaroles can be explained by degassing of two independent magma bodies.     

羌塘盆地现代泥火山的发现及其油气地质意义

在羌塘盆地唢呐湖地区发现现代泥火山,通过采集泥浆样、水样等样品,开展水化学离子、水溶烃类气体、碳氢氧稳定同位素等测试分析,对现代泥火山的油气地质意义进行了探讨。水化学类型和氢氧同位素表明,该地区地下可能存在油气藏;水溶烃类气体测试结果表明,气体成分为C1~C5,以甲烷为主,与常规气藏的气体成分一致;碳同位素判别结果表明,其为热解成因的油成气。结合泥火山的地质背景,表明泥火山为油气藏破坏渗漏的产物,在保存良好的未泄露地区,油气勘探具有良好前景。     

泥火山——天然气水合物存在的活证据

海底天然气水合物大多与通过切穿沉积盖层的断裂的上升烃类流体相关，这些高渗透带包括泥火山和底辟等侵入构造，所以泥火山、底辟和海底断裂等构造周围可能赋存水合物；实际钻探结果也证实，泥火山和水合物的形成与聚集有较为密切的关系。泥火山，它是地层内部圈闭气体由于压力释放上冲的结果，也是气体向上运移的通道。文章初步总结了泥火山与水合物的成矿关系，认为泥火山是水合物赋存的标志之一，是水合物存在的活证据。本文对我国泥火山与水合物的发育和赋存进行了分析预测，并对泥火山构造中水合物的成矿模式进行了初步探讨。     

CONTRIBUTION TO THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF CRUDE OILS AND GASES FROM THE MUD VOLCANO ZONE OF THE KEYMIR-CHIKISHLYAR AREA OF WESTERN TURKMENIA

The paper describes crude oils and gases from mud volcanoes and oils and gases from producing horizons at depth in the same area. It is shown that the mud volcano gases and oils (the oils particularly) can be correlated with those in strata from 500 m. to more than 2,600 m deep. The mud volcano gases are somewhat modified by hypergene processes. Analytical data in tabular form is given.--B. W. Nelson.     

煤岩及其主显微组份热解气碳同位素组成的演化

模拟实验是有机地球化学研究的重要组成部分 ,也是油气地球化学研究的重要手段。本文通过煤岩及其主要显微组分的热解成气模拟实验产物的组分和同位素组成分析 ,补充和完善了前人对煤岩热解气同位素组成分布的一些认识。同时 ,对比研究了煤型气与煤岩热解气的碳同位素分馏特征 ,结果表明两者具有良好的一致性 ,认为可以通过精细的热解模拟来提供不同含煤沉积盆地煤型气的判识指标 ,而模拟气与天然气碳同位素组成的对比 ,关键是对同位素分析资料的处理。在模拟系列产物碳同位素分析基础上 ,获得了单一成因来源天然气甲烷、乙烷碳同位素组成与演化程度之间的关系式以及演化过程中甲烷碳同位素之间的关系式 ,这些结果会对混源气的判识有重要意义。     

Geochemistry of natural gases in deep strata of the Songliao Basin, NE China

Chemical composition and stable carbon isotopic studies were undertaken for 27 gas samples from deep strata of the Xujiaweizi Depression in the Songliao Basin to investigate their origin. Gas molecular and carbon isotopic compositions show great variety. Methane is the main component for all studied samples and its content ranges from 57.4% to 98.2% with an average of 90.1%. Gas wetness ranges from 0.8% to 16.7% with an average of 2.7%. The main non-hydrocarbon gases are carbon dioxide and nitrogen with an average of 4.0% and 3.2%, respectively. Carbon isotope data suggest that these deep strata gases are mainly coal-type gases mixed with minor amounts of associated (oil-type) gases. Coal-type gases are characterized by heavier carbon isotopic values and drier chemical compositions. These gases were generated from the Lower Cretaceous Shahezi Formation coals interbedded shales with type III kerogen during the postmature stage of hydrocarbon generation. Oil-type gases are characterized by lighter carbon isotope and higher wetness, which were generated from the Lower Cretaceous shales with type II kerogen in the shallow strata during the early mature stage of hydrocarbon generation. Mixing of two different gases causes unusual carbon isotopic distribution patterns, with lighter isotopic values in higher numbered carbons in most gases. The discovery of coal-type gases in the Songliao Basin provides new prospects for the exploration in this region.     

Iron Speciation of Mud Breccia from the Dushanzi Mud Volcano in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, NW China

Organic-inorganic interactions occurring in petroleum-related mud volcanoes can help predict the chemical processes that are responsible for methane emissions to the atmosphere. Seven samples of mud breccia directly ejected from one crater were collected in the Dushanzi mud volcano, along with one argillite sample of the original reddish host rocks distal from the crater, for comparison purposes. The mineral and chemical compositions as well as iron species of all samples were determined using XRD, XRF and M?ssbauer spectroscopy, respectively. The results indicate that a series of marked reactions occurred in the mud volcano systems, more specifically in the mud breccia when compared to the original rocks. Changes mainly included: (1) some conversion of clay minerals from smectite into chlorite and illite, and the precipitation of secondary carbonate minerals such as calcite and siderite; (2) silicon depletion and significant elemental enrichment of iron, manganese, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus; and (3) transformation of iron from ferric species in hematite and smectite into ferrous species in siderite, chlorite and illite. These geochemical reactions likely induced the color changes of the original reddish Neogene argillite to the gray or black mud breccia, as a result of reduction of elements and/or alteration of minerals associated with the oxidation of hydrocarbons. Our results also suggest that greenhouse gases emitted from the mud volcanoes are lowered through a series of methane oxidation reactions and carbon fixation (i.e., through carbonate precipitation).     

Structure of the sedimentary cover of the Pugachevo mud volcano area in Sakhalin: Evidence from geophysical modeling

The geological-geophysical data on the Pugachevo mud volcano group located in the zone of the submeridional Central Sakhalin Fault (CSF) are analyzed. The results of the density and geothermal modeling along two orthogonal profiles passing through the central part of the Pugachevo area are examined. It is found that the Late Cretaceous sequence of this fault-related area contains a subvertical narrow anomalous deconsolidation cone-shaped zone widening from 1 km on the surface to 4 km at its base (at the depths more than 6 km). The density of the deconsolidation blocks is 2.20–2.22 g/cm³, whereas that of the adjacent blocks reaches around 2.4–2.5 g/cm³. The largest deconsolidation block is located in the Lower Cretaceous Ai Formation, where a vast reservoir zone with mainly hydrocarbon gas (HC) is inferred at depths of more than 4400 m with temperatures of more than 140°C. The modeling results showed that the main reservoir of gases periodically ejected from the Pugachevo mud volcano is localized in the Ai Formation sequence in the tectonically weakened zone of the CSF at depths of 4.5–5.6 km. The overlying sequences contain smaller intermediate reservoirs. The Pugachevo area is promising for economic hydrocarbon reservoirs.     

On the problem of variability in the chemical composition of mud–volcanic waters: Evidence from the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk mud volcano

The results of hydrogeochemical observations on the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk mud volcano in 2010–2014 are considered. The chemical analysis of samples of mud–volcanic waters was carried out at various analytical centers, which is similar to the common situation where hydrochemical data for a volcano are obtained by different researchers. It is shown that the chemical composition of the mud–volcanic waters is relatively stable in time and space (for different gryphons of the volcano). This allows us to determine the characteristic range of hydrogeochemical indicators. For each year of observations, the coefficients of variation for the concentrations of Na, Mg, Ca, K, and HCO₃ mostly range from 10 to 30%. However, the concentrations analyzed in individual samples may differ significantly from each other. These natural variations are a likely source of errors in the interpretation of hydrochemical data. In addition, it is necessary to account for the specifics of mud–volcanic waters as an object of analytical chemical investigations.