First Data about Mercury in Modern Hydrothermal Process in the Ocean,Juan de Fuca Ridge

The results of studying Hg in an underwater hydrothermal system in the ocean using the Middle Valley of the Juan de Fuca ridge as an example are presented. A significant part of Hg is accumulated in the basalt fundament (Holes 858F, G), forming anomalously high concentrations (up to 29.30 ppm) in certain parts. The high Hg contents were established in metalliferous sediments (323 ppm) of the sedimentary cover (Hole 858D) and in sulfide deposits (up to 10.30 ppm). In other parts of the section, Hg content is 0.02–0.76 ppm (Holes 858B, D, F), background Hg contents in sediments—0.08–0.28 ppm and in basalts—0.17–0.31 ppm (Holes 855A, C, D).     

Geochemistry of fluid phases and sediments: relevance to hydrothermal circulation in Middle Valley,ODP Legs 139 and 169

Geochemical and isotopic studies of pore fluids and solid phases recovered from the Dead Dog and Bent Hill hydrothermal sites in Middle Valley (Ocean Drilling Program Leg 169) have been compared with similar data obtained previously from these sites during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 139. Although generally the hydrothermal systems reflect non-steady state conditions, the data allow an assessment of the history of the hydrothermal processes. Sediment K/Al ratios as well as the distribution of anhydrite in the sediments suggest that the Dead Dog hydrothermal field has been, and still is, active. In contrast, similar data in the Bent Hill hydrothermal field indicate a waning of hydrothermal activity. Pore fluid and hydrothermal vent data in the Dead Dog hydrothermal field are similar in nature to the data collected during ODP Leg 139. In the area of the Bent Hill sulfide deposit, however, the pore water data indicate that recent wholesale flushing of the sediment column with relatively unaltered seawater has obliterated a previous record of hydrothermal activity in the pore fluids. Data from the deepest part of Hole 1035A in the Bent Hill locality show the presence of hydrothermal fluids at greater depths in this area. This suggests the origin of the hydrothermal fluids found to be emanating from Hole 1035F, which constitutes one of the first man made hydrothermal vents in the Middle Valley hydrothermal system. Similarly, CORKed Hole 858G, because of seal failures, has acted as a hydrothermal vent, with sulfide deposits forming inside the CORK.     

A transform margin in the Mesozoic Tethys: evidence from the Swiss Alps

Remnants of the Liguria-Piemont Ocean with its Jurassic ophiolitic basement are preserved in the South Pennine thrust nappes of eastern Switzerland. Analysis of South Pennine stratigraphy and comparison with sequences from the adjacent continental margin units suggest that South Pennine nappes are relics of a transform fault system. This interpretation is based on three arguments: (1) In the highly dismembered ophiolite suite preserved, Middle to Late Jurassic pelagic sediments are found in stratigraphic contact not only with pillow basalts but also with serpentinites indicating the occurrence of serpentinite protrusions along fracture zones. (2) Ophiolite breccias (»ophicalcites«) occurring along distinct zones within peridotite-serpentinite host rocks are comparable with breccias from present-day oceanic fracture zones. They originated from a combination of tectonic and sedimentary processes: i.e. the fragmentation of oceanic basement on the seafloor and the filling of a network of neptunian dikes by pelagic sediment with locally superimposed hydrothermal activity and gravitational collapse. (3) The overlying Middle to Late Jurassic radiolarian chert contains repeated intercalations of massflow conglomerates mainly comprising components of oceanic basement but clasts of acidic basement rocks and oolitic limestone also exist. This indicates a close proximity between continental and oceanic basement. The rugged morphology manifested in the mass-flow deposits intercalated with the radiolarites is draped by pelagic sediments of Early Cretaceous age.     

Mechanisms of Mg-phyllosilicate formation in a hydrothermal system at a sedimented ridge (Middle Valley,Juan de Fuca)

We present results of a detailed mineralogical and geochemical study of the progressive hydrothermal alteration of clastic sediments recovered at ODP Site 858 in an area of active hydrothermal venting at the sedimented, axial rift valley of Middle Valley (northern Juan de Fuca Ridge). These results allow a characterization of newly formed phyllosilicates and provide constraints on the mechanisms of clay formation and controls of mineral reactions on the chemical and isotopic composition of hydrothermal fluids. Hydrothermal alteration at Site 858 is characterized by a progressive change in phyllosilicate assemblages with depth. In the immediate vent area, at Hole 858B, detrital layers are intercalated with pure hydrothermal precipitates at the top of the section, with a predominance of hydrothermal phases at depth. Sequentially downhole in Hole 858B, the clay fraction of the pure hydrothermal layers changes from smectite to corrensite to swelling chlorite and finally to chlorite. In three pure hydrothermal layers in the deepest part of Hole 858B, the clay minerals coexist with neoformed quartz. Neoformed and detrital components are clearly distinguished on the basis of morphology, as seen by SEM and TEM, and by their chemical and stable isotope compositions. Corrensite is characterized by a 24?Å stacking sequence and high Si- and Mg-contents, with Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratio of ≈0.08. We propose that corrensite is a unique, possibly metastable, mineralogical phase and was precipitated directly from seawater-dominated hydrothermal fluids. Hydrothermal chlorite in Hole 858B has a stacking sequence of 14?Å with Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios of ≈0.35. The chemistry and structure of swelling chlorite suggest that it is a corrensite/chlorite mixed-layer phase. The mineralogical zonation in Hole 858B is accompanied by a systematic decrease in δ¹⁸O, reflecting both the high thermal gradients that prevail at Site 858 and extensive sediment-fluid interaction. Precipitation of the Mg-phyllosilicates in the vent region directly controls the chemical and isotopic compositions of the pore fluids. This is particularly evident by decreases in Mg and enrichments in deuterium and salinity in the pore fluids at depths at which corrensite and chlorite are formed. Structural formulae calculated from TEM-EDX analyses were used to construct clay-H₂O oxygen isotope fractionation curves based on oxygen bond models. Our results suggest isotopic disequilibrium conditions for corrensite-quartz and swelling chlorite-quartz precipitation, but yield an equilibrium temperature of 300°?C±30° for chlorite-quartz at 32?m below the surface. This estimate is consistent with independent estimates and indicates steep thermal gradients of 10–11°/m in the vent region.     

Dissolved organic carbon in interstitial waters from sediments of Middle Valley and Escanaba Trough,Northeast Pacific,ODP Legs 139 and 169

Oxidation measurements of nonvolatile dissolved organic carbon (DOC) have been determined by high temperature combustion for pore waters from sediments of Middle Valley and Escanaba Trough, Northeastern Pacific, sampled by the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Legs 139 and 169, as well as for overlying and near bottom seawater. The DOC values in the interstitial waters are generally greater than those in the overlying water column, ranging from 0.1 to 158 mg of C per liter (mg C/L). Some of the profiles of DOC in the pore waters are similar to total organic C and total inorganic C profiles. DOC maxima at shallow depths of Site 858 are probably enriched due to higher temperature alteration of organic matter. At Sites 856 and 1035, the DOC increases at greather depths due to the hydrothermal activity. The DOC values correlate with MnO and MgO profiles in Hole 856B. The changes below 30 mbsf in the DOC depth profiles of Sites 858 and 1036 parallel those of the volatile hydrocarbon gases. The reference Site 1037 in Escanaba Trough has DOC values that increase with depth according to the increase in thermal stress.     

Variation of the chemical composition of sediments under middle- and low-temperature hydrothermal conditions in the southern trough of Guaymas Basin,Gulf of California: Communication 1. results of the study of bulk sediment samples

The paper presents the results of the study of variations in the content of macro- and microelements (rare earth elements included) in the Upper Pleistocene sediments from DSDP Hole 477. The variations took place at the depth interval 110–191 m in the course of temperature drop to about 100°C in the upper part of the hydrothermal system. Variations in the content of most chemical elements in sediments from DSDP Hole 477 are manifested more weakly than in the underlying sediments of the interval 191–267 m of DSDP Hole 477A that were altered at a temperature of about 300°C. For many chemical elements, influence of the sedimentary cover on the compositional transformation of solutions during their interaction with sediments attenuates with the cooling of its upper part to the point of its complete termination.     

The geochemistry of mercury in sedimentary rocks and soils in Pennsylvania

The mercury contents of 11 sandstone, 11 shale and 6 limestone samples from Pennsylvania average 7, 23 and 9 ppb Hg, respectively, which is lower than the values for sedimentary rocks reported in the literature. The differences may arise because many of the reported high values are from regions characterized by more mineralization and volcanism than is present in central Pennsylvania. The lowest values found for shale and sandstone in Pennsylvania (0.4 and 0.5 ppb Hg, respectively) are lower by an order of magnitude than the lowest previously reported values. The mercury content of sedimentary rocks varies markedly due to the effects of volcanism, organic material and sulfur in reducing environments, iron and manganese oxides in oxidizing environments, diagenesis, hydrothermal processes, and the thermal history of the rock.Soils in Pennsylvania have much greater amounts of mercury than their parent rocks even after taking into account possible residual concentration, suggesting that mercury is added to the soils from an outside source. Rain is the major source of mercury absorbed by the soil. A portion of the absorbed mercury returns to the atmosphere, establishing a rain-soil-atmosphere mercury cycle. The general enrichment of mercury in soils and sediments compared to rocks is supported by the observation that the mercury content of rain is greater than freshwater. The much higher values of mercury in unconsolidated sediments compared to sedimentary rocks suggest that mercury is lost during diagenesis.Man's contribution of mercury to the surface environment is nearly equal to the natural contribution. Industrial loss contributes more than 65 per cent of man's total, and the contribution of fossil fuel consumption is small, although it may be locally important. The implications of mercury loss and absorption by soils may be an important factor in concentrating mercury in crops and other living matter, especially near industrialized areas.     

Tectonostratigraphic development of the Trondheim region Caledonides, Central Norway

The metamorphic allochthon of the central Norwegian Caledonides comprises a complex of discrete nappes of metasediments and igneous rocks ranging in age from probable Svecofennian through Vendian to Silurian. This southeastward-translated allochthon overlies a thin cover of autochthonous Vendian to Cambrian sediments deposited upon a crystalline Precambrian basement, and is superseded by late-orogenic, intermontanebasinal sediments of latest Silurian to Middle Devonian age. Stratigraphical sequences in higher allochthonous units are floored by oceanic tholeiitic basalts with rare, subjacent sheeted-dyke and gabbro units, considered as fragments of an ophiolite assemblage which suffered initial eastward transport in pre-Middle Arenig times, an important orogenic event which is well represented in northern and southwestern Norway. The overlying Ordovician—Silurian sequences, disturbed by episodic parorogenic events, embrace a variety of sedimentary facies from shallow-water carbonates to deep-marine terrigenous turbidites and include both island arc and marginal basin lavas and intrusives. Polyphase Middle Silurian metamorphism and deformation resulted in a complex telescoping and dissection of the Lower Palaeozoic rocks and their Precambrian substrate, with nappe translation in the order of several hundred kilometres. Folding and thrusting of Old Red Sandstone molasse sediments attests to continuing tectonism well into Devonian times.     

南秦岭古生代热水沉积盆地与热水沉积成矿

扬子地块北部被动边缘的南秦岭古生代沉积盆地中,发育一套自早古生代—中生代以来的碳酸盐岩夹细碎屑岩沉积建造,形成规模巨大独具特色的以铅锌金为主的多金属成矿带。伸展构造体制下形成的裂陷或断陷型盆地中,正常水成沉积与热水沉积同盆共存。正常水成沉积中叠加的热水沉积是一个"突发事件或灾变事件",具有特殊的物质组成和产态。通过对区内沉积成矿盆地的识别、分级,二级沉积盆地中边缘部位常发育多个三级构造热水沉积成矿盆地,它受控于沉积盆地中的同生断裂,具有沉积岩相、热水沉积岩组合、显著成矿作用及物化探异常广布的特点。三级构造热水沉积成矿盆地是矿床定位的构造空间,四级热水沉积洼地为矿体(矿层)的容纳空间。区内热水沉积岩主要为重晶石(毒重石)岩、硅质岩、钠长石岩和铁碳酸盐岩类,铅锌重晶石等矿产多产于热水沉积岩中或上盘。热水沉积形成一般由早期的热水喷发交代→主期热水喷流→晚期热水喷气演变。早期的热水喷发交代往往沿矿液喷发通道,形成网脉状、角砾状矿化;主期热水喷流主要形成多金属及热水喷流相,形成块状、条带状、层纹状矿石或热水沉积岩;晚期热水喷气主要形成浸染状矿石和热水喷气岩石。     

Peculiarities of Clay Mineral Formation in Sediments from the Hydrothermal System Center,Hole 858B,Juan de Fuca Ridge

Lithology and Mineral Resources - Clay minerals in Holocene–Pleistocene sediments from Hole 858B DSDP drilled at 20 m from the black smoker in the Dead Dog hydrothermal field, axial valley of...     

Composition and formation settings of the siliceous-volcanogenic complexes of the Nizhneussuriisk segment,Kiselevka-Manoma terrane,West Sikhote Alin

This paper reports new data on the mineralogical-petrographical composition, genetic types of sedimentary rocks, and geochemical features of the volcanic rocks of the Snarsky area of the Nizhneussuriisk segment of the Kiselevka-Manoma accretionary complex, which is developed on the right bank of the lower reaches of the Ussuri River. The Middle Jurassic-Aptian sedimentary rocks of the area are represented by pelagic radiolarian cherts, semipelagic siliceous-clayey deposits, subordinate shallow limestones, volcanomictic conglomerates, and turbidite sandstones. The basalts of the area are represented by alkaline basalts resembling within-plate ocean-island basalts and N-MORB-type tholeiitic basalts. Rock associations of two physicogeographical and geodynamic settings are distinguished: the pelagic setting with within-plate alkaline volcanic rocks and the hemipelagic one with volcanic edifices of spreading basalts.     

Mercury as a useful pathfinder for the Chinkuashih enargite-gold deposits,Taiwan

The Chinkuashih is a group of dacite-related hydrothermal enargite-gold deposits of the Quaternary age, which produced 94 tons of gold and 119,101 tons of copper from 1895 to 1987. It has remaining reserves of 656 tons of gold with an average grade range of 1.5–3.5 g/ton of Au for all orebodies discovered.Mercury content in different media such as stream sediments, heavy minerals in stream sediments, soils, rocks/ores, and pyrite samples was analyzed by a gold–film mercury detector to evaluate whether mercury is a good pathfinder for these types of deposits at Chinkuashih. The gold film technique is more rapid and cheaper than the traditional fire assay or fire assay/ICP-MS gold and trace element analyses.Mercury in stream sediments and soils indicated the border zone of gold mineralization 12 km away from the center of mineralization at Chinkuashih. Mercury in heavy minerals of the stream sediments distinguished the intermediate zone with gold veins and gold/gold–copper breccia pipes from the core or inner zone with the gold–copper zone. It has been found that contours of 1000 or 500 ppb Hg of soil samples can delineate the outcropping gold orebodies. The gold ores generally contain 1000 ppb or more Hg.     

Geochemistry and the Sm–Nd model age of sedimentary rocks from the lower horizon of the cover in the northeastern part of the West Siberian Platform

The pre-Jurassic basement and lower (Jurassic) horizons of the sedimentary cover in Hole Borovaya 6 were studied. Analysis of rare and rare-earth elements shows that Jurassic sedimentary rocks were most likely formed at the expense of erosion and mixing of heterogeneous materials, namely acid sources of the Siberian Platform and Triassic riftogenic basaltoids. The variations of ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.1076–0.1250) and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.512202–0.512437), as well as the Sm–Nd model ages of Jurassic sediments (1146–1362 Ma), provide certain evidence for participation of the Mesoproterozoic substrate in the formation of the rocks studied. The Sm–Nd model age of pre-Jurassic rocks (1281 Ma) is Mesoproterozoic as well. The Precambrian crystalline basement of the Siberian Platform is a likely source of these sedimentary rocks.     

白云鄂博群黑色岩系微量元素地球化学特征及地质意义

白云鄂博群位于华北地台北缘,是一套中—新元古代裂谷沉积的产物。尖山组和比鲁特组是其中主要的黑色岩系。对以上两组中的碳质页岩和板岩的Au、Ag、As、Ba、Co、Cu、Hg、Mn、Mo、Ni、P、Pb、V、Zn、U、B、Sb等微量元素和稀土元素进行了较为详细的研究。通过元素含量特征、w(V)/w(V+Ni)、w(Zn)-w(Co)-w(Ni)三元图、稀土配分曲线、w(Ce)/w(La)、Ce和Eu异常、w(La)/w(Yb)-w(Ce)/w(La)和w(La)/w(Yb)-w(ΣREE)图解等方法对其沉积环境特征进行了探讨。微量元素含量分析显示白云鄂博群黑色岩系以富亲铜元素和亲石元素、贫亲铁元素为特征,其中富集Hg、B、As、Mn、Sb、Au、Ag、Pb、P、Ba、U、Mo等多种元素;较高的w(B)反映了黑色岩系沉积于盐度较高的水体中;高的w(V)/w(V+Ni)、w(Ce)/w(La)反映了黑色岩系形成于缺氧的沉积环境中;黑色岩系中Hg、Sb、Ba的富集和w(Zn)-w(Co)-w(Ni)图解中投点大部分靠近热水沉积区域指示了黑色岩系中有热水沉积物的参与;稀土元素配分模式、Ce和Eu异常及w(La)/w(Yb)-w(ΣREE)和w(La)/w(Yb)-w(Ce)/w(La)图解投点在两岩组中的不同特点表明尖山组沉积物以陆源沉积为主,有少量热水沉积物参与;而比鲁特组中热水沉积组分所占比例较大,形成时海水较深。     

Unusual occurrences of aegirine-augite,fassaite and melanite in oceanic basalts (DSDP Hole 504B)

DSDP Hole 504B, located on the south flank of the Costa Rica Rift, shows the most complete reference section through the upper oceanic crust; 274.5 m into the sediment and 1075.5 m into the basement have been penetrated.Very unusual secondary parageneses occur in some basaltic massive flows recovered at DSDP Hole 504 B. Replacement of magmatic augite by secondary Ti- and/or Na-rich augite and aegirine-augite was observed in five veins between the 298 and 685 m sub-basement depth; one of these veins also contains melanite (Ti-rich andradite) and another one contains fassaite. These minerals seem independent of, and prior to, other alteration stages.The conditions of formation and origin of the fluids responsible for the crystallization of these unusual minerals are discussed. Several arguments suggest that their origin is not hydrothermal, but possibly deuteric: (1) these minerals probably formed at higher temperatures than hydrothermal minerals from DSDP Hole 504 B (300–400°C for melanite, 800–1000°C (?) for fassaite, >400°C for aegirine-augite); (2) the chemical composition of the studied minerals are not compatible with the chemical composition of hydrothermal fluids responsible for the alteration at DSDP Hole 504 B; (3) the distribution and chemical composition of these minerals seem to be independent of the alteration zonation and thus of depth; and (4) these minerals are anhydrous, in contrast to mostly hydrated minerals from DSDP Hole 504 B known to be hydrothermal in origin. Moreover, since these minerals occur in subophitic or coarse-grained basalts, their crystallization may have been enhanced by the long standing stability of the physico-chemical conditions existing in the veins.     

Strontium isotopic geochemistry of Tianqiao Pb-Zn deposit,Southwest China

Tianqiao carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn deposit, controlled by NW-trending F37 thrust fault and NW-trending Tianqiao anticline, is located in the eastern part of Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou （SYG） Pb-Zn metallogenic province, southwestern Yangtze Block, southwest China. Ore bodies in this deposit are hosted in the Devonian-Carboniferous carbonate rocks, and ore minerals include sphalerite, galena and pyrite, while the gangue minerals are dominated by calcite and dolomite. Using high-precision solid thermal ionization mass spectrometry （TIMS）, this paper reports the strontium isotopic compositions （0.7119 to 0.7167） of sulfide samples from the Tianqiao deposit in order to trace the origin of hydrothermal fluids. Compared with the country rocks, the calculated 87Sr/86Sr200 Ma values of sulfide range from 0.7118 to 0.7130, higher than those of the age-corrected Devonian to Permian sedimentary rocks （0.7073 to 0.7101） and the Middle Permian Emeishan flood basalts （0.7078 to 0.7039）, but lower than those of the age-corrected Proterozoic basement rocks （such as the Kunyang and Huili Groups, 87Sr/86Sr200 Ma=0.7243 to 0.7288）. This implies a mixed strontium source between the older basement rocks and the younger cover sequences. Together with geologic and previous isotopic evidences, we considered that the fluids＇ mixing is a possible mechanism for sulfide precipitation in the Tianqiao deposit.     

Lead isotopic composition and lead source of the Tongchanghe basalt-type native copper-chalcocite deposit in Ninglang, western Yunnan, China

1 Introduction The native copper-chalcocite deposits associated with the Emeishan basalt have attracted great attention of many scientists engaged in ore deposits in recent years, but their focus is more put on the deposits hos- ted in the high-Ti basalt …     

Geochemistry of metamorphic rocks of the Kurai block (Gorny Altai)

We consider the primary nature and sources of the protoliths of metamorphic rocks of the Kurai block located in the large Teletskoe-Kurai system of deep faults separating the Gorny Altai and West Sayan structures. It has been established that the protoliths of the Kurai block metapelites were deposits of transitional crust: They lack typical rocks of mature continental crust (arkoses, litharenites) and have reduced (relative to the upper continental crust) contents of lithophile elements and elevated contents of transition elements. The average Nd model age of the protoliths of the metapelites of the Kurai complex corresponds to the Middle Riphean (1.4-1.6 Ga). The metabasites of the Kurai complex are similar in petrologic composition to metamorphic products of oceanic basalts. It is shown that the formation of metamorphic associations of the Kurai block was caused by tectonometamorphic transformations of a compositionally heterogeneous rock unit (basalts, aluminous and volcanomict sediments), which were, most likely, a fragment of Middle Cambrian-Early Ordovician turbidite basin with an oceanic basement.     

安徽北淮阳构造带基底变质岩的构造属性

安徽北淮阳构造带的基底由一套变火山沉积岩建造 (即原称庐镇关群 )所组成。岩类学、岩石地球化学、年代学的研究表明 ,这套火山岩属碱性玄武岩系列、拉斑玄武岩系列和钙碱性玄武岩系列 ,分别形成于中元古宙陆内裂解 (扩张 )带和晚元古宙岛弧两种构造环境 ,其中以岛弧环境火山岩为主要部分 ,由此可以证明北淮阳构造带是在中元古宙陆内裂解带基础上发展起来的古弧系 ,具有大陆型基底性质     

Depositional environment and provenance of Middle Siwalik sediments in Tista valley,Darjiling District,Eastern Himalaya,India

The frontal part of the active, wedge-shaped Indo-Eurasian collision boundary is defined by the Himalayan fold-and-thrust belt whose foreland basin accumulated sediments that eventually became part of the thrust belt and is presently exposed as the sedimentary rocks of the Siwalik Group. The rocks of the Siwalik Group have been extensively studied in the western and Nepal Himalaya and have been divided into the Lower, Middle and Upper Subgroups. In the Darjiling–Sikkim Himalaya, the Upper Siwalik sequence is not exposed and the Middle Siwalik Subgroup exposed in the Tista river valley of Darjiling Himalaya preserves a ~325 m thick sequence of sandstone, conglomerate and shale. The Middle Siwalik section has been repeated by a number of north dipping thrusts. The sedimentary facies and facies associations within the lithostratigraphic column of the Middle Siwalik rocks show temporal repetition of sedimentary facies associations suggesting oscillation between proximal-, mid- and distal fan setups within a palaeo-alluvial fan depositional environment similar to the depositional setup of the Siwalik sediments in other parts of the Himalaya. These oscillations are probably due to a combination of foreland-ward movement of Himalayan thrusts, climatic variations and mountain-ward shift of fan-apex due to erosion. The Middle Siwalik sediments were derived from Higher- and Lesser Himalayan rocks. Mineral characteristics and modal analysis suggest that sedimentation occurred in humid climatic conditions similar to the moist humid climate of the present day Eastern Himalaya.