Spatial distribution pattern of seafloor hydrothermal vents to the southeastern Kueishan Tao offshore Taiwan Island

Investigations of the diffusion activities both within and outside the seafloor hydrothermal vents, as well as related mineral genesis, have been one of the key focuses of ocean biogeochemistry studies. Many hydrothermal vents are distributed close to the southern Okinawa Trough on the less-than-30-m deep shallow seafloor off Kueishan Tao, northeast of Taiwan Island. Investigations of temperature, pH and Eh at four depths of hydrothermal plume were carried out near Kueishan Tao at the white(24.83°N, 121.96°E) and yellow(24.83°N, 121.96°E) vents. An 87 h of temperature time series observation-undertaken near the white vent showed that tide is the main factor affecting the background environment. Based on the observed data, 3-dimensional sliced diffusion fields were obtained and analyzed. It was concluded that the plume diffused mainly from north to south due to ebb tide. The yellow vent's plume could effect as far as the white vent surface. From the temperature diffusion field, the vortices of the plume were observed. The Eh negative abnormality was a better indicator to search for hydrothermal plumes and locate hydrothermal vents than high temperature and low pH abnormalities.     

基于多参数化学传感器的海底热液探测方法研究

基于热液及其羽状流的化学异常提出了一种海底热液的化学式探测方法。根据自行开发的Eh.Ag/Ag₂S和pH三种化学电极,设计了多参数化学传感器系统。通过海试证明多参数化学传感器可灵敏地检测出由热液异常引起的化学量变化,并在长达半年的多次使用中表现出其稳定性好、寿命长的特点。在东太平洋中脊(EPR)赤道区域和西南印度洋中脊(SWIR)的60条测线中,获得有效测线55条,其中在29条测线上发现明显或可能的热液异常。研究表明,应用多参数化学传感器探测进行海底热液化学异常,是一种有效的方法。     

多通道化学传感器及其在热液喷口探测中的应用

热液喷口附近的羽状流中存在明显的化学及浊度异常,通过探测这些异常可判断是否存在热液喷口及确定喷口的具体位置。本文研制了一款可用于探测热液喷口的多通道化学传感器,该传感器具有体积小、精度高的特点,且可在4000米深海中进行工作。该化学传感器共配备五个全固态电极,一个为参比电极,其余四个为离子选择性电极,并且可根据所测量的化学离子进行更换。本文基于该化学传感器共进行了两组实验。在第一组浅海试验中,化学传感器集成了pH,Eh,CO₃^2-和SO₄^2-电极,在浅海海域中测量对应化学量,结果表明该化学传感器可在实际应用中获得高精度、稳定的测量数据。第二组实验为深海热液探测,装配了pH,Eh,CO₃^2-和H₂S电极的化学传感器在西南印度洋中脊区域的29次测线中投入使用,共获得有效数据27组。通过对测量所得到的化学量进行分析,本文提出了一种确定热液喷口的化学异常探测方法,若某时间段内Eh和H₂S的电势降低,而pH和CO₃^2-的电势上升则可判定存在化学异常。利用该方法对27组有效数据进行分析,共发现5个潜在的热液喷口。实验结果表明,该化学传感器可有效地探测由热液引起的化学异常,适用于实际热液探测中。     

Supply and precipitation of hydrothermal iron in the rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 26° and 29° N

This publication considers the probing data on aquatic anomalies (hydrothermal plumes) in the areas of 26° and 29° N of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). The mass of the hydrothermal iron supply and the intensity of the iron sedimentation onto the bottom were estimated by means of sediment traps. It was found that the plume of the TAG hydrothermal vent 6 km³ in volume contained about 67 t of suspended Fe; the plume of the Broken Spur field (up to 8.24 km³ in volume) contained 23.5 t or less because of the lower concentration. The data on the sedimentary matter fluxes showed that 0.3–0.5% of the hydrothermal iron was precipitated immediately from a plume of neutral buoyancy onto the bottom; the bulk of the iron was dissipated into the environment. From the dimensions of the plumes, the flow dynamics, the iron concentrations in the plumes, and the amounts of iron supplied by hydrothermal vents, it was found that the resident time of the plumes considered was from 5 to 10 days.     

热液喷口探测化学传感器的研制及应用*

海底热液喷口周围的水体具有显著的浊度和化学组分异常, 是寻找热液喷口的重要标志。文章提出了一种海底热液喷口的探测技术方法, 设计了低功耗化学传感器。该化学传感器可搭载在相关平台, 实时探测水体的Eh、H₂S、pH及CO₃^2-等电位值, 结合浊度异常, 可以推断热液喷口的位置。在西南印度洋中脊海试结果表明, 该化学传感器可有效探测由热液活动产生的水体异常, 是一种探测海底热液喷口的有效技术。     

声学法深海热液速度场测量重建算法研究

介绍了利用声学法测量深海热液速度场的基本原理.利用往返飞渡时间差与流场速度的关系,应用反问题求解技术重建测量区域的速度场.应用最小二乘法对两种典型的热液口速度场模型进行了仿真重建,分析了换能器数量、实验测量误差以及换能器的布放对重建结果的影响,并对重建结果进行了流量分析.仿真重建的绝对误差、相对误差以及流量分析结果表明...     

基于PXRF的西南印度洋脊硫化物表层沉积物地球化学找矿研究

海底热液喷发形成的热液羽状流中富含成矿物质,并沉淀在距离热液喷口不等的范围内。对西南印度洋中脊热液喷口附近、距离喷口中等距离、远离喷口的六个表层沉积物样品开展了不同粒度沉积物的便携式XRF（PXRF）分析。结果表明,PXRF可以有效获得的洋中脊钙质沉积物中成矿元素的富集特征。>40目的沉积物样品具有较高的Cu、Zn、Fe、Mn等元素含量,40目以下沉积物中则相对稳定,可能与粗粒沉积物中玄武岩碎屑/玻璃含量较高有关,与镜下鉴定结果一致。以热液喷口为中心,表层沉积物中表现出Cu、Zn、As、Fe、Mn的元素分带,靠近喷口的沉积物中具有较高的成矿元素的含量,并具有较高的Cu/Fe、Zn/Fe比值或者Cu/Mn与Zn/Mn比值。上述结论表明,洋中脊沉积物中成矿元素的含量主要受与喷口的距离的影响,而与粒度的关系不大,洋中脊沉积物地球化学找矿应采用40目以下粒径沉积物作为分析样品。通过PXRF获得的Cu、Zn、As、Fe、Mn等元素含量及其比值特征可以作为海底多金属硫化物沉积物地球化学找矿的指标,该方法满足快速有效识别洋中脊沉积物中地球化学异常的要求。     

Molecular diversity of Thermococcales isolated from Guaymas Basin hydrothermal vents

Members of Thermococcales are organoheterotrophic hyperthermophilic anaerobes consisting of three genera, Thermococcus, Pyrococcus, and Palaeococcus, among which Thermococcus are the most frequently isolated. In this study, a variety of Thermococcales strains were isolated from the Guaymas Basin hydrothermal vents under different temperatures and pressures. Based on their 16S rRNA gene sequences, all the strains isolated from 85 C or 95 C enrichment cultures at ambient pressure were classified as Thermococcus, while strains isolated from 108 C-30 MPa enrichment cultures belonged to Pyrococcus. The combination of high pressure and high temperature for enrichment was shown to be an efficient method for isolating Pyrococcus strains. Through selecting and analyzing with multiple molecular phylogenetic markers, the isolated Thermococcales strains were found quite diversified including several putative novel species. This demonstrates a vast genetic reservoir of Thermoccoccales in the deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and a fast evolving of the Thermococcales species adapting to the fast changing environment.     

A comparison of black smoker hydrothermal plume behavior at Monolith Vent and at Clam Acres Vent Field: Dependence on source configuration

Quantitative visualization of acoustic images is used to compare the properties and behavior of high temperature hydrothermal plumes at two sites with different source configurations, increasing our understanding of how plume behavior reflects source configuration. Acoustic imaging experiments were conducted at the Clam Acres area of the Southwest Vent Field, 21°N East Pacific Rise and at Monolith Vent, North Cleft segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge. At Clam Acres, black smokers discharge from two adjacent chimneys which act as point sources, whereas multiple vents at Monolith Vent define a distributed elliptical source. Both plumes exhibit consistent dilution patterns, reasonable fits to the expected power law increase in centerline dilution with height, and simple bending of plume centerlines in response to ambient currents. Our data suggest that point source vents are associated with ordered plume structure, normal entrainment rates, and initial expansion of isosurfaces while distributed source vents are associated with disorganized plume structure, variable entrainment rates, and initial contraction of isosurfaces.     

集成深拖与AUV对洋中脊热液喷口的联合探测

热液喷口探测是目前国际上的热点,探测技术方法也多种多样。阐述了集成深拖与自治水下机器人(Autonomous Underwater Vehicle,AUV)探测技术,重点介绍了集成深拖的组合特性。针对热液喷口的探测需求,根据集成深拖与AUV两种方法的优点,提出两种技术方法的联合探测。以一个实际探测的区块为例,讨论了两种方法联合探测的实效性。指出该技术方法可更快速地探测热液的异常范围,同时可降低AUV下潜的盲目性,也可以减少AUV的下潜次数,节约了海上调查时间,提高探测效率。最后指出了现场探测与数据分析需进行深拖位置校正和关注底流及地形对热液羽状流空间分布的影响两个重要问题,为未来的热液探测提供了指导作用。     

Variability of temperature and currents measured near Pipe Organ hydrothermal vent site

Temperature and currents were measured 100 m south of the Pipe Organ vent site on the Juan de Fuca Ridge during a 5-day interval in September 1997 to examine the temporal variability of hydrothermal heat signals close to a source. Temperatures were sampled at three depths every 15 s while current speed and direction were sampled at a single depth hourly. Results show that rapid potential temperature () changes of as much as 0.02°C occurred at all three depths, partly caused by changes in current speed and direction. Spectra of showed no prominent spectral peaks, however. An analytic model of heat transport under variable currents was used to help put observed temporal variability into context and to point out problems with estimating hydrothermal heat fluxes from mooring data. Model distributions, when contoured on a horizontal plane and animated, demonstrate the pooling of effluent over vents at various times, the streaming of effluent as a very narrow plume away from vents at times of large current speed, and the spawning of boluses of heated fluid and their transport away from venting regions when a pooling period is followed by a streaming period. Model results also show that estimated heat flux based on mooring data is strongly dependent on analysis assumptions and suggest that vents are capable of causing measurable anomalies as far as several kilometers downstream.     

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。     

Heat flux estimate of warm water flow in a low-temperature diffuse flow site, southern East Pacific Rise 17°25′ S

A low-temperature diffuse flow site associated with abundant vent fauna was found by submersible observations on the southern East Pacific Rise at 17°25′ S in 1997. This site was characterized by thin sediment covered pillow and sheet lavas with collapsed pits up to ∼15 m in diameter. There were three warm water vents (temperature: 6.5 to 10.5 °C) within the site above which the vented fluids rise as plumes. To estimate heat flux of the warm water vents, a temperature logger array was deployed and the vertical temperature distribution in the water column up to 38 m above the seafloor was monitored. A stationary deep seafloor observatory system was also deployed to monitor hydrothermal activity in this site. The temperature logger array measured temperature anomalies, while the plumes from the vents passed through the array. Because the temperature anomalies were measured in only specific current directions, we identified one of the vents as the source. Heat flux from the vent was estimated by applying a plume model in crossflow in a density-stratified environment. The average heat flux from September 13 to October 18, 1997 was 39 MW. This heat flux is as same order as those of high-temperature black smokers, indicating that a large volume flux was discharged from the vent (1.9 m³/s). Previous observations found many similar warm water flow vents along the spreading axis between 17°20′ S–30′ S. The total heat flux was estimated to be at least a few hundred mega-watts. This venting style would contribute to form effluent hydrothermal plumes extended above the spreading axis.     

Fault inference and boundary recognition based on near-bottom magnetic data in the Longqi hydrothermal field

Near-bottom magnetic prospecting, which provides useful information to study shallow geological structures, is an efficient method for investigating active and inactive hydrothermal fields and researching the structure of hydrothermal systems. We collected near-bottom magnetic data in the Longqi hydrothermal area on the Southwest Indian Ridge using the Autonomous Benthic Explorer in 2007 and set up a processing system for magnetic data calibration. By removing the influence of terrain on magnetic anomalies and using the intensity of the spatial differential vector (ISDV) method, we inferred the presence of an N–S-trending fault and estimated its crush zone to be about 120 m wide and >2 km long along the known hydrothermal vents. This inferred fault is consistent with the precise topography mapped during the ABE 201 dive. The fault may be connected to a known detachment fault and form part of a hydrothermal channel. We delineated the hydrothermal alteration zone using the ISDV method and conclude that demagnetization was induced by hydrothermal alteration.     

Geologic setting of the Snake Pit hydrothermal site: An active vent field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

TheSnake Pit Hydrothermal Site lies on the axis of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 23°22′ N latitude, about 30 km south of the Kane Transform Intersection. Active ‘black smoker’ vents and a surrounding field of hydrothermal sediment occur at the crest of a laterally extensive neovolcanic ridge. It is one of the first active hydrothermal vent fields to be found on a slow-spreading ridge axis and despite significant differences in its geologic setting from those of the East Pacific Rise, has many similarities to its fast-spreading counterparts. Although preliminary reports have documented many interesting aspects of these vents and their surroundings, new data collected from the manned submersible ALVIN and the deep-towed ANGUS camera system define the regional tectonic setting as well as the local geologic environment of this fascinating area. The Snake Pit vents are located on a local peak of a volcanic constructional ridge at a depth of 3450 m, 700–800 m deeper than vents known from the East Pacific Rise, Galapagos, or Juan de Fuca spreading centers. The vent field is at least 600 m long and up to 200 m wide and is covered by a thick blanket of greenish to yellow-orange hydrothermal sediment. Both active and extinct vents are perched along the crests of steep-sided sulfide mounds that reach heights of over 40 m. High-temperature (350° C) fluids are vented from black smoker chimneys and low-temperature (226° C) fluids seep from sulphide domes and subordinate anhydrite constructions. Water temperatures, flow rates, fluid chemistries, and mineralization are strikingly similar to vents of faster spreading ridge crests; however, a somewhat distinct fauna inhabit the area.     

西南印度洋龙方斤热液区羽流信号的检测与通量估算

热液流体在物理化学特征方面与周围海水存在较大差异,探测温度异常和浊度异常是寻找热液羽状流信号的重要手段。本文采用“大洋一号”科考船第20航次的拖曳CTD数据和浊度数据,以及21航次的定点CTD数据,研究了西南印度洋龙方斤热液区的温度异常和浊度异常现象。研究表明热液区中性浮力层在水深2 550~2 650 m间,厚度约为100 m,温度异常达0.01 ℃;水深 2 750~2 800 m间亦有温度异常,最大可达0.08 ℃;温度异常水深处存在相应的浊度异常。深层背景海水位温和位密间存在简单线性关系。此外,经初步估计,热液活动区初始浮力通量为8.78×10^-4 m⁴/s³;通过中性浮力层估算热液热通量,约为130±43 MW。     

“潜龙二号”自主水下机器人热液探测系统

“潜龙二号”水下自主航行器（QianlongⅡ AUV）为深海资源尤其是海底多金属硫化物调查而设计,其已在西南印度洋脊热液区进行成功的调查运用。本文系统地概述了“潜龙二号”的热液系统探测功能实现、数据管理、快速成图等工作;阐述了如何利用AUV转圈数据有效的校正载体对磁测干扰的。基于“潜龙二号”获取的热液异常,发展了热液喷口快速定位方法。以具体一潜次为例,系统地展示了热液探测数据的处理分析与热液异常定位工作,证实了该方法的有效性。     

Spatial distribution, diversity and composition of bacterial communities in sub-seafloor fluids at a deep-sea hydrothermal field of the Suiyo Seamount

Spatial distribution, diversity, and composition of bacterial communities within the shallow sub-seafloor at the deep-sea hydrothermal field of the Suiyo Seamount, Izu-Bonin Arc, Western Pacific Ocean, were investigated. Fluids were sampled from four boreholes in this area. Each borehole was located near or away from active vents, the distance ranging 2–40 m from active vents. In addition, fluids discharging from a natural vent and ambient seawater were sampled in this area. We extracted DNA from each sample, amplified bacterial 16S rRNA genes by PCR, cloned the PCR products and sequenced. The total number of clones analyzed was 348. Most of the detected phylotypes were affiliated with the phylum Proteobacteria, of which the detection frequency in each clone library ranged from 84.6% to 100%. The bacterial community diversity and composition were different between hydrothermal fluids and seawater, between fluids from the boreholes and the vent, and even among fluids from each borehole. The relative abundances of the phylotypes related to Thiomicrospira, Methylobacterium and Sphingomonas were significantly different among fluids from each borehole. The phylotypes related to Thiomicrospira and Alcanivorax were detected in all of the boreholes and vent samples. Our findings provide insights into bacterial communities in the shallow sub-seafloor environments at active deep-sea hydrothermal vent fields.     

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     

Control of the stress field on shallow seafloor hydrothermal paths: A case study of the TAG hydrothermal field

The stress state and rock mechanical properties govern the growth of faults and fractures, which constitute shallow hydrothermal pathways and control the distribution of seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) mounds in the seafloor hydrothermal field. The stress field has an important influence on the formation and persistence of hydrothermal pathways. Based on multibeam bathymetric data from the Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse (TAG) field, we establish two three-dimensional geological models with different scales to simulate the stress field, which investigate the characteristics of hydrothermal pathways and associated SMS mounds. The simulation results show that oblique faults and fissures form in the tensile stress zone and that mounds, including active and inactive hydrothermal mounds form in the compressive stress zone. Fault activity, which is related to the stress field, affects the opening and closing of hydrothermal channels and changes the permeability structure of subseafloor wall rock. Therefore, the stress field controls the development and persistence of shallow hydrothermal pathways. The features of shallow hydrothermal pathways in the stress field can provide geomechanical information that is useful for identifying favorable zone for SMS deposit formation.