Short-lived radium isotopes in the Hawaiian margin: Evidence for large fluid fluxes through the Puna Ridge

We measured significant activities of short-lived radium isotopes, ²²³Ra (half-life = 11 days) and ²²⁴Ra (half-life = 3.7 days), around the margins of the Hawaiian Islands to water depths of 3500 m. These measurements suggest fluid inputs from the basalt to the surrounding ocean. In general ²²³Ra activities were considerably greater than ²²⁴Ra in spite of the expected higher production rate of ²²⁴Ra activity in basalt. The ²²³Ra was not supported by dissolved ²²⁷Ac. The highest enrichments of ²²³Ra were measured over the Puna Ridge (2100 m depth) east of Hawaii. Here ²²³Ra activities reached 19 dpm/m³, similar to activities measured near sites of active submarine groundwater discharge in the South Atlantic Bight. To explain the high activities of ²²³Ra unaccompanied by ²²⁴Ra, we postulate that thermally-driven circulation of seawater through the Puna Ridge deposits ²³¹Pa on basalt surfaces. With time the ²³¹Pa produces ²²⁷Ac and ²²³Ra; and ²²³Ra desorbs into the circulating fluids. These fluids then transport ²²³Ra into the overlying ocean. Based on the inventory of ²²³Ra above the Puna Ridge, we estimate the flow of fluids through the ridge to be on the order of 20–60 cm³ cm^− 2 day^− 1. In less than 1000 years the incoming seawater could provide enough ²³¹Pa to basalt surfaces to balance the inventory of ²²³Ra above the ridge if only 8% of the ²²³Ra was transported to the overlying water. These observations on the flanks of a volcanically-active ocean island have significant implications for quantifying fluid fluxes from the flanks of the mid-ocean ridge system. By mapping ²²³Ra inventories in the ocean above ridge flanks and measuring the activity of ²²³Ra in the emerging fluids, the fluid flux can be obtained.     

Unusual behavior of the Kuroshio Current System from winter 1996 to summer 1997 revealed by ADEOS-OCTS and other data— Suggestion of topographically forced alternating-jet instability

While the Advanced Earth Observing Satellite (ADEOS) was operating, the Kuroshio and the Kuroshio Extension, or the Kuroshio Current System, exhibited unusual behavior from the winter of 1996 to the summer of 1997. This behavior of the Kuroshio Current System has been closely studied using a time series of satellite observation images of SST and ocean color obtained by ADEOS-OCTS, reinforced by SST images obtained by NOAA-AVHRR. Our findings include (i) a long lasting, very southerly path of the Kuroshio Extension; (ii) a Kuroshio path very distant from Japan with the following alternating-jet-like north-south flow pattern of the Kuroshio Extension, which occurred twice, once in February and once in April 1997, as independent events and which was observed to be affected by the bottom topography of the Izu-Ogasawara Ridge and Trench, and of the Japan Trench; (iii) cutting off of a cold water mass after the February event; and (iv) the formation of a vortex pair after the April event. A new mechanism is suggested for the formation of the alternating-jet flow pattern: a topographically forced alternating-jet instability (AJI). An SST-Chlorophyll Diagram (T-Chl Diagram) generated using simultaneous data from a single satellite is useful for analyzing the water mass structure of this region, including biological processes.     

Fault scarp identification in side-scan sonar and bathymetry images from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge using wavelet-based digital filters

Digital filters designed using wavelet theory are applied to high resolution deep-towed side-scan sonar data from the median valley walls, crestal mountains, and flanks of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 29°10 N. With proper tuning, the digital filters are able to identify the location, orientation, length, and width of highly reflective linear features in sonar images. These features are presumed to represent the acoustic backscatter from axis-facing normal faults. The fault locations obtained from the digital filters are well correlated with visual geologic interpretation of the images. The side-scan sonar images are also compared with swath bathymetry from the same area. The digitally filtered bathymetry images contain nine of the eleven faults identified by eye in the detailed geologic interpretation of the side-scan data. Faults with widths (measured perpendicular to their strike) of less than about 150 m are missed in the bathymetry analysis due to the coarser resolution of these data. This digital image processing technique demonstrates the potential of wavelet-based analysis to reduce subjectivity and labor involved in mapping and analyzing topographic features in side-scan sonar and bathymetric image data.     

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。     

西南印度洋脊“断桥”热液区深部地质构造研究

Polymetalic sulfide is the main product of sea-floor hydrothermal venting, and has become an important sea-floor mineral resources for its rich in many kinds of precious metal elements. Since 2007, a number of investigations have been carried out by the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association(COMRA)cruises(CCCs) along the Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR). In 2011, the COMRA signed an exploration contract of sea-floor polymetallic sulfides of 10 000 km2 on the SWIR with the International Seabed Authority. Based on the multibeam data and shipborne gravity data obtained in 2010 by the R/V Dayang Yihao during the leg 6 of CCCs21, together with the global satellite surveys, the characteristics of gravity anomalies are analyzed in the Duanqiao hydrothermal field(37°39′S, 50°24′E). The "subarea calibration" terrain-correcting method is employed to calculate the Bouguer gravity anomaly, and the ocean bottom seismometer(OBS) profile is used to constrain the two-dimensional gravity anomaly simulation. The absent Moho in a previous seismic model is also calculated.The results show that the crustal thickness varies between 3 and 10 km along the profile, and the maximum crustal thickness reaches up to 10 km in the Duanqiao hydrothermal field with an average of 7.5 km. It is by far the most thicker crust discovered along the SWIR. The calculated crust thickness at the Longqi hydrothermal field is approximately 3 km, 1 km less than that indicated by seismic models, possibly due to the outcome of an oceanic core complex(OCC).     

中印度洋脊Edmond热液区成矿流体属性与来源:来自流体包裹体和He-Ar同位素的证据

To understand the source and nature of the ore-forming fluids of the Edmond hydrothermal field on the Central Indian Ridge, we studied the He-Ar isotope composition and fluid inclusions of the hydrothermal precipitates.Our results show that the sulfide samples contain noble gases He, Ne, Kr, and Xe with their abundances in between those of air-saturated water(ASW) and mid-ocean ridge basalt(MORB). The ~3He/~4He ratio varies from1.3 to 8.7 R_a(n=10, average: 5.1 R_a), whereas the ~(40)Ar/~(36) Ar ratio is from 285.3 to 314.7(n=10, average: 294.8). These results suggest that the He was derived from a mixture of MORB with variable amounts of seawater, but the Ar in the ore-forming fluids trapped in the sulfides is predominantly derived from seawater. The fluid inclusions of barite have a wide range of homogenization temperatures and salinities varying from 163°C to 260°C and 2.6 wt%to 8.5 wt% Na Cl equiv., respectively. It is suggested that the ore-forming fluids were produced by phase separation, which agreed with the present-day vent fluid study.     

马尔库斯海脊富钴结壳的钙质超微化石生物地层学研究

分布于大洋盆地高地形区的富钴结壳是一种经历了上千万年生长历程的、含多种有价值金属的特殊“沉积物”.与一般沉积物一样,富钴结壳也保存了海洋环境变迁更替的信息.正确解读结壳的生长历史,不仅对认识这种有用金属矿产的成因和成矿机制有重要意义,而且对研究第三纪以来的大洋古环境乃至这一时段的全球环境变化也有不容忽视的价值.     

The occurrence of gold in hydrothermal sulfide at Southwest Indian Ridge 49.6°E

Massive sulfide precipitates found in the Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR) 49.6°E hydrothermal field are enriched in gold.Here,the mineralogy and mineral chemistry of these massive sulfides to constrain the process of gold precipitation were studied.Sulfide samples in this field include lowertemperature Zn-rich sulfides and relative higher-temperature Fe-rich sulfides.Zn-rich sulfides are dominated by sphalerite-pyrite-chalcopyrite assemblages,with concentrations of gold ranging from 9.08 to 17.0 μg/g.Fe-rich sulfides consist mainly of pyrite-marcasite-isocubanite assemblages,with gold concentrations from 2.17 to 3.79 μg/g.The significant enrichment in gold within the lowertemperature Zn-rich sulfides and the effective separation of Zn and Fe in hydrothermal precipitates at the surface of this field are here interpreted to reflect the strong temperature dependence of gold transportation and deposition within the sulfides.In Zn-rich samples,large amounts of isolated native gold grains were identified.They were found mainly as inclusions up to 8 μm in diameter,occupying porous cavities in sphalerite or in the elevated iron content rim of sphalerite.The fineness of the gold ranged from 810 to 830.Unlike previously published results on other hydrothermal fields,these data show a low gold fineness values in SWIR 49.6°E.The FeS content of sphalerite associated with gold grains ranged from 3.2 mole % to 18.9 mole %.This was higher than in other fields,indicating that the sulfur activity is relatively low during the gold precipitation process and that sulfur activity may be one of the main factors affecting gold fineness in the SWIR 49.6°E hydrothermal field.Evidence regarding gold fineness and sulfur activity suggests that gold was quite likely transported as AuHS0 rather than as a Au(HS)-2 complex.     

Tectonic effects of a subducting aseismic ridge: The subduction of the Nazca Ridge at the Peru Trench

A 1987 survey of the offshore Peru forearc using the SeaMARC II seafloor mapping system reveals that subduction of the Nazca Ridge has resulted in uplift of the lowermost forearc by as much as 1500 m. This uplift is seen in the varied depths of two forearc terraces opposite the subducting ridge. Uplift of the forearc has caused fracturing, minor surficial slumping, and increased erosion through small canyons and gullies. Oblique trending linear features on the forearc may be faults with a strike-slip component of motion caused by the oblique subduction of the Nazca Ridge. The trench in the zone of ridge subduction is nearly linear, with no re-entrant in the forearc due to subduction of the Nazca Ridge. Compressional deformation of the forearc due to subduction of the ridge is relatively minor, suggesting that the gently sloping Nazca Ridge is able to slide beneath the forearc without significantly deforming it. The structure of the forearc is similar to that revealed by other SeaMARC II surveys to the north, consisting of: 1) a narrow zone (10 to 15 km across) of accreted material making up the lower forearc; 2) a chaotic middle forearc; 3) outcropping consolidated material and draping sediment on the upper forearc; and 4) the smooth, sedimented forearc shelf.The subducting Nazca plate and the Nazca Ridge are fractured by subduction-induced faults with offsets of up to 500 m. Normal faulting is dominant and begins about 50 km from the trench axis, increasing in frequency and offset toward the trench. These faults are predominantly trench-parallel. Reverse faults become more common in the deepest portion of the trench and often form at slight angles to the trench axis.Intrusive and extrusive volcanic areas on the Nazca plate appear to have formed well after the seafloor was created at the ridge crest. Many of the areas show evidence of current scour and are cut by faulting, however, indicating that they formed before the seafloor entered the zone of subduction-induced faulting.     

印度洋无震海岭及海底高原的初步研究

根据１９８６年１０月－１９８７年５月第三次南极考察和首次环球科学考察所获的印度洋实测重力资料，对印度洋一些典型构造进行了分析研究。初步主人为：无震海岭，海底高原和大洋中脊都有着复杂的壳－幔结构，其上都伴有一个布格异常的低值带，但引种布格局异常低值原因却不尽相同。虽然上述３者都是大洋中的隆起地带，但前两者的地壳增厚，莫氏丰下拱，软流圈变深，影响布格异常的主要因素是其下存在着一个较大的负山根。相反，在