U/Th systematics and ages of authigenic carbonates from Hydrate Ridge, Cascadia Margin: recorders of fluid flow variations

Uranium (U) concentrations and activity ratios (δ²³⁴U) of authigenic carbonates are sensitive recorders of different fluid compositions at submarine seeps of hydrocarbon-rich fluids (“cold seeps”) at Hydrate Ridge, off the coast of Oregon, USA. The low U concentrations (mean: 1.3 ± 0.4 μg/g) and high δ²³⁴U values (165-317‰) of gas hydrate carbonates reflect the influence of sedimentary pore water indicating that these carbonates were formed under reducing conditions below or at the seafloor. Their ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U ages span a time interval from 0.8 to 6.4 ka and cluster around 1.2 and 4.7 ka. In contrast, chemoherm carbonates precipitate from marine bottom water marked by relatively high U concentrations (mean: 5.2 ± 0.8 μg/g) and a mean δ²³⁴U ratio of 166 ± 3‰. Their U isotopes reflect the δ²³⁴U ratios of the bottom water being enriched in ²³⁴U relative to normal seawater. Simple mass balance calculations based on U concentrations and their corresponding δ²³⁴U ratios reveal a contribution of about 11% of sedimentary pore water to the bottom water. From the U pore water flux and the reconstructed U pore water concentration a mean flow rate of about 147 ± 68 cm/a can be estimated. ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U ages of chemoherm carbonates range from 7.3 to 267.6 ka. ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U ages of two chemoherms (Alvin and SE-Knoll chemoherm) correspond to time intervals of low sealevel stands in marine isotope stages (MIS) 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. This observation indicates that fluid flow at cold seep sites sensitively reflects pressure changes of the hydraulic head in the sediments. The δ¹⁸O_PDB ratios of the chemoherm carbonates support the hypothesis of precipitation during glacial times. Deviations of the chemoherm δ¹⁸O values from the marine δ¹⁸O record can be interpreted as to reflect temporally and spatially varying bottom water and/or vent fluid temperatures during carbonate precipitation between 2.6 and 8.6°C.