Stable oxygen, hydrogene and chlorine isotopes of mid-Atlantic abyssal peridotites

Serpentinized abyssal peridotites sampled by the Ocean Drilling Program Leg 209 along the mid-Atlantic Ridge near the 15°20'N Fracture Zone have been analyzed for oxygen, hydrogen, and chlorine isotope compositions in order to determine isotopic behavior under a wide range of serpentinization conditions and place constraints on fluid history. Oxygen and hydrogen thermometry suggests peak serpentinization temperatures of 300-500°C. Serpentine separates have low deltaD values possibly due to a magmatic fluid component or low-temperature exchange during seafloor weathering. Chlorine geochemistry focused on three holes: 1274A and 1272A (serpentinized peridotites) and 1268A (serpentinite locally altered to talc). Concentrations of both, water-soluble chloride (WSC) and structurally bound chloride (SBC) are significantly lower at Hole 1268A compared to Holes 1274A and 1272A. The delta37Cl values for WSC and SBC of serpentinites in Holes 1274A and 1272A are slightly positive (avg. WSC = 0.20 per mil, n = 22 and avg. SBC = 0.35 per mil, n = 22), representing typical seawater-hydration conditions commonly determined for abyssal peridotite. The SBC of serpentinites from Hole 1268A are also positive (avg. = 0.63 per mil); whereas, the SBC in talc-dominated samples is negative (avg. = -1.22 per mil). The WSC of both talc- and serpentine-dominated samples are also negative (avg. = -0.15 per mil). We interpret the chlorine isotope data to preserve a record of multiple fluid events. As seawater hydrated the peridotite, 37Cl was preferentially incorporated into the forming serpentine and water-soluble salts, yielding similar delta37Cl values on a regional scale as sampled by Holes 1268A, 1274A and 1272A. The resultant pore fluid was left depleted in 37Cl. Locally (Hole 1268A), this evolved fluid was remobilized possibly due to the initiation of hydrothermal circulation in response to emplacement of a mafic magma body. The low delta37Cl pore fluids attained elevated SiO2 and sulfur concentrations due to interaction with the gabbroic intrusion and, when ascending through the surrounding serpentinite, caused formation of isotopically negative talc. This secondary fluid also flushed the preserved serpentinite of its previously formed salts, resulting in negative delta37Cl WSC values. The delta37Cl SBC values of the serpentinite samples remained unmodified by reaction with the secondary fluid.

Chemistry and fluid inclusions of the sheeted dike comples of ODP Holes 137-504B and 140-504B

Fluid inclusions in variably altered diabase recovered from Ocean Drilling Program Legs 137 and 140 at Hole 504B, Costa Rica Rift, exhibit fluid salinities up to 3.7 times that of seawater values (11.7 wt% NaCl equivalent) and exhibit uncorrected homogenization temperatures of 125°C to 202°C. The liquid-dominated inclusions commonly are entrapped in zones of secondary plagioclase and may be primary in origin. Fluid salinities are similar to compositions of fluids venting on the seafloor (0.4-7.0 wt% NaCl) and overlap with those measured in metabasalt samples recovered from near the Kane Fracture Zone on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and from the Troodos ophiolite, Cyprus. The salinity variations may reflect hydration reactions involving formation of secondary mineral assemblages under rock-dominated conditions, which modify the ionic strength of hydrothermal fluids by consuming or liberating water and chloride ion. Rare CO2-CH4-bearing inclusions, subjacent to zones where talc after olivine becomes an important secondary mineral phase (1700 mbsf), may have formed due to local interaction of seawater and olivine at low water to rock ratios. Corrected average fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures exhibit a gradient from 159°C at a depth of 1370 mbsf to 183°C at a depth of 1992 mbsf and are in apparent equilibrium with the present conductive downhole temperatures. These data indicate that fluid inclusions may be used to estimate downhole temperatures if logging data are unavailable. The compositional and thermal evolution of the diabase-hosted fluids may reflect late-stage, off-axis circulation and conductive heating of compositionally modified seawater in the sheeted dike complex at Hole 504B.

Clay minerals in the Norwegian Sea and Fram Strait, investigation from sediment traps and cores

The grain size distribution and clay mineral composition of lithogenic particles of ice-rafted material, sinking matter, surface sediments, as well as from deep-sea cores are analysed. The samples were collected in the Fram Strait, the Arctic Ocean, and the Norwegian Sea during several expeditions with the research vessels "Polarstern", "Meteor" and "Poseidon", and Norwegian rearch vessels. Sinking matter was caught with sediment traps, fitted with timer-controlled sample changers, which had been deployde in the sea for usually one year.

Documentation and sedimentology of core PS1021-1 from the Antarctic continental margin off Kap Norvegia

Sedimentological analyses concerning ice rafted debris, grain size distribution, biogenous components, and clay mineral composition of four sediment cores from the Antarctic continental margin off Kapp Norvegia reveal a cyclical pattern of three different sediment facies. These are classified into warm and cold types representing warm and cold climatic periods and a short transition period from cold to warm events. The sedimentological parameters reflect the variations within the cryosphere and the hydrosphere, which are directly influenced by the climatic fluctuations. The unusually high content of carbonaceous planktonic and benthonic foraminifera in these polar sediments, as well as the interfingering of terrigeneous and biogeneous-rich sediments with increasing distance from the continent, might reflect the influence of the Weddell Sea Polynya and the oscillations of polynya, pack-ice and ice shelf extent during the late Pleistocene.

Sedimentology of the northwestern Weddel Sea continental shelf and slope

Geologie cores on two profiles oriented normaly to the continental shelf and slope, have been investigated to reconstruct the Quaternary sedimentary history of the southeast continental border of South Orkney (NW Weddell Sea). The sediments were described macroscopically and their fabric investigated by use of X-radiographs. Laboratory work comprised detailed grain-size analysis, determination of the watercontent, carbonate, organic carbon and sand fraction.composition. Stable oxygen and carbon isotopes have been measured On planktonic foraminifera. Palaeomagnetism, analysis of 230Th-content and detailed comparison of the lithlogic Parameters with the oxygen isotope stages (Martinson curve) were used for stratigraphic classification of the sediments. The sediment cores from the continental slope comprise a maximum age of 300,000 years B. P.. Bottom currents, ice rafting and biogenic input are the main sources of sediment. Based on lithologic parameters a distinction between glacial and interglacial facies is possible. Silty clays without microfossils and few bioturbation characterise the sediments of the glacial facies. Only small amounts of icerafted debris can be recognized. This type of sediment was accumulated during times of lower sea-level and drastically reduced rate of bottom water production. Based on grain-size distribution, bottom current velocities of 0.01 cmls were calculated. Thick sea-ice coverage reduced biogenic production in the surface water, and as consequence benthic communities were depleted. Because of the reduced benthic life, sediments are only slithly bioturbated. At the beginning of the interglacial Stage, the sea-level rised rapidly, and calving rate of icebergs, combined with input of ice-rafted material, increased considerably. Sediments of this transition facies are silty cliiys with a high proportion of coarse ice-rafted debris, but without microfossils. With the onset of bottom water production in connection with shelf ice water, sediments of interglacial facies were formed. They consist of silty clays to clayey silts with considerable content of sand and gravel. Sediments are strongly bioturbated. Based On the sediment caracteristics, current velocities of the bottom water were calculated to be of 0.96 cmls for interglacials. At the southern slope of a NW/SE-striking ridge, bottom water current is channelized, resulting in a drastic increase of current velocities. Current velocities up to 7.5 cm/s lead to formation of residual sediments. While the continental slope has predominantly fine sediments, the South Orkney shelf are mainly sandy silts and silty sands with a high proportion of gravel. These sediments were formed dominantly by ice-rafting during Brunhes- and Matuyama-Epoch. Currents removed the fine fraction of the sediments. Based on microfossil contents it was not possible to differentiate sediments from glacial to interglacial. In the upper Parts of the cores graded sequences truncated by erosion were observed. These sequences were formed during Brunhes-Epoch by strong currents with velocities decreasing periodically from about 7.5 cm/s to about 1 cm/s. Sediments with a high proportion of siliceous microfossils but barren of foraminifera compose the lower part of the shelf cores. These sediments have formed during the warmer Matuyama-Epoch.

Sedimentology on two cores from Scoresby Sund, Greenland

Reconstruction of the postglacial palaeoenvironmental evolution was the main objective of marine geological investigations in the Scorcsby Sund fjord system. For this purpose, samples of marine sediments, taken on RV Polarstern cruises ARK-V/3b and ARK-VII/3b in 1988 and 1990, have been analysed. All investigated fjord sediments are paratills. However, remarkable changes in sediment fabric and composition occur with depth in cores. They are attributable to different modes of sediment deposition. Therefore, a subdivision of the postglacial palaeoenvironmental history into periods of considerably different sedimentary conditions is feasible. The change of sedimentary fades with time is interpreted by deposition under changing climatic conditions during the postglacial. Displacements of cyclonic and anticyclonic centers in the atmosphere change amount of precipitation at the east coast of Greenland. Precipitation strongly influences extension of local ice caps of coastal areas and duration of coverage of the fjords by sea ice. These factors again control the sedimentary regime in the fjord system.

Investigations on sediment coring site PS1823 in the Riiser-Larsen Sea, Southern Ocean

Physical and sedimentological investigations were carried out on a 14 m long gravity core and a 0.5 m long box core from 4440 m water depth off Queen Maud Land, East-Antarctica. Strongly bioturbated hemipelagic muds of predominantly terrigenous origin and a very small biogenic part build up the 'Normal-Facies'. Several sandy to silty layers are inserted in the 'Normal-Facies'. These layers are seperated by lithology, structure and the investigated parameters of this study and are interpreted as turbidites. The source area for the turbidity currents is supposed to be at the uppermost continental margin, close to the shelf break and there is evidenee for this gravity transport within the erosive Ritscher-Canyon, which extends close to the core position. The distribution of biogenic components indicates an age of 1.3 million years or more, with an average sedimentation rate of about 1 cm/1000 years. Early diagenetic proeesses caused water loss by compaction, errosion and dissolution of biogenic components and precipitation and recrystallization of manganese micronodules. Cyclic fluctuations of the sediment-parameters within the 'Normal-Facies' enable the distinction of a 'Glazial'- and an 'Interglazial'-Facies. The 'Glazial'-Facies reflects glacial sedimentary conditions and shows a dark olive gray colour, high susceptibility, low silt/clay-ratios, only a few biogenic components and the regular occurence of interrelated turbidite layers. In contrast, the 'Interglazial'-Facies is dominated by a light olive or olive-brown colour, low susceptibility, high silt/clay-ratios and an increased number of biogenic components. This facies corresponds to interglacial conditions. Three main processes are supposed to have been responsible for the observed facies changes: (1) the bottom water mass circulation, (2) the gravity transport by turbidity currents and (3) the biogenic surface production. These processes are related to the quaternary climatic changes. The extension of the ice shelves directed the gravity transport to the deep sea and the formation of Antarctic Bottom Water, which in turn influenced the silt/clay-ratios in the sediment record. Fluctuations in sea ice coverage controlled the biogenic surface production.

Rare earth element concentrations and geochemistry of carbonate minerals from the Logatchev Hydrothermal Field and the Gakkel Ridge

The ultramafic-hosted Logatchev Hydrothermal Field (LHF) at 15°N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Arctic Gakkel Ridge (GR) feature carbonate precipitates (aragonite, calcite, and dolomite) in voids and fractures within different types of host rocks. We present chemical and Sr isotopic compositions of these different carbonates to examine the conditions that led to their formation. Our data reveal that different processes have led to the precipitation of carbonates in the various settings. Seawater-like 87Sr/86Sr ratios for aragonite in serpentinites (0.70909 to 0.70917) from the LHF are similar to those of aragonite from the GR (0.70912 to 0.70917) and indicate aragonite precipitation from seawater at ambient conditions at both sites. Aragonite veins in sulfide breccias from LHF also have seawater-like Sr isotope compositions (0.70909 to 0.70915), however, their rare earth element (REE) patterns show a clear positive europium (Eu) anomaly indicative of a small (< 1%) hydrothermal contribution. In contrast to aragonite, dolomite from the LHF has precipitated at much higher temperatures (~100 °C), and yet its 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.70896 to 0.70907) are only slightly lower than those of aragonite. Even higher temperatures are calculated for the precipitation of deformed calcite veins in serpentine-talc fault schists form north of the LHF. These calcites show unradiogenic 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.70460 to 0.70499) indicative of precipitation from evolved hydrothermal fluids. A simple mixing model based on Sr mass balance and enthalpy conservation indicates strongly variable conditions of fluid mixing and heat transfers involved in carbonate formation. Dolomite precipitated from a mixture of 97% seawater and 3% hydrothermal fluid that should have had a temperature of approximately 14 °C assuming that no heat was transferred. The much higher apparent precipitation temperatures based on oxygen isotopes (~ 100 °C) may be indicative of conductive heating, probably of seawater prior to mixing. The hydrothermal calcite in the fault schist has precipitated from a mixture of 67% hydrothermal fluid and 33% seawater, which should have had an isenthalpic mixing temperature of ~ 250 °C. The significantly lower temperatures calculated from oxygen isotopes are likely due to conductive cooling of hydrothermal fluid discharging along faults. Rare earth element patterns corroborate the results of the mixing model, since the hydrothermal calcite, which formed from waters with the greatest hydrothermal contribution, has REE patterns that closely resemble those of vent fluids from the LHF. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that (1) precipitation from pure seawater, (2) conductive heating of seawater, and (3) conductive cooling of hydrothermal fluids in the sub-seafloor all can lead to carbonate precipitation within a single ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal system.

Geochemistry of lower sheeted dike complex samples of ODP Holes 137-504B and 140-504B

Rocks of the lower sheeted dike complex of Hole 504B sampled during Leg 140 were analyzed for major and trace element compositions to investigate the effects of igneous processes and hydrothermal alteration on the compositions of the rocks. The rocks are relatively uniform in composition and similar to the shallower dikes. They are moderately evolved mid-ocean-ridge basalts (MORB) with relatively high MgO (7.9-10 wt%) and Mg# (0.60-0.70), and have unusually low incompatible element contents (TiO2 = 0.42-1.1 wt%, Zr = 23-62 ppm). Discrete compositional intervals in the hole reflect varying degrees of differentiation, and olivine and plagioclase accumulation in the rocks, and may be related to injection of packets of dikes having similar compositions. Systematic depletions of total REE, Zr, Y, TiO2, and P2O5 in centimeter-size patches are most likely attributed to exclusion of highly differentiated, late-stage interstitial liquids from small portions of the rocks. The rocks exhibit increased H2O+ reflecting hydrothermal alteration. Replacement of primary plagioclase by albite and oligoclase led to local gains of Na2O, losses of CaO, and slightly positive Eu anomalies. Some mobility of P2O5 led to minor increases and decreases in P2O5 contents, and some local mobility of Ti may have occurred during alteration of titanomagnetite to titanite. Higher temperatures of alteration in the lower sheeted dikes led to breakdown of pyroxene and sulfide minerals and losses of Zn, Cu, and S to hydrothermal fluids. Later addition of anhydrite to the rocks in microfractures and replacing plagioclase caused local increases in sulfur contents. The lower sheeted dikes are a major source of metals to hydrothermal fluids for the formation of metal sulfide deposits on and within the seafloor.

Clay mineralogy of South Atlantic surface sediments

Surface samples, mostly from abyssal sediments of the South Atlantic, from parts of the equatorial Atlantic, and of the Antarctic Ocean, were investigated for clay content and clay mineral composition. Maps of relative clay mineral content were compiled, which improve previous maps by showing more details, especially at high latitudes. Large-scale relations regarding the origin and transport paths of detrital clay are revealed. High smectite concentrations are observed in abyssal regions, primarily derived from southernmost South America and from minor sources in Southwest Africa. Near submarine volcanoes of the Antarctic Ocean (South Sandwich, Bouvet Island) smectite contents exhibit distinct maxima, which is ascribed to the weathering of altered basalts and volcanic glasses. The illite distribution can be subdivided into five major zones including two maxima revealing both South African and Antarctic sources. A particularly high amount of Mg- and Fe-rich illites are observed close to East Antarctica. They are derived from biotite-bearing crystalline rocks and transported to the west by the East Antarctic Coastal Current. Chiorite and well-crystallized dioctaedral illite are typical minerals enriched within the Subantarctic and Polarfrontal-Zone but of minor importance off East Antarctica. Kaolinite dominates the clay mineral assemblage at low latitudes, where the continental source rocks (West Africa, Brazil) are mainly affected by intensive chemical weathering. Surprisingly, a slight increase of kaolinite is observed in the Enderby Basin and near the Filchner-Ronne Ice shelf. The investigated area can be subdivided into ten, large-scale clay facies zones with characteristic possible source regions and transport paths. Clay mineral assemblages of the largest part of the South Atlantic, especially of the western basins are dominated by chlorite and illite derived from the Antarctic Peninsula and southernmost South America and supported by advection within the Circumantarctic Deep Water flow. In contrast, the East Antarctic provinces are relatively small. Assemblages of the eastern basins north of 30°S are strongly influenced by African sources, controlled by weathering regimes on land and by a complex interaction of wind, river and deep ocean transport. The strong gradient in clay mineral composition at the Brazilian slope indicate a relatively low contribution of tropically derived assemblages to the western basins.