Molecular and isotopic properties of gases from ODP Holes of ODP Leg 204

We report and discuss molecular and isotopic properties of hydrate-bound gases from 55 samples and void gases from 494 samples collected during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 204 at Hydrate Ridge offshore Oregon. Gas hydrates appear to crystallize in sediments from two end-member gas sources (deep allochthonous and in situ) as mixtures of different proportions. In an area of high gas flux at the Southern Summit of the ridge (Sites 1248-1250), shallow (0-40 m below the seafloor [mbsf]) gas hydrates are composed of mainly allochthonous mixed microbial and thermogenic methane and a small portion of thermogenic C2+ gases, which migrated vertically and laterally from as deep as 2- to 2.5-km depths. In contrast, deep (50-105 mbsf) gas hydrates at the Southern Summit (Sites 1248 and 1250) and on the flanks of the ridge (Sites 1244-1247) crystallize mainly from microbial methane and ethane generated dominantly in situ. A small contribution of allochthonous gas may also be present at sites where geologic and tectonic settings favor focused vertical gas migration from greater depth (e.g., Sites 1244 and 1245). Non-hydrocarbon gases such as CO2 and H2S are not abundant in sampled hydrates. The new gas geochemical data are inconsistent with earlier models suggesting that seafloor gas hydrates at Hydrate Ridge formed from gas derived from decomposition of deeper and older gas hydrates. Gas hydrate formation at the Southern Summit is explained by a model in which gas migrated from deep sediments, and perhaps was trapped by a gas hydrate seal at the base of the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). Free gas migrated into the GHSZ when the overpressure in gas column exceeded sealing capacity of overlaying sediments, and precipitated as gas hydrate mainly within shallow sediments. The mushroom-like 3D shape of gas hydrate accumulation at the summit is possibly defined by the gas diffusion aureole surrounding the main migration conduit, the decrease of gas solubility in shallow sediment, and refocusing of gas by carbonate and gas hydrate seals near the seafloor to the crest of the local anticline structure.

Magnetic properties and incompatible element geochemistry of some igneous rocks at DSDP Leg 64 Holes

I received five unoriented samples of igneous rocks from four Sites of Leg 64 of the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP). I have measured several magnetic properties, alkalis (K, Rb, and Cs), alkaline-earth (Ba and Sr) element concentrations, and 87Sr/86Sr ratios of these samples. This study reports the results.

Magnetic properties of plutonic rocks at DSDP Leg 82 holes

Ten samples of gabbro and peridotite, with varying degrees of serpentinization, were studied by magnetic techniques and reflected light microscopy. Evidence from these methods suggests that the natural remanent magnetization is primarily of chemical origin. It is generally weak for the gabbros and much stronger for the peridotites. This difference is offset by the fact that the peridotites have generally lower magnetic stability and Koenigsberger ratios. There is a considerable variation in both magnetic parameters and petrology even among closely spaced samples, which suggests that some combination of source heterogeneity and tectonic mixing was involved in the production of these rocks. However, the small number of samples makes this conclusion tentative. There may also have been significant postemplacement alteration involved. All samples show a significant anisotropy of weak field susceptibility that appears to be related to deformation. This anisotropy may be useful in defining petrofabrics.

(Table 1) Sample characteristics, test consolidations and calculated elastic parameters of ODP Sites 194-1193 and 194-1196

This study is based on rock mechanical tests of samples from platform carbonate strata to document their petrophysical properties and determine their potential for porosity loss by mechanical compaction. Sixteen core-plug samples, including eleven limestones and five dolostones, from Miocene carbonate platforms on the Marion Plateau, offshore northeast Australia, were tested at vertical effective stress, sigma1', of 0-70 MPa, as lateral strain was kept equal to zero. The samples were deposited as bioclastic facies in platform-top settings having paleo-water depths of <10-90 m. They were variably cemented with low-Mg calcite and five of the samples were dolomitized before burial to present depths of 39-635 m below sea floor with porosities of 8-46%. Ten samples tested under dry conditions had up to 0.22% strain at sigma1' = 50 MPa, whereas six samples tested saturated with brine, under drained conditions, had up to 0.33% strain. The yield strength was reached in five of the plugs. The measured strains show an overall positive correlation with porosity. Vp ranges from 3640 to 5660 m/s and Vs from 1840 to 3530 m/s. Poisson coefficient is 0.20-0.33 and Young's modulus at 30 MPa ranged between 5 and 40 GPa. Water saturated samples had lower shear moduli and slightly higher P- to S-wave velocity ratios. Creep at constant stress was observed only in samples affected by pore collapse, indicating propagation of microcracks. Although deposited as loose carbonate sand and mud, the studied carbonates acquired reef-like petrophysical properties by early calcite and dolomite cementation. The small strains observed experimentally at 50 MPa indicate that little mechanical compaction would occur at deeper burial. However, as these rocks are unlikely to preserve their present high porosities to 4-5 km depth, further porosity loss would proceed mainly by chemical compaction and cementation.