Petrology of ODP Leg 210 and Leg 173, and DSDP Leg 47 sites

Sand detrital modes of Albian-Eocene clastic gravity-flow deposits cored and recovered at Ocean Drilling Program Site 1276 reflect the postrift geologic evolution of the Newfoundland passive continental margin. Cretaceous sandstone compositions (average: Q57F23L20; Ls%Lsc = 35; total%bioclasts = 3) are consistent with a source on Grand Banks such as Avalon Uplift. Their relatively low potassium feldspar (Qm71K8P21) contents distinguish them from Iberian sandstones and appear to preclude an easterly source during the early history of the ocean basin. Isolated volcaniclastic input near the Paleocene/Eocene boundary (~60 Ma) at Site 1276 is also present in Iberian samples of this age, suggesting that magmatism was widespread across the North Atlantic during this time frame; the source(s) of this volcanic debris remains equivocal. In the Eocene, the development of carbonate bank facies on the shelf marks a profound compositional change to calcareous grainstones (average: Q27F11L62; Ls%Lsc = 82; total%bioclasts = 55) in basinal gravity-flow deposits at Site 1276. This calcareous petrofacies is present on the Iberian margin and in the Pyrenees, suggesting that it was a regional event. The production and downslope redistribution of carbonate debris, including bioclastic and lithic fragments, was likely eustatically controlled. The Newfoundland (Site 1276 and Jeanne d'Arc Basin) sandstones are mainly quartzolithic. Their composition and the contrast in composition between them and more quartzofeldspathic sandstones from the Iberian margin are likely a product of rifting along a Paleozoic suture zone separating distinct basement terranes. This prerift geologic setting contrasts with that of rifts developed within other cratonic settings with variable amounts of synrift volcanism. When synthesized, the spectrum of synrift and postrift sand compositions produces a general model of passive margin (rift-to-drift) sandstone provenance.

Geochemistry and petrology of the volcanic rocks from the Sulu Sea

Major-, trace-, and rare-earth element analyses of the basaltic rocks recovered from the basement of the Sulu Sea and of lithic clasts from the pyroclastic unit representing the acoustic basement of the Cagayan Ridge, are presented. The major and trace elements were measured by X-ray fluorescence techniques, and rare-earth elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis. These data show that the Sulu Sea basalts are back-arc tholeiites and the lithic clasts are basalts, basaltic andesites, and andesites typical of volcanic arc suites erupted on continental crust. Petrogenetic modeling is used to show that the Sulu Sea basalts were derived from a heterogeneous mantle, probably representing subcontinental lithosphere, with contributions from a subduction component. The Sulu Sea is interpreted as a back-arc basin formed by rifting of an Oligocene to early Miocene volcanic arc leaving the Cagayan Ridge as a remnant arc. This event occurred during northward subduction of the Celebes Sea basement beneath the Oligocene to early Miocene arc.

Petrology and geochemistry of sideromelane glass shards from Pleistocene as layers north and south of Gran Canaria

Major elements, S, F, Cl concentrations and relative proportions of S6+ to total S were analyzed with electron microprobe in sideromelane glass shards from Pleistocene volcaniclastic sediments drilled during ODP Leg 157. Glasses are moderately to strongly evolved and represent a spectrum from alkali basalt, basanite and nephelinite through hawaiite, mugearite and tephrite to phonolitic tephrite. Measured S6+/SumS (0.03±0.98) and calculated Fe2+/Fe3+ (2.5±5.8) ratios in the melt yield preeruptive redox conditions ranging from NNO-1.4 to NNO+2.1. The morphology of the glass shards, variations of S and Cl concentrations (0.010±0.127 wt% S, 0.018±0.129 wt% Cl), calculated preeruptive temperatures (1030±1200 °C) and oxygen fugacities suggest that glasses deposited even within the same ash layers have diverse origin and may have resulted from both submarine and subaerial eruptions. Most vesicle-free glasses are characterized by high concentrations of S and represent undegassed or slightly degassed submarine lavas, whereas vesiculated glasses with low concentrations of S and Cl are strongly degassed and can be ascribed to the eruptions in shallow water or on land. Sideromelane glass shards at Sites 953 are thought to have resulted from submarine eruptions northeast of Gran Canaria, glasses at Site 954 represent mostly volcaniclastic material of shallow water submarine and subaerial eruptions on Gran Canaria and Tenerife, and glasses deposited at Site 956 resulted from submarine or explosive eruptions on Tenerife.

Organic petrology of Neogene sediment from ODP Leg 117

Neogene sediments from three areas of the Northern Indian Ocean (Indus Fan, Owen Ridge, Oman Margin, ODP Leg 117) were studied in order to determine the amount, type, and preservation of organic matter as functions of the environments encountered. The work consisted of geochemical analyses on whole sediment (Total Organic Content and Rock Eval pyrolysis) and of petrographic studies on isolated organic matter by optical and scanning electron microscopy. In Indus Fan sediments, organic matter is present in low amounts, mainly as lignaceous fragments. A contrasting situation exists in Oman Margin sediments which are generally rich in amorphous autochtonous organic matter. Owen Ridge, located between Indus fan and Oman Margin areas, shows two phases of organic sedimentation as a consequence of the uplift of the ridge. The older phase (Oligocene to early or middle Miocene) is strongly influenced by detrital supply from the Indus, while the younger phase (middle Miocene to Pleistocene) is characterized by relatively high amounts of autochtonous organic matter. From a general point of view it appears that high amounts of organic matter are mainly due to good preservation of marine amorphous organic matter, such as in Oman Margin sediments and in upper pelagic levels of Indus Fan and Owen Ridge deposits. Low total organic carbon contents are correlated with low proportions of amorphous material in the total organic matter due to oxidizing conditions. This leads to a relative enrichment in components derived from resistant materials (lignin, chitin, or other resistant biopolymers) such as lignaceous fragments (Indus Fan) and/or fragments from benthic organisms and alveolate microplankton (Oman Margin).

Petrology, geochemistry and K-Ar Age determination of De Gerlache Seamount basalts

The De Gerlache Seamounts are two topographic highs in the Bellingshausen Sea, southeastern Pacific. Petrological and geochemical studies together with K-Ar age determinations were carried out on four dredged basalt samples collected during a RV Polarstern expedition (ANT-XII/4) in 1995. Minor and trace element composition suggest alkaline basalt compositions. Compared to alkaline basalts of adjacent West Antarctica (the Jones Mountains) and of Peter I Island, the samples have lower mg-numbers, lower Ni and Cr contents and lower high field-strength elements (HFSE)/Nb and large-ion lithophile elements (LILE)/HFSE ratios. Three of the four samples have low K, Rb, and Cs concentrations relative to alkaline basalts. The K-depletion and other elemental concentrations may be explained by 1.1% melting of amphibole bearing mantle material. Additionally, low Rb and Ba values suggest low concentrations of these elements in the mantle source. K-Ar age determinations yield Miocene ages (20-23 Ma) that are similar in age to other alkaline basalts of West Antarctica (Thurston Island, the Jones Mountains, Antarctic Peninsula) and the suggested timing of onset of Peter I Island volcanism (~10-20 Ma). The occurrence of the DGS and Peter I Island volcanism along an older but reactivated tectonic lineation suggests that the extrusions exploited a zone of pre-existing lithospheric weakness. The alkaline nature and age of the DGS basalts support the assumption of plume activity in the Bellingshausen Sea.

Mineralogy and petrology of Black Sea Basin sediments

The origin and modes of transportation and deposition of inorganic sedimentary material of the Black Sea were studied in approximately 60 piston, gravity, and Kasten cores. The investigation showed that the sediment derived from the north and northwest (especially from the Danube) has a low calcite-dolomite ratio and a high quartz-feldspar ratio. Rock fragments are generally not abundant; garnet is the principal heavy mineral and illite is the predominant clay mineral. This sedimentary material differs markedly from that carried by Anatolian rivers, which is characterized by a high calcite-dolomite ratio and a low quartz-feldspar ratio. Rock fragments are abundant; pyroxene is the principal heavy mineral and montmorillonite is the predominant clay mineral. In generel, the clay fraction is large in all sediments (27.6-86.9 percent), and the lateral distributian indicates an increase in clay consent from the coasts toward two centers in the western and eastern Black Sea basin. Illite is the most common clay mineral in the Black Sea sediments. The lateral changes in composition of the clay mineral can easily be traced to the petrologic character of northern (rich in illite) and southern (rich in montmorillonite) source areas. In almost all cores, a rhythmic change of the montmorillonite-illite ratio with depth was observed. These changes may be related to the changing influence of the two provinces during the Holocene and late Pleistocene. Higher montmorillonite content seems to indicate climctic changes, probably stages of glaciation end permafrost in the northern area, at which time the illite supply was diminished to a large extent. The composition of the sand fraction is relatad to the different petrologic and morphologic characteristics of two major source provimces: (1) a northern province (rich in quartz, feldspars, and garnet) characterized by a low elevation, comprising the Danube basin area and the rivers draining the Russian platform; and (2) a southern province (rich in pyroxene and volcanic and metamorphic rocks) in the mountainous region of Anatolia and the Caucasus, characterized by small but extremely erosive rivers. The textural properties (graded bedding) of the deep-sea send layers clearly suggest deposition from turbidity currents. The carbonate content of the contemporary sediments ranges from 5 to 65 percent. It increases from the coast to a maximum in two centers in the western and eastern basin. This pattern reflects the distribution of the <2-µm fraction. The contemporary mud sedimentation is governed by two important factors: (1) the deposition of terrigenous allochthonous material of low carbonate content originating from the surrounding hinterland (northern and southern source areas), and (2) the autochthonous production of large quantities of biogenic calcite by coccolithophores during the last period of about 3,000-4,000 years.

The geochemistry, mineralogy, and petrology of basalts at DSDP Leg 59 Holes

Legs 59 and 60 of the International Phase of Oceanic Drilling (IPOD) were designed to study the nature and history of volcanism of the active Mariana arc, its currently spreading inter-arc basin (the Mariana Trough), and the series of inactive basins and intervening ridges that lie to the west. The older basins and ridges were drilled during Leg 59 as the first part of a transect of single-bit holes drilled in each major basin and ridge. The eastern part of the transect - the technically active region - was drilled during Leg 60. The evolution of island-arc volcanos and magma genesis associated with lithospheric subduction remain some of the most complex petrologic problems confronting us. Many types of source material (mantle, oceanic crust, continental crust) and an unusually wide range of possible physical conditions at the time of magma genesis must be identified even before the roles of partial melting and subsequent magma fractionation, mixing, and contamination can be assessed.