Alkali contents, Sr isotope and U-Th-Pb data for ocean crust vein minerals from DSDP Holes 27-261, 61-462A, and 72-516F

Cation exchange experiments (ammonium acetate and cation resin) on celadonite-smectite vein minerals from three DSDP holes demonstrate selective removal of common Sr relative to Rb and radiogenic Sr. This technique increases the Rb/Sr ratio by factors of 2.3 to 22 without significantly altering the age of the minerals, allowing easier and more precise dating of such vein minerals. The ages determined by this technique (Site 261 - 121.4+/-1.6 m.y.; Site 462A - 105.1+/-2.8 m.y.; Site 516F - 69.9+/-2.4 m.y.) are 34, 54 and 18 m.y. younger, respectively, than the age of crust formation at the site; in the case of site 462A, the young age is clearly related to off-ridge emplacement of a massive sill/flow complex. At the other sites, either the hydrothermal circulation systems persisted longer than for normal crust (10-15 m.y.), or were reactivated by off-ridge igneous activity. Celadonites show U and Pb contents and Pb isotopic compositions little changed from their basalt precursors, while Th contents are significantly lower. Celadonites thus have unusually high alkali/U,Th ratios and low Th/U ratios. If this celadonite alteration signature is significantly imprinted on oceanic crust as a whole, it will lead to very distinctive Pb isotope signatures for any hot spot magmas which contain a component of aged subducted recycled oceanic crust. Initial Sr isotope ratios of ocean crust vein minerals (smectite, celadonite, zeolite, calcite) are intermediate between primary basalt values and contemporary sea water values and indicate formation under seawaterdominated systems with effective water/rock ratios of 20-200.

(Appendix) Chemical composition of bottom sediments at DSDP Leg 72 Holes

The distributions of calcium carbonate, of amorphous silica, and of 21 chemical compounds and elements in sediments of Holes 515A, 515B, 516, 516F, 517, and 518 are highly nonuniform; they change depending on the sediment types, grain size, and mineral composition. The main source of the lithogenous elements (K, Li, Rb, Fe, Ti, Zr, Ni, Cr, Sn) is terrigenous matter of South America. These elements correlate well or at least satisfactorily with each other and with the sum of clay minerals. CaCO3, amorphous SiO2 and organic C form a second group, the main source of which is biota of the ocean. Zn, Cu, Ba, Mo, (V, Na) are a third group, which is supplied by both terrigenous and biogenic matter. Judging by the distribution of chemical elements and components in sediments of Site 515, this area of the Brazil Basin is characterized by the rather constant conditions of pelagic terrigenous sedimentation from upper Eocene till Holocene. Small changes in chemical composition of sediments throughout the section are linked mainly to the evolution of subaerial source provinces, changes in hydrodynamic regime, and fluctuations of the ocean level. The chemical composition of sediments from the Rio Grande Rise sites suggests the existence of three main stages of sedimentation in this area. The first stage is the initial period of sediment accumulation on basalts at the beginning of the Late Cretaceous. Then followed sedimentary conditions notable for their sharp changes in chemical composition and type. Beginning in the middle Eocene and persisting into the Holocene, stable conditions of sedimentation characterize a third stage, represented by the formation of approximately 700 m of nannofossil oozes of rather monotonous chemical composition.

(Appendix B) Carbonate fraction geochemistry at DSDP Hole 72-516F

This paper presents data on trace elements (Sr, Mg, Na, K, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cr) and isotopes (13C, 18O) on the carbonate fraction of bulk sediments from the Coniacian to Paleocene samples of Hole 516F. Relationships of trace elements to mineralogy and stratigraphic position are discussed at length, with special emphasis on 1) the differences between Hole 516F and other oceanic sites, and 2) the transitions observed at the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary. Isotope data are compared to those obtained in other localities of the same age. The sections show the same major 13C variations at the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary, indicating that this event is a planetary phenomenon.