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.

Geochemistry of silicate melt inclusions from ODP Holes 137-504B and 140-504B

Geochemical data from plagioclase-hosted silicate melt inclusions from Leg 140, Hole 504B diabase dikes are reported. Hand-picked plagioclase grains were heated to 1260°-1280°C to remelt the glass inclusions and to infer trapping temperatures. The samples were then polished to expose the inclusions, which were analyzed by electron and ion microprobes. Inclusion compositions are mainly in equilibrium with the host plagioclase and are more depleted in incompatible elements than the host rock. Simple crystal-liquid equilibrium calculations show that the melt inclusions could have been in equilibrium with depleted abyssal peridotite diopsides, whereas whole-rock basalt compositions generally could not have been. The melt inclusions are significantly more depleted than normal (N-type) mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB) and are consistent with being produced by 8%-16% incremental or open-system melting with 2% residual porosity in the peridotite source. These magmas were formed during pressure-release melting of the mantle over a range of depths between 30 and 15 km.

(Table XIV-1, Page 137-139) Physical characteristics of manganese nodules collected in the Pacific Ocean during cruise GH76-1 of R/V Hakurei Maru

Nodule samples obtained were described and studied on board for 1) observation of occurrence and morphology in and outside samplers, size classification, measurement of weight and calculation of population density (kg/m2); 2) photographing whole nodules on the plate marked with the frames of unit areas of both 0cean-70 (0.50 m2) and freefall grab (0.13 m2), and that of typical samples on the plate with a 5 cm grid scale: 3) observation of internal structures of the nodules on cut section; and 4) determination of mineral composition by X-ray diffractometer. The relation between nodule types and geological environment or chemical composition was examined by referring to other data of related studies, such as sedimentology. acoustic survey, and chemical analysis.

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.

(Table 3) Geochemistry of borehole fluids of ODP Hole 137-504B

Circulation of seawater through basaltic basement for several million years after crustal emplacement has been inferred from studies of surface heat flow, and may play a significant role in the exchange of elements between the oceanic crust and seawater. Without direct observation of the fluid chemistry, interpretations regarding the extent and timing of this exchange must be based on the integrated signal of alteration found in sampled basalts. Much interest has thus been expressed in obtaining and analyzing fluids directly from basaltic formations. It has been proposed that open oceanic boreholes can be used as oceanic groundwater wells to obtain fluids that are circulating within the formation. Water samples were collected from the open borehole in Hole 504B prior to drilling operations on Leg 137, with the original intention of collecting formation fluids from the surrounding basaltic rocks. Past results have yielded ambiguous conclusions as to the origin of the fluids recovered-specifically, whether or not the fluids were true formation fluids or merely the result of reaction of seawater in the borehole environment. The chemistry of eight borehole fluid samples collected during Leg 137 is discussed in this paper. Large changes in major, minor, and isotopic compositions relative to unaltered seawater were observed in the borehole fluids. Compositional changes increased with depth in the borehole. The samples exhibit the effect of simple mixing of seawater, throughout the borehole, with a single reacted fluid component. Analysis and interpretation of the results from Leg 137 in light of past results suggest that the chemical signals observed may originate predominantly from reaction with basaltic rubble residing at the bottom of the hole during the interim between drilling legs. Although this endeavor apparently did not recover formation waters, information on the nature of reaction between seawater and basalt at the prevalent temperatures in Hole 504B (>160°C) has been gained that can be related to reconstruction of the alteration history of the oceanic crust. Isotopic analyses allow calculation of element-specific water/rock mass ratios (Li and Sr) and are related to the extent of chemical exchange between the borehole fluids and basalt.