U/Th systematics of authigenic carbonates and d18O records from Hydrate Ridge, off the coast of Oregon, USA

Uranium (U) concentrations and activity ratios (d234U) of authigenic carbonates are sensitive recorders of different fluid compositions at submarine seeps of hydrocarbon-rich fluids ("cold seeps") at Hydrate Ridge, off the coast of Oregon, USA. The low U concentrations (mean: 1.3 ± 0.4 µg/g) and high 234U values (165-317 per mil) of gas hydrate carbonates reflect the influence of sedimentary pore water indicating that these carbonates were formed under reducing conditions below or at the seafloor. Their 230Th/234U ages span a time interval from 0.8 to 6.4 ka and cluster around 1.2 and 4.7 ka. In contrast, chemoherm carbonates precipitate from marine bottom water marked by relatively high U concentrations (mean: 5.2 ± 0.8 µg/g) and a mean d234U ratio of 166 ± 3 per mil. Their U isotopes reflect the d234U ratios of the bottom water being enriched in 234U relative to normal seawater. Simple mass balance calculations based on U concentrations and their corresponding d234U ratios reveal a contribution of about 11% of sedimentary pore water to the bottom water. From the U pore water flux and the reconstructed U pore water concentration a mean flow rate of about 147 ± 68 cm/a can be estimated. 230Th/234U ages of chemoherm carbonates range from 7.3 to 267.6 ka. 230Th/234U ages of two chemoherms (Alvin and SE-Knoll chemoherm) correspond to time intervals of low sealevel stands in marine isotope stages (MIS) 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. This observation indicates that fluid flow at cold seep sites sensitively reflects pressure changes of the hydraulic head in the sediments. The d18OPDB ratios of the chemoherm carbonates support the hypothesis of precipitation during glacial times. Deviations of the chemoherm d18O values from the marine d18O record can be interpreted as to reflect temporally and spatially varying bottom water and/or vent fluid temperatures during carbonate precipitation between 2.6 and 8.6°C.

Lithologic description and vertical permeability measurements of ODP Site 180-1109

Vertical permeability testing was conducted on four samples collected from Site 1109, a borehole advanced during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 180. Closed conditions were applied during each test, and the samples were measured using a constant flow approach and permeant solutions that matched the geochemistry of nearby interstitial waters. Vertical permeabilities measured at 34.5 kPa effective stress generally decreased with depth and ranged from 10**-14 m**2 at 212.53 meters below seafloor (mbsf) to 10**-18 m**2 at 698.10 mbsf. The three deepest samples differed in permeability by less than one order of magnitude. Reconsolidation testing on the shallowest sample yielded a minimum permeability of 1.56 x 10**-16 m**2 at 276 kPa effective stress. Subsequent rebound testing yielded a hysteresis-type curve, with the final permeability measuring lower than the initial permeability by nearly 1.5 orders of magnitude. Dilution experiments indicated that use of a permeant solution matching the geochemistry of the interstitial waters may be necessary for accuracy in measurements and mitigation of clay swellage and collapse during testing, but further research is mandated.