Rare earth and other chemical element contents and partitions in bottom sediments, micronodules, and nodules from the bioproductive zone of the Pacific Ocean

Concentrations and compositions of rare earth elements (REE) in three micronodule fractions (50-250, 250-500, and >500 ?m), coexisting macronodules, and host sediments were studied. Samples were collected at three sites (Guatemala Basin, Peru Basin, and northern equatorial Pacific) located in elevated bioproductivity zones of surface waters. Influence of micronodule size is dominant for REE compositions and subordinate for REE concentrations. For example, Ce concentration inversely correlates with micronodule size and drops to the lowest value in macronodules and host sediments. Decrease of Ce concentration is generally accompanied by Mn/Fe increase in micro- and macronodules. Hence, the role of diagenetic source of material directly correlates with micronodule sizes. Contribution of the diagenetic source is maximal for macronodules. REE composition distinctions for micronodules and macronodules can be attributed to variations of hydrogenic iron oxyhydroxides and diagenetic (hydrothermal) iron hydroxophosphates that are the major REE carriers in ferromanganese ore deposits. Relationship and general trend in chemistry of coexisting macronodules suggest that they can represent products of the initial stage of nodule formation.

Geochemistry and mineralogy of ultramafic rocks from conical seamount

The Mariana arc-trench system, the easternmost of a series of backarc basins and intervening remnant arcs that form the eastern edge of the Philippine Sea Plate, is a well-known example of an intraoceanic convergence zone. Its evolution has been studied by numerous investigators over nearly two decades (e.g., Kang, 1971; Uyeda and Kanamori, 1979; LaTraille and Hussong, 1980; Fryer and Hussong, 1981; Mrosowski et al., 1982; Hussong and Uyeda, 1981; Bloomer and Hawkins, 1983; Karig and Ranken, 1983; McCabe and Uyeda, 1983; Hsui and Youngquist, 1985; Fryer and Fryer, 1987; Johnson and Fryer, 1988; Johnson and Fryer, 1989; Johnson et al., 1991). The Mariana forearc has undergone extensive vertical uplift and subsidence in response to seamount collision, to tensional and rotational fracturing associated with adjustments to plate subduction, and to changes in the configuration of the arc (Hussong and Uyeda, 1981; Fryer et al., 1985). Serpentine seamounts, up to 2500 m high and 30 km in diameter, occur in a broad zone along the outer-arc high (Fryer et al., 1985; Fryer and Fryer, 1987). These seamounts may be horsts of serpentinized ultramafic rocks or may have been formed by the extrusion of serpentine muds. Conical Seamount, one of these serpentine seamounts, is located within this broad zone of forearc seamounts, about 80 km from the trench axis, at about 19°30'N. The seamount is approximately 20 km in diameter and rises 1500 m above the surrounding seafloor. Alvin submersible, R/V Sonne bottom photography, seismic reflection, and SeaMARC II studies indicate that the surface of this seamount is composed of unconsolidated serpentine muds that contain clasts of serpentinized ultramafic and metamorphosed mafic rocks, and authigenic carbonate and silicate minerals (Saboda et al., 1987; Haggerty, 1987; Fryer et al., 1990; Saboda, 1991). During Leg 125, three sites were drilled (two flank sites and one summit site) on Conical Seamount to investigate the origin and evolution of the seamount. Site 778 (19°29.93'N, 146°39.94'E) is located in the midflank region of the southern quadrant of Conical Seamount at a depth of 3913.7 meters below sea level (mbsl) (Fig. 2). This site is located in the center of a major region of serpentine flows (Fryer et al., 1985, 1990). Site 779 (19°30.75'N, 146°41.75'E), about 3.5 km northeast of Site 778, is located approximately in the midflank region of the southeast quadrant of Conical Seamount, at a depth of 3947.2 mbsl. This area is mantled by a pelagic sediment cover, overlying exposures of unconsolidated serpentine muds that contain serpentinized clasts of mafic and ultramafic rocks (Fryer et al., 1985, 1990). Site 780 (19°32.5'N, 146°39.2'E) is located on the western side of Conical Seamount near the summit, at a depth of 3083.4 mbsl. This area is only partly sediment covered and lies near active venting fields where chimney structures are forming (Fryer et al., 1990).

(Table 1) Redox potential and chemical element contents in CaCO3 and amorphous silica free matter in surface layer bottom sediments of the Pacific Ocean from Hawaiian Islands to Mexico coast

Distribution of Fe, Mn, P, Ti, Cu, Ni, Co, V, Cr, W, Mo, and As in the surface sediment layer on the section from the Hawaiian Islands to the coast of Mexico (Mexico section) is studied. Contents of all studied elements increase from biogenic-terrigenous sediments off the coast of Mexico to pelagic red clays of the Northeast Basin, and more sharply for mobile elements - Mn, Mo, Cu, Ni, Co, and As. In near Hawaii sediments rich in coarsely fragmented volcanic-terrigenous and pyroclastic material of basaltic composition with high contents of Ti, Fe, V, Cr, W, and P, contents of these elements increase sharply, and contents of Mn, Mo, Ni, Co, and Cu for the same reason decrease sharply in comparison with red clay. Abnormally high contents of Mn, Mo, Cu, Ni, Co, and As in the upper layer of hemipelagic and transition sediments of the Mexico section result from diagenetic redistribution and their accumulation on the surface. Processes of diagenetic redistribution in hemipelagic and transition sediment mass of the Mexico section are more rapid than in similar sediments of the Japan section due lower sedimentation rates and higher initial concentrations of Mn. Basic similarity of element distribution regularities in sediments of Japan and Mexico sections is shown.