Oxygen isotope study of mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal fluids: Implication for the oxygen-18 budget of the oceans

1997 ◽  
Vol 61 (13) ◽  
pp. 2669-2677 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Jean-Baptiste ◽  
J.L. Charlou ◽  
M. Stievenard
Elements ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 389-394
Author(s):  
Esther M. Schwarzenbach ◽  
Matthew Steele-MacInnis

Seawater interaction with the oceanic lithosphere crucially impacts on global geochemical cycles, controls ocean chemistry over geologic time, changes the petrophysical properties of the oceanic lithosphere, and regulates the global heat budget. Extensive seawater circulation is expressed near oceanic ridges by the venting of hydrothermal fluids through chimney structures. These vent fluids vary greatly in chemistry, from the metal-rich, acidic fluids that emanate from “black smokers” at temperatures up to 400 °C to the metal-poor, highly alkaline and reducing fluids that issue from the carbonate–brucite chimneys of ultramafic-hosted systems at temperatures below 110 °C. Mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems not only generate signifi-cant metal resources but also host unique life forms that may be similar to those of early Earth.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Asensio-Ramos ◽  
Cecilia Amonte ◽  
Esther Santofimia ◽  
Gladys V. Melián ◽  
Enrique López ◽  
...  

<p>The occurrence of hydrothermal emissions implies the existence of heat sources related to magma reservoirs both in convergent margins (Bransfield-South Shetland) and in mid-ocean ridge and intra-plate settings (Azores). The importance of these systems lies in (a) producing important mineralizations,  (b) favouring extremophilic ecosystems, (c) being precursors of underwater volcanic eruptions, (d) playing a major role they play in the matter and energy exchange between the geosphere and the hydrosphere and (d) their impact on the geochemistry of the oceans. In subduction margins, rifts, transforming faults or volcanic buildings in hot spots, emissions of hot fluids related to magmas and/or circulation in hydrothermal systems can occur. The fluids associated with magmas are fundamentally gases (CO<sub>2</sub>, H<sub>2</sub>O, H<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub>, H<sub>2</sub>S, He, etc.). Hydrothermal fluids constitute a complex system where seawater percolates through fissures and fractures in sediments and rocks at different depths and heats up upon contact with magmas and hot volcanic rocks, leaching a large amount of chemical elements. The identification of acoustic plumes in the water column is the first step in the exploration of unknown underwater emissions. The new acoustic detection technologies, which operate with a wide frequency range, are one of the most innovative tools for detecting gas plumes and other fluids in the water column, especially in deep waters. Once detected, physical-chemical parameters (temperature, salinity, turbidity, cations, anions, dissolved gases, isotopic signature, etc.) that allow their characterization and classification will be determined. This type of studies is particularly useful when it is not possible to collect free gases, fumarolic and/or bubbling gases, as in the case of submarine activity. In this work, we show the results obtained regarding the chemical composition of dissolved gases (He, H<sub>2</sub>, CO<sub>2</sub> (aq), O<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>, CH<sub>4</sub> and He) and isotopic signature of the dissolved CO<sub>2</sub> (δ<sup>13</sup>C-CO<sub>2</sub>) in sea water sampled in sites of hydrothermal interest. With this purpose, we carried out two oceanographic surveys (EXPLOSEA1 and EXPLOSEA2) in 2019: the first in Antarctica aboard the Spanish Research Vessel (RV) Hespérides and the second in North Atlantic Ocean aboard the Spanish RV Sarmiento de Gamboa. To do so, 13 and 10 water vertical profiles were studied in the RV Hespérides and the RV Sarmiento de Gamboa, respectively, using a SBE 911plus CTD system where there was evidence of acoustic plumes or where appropriate, emission buildings of fluids were present. Water samples were kept in glass bottles for subsequent analysis. The establishment of the physicochemical characteristics of volcanic hydrothermal fluids and the characterization of the nature and origin of the different types of fluid emissions will help to classify the hydrothermal fluids in order to understand the phenomena that take place in them and their surroundings.</p>


1977 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 771-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Muehlenbachs

The isotopic compositions of minerals separated from DSDP Leg 37 samples indicate that the primary, unaltered δ18O of both the intrusive and extrusive rocks are identical (~5.7 ‰, SMOW) to those of unaltered basalts dredged from mid-ocean ridges. All of the analyzed basalts (6 to 10 ‰) have been enriched in 18O due to weathering by cold seawater, whereas the intrusive rocks (2.4 and 5.0 ‰) are depleted of 18O probably as a result of exchange with hot seawater at the mid-ocean ridge. Both kinds of altered rock are also known from the study of dredged materials. 18O is preferentially removed from seawater by the first process, but is added to seawater by the second. Exchange of oxygen between oceanic crust and seawater must be considered in any discussion of the evolution of the isotopic composition of the oceans, because large volumes of rock are altered each year as the oceanic crust is formed.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enikő Bali ◽  
et al.

Methods, materials, detailed results of heating experiments, magmatic fluid or modified seawater, Figures S1–S5, and Tables S1–S3.<br>


2008 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. n/a-n/a ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Geoffrey Wheat ◽  
James McManus

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Xiaohu Li ◽  
Jianqiang Wang ◽  
Hao Wang

Based on previous research on the Fe isotope compositions of various components and systems of the Earth, this study focused on the Fe isotope compositions of hydrothermal systems, including the Fe isotope variations in chalcopyrite, pyrite, and sphalerite, and their possible controlling factors. The main findings are as follows: (1) The range of Fe isotopes in hydrothermal systems at mid-ocean ridge is very large. The δ56Fe values of hydrothermal fluids are characterized by significant enrichment in light Fe isotopes. (2) The δ56Fe values of sulfides also exhibit lighter Fe isotope characteristics than those of hydrothermal fluids from hydrothermal vent fields at mid-ocean ridge. The vent temperature, fluid properties, and mineral deposition processes significantly affect the δ56Fe values of hydrothermal sulfides. (3) Chalcopyrite is preferentially enriched in heavy Fe isotopes, whereas sphalerite and pyrite are enriched in light Fe isotopes. In addition, the δ56Fe values of pyrite/marcasite display a larger range than those of chalcopyrite. This pattern is directly related to equilibrium fractionation or kinetic fractionation of Fe isotopes during the deposition of sulfides. To better understand the Fe isotope compositions of modern seafloor hydrothermal systems, the geochemical behavior and fractionation mechanisms of Fe isotopes require further in situ study.


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