Rare earth element abundances in hydrothermal fluids from the Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea: Indicators of sub-seafloor hydrothermal processes in back-arc basins

Craddock, Paul R.; Bach, Wolfgang; Seewald, Jeffrey S.; Rouxel, Olivier; Reeves, Eoghan P.; Tivey, Margaret K.

doi:10.1016/j.gca.2010.07.003

Cited by 145 publications

(91 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Dissolved Cl and ΣHCOOH abundances were determined by ion chromatography (36,37). Dissolved Mg concentrations were determined on a ThermoElectron Element2 inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MS) (36,38). Dissolved ΣCO 2 abundances were determined by headspace gas GC injection with thermal conductivity detection (34,36).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathways for abiotic organic synthesis at submarine hydrothermal fields

McDermott

Seewald

German

et al. 2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Arguments for an abiotic origin of low-molecular weight organic compounds in deep-sea hot springs are compelling owing to implications for the sustenance of deep biosphere microbial communities and their potential role in the origin of life. Theory predicts that warm H 2 -rich fluids, like those emanating from serpentinizing hydrothermal systems, create a favorable thermodynamic drive for the abiotic generation of organic compounds from inorganic precursors. Here, we constrain two distinct reaction pathways for abiotic organic synthesis in the natural environment at the Von Damm hydrothermal field and delineate spatially where inorganic carbon is converted into bioavailable reduced carbon. We reveal that carbon transformation reactions in a single system can progress over hours, days, and up to thousands of years. Previous studies have suggested that CH 4 and higher hydrocarbons in ultramafic hydrothermal systems were dependent on H 2 generation during active serpentinization. Rather, our results indicate that CH 4 found in vent fluids is formed in H 2 -rich fluid inclusions, and higher n-alkanes may likely be derived from the same source. This finding implies that, in contrast with current paradigms, these compounds may form independently of actively circulating serpentinizing fluids in ultramafic-influenced systems. Conversely, widespread production of formate by ΣCO 2 reduction at Von Damm occurs rapidly during shallow subsurface mixing of the same fluids, which may support anaerobic methanogenesis. Our finding of abiogenic formate in deep-sea hot springs has significant implications for microbial life strategies in the present-day deep biosphere as well as early life on Earth and beyond.abiotic organic synthesis | hydrothermal systems | methane | formate | fluid-vapor inclusions S eawater-derived hydrothermal fluids venting at oceanic spreading centers are a net source for dissolved carbon to the deep sea, with vent fluid carbon contents directly tied to the sustenance of the subseafloor biosphere (1). Highly reducing fluids rich in dissolved H 2 , such as those discharging from serpentinizing hydrothermal systems, are of particular interest because of the potential for abiotic reduction of dissolved inorganic carbon ðΣCO 2 = CO 2 + HCO − 3 + CO 2− 3 Þ to organic compounds (2-6) and their potential role as precursor compounds for prebiotic chemistry associated with the origin of life (7). Although there is increasing evidence that supports an abiotic origin for CH 4 and other low-molecular weight organic compounds in ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal systems (8-10), the physical conditions, reaction pathways, and timescales that control abiotic organic synthesis at oceanic spreading centers remain elusive. Working models for the formation of abiotic CH 4 and other hydrocarbons observed in vent fluids involve reduction of ΣCO 2 and/or CO through Fischer-Tropsch-type processes during active circulation of seawater-derived hydrothermal fluids that are highly enriched in dissolved H 2 because of serpentinization of...

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathways for abiotic organic synthesis at submarine hydrothermal fields

McDermott

Seewald

German

et al. 2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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286

303

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“…They constitute a coherent group of elements and are thought not to be decoupled in geochemical processes, although the valence change of some elements (such as Ce and Eu) under special circumstances and the filling of inner 4f electron shells, leading to diminution of the atomic radius (lanthanide compression) in the REE series, do cause some differences during migration processes [1][2][3]. In aqueous systems, REE can be used as an important basis for identifying the source of the water [4][5][6][7]. The fractionation of the REE has been used extensively to trace many geochemical processes associated with hydrothermal activity, including water-rock interaction in hydrothermal systems [8][9][10][11], the evolution of hydrothermal fluids [12], degassing of magmatic acid volatiles (i.e.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The fractionation of the REE has been used extensively to trace many geochemical processes associated with hydrothermal activity, including water-rock interaction in hydrothermal systems [8][9][10][11], the evolution of hydrothermal fluids [12], degassing of magmatic acid volatiles (i.e. presence of HF, SO 2 ) [7], mineral precipitation, dissolution, ion exchange and adsorption [13][14][15][16][17].…”

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confidence: 99%

“…With some exceptions, such as the Satanic Mills fluid and Fenway fluid in PACMANUS (Papua New Guinea-Australia-Canada-Manus), the acid-sulfate fluids from Desmos and North Su, some smoker fluids from Suzette and South Su, and some lowtemperature diffuse flows on MAR 15°N, MAR 5°S and MAR 9°S, deep-sea hydrothermal fluids have remarkably uniform REE N distribution patterns characterized by a LREE enrichment and a large, positive Eu anomaly [7,14,[19][20][21][22][23].…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Although the enrichment of REE in hydrothermal fluids reflects the interaction between the fluid and host rock [7,11,15], experimental results have shown that the REE compositions of hydrothermal fluids are not inherited directly from the primary rocks with which the hydrothermal fluids interact. Instead they are controlled primarily by the physics and chemistry of the fluid (e.g.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Rare earth elements in hydrothermal fluids from Kueishantao, off northeastern Taiwan: Indicators of shallow-water, sub-seafloor hydrothermal processes

et al. 2013

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The rare earth element (REE) geochemistry of hydrothermal vent systems has been investigated intensively, but few studies have been carried out on marine shallow-water hydrothermal systems like that at Kueishantao. Here we present novel data sets of REE in hydrothermal fluids from Kueishantao, off northeastern Taiwan. The total REE (REE) concentrations of yellowish fluids are similar to those of whitish fluids, 813-1212 ng/L, and are significantly higher than that of ambient seawater. The yellowish fluids have chondrite-normalized REE (REE N ) distribution patterns with slight convex-downward curvatures at Eu; and the REE patterns of the whitish fluids are smooth at Eu, which is related to the lower temperature and more oxidizing conditions. The Kueishantao hydrothermal fluids are slightly enriched in light REE (La-Nd) relative to the heavy REE (Gd-Lu). The behaviors of REE in both yellowish and whitish fluids are affected by the short time of water-rock interaction. The REE distributions in the yellowish fluids are also affected by very low pH (2.81 and 2.29), boiling of the fluid and precipitation of native sulfur. In the whitish fluids, adsorption by small particles and formation of REE-chloride complexes has played a role in the distribution of REE.

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Factors affecting the rare earth element compositions in massive sulfides from deep‐sea hydrothermal systems

Zeng

Yin

et al. 2015

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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To reconstruct the evolution of ore-forming fluids and determine the physicochemical conditions of deposition associated with seafloor massive sulfides, we must better understand the sources of rare earth elements (REEs), the factors that affect the REE abundance in the sulfides, and the REE flux from hydrothermal fluids to the sulfides. Here we examine the REE profiles of 46 massive sulfide samples collected from seven seafloor hydrothermal systems. These profiles feature variable total REE concentrations (37.2-4092 ppb) and REE distribution patterns (La CN /Lu CN ratios 5 2.00-73.8; (Eu/Eu*) CN ratios 5 0.34-7.60). The majority of the REE distribution patterns in the sulfides are similar to those of vent fluids, with the sulfides also exhibiting light REE enrichment. We demonstrate that the variable REE concentrations, Eu anomalies, and fractionation between light REEs and heavy REEs in the sulfides exhibit a relationship with the REE properties of the sulfide-forming fluids and the massive sulfide chemistry. Based on the sulfide REE data, we estimate that modern seafloor sulfide deposits contain approximately 280 t of REEs. According to the flux of hydrothermal fluids at mid-ocean ridges (MORs) and an average REE concentration of 3 ng/g in these fluids, hydrothermal vents at MORs alone transport more REEs (>360 t) to the oceans over the course of just 2 years than the total quantity of REEs in seafloor sulfides. The excess REEs (i.e., the quantity not captured by massive sulfides) may be transported away from the systems and become bound in sulfate deposits and metalliferous sediments.

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Rare earth element abundances in hydrothermal fluids from the Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea: Indicators of sub-seafloor hydrothermal processes in back-arc basins

Cited by 145 publications

References 64 publications

Pathways for abiotic organic synthesis at submarine hydrothermal fields

Pathways for abiotic organic synthesis at submarine hydrothermal fields

Rare earth elements in hydrothermal fluids from Kueishantao, off northeastern Taiwan: Indicators of shallow-water, sub-seafloor hydrothermal processes

Factors affecting the rare earth element compositions in massive sulfides from deep‐sea hydrothermal systems

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