Sediment samples obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge were studies by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer （GC-MS） for the abundance and distributions of total fatty acids （TFAs）. Approximately 34 fatty acid...Sediment samples obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge were studies by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer （GC-MS） for the abundance and distributions of total fatty acids （TFAs）. Approximately 34 fatty acids were identified, with the chain-lengths ranging from C12 to C30. The total concentrations of TFAs （∑TFA） ranged from 7.15 to 30.09 μgg-l dry sediment, and ∑TFA was weakly correlated with bitumen content （R2=0.69）. The ∑TFA of samples around hydrothermal areas were significantly higher than that of samples away from hydrothermal areas, indicating intense primary production and large biomass in the hydro- thermal areas, and suggesting a close relationship between hydrothermal activity and ∑TFA of samples. The characteristics of the TFA composition in the present study are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and lacking in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the ra- tios between the concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids and ∑TFAs in samples close to the hydrothermal areas, are about 0.8, but for samples far from the hydrothermal areas, they are only about 0.5. Several fatty acids （e.g., a/iC15：0 and C16：1co7）, which are signature biomarkers for sulfur-metabolizing bacteria, show the same distribution trend as ∑TFA of samples, further highlighting the close relationship between fatty acid content and hydrothermal activity and/or hydrothermal communities. The metabolic activities of hydrothermal communities, especially those of microorganisms, are likely the main source of fatty acids in samples.展开更多
10 samples of sediments obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge were measured for the abundances and distributions of polycyclic aromatic compounds（PAHs）. The total concentrations of PAHs（∑PAHs） ranged from 2....10 samples of sediments obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge were measured for the abundances and distributions of polycyclic aromatic compounds（PAHs）. The total concentrations of PAHs（∑PAHs） ranged from 2.768 to 9.826 μg/g dry sediment. The ∑PAHs was higher in sample 22V-TVG10 and sample 26V-TVG05 which were close to hydrothermal fields, with the lowest value in sample 22V-TVG14 which was farthest from hydrothermal fields, suggesting a probable hydrothermal origin of ∑PAHs of samples. Approximately nine kinds of PAHs were identified, and low molecular mass tricyclic and tetracyclic aromatic compounds were predominant in the samples. The concentrations of fluoranthene which were typical as hydrothermal alteration compounds were the highest among PAHs with dry weight between 0.913–3.157 μg/g. The phenanthrene homologue was most abundant in the samples, and the ratios between parent phenanthrene and methylphenanthrene which probably reflected the degree of hydrothermal alteration ranged from 0.097 to 1.602. The sample 22V-TVG10 possessing a maximum ratio value showed the intense influence of the hydrothermal alteration on this sample, which might further imply that PAHs in sediments were mainly derived from the hydrothermal alteration.展开更多
Sediment samples obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge are analyzed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer（GC-MS） for the abundances and distributions of hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons in the samples exhibit...Sediment samples obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge are analyzed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer（GC-MS） for the abundances and distributions of hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons in the samples exhibit a bimodal distribution of n-alkanes and are rich in 3-methylalkanes, 8-methylalkanes and 2, 4,（n-1）-trimethylalkanes, which may be the result of metabolic activity of benthic microorganism. Terpanes, hopanes and steranes are all enriched in the samples, which also support the microbial origin of hydrocarbons in samples.Bitumen and hydrocarbons in the samples show a trend that the contents are the highest in the Samples 22V-TVG10 and 26V-TVG05 collected near hydrothermal areas, and the lowest in samples 22IV-TVG01, 22V-TVG11,and 22V-TVG14 collected far from the hydrothermal areas, which suggest the possible influence on the samples by hydrothermal activity.展开更多
The South Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR)19°S segment,approximately located along the line of Saint Helena volcanic chain(created by Saint Helena mantle plume),is an ideal place to investigate the issue whether the ridg...The South Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR)19°S segment,approximately located along the line of Saint Helena volcanic chain(created by Saint Helena mantle plume),is an ideal place to investigate the issue whether the ridgehotpot interaction process affected the whole MAR.In this study,we present major and trace elemental compositions and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic ratios of twenty fresh lava samples concentrated in a relatively small area in the SMAR 19°S segment.Major oxides compositions show that all samples are tholeiite.Low contents of compatible trace elements(e.g.,Ni=239-594 ppm and Cr=456-1010 ppm)and low Fe/Mn(54-67)and Ce/Yb(0.65-1.5)ratios of these lavas show that their parental magmas are partially melted by a spinel lherzolite mantle source.Using software PRIMELT3,this study obtained mantle potential temperatures(Tp)beneath the segment of1321-1348℃,which is lower relative to those ridges influenced by mantle plumes.The asthenospheric mantle beneath the SMAR 19°S segment starts melting at a depth of^63 km and ceases melting at^43 km with a final melting temperature of^1265℃.The extent of partial melting is up to 16%-17.6%with an average adiabatic decompression value of 2.6%/kbar.The correlations of major oxides(CaO/Al2 O3)and trace elements(Cr,Co,V)with MgO and Zr show that the parental magma experienced olivine and plagioclase fractional crystallization during its ascent to the surface.87Sr/86Sr(0.702398-0.702996),143 Nd/144 Nd(0.513017-0.513177)and 206Pb/204Pb(18.444-19.477)ratios of these lavas indicate the mantle source beneath the SMAR 19°S segment is composed of a three-component mixture of depleted MORB mantle,PREMA mantle,and HIMU mantle materials.The simple,binary mixing results among components from plume-free SMAR MORB,Saint Helena plume and Tristan plume show that asthenospheric mantle beneath the SMAR 19°S segment may be polluted by both Saint Helena and Tristan plume enriched materials.The abovementioned mantle potential temperatures,together with the low Saint Helena(<10%)and Tristan(<5%)components remaining in the asthenospheric mantle at present,show that the physically ridge-hotspot interactions at SMAR 19°S segment may have ceased.However,the trace element and SrNd-Pb isotopically binary mixing calculation results imply that these lavas tapped some enriched pockets left when Saint Helena and/or Tristan plume were once on the SMAR during earlier Atlantic rifted history.展开更多
Clay minerals are usually considered as important indicators to identify sources in both terrigenous and marine sediments.In particular,clay minerals in metalliferous sediments(MS)have long been studied in global ocea...Clay minerals are usually considered as important indicators to identify sources in both terrigenous and marine sediments.In particular,clay minerals in metalliferous sediments(MS)have long been studied in global oceans except in South Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR)due to limited explorations.Thus,32 MS and 34 non-MS(NMS)samples were analyzed to clarify the distribution characteristics and mineral compositions of clay minerals.All the sediments were collected along the SMAR between 12°S and 27°S.After removal of organic matter and carbonate,clay fractions(<2μm)were investigated by Xray diffraction(XRD)analysis.Results show that clay mineral assemblages of surface MS consist dominantly of smectite,less abundant illite,chlorite,and kaolinite in average weight percentage of 30%,21%,18%,and 16%,respectively.On the other hand,clay mineral assemblages in the NMS consist mainly of illite,less abundant kaolinite,chlorite,and very scarce smectite in average weight percentage of 47%,29%,24%,and 0.2%,respectively.The clay fractions in MS are mainly composed of amorphous or poorly crystallized Fe/Mn oxyhydroxides,clay mineral,quartz,and plagioclase.However,the counterparts in the NMS are mainly composed of well-crystallized clay minerals,quartz,and plagioclase without the presence of Fe/Mn oxyhydroxides.It is suggested that most of the illite,kaolinite,and chlorite in both MS and NMS are likely aeolian dust in origin from South Africa continent.In addition,the abundance of kaolinite dominates the clay mineral assemblage at low latitudes,where the intensive chemical weathering of continental source rocks facilitating the formation of kaolinite.In terms of smectite,it is indicated of authigenic origin in consideration of only smectite is available in several MS and the absence in NMS.Moreover,the MS samples with only smectite available are always accompanied by goethite.Therefore,it is assumed that most of smectite occurred in studied area is the results of interaction between hydrothermal Fe-oxyhydroxide,silica,and seawater.展开更多
In this study, geochemical compositions of elements in sulfide samples collected from the Deyin-1 hydrothermal field near the 15?S southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR) were analyzed by the X-ray fluorescence spectrometry...In this study, geochemical compositions of elements in sulfide samples collected from the Deyin-1 hydrothermal field near the 15?S southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR) were analyzed by the X-ray fluorescence spectrometry(XRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) to examine the enrichment regulations of ore-forming elements and hydrothermal mineralization. These sulfide precipitates can be classified macroscopically into three types: Fe-rich sulfide, Fe-Cu-rich sulfide and Fe-Zn-rich sulfide, and are characterized by the enrichment of base metal elements along with a sequence of Fe>Zn>Cu. Compared with sulfides from other hydrothermal fields on MAR, Zn concentrations of sulfides in the research area are significantly high, while Cu concentrations are relatively low. For all major, trace or rare-earth elements(REE), their concentrations and related characteristic parameters exhibit significant variations(up to one or two orders of magnitude), which indicates the sulfides from different hydrothermal vents or even a same station were formed at different stages of hydrothermal mineralization, and suggests the variations of chemical compositions of the hydrothermal fluid with respect to time. The hydrothermal temperatures of sulfides precipitation decreased gradually from station TVG10(st.TVG10) to st.TVG12, and to st.TVG11, indicating that the precipitation of hydrothermal sulfides is subjected to conditions changed from high temperature to low temperature, and that the hydrothermal activity of study area was at the late stage of a general trend of evolution from strong to weak. The abnormally low concentrations of REE in sulfides and their similar chondrite-normalized REE patterns show that REEs in all sulfides were derived from a same source, but underwent different processes of migration or enrichment, or sulfides were formed at different stages of hydrothermal mineralization. The sulfides collected from the active hydrothermal vent were mainly attributed to precipitating directly from the hydrothermal fluid, while those collected from the extinct hydrothermal chimney might have already been altered by the seawater. Generally, ore-forming elements in the sulfides can be divided into three groups: Fe-based element group, Cu-based element group and Zn-based element group. The first group includes Fe, Mn, Cr, Mo, Sn, Rb and bio-enriching elements, such as P and Si, reflecting the similar characteristics to Fe in the study area. And the second group contains Cu, W, Co, Se, Te and Bi, suggesting the similar behavior with Cu. Moreover, the third group includes Zn, Hf, Hg, Cd, Ta, Ga, Pb, As, Ag, Ni and Sb, which indicates the geochemical characteristics of most dispersed trace elements controlled by Zn-bearing minerals to some extent.展开更多
A seafloor hydrothermal field, named Deyin-1 later, near 15°S southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge（SMAR） was newly found during the 22 nd cruise carried out by the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research ＆ Development A...A seafloor hydrothermal field, named Deyin-1 later, near 15°S southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge（SMAR） was newly found during the 22 nd cruise carried out by the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research ＆ Development Association（COMRA）. Sulfide samples were collected at three stations from the hydrothermal field during the26 th cruise in 2012. In this paper, mineralogical characteristics of the sulfides were analyzed with optical microscope, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope and electron microprobe to study the crystallization sequence of minerals and the process of hydrothermal mineralization. According to the difference of the ore-forming metal elements, the sulfide samples can be divided into three types：（1） the Ferich sulfide, which contains mainly pyrite and chalcopyrite;（2） the Fe-Cu-rich sulfide consisting predominantly of pyrite, chalcopyrite and isocubanite, with lesser amount of sphalerite, marmatite and pyrrhotine; and（3） the Fe-Zn-rich sulfide dominated by pyrite, sphalerite and marmatite, with variable amounts of chalcopyrite, isocubanite, pyrrhotine, marcasite, galena and gratonite. Mineral precipitations in these sulfides are in the sequence of chalcopyrite（isocubanite and possible coarse pyrite）, fine pyrite,sphalerite（marmatite）, galena, gratonite and then the minerals out of the dissolution. Two morphologically distinct generations（Py-I and Py-II） of pyrite are identified in each of the samples; inclusions of marmatite tend to exist in the coarse pyrite crystals（Py-I）. Sphalerite in the Fe-Zn-rich sulfide is characterized by a＂chalcopyrite disease＂ phenomenon. Mineral paragenetic relationships and a wide range of chemical compositions suggest that the environment of hydrothermal mineralization was largely changing. By comparison, the Fe-rich sulfide was formed in a relatively stable environment with a high temperature, but the conditions for the formation of the Fe-Cu-rich sulfide were variable. The Fe-Zn-rich sulfide was precipitated during the hydrothermal venting at relatively low temperature.展开更多
The hydrothermal signatures of mid-ocean ridge sediments are crucial geochemical data providing insights into investigating hydrothermal anomalies and locating seafloor massive sulfide deposits.This paper outlines the...The hydrothermal signatures of mid-ocean ridge sediments are crucial geochemical data providing insights into investigating hydrothermal anomalies and locating seafloor massive sulfide deposits.This paper outlines the geochemical features of 24 surface sediments and one sediment core(26 V-GC 01,294 cm)along the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR)from 18°S to 22°S,an area where hydrothermal active fields have yet to be discovered.The surface sediments mainly consist of biogenic carbonates,aluminosilicates,and hydrothermal Fe-Mn(oxy)oxides.The core sediments primarily comprise organic matter,detrital materials,hydrothermal components,and substances scavenged from seawater.The rare Earth element(REE)patterns suggest the presence of hydrothermal contributions within the surface and core sediments.The enrichment factors for Fe,Mn,Cu,and Zn in surface sediments suggest these metals are concentrated at the 19°S,21°S,and 21.5°S segments,further indicating their potential as hydrothermal active fields.Downcore variations of Fe,Mn,P,Cu,Pb,V,and Co suggest at least six episodes of hydrothermal activity.The impact of hydrothermal processes on the sediments from SMAR 18°S to 22°S indicates that the study area has the potential to host a significant number of hydrothermal active fields.展开更多
Six hydrothermal sediment samples were collected from the Xunmei and Tongguan hydrothermal fields along the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the China Ocean Cruise DY46 in 2017.Sulfides and oxides in the samples wer...Six hydrothermal sediment samples were collected from the Xunmei and Tongguan hydrothermal fields along the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the China Ocean Cruise DY46 in 2017.Sulfides and oxides in the samples were separated,and Cu and Zn isotope compositions were analyzed.Results show that the ranges ofδ^(65)Cu values of the bulk sediments,sulfides,and oxides were 0.36‰-2.46‰,-0.21‰-1.10‰,and 0.68‰-1.52‰,respectively.Theδ^(65)Cu values of sulfides in four samples(46II-14,46II-30,46III-06,and 46II-09)were relatively low(-0.21‰-0.50‰),corresponding to theδ^(65)Cu values of sulfides from inactive old hydrothermal chimneys in northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge(n MAR),suggesting that the sulfides in the sediments were originated from collapsed dead chimney mainly.While theδ^(65)Cu values of the other two samples(46III-02 and 46III-08)were relatively high(1.10‰-0.96‰),corresponding to theδ^(65)Cu values for active hydrothermal chimneys sulfides in n MAR,which indicated that the sulfides in these two samples might mainly come from sulfide particles settled from active hydrothermal plume.Because of the high density of sulfide particles,they tended to settle near the hydrothermal vents first.Therefore,highδ^(65)Cu values of sulfides in 46III-02 and 46III-08 implied that undiscovered active hydrothermal vents near the sampling positions of 46III-02 in the Xunmei hydrothermal field and 46III-08 in the Tongguan hydrothermal field.Theδ^(66)Zn values of hydrothermal sediments and sulfides ranged 0.11‰-0.43‰and 0.29‰-0.67‰,respectively.In the four samples from the Xunmei hydrothermal field,a positive correlation was found between the distance of the sampling position from sulfide mineralized spot and the Zn isotopic ratio,showing that the greater the distance from the mineralized spot,the heavier the Zn isotope composition as seen in two samples(46II-30 and 46II-14)of the Xunmei-3 spot.This result aligned with the findings of Wilkinson et al.(2005)and Baumgartner et al.(2023),suggesting that the lower the Zn isotope composition,the closer it is to the hydrothermal vent.However,in the Xunmei hydrothermal field,the Zn isotope composition in the other two samples(46III-02and 46III-06)showed the opposite trend.This indicated that there might be an active hydrothermal vent near the sampling location of sample 46III-02.This observation aligned with the Cu isotope analysis results.This study showed that Cu-Zn isotopes are good indicators for understanding the formation mechanisms of hydrothermal sediments and for locating active hydrothermal vents.展开更多
A coupled tide-surge-wave model was established to analyze the impacts of radial sand ridges on storm surges in the South Yellow Sea.Numerical topography experiments were designed on the basis of multiple well-verifie...A coupled tide-surge-wave model was established to analyze the impacts of radial sand ridges on storm surges in the South Yellow Sea.Numerical topography experiments were designed on the basis of multiple well-verified types of extreme weather events.The findings demonstrated that the radial sand ridges(RSRs)generally enhanced tidal levels,current velocities,and significant wave heights in the affected area.The nonlinear effects of shallow water in the radial sand ridge area can induce large tide ranges.A unique seabed can cause an increase in current speed from the open sea to the nearshore.Another impact is that subaqueous ridges can result in shallow water conditions,and the degree of depth-induced wave breaking significantly varies.Compared with those in the northern and southern radial sand ridge areas,the tidal levels,current speeds,and wave heights in the middle radial sand ridge area were the highest,which can cause more severe storm surge disasters.Additionally,the wave radiation stress varied obviously under the action of fan-shaped sand ridges.Thus,it is necessary to consider wave-current interactions when modeling storm surges in sand ridges.展开更多
Seismicity in ocean ridge-transform systems reveals fundamental processes of mid-ocean ridges,while comparisons of seismicity in different oceans remain rare due to a lack of detection of small events.From 1996 to 200...Seismicity in ocean ridge-transform systems reveals fundamental processes of mid-ocean ridges,while comparisons of seismicity in different oceans remain rare due to a lack of detection of small events.From 1996 to 2003,the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA/PMEL)deployed several hydrophones in the eastern Pacific Ocean and the northern Atlantic Ocean.These hydrophones recorded earthquakes with small magnitudes,providing us with opportunities to study the seismic characteristics of ridge-transform systems at different spreading rates and make further comparisons of their differences.This study comparatively analyzed hydroacoustic and teleseismic data recorded on the fast-spreading East Pacific Rise(EPR,10°S to 12°N),intermediate-spreading Galapagos Ridge(103°W to 80°W),and slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge(MAR,15°N to 37°N).We present a systematic study of the spatial and temporal distribution of events,aftershock seismicity,and possible triggering mechanisms of aftershock sequences.Our analysis yields the following conclusions.(1)From the hydroacoustic data,the EPR transform faults had the highest average seismicity rate among the three regions.(2)Along-ridge event distributions show that a high number of earthquakes were concentrated on the EPR,while they became dispersed on the GR and fewer and more scattered on the MAR,reflecting that the different tectonic origins were closely correlated with the spreading rate.(3)Analysis from mainshock-aftershock sequences shows no significant differences in the aftershock decay rate among the three regions.(4)Multiple types of aftershock triggering models were inferred from Coulomb stress changes:strike-slip mainshocks triggered strike-slip aftershocks and normal faulting aftershocks,and normal faulting mainshocks triggered normal faulting aftershocks.Although these results are case studies,they may be applicable to other ocean ridge-transform systems in future investigations.Our results provide important new insights into the seismicity of global ocean ridge-transform systems.展开更多
According to the exploration contract about polymetallic sulfides in the SWIR （Southwest Indian Ridge） signed by China with the International Seabed Authority, to delineate sulfide minerals and estimate resource qua...According to the exploration contract about polymetallic sulfides in the SWIR （Southwest Indian Ridge） signed by China with the International Seabed Authority, to delineate sulfide minerals and estimate resource quantity are urgent tasks. We independently developed our first coincident loop Transient Electromagnetic Method （TEM） device in 2010, and gained the TEM data for seafloor sulfide at South Atlantic Ridge 13.2°S in June 2011. In contrast with the widely applied CSEM （Marine controlled-source electromagnetic） method, whose goal is to explore hydrocarbons （oil/gas） of higher resistivity than seawater from 102 to 103 m below the sea floor, the TEM is for low resistivity minerals, and the target depth is from 0 to 100 m below the sea floor. Based on the development of complex sulfide geoelectrial models, this paper analyzed the TEM data obtained, proposing a new method for seafloor sulfide detection. We present the preliminary trial results, in the form of apparent resistivity sections for both half-space and full-space conditions. The results cor- respond well with the observations of the actual hydrothermal vent area, and the detection depth reached 50-100m below the bed, which verified the capability of the equipment.展开更多
According to a deformed mild-slope equation derived by Guang-wen Hong and an enhanced numerical method, a wave refraction-diffraction nonlinear mathematical model that takes tidal level change and the high-order bathy...According to a deformed mild-slope equation derived by Guang-wen Hong and an enhanced numerical method, a wave refraction-diffraction nonlinear mathematical model that takes tidal level change and the high-order bathymetry factor into account has been developed. The deformed mild-slope equation is used to eliminate the restriction of wave length on calculation steps. Using the hard disk to record data during the calculation process, the enhanced numerical method can save computer memory space to a certain extent, so that a large-scale sea area can be calculated with high-resolution grids. This model was applied to wave field integral calculation over a radial sand ridge field in the South Yellow Sea. The results demonstrate some features of the wave field： （1） the wave-height contour lines are arc-shaped near the shore; （2） waves break many times when they propagate toward the shore; （3） wave field characteristics on the northern and southern sides of Huangshayang are different; and （4） the characteristics of wave distribution match the terrain features. The application of this model in the region of the radial sand ridge field suggests that it is a feasible way to analyze wave refraction-diffraction effects under natural sea conditions.展开更多
Objective The development of continental rifting and seafloor spreading can be predominated by magmatic upwelling （magma-rich） or tectonic stretching （magma-poor）. Located in the terminal portion of propagating s...Objective The development of continental rifting and seafloor spreading can be predominated by magmatic upwelling （magma-rich） or tectonic stretching （magma-poor）. Located in the terminal portion of propagating seafloor spreading of the South China Sea （SCS）, the southwestern mid-ridge of the southwest sub-basin （SWSB） of the SCS was found with much thin crust and numerous faulted blocks coupling with magma-poor continental margins along its flanks. Therefore, the southwestern part of the SWSB is most likely to be a tectonic-dominated basin. To justify the hypothesis with further evidence, we investigated the nature of seamounts on the southwestern mid-ridge of the SWSB which may inherit seafloor spreading.展开更多
Mid-ocean ridge basalts(MORBs) are characterized by large variations in trace element compositions and isotopic ratios, which are difficult to be interpreted solely by using magmatic process such as partial melting of...Mid-ocean ridge basalts(MORBs) are characterized by large variations in trace element compositions and isotopic ratios, which are difficult to be interpreted solely by using magmatic process such as partial melting of a peridotitic mantle and subsequently fractional crystallization. Geochemical diversity of MORBs have been attributed to large-scale heterogeneity within the underlying mantle, and the heterogeneity might have been caused by addition of recycled crustal component, subcontinental lithosphere, metasomatized lithosphere and outer core contribution. In this study, we investigated the MORBs along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge(MAR) by estimating the temperature and pressure of partial melting, and comprehensively comparing trace element and isotope ratios. The data for MORBs from areas close to mantle plumes show large variations. Mantle plumes can affect mid-oceanic ridges 1 400 km away, but plume effects did not cover all of the ridge segments, and those segments without plume effects did not have any abnormalities in temperature, trace element or isotope ratios.We ascribed the above phenomena to result from the shapes of the plume flow, which we categorized as "pipelike channels" and "pancake-like channels". The "pancake-like channels" plumes affected the ambient mantle nondirectionally, but the range of the mantle affected by the "pipe-like channels" plumes were selective. Element ratios of MORBs reveal that the mantle source of the MORBs along the MAR is highly heterogeneous. We suggest that most of source heterogeneities of the MORBs may be due to the presence of subducted slab and delaminated lower crust in the source. In addition, the plume that carried materials from the core-mantle boundary may affect some of the segments.展开更多
Over the past two decades, a significant number of discoveries of ancient zircon xenocrysts in ocean-floor magmatic rocks have been reported. These findings provide compelling evidence for the presence of ancient cont...Over the past two decades, a significant number of discoveries of ancient zircon xenocrysts in ocean-floor magmatic rocks have been reported. These findings provide compelling evidence for the presence of ancient continental crust within young oceanic lithosphere. Almost all finds of ancient zircon xenocrysts within oceanic crust are from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. For other localities, however, similar data are very limited. This report presents the first age determinations(U-Pb, SHRIMPII) and isotope-geochemical data(oxygen, trace and rare earth elements) for zircon xenocrysts from gabbro-diorites of the Shaka Ridge, in the vicinity of the Shaka fracture zone, near the western end of the Southwest Indian Ridge. The work is based on a study of bottom rock material dredged during expeditionary research on the R/V"Akademik Fedorov"(Russia) in 2016. The U-Pb isotope system of the zircon xenocrysts recorded a crystallization age of ~2.8 Ga at an upper discordia intercept and an age of ~600 Ma interpreted as the timing of a superimposed thermal event at a lower discordia intercept.The zircon xenocrysts show geochemical signatures of magmatic origin, i.e., fractionated REE distribution spectra with an increase in chondrite-normalized values from light to heavy REE, positive Ce anomalies and negative Eu anomalies, and high Th/U ratios(0.59-7.77). In discrimination diagrams based on a series of inter-element relationships, zircon compositions fall into the fields of zircons from rocks of continental crust, mostly granitoids. The Li content of the zircons is high(1.8 ppm-50 ppm),adding further evidence to their derivation from rocks of continental crust. During their residence within young oceanic crust, the zircon xenocrysts experienced alterations under the influence of submarine high-temperature hydrothermal fluids, which selectively affected the distribution of trace elements in the zircons and reduced the δ;O values to 1.75‰-3.15‰. The presence of obviously older zircons in Shaka gabbro-diorites clearly demonstrates the presence of ancient continental fragments and their recycling into the mantle at the western end of the Southwest Indian Ridge.展开更多
Fracture-fissure systems found at mid-ocean ridges are dominating conduits for the circulation of metallogenic fluid.Ascertaining the distribution area of active faults on both sides of mid-ocean ridges will provide a...Fracture-fissure systems found at mid-ocean ridges are dominating conduits for the circulation of metallogenic fluid.Ascertaining the distribution area of active faults on both sides of mid-ocean ridges will provide a useful tool in the search for potential hydrothermal vents,thus guiding the exploration of modern seafloor sulfides.Considering the MidAtlantic Ridge 20°N–24°N(NMAR)and North Chile Rise(NCR)as examples,fault elements such as Fault Spacing(?S)and Fault Heave(?X)can be identified and quantitatively measured.The methods used include Fourier filtering of the multi-beam bathymetry data,in combination with measurements of the topographic slope,curvature,and slope aspect patterns.According to the Sequential Faulting Model of mid-ocean ridges,the maximal migration distance of an active fault on either side of mid-ocean ridges—that is,the distribution range of active faults—can be measured.Results show that the maximal migration distance of active faults at the NMAR is 0.76–1.01 km(the distance is larger at the center than at the ends of this segment),and at the NCR,the distribution range of active faults is 0.38–1.6 km.The migration distance of active faults on the two study areas is positively related to the axial variation of magma supply.In the NCR study area,where there is an abundant magma input,the number of faults within a certain distance is mainly affected by the variation of lithospheric thickness.Here a large range of faulting clearly corresponds to a high proportion of magmatism to seafloor spreading near mid-ocean ridges(M)value,and in the study area of the NMAR,there is insufficient magmatism,and the number of faults may be controlled by both lithospheric thickness and magma supply,leading to a less obvious positive correlation between the distribution range of active faults and M.展开更多
Different models have been proposed for the formation and tectonic evolution of the South China Sea （SCS）, including extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, backarc extension, two-stage opening, proto-SCS dragging, ex...Different models have been proposed for the formation and tectonic evolution of the South China Sea （SCS）, including extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, backarc extension, two-stage opening, proto-SCS dragging, extension induced by a mantle plume, and integrated models that combine diverse factors. Among these, the extrusion model has gained the most attention. Based on simplified physical experiments, this model proposes that collision between the Indian and Eurasian Plates resulted in extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, which in turn led to opening of the SCS. The extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, however, should have led to preferential open- ing in the west side of the SCS, which is contrary to observations. Extensional models propose that the SCS was a backarc basin, rifted off the South China Block. Most of the backarc extension models, however, are not compatible with observations in terms of either age or subduction direction. The two-stage extension model is based on extensional basins surrounding the SCS. Recent dating results indeed show two-stage opening in the SCS, but the Southwest Subbasin of the SCS is much younger, which contradicts the two-stage extension model. Here we pro- pose a refined backarc extension model. There was a wide Neotethys Ocean between the Australian and Eurasian Plates before the Indian-Eurasian collision. The ocean floorstarted to subduct northward at ~ 125 Ma, causing backarc extension along the southem margin of the Eurasian Plate and the formation of the proto-SCS. The Neotethys sub- duction regime changed due to ridge subduction in the Late Cretaceous, resulting in fold-belts, uplifting, erosion, and widespread unconformities. It may also have led to the subduction of the proto-SCS. Flat subduction of the ridge may have reached further north and resulted in another backarc extension that formed the SCS. The rollback of the fiat subducting slab might have occurred ~ 90 Ma ago; the second backarc extension may have initiated between 50 and 45 Ma. The opening of the Southwest Subbasin is roughly simultaneous with a ridge jump in the East Sub- basin, which implies major tectonic changes in the sur- rounding regions, likely related to major changes in the extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula.展开更多
An evolutionary model of sedimentary environments since late Marine Isotope Stage 3 （late MIS 3, i.e., ca. 39 cal ka BP） along the middle Jiangsu coast is presented based upon a reinterpretation of core 07SR01, new ...An evolutionary model of sedimentary environments since late Marine Isotope Stage 3 （late MIS 3, i.e., ca. 39 cal ka BP） along the middle Jiangsu coast is presented based upon a reinterpretation of core 07SR01, new correlations between adjacent published cores, and shallow seismic profiles recovered in the Xiyang tidal channel and adjacent northern sea areas. Geomorphology, sedimentology, radiocarbon dating and seismic and sequence stratigraphy are combined to confirm that environmental changes since late MIS 3 in the study area were controlled primarily by sea-level fluctuations, sediment discharge of paleo-rivers into the South Yellow Sea （SYS）, and minor tectonic subsidence, all of which impacted the progression of regional geomorphic and sedimentary environments （Le., coastal barrier island freshwater lacustrine swamp, river floodplain, coastal marsh, tidal sand ridge, and tidal channel）. This resulted in the formation of a fifth-order sequence stratigraphy, comprised of the parasequence of the late stage of the last interstadial （Para-Sq2）, including the highstand and forced regressive wedge system tracts （HST and FRWST）, and the parasequence of the postglacial period （Para-Sql）, including the transgressive and highstand system tracts （TST and HST）. The tidal sand ridges likely began to develop during the postglacial transgression as sea-level rise covered the middle Jiangsu coast at ca. 9.0 cal ka BP. These initially submerged tidal sand ridges were constantly migrating until the southward migration of the Yellow River mouth to the northern Jiangsu coast during AD 1128 to 1855. The paleo-Xiyang tidal channel that was determined by the paleo-tidal current field and significantly different from the modern one, was in existence during the Holocene transgressive maxima and lasted until AD 1128. Following the capture of the Huaihe River in AD 1128 by the Yellow River, the paleo-Xiyang tidal channel was infilled with a large amount of river-derived sediments from AD 1128 to 1855, causing the emergence of some of the previously submerged tidal sand ridges. From AD 1855 to the present, the infilled paleo-Xiyang tidal channel has undergone scouring, resulting in its modern form. The modern Xiyang tidal channel continues to widen and deepen, due both to strong tidal current scouring and anthropogenic activities.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2013CB429700)National Special Fund for the 12th Five Year Plan of COMRA (Grant Nos. DY125-12-R-02, DY125-12-R-05, DY125- 11-R-05)+2 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41325021, 40830849, 40976027)Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDA11030302)the Shandong Province Natural Science Foundation of China for Distinguished Young Scholars (Grant No. JQ200913)
文摘Sediment samples obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge were studies by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer （GC-MS） for the abundance and distributions of total fatty acids （TFAs）. Approximately 34 fatty acids were identified, with the chain-lengths ranging from C12 to C30. The total concentrations of TFAs （∑TFA） ranged from 7.15 to 30.09 μgg-l dry sediment, and ∑TFA was weakly correlated with bitumen content （R2=0.69）. The ∑TFA of samples around hydrothermal areas were significantly higher than that of samples away from hydrothermal areas, indicating intense primary production and large biomass in the hydro- thermal areas, and suggesting a close relationship between hydrothermal activity and ∑TFA of samples. The characteristics of the TFA composition in the present study are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and lacking in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the ra- tios between the concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids and ∑TFAs in samples close to the hydrothermal areas, are about 0.8, but for samples far from the hydrothermal areas, they are only about 0.5. Several fatty acids （e.g., a/iC15：0 and C16：1co7）, which are signature biomarkers for sulfur-metabolizing bacteria, show the same distribution trend as ∑TFA of samples, further highlighting the close relationship between fatty acid content and hydrothermal activity and/or hydrothermal communities. The metabolic activities of hydrothermal communities, especially those of microorganisms, are likely the main source of fatty acids in samples.
基金The National Key Basic Research Program of China under contract No.2013CB429700the National Special Fund for the 12th Five Year Plan of COMRA under contract Nos DY125-12-R-02,DY125-12-R-05 and DY125-11-R-05+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 41325021,40830849 and 40976027the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences under contract No.XDA11030302the Shandong Province Natural Science Foundation of China for Distinguished Young Scholars under contract No.JQ200913
文摘10 samples of sediments obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge were measured for the abundances and distributions of polycyclic aromatic compounds（PAHs）. The total concentrations of PAHs（∑PAHs） ranged from 2.768 to 9.826 μg/g dry sediment. The ∑PAHs was higher in sample 22V-TVG10 and sample 26V-TVG05 which were close to hydrothermal fields, with the lowest value in sample 22V-TVG14 which was farthest from hydrothermal fields, suggesting a probable hydrothermal origin of ∑PAHs of samples. Approximately nine kinds of PAHs were identified, and low molecular mass tricyclic and tetracyclic aromatic compounds were predominant in the samples. The concentrations of fluoranthene which were typical as hydrothermal alteration compounds were the highest among PAHs with dry weight between 0.913–3.157 μg/g. The phenanthrene homologue was most abundant in the samples, and the ratios between parent phenanthrene and methylphenanthrene which probably reflected the degree of hydrothermal alteration ranged from 0.097 to 1.602. The sample 22V-TVG10 possessing a maximum ratio value showed the intense influence of the hydrothermal alteration on this sample, which might further imply that PAHs in sediments were mainly derived from the hydrothermal alteration.
基金The National Basic Research Program(973 Program)of China under contract No.2013CB429700the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 41476044,41325021,41676008 and 41476010+8 种基金the Special Fund for the Taishan Scholar Program of Shandong Province under contract No.ts201511061the AoShan Talents Program supported by Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology under contract No.2015ASTP-0S17the Program for Key Basic Research of the Ministry of Science and Technology under contract No.2016YFC1401403the Foundation for Distinguished Young Teacher in Higher Education of Guangdong under contract No.Yq2014004the Guangdong Natural Science Foundation of China under contract No.2016A030312004the International Science and technology cooperation project of China under contract No.GASI-IPOVAI-04the Open Fund of the Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment,Chinese Academy of Sciences under contract No.MGE2015KG04the Open Fund of the Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences,State Oceanic Administration of China under contract No.KSLG1503the Program for Scientific Research Start-up Funds of Guangdong Ocean University under contract No.E15169
文摘Sediment samples obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge are analyzed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer（GC-MS） for the abundances and distributions of hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons in the samples exhibit a bimodal distribution of n-alkanes and are rich in 3-methylalkanes, 8-methylalkanes and 2, 4,（n-1）-trimethylalkanes, which may be the result of metabolic activity of benthic microorganism. Terpanes, hopanes and steranes are all enriched in the samples, which also support the microbial origin of hydrocarbons in samples.Bitumen and hydrocarbons in the samples show a trend that the contents are the highest in the Samples 22V-TVG10 and 26V-TVG05 collected near hydrothermal areas, and the lowest in samples 22IV-TVG01, 22V-TVG11,and 22V-TVG14 collected far from the hydrothermal areas, which suggest the possible influence on the samples by hydrothermal activity.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grants Nos.41706060,41506047,41776070,41322036,41506079)China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association Project(Grant Nos.DY135-S2-2,DY135-S22-01)Taishan Scholarship from Shandong Province。
文摘The South Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR)19°S segment,approximately located along the line of Saint Helena volcanic chain(created by Saint Helena mantle plume),is an ideal place to investigate the issue whether the ridgehotpot interaction process affected the whole MAR.In this study,we present major and trace elemental compositions and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic ratios of twenty fresh lava samples concentrated in a relatively small area in the SMAR 19°S segment.Major oxides compositions show that all samples are tholeiite.Low contents of compatible trace elements(e.g.,Ni=239-594 ppm and Cr=456-1010 ppm)and low Fe/Mn(54-67)and Ce/Yb(0.65-1.5)ratios of these lavas show that their parental magmas are partially melted by a spinel lherzolite mantle source.Using software PRIMELT3,this study obtained mantle potential temperatures(Tp)beneath the segment of1321-1348℃,which is lower relative to those ridges influenced by mantle plumes.The asthenospheric mantle beneath the SMAR 19°S segment starts melting at a depth of^63 km and ceases melting at^43 km with a final melting temperature of^1265℃.The extent of partial melting is up to 16%-17.6%with an average adiabatic decompression value of 2.6%/kbar.The correlations of major oxides(CaO/Al2 O3)and trace elements(Cr,Co,V)with MgO and Zr show that the parental magma experienced olivine and plagioclase fractional crystallization during its ascent to the surface.87Sr/86Sr(0.702398-0.702996),143 Nd/144 Nd(0.513017-0.513177)and 206Pb/204Pb(18.444-19.477)ratios of these lavas indicate the mantle source beneath the SMAR 19°S segment is composed of a three-component mixture of depleted MORB mantle,PREMA mantle,and HIMU mantle materials.The simple,binary mixing results among components from plume-free SMAR MORB,Saint Helena plume and Tristan plume show that asthenospheric mantle beneath the SMAR 19°S segment may be polluted by both Saint Helena and Tristan plume enriched materials.The abovementioned mantle potential temperatures,together with the low Saint Helena(<10%)and Tristan(<5%)components remaining in the asthenospheric mantle at present,show that the physically ridge-hotspot interactions at SMAR 19°S segment may have ceased.However,the trace element and SrNd-Pb isotopically binary mixing calculation results imply that these lavas tapped some enriched pockets left when Saint Helena and/or Tristan plume were once on the SMAR during earlier Atlantic rifted history.
基金Supported by the China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association Project(Nos.DY135-S2-2-03,DY135-S2-2-01)。
文摘Clay minerals are usually considered as important indicators to identify sources in both terrigenous and marine sediments.In particular,clay minerals in metalliferous sediments(MS)have long been studied in global oceans except in South Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR)due to limited explorations.Thus,32 MS and 34 non-MS(NMS)samples were analyzed to clarify the distribution characteristics and mineral compositions of clay minerals.All the sediments were collected along the SMAR between 12°S and 27°S.After removal of organic matter and carbonate,clay fractions(<2μm)were investigated by Xray diffraction(XRD)analysis.Results show that clay mineral assemblages of surface MS consist dominantly of smectite,less abundant illite,chlorite,and kaolinite in average weight percentage of 30%,21%,18%,and 16%,respectively.On the other hand,clay mineral assemblages in the NMS consist mainly of illite,less abundant kaolinite,chlorite,and very scarce smectite in average weight percentage of 47%,29%,24%,and 0.2%,respectively.The clay fractions in MS are mainly composed of amorphous or poorly crystallized Fe/Mn oxyhydroxides,clay mineral,quartz,and plagioclase.However,the counterparts in the NMS are mainly composed of well-crystallized clay minerals,quartz,and plagioclase without the presence of Fe/Mn oxyhydroxides.It is suggested that most of the illite,kaolinite,and chlorite in both MS and NMS are likely aeolian dust in origin from South Africa continent.In addition,the abundance of kaolinite dominates the clay mineral assemblage at low latitudes,where the intensive chemical weathering of continental source rocks facilitating the formation of kaolinite.In terms of smectite,it is indicated of authigenic origin in consideration of only smectite is available in several MS and the absence in NMS.Moreover,the MS samples with only smectite available are always accompanied by goethite.Therefore,it is assumed that most of smectite occurred in studied area is the results of interaction between hydrothermal Fe-oxyhydroxide,silica,and seawater.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (No.2013CB429702)the National Oceanic Major Project of the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (No.DY125-11-R-05)
文摘In this study, geochemical compositions of elements in sulfide samples collected from the Deyin-1 hydrothermal field near the 15?S southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR) were analyzed by the X-ray fluorescence spectrometry(XRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) to examine the enrichment regulations of ore-forming elements and hydrothermal mineralization. These sulfide precipitates can be classified macroscopically into three types: Fe-rich sulfide, Fe-Cu-rich sulfide and Fe-Zn-rich sulfide, and are characterized by the enrichment of base metal elements along with a sequence of Fe>Zn>Cu. Compared with sulfides from other hydrothermal fields on MAR, Zn concentrations of sulfides in the research area are significantly high, while Cu concentrations are relatively low. For all major, trace or rare-earth elements(REE), their concentrations and related characteristic parameters exhibit significant variations(up to one or two orders of magnitude), which indicates the sulfides from different hydrothermal vents or even a same station were formed at different stages of hydrothermal mineralization, and suggests the variations of chemical compositions of the hydrothermal fluid with respect to time. The hydrothermal temperatures of sulfides precipitation decreased gradually from station TVG10(st.TVG10) to st.TVG12, and to st.TVG11, indicating that the precipitation of hydrothermal sulfides is subjected to conditions changed from high temperature to low temperature, and that the hydrothermal activity of study area was at the late stage of a general trend of evolution from strong to weak. The abnormally low concentrations of REE in sulfides and their similar chondrite-normalized REE patterns show that REEs in all sulfides were derived from a same source, but underwent different processes of migration or enrichment, or sulfides were formed at different stages of hydrothermal mineralization. The sulfides collected from the active hydrothermal vent were mainly attributed to precipitating directly from the hydrothermal fluid, while those collected from the extinct hydrothermal chimney might have already been altered by the seawater. Generally, ore-forming elements in the sulfides can be divided into three groups: Fe-based element group, Cu-based element group and Zn-based element group. The first group includes Fe, Mn, Cr, Mo, Sn, Rb and bio-enriching elements, such as P and Si, reflecting the similar characteristics to Fe in the study area. And the second group contains Cu, W, Co, Se, Te and Bi, suggesting the similar behavior with Cu. Moreover, the third group includes Zn, Hf, Hg, Cd, Ta, Ga, Pb, As, Ag, Ni and Sb, which indicates the geochemical characteristics of most dispersed trace elements controlled by Zn-bearing minerals to some extent.
基金The National Basic Research Program(973 Program)of China under contract No.2013CB429702the National Oceanic Major Project of 12th Five Year under contract No.DY125-11-R-05
文摘A seafloor hydrothermal field, named Deyin-1 later, near 15°S southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge（SMAR） was newly found during the 22 nd cruise carried out by the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research ＆ Development Association（COMRA）. Sulfide samples were collected at three stations from the hydrothermal field during the26 th cruise in 2012. In this paper, mineralogical characteristics of the sulfides were analyzed with optical microscope, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope and electron microprobe to study the crystallization sequence of minerals and the process of hydrothermal mineralization. According to the difference of the ore-forming metal elements, the sulfide samples can be divided into three types：（1） the Ferich sulfide, which contains mainly pyrite and chalcopyrite;（2） the Fe-Cu-rich sulfide consisting predominantly of pyrite, chalcopyrite and isocubanite, with lesser amount of sphalerite, marmatite and pyrrhotine; and（3） the Fe-Zn-rich sulfide dominated by pyrite, sphalerite and marmatite, with variable amounts of chalcopyrite, isocubanite, pyrrhotine, marcasite, galena and gratonite. Mineral precipitations in these sulfides are in the sequence of chalcopyrite（isocubanite and possible coarse pyrite）, fine pyrite,sphalerite（marmatite）, galena, gratonite and then the minerals out of the dissolution. Two morphologically distinct generations（Py-I and Py-II） of pyrite are identified in each of the samples; inclusions of marmatite tend to exist in the coarse pyrite crystals（Py-I）. Sphalerite in the Fe-Zn-rich sulfide is characterized by a＂chalcopyrite disease＂ phenomenon. Mineral paragenetic relationships and a wide range of chemical compositions suggest that the environment of hydrothermal mineralization was largely changing. By comparison, the Fe-rich sulfide was formed in a relatively stable environment with a high temperature, but the conditions for the formation of the Fe-Cu-rich sulfide were variable. The Fe-Zn-rich sulfide was precipitated during the hydrothermal venting at relatively low temperature.
基金Supported by the China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association(No.DY135-S2-2)the Basic Scientific Fund for National Public Research Institutes of China(No.2021Q01)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42106080,42006180,42276080)。
文摘The hydrothermal signatures of mid-ocean ridge sediments are crucial geochemical data providing insights into investigating hydrothermal anomalies and locating seafloor massive sulfide deposits.This paper outlines the geochemical features of 24 surface sediments and one sediment core(26 V-GC 01,294 cm)along the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR)from 18°S to 22°S,an area where hydrothermal active fields have yet to be discovered.The surface sediments mainly consist of biogenic carbonates,aluminosilicates,and hydrothermal Fe-Mn(oxy)oxides.The core sediments primarily comprise organic matter,detrital materials,hydrothermal components,and substances scavenged from seawater.The rare Earth element(REE)patterns suggest the presence of hydrothermal contributions within the surface and core sediments.The enrichment factors for Fe,Mn,Cu,and Zn in surface sediments suggest these metals are concentrated at the 19°S,21°S,and 21.5°S segments,further indicating their potential as hydrothermal active fields.Downcore variations of Fe,Mn,P,Cu,Pb,V,and Co suggest at least six episodes of hydrothermal activity.The impact of hydrothermal processes on the sediments from SMAR 18°S to 22°S indicates that the study area has the potential to host a significant number of hydrothermal active fields.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42106080)the Laboratory for Marine Geology+2 种基金China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association Project(No.DY135-S2-2-03)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(No.ZR2020QD074)the Talents Research Start-up Funding Project of Ludong University。
文摘Six hydrothermal sediment samples were collected from the Xunmei and Tongguan hydrothermal fields along the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the China Ocean Cruise DY46 in 2017.Sulfides and oxides in the samples were separated,and Cu and Zn isotope compositions were analyzed.Results show that the ranges ofδ^(65)Cu values of the bulk sediments,sulfides,and oxides were 0.36‰-2.46‰,-0.21‰-1.10‰,and 0.68‰-1.52‰,respectively.Theδ^(65)Cu values of sulfides in four samples(46II-14,46II-30,46III-06,and 46II-09)were relatively low(-0.21‰-0.50‰),corresponding to theδ^(65)Cu values of sulfides from inactive old hydrothermal chimneys in northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge(n MAR),suggesting that the sulfides in the sediments were originated from collapsed dead chimney mainly.While theδ^(65)Cu values of the other two samples(46III-02 and 46III-08)were relatively high(1.10‰-0.96‰),corresponding to theδ^(65)Cu values for active hydrothermal chimneys sulfides in n MAR,which indicated that the sulfides in these two samples might mainly come from sulfide particles settled from active hydrothermal plume.Because of the high density of sulfide particles,they tended to settle near the hydrothermal vents first.Therefore,highδ^(65)Cu values of sulfides in 46III-02 and 46III-08 implied that undiscovered active hydrothermal vents near the sampling positions of 46III-02 in the Xunmei hydrothermal field and 46III-08 in the Tongguan hydrothermal field.Theδ^(66)Zn values of hydrothermal sediments and sulfides ranged 0.11‰-0.43‰and 0.29‰-0.67‰,respectively.In the four samples from the Xunmei hydrothermal field,a positive correlation was found between the distance of the sampling position from sulfide mineralized spot and the Zn isotopic ratio,showing that the greater the distance from the mineralized spot,the heavier the Zn isotope composition as seen in two samples(46II-30 and 46II-14)of the Xunmei-3 spot.This result aligned with the findings of Wilkinson et al.(2005)and Baumgartner et al.(2023),suggesting that the lower the Zn isotope composition,the closer it is to the hydrothermal vent.However,in the Xunmei hydrothermal field,the Zn isotope composition in the other two samples(46III-02and 46III-06)showed the opposite trend.This indicated that there might be an active hydrothermal vent near the sampling location of sample 46III-02.This observation aligned with the Cu isotope analysis results.This study showed that Cu-Zn isotopes are good indicators for understanding the formation mechanisms of hydrothermal sediments and for locating active hydrothermal vents.
基金financially supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.B210202031)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41606042)。
文摘A coupled tide-surge-wave model was established to analyze the impacts of radial sand ridges on storm surges in the South Yellow Sea.Numerical topography experiments were designed on the basis of multiple well-verified types of extreme weather events.The findings demonstrated that the radial sand ridges(RSRs)generally enhanced tidal levels,current velocities,and significant wave heights in the affected area.The nonlinear effects of shallow water in the radial sand ridge area can induce large tide ranges.A unique seabed can cause an increase in current speed from the open sea to the nearshore.Another impact is that subaqueous ridges can result in shallow water conditions,and the degree of depth-induced wave breaking significantly varies.Compared with those in the northern and southern radial sand ridge areas,the tidal levels,current speeds,and wave heights in the middle radial sand ridge area were the highest,which can cause more severe storm surge disasters.Additionally,the wave radiation stress varied obviously under the action of fan-shaped sand ridges.Thus,it is necessary to consider wave-current interactions when modeling storm surges in sand ridges.
基金The Fund of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory(Guangzhou)under contract No.GML2019ZD0205the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 42006055,41704049,41890813,41976066,and 41976064+3 种基金The Fund of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology,Tongji University under contract No.MGK202011the Scholarship of China Scholarship Councilthe Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences under contract Nos Y4SL021001,QYZDYSSW-DQC005,131551KYSB20200021,133244KYSB20180029,and ISEE2021PY03the International Conference Communication Fund for Graduate Students,Tongji University.
文摘Seismicity in ocean ridge-transform systems reveals fundamental processes of mid-ocean ridges,while comparisons of seismicity in different oceans remain rare due to a lack of detection of small events.From 1996 to 2003,the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA/PMEL)deployed several hydrophones in the eastern Pacific Ocean and the northern Atlantic Ocean.These hydrophones recorded earthquakes with small magnitudes,providing us with opportunities to study the seismic characteristics of ridge-transform systems at different spreading rates and make further comparisons of their differences.This study comparatively analyzed hydroacoustic and teleseismic data recorded on the fast-spreading East Pacific Rise(EPR,10°S to 12°N),intermediate-spreading Galapagos Ridge(103°W to 80°W),and slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge(MAR,15°N to 37°N).We present a systematic study of the spatial and temporal distribution of events,aftershock seismicity,and possible triggering mechanisms of aftershock sequences.Our analysis yields the following conclusions.(1)From the hydroacoustic data,the EPR transform faults had the highest average seismicity rate among the three regions.(2)Along-ridge event distributions show that a high number of earthquakes were concentrated on the EPR,while they became dispersed on the GR and fewer and more scattered on the MAR,reflecting that the different tectonic origins were closely correlated with the spreading rate.(3)Analysis from mainshock-aftershock sequences shows no significant differences in the aftershock decay rate among the three regions.(4)Multiple types of aftershock triggering models were inferred from Coulomb stress changes:strike-slip mainshocks triggered strike-slip aftershocks and normal faulting aftershocks,and normal faulting mainshocks triggered normal faulting aftershocks.Although these results are case studies,they may be applicable to other ocean ridge-transform systems in future investigations.Our results provide important new insights into the seismicity of global ocean ridge-transform systems.
基金The National Basic Research Program of China under contract No.2012CB417305China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association(COMRA)Project under contract No.DY125-11Endowment Fund of International Seabed Authority (International Cooperative Study on Hydrothermal System at Ultraslow Spreading SWIR)
文摘According to the exploration contract about polymetallic sulfides in the SWIR （Southwest Indian Ridge） signed by China with the International Seabed Authority, to delineate sulfide minerals and estimate resource quantity are urgent tasks. We independently developed our first coincident loop Transient Electromagnetic Method （TEM） device in 2010, and gained the TEM data for seafloor sulfide at South Atlantic Ridge 13.2°S in June 2011. In contrast with the widely applied CSEM （Marine controlled-source electromagnetic） method, whose goal is to explore hydrocarbons （oil/gas） of higher resistivity than seawater from 102 to 103 m below the sea floor, the TEM is for low resistivity minerals, and the target depth is from 0 to 100 m below the sea floor. Based on the development of complex sulfide geoelectrial models, this paper analyzed the TEM data obtained, proposing a new method for seafloor sulfide detection. We present the preliminary trial results, in the form of apparent resistivity sections for both half-space and full-space conditions. The results cor- respond well with the observations of the actual hydrothermal vent area, and the detection depth reached 50-100m below the bed, which verified the capability of the equipment.
基金supported by the Ph.D. Programs Foundation of the Ministry of Education of China (Grant No.20070294026)
文摘According to a deformed mild-slope equation derived by Guang-wen Hong and an enhanced numerical method, a wave refraction-diffraction nonlinear mathematical model that takes tidal level change and the high-order bathymetry factor into account has been developed. The deformed mild-slope equation is used to eliminate the restriction of wave length on calculation steps. Using the hard disk to record data during the calculation process, the enhanced numerical method can save computer memory space to a certain extent, so that a large-scale sea area can be calculated with high-resolution grids. This model was applied to wave field integral calculation over a radial sand ridge field in the South Yellow Sea. The results demonstrate some features of the wave field： （1） the wave-height contour lines are arc-shaped near the shore; （2） waves break many times when they propagate toward the shore; （3） wave field characteristics on the northern and southern sides of Huangshayang are different; and （4） the characteristics of wave distribution match the terrain features. The application of this model in the region of the radial sand ridge field suggests that it is a feasible way to analyze wave refraction-diffraction effects under natural sea conditions.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants No.91328205, 41376062 and 41206039)the Laboratory for Marine Geology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (grant No.MGQNLMKF201708)726 Plan (grant No.GZH201100205)
文摘Objective The development of continental rifting and seafloor spreading can be predominated by magmatic upwelling （magma-rich） or tectonic stretching （magma-poor）. Located in the terminal portion of propagating seafloor spreading of the South China Sea （SCS）, the southwestern mid-ridge of the southwest sub-basin （SWSB） of the SCS was found with much thin crust and numerous faulted blocks coupling with magma-poor continental margins along its flanks. Therefore, the southwestern part of the SWSB is most likely to be a tectonic-dominated basin. To justify the hypothesis with further evidence, we investigated the nature of seamounts on the southwestern mid-ridge of the SWSB which may inherit seafloor spreading.
基金The Basic Scientific Fund for National Public Research Institutes of China under contract No.2015G07the National Programme on Global Change and Air-Sea Interaction under contract Nos GASI-GEOGE-02+4 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 41506079,41576052,41506068,41322036 and 41776070the AoShan Talents Program Supported by Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology under contract No.2015ASTP-ES16the Taishan Scholarship from Shandong Provincethe Research Grant of State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry,Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry,Chinese Academy of Sciences under contract No.SKLIG-KF-14-03the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation under contract No.2016M592120
文摘Mid-ocean ridge basalts(MORBs) are characterized by large variations in trace element compositions and isotopic ratios, which are difficult to be interpreted solely by using magmatic process such as partial melting of a peridotitic mantle and subsequently fractional crystallization. Geochemical diversity of MORBs have been attributed to large-scale heterogeneity within the underlying mantle, and the heterogeneity might have been caused by addition of recycled crustal component, subcontinental lithosphere, metasomatized lithosphere and outer core contribution. In this study, we investigated the MORBs along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge(MAR) by estimating the temperature and pressure of partial melting, and comprehensively comparing trace element and isotope ratios. The data for MORBs from areas close to mantle plumes show large variations. Mantle plumes can affect mid-oceanic ridges 1 400 km away, but plume effects did not cover all of the ridge segments, and those segments without plume effects did not have any abnormalities in temperature, trace element or isotope ratios.We ascribed the above phenomena to result from the shapes of the plume flow, which we categorized as "pipelike channels" and "pancake-like channels". The "pancake-like channels" plumes affected the ambient mantle nondirectionally, but the range of the mantle affected by the "pipe-like channels" plumes were selective. Element ratios of MORBs reveal that the mantle source of the MORBs along the MAR is highly heterogeneous. We suggest that most of source heterogeneities of the MORBs may be due to the presence of subducted slab and delaminated lower crust in the source. In addition, the plume that carried materials from the core-mantle boundary may affect some of the segments.
基金funded by the National Key R & D Program of China(No.2016YFE0203000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41673018)+1 种基金conducted under state contract(Institute of Precambrian Geology and Geochronology of Russian Academy of Sciences)(No.FMNU-2022-0005)supported by the state assignment project of IGM SB RAS。
文摘Over the past two decades, a significant number of discoveries of ancient zircon xenocrysts in ocean-floor magmatic rocks have been reported. These findings provide compelling evidence for the presence of ancient continental crust within young oceanic lithosphere. Almost all finds of ancient zircon xenocrysts within oceanic crust are from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. For other localities, however, similar data are very limited. This report presents the first age determinations(U-Pb, SHRIMPII) and isotope-geochemical data(oxygen, trace and rare earth elements) for zircon xenocrysts from gabbro-diorites of the Shaka Ridge, in the vicinity of the Shaka fracture zone, near the western end of the Southwest Indian Ridge. The work is based on a study of bottom rock material dredged during expeditionary research on the R/V"Akademik Fedorov"(Russia) in 2016. The U-Pb isotope system of the zircon xenocrysts recorded a crystallization age of ~2.8 Ga at an upper discordia intercept and an age of ~600 Ma interpreted as the timing of a superimposed thermal event at a lower discordia intercept.The zircon xenocrysts show geochemical signatures of magmatic origin, i.e., fractionated REE distribution spectra with an increase in chondrite-normalized values from light to heavy REE, positive Ce anomalies and negative Eu anomalies, and high Th/U ratios(0.59-7.77). In discrimination diagrams based on a series of inter-element relationships, zircon compositions fall into the fields of zircons from rocks of continental crust, mostly granitoids. The Li content of the zircons is high(1.8 ppm-50 ppm),adding further evidence to their derivation from rocks of continental crust. During their residence within young oceanic crust, the zircon xenocrysts experienced alterations under the influence of submarine high-temperature hydrothermal fluids, which selectively affected the distribution of trace elements in the zircons and reduced the δ;O values to 1.75‰-3.15‰. The presence of obviously older zircons in Shaka gabbro-diorites clearly demonstrates the presence of ancient continental fragments and their recycling into the mantle at the western end of the Southwest Indian Ridge.
基金supported by the grant of China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association(DY135-S2-1-01)
文摘Fracture-fissure systems found at mid-ocean ridges are dominating conduits for the circulation of metallogenic fluid.Ascertaining the distribution area of active faults on both sides of mid-ocean ridges will provide a useful tool in the search for potential hydrothermal vents,thus guiding the exploration of modern seafloor sulfides.Considering the MidAtlantic Ridge 20°N–24°N(NMAR)and North Chile Rise(NCR)as examples,fault elements such as Fault Spacing(?S)and Fault Heave(?X)can be identified and quantitatively measured.The methods used include Fourier filtering of the multi-beam bathymetry data,in combination with measurements of the topographic slope,curvature,and slope aspect patterns.According to the Sequential Faulting Model of mid-ocean ridges,the maximal migration distance of an active fault on either side of mid-ocean ridges—that is,the distribution range of active faults—can be measured.Results show that the maximal migration distance of active faults at the NMAR is 0.76–1.01 km(the distance is larger at the center than at the ends of this segment),and at the NCR,the distribution range of active faults is 0.38–1.6 km.The migration distance of active faults on the two study areas is positively related to the axial variation of magma supply.In the NCR study area,where there is an abundant magma input,the number of faults within a certain distance is mainly affected by the variation of lithospheric thickness.Here a large range of faulting clearly corresponds to a high proportion of magmatism to seafloor spreading near mid-ocean ridges(M)value,and in the study area of the NMAR,there is insufficient magmatism,and the number of faults may be controlled by both lithospheric thickness and magma supply,leading to a less obvious positive correlation between the distribution range of active faults and M.
基金supported by the NSFC(No.91328204,41421062)the Chinese Academy of Sciences(KZCX1-YW-15)
文摘Different models have been proposed for the formation and tectonic evolution of the South China Sea （SCS）, including extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, backarc extension, two-stage opening, proto-SCS dragging, extension induced by a mantle plume, and integrated models that combine diverse factors. Among these, the extrusion model has gained the most attention. Based on simplified physical experiments, this model proposes that collision between the Indian and Eurasian Plates resulted in extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, which in turn led to opening of the SCS. The extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, however, should have led to preferential open- ing in the west side of the SCS, which is contrary to observations. Extensional models propose that the SCS was a backarc basin, rifted off the South China Block. Most of the backarc extension models, however, are not compatible with observations in terms of either age or subduction direction. The two-stage extension model is based on extensional basins surrounding the SCS. Recent dating results indeed show two-stage opening in the SCS, but the Southwest Subbasin of the SCS is much younger, which contradicts the two-stage extension model. Here we pro- pose a refined backarc extension model. There was a wide Neotethys Ocean between the Australian and Eurasian Plates before the Indian-Eurasian collision. The ocean floorstarted to subduct northward at ~ 125 Ma, causing backarc extension along the southem margin of the Eurasian Plate and the formation of the proto-SCS. The Neotethys sub- duction regime changed due to ridge subduction in the Late Cretaceous, resulting in fold-belts, uplifting, erosion, and widespread unconformities. It may also have led to the subduction of the proto-SCS. Flat subduction of the ridge may have reached further north and resulted in another backarc extension that formed the SCS. The rollback of the fiat subducting slab might have occurred ~ 90 Ma ago; the second backarc extension may have initiated between 50 and 45 Ma. The opening of the Southwest Subbasin is roughly simultaneous with a ridge jump in the East Sub- basin, which implies major tectonic changes in the sur- rounding regions, likely related to major changes in the extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula.
基金National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program),No.2013CB956500National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.40776023 & 40872107+3 种基金Comprehensive Investigation and Assessment in Jiangsu Offshore Area,Nos.JS-908-01-05&JS-908-01-101Special Fund for Marine Scientific Research in the Public Interest,No.201005006Special Fund for Land and Resources Research in the Public Interest,No.201011019China State-Sponsored Postgraduate Study Aboard Program,No.2011619035
文摘An evolutionary model of sedimentary environments since late Marine Isotope Stage 3 （late MIS 3, i.e., ca. 39 cal ka BP） along the middle Jiangsu coast is presented based upon a reinterpretation of core 07SR01, new correlations between adjacent published cores, and shallow seismic profiles recovered in the Xiyang tidal channel and adjacent northern sea areas. Geomorphology, sedimentology, radiocarbon dating and seismic and sequence stratigraphy are combined to confirm that environmental changes since late MIS 3 in the study area were controlled primarily by sea-level fluctuations, sediment discharge of paleo-rivers into the South Yellow Sea （SYS）, and minor tectonic subsidence, all of which impacted the progression of regional geomorphic and sedimentary environments （Le., coastal barrier island freshwater lacustrine swamp, river floodplain, coastal marsh, tidal sand ridge, and tidal channel）. This resulted in the formation of a fifth-order sequence stratigraphy, comprised of the parasequence of the late stage of the last interstadial （Para-Sq2）, including the highstand and forced regressive wedge system tracts （HST and FRWST）, and the parasequence of the postglacial period （Para-Sql）, including the transgressive and highstand system tracts （TST and HST）. The tidal sand ridges likely began to develop during the postglacial transgression as sea-level rise covered the middle Jiangsu coast at ca. 9.0 cal ka BP. These initially submerged tidal sand ridges were constantly migrating until the southward migration of the Yellow River mouth to the northern Jiangsu coast during AD 1128 to 1855. The paleo-Xiyang tidal channel that was determined by the paleo-tidal current field and significantly different from the modern one, was in existence during the Holocene transgressive maxima and lasted until AD 1128. Following the capture of the Huaihe River in AD 1128 by the Yellow River, the paleo-Xiyang tidal channel was infilled with a large amount of river-derived sediments from AD 1128 to 1855, causing the emergence of some of the previously submerged tidal sand ridges. From AD 1855 to the present, the infilled paleo-Xiyang tidal channel has undergone scouring, resulting in its modern form. The modern Xiyang tidal channel continues to widen and deepen, due both to strong tidal current scouring and anthropogenic activities.
