Geochemical characteristics of platinum-group elements in polymetallic nodules from the Northwest Pacific Ocean

Polymetallic nodules and cobalt (Co)-rich crusts are enriched in platinum-group elements (PGEs),especially platinum (Pt) and may be important sinks of PGEs.At present,little information is available on PGEs in polymetallic nodules,and their geochemical characteristics and the causes of PGEs enrichment are unclear.Here PGEs of polymetallic nodules from abyssal basin in the Marcus-Wake Seamount area of the Northwest Pacific Ocean are reported and compared with the published PGEs data of polymetallic nodules and Co-rich crusts in the Pacific.The total PGEs (ΣPGE) content of polymetallic nodules in study area is 258×10^–9) in average,markedly higher than that of Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) nodules (ΣPGE=127×10^–9) and lower than that of Co-rich crusts in the Marcus-Wake Seamount (ΣPGE=653×10^–9),similar to that of Co-rich crusts in the South China Sea(ΣPGE=252×10^~–9).The CI chondrite-normalized PGEs patterns in different regions of polymetallic nodules and cobalt-rich crusts are highly consistent,with all being characterized by positive Pt and negative Pd anomalies These results,together with those of previous studies,indicate that PGEs in polymetallic nodules and Co-rich crusts are mainly derived directly from seawater.Pt contents of polymetallic nodules from the study area are negatively correlated with water depth,and Pt/ΣPGE ratios in nodules there are also lower than those of the Corich crusts in the adjacent area,indicating that sedimentary water depth and oxygen fugacity of ambient seawater are the possible important controlling factors for Pt accumulation in crusts and nodules.

Evolution and diagenetic implications of framboids in the methane-related carbonates of the northern Okinawa Trough

Authigenic carbonate samples were collected from the northern Okinawa Trough.Based on their carbon and oxygen isotopes,these samples were found to be methane-related carbonates precipitated by the anaerobic oxidation of methane(AOM).Petrological analysis revealed numerous framboidal pyrites that had been partly oxidized.In order to trace the variation and diagenetic information of these framboidal pyrites,their diameters and geochemical components were studied using an electron probe.The results showed that their diameters varied from 4μm to 17μm(n=60;geometric mean of 9.9μm)and were of a normal distribution.The diameters of single pyrite that formed the framboidal pyrites varied from 1μm to 2μm.The framboidal pyrites with diameters of 6–14μm accounted for~80%of the total.The geometric mean of 9.9μm indicates that they are probably diagenetic pyrites that were precipitated in a lower dysoxic environment(weakly oxygenated bottom waters).The S/Fe ratio of the framboidal minerals ranged from 0 to 1.67,and the pyrite content of single framboid varied between 0%and 86.4%.Therefore,numerous pyrites were oxygenated to iron oxides or oxyhydroxides,and were retained as pseudomorphism pyrites.The size of framboidal pyrites precipitated in cold seeps can be used to trace the redox environment;however,acquisition of additional data via investigation of different cold seeps is necessary to obtain more persuasive results.

Petrology and geochemistry of cold seep carbonates from the northern Okinawa Trough,East China Sea:implications to early diagenesis

Carbonate samples were collected from the northern Okinawa Trough in the East China Sea in 2013.The petrology,mineralogy,carbon and oxygen isotopes,and rare earth elements(REEs)of these samples were analyzed.Aragonite,high-Mg calcite,and dolomite were the main carbonate minerals,the contents of which varied greatly among the carbonate samples.Petrological observations revealed the common occurrence of framboidal pyrites.Theδ^(13)C values of carbonates varied from-53.7‰to-39.3‰(average of-47.3‰based on Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite(V-PDB),n=9),and theδ^(18)O values ranged from 0.6‰to 3.4‰(average of 1.9‰;V-PDB,n=9).The carbon and oxygen isotope characteristics indicated that the carbonates precipitated during the anaerobic oxidation of methane.The carbon source was a mixture of thermogenic methane and biogenic methane,possibly with a greater contribution from the former.The oxygen isotope data showed that gas hydrate dissociation occurred during carbonate precipitation.The Ce anomalies suggested that the carbonates precipitated in an anoxic environment.A slight enrichment of middle REEs(MREEs)could be attributable to the early diagenesis.The structures,minerals,oxygen isotopes,and MREEs all indicated that the carbonates experienced some degree of early diagenesis.Therefore,the infl uence of early diagenesis should be considered when using geological and geochemical proxies to reconstruct original methane seepage environments.