Record of hydrothermal activity in the Yuhuang hydrothermal field and its implications for the Southwest Indian Ridge:evidence from sulfide chronology

The Yuhuang hydrothermal field(YHF)is located between the Indomed and Gallieni fracture zones near the top of the off-axis slope on the south rift wall of Segment 29 on the ultraslow Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR).Previous studies have shown that sulfides in the YHF formed during different mineralization episodes and the YHF has the greatest potential for the formation of large-scale seafloor massive sulfide deposits.However,the sulfide chronology and hydrothermal activity of the YHF remain poorly constrained.In this study,mineralogical analyses and 230Th/U dating were performed.Hydrothermal activity may start about(35.9±2.3)ka from the southwest part of the YHF and may cease about(708±81)a ago from the northeast part of the YHF.The 74 nonzero chronological data from hydrothermal sulfide samples provide the first quantitative characterization of the spatial and temporal history along the SWIR.Hydrothermal activity in the SWIR has been relatively active over the past20 ka.In contrast,between 40 ka and 100 ka,hydrothermal activity was relatively infrequently and short in duration.The maximum activity occurred at 15–11 ka,9–7 ka,6–0.2 ka.There was a slight positive correlation between the maximal age and estimated surface area or estimated tonnage.The minimum mass accumulation rate of YHF is about 278 t/a,which is higher than most HFs related to ultramafic systems.The ultraslow spreading SWIR has the greatest potential to form large-scale seafloor massive sulfides(SMS)deposits.The results of this study provide new insights into the metallogenic mechanism of hydrothermal sulfides along ultraslow-spreading ridges.

The morphotectonics and its evolutionary dynamics of the central Southwest Indian Ridge (49° to 51°E)

The morphotectonic features and their evolution of the central Southwest Indian Ridge （SWIR） are dis- cussed on the base of the high-resolution flfll-coverage bathyraetric data on the ridge between 49°-51°E. A comparative analysis of the topographic features of the axial and flank area indicates that the axial topogra- phy is alternated by the ridge and trough with en echelon pattern and evolved under a spatial-temporal mi- gration especially in 49°-50.17°E. It is probably due to the undulation at the top of the mantle asthenosphere, which is propagating with the mantle flow. From 50.17° to 50.7°E, is a topographical high terrain with a crust much thicker than the global average of the oceanic crust thickness. Its origin should be independent of the spreading mechanism of ultra-slow spreading ridges. The large numbers of volcanoes in this area indicate robust magmatic activity and may be related to the Crozet hot spot according to RMBA （residual mantle Bouguer anomaly）. The different geomorphological feature between the north and south flanks of the ridge indicates an asymmetric spreading, and leading to the development of the OCC （oceanic core complex）. The tectonic activity of the south frank is stronger than the north and is favorable to develop the OCC. The first found active hydrothermal vent in the SWIR at 37°47＇S, 49°39＇E is thought to be associated with the detach- ment fault related to the OCC.

The occurrence of gold in hydrothermal sulfide at Southwest Indian Ridge 49.6°E

Massive sulfide precipitates found in the Southwest Indian Ridge （SWIR） 49.6°E hydrothermal field are enriched in gold. Here, the mineralogy and mineral chemistry of these massive sulfides to constrain the process of gold precipitation were studied. Sulfide samples in this field include lower- temperature Zn-rich sulfides and relative higher-temperature Fe-rich sulfides. Zn-rich sulfides are dominated by sphalerite-pyrite-chalcopyrite assemblages, with concentrations of gold ranging from 9.08 to 17.0 μg/g. Fe-rich sulfides consist mainly of pyrite-marcasite-isocubanite assemblages, with gold concentrations from 2.17 to 3.79 μg/g. The significant enrichment in gold within the lower- temperature Zn-rich sulfides and the effective separation of Zn and Fe in hydrothermal precipitates at the surface of this field are here interpreted to reflect the strong temperature dependence of gold transportation and deposition within the sulfides. In Zn-rich samples, large amounts of isolated native gold grains were identified. They were found mainly as inclusions up to 8 μm in diameter, occupying porous cavities in sphalerite or in the elevated iron content rim of sphalerite. The fineness of the gold ranged from 810 to 830. Unlike previously published results on other hydrothermal fields, these data show a low gold fineness values in SWIR 49.6°E. The FeS content of sphalerite associated with gold grains ranged from 3.2 mole % to 18.9 mole %. This was higher than in other fields, indicating that the sulfur activity is relatively low during the gold precipitation process and that sulfur activity may be one of the main factors affecting gold fineness in the SWIR 49.6°E hydrothermal field. Evidence regarding gold fineness and sulfur activity suggests that gold was quite likely transported as AuHS° rather than as a Au（HS）2- complex.

Component characteristics of organic matter in hydrothermal barnacle shells from Southwest Indian Ridge

In 2008-2009, hydrothermal barnacle and sediment samples were collected from the Southwest Indian Ridge during a survey of the China Ocean Mineral Resources R＆D Association （COMRA）. Samples were ana- lyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer （GC-MS）, revealing the main organic constituents of hy- drothermal barnacle and sediment to be fatty acids and alkylbenzenes. N-alkanes which possessed obvious even carbon advantage were also detected in hydrothermal sediment. The high concentrations of aromatic compounds might be the result of macromolecular thermal alteration. Microorganism in the submarine hydrothermal ecosystem, especially those related to sulfur metabolism, might be the source of the high con- centrations of fatty acids detected in these samples. In high temperature and high pressure hydrothermal environments, n-alkanes which possessed obvious even carbon advantage might originate from thermal alteration of carboxylic acids and other lipid compounds.

Newly discovered hydrothermal fields along the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge around 63°E

The ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge （SWIR） to the east of the Melville fracture zone is characterized by very low melt supply and intensive tectonic activity. Due to its weak thermal budget and extremely slow spreading rate, the easternmost SWIR was considered to be devoid of hydrothermal activity until the discovery of the inactive Mt. lourdanne hydrothermal field （27°51＇S, 63°56＇E） in 1998. During the COMRA DYl15-20 cruise in 2009, two additional hydrothermal fields （i.e., the Tiancheng （27°51＇S, 63°55＇E） and Tianzuo （27°57＇S, 63°32＇E） fields） were discovered. Further detailed investigations of these two hydrothermal sites were conducted by Chinese manned submersible liaolong in 2014-2015. The Tiancheng filed can he characterized as a low- temperature （up to 13.2℃） diffuse flow hydrothermal field, and is hosted by fractured basalts with hydrothermal fauna widespread on the seafloor. The Tianzuo hydrothermal field is an inactive sulfide field, which is hosted by ultramafic rocks and controlled by detachment fault. The discovery of the three hydrothermal fields around Segment #11 which receives more melt than the regional average, provided evidence for local enhanced magmatism providing heat source to drive hydrothermal circulation. We further imply that hydrothermal activity and sulfide deposits may be rather promising along the easternmost SWIR.

Rare earth element geochemistry of hydrothermal deposits from Southwest Indian Ridge

The REE compositions of hydrothermal deposits and basalt samples from the Southwest Indian Ridge （SWIR） were determined with ICP-MS. The results show that there are significant differences between different types of samples although all samples show relative LREE enrichment. The contents of REE in hydrothermal sulfides and alterated rocks samples are lower （from 7.036× 10^-6 to 23.660×10^-6）, while those in the white chimney deposits are relatively higher （ranging from 84.496 × 10^-6 to 103.511 × 10^- 6）. Both of them are lower than basalts. Chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns show that sulfides and alterated rocks samples are characterized by significant positive Eu anomalies. On the contrary, white chimney deposits have obvious negative Eu anomalies, which may be caused by abundant calcite existing in the white chimney samples. Both the content and distribution pattern of REE in sulfides suggest that REE most possibly is originally derived from hydrothermal fluids, but influenced by the submarine reducing ore-forming environment, seawater convection, mineral compositions as well as the constraint of mineral crystallizations.

The deep structure of the Duanqiao hydrothermal field at the Southwest Indian Ridge

Polymetalic sulfide is the main product of sea-floor hydrothermal venting, and has become an important sea-floor mineral resources for its rich in many kinds of precious metal elements. Since 2007, a number of investigations have been carried out by the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association（COMRA）cruises（CCCs） along the Southwest Indian Ridge（SWIR）. In 2011, the COMRA signed an exploration contract of sea-floor polymetallic sulfides of 10 000 km2 on the SWIR with the International Seabed Authority. Based on the multibeam data and shipborne gravity data obtained in 2010 by the R/V Dayang Yihao during the leg 6 of CCCs21, together with the global satellite surveys, the characteristics of gravity anomalies are analyzed in the Duanqiao hydrothermal field（37°39′S, 50°24′E）. The ＂subarea calibration＂ terrain-correcting method is employed to calculate the Bouguer gravity anomaly, and the ocean bottom seismometer（OBS） profile is used to constrain the two-dimensional gravity anomaly simulation. The absent Moho in a previous seismic model is also calculated.The results show that the crustal thickness varies between 3 and 10 km along the profile, and the maximum crustal thickness reaches up to 10 km in the Duanqiao hydrothermal field with an average of 7.5 km. It is by far the most thicker crust discovered along the SWIR. The calculated crust thickness at the Longqi hydrothermal field is approximately 3 km, 1 km less than that indicated by seismic models, possibly due to the outcome of an oceanic core complex（OCC）.

Mineralogy and Chemistry of Sulfides from the Longqi and Duanqiao Hydrothermal Fields in the Southwest Indian Ridge

Recent investigations found that hydrothermal activity and sulfide mineralization occurs along the Southwest Indian Ridge（SWIR）. The Longqi and Duanqiao hydrothermal fields between 49° E and 53° E of the SWIR are two prospective mineralization areas discovered by Chinese scientists. With the aim to determine the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of sulfide minerals, we have conducted detailed studies for samples from the two areas using an optical microscope, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, and electron microprobe. The mineralization processes in the Longqi area are divided into three main stages：（1） the low-medium-temperature stage： colloform pyrite（Py I） ＋ marcasite → euhedral pyrite（Py II）,（2） the high-temperature stage： isocubanite（±exsolved chalcopyrite） ＋ pyrrhotite → coarse-grained chalcopyrite（Ccp I）, and（3） the medium–low-temperature stage： sphalerite ＋ fine-grained chalcopyrite inclusions（Ccp II） → aggregates of anhedral pyrite（Py III） ± marcasite → Fe-oxide（-hydroxide） ＋ amorphous silica. The mineralization processes in the Duanqiao area are divided into two main stages：（1） the medium–high-temperature stage： subhedral and euhedral pyrite（Py I′） → coarse-grained chalcopyrite（Ccp I′） and（2） the medium–low-temperature stage： sphalerite → fine-grained chalcopyrite（Ccp II′） ＋ chalcopyrite inclusions（Ccp II′） → silica-cemented pyrite（Py II′） ＋ marcasite → Fe-oxide ＋ amorphous silica. We suggest that the fine-grained chalcopyrite inclusions in sphalerite from Longqi and Duanqiao were formed by co-precipitation and replacement mechanisms, respectively. Primary sphalerites from both fields are enriched in Fe（avg. 5.84 wt% for the Longqi field vs. avg. 3.69 wt% for the Duanqiao field）, Co（avg. 185.56 ppm for the Longqi field vs. 160.53 ppm for the Duanqiao field）, and Cd（avg. 1950 ppm for the Longqi field vs. avg. 525.26 ppm for the Duanqiao field）. Cu contents in pyrite from the Duanqiao field（Py I′： avg. 849.23 ppm and Py II′： avg. 1191.11 ppm） tend to be higher than those from the Longqi field（Py I： avg. 26.67 ppm, Py II： avg. 445 ppm, and Py III： avg. 179.29 ppm）. Chalcopyrite from both fields is enriched in Zn（Ccp I： avg. 3226.67 ppm, Ccp II： avg. 9280 ppm, Ccp I′： avg. 848 ppm, Ccp II′（inclusions）： avg. 1098 ppm, and Ccp II′（fine-grained）： avg. 1795 ppm）. The varying contents of Zn in the different pyrite and chalcopyrite generations may result from the zone refining process. An integrated study of the mineralogy and mineralogical chemistry suggests that the hydrothermal fluids of the Longqi area are likely conditioned with higher temperatures and relatively lower fO2 and fS2 than those of the Duanqiao area, but in contrast to the former, the latter is much affected by the compositions of the surrounding rocks.

Major and trace element composition of surface sediments from the Southwest Indian Ridge:evidence for the incorporation of a hydrothermal component

Hydrothermal materials in deep-sea sediments provide a robust tracer to the localized hydrothermal activity at mid-ocean ridges. Major, trace and rare earth element（REE） data for surface sediments collected from the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge are presented to examine the existence of hydrothermal component.Biogenic carbonate oozes dominate all the sediment samples, with CaO content varying from 85.5% to 89.9% on a volatile-free basis. The leaching residue of bulk sediments by ~5% HCl is compositionally comparable to the Upper Continental Crust（UCC） in SiO_2, Al_2O_3, CaO, MgO, alkali elements（Rb, Cs） and high field strength elements（Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti）. These detritus-hosted elements are inferred to be prominently derived from the Australian continent by means of eolian dust, while the contribution of local volcaniclastics is insignificant. In addition, the residual fraction shows a clear enrichment in Fe, Mn, and Ba compared with the UCC. Combining the positive Eu anomaly of residual fraction which is opposed to the UCC but the characteristic of hydrothermal fluids and associated precipitates occurred at mid-ocean ridges, the incorporation of localized hydrothermal component can be constrained. REE mixing calculations indicate that more than half REE within the residual fraction（~55%–60%） are derived from a hydrothermal component, which is inferred to be resulted from a diffuse fluid mineralization. The low-temperature diffuse flow may be widely distributed along the slow-ultraslow spreading ridges where crustal faults and fissures abound, and probably have a great mineralization potential.

Distal axis sulfide mineralization on the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge:an LA-ICP-MS study of pyrite from the East Longjing-2 hydrothermal field

The newly discovered East Longjing-2 hydrothermal field(ELHF-2)is located on the Dragon Horn oceanic core complex of the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge,approximately 12 km from the ridge axis.This study measured the chemical compositions of pyrite from ELHF-2 using a laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(LA-ICP-MS)to investigate the genesis of the field.Three generations of pyrite were classified,and found that:Py1 and Py2,rich in V,Mn,U,and Se,occur in altered basalt debris and the silica alteration matrix,respectively.Py3 was mainly intergrown with chalcopyrite in quartz veins and had higher Cu,In,Ag,Sb,and Au contents than Py1 and Py2.Some elements,such as Au,Se,and Pb,are likely presented as direct substitution with Fe^(2+)in pyrite,while Cu,Zn,Co,Ni,and Ag probably occur both as direct substitution with Fe and as distributed micro-to nanoparticle-sized sulfides.Meanwhile,the occurrence of V,Mn,and U is likely presented as oxide inclusions.Trace element geochemistry suggested that the pyrite was formed under hightemperature conditions,and the ore forming elements were likely derived from ultramafic rocks.In addition,Py1and Py2 were formed under higher water/rock ratio and higher temperature conditions,with more seawater involvement compared with Py3.The formation of ELHF-2 was probably driven by exothermic serpentinization reactions with an additional magmatic heat.This study shows that high-temperature hydrothermal circulation driven by magmatic activity can be developed on distal rift flank areas of magma-starved ultraslow-spreading ridges.

Ga isotopic fractionation in sulfides from the Yuhuang and Duanqiao hydrothermal fields on the Southwest Indian Ridge

This study examines the Ga isotopic compositions of sulfides in the Yuhuang and Duanqiao hydrothermal fields on the Southwest Indian Ridge,mid-ocean ridge basalts(MORB),and calcareous sediments around the hydrothermal fields.Theδ^(71/69)Ga_(NIST-994) values of theMORB samples vary little(+1.20‰to+1.23‰,with an average of+1.22‰)and are consistent with the δ^(71/69)Ga_(NIST-994) values of two standard basalt samples(BCR-2 and BHVO-2),indicating that Ga isotopes may either not fractionate or fractionate only slightly under high-temperature geological processes;therefore,the δ^(71/69)Ga_(NIST-994) value of oceanic crust may be+1.22‰.The sediments(+1.28‰to+1.47‰,with an average of+1.38‰)are rich in heavier Ga isotopes than the basalts,and the Ga present in the sediments may have originated from soluble Ga present in the seawater that was adsorbed by(Mn,Fe)oxides/hydroxides.The Ga contribution of basaltic debris to the sedimentswas almost negligible.Thus,wespeculate that theδ^(71/69)Ga_(NIST-994) value of seawater in the study area fell within a range from+1.92‰to+2.36‰.Theδ^(71/69)Ga_(NIST-994) values of the sulfides in the Yuhuang hydrothermal field range from+0.99‰to+1.57‰,with an average of+1.25‰,and theδ^(71/69)Ga_(NIST-994) values of the sulfides in the Duanqiao hydrothermal field range from+0.93‰to+1.55‰,with an average of+1.19‰.Theδ^(71/69)Ga_(NIST-994) ranges of the sulfides in the Yuhuang and Duanqiao hydrothermal fields are similar,with the Ga isotopic fractionation reaching 0.58‰and 0.62‰,respectively.The averageδ^(71/69)Ga_(NIST-994) values in the sulfides are close to those in the MORBs.This suggests that Ga within the sulfides in the Yuhuang and Duanqiao hydrothermal fields mainly originated from MORBs,with seawater and sediments making only small contributions.The Ga isotopic fractionation in the sulfides may be related to processes associated with the formation of sulfides,such as rapid precipitation or the admixture of different stages of sulfide.This study is of great significance for understanding the global distribution of Ga isotopes and the Ga cycle in submarine hydrothermal systems.

Variations in melt supply along an orthogonal supersegment of the Southwest Indian Ridge(16°–25°E)

The orthogonal supersegment of the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge at 16°–25°E is characterized by significant along-axis variations of mantle potential temperature.A detailed analysis of multibeam bathymetry,gravity,and magnetic data were performed to investigate its variations in magma supply and crustal accretion process.The results revealed distinct across-axis variations of magma supply.Specifically,the regionally averaged crustal thickness reduced systematically from around 7 Ma to the present,indicating a regionally decreasing magma supply.The crustal structure is asymmetric in regional scale between the conjugate ridge flanks,with the faster-spreading southern flank showing thinner crust and greater degree of tectonic extension.Geodynamic models of mantle melting suggested that the observed variations in axial crustal thickness and major element geochemistry can be adequately explained by an eastward decrease in mantle potential temperature of about40℃ beneath the ridge axis.In this work,a synthesized model was proposed to explain the axial variations of magma supply and ridge segmentation stabilities.The existence of large ridge-axis offsets may play important roles in controlling melt supply.Several large ridge-axis offsets in the eastern section(21°–25°E)caused sustained along-axis focusing of magma supply at the centers of eastern ridge segments,enabling quasi-stable segmentation.In contrast,the western section(16°–21°E),which lacks large ridge-axis offsets,is associated with unstable segmentation patterns.

Geological characteristics of the Qiaoyue Seamount and associated ultramafic-hosted seafloor hydrothermal system(~52.1°E,Southwest Indian Ridge)

Hydrothermal vent incidence was once thought to be proportional to the spreading rate of the mid-ocean ridges(MORs).However,more and more studies have shown that the ultraslow-spreading ridges(e.g.,Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR))have a relatively higher incidence of hydrothermal venting fields.The Qiaoyue Seamount(52.1°E)is located at the southern side of segment#25 of the SWIR,to the west of the Gallieni transform fault.The Chinese Dayang cruises conducted eight preliminary deep-towed surveys of hydrothermal activity in the area during 2009 and 2018.Here,through comprehensive analyses of the video and photos obtained by the deep-towed platforms,rock samples,and water column turbidity anomalies,a high-temperature,ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal system is predicted on the northern flank of the Qiaoyue Seamount.We propose that this hydrothermal system is most likely to be driven by gabboric intrusions.Efficient hydrothermal circulation channels appear against a backdrop of high rock permeability related to the detachment fault.

Sulfide metallogenic model for the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge

Polymetallic sulfides present in mid-ocean ridges(MORs)have become important strategic resources for humans,and a scientific metallogenic model is necessary for the investigation and exploration of these resources.Compared to fast-and slow-spreading MORs,ultraslow-spreading MORs show substantial differences in magma supply,tectonic activity,and oceanic crust structures.However,information on hydrothermal circulation and a metallogenic model related to sulfides along the ultraslow-spreading ridges is still limited,which hinders further exploration of these resources.In this study,the distribution of hydrothermal activities,as well as the characteristics of the structures,heat sources,fluid pathways,host rock types,fluid properties,and sulfide assemblages in typical hydrothermal fields along the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR),have been studied.It is concluded that the hydrothermal systems along the SWIR can be categorized into three types,including local enhanced magma-controlled,one-way detachment/high-angle large-offset fault-controlled,and flip-flop detachment-controlled types,which are further categorized into five subtypes based on their distinct geological backgrounds.Herein,we present a sulfide metallogenic model called Local Enhanced Heat Supply-Deep Faults(eHeat-dFault)for the SWIR.The overall spreading rate remains almost constant(14-18 mm/year),while the magma supply is heterogeneous in the segment scale along the SWIR.Over the past two decades,various hydrothermal systems and sulfide deposits have been identified along the SWIR.A deep magma chamber(4-9 km)is developed in the ridge segment with sufficient magma supply owing to the local enhanced magma supply,while long-lived active deep detachment faults(up to 13 km)with associated metallogenic belts are developed in ridge segments with poor magma supply.Hence,the ultraslow-spreading MORs fulfill the necessary conditions of a sustained heat source and stable hydrothermal pathway for the formation of large-scale polymetallic sulfide deposits.The number of hydrothermal fields detected in the investigation area is 2-3 times that predicted by the traditional Spreading Rate-Magma Flux model,demonstrating its significant endowment for sulfide resources.A balance between magma supply and faulting may influence the type and depth of hydrothermal circulation,the frequency of hydrothermal activity along the axis,and the scale of sulfide deposits.Spreading rate was previously believed to control heat sources,magma supply,and tectonic processes.However,for the SWIR,we suggest that local enhanced heat supply and deep detachment faults have a greater influence than the spreading rate on hydrothermal circulation and sulfide mineralization.The eHeat-dFault sulfide metallogenic model proposed herein could provide guidance for further exploration and research on polymetallic sulfides in ultraslow-spreading SWIR.

Quantifying the influence of magmatism and tectonism on ultraslow-spreading-ridge hydrothermal activity:Evidence from the Southwest Indian Ridge

Hydrothermal activity in mid-ocean ridges(MORs)is an important intermediary for the mass and heat exchange between the ocean and lithosphere.The development of hydrothermal activity on MORs is primarily controlled by coupled magmatic and tectonic activities.In ultraslow-spreading ridges,deepdipping low-angle normal faults with large offsets,typically detachment faults in the inside corners of ridge offsets,favor the formation of tectonic-related hydrothermal activities,whereas volcanic-related hydrothermal fields are typically developed in neovolcanic zones in this category of the ridge system.However,whether tectonic or magmatic activity is dominant and to what extent they control the formation of hydrothermal activities on ultraslow-spreading ridges remain unclear.Segments in the west and east of the Gallieni transform fault(TF)located in the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR),namely,western area(WA)and eastern area(EA),exhibit distinct magma-supply conditions that provide favorable conditions for examining the influence of magmatic and tectonic activities.We generated prediction models for these areas using the spatial analysis of the water depth,minor faults,large faults,ridge axis,nontransform discontinuity(NTD)inside corners,TF inside corners,Bouguer gravity anomaly,magnetic anomalies,and seismic activities.By employing the weights of evidence method,we reported that the formation of seafloor hydrothermal systems in SWIR was primarily correlated to the NTD inside corner,ridge axis,and minor fault(i.e.,contrast values(C)of 4.186,3.727,and 3.482 in WA and 4.278,3.769,and 3.135 in EA).Furthermore,EA was significantly affected by the TF inside corner(C=3.501),whereas WA was influenced by large faults(C=4.062).Our results demonstrated that tectonism was the primary controlling factor in the development of hydrothermal activities in the study area,and the contribution of magmatism was secondary,even in WA,which has a relatively robust magma supply.We delimited prominent prospecting areas at each side based on posterior probability.Our results provided insights into the formation mechanisms of hydrothermal activities and support prospecting in MORs.

High Water Content in Primitive Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt from Southwest Indian Ridge(51.56oE):Implications for Recycled Hydrous Component in the Mantle

The Southwest Indian Ridge（SWIR） is an ultraslow spreading end-member of mid-ocean ridge system and is characterized by weak or even an absence of magmatism. The segment between Indomed（ITF） and Gallieni（GTF） transform faults in the SWIR, however, displays extremely magmatic accretion with an unusual thick crust（up to 9.5 km）. Although H_2O is present in trace amounts in the mantle, it has a strong influence on mantle melting and magmatism in the shallow crust. The mid-ocean ridge basalts（MORB） worldwide show strong variation in H_2O contents, but with a nearly uniform H_2O/Ce ratio. Regionally distinctive H_2O contents and H_2O/Ce ratios are inferred to be related to the H_2O variation in the source and can be used to constrain the mantle heterogenity. In this study, we measured the H_2O and trace elements of clinopyroxene phenocrysts from one basalt dredged from the ITF-GTF segment, SWIR（51.56 o E）. The estimated H_2O content（1.3 wt.%± 0.3 wt.%） in the primitive ITF-GTF basaltic melt is much higher than that in typical MORB samples, but similar to oceanic island basalts（OIB） and back-arc basalts（BABB）. In addition, the calculated H_2O/Ce ratio（1 672–4 990） are extremely high, bearing ＂arc-like＂ signature. This study provides evidence that arc-related hydrous components are involved in the mantle source beneath the ITF-GTF ridge segment. It further lends support to the hypothesis that the mantle beneath the central SWIR may have experienced an ancient hydrous melting event in an arc terrain prior to or during the closure of the Mozambique Ocean in the Neoproterozoic.

Metagenomic analysis reveals wide distribution of phototrophic bacteria in hydrothermal vents on the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are known as chemosynthetic ecosystems.However,high temperature vents emit light that hypothetically can drive photosynthesis in this habitat.Metagenomic studies have sporadically reported the occurrence of phototrophic populations such as cyanobacteria in hydrothermal vents.To determine how geographically and taxonomically widespread phototrophs are in deep-sea hydrothermal vents,we collected samples from three niches in a hydrothermal vent on the Southwest Indian Ridge and carried out an integrated metagenomic analysis.We determined the typical community structures of microorganisms found in active venting fields and identified populations of known potential chlorophototrophs and retinalophototrophs.Complete chlorophyll biosynthetic pathways were identified in all samples.By contrast,proteorhodopsins were only found in active beehive smoker diffusers.Taxonomic groups possessing potential phototrophy dependent on semiconductors present in hydrothermal vents were also found in these samples.This systematic comparative metagenomic study reveals the widespread distribution of phototrophic bacteria in hydrothermal vent fields.Our results support the hypothesis that the ocean is a seed bank of diverse microorganisms.Geothermal vent light may provide energy and confer a competitive advantage on phototrophs to proliferate in hydrothermal vent ecosystems.

Quantitative prediction process and evaluation method for seafloor polymetallic sulfide resources

Seafloor polymetallic sulfide resources exhibit significant development potential. In 2011, China received the exploration rights for 10,000 km2 of a polymetallic sulfides area in the Southwest Indian Ocean; China will be permitted to retain only 25% of the area in 2021. However, an exploration of seafioor hydrothermal sulfide deposits in China remains in the initial stage. According to the quantitative prediction theory and the exploration status of seafloor sulfides, this paper systematically proposes a quantitative prediction evaluation process of oceanic polymetallic sulfide resources and divides it into three stages： prediction in a large area, prediction in the prospecting region, and the verification and evaluation of targets. The first two stages of the prediction process have been employed in seafloor sulfides prospecting of the Chinese contract area. The results of stage one suggest that the Chinese contract area is located in the high posterior probability area, which indicates good prospecting potential area in the Indian Ocean. In stage two, the Chinese contract area of 48^-52~E has the highest posterior probability value, which can be selected as the reserved region for additional exploration. In stage three, the method of numerical simulation is employed to reproduce the ore-forming process of sulfides to verify the accuracy of the reserved targets obtained from the three-stage prediction. By narrowing the exploration area and gradually improving the exploration accuracy, the prediction will provide a basis for the exploration and exploitation of seafloor polymetallic sulfide resources.

The Mineral Composition and Sources of the Fine-Grained Sediments from the 49.6?E Hydrothermal Field at the SWIR

We used the X-ray diffraction method to determine systematically the mineral phases in bulk sediment samples and acid undissolved residuals of the fine-grained fraction of the surface sediments from the 49.6°E hydrothermal field at the Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR)and discussed the mineral sources of the surface sediments.The results showed that the surface sediments in this region were composed of calcareous ooze,and calcite was the dominant mineral.The sediments also contained quartz,feldspar,clay minerals,pyroxene,sphalerite,barite,serpentine,and magnetite.The quartz,feldspar,and clay minerals were exogenous minerals that mainly originated from the Namib and Kalahari deserts in southern Africa.The pyroxene,serpentine,magnetite,sphalerite,calcite,and barite were endogenous minerals from weathering of seafloor basement rocks and seafloor hydrothermal activities.The sulfide particles in the sediments were mainly deposited from upwelling plumes.

Zircon Xenocrysts from the Shaka Ridge Record Ancient Continental Crust:New U-Pb Geochronological and Oxygen Isotopic Data

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.