Anomalously radioactive barite chimneys and crusts from hydrocarbon seeps, Gulf of Mexico slope: Initial report
- Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA (United States)
Barite chimneys and crusts recovered by submersible dives from hydrocarbon seeps at water depths of 510-670 m in the Gulf of Mexico offshore Louisiana are enriched in {sup 226}Ra and {sup 228}Ra at levels of 780 pCi/g and 470 pCi/g, respectively. These values are comparable to those found in barite scale associated with hydrocarbon production in the Gulf Coast. The concentrations of {sup 226}Ra in the pore fluids from sites where active barite deposition occurs range from 830 to 52000 dpm/l00L and are consistent with the range of {sup 226}Ra values measured in produced waters from offshore platforms. These radium concentrations are highly anomalous as they exceed by a factor of 80 to 5200 the values reported from the Gulf of Mexico seawater (10 dpm/100L). We speculate that the high radium levels in the fluids advecting to the seafloor originate from leaching of deep-seated, kerogen-rich, source rocks by highly saline formation fluids. The environmental impact of the natural discharge of the highly radioactive fluids on the Gulf of Mexico seafloor and habitats needs to be investigated.
- OSTI ID:
- 411889
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9610180--
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin, Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 80; ISSN 0149-1423; ISSN AABUD2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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