Geochemistry of the rare earth elements in ferromanganese nodules from DOMES Site A, northern equatorial Pacific
The distribution of rare earth elements (REE) in ferromanganese nodules from DOMES Site A has been determined by instrumental neutron activation methods. The concentrations of the REE vary markedly. Low concentrations characterize samples from a depression (the valley), in which Quaternary sediments are thin or absent; high concentrations are found in samples from the surrounding abyssal hills (the highlands) where the Quaternary sediment section is relatively thick. Moreover, the valley nodules are strongly depleted in the light trivalent REE (LREE) and Ce compared with nodules from the highlands, some of the former showing negative Ce anomalies. The REE abundances in the nodules are strongly influenced by the REE abundances in coexisting bottom water. Some controls on the REE chemistry of bottom waters include: a) the more effective removal of the LREE relative to the HREE from sea water because of the greater degree of complexation of the latter elements with sea water ligands, b) the very efficient oxidative scavenging of Ce on particle surfaces in sea water, and c) the strong depletion of both Ce and the LREE in, or a larger benthic flux of the HREE into, the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) which flows through the valley. The distinctive REE chemistry of valley nodules in a function of their growth from geochemically evolved AABW. In contrast, the REE chemistry of highland nodules indicates growth from a local, less evolved sea water source.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of British Columbia, Vancouver (Canada)
- OSTI ID:
- 5128015
- Journal Information:
- Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States), Journal Name: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States) Vol. 51:9; ISSN GCACA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
580400* -- Geochemistry-- (-1989)
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
CENOZOIC ERA
CERIUM
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC AGES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
METALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PACIFIC OCEAN
QUATERNARY PERIOD
RARE EARTHS
SEA BED
SEAS
SEAWATER
SEDIMENTS
SURFACE WATERS
WATER