Fish debris record the hydrothermal activity in the Atlantis II deep sediments (Red Sea)

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(88)90065-8· OSTI ID:6996729

Oudin, E; Cocherie, A

The REE and U, Th, Zr, Hf, Sc have been analyzed in samples from Atlantis II and Shaban/Jean Charcot Deeps in the Red Sea. The high Zr/Hf ratio in some sediments indicates the presence of fish debris or of finely crystallized apatite. The positive ..sigma..REE vs P/sub 2/O/sub 5/ and ..sigma..REE vs Zr/Hf correlations show that fish debris and finely crystallized apatite are the main REE sink in Atlantis II Deep sediments as in other marine environments. The hydrothermal sediments and the fish debris concentrates have similar REE patterns, characterized by a LREE enrichment and a large positive Eu anomaly. This REE pattern is also observed in E.P.R. hydrothermal solutions. Fish debris from marine environments acquire their REE content and signature mostly from sea water during early diagenesis. The hydrothermal REE signature of Atlantis II Deep fish debris indicate that they probably record the REE signature of their hydrothermal sedimentation and diagenetic environment. The different REE signatures of the Shaban/Jean Charcot and Atlantis II Deep hydrothermal sediments suggest a sea water-dominated brine in the Shaban/Jean Charcot Deep as opposed to the predominantly hydrothermal brine in Atlantis II Deep. Atlantis II Deep fish debris are also characterized by their high U but low Th contents. Their low Th contents probably reflect the low Th content of the various possible sources (sea water, brine, sediments). Their U contents are probably controlled by the redox conditions of sedimentation.

• Research Organization: DAM/GMX, Orleans (France)
• OSTI ID: 6996729
• Journal Information: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States), Vol. 52:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
ORGANIC MATTER
DIAGENESIS
HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION
RED SEA
RIFT ZONES
SEDIMENTS
BRINES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
HAFNIUM
MINERALIZATION
SCANDIUM
URANIUM
ZIRCONIUM
ACTINIDES
CHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
METALS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
580400* - Geochemistry- (-1989)