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Isotopic studies of epigenetic features in metalliferous sediment, Atlantis II Deep, Red Sea

Canadian Mineralogist
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Abstract

The unique depositional environment of the Atlantis II Deep brine pool in the Red Sea produces a stratiform metalliferous deposit of greater areal extent than deposits formed by buoyant-plume systems typical of the midocean ridges because of much more efficient metal entrapment. Isotopic analyses of strontium, sulfur, carbon, and oxygen from the metalliferous sediments indicate that three major sources contribute dissolved components to the hydrothermal system: seawater, Miocene evaporites, and rift-zone basalt. An areally restricted magnetite-hematite-pyroxene assemblage formed at high temperatures, possibly in response to hydrothermal convection initiated by intrusion of basalt into the metalliferous sediment. A correlation between smectite Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios and oxygen isotope temperatures suggests that smectite is a potentially important chemical geothermometer, and confirms geochemical calculations indicating that Mg-rich smectite is more stable than Fe-rich smectite at elevated temperatures.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Isotopic studies of epigenetic features in metalliferous sediment, Atlantis II Deep, Red Sea
Series title Canadian Mineralogist
Volume 26 pt 3
Year Published 1988
Language English
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Canadian Mineralogist
First page 737
Last page 753
Conference Title Seafloor Hydrothermal Mineralization
Conference Location Montreal, Que, Can
Conference Date 5 February 1987 through 6 February 1987
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