Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characteristics of rare earth elements in the surface sediments of Southwest Indian Ridge: implication of grain size for the identification of hydrothermal activity

  • Original
  • Published:
Geo-Marine Letters Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The characteristics of rare earth elements (REEs) in mid-ocean ridge (MOR) sediments are important indicators of hydrothermal activity. However, these sediments generally have multiple sources and different grain sizes, resulting in variations of the REE characteristics in bulk sediment samples, which create difficulties when interpreting the results. We studied the characteristics of REEs in sediments with different grain sizes collected proximal, a moderate distance, and distal to hydrothermal fields located on the Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR). The results show that > 250 μm sediments comprised abundant local debris (especially in proximal sediments) and hydrothermal components with minor Fe–Mn oxides and hydroxides, while < 250 μm sediments comprised higher contents of hydrothermal components, Fe–Mn (hydr)oxides, and terrigenous dust. The REE features of > 250 μm sediments were significantly controlled by local mafic and ultramafic debris (heavy REE enrichment), while hydrothermal components, calcareous ooze, and Fe–Mn oxides played a more important role in the features of the 74–250 μm sediment REEs (light REE enrichment and negative Ce anomaly). The REE characteristics of the < 74 μm sediments were partially controlled by the occurrence of Mn oxides and eolian dust. With decreasing grain size, the sediments generally exhibited increasing negative Ce anomalies, probably the result of adsorption of REE onto hydrothermal Fe oxyhydroxides. In addition, with increasing distance from the hydrothermal fields, the influence of the hydrothermal components on the REE features decreased. The relative contributions of material source components to the sediments and feasible grain size for the identification of hydrothermal contribution were discriminated by the δEu–(Gd/Yb)N diagram. Overall, our results showed that the REE features of 74–250 μm MOR sediments are the most feasible for the identification of potential hydrothermal activity in studied segments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Supplementary data to this article can be found online.

References

  • Argese E, Cogoni G, Zaggia L, Zonta R, Pini R (1992) Study on redox state and grain size of sediments in a mud flat of the Venice Lagoon. Environ Geol Wat Sci 20:35–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Agarwal DK, Roy P, Prakash LS, Kurian PJ (2020) Hydrothermal signatures in sediments from eastern Southwest Indian Ridge 63°E to 68°E. Mar Chem 218(20):103732

    Google Scholar 

  • Arraes-Mescoff R, Roy-Barman M, Coppola L, Souhaut M, Tachikawa K, Jeandel C, Sempéré R, Yoro C (2001) The behavior of Al, Mn, Ba, Sr, REE and Th isotopes during in vitro degradation of large marine particles. Mar Chem 73(1):1–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker ET, German CR (2004) On the global distribution of hydrothermal vent fields. Am Geophy Un

  • Bau M, Dulski P (1996) Distribution of yttrium and rare-earth elements in the Penge and Kuruman iron-formations, Transvaal Supergroup. South Africa Precambrian Res 79(1–2):37–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Bau M, Dulski P (1999) Comparing yttrium and rare earths in hydrothermal fluids from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: implications for Y and REE behaviour during near-vent mixing and for the Y/Ho ratio of proterozoic seawater. Chem Geol 155(1–2):77–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolhar R, Kamber BS, Moorbath S, Fedo CM, Whitehouse MJ (2004) Characterisation of early Archaean chemical sediments by trace element signatures. Earth Planet Sci Lett 222:43–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Boström K, Peterson MNA, Joensuu O, Fisher DE (1969) Aluminum-poor ferromanganoan fediments on active oceanic ridges. J Geophys Res 74(12):3261–3270

    Google Scholar 

  • Boström K (1973) The origin and fate of ferromanganoan active ridge sediments. Stockh Contrib Geol 27:149–243

    Google Scholar 

  • Boynton WV (1984) Chapter 3–Cosmochemistry of the rare earth elements: meteorite studies. Deve Geochem 2:63–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Cannat M, Sauter D, Bezos A, Meyzen C, Rigoleur ML (2008) Spreading rate, spreading obliquity, and melt supply at the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge. Geochem Geophys Geosyst 9(4):1–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Cao Z, Cao H, Tao C, Li J, Yu Z, Shu L (2012) Rare earth element geochemistry of hydrothermal deposits from Southwest Indian Ridge. Acta Oceanol Sin 31(2):62–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Cave RR, German CR, Thomson J, Nesbitt RW (2002) Fluxes to sediments underlying the Rainbow hydrothermal plume at 36°14′N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 66(11):1905–1923

    Google Scholar 

  • Chavagnac V, German CR, Milton JA, Palmer MR (2005) Sources of REE in sediment cores from the Rainbow vent site (36°14′N, MAR). Chem Geol 216(3–4):329–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen YY, Yu BS, Su X, Yu M (2013) Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the calcareous sediments in Southwest Indian Ridge. Geol Sci Technol Inf (in Chinese) 32(1):107–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen L, Chu FY, Zhu JH, Dong YH, Yu X, Li ZG, Tang LM (2015) Major and trace elements of abyssal peridotites: evidence for melt refertilization beneath the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge (53° E segment). Nt Geol Rev (in Chinese) 57(13):1715–1734

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, Sun XM, Wu ZW, Wang Y, Lin X, Chen HJ (2021) Mineralogy and geochemistry of deep-sea sediments from the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge: implications for hydrothermal input and igneous host rock. Minerals 11:138

    Google Scholar 

  • Condie KC, States SU (1991) Another look at rare earth elements in shales. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 55(9):2527–2531

    Google Scholar 

  • Corliss JB, Dymond J, Gordon LI, Edmond JM, von Herzen RP, Ballard RD, Green K, Williams D, Bainbridge A, Crane K, van Andel TH (1979) Submarine thermal springs on the galapagos rift. Science 203:1073–1083

    Google Scholar 

  • Cullers RL, Barrett T, Carlson R, Robinson B (1987) Rare-earth element and mineralogic changes in Holocene soil and stream sediment: a case study in the Wet Mountains, Colorado. US Chem Geol 63(3–4):275–297

    Google Scholar 

  • Cullers RL, Basu A, Suttner LJ (1988) Geochemical signature of provenance in sand-size material in soils and stream sediments near the Tobacco Root batholith, Montana. US Chem Geol 70(4):348

    Google Scholar 

  • Dias ÁS, Barriga FJ (2006) Mineralogy and geochemistry of hydrothermal sediments from the serpentinite-hosted Saldanha hydrothermal field (36 34′ N; 33 26′ W) at MAR. Mar Geol 225(1–4):157–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Dias ÁS, Mills RA, Ribeiro Da Costa I, Costa R, Taylor RN, Cooper MJ, Barriga FJAS (2010) Tracing fluid–rock reaction and hydrothermal circulation at the Saldanha hydrothermal field. Chem Geol 273(3–4):168–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Dick HJB, Lin J, Schouten H (2003) An ultraslow-spreading class of ocean ridge. Nature 426:405–412

    Google Scholar 

  • Dou YG, Li J, Li Y (2012) Rare earth element compositions and provenance implication of surface sediments in the eastern Beibu Gulf. Geochim 41:147–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubinin AV (2004) Geochemistry of rare earth elements in the ocean. Lithol Miner Resour 39(4):289–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Dymond J (1981) Geochemistry of Nazca Plate surface sediments: an evaluation of hydrothermal, biogenic, detrital, and hydrogenous sources. Geol Soc Am Mem 154:133–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmonds HN, German CR (2004) Particle geochemistry in the Rainbow hydrothermal plume, Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 68:759–772

    Google Scholar 

  • Elderfield H, Hawkesworth CJ, Greaves MJ, Calvert SE (1981) Rare earth element geochemistry of oceanic ferromanganese nodules and associated sediments. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 45(4):513–528

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan DD, Shang S, Cai GF, Tu JB (2015) Distinction and grain-size characteristics of intertidal heterolithic deposits in the middle Qiantang Estuary (East China Sea). Geo-Mar Lett 35(3):161–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallet S, Jahn B, Torii M (1996) Geochemical characterization of the Luochuan loess-paleosol sequence, China, and paleoclimatic implications. Chem Geol 133:67–88

    Google Scholar 

  • German CR, Higgs NC, Thomson J, Mills R, Elderfield H, Blusztajn J, Fleer AP, Bacon MP (1993) A geochemical study of metalliferous sediment from the TAG hydrothermal mound, 26°08′N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge. J Geophys Res-Sol Ea 98:9683–9692

    Google Scholar 

  • German CR, Fleer AP, Bacon MP, Edmond JM (1991) Hydrothermal scavenging at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: radionuclide distributions. Earth Planet Sci Lett 105:170–181

    Google Scholar 

  • German CR, Klinkhammer GP, Edmond JM, Mura A, Elderfield H (1990) Hydrothermal scavenging of rare-earth elements in the ocean. Nature 345:516–518

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson P (1984) General geochemical properties and abundance of rare earth elements. Develop Geochem 2:1–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Hrischeva E, Scott SD (2007) Geochemistry and morphology of metalliferous sediments and oxyhydroxides from the Endeavour segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 71(14):3476–3497

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodkinson RA, Cronan DS (1995) Hydrothermal sedimentation at ODP Sites 834 and 835 in relation to crustal evolution of the Lau backarc basin. J Geol Soc London 87(1):231–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Honda M, Yabuki S, Shimizu H (2004) Geochemical and isotopic studies of aeolian sediments in China. Sedimentology 51:211-230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jia Q, Fan D, Sun X, Liu M, Zhang W, Yang Z (2019) Grain size characteristics of the carbonate-free fraction of surface sediments from the Southwest Indian Ridge area and its geological significance. Acta Oceanol Sin 38:34–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Kato Y, Fujinaga K, Nakamura K, Takaya Y, Kitamura K, Ohta J, Toda R, Nakashima T, Iwamori H (2011) Deep-sea mud in the Pacific Ocean as a potential resource for rare-earth elements. Nat Geosci 4:535–539

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn T, Bau M, Blum N, Halbach P (1998) Origin of negative Ce anomalies in mixed hydrothermal–hydrogenetic Fe–Mn crusts from the Central Indian Ridge. Earth Planet Sci Lett 163:207–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuksa K, Bich A, Cherkashov G, Firstova A, Kuznetsov V, Bel’Tenev V (2021) Mass-wasting processes input in proximal metalliferous sediments: a case study of the Pobeda hydrothermal fields. Mar Geol 438:106517

    Google Scholar 

  • Li JR, Liu SF, Feng XL, Sun XQ, Shi XF (2017) Major and trace element geochemistry of the mid-Bay of Bengal surface sediments: implications for provenance. Acta Oceanol Sin 36(3):82–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Li ZG, Chu FY, Jin L, Li X, Dong Y, Chen L, Zhu J (2016) Major and trace element composition of surface sediments from the Southwest Indian Ridge: evidence for the incorporation of a hydrothermal component. Acta Oceanol Sin 35:101–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Liao SL, Tao CH, Li HM, Zhang GY, Liang J, Yang WF, Wang Y (2018) Surface sediment geochemistry and hydrothermal activity indicators in the Dragon Horn area on the Southwest Indian Ridge. Mar Geol 398:22–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin Z, Yu HJ, Xu XY, Yang JC, Yi L, Fu TF, Lv WZ (2018) Geochemistry and provenance of the sediment from the west flank of the spreading southwest Indian Oceanic Ridge (34.9°S). Mar Geol Quat Geol (in Chinese) 38:14–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Lisitzin AP (1978) The sedimentation processes in the ocean. Nauka: Moscow, Russia:392 (In Russian)

  • Lisitzin AP (1996) Oceanic sedimentation: lithology and geochemistry. Amer Geophy Union: 407

  • McCave IN, Hall IR (2006) Size sorting in marine muds: processes, pitfalls, and prospects for paleoflow-speed proxies. Geochem Geophys Geosyst 7:1–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Menendez A, James RH, Roberts S, Peel K, Connelly D (2017) Controls on the distribution of rare earth elements in deep-sea sediments in the North Atlantic Ocean. Ore Geol Rev 87:100–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer EE, Quicksall AN, Landis JD, Link PK, Bostick BC (2013) Trace and rare earth elemental investigation of a Sturtian cap carbonate, Pocatello, Idaho: evidence for ocean redox conditions before and during carbonate deposition. Precambrian Res 192:89–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills R, Elderfield H, Thomson J (1993) A dual origin for the hydrothermal component in a metalliferous sediment core from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. J Geophys Res-Atmos 98(B6):9671–9681

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills RA, Elderfield H (1995) Rare earth element geochemistry of hydrothermal deposits from the active TAG mound, 26°N Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 59:3511–3524

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitra A, Elderfield H, Greaves MJ (1994) Rare earth elements in submarine hydrothermal fluids and plumes from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Mar Chem 46:217–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Pan AY, Yang QH, Zhou HY, Ji FW, Wang H, Pancost RD (2018) Geochemical impacts of hydrothermal activity on surface deposits at the Southwest Indian Ridge. Deep Sea Res Pt i: Oceanog Res Papers 139:1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Pattan JN, Jauhari P (2001) Major, trace, and rare earth elements in the sediments of the central Indian Ocean basin: their source and distribution. Mar Geotech 19:85–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Radke LC, Heap AD, Douglas G, Nichol S, Trafford J, Li J, Przeslawski R (2011) A geochemical characterisation of deep-sea floor sediments of the northern Lord Howe Rise. Deep Sea Res Part II Top Stud Oceanogr 58:909–921

    Google Scholar 

  • Ranasinghe PN, Chandrajith R, Dissanayake CB, Rupasinghe MS (2002) Importance of grain size factor in distribution of trace elements in stream sediments of tropical high grade terrains – a case study from Sri Lanka. Chemie Der Erde - Geochem 62(3):243–253

    Google Scholar 

  • Sands CM, Connelly DP, Statham PJ, German CR (2012) Size fractionation of trace metals in the Edmond hydrothermal plume, central Indian Ocean. Earth Planet Sci Lett 319–320:15–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Sauter D, Mendel V, Rommevaux-Jestin C, Parson LM, Fujimoto H, Mével C, Cannat M, Tamaki K, Team TFS (2004) Focused Magmatism versus Amagmatic spreading along the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge. Evidence from TOBI sidescan sonar imagery. Geochem Geophys Geosyst 5:1-20

    Google Scholar 

  • Tao CH, Seyfried WE, Lowell RP, Liu Y, Liang J, Guo Z, Ding K, Zhang H, Liu J, Qiu L, Egorov I, Liao S, Zhao M, Zhou J, Deng X, Li H, Wang H, Cai W, Zhang G, Zhou H, Lin J, Li W (2020) Deep high-temperature hydrothermal circulation in a detachment faulting system on the ultra-slow spreading ridge. Nat Commun 11:1300–1309

    Google Scholar 

  • Tao CH, Li HM, Jin XB, Zhou JP, Wu T, He YH, Deng XM, Gu CH, Zhang GY, Liu WO (2014) Seafloor hydrothermal activity and polymetallic sulfide exploration on the Southwest Indian Ridge. Chinese Sci Bull 59:2266–2276

    Google Scholar 

  • Tao CH, Lin J, Guo SQ, John Chen YS, Wu GH, Han XQ, German CR, Yoerger DR, Zhou N, Li HM, Su X, Zhu J (2012) First active hydrothermal vents on an ultraslow-spreading center: Southwest Indian Ridge. Geology 40:47–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor SR, Mclennan SM (1985) The continental crust: its composition and evolution. J Geol 94:632–633

    Google Scholar 

  • Terry RD, Chilingar GV (1955) Comparison charts for visual estimation of percent composition. J Sediment Petrol, Los Angeles, CA

  • Wang FL, He GW, Sun XM, Yang Y, Zhao TP (2016) The host of REE + Y elements in deep-sea sediments from the Pacific Ocean. Mar Geol Quat Geol (in Chinese) 32:2057–2068

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang QX, Lin ZJ, Chen DF (2014a) Geochemical constraints on the origin of Doushantuo cap carbonates in the Yangtze Gorges area, South China. Sediment Geol 304:59–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang ZB, Wu GH, Han CH (2014) Geochemical characteristics of hydrothermal deposits and basalts at 49.6°E on the Southwest Indian Ridge. J Mar Sci 32(1):64–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu MQ, Wen QZ, Pan JY, Diao GY (1991) Rare earth elements in the malan loess from the middle reaches of the Huanghe River. Chinese Sci Bull (in Chinese) 36(16):1380–1380

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu ZK, Li AQ, Jiang FQ, Xu FJ (2008) Geochenmical character and material source of sediments in the eastern Philippine Sea. Chinese Sci Bull 53(6):695–702

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang AY, Zhao TP, Zhou MF, Deng XG (2017) Isotopically enriched N-MORB: a new geochemical signature of off-axis plume-ridge interaction-a case study at 50°28’E, Southwest Indian Ridge. J Geophys Res 122:191–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Yasukawa K, Nakamura K, Fujinaga K, Iwamori H, Kato Y (2016) Tracking the spatiotemporal variations of statistically independent components involving enrichment of rare-earth elements in deep-sea sediments. Rep 6:29603

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng ZG, Wang QY, Wang XM, Chen S, Yin XB, Li ZX (2012) Geochemistry of abyssal peridotites from the super slow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge near 65° E: implications for magma source and seawater alteration. J Earth Syst Sci 121(5):1317–1336

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao QF, Gong JM, Li SL, He XL, Fu SY (2010) Geochemical characteristics of rare earthelements of surface sediments in Shenhu area of South China Sea. Mar Geol Quat Geol (in Chinese) 30:65–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhong SJ, Mucci A (1995) Partitioning of rare earth elements (REEs) between calcite and seawater solutions at 25°C and 1 atm, and high dissolved REE concentrations. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 59:443–453

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou HY, Dick HJB (2013) Thin crust as evidence for depleted mantle supporting the Marion Rise. Nature 494:195–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang XY, Tao CH, Shi XF, Li HM, Huang M, Huang DS, (2017) Geochemical characteristics of REY-rich pelagic sediments from the GC02 in central Indian Ocean Basin. J Rare Earth 35(10):1047-1058

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the captains and crews of the 34th cruise on R/V Dayangyihao, who contributed to collection of sediment samples and the success of this project. 

Funding

This research was funded by China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association (COMRA) project under contract no. DY135-S1-1-08; the National Key Research and Development Program of China under contract nos. 2018YFC0309902, 2017YFC0306803, 2017YFC0306603, and 2017YFC0306800; and Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation contract no. LQ19D060007.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Ocean Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Liya Zhang, Xin Su, Shihui Lv, Chonghan Yu & Bei Song

  2. Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou Zhejiang, 310012, China

    Liya Zhang, Chunhui Tao & Xianming Deng

  3. Ministry of Natural Resources, Second Institute of Oceanography, Hangzhou Zhejiang, 310012, China

    Liya Zhang, Chunhui Tao, Jianping Zhou & Xianming Deng

Authors
  1. Liya Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chunhui Tao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xin Su
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shihui Lv
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jianping Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xianming Deng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Chonghan Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Bei Song
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Chunhui Tao or Xin Su.

Additional information

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (XLSX 38 KB)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, L., Tao, C., Su, X. et al. Characteristics of rare earth elements in the surface sediments of Southwest Indian Ridge: implication of grain size for the identification of hydrothermal activity. Geo-Mar Lett 42, 7 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00367-022-00729-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00367-022-00729-8

Search

Navigation