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Petrophysical characteristics of rocks and sulfides from the SWIR hydrothermal field

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Abstract

Study of petrophysical properties of rocks in seafloor hydrothermal fields has great significance for investigation of seafloor hydrothermal activities, especially for polymetallic sulfides prospecting. In the present study, based on the current experimental conditions, we conducted systematic experiments to measure the magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, porosity, density, as well as acoustic wave velocity of seafloor rocks and sulfides. Subsequently, we measured the physical characteristics of hydrothermal sulfides, basalts and peridotites which were collected from newly discovered seafloor hydrothermal fields at 49.6°E, 50.5°E, 51°E, 63.5°E, and 63.9°E of the Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR). Previously available and newly collected data were combined to characterize the physical differences between polymetallic sulfides and rocks. We also discussed the impact of hydrothermal alteration on the bedrock and demonstrated how these petrophysical properties of rocks can help in geophysical prospecting of seafloor hydrothermal fields as indicators.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, State Oceanic Administration, Hangzhou, 310012, China

    Chunhui Tao, Tao Wu, Xiaobing Jin, Huaiming Li & Jianping Zhou

  2. The Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Hangzhou, 310012, China

    Chunhui Tao, Tao Wu, Xiaobing Jin, Huaiming Li & Jianping Zhou

  3. Zhejiang Dacheng Construction Group Co. Ltd, Hangzhou, 310012, China

    Bingjun Dou

Authors
  1. Chunhui Tao
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  2. Tao Wu
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  3. Xiaobing Jin
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  4. Bingjun Dou
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  5. Huaiming Li
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  6. Jianping Zhou
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Correspondence to Tao Wu.

Additional information

Foundation item: The National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) under contract No. 2012CB417305; COMRA Major Project under contract No. DY125-11-R-01-05; the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 49906004 and 41104073.

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Tao, C., Wu, T., Jin, X. et al. Petrophysical characteristics of rocks and sulfides from the SWIR hydrothermal field. Acta Oceanol. Sin. 32, 118–125 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-013-0367-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-013-0367-4

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