Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An experimental investigation of high-temperature interactions between seawater and rhyolite, andesite, basalt and peridotite

  • Published:
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Natural seawater was allowed to react with rhyolite, andesite, basalt, and peridotite at 200°–500° C, and 1,000 bars at water/rock mass ratios of 5 and 50 in order to investigate the effects of rock type, water/rock ratio, and temperature on solution chemistry and alteration mineralogy. The results indicate that interactions of seawater with various igneous rocks are similar in the production of a hydrous Mg-silicate and anhydrite as major alteration products. Fluids involved in the interactions lose Mg to alteration phases while leaching Fe, Mn, and Si from the rocks. The pH of the solutions is primarily controlled by Mg-OH-silicate formation and therefore varies with Mg and Si concentration of the system. Other reactions which involve Mg (such as Mg-Ca exchange) or which produce free H+, cause major differences in fluid chemistry between different seawater/ rock systems. High water/rock ratio systems (50/1) are generally more acidic and more efficient in leaching than low ratio systems (5/1), due to relatively more seawater Mg available for Mgsilicate production. The experiments show that large-scale seawater/rock interaction could exert considerable control on the chemistry of seawater, as well as producing large bodies of altered rock with associated ore-deposits.

Active plate margins of convergence or divergence are suitable environments for hydrothermal systems due to the concurrence of igneous activity, tectonism, and a nearby water reservoir (seawater or connate water). The experimental data indicate that seawater interactions with igneous host rocks could generate many of the features of ore-deposits such as the Kuroko deposits of Japan, the Raul Mine of Peru, the Bleida deposit of Morocco, and deposits associated with ophiolites. Serpentinization of peridotite and alteration of igneous complexes associated with plate margins can also be explained by seawater interaction with the cooling rock. Geothermal energy production could benefit from experimental investigations of hot water/rock systems by development of chemical, temperature, and pressure control systems to maximize the lifetime of hydrothermal flow.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andrews AJ, Fyfe WS (1976) Metamorphism and massive sulphide generation in ocean crust. Geosc Can 3:84–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Archer PL (1978) An experimental investigation of seawater/basalt interactions: the role of water/rock ratios and temperature gradients: MS thesis, Texas A&M University, p 79

  • Austin AL, Howard JH, Lundberg AW, Tardiff AE (1975) The LLL geothermal energy development program status report: January 1975 through August 1975: Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, UCID-16954. Nat Tech Inf Serv p 30

  • Bachinski DJ (1977) Sulfur isotopic composition of ophiolitic cupriferous iron sulfide deposits, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland. Econ Geol 72:243–257

    Google Scholar 

  • Bischoff JL, Dickson FW (1975) Seawater-basalt interaction at 200° C and 500 bars: Implications for origin of sea-floor heavy-metal deposits and regulation of seawater chemistry. Earth Planet Sci Lett 25:385–397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bischoff JL, Seyfried WE (1978) Hydrothermal chemistry of seawater from 25° C to 350° C: Am J Sci 278:838–860

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolger GW (1976) Chemical evidence that the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a source of hydrothermally derived suspended particulate material to the deep Atlantic: Unpub MS thesis, Univ S Florida, p 145

  • Bolger GW, Betzer PR, Gordeev VV (1978) Hydrothermally-derived manganese suspended over the Galapagos Spreading Center. DeepSea Res 25:721–733

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonatti E (1975) Metallogenesis at oceanic spreading centers. Ann Rev Earth Plan Sci 3:401–431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonatti E, Guerstein-Honnorez BM, Honnorez J (1976) Copper-iron sulfide mineralizations from the equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Econ Geol 71:1515–1525

    Google Scholar 

  • Browne PRL (1969) Sulfide mineralization in a broadlands geothermal drill hole, Taupo volcanic zone, New Zealand: Econ Geol 64:156–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman RG (1971a) Plate tectonic emplacement of upper mantle peridotites along continental edges: J Geophys Res 76:1212–1222

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman RG (1977) Ophiolites. Springer-Verlag, New York, p 229

    Google Scholar 

  • Corliss JB, Dymond J, Lyle M, Cobler R, Rilliams D, von-Herzen R, van-Andel T (1977) Observations of the sediment mounds of the Galapagos Rift during the Alvin diving program: Geol Soc Am Abstracts with Programs, p 937

  • Corliss JB, Dymond J, Gordon LI, Edmond JM, von Herzen R, Ballard RD, Green K, Williams D, Bainbridge A, Crane K, van Andel TH (1979) Submarine thermal springs on the Galapagos Rift: Science 3:1073–1083

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewey JF, Bird JM (1971) Origin and emplacement of the ophiolite suite: Appalachian ophiolites in Newfoundland: J Geohys Res 76:3179–3206

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickson FW (1977a) The role of rhyolite-seawater reaction in the genesis of Kuroko ore deposits: Proc 2nd Int Symp Water-Rock Int, IAGC, Strasbourg, France, August 1977

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickson FW (1977b) The reaction of granite with seawater at 300° C and 1000 bars. EOS Trans Am Geophys Union 58:1251

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmond JM, Measures C, Mangium B, Frant B, Sclater FR, Collier R, Hudson A, Gordon LI, Corliss JB (1979) On the formation of metal-rich deposits at ridge crests. Earth Planet Sci Lett 46:19–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gass IG, Smewing JD (1973) Intrusion, extrusion, and metamorphism at constructive margins: Evidence from the Troodos massif, Cyprus. Nature 242:26–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Hajash A (1975) Hydrothermal processes along Mid-Ocean Ridges: An experimental investigation: Contrib Mineral Petrol 53:205–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Hajash A (1977) Experimental seawater/basalt interactions: Effects of water/rock ratio and temperature gradient: Geol Soc Am Abstr Progr, p 1002

  • Hajash A, Archer P (1980) Experimental seawater/basalt interactions: Effects of Cooling. Contrib Mineral Petrol 75:1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirano T, Oki Y (1978) Importance of Mg2+ and SiO2 (aq) reaction for pH control in seawater-rock interaction. EOS. Trans Am Geophys Union 59:1220

    Google Scholar 

  • Humprhis SE, Thompson G (1978) Hydrothermal alteration of oceanic basalts by seawater. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 42:107–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson RW (1973) Volcanogenic sulfide deposits and their metallogenic significance. Econ Geol 68:1223–1246

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson DD, Hill JH (1976) Possibilities for controlling heavy metal sulfides in scale from geothermal brines: Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, UCRL-51977. Nat Tech Inf Serv, p 14

  • Kajowara Y (1970) Some limitations on the physico-chemical environment of deposition of the Kuroko ores. Volcanism and Ore Genesis, T. Tatsumi (ed), Tokyo Univ Press, pp 367–380

  • Kajiwara U (1973) Chemical composition of ore-forming solution responsible for the Kuroko type mineralization in Japan. Geochem 6:141–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamilli RJ, Ohmoto H (1977) Paragenesis, zoning, fluid inclusion, and isotopic studies of the Finlandia Vein, Colqui District, Central Peru. Econ Geol 72:950–982

    Google Scholar 

  • Klinkhammer G, Bender M, Weiss RF (1977) Hydrothermal managenese in the Galapagos Rift. Nature 269:319–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert IB, Sato T (1974) The Kuroko and associated ore deposits of Japan: A review of their features and metallogenesis. Econ Geol 69:1215–1236

    Google Scholar 

  • Large RR (1977) Chemical evolution and zonation of massive sulfide deposits in volcanic terraines. Econ Geol 72:549–572

    Google Scholar 

  • Leblanc M, Billaud P (1978) A volcano-sedimentary copper deposit on a continental margin of Upper Proterozoic age: Bleida. Econ Geol 73:1101–1111

    Google Scholar 

  • Liou JG, Dickson FW (1978) The interaction of NaCl solution and seawater with andesite, 200°–400° C, 500–1000 bars. EOS, Trans Am Geophys Union 59:1221

    Google Scholar 

  • Lister CRB (1974) On the penetration of water into hot rock. Geophys J R Astr Soc 39:465–509

    Google Scholar 

  • Melson WG, Thompson G, van Andel TH (1968) Volcaism and metamorphism in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 22° N latitude. J Geophys Res 73:5925–5941

    Google Scholar 

  • Moores EM, Vine FJ (1971) The Troodos massif, Cyprus, and other ophiolites as oceanic crust: Evaluation and implications. Philos Trans R Soc Lond A 268:443–466

    Google Scholar 

  • Mottl MJ (1976) Chemical exchange between seawater and basalt during hydrothermal alteration of the oceanic curst. Unpubl diss, Harvard University, p 188

  • Mottl MJ, Seyfried WE (1977) Experimental basalt/seawater interaction: rock- vs. seawater-dominated systems and the origin of submarine hydrothermal deposits. Geol Soc Am Abstracts with Programs, p 1104

  • Mottl MJ, Seyfried WE (1978) Sub-sea-floor hydrothermal systems: rock- vs seawater-dominated sytems. In: Rona PA (ed) Hydrothermal systems at oceanic spreading centers. Academic Press, New York, p 643

    Google Scholar 

  • Murase T, McBirney AR (1973) Properties of some common igneous rocks and their melts at high temperatures. Geol Soc Am Bull 84:3563–3592

    Google Scholar 

  • Norton D, Knapp R (1977) Transport phenomena in hydrothermal systems: The nature of porosity. Am J Sci 277:913–936

    Google Scholar 

  • Norton D, Knight J (1977) Transport phenomena in hydrothermal systems: Cooling plutons. Am J Sci 277:937–981

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohmoto H, Rye RO (1974) Hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of fluid inclusions in the Kuroko deposits, Japan. Econ Geol 69:947–953

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakai H, Matsubaya O (1974) Isotopic geochemistry of the thermal waters of Japan and its bearing on the Kuroko ore solutions. Econ Geol 69:974–991

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakai H, Shinaki R, Kishmin M, Tazaki K (1978) Oxygen isotope exchange and chemical reactions in rhyolite/seawater systems at 300° C and 1000 bars. EOS. Trans Am Geophys Union 59:1220

    Google Scholar 

  • Sato T (1973) A chloride complex model for Kuroko mineralization. Geochem J 7:245–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawkins FJ (1976a) Massive sulfide deposits in relation to geotectonics. Geol Soc Can Spec Pap No 14. pp 221–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawkins FJ (1976b) Metal deposits related to intracontinental hotspot and rifting environments. J Geol 84:653–671

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott MR, Scott RB, Rona PA, Butler LW, Nalwalk A (1974) Rapidly accumulating manganese deposit from the median valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Geophys Res Lett 2:355–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott RB, Rona PA, McGregor BA, Scott MR (1974) The TAG hydrothermal field. Nature 251:301–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott RB, Hajash A (1975) Hydrothermal processes in the Atlantic Ocean crust, 26° N. Publ No 119, Int Assoc Hydrol Sci Proc Grenoble Symp, August 1975. p 35–46

  • Seyfried W, Bischoff JL (1977) Hydrothermal transport of heavy metals by seawater: The role of seawater/basalt ratio. Earth Planet Sci Lett 34:71–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seyfried WE, Dibble WE (1978) Chemical exchange and secondary mineral formation during seawater-peridotite interactions: An experimental study. Geol Soc Am Abstr Progr 10:490

    Google Scholar 

  • Seyfried WE, Dibble WE (1980) Seawater-peridotite interaction at 300° C and 500 bars: implications for the origin of oceanic serpentinites. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 44:309–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seyfried WE, Mottl MJ (1978) Origin of submarine metal-rich hydrothermal solutions: Experimental basalt-seawater interaction in a seawater-dominated system at 300° C, 500 bars. 2nd Int Symp on Water-Rock Interaction, IAGC, Strasbourg, France, in press

    Google Scholar 

  • Shanks WC, Bischoff JL (1977) Ore transport and deposition in the Red Sea geothermal system: a geochemical model. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 41:1507–1519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sillitoe RH (1972a) A plate tectonic model for the origin of porphyry copper deposits. Econ Geol 67:184–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Sillitoe RH (1972b) Formation of certain massive sulfide deposits at sites of sea floor spreading. Trans Inst Min Metal B81:141–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Sillitoe RH (1973) Environments of formation of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. Econ Geol 68:1321–1336

    Google Scholar 

  • Sillitoe RH, Sawkins FJ (1971) Geologic, mineralogic, and fluid inclusion studies relating to the origin of copper-bearing tourmaline breccia pipes, Chile. Econ Geol 66:1028–1040

    Google Scholar 

  • Spooner ETC, Fyfe WS (1973) Sub-sea floor metamorphism, heat and mass transfer. Contrib Mineral Petrol 42:287–304

    Google Scholar 

  • Spooner ETC, Beckinsale RD, England PC, Senior A (1977a) Hydration, 18O enrichment and oxidation during ocean floor hydrothermal metamorphism of ophiolitic metabasic rocks from E Liguria, Italy. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 41:873–890

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spooner ETC, Chapman HJ, Smewing JD (1977b) Strontium isotopic contamination and oxidation during ocean floor hydrothermal metamorphism of the ophiolitic rocks of the Troodos massif, Cyprus. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 41:891–912

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tiezzi L (1978) Microprobe analysis of basalts from the TAG hydrothermal field, Unpubl data, Texas A&M University

  • Turner JS, Gustafson LG (1978) The flow of hot saline solutions from vents on the sea floor — some implications for exhalative massive sulfide and other ore deposits. Econ Geol 73:1982–1100

    Google Scholar 

  • Urabe T (1974) Mineralogical aspects of the Kuroko deposits in Japan and their implications. Mineral Deposita (Berlin) 9:309–324

    Google Scholar 

  • Urabe T, Sato T (1978) Kuroko deposits of the Kosaka mine, Northeast Honshu, Japan — products of submarine hot springs on Miocene seafloor. Econ Geol 73:161–179

    Google Scholar 

  • White DE (1968) Environments of generation of some base-metal oredeposits. Econ Geol 63:301–328

    Google Scholar 

  • White DE (1974) Diverse origins of hydrothermal ore fluids. Econ Geol 69:954–973

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams DL, von Herzen RP (1974) Heat loss from the earth: New estimate. Geology 2:327–328

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolery TJ, Sleep NH (1976) Hydrothermal circulation and geochemical flux at mid-ocean ridges. J Geol 84:249–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Zen E (1974) Burial metamorphism. Can Mineral 12:445–455

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Gary W. Chandler

    Present address: Department of Geology, Washington State University, 99163, Pullman, WA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Texas A&M University, 77843, College Station, TX, USA

    Andrew Hajash & Gary W. Chandler

Authors
  1. Andrew Hajash
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gary W. Chandler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hajash, A., Chandler, G.W. An experimental investigation of high-temperature interactions between seawater and rhyolite, andesite, basalt and peridotite. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 78, 240–254 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00398919

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00398919

Keywords

Search

Navigation