Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Origin of a native sulfur chimney in the Kueishantao hydrothermal field, offshore northeast Taiwan

  • Published:
Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Analyses of rare earth and trace element concentrations of native sulfur samples from the Kueishantao hydrothermal field were performed at the Seafloor Hydrothermal Activity Laboratory of the Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Using an Elan DRC II ICP-MS, and combining the sulfur isotopic compositions of native sulfur samples, we studied the sources and formation of a native sulfur chimney. The results show, when comparing them with native sulfur from crater lakes and other volcanic areas, that the native sulfur content of this chimney is very high (99.96%), the rare earth element (REE) and trace element constituents of the chimney are very low (ΣREE<21×10−9), and the chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the native sulfur samples are similar to those of the Kueishantao andesite, implying that the interaction of subseafloor fluid-andesite at the Kueishantao hydrothermal field was of short duration. The sulfur isotopic compositions of the native sulfur samples reveal that the sulfur of the chimney, from H2S and SO2, originated by magmatic degassing and that the REEs and trace elements are mostly from the Kueishantao andesite and partly from seawater. Combining these results with an analysis of the thermodynamics, it is clear that from the relatively low temperature (<116°C), the oxygenated and acidic environment is favorable for formation of this native sulfur chimney in the Kueishantao hydrothermal field.

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

  1. Dando P R, Leahy Y. Hydrothermal activity off Milos, Hellenic Volcanic Arc. BRIDGE Newsletter, 1993, 5: 20–21

    Google Scholar 

  2. Heikoop J M, Tsujita C J, Risk M J, et al. Modern iron ooids from a shallow-marine volcanic setting:Magengetang Indonesia. Geology, 1996, 24: 759–762

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Hodkinson R A, Cronan D S, Varnavas S P, et al. Regional geochemistry of sediments from the Hellenic Volcanic Arc in regard to submarine hydrothermal activity. Mar Geores Geotechnol, 1994, 12:83–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Pichler T, Dix G. Hydrothermal venting within a coral reef ecosystem, Ambitle Island, Papua New Guinea. Geology, 1996, 20(5): 435–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Pichler T, Giggenbach W F, McInnes B A, et al. Fe-sulfide formation due to seawater-gas-sediment interaction in a shallow-water hydrothermal system at Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea. Economic Geology, 1999, 94: 281–288

    Google Scholar 

  6. Sedwick P, Stuben D. Chemistry of shallow submarine warm springs in an arc-volcanic setting: Vulcano Island, Aeolian Archipelago, Italy. Marine Chemistry, 1996, 53: 147–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Prolledesma R M, Dando P R, de Ronde C E J. Special issue on “shallow-water hydrothermal venting”-preface. Chem Geol, 2005, 224: 1–4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. McCarthy K T, Pichler T, Price R E. Geochemistry of Champagne Hot Springs shallow hydrothermal vent field and associated sediments, Dominica, Lesser Antilles. Chem Geol, 2005, 224: 55–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Chen Y G, Wu W S, Chen C H, et al. A date for volcanic eruption inferred from a siltstone xenolith. Quat Sci Rev, 2001, 20: 869–873

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Kuo F W. Preliminary investigation of shallow hydrothermal vents on Kueishantao islet of northeastern Taiwan. Dissertation for the Master Degree (in Chinese). Taiwan: Institute of Marine Geology and Chemistry, 2001. 1–81

    Google Scholar 

  11. Chen C T A, Wang B J, Huang J F, et al. Investigation into extremely acidic hydrothermal fluids off Kueishan Tao, Taiwan, China. Acta Ocean Sin, 2005, 24(1): 125–133

    Google Scholar 

  12. Chen C T A, Zeng Zhigang, Kuo F W, et al. Tide-influenced acidic hydrothermal system offshore NE Taiwan. Chem Geol, 2005, 224:69–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Kargel J S, Delmelle P, Nash D B. Volcanogenic Sulfur on Earth and Io: Composition and Spectroscopy. Icarus, 1999, 142: 249–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Turekian K K. Oceans. Engelwood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1968. 1–120

    Google Scholar 

  15. Chung S L, Wang S L, Shinjo R, et al. Initiation of arc magmatism in an embryonic continental rifting zone of the southernmost part of Okinawa Trough. Terra Nova, 2000, 12(5): 225–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Chen C W, Lee T, Shieh Y N, et al. Magmatism at the onset of back-arc basin spreading in the Okinawa Trough. J Volcan Geothermal Res, 1995, 69: 313–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Gutzmer J, Banks D A, Luders V, et al. Ancient sub-seafloor alteration of basaltic andesites of the Ongeluk Formation, South Africa: implication for the chemistry of Paleoproterozoic seawater. Chem Geol, 2003, 201(1–2): 37–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Henley R W, Truesdell A H, Barton P B Jr, et al. Fluid-mineral equilibria in hydrothermal systems. Rev Econ Geol, 1984, 1: 267

    Google Scholar 

  19. Piepgras D J, Jacobsen S B. The behavior of rare earth elements in seawater:precise determination of variations in the North Pacific water column. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1992, 56: 1851–1862

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Sun S S, McDonough W F. Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: implications for mantle composition and processes. In: Saunders A D, Norry M J, eds. Magmatism in the Ocean Basins. London: Geological Society of London Special Publication, 1989, 42:313–345

    Google Scholar 

  21. Kikawada Y, Ossaka T, Oi T, et al. Experimental studies on the mobility of lanthanides accompanying alteration of andesite by acidic hot spring water. Chem Geol, 2001, 176: 137–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Sverjensky D A. Europium redox equilibria in aqueous solution. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1984, 67(1): 70–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Ueda A, Sakai H. Sulfur isotope study of Quaternary volcanic rocks from the Japanese island arc. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1984, 48:1837–1848

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Woodhead J D, Harmon R S, Fraser D G. O, S, Sr and Pb isotope variations in volcanic rocks from the northern Mariana islands: implications for crustal recycling in intra-oceanic arcs. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1987, 83: 39–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Rees C E, Jenkins W J, Monster J. The Sulfur isotopic composition of ocean water sulfate. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1978, 42: 377–381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Marumo K, Hattori K H. Seafloor hydrothermal clay alteration at Jade in the back-arc Okinawa Trough: Mineralogy, geochemistry and isotope characteristics. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1999, 63(18):2785–2804

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Zeng Z G, Li J, Jiang F Q, et al. Sulfur isotopic composition of seafloor hydrothermal sediment from the Jade hydrothermal field in the central Okinawa Trough and its geological significance. Acta Oceanol Sin, 2002, 21: 395–405

    Google Scholar 

  28. Herzig P M, Hannington M D, Arribas A Jr. Sulfur isotopic composition of hydrothermal precipitates from the Lau back-arc: implications for magmatic contributions to seafloor hydrothermal systems. Mineralium Deposita, 1998, 33: 226–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Gena K R, Chiba H, Mizuta T, et al. Hydrogen, Oxygen and Sulfur isotope studies of seafloor hydrothermal system at the Desmos caldera, Manus back-arc basin, Papua New Guinea: An analogue of terrestrial acid hot crater-lake. Resour Geol, 2006, 56(2): 183–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Sakai H, DesMarais D J, Ueda A, et al. Concentrations and isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur in ocean-floor basalts. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1984, 48: 2433–2441

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Yang T F, Lan T F, Lee H F, et al. Gas compositions and helium isotopic ratios of fluid samples around Kueishantao, NE offshore Taiwan and its tectonic implications. Geochem J, 2005, 39: 469–480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Giggenbach W F, Matsuo S. Evaluation of results from second and third IAVCEI field workshop on volcanic gases, Mt. Usu, Japan, and White Island, New Zealand. Appl Geochem, 1991, 256: 125–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Colony W E, Nordlie B E. Liquid sulfur at Volcan Azufre, Galapagos Islands. Econ Geol, 1973, 68: 371–380

    Google Scholar 

  34. Rowe G L. Oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur isotope systematics of the crater lake system of Poas Volcano, Costa Rica. Geochem J, 28:263–287

  35. Delmelle P, Bernard A, Kusakabe M, et al. Geochemistry of the magmatic-hydrothermal systems of Kawah Ijen volcano, East Java, Indonesia. J Volcano Geothermal Res, 2000, 97(1–4): 31–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Kusakabe M, Komoda Y, Takano B, et al. Sulfur isotopic effects in the disproportionation reaction of sulfur dioxide in hydrothermal fluids: implications for the δ 34S variations of dissolved bisulfate and elemental sulfur from active crater lakes. J Volcano Geothermal Res, 2000, 97(1–4): 287–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Takano B, Watanuki K. Monitoring of volcanic eruptions at Yugama crater lake by aqueous sulfur oxyanions. J Volcano Geothermal Res, 1990, 40: 71–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Barrow G M. Physical Chemistry. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1973. 1–787

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Seafloor Hydrothermal Activity Laboratory of the Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China

    Zeng ZhiGang, Liu ChangHua, Yin XueBo, Chen DaiGeng, Wang XiaoYuan, Wang XiaoMei & Zhang GuoLiang

  2. Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Liu ChangHua, Chen DaiGeng, Wang XiaoYuan, Wang XiaoMei & Zhang GuoLiang

  3. Institute of Marine Geology and Chemistry, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan, China

    Chen ChenTung A.

Authors
  1. Zeng ZhiGang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Liu ChangHua
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chen ChenTung A.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yin XueBo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Chen DaiGeng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Wang XiaoYuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Wang XiaoMei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Zhang GuoLiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zeng ZhiGang.

Additional information

Supported in part by the Pilot Project of Knowledge Innovation Project, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No.KZCX3-SW-223), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40176020 and 40376020)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zeng, Z., Liu, C., Chen, C.A. et al. Origin of a native sulfur chimney in the Kueishantao hydrothermal field, offshore northeast Taiwan. SCI CHINA SER D 50, 1746–1753 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-007-0092-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-007-0092-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation