Abstract
Authigenic carbonates from cold seeps are unique archives for studying environmental conditions, including biogeochemical processes associated with methane-rich fluid migration through the sediment column. The aim of this research was to study major oxide, mineralogical, and stable isotopic compositions of cold-seep authigenic carbonates collected in the northern part of the Laptev Sea. These carbonates are represented by Mg-calcite with an Mg content of 2% to 8%. The δ13 C values range from −27.5%° to −28.2%° Vienna Peedee belemnite (VPDB) and indicate that carbonates formed due to anaerobic oxidation of methane, most likely thermogenic in origin. The authigenic pyrite in Mg-calcite is evidence of sulfate reduction during carbonate precipitation. The δ18 O values of carbonates vary from 3.5%° to 3.8%° VPDB. The calculated δ18 Ofluid values show that pore water temperature for precipitated Mg-calcite was comparable to bottom seawater temperature. The presence of authigenic carbonate in the upper horizons of sediments suggests that the sulfate–methane transition zone is shallowly below the sediment–water interface.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 948 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-14 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Minerals |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2020 |
Keywords
- Anaerobic methane oxidation
- Authigenic carbonate
- Cold seep
- Fluid source
- Laptev Sea
- Oxygen and carbon isotopes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
- Geology