Distribution of trace elements in mud volcano sediments: in search of juvenile component

Abstract

Researchers’ views on the causes of mud volcanism have evolved over time. In the early stages, mud volcanoes were considered common to volcanoes. Later, they began to be associated with processes in sedimentary basins, although attempts to link mud volcanism with magmatic manifestations and replenishment of juvenile components still exist. Findings of mercury, native gold, silver, sulfur, copper, iron and accessory minerals in the products of mud volcanoes in recent years allow a number of researchers to assume the existence of deep-seated flows of hydrocarbons from the mantle, and to consider mud volcanoes as a kind of degassing pipes. The results of the analysis of trace element composition of mud volcanoes sediments in different regions of the world (Kerch Peninsula, North-West Caucasus, Sakhalin, Dzhungar Basin, Andaman Islands, Cadiz Bay, Eastern Mediterranean and Eastern Java) confirm the idea that in them, as in the mud volcanoes fluids (water, methane, carbon dioxide, and helium), traces of the mantle/juvenile component are not observed.