Recurrent uranium relocations in distal turbidites emplaced in pelagic conditions

Abstract

The sediments of the Madeira Abyssal Plain, east of Great Meteor Seamount, are dominated by distal turbidite deposition. While the turbidites exhibit a wide compositional range (25–80% CaCO 3), individual examples can be correlated over a wide area and are relatively homogenous. Organic C oxidation, by bottom water oxygen, proceeds from the turbidite tops downwards after emplacement in pelagic conditions, and the progress of this oxidation front is marked by a sharp colour contrast in the sediments ( Wilson et al., 1985). In turbidites with C org ⪢ 0.5%, redistribution of authigenic U occurs to form a concentration peak (4–9 ppm U), just below the oxidation front or colour change. Several tens μg U/cm 2 may be mobilised, and in all examples studied ⪢60% of the remobilised U is relocated into the peak. Following burial by subsequent turbidites, such U concentration peaks are persistent as relict indicators of their extinct oxidation fronts for at least 2 × 10 5 years. In the case of thin turbidites where labile C org is almost exhausted, the U peaks may be located in underlying sedimentary units because of their relationship to the oxidation front. A redox mechanism for U peak formation is suggested from these data rather than a complexation with organic matter.