Variation of the chemical composition of sediments under middle- and low-temperature hydrothermal conditions in the southern trough of Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California: Communication 2. Results of the study of grain size fractions of sediments

Abstract

The chemical composition of grain size fractions of the Upper Pleistocene sediments in the southern trough of Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California) is studied based on materials from DSDP Hole 477 (191 m). The sediments are located in the upper part of the main long-lived hydrothermal system. Therefore, they were subjected to long-term reworking by the middle- and low-temperature solutions (100‒300°C) and short-term hydrothermal impact during the intrusion of basalt sills. The upper part of the main hydrothermal system is divided into three middle- to low-temperature hydrothermal alteration zones: lower (III), middle (II), and upper (I). In zone III (250‒300°C), hydrothermal alterations of sediments are most significant. The coarsegrained fractions are enriched in Fe, S, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Co, Se, Cd, Bi, Pb, and Ag due to the formation of sulfides and precipitation of native metals. The silt fractions are enriched in Be, Sc, Nb, Ta, W, Th, U, Y, and REE. In contrast, the pelite fractions are depleted in most of these elements. The fine-dispersed (<0.001 mm) pelite fractions are appreciably enriched in Mg (due to the formation of the authigenic Mg-chlorite), as well as MnO, Cr, V, Ga, Pb, and Zr. Virtually all grain size fractions are depleted in K2O, Li, Rb, Cs, and Tl due to the dissolution of the K-bearing terrigenous minerals. In zones II (146‒170 m) and I (110‒146 m), where the temperature of hydrothermal solutions dropped successively from 250 to 180‒195 and 100°C, the sedimentary environment was unfavorable for the concentration of Fe, S, and a large group of ore elements that are typical for sediments in zone III. Intrusion of basalt sills and a short-term hydrothermal impact changed concentrations of several components in the sediments overlying the sill complex: CaO, K2O, Li, Rb, Cs, and Tl acquired a trend typical of the high-temperature lower zone III, whereas Fe, MgO, P2O5, TiO2, V, Sc, and Y distribution pattern became typical of the low-temperature upper zone I. Significant compositional variations in the grain size fractions of sediments are lacking beneath the sill base.