Noble metals in mid-ocean ridge volcanism: A significant fractionation of gold with respect to platinum group metals

Hydrothermal precipitates, black smoker particulate, and massive sulphide dredge samples from the Explorer Ridge on the Juan de Fuca Plate and the TAG hydrothermal area on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge were analyzed for selected noble metals including Au, Ir and Pd by radiochemical neutron activation analysis. The preliminary results indicate that gold contents may reach the ppm range although values in the neighborhood of 100 to 200 ppb are more typical. The platinum group elements (PGE) represented by Ir and Pd are typically less than 0.02 ppb and less than 2 ppb respectively. These abundances represent a significant enrichment of gold relative to the PGE in comparison with average noble metal abundances in mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). A partial explanation of this distinctive fractionation can be found in the concepts of sulfur-saturation of basic magma in mid-ocean ridge (MOR) settings, and the origin of MOR hydrothermal fluids. Experimental and petrological data suggest that MORBs are sulfur-saturated at the time of magma generation and that an immiscible sulfide component remains in the mantle residue. Hence, MORBs are noble metal-poor, particularly with respect to PGE. Consequently, black smoker fluids can be expected to reflect the low Ir and Pd contents of the rock column. The average Au content of MORB is 1.3 ppb, and so the rock column is not significantly enriched in Au. The generation of fluids which precipitate solids with 200 ppb Au is apparently dependent on highly efficient fluid chemistry to mobilize Au from the rock column, high Au solubility in seawater hydrothermal fluids and efficient precipitation mechanisms to coprecipitate Au on Fe, Zn and Cu sulfides. Significant differences in these parameters appear to be the ultimate cause of the strong Au-PGE fractionation in the MOR setting. It does not appear from the current data base that MOR hydrothermal fluids are significant contributors to the Ir enrichment seen in Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary sediments

Iridium, shocked minerals, and trace elements across the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary at Maud Rise, Wedell Sea, and Walvis Ridge, South Atlantic Ocean

Sediments spanning a 5 meter section across the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary at ODP holes 689B and 690D, Maud Rise, Wedell Sea and hole 527, Walvis Ridge, are being analyzed for shock deformation, PGE's and other trace elements (including REE's). Mineral separates from each sample were studied with optical microscopy to determine the distribution and microstructural state of quartz and feldspar present in the sediments. Samples from Maud Rise were taken of the K/T transition and at about 50 cm intervals above and below it. These samples consist of carbonate-rich sediments, with the K/T transition marked by a change from white Maastrichtian oozes to a greenish ooze with higher concentrations of altered volcanic clay and vitric ash. The Walvis Ridge site is characterized by more clay-rich sediments with average carbonate content about 60 to 70 percent. Initial results from RNAA studies indicate that iridium is present in all the Maud Rise samples in concentrations equal to or greater than 0.01 ppb (whole-rock basis). Preliminary results from optical microscopy indicate the occurrence of shock mosaicism in quartz and feldspar in all of the samples studied. The pervasiveness of shock mosaicism and presence of planar features to 2 meters from the K/T boundary indicates that a single impact or volcanic explosion 66 ma may be ruled out as responsible for the K/T event. A similar conclusion may be drawn independently from the distribution of iridium and other trace elements. Regardless of the source of the shock waves and sediment contamination, multiple events are required over a ca.0.5 my timespan; currently we favor endogenous sources

Palladium, iridium, and gold contents of mafic and ultramafic rocks drilled from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Leg 37, Deep Sea Drilling Project

Basalts and ultramafic rocks from holes 332B and 334 of Leg 37, DSDP, were analyzed for palladium, iridium, and gold by neutron activation. Averages obtained for the basalts are: Pd &lt; 0.69 ppb, Ir &lt; 0.025 ppb, and Au = 2.9 ppb. The samples include one representative of each of the main basaltic lithological units except for Unit III, hole 332B, which is represented by a suite of 14 samples. Averages of 43, 0.60, and 16 ppb were obtained for Pd, Ir, and Au respectively in two ultramafic rocks and a gabbro from hole 334.In comparison with basalts from mid-ocean islands such as Hawaii, Leg 37 sea-floor basalts are significantly depleted in Ir and Pd, but are similar in gold content. These differences may be related to differing degrees of alteration sustained by rocks from these differing environments.The depth profiles for Ir and Pd in hole 332B show no significant trends, but a weak trend of increasing gold content with depth is suggested. Variation of Ir and Pd in adjacent lithological units may be as great as a factor of 50. The Pd distribution in 14 samples from Unit III suggests that these differences probably reflect real differences in average metal content rather than sampling effects. Although alteration of Leg 37 basalts is weak, the low Pd and Ir contents and the variability from flow to flow suggest that reaction with sea water has leached Pd and Ir from these rocks. A possible complementary enhancement of some noble metals including Pd has been noted in the sediments immediately overlying mid-ocean rises. Although gold does not seem to be depleted in Leg 37 basalts there is evidence that the metal is easily mobilized by local heating accompanying igneous intrusive rocks.The average Au/Ir ratio of the Leg 37 basalts is four times higher than that of the ultramafic–mafic rocks of hole 334. Although part of this effect is probably due to secondary alteration, it is considered unlikely that the Leg 37 basalts and ultramafic rocks are petrogenetically related. </jats:p