Date of Award
Fall 2009
Project Type
Thesis
Program or Major
Geochemical Systems
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Julia G Bryce
Abstract
The influence of eruptive activity on hydrothermal fluid trace metal abundances, especially those inferred to degas from shallow mid ocean ridge (MOR) magma bodies, remains poorly understood. These data and their variations in time and space are critical to improving our understanding of the quantitative links between mantle, crust, and MOR biological communities. Frequent sampling of hydrothermal vents at the 9°50'N East Pacific Rise provides an ideal suite for evaluating the evolution of vent fluid chemistry during eruption cycles. Fluid metal abundances are presented for metals with high degassing potential (210Pb, Pb and Cd) for a subset of these time-series samples. These results are then considered with chloride, silica, magmatic volatile and more refractory metal contents. Taken together, vapor-phase vents with the highest degassing signal as indicated by volatile contents contain elevated 210Pb/Pb. Additionally, high levels of CO2 are associated with increasing concentrations of Cd as well as 210Pb.
Recommended Citation
Meana-Prado, M Florencia, "Temporal and spatial variations in hydrothermal fluid abundances of degassing metals across an eruptive cycle at 9 degrees 50 minutes N East Pacific Rise" (2009). Master's Theses and Capstones. 491.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/491