Geochronology of Seafloor Hydrothermal Systems

海底热液系统地质年代学

• 批准号: RGPIN-2017-05548
• 负责人: Jamieson, John
• 金额: $ 2.33万
• 依托单位: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=684286
• 关键词: Geochronology; Seafloor; Hydrothermal; Systems

The overarching goal of my research program is to develop an understanding of the resource potential of seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits, develop methods for dating these deposits, and develop exploration techniques for locating and delineating these deposits.***In order to fully understand processes that occur on the seafloor, such as sedimentation rates, shifting habitats, volcanism and formation of ore deposits, it is necessary to determine the timing and rates at which these processes occur. Isotope dating using U-series radioisotopes is an effective tool for dating young (<0.5 million years) geological and biological samples in the marine environment. The primary focus of the proposed research program is to develop dating techniques and train HQP in the application of these techniques to better understand geological and biological processes on the seafloor, especially, but not limited to, hydrothermal systems and the formation and evolution of seafloor massive sulfide deposits. This research is important because these deposits preserve a spatial, temporal and geochemical record of hydrothermal venting over time and are increasingly seen as potential mining targets, due to the high concentrations of valuable base and precious metals. The dating techniques to be developed can equally be applied to sediment cores, basaltic rocks and deep-sea fauna (e.g., corals), either in relation to hydrothermal systems or related to other marine processes.***Capacity in the applicant's lab currently exists to date relatively young barite-rich hydrothermal samples between ~500 and 16,000 years using gamma spectrometry techniques and is focused on the composition, preservation and exploration of old, inactive seafloor massive sulfide deposits. However, as our ability to find old, off-axis deposits increases, so to does the need to date older deposits. Likewise, with rapid environmental change associated with climatic warming, developing techniques for dating samples younger than 500 years is also required. The proposed program will build on the capacity to date samples using a combination of mass spectrometry and gamma spectrometry. This increased capacity will create a major centre for U-series geochronology, and the capability to date both geological and biological samples from hydrothermal deposits over a full age spectrum up to 500,000 years. The outcomes of this research will lead to a better understanding of the natural processes that occur on the seafloor. This will be particularly relevant for stakeholders in the emerging deep-sea mining industry, including commercial companies, government regulators and NGOs. This research will also help our understanding of the effects of climate change and human activities (e.g., fisheries, offshore petroleum production) on the marine environment.

我的研究计划的总体目标是建立对海底大规模硫化物（SMS）沉积物的资源潜力的理解，开发用于约会这些存款的方法，并开发用于定位和描述这些沉积物的勘探技术。了解海底上发生的过程，例如沉积率，栖息地的转移，火山矿床和矿床的形成，有必要确定发生这些过程的时间和速率。 使用U系列放射性同位素的同位素约会是在海洋环境中与年轻（<50万年）地质和生物样品约会的有效工具。 拟议的研究计划的主要重点是开发约会技术并培训HQP在应用这些技术中，以更好地了解海底上的地质和生物过程，尤其是但不限于水热系统以及海底大规模的形成和发展硫化物沉积。这项研究很重要，因为这些沉积物保留了随着时间的流逝的水热通风的空间，时间和地球化学记录，并且由于高浓度的有价值的基础和贵金属而被视为潜在的采矿目标。要开发的约会技术同样可以应用于与热液系统有关的沉积物核心，玄武岩岩石和深海动物区系（例如珊瑚）或与其他海洋过程有关的。***目前存在的申请人实验室的容量。迄今为止，使用伽马光谱技术在〜500至16，000年之间相对较小的富含碳酸盐的水热样品，并专注于对旧的，无活跃的海底大量硫化物沉积物的组成，保存和探索。但是，随着我们找到旧的轴载矿的能力，增加了旧存款的需求。同样，随着与气候变暖相关的快速环境变化，还需要针对500岁以下的约会样品开发技术。 提出的程序将建立在质谱和伽马光谱法的结合下约会样品的能力上。这种增加的能力将为U系列地球学学院创造一个主要的中心，以及在最高500，000年的整个年龄频谱中，从水热沉积物中的地质和生物样本均可及早。 这项研究的结果将使人们更好地了解海底上发生的自然过程。 这对于新兴深海矿业行业的利益相关者（包括商业公司，政府监管机构和非政府组织）尤其重要。 这项研究还将有助于我们理解气候变化和人类活动的影响（例如渔业，海上石油生产）对海洋环境的影响。