Hydrothermal scavenging on the Juan de Fuca Ridge: 230Thxs, 10Be, and REEs in ridge-flank sediments

Abstract

We have investigated the geochemistry of a hydrothermally enriched sediment core recovered from the western flank of the N.Cleft Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge, ∼8km west of the "MegaPlume" area previously identified near 45°N. The core contains varying biogenic, lithogenic, and hydrothermal components, as reflected in CaCO3, Al, and Fe contents, respectively. Horizons of pronounced hydrothermal input, in core-top sediments and at depth, exhibit increased concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, and Pb and shifts in Pb isotopic compositions toward nonradiogenic (MORB/hydrothermal) values. REE concentrations co-vary with hydrothermal Fe down-core, and shale-normalised REE distribution patterns exhibit both..