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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1993; v. 76; p. 295-307;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1993.076.01.14
© 1993 Geological Society of London

Ophiolites and Oceanic Crust

Geochemical and thermal fluxes, high-temperature venting and diffuse flow from mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems: the TAG hydrothermal field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge 26°N

H. Elderfield, R. A. Mills & M. D. Rudnicki

Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EQ, UK

Submarine hydrothermal activity provides a source of many elements to sea water at rates of a similar order to those of input by rivers. Estimates of hydrothermal fluxes from geophysical models which attribute only about 200f the advection to the axial region are up to an order of magnitude lower than those based upon geochemical budgets (from 3He, Mg and 87Sr/86Sr). Evidence for ridge-flank and on-axis low-temperature hydrothermalism is reviewed. Diffuse flow appears to account for about 3/4 to 3/4 to 6/7 of the total heat flux of 500–900 MW for the TAG vent field, but is poorly characterized chemically. Processes in hydrothermal plumes moderate the primary hydrothermal fluxes of trace elements to the oceans. Recent studies of the plume above the TAG hydrothermal field are discussed. Oxyanions and particle-reactive trace metals are co-precipitated with iron oxyhydroxides that form during mixing in the buoyant plume. Particle-reactive metals are further scavenged during lateral transport of the plume whereas chalcophile elements are removed from the plume. The overall effect of plume reactions is that hydrothermal activity acts as an oceanic sink for several trace elements.