CENTER for DARK ENERGY BIOSPHERE INVESTIGATIONS
Menu
  • About
    • Introduction
    • People
    • Spotlight
    • Ethics Policy
    • Data Access & Policy
    • Executive Documents
    • C-DEBI Branded Resources
    • Support C-DEBI
    • Contact Us
  • Research
    • Overview
    • Research Themes
    • Field Sites
    • Facilities, Equipment & Technology
    • Research Support
      • Research Grants
      • Graduate Fellowships
      • Postdoctoral Fellowships
      • Research Exchanges
      • Community Workshops
      • Funded Projects
  • Education
    • Overview
    • For Teachers
    • For High School Students
    • For Undergraduates
      • Overview
      • GEM Summer Course
      • C4 Research Experience
      • CC-RISE Research Internship
      • GGURE Research Experience
      • Partnering Organizations
    • For Graduates & Postdocs
    • For Everyone
    • Education Grants
  • Resources
    • Peer-Reviewed Publications
    • Project Data
    • Protocols
    • Subseafloor Cultures Database
    • Videos
    • Mailing List & Newsletter
    • Meetings & Workshops
    • Networked Speaker Series
    • Professional Development Webinars
    • How to Get Deep Biosphere Samples

Person: Sara Niedenzu

Order
Date Desc
Date Asc
Title Asc
Title Desc
Publications > Journal Article
Published: January 12, 2019
Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Geology and Fluid Discharge at Dorado Outcrop, a Low Temperature Ridge-Flank Hydrothermal System
Authors: Charles Geoffrey Wheat, Anne M. Hartwell, James McManus, Andrew T. Fisher, Beth N. Orcutt, Lucy E. Schlicht, Sara Niedenzu, Wolfgang Bach
C-DEBI Contribution Number: 456
Publications > Journal Article
Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Geology and Fluid Discharge at Dorado Outcrop, a Low Temperature Ridge-Flank Hydrothermal System
Authors: Charles Geoffrey Wheat, Anne M. Hartwell, James McManus, Andrew T. Fisher, Beth N. Orcutt, Lucy E. Schlicht, Sara Niedenzu, Wolfgang Bach
Published: January 12, 2019
C-DEBI Contribution Number: 456

Abstract

Two expeditions to Dorado Outcrop on the eastern flank of the East Pacific Rise and west of the Middle America Trench collected images, video, rocks and sediment samples and measured temperature and fluid discharge rates to document the physical and biogeochemical characteristics of a regional, low‐temperature (~15°C) hydrothermal system. Analysis of video and images identified lava morphologies: pillow, lobate, and sheet flows. Glasses from collected lavas were consistent with an off‐axis formation. Hydrothermal discharge generally occurs through pillow lavas, but is patchy, sporadic, and sometimes ceases at particular sites of discharge. Year‐long temperature measurements at five of these discharge sites show daily ranges that oscillate with tidal frequencies by 6°C or more. Instantaneous fluid discharge rates (0.16 to 0.19 L s‐1) were determined resulting in a calculated discharge of ~200 L s‐1 when integrated over the area defined by the most robust fluid discharge. Such discharge has a power output of 10‐12 MW. Hydrothermal seepage through thin sediment adjacent to the outcrop accounts for <3% of this discharge, but seepage may support an oxic sediment column. High extractable Mn concentrations and depleted δ13C in the low but variable organic solid phase suggest hydrothermal fluids provide a source for manganese accumulation and likely enhance the oxidation of organic carbon. Comparisons of the physical and geochemical characteristics at Dorado and Baby Bare Outcrops, the latter being the only other site of ridge‐flank hydrothermal discharge that has been sampled directly, suggest commonalities and differences that have implications for future discoveries.
Source: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2018gc007933

Related Items

Awards
Awards > Research Grants
Award Dates: August 25, 2013 — February 24, 2016
Carbon dynamics in cool ridge-flank hydrothermal springs: The Dorado Outcrop of the eastern Pacific
PI: James McManus (Oregon State University; University of Akron)

About C-DEBI  |  Our Research  |  Education & Outreach  |  Resources  |
Contact Us  |  Join Our Mailing List  |  Find Us On Facebook  |  Follow us on Twitter
© 2009-2019 Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI)

SUPPORT C-DEBI TODAY |  National Science Foundation