Hydrocarbons in the Bay of Bengal and Central Indian Basin bottom sediments: indicators of geochemical processes in the lithosphere

A study on the bulk distributions and molecular structures of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in organic matter of the sediments from the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern and Central Indian Basins was undertaken. The former two regions represent areas characterised by “normal” sedimentation while the third one mainly represents a region of “active tectonism”. Content of the hydrocarbons in the sediments of “normal” sedimentation ranges between 4.6 and 10.5 μg/g and aromatic hydrocarbons ranges between 0 and 0.38 μg/g. n-Alkanes in the sediments of the northern deep part of the Bay of Bengal consist mostly of long-chain structures (total C₂₅–C₃₃ up to 70%) with a high carbon preference index (CPI=3.01–3.43), indicating a large contribution of organic matter from terrigenous sources. The sediments from the Eastern Indian Basin have n-alkane distributions in which the long-chain components did not exceed 52.5% and the CPI was 1.7–1.90, indicating that the hydrocarbons are mostly derived from marine sources. Sharp increases of hydrocarbons are found in the vicinity of the tectonically active region of the Central Indian Basin, particularly in the sediments collected from the fracture zone. The total concentration of hydrocarbons increase to 170 μg/g and the aromatic hydrocarbons fraction to 156.3 μg/g. The proportion of short-chain n-alkanes increases up to 70%, CPI decreases to 0.76–1.12, and high concentrations of n-C₁₆ (16–40%) occur, all of which are absent in the other samples. The molecular content of PAH includes the unsubstituted individual structures: biphenyl, fluorene, pyrene, perylene, benzo(ghi)perylene, and the groups of homologues of naphthalene, benzofluorene, phenanthrene and chrysene. The association of the PAH and composition of paraffin hydrocarbons in the surficial sediments of deformation zone indicate that these are the resultant products of hydrothermal processes. It is, therefore, suggested that the association and composition of the hydrocarbons in sediments can be utilised as a paleoceanographic parameter to decipher the history of tectonism of an area.     

Monitoring the Impact of Simulated Deep-sea Mining in Central Indian Basin

Monitoring of deep-sea disturbances, naturai or man-made, has gained significance due to the associated sediment transport and for the ensuing alterations in environmental conditions. During the Indian Deep-sea Environment Experiment (INDEX), resuspension of deep-sea sediment in the Central Indian Basin (CIB) resulted in an increase and lateral movement of suspended particles, vertical mixing of sediments, changes in sedimentological, biochemical, and geochemical conditions and an overall reduction in benthic biomass. Monitoring the conditions 44 months after the experiment has shown a partial recovery of the benthic ecosystem, with indications of restoration and recolonization.     

Biological Characteristics of Central Indian Basin Waters During the Southern Summer

Phytoplankton biomass, taxonomy, primary productivity, and photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) were studied as part of baseline data collection for prospective nodule mining in the Central Indian Basin during the ORV Sagar Kanya cruise SK-120 in January 1997. The phytoplankton cell counts and chlorophyll a estimates showed low biomass level, suggesting low rates of primary productivity in the region studied. The average chlorophyll a value was 0.775 mg m^?3 at surface and 17.75 mg m^?2 in the water column. Similarly, average primary productivity at surface was 3.72 mg C m^?3 d^?1 and was 51.23 mg C m^?2 d^?1 in column. The chlorophyll a maxima at 50 to 80 m was the characteristic feature of the euphotic zones of the area. Average phytoplankton counts at the surface were low (3960 cells/l), compared to those at 25 m (6421 cells/l) and 75 m (5187 cells/l). At most of the stations mesozooplankton biomass was maximum in the top 50 m water column, indicating the importance of grazing in the euphotic zone. Appreciable quantities of mesozooplankton were observed below the euphotic zone, where settlement of chlorophyll a occurs. The low iron concentration in the water and its relationship with the water column productivity were correlated. The results show that waters in the CIB have low productivity in the surface as well as subsurface layers. This is expected to change in this case of a mining discharge in to these layers, possibly locally affecting the existing marine ecosystems. The final impact of such mining activity may remain negligible in the deep sea environment.     

Response of Sedimentary Nucleic Acids to Benthic Disturbance in the Central Indian Basin

Information on the response of nucleic acids (i.e., DNA and RNA) to simulated benthic disturbance was obtained from samples collected from eight sediment cores (0–10 cm) located in the Central Indian Basin (CIB). In general the total sedimentary DNA (DNA) increased with depth (from 380.09 to 408.99 μg·g^?1), while total sedimentary RNA (RNA) decreased (from 878.13 to 484.16 μg·g^?1). Following the simulated benthic disturbance brought about by the benthic hydraulic disturber, DNA decreased by 10% along the disturbed track while the RNA increased by around 75%. The RNA/DNA ratio decreased nearly 10%. However, the ratio doubled along the disturbed track suggesting that the activity was stimulated at molecular level following artif icial disturbance. The nucleic acid ratio thus shows that the CIB sediments are metabolically active, and with disturbance the activity tends to increase further.     

中印度洋海盆富稀土沉积地球化学特征及富集机制研究

本文对中印度洋海盆深海富稀土沉积区两根柱样GC02和GC06开展了沉积物涂片观察,X-射线衍射分析,主量、微量和稀土元素分析,以及单矿物原位微区地球化学分析等,探讨了其地球化学特征、物质来源及稀土元素（REY）的富集机制。结果表明,GC02柱状沉积物类型为钙质黏土和沸石黏土,GC06柱状沉积物类型为钙质黏土、含沸石黏土和沸石黏土。稀土元素主要在含沸石黏土和沸石黏土中富集。北美页岩标准化（NASC）配分模式指示沉积物的REY主要来源于海水,矿物学和地球化学等特征表明该地区沉积物陆源组分可能主要源于澳大利亚的风尘物质。元素相关性和CaO/P₂O₅比值等指示了深海富稀土沉积中REY的主要赋存矿物为生物磷灰石（鱼牙/骨等）,其次为铁锰微结核。本文总结和探讨了深海富稀土沉积的形成机制,完善了深海富稀土沉积形成过程的概念模型。     

Distribution of Grain Size and Clay Minerals in Sediments from the INDEX Area,Central Indian Basin

Abstract

The granulometry of 21 box core sediments from five selected sites in the Central Indian Basin (CIB) have been studied to understand the sediment size characteristics in the Pioneer area before the benthic disturbance experiment. The sediments are predominantly clayey silt. Statistical parameters were determined to understand the control and variations in the grain size. The mean grain size (M_zφ) ranged from 7.0 to 8.6 for the surface and from 6.6 to 8.6 for the subsurface sediments, indicating deposition of very fine fractions during the Neogene period. The sediments were poorly sorted as revealed from the higher ρ₁ values (2.7 to 2.9). Higher and negative values of skewness (SK₁) indicated a winnowing action of prevailing currents in the area. Average kurtosis (K_G) values for the surface (0.4 to 0.8) and subsurface (0.5 to 1.2) showed that sediments were very platykurtic and leptokurtic. Clay mineralogical studies showed that smectite had a wider range (from 6% to 55%) and decreased southward because of its terrigenous origin. The terrigenous influence of the sediments could be documented as far as 12°S. Smectite and kaolinite increased eastward and chlorite decreased southward. This observation positively correlated with the mean current direction in the area. However, the influence of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) in the area could be predicted from the southward increase in chlorite content.     

Relationship of Sediment-Biochemistry,Bacterial Morphology,and Activity to Geotechnical Properties in the Central Indian Basin

Distribution of biochemical properties, morphological and functional characteristics of bacteria in the extreme sedimentary environment of the Central Indian Basin (CIB) was examined in relation to geotechnical properties and sediment texture. Interrelationships between these parameters in siliceous northern sediments were compared to southern pelagic clay to understand relationships and to appreciate mining implications. Clay impacted lipids negatively and silt positively in the south. Geotechnical properties had the opposite influence on the distribution of coccoidal and rod forms of bacteria. Rods were affected negatively by water content/porosity and positively by wet bulk density in the north suggesting their preference for deeper niches. Shear strength affected coccoidal distribution negatively in the south. Competition for labile substrates by coccoidal forms in the surface layers could also have restricted the rods to the deeper regions. Principal component analysis (PCA) further strengthened our inference that the distribution of rod forms increased with depth. Enzymatic properties of bacterial isolates also showed that the rods were able to degrade substrates like gelatin and DNA. These observations suggest that they are capable of degrading relatively more recalcitrant compounds in the deeper layers. The minor components, like the rod morphotypes and sand content, could wield a large influence on the variability of other parameters.     

Ferromanganese Nodules and their Associated Sediments from the Central Indian Ocean Basin: Rare Earth Element Geochemistry

Abstract

The rare earth element (REE) distribution in nine deep-sea ferromanganese nodules and their associated siliceous sediments from the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) have been studied to elucidate the REE relationship among them. Total REE concentration varies from 398–928 ppm in the nodules and 137–235 ppm in the associated sediments, suggesting two- to four-fold enrichment in the nodules compared to associated sediments. REE of nodules and their associated sediments show a positive correlation, suggesting REE are supplied from a common source such as seawater. The positive correlation between REE of nodules and sediments from the CIOB is contrary to the competitive scavenging of REE between nodules and sediment in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. REEs in the nodules are carried by Fe, P, and Ti, whereas in the sediment they are carried by P and Mn phases. A similar REE fractionation pattern with middle REE enrichment over heavy and light REE in both the nodules and their associated sediment suggest fractionation is independent of REE abundance and their carrier phases.     

Rise of the Dormant: Simulated Disturbance Improves Culturable Abundance,Diversity, and Functions of Deep-Sea Bacteria of Central Indian Ocean Basin

The abundance of baroduric bacteria from nine sediment cores (0–10 cm below sea floor) was examined for their response to simulated benthic disturbance in the Central Indian basin (CIB). While the total counts of bacteria decreased from 10⁹ to 10⁶ g^?1 dry wt sediment, the average retrievable counts (CFU-colony forming units) improved by two orders of magnitude, i.e., from 10² 10⁴ g^?1 dry wt sediment. The baroduric retrievable forms were dominated by Acinetobacter and Moraxella sp before the disturbance. After the disturbance the generic diversity was represented by Staphylococcus sp, Enterobacter sp, Micrococcus sp, Coryneforms sp, and Pseudomonas sp in addition to Acinetobacter. These observations were corroborated by changes in enzymatic activities of the retrievable bacteria, which could lead to changes in the biochemical characteristics of the sediment. Thus the simulated disturbance brought about an increase in culturable abundance, taxonomic and functional diversity of deep-sea sediment of the CIB.     

Distribution of Grain Size and Clay Minerals in Sediments from the INDEX Area, Central Indian Basin

The granulometry of 21 box core sediments from five selected sites in the Central Indian Basin (CIB) have been studied to understand the sediment size characteristics in the Pioneer area before the benthic disturbance experiment. The sediments are predominantly clayey silt. Statistical parameters were determined to understand the control and variations in the grain size. The mean grain size (M z φ) ranged from 7.0 to 8.6 for the surface and from 6.6 to 8.6 for the subsurface sediments, indicating deposition of very fine fractions during the Neogene period. The sediments were poorly sorted as revealed from the higher σI values (2.7 to 2.9). Higher and negative values of skewness (SK I ) indicated a winnowing action of prevailing currents in the area. Average kurtosis (K G ) values for the surface (0.4 to 0.8) and subsurface (0.5 to 1.2) showed that sediments were very platykurtic and leptokurtic. Clay mineralogical studies showed that smectite had a wider range (from 6% to 55%) and decreased southward because of its terrigenous origin. The terrigenous influence of the sediments could be documented as far as 12°S. Smectite and kaolinite increased eastward and chlorite decreased southward. This observation positively correlated with the mean current direction in the area. However, the influence of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) in the area could be predicted from the southward increase in chlorite content.     

Changes in Geotechnical Properties of Sediments from the Central Indian Basin Induced by Disturbance Experiment

During the Indian Deep-sea Environment Experiment (INDEX) conducted in the Central Indian Basin to simulate nodule mining activity, the sediments were physically disturbed, lifted from the seafloor, and then redeposited to study the effects of sediment redistribution on geological, chemical and biological characteristics of benthic environment. The first monitoring cruise, 44 months after the experiment, was part of long-term observations for restoration of conditions. This study describes the effects of the experiment on geotechnical properties of sediments measured in predisturbance, postdisturbance and monitoring phases. To compare the effects, sediment cores were collected from the same locations during the three phases. Siliceous, fine-grained sediments from the study area showed change in geotechnical properties induced due to the disturbance. Marginal increase in natural water content and significant reduction in undrained shear strength at the 0–5 cm sediment layer of cores from the tow zone during postdisturbance was observed. However, during the monitoring phase, an increase in shear strength and reduction in water content was noticed, which might indicate that the sediments are gradually acquiring predisturbance characteristics. The study also revealed that the meiofaunal density has a positive correlation with the water content, but a negative relationship with the shear strength of these siliceous sediments. Specific gravity of solids and porosity showed marginal change, whereas wet density remained unchanged.     

Ferromanganese Nodules and their Associated Sediments from the Central Indian Ocean Basin: Rare Earth Element Geochemistry

The rare earth element (REE) distribution in nine deep-sea ferromanganese nodules and their associated siliceous sediments from the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) have been studied to elucidate the REE relationship among them. Total REE concentration varies from 398-928 ppm in the nodules and 137-235 ppm in the associated sediments, suggesting two- to four-fold enrichment in the nodules compared to associated sediments. REE of nodules and their associated sediments show a positive correlation, suggesting REE are supplied from a common source such as seawater. The positive correlation between REE of nodules and sediments from the CIOB is contrary to the competitive scavenging of REE between nodules and sediment in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. REEs in the nodules are carried by Fe, P, and Ti, whereas in the sediment they are carried by P and Mn phases. A similar REE fractionation pattern with middle REE enrichment over heavy and light REE in both the nodules and their associated sediment suggest fractionation is independent of REE abundance and their carrier phases.     

First Phase Monitoring Studies of Simulated Benthic Disturbance Delineating Movement of Fine Particles in the Central Indian Basin

Benthic disturbance due to future deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining would involve expensive sediment plume generation and resedimentation on the sea floor. In order to evaluate the effects of resedimentation on benthic environment, the Indian Deep-sea Environment Experiment (INDEX) was conducted in 1997, and pre-, and post-disturbance studies on grain size were carried out. The initial increase in clay content after the experiment, continued to increase further as measured in the first monitoring phase samples, 44 months later. Increase in clay-sized particles during monitoring-l (M-l) was highest within the simulated (disturbed) zone and to the north of it, which is attributed to the combined effects of disaggregation, abrasion, and powderization of sediments during transportation. Due to this fractionation (breaking up), the particles appear to have remained in suspension over a prolonged period of time after they were discharged in the water column 5 m above the seabed during INDEX. The travel effects of INDEX plume appears to be localized and confined within and around the disturbed zone (DZ) as resettlement of fine particles from the benthic plume was traced up to 2 km south and 12 to 18 km north of the DZ. The evidence does not suggest the existence of strong currents and benthic storms in the CIB     

Restoration of Deep-Sea Macrofauna after Simulated Benthic Disturbance in the Central Indian Basin

ABSTRACT

Macrofaunal communities of the Central Indian Basin (CIB) were sampled with a spade before (June 1997), and immediately after (August 1997), and 44 months (April 2001) after a simulated benthic disturbance for polymetallic nodule mining. The average density recorded down to a sediment depth of 40 cm ranged from 89 to 799 ind·m^?2 (mean: 373 ± 221 SD; n = 12) and 178–1066 ind·m^?2 (mean: 507 ± 489 SD; n = 3) in the test and reference area, respectively. Most of the macrobenthic animals (64%) were concentrated in the upper 0 to 2 cm sediment layers, whereas, sizeable fauna (6%) inhabited the 20–40 cm sediment section and the deepest 5 cm section from 35–40 cm contributed only about 2% to the total population density. The fauna, comprised of 12 groups, were dominated by the nematodes, which constituted 54% of the total population. The macrofaunal density in the test site showed a significant increase (x:400 ind·m^?2) in the 44 months postdisturbance sampling (x:320 ind·m^?2). The population of nematodes and oligochaetes was nearly restored after 44 months, but the polychaetes and crustaceans did not reach the baseline populations measured in June 1997. The top 0–2 cm sediment layer was severely affected by the disturber, and the study suggests that physically disturbed deep-sea macrofauna may require a longer period for restoration and resettlement than normally believed.     

Restoration of Deep-Sea Macrofauna after Simulated Benthic Disturbance in the Central Indian Basin

Macrofaunal communities of the Central Indian Basin (CIB) were sampled with a spade before (June 1997), and immediately after (August 1997), and 44 months (April 2001) after a simulated benthic disturbance for polymetallic nodule mining. The average density recorded down to a sediment depth of 40 cm ranged from 89 to 799 ind·m^-2 (mean: 373 ± 221 SD; n = 12) and 178-1066 ind·m^-2 (mean: 507 ± 489 SD; n = 3) in the test and reference area, respectively. Most of the macrobenthic animals (64%) were concentrated in the upper 0 to 2 cm sediment layers, whereas, sizeable fauna (6%) inhabited the 20-40 cm sediment section and the deepest 5 cm section from 35-40 cm contributed only about 2% to the total population density. The fauna, comprised of 12 groups, were dominated by the nematodes, which constituted 54% of the total population. The macrofaunal density in the test site showed a significant increase (x:400 ind·m^-2) in the 44 months postdisturbance sampling (x:320 ind·m^-2). The population of nematodes and oligochaetes was nearly restored after 44 months, but the polychaetes and crustaceans did not reach the baseline populations measured in June 1997. The top 0-2 cm sediment layer was severely affected by the disturber, and the study suggests that physically disturbed deep-sea macrofauna may require a longer period for restoration and resettlement than normally believed.     

西南印度洋中脊表层沉积物中存在热液组分的地球化学证据

Hydrothermal materials in deep-sea sediments provide a robust tracer to the localized hydrothermal activity at mid-ocean ridges. Major, trace and rare earth element(REE) data for surface sediments collected from the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge are presented to examine the existence of hydrothermal component.Biogenic carbonate oozes dominate all the sediment samples, with CaO content varying from 85.5% to 89.9% on a volatile-free basis. The leaching residue of bulk sediments by ~5% HCl is compositionally comparable to the Upper Continental Crust(UCC) in SiO_2, Al_2O_3, CaO, MgO, alkali elements(Rb, Cs) and high field strength elements(Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti). These detritus-hosted elements are inferred to be prominently derived from the Australian continent by means of eolian dust, while the contribution of local volcaniclastics is insignificant. In addition, the residual fraction shows a clear enrichment in Fe, Mn, and Ba compared with the UCC. Combining the positive Eu anomaly of residual fraction which is opposed to the UCC but the characteristic of hydrothermal fluids and associated precipitates occurred at mid-ocean ridges, the incorporation of localized hydrothermal component can be constrained. REE mixing calculations indicate that more than half REE within the residual fraction(~55%–60%) are derived from a hydrothermal component, which is inferred to be resulted from a diffuse fluid mineralization. The low-temperature diffuse flow may be widely distributed along the slow-ultraslow spreading ridges where crustal faults and fissures abound, and probably have a great mineralization potential.     

Utilizing ~(234)Th/~(238)U disequilibrium to constrain particle dynamics in hydrothermal plumes in the Southwest Indian Ocean

Metal-enriched minerals have been widely observed near hydrothermal vent fields.However,the dynamics of particulate metals influenced by hydrothermal activities is poorly constrained.Here,radioactive ~(234)Th in both dissolved and particulate phases were used to examine the kinetics of particle-reactive metal adsorption,removal,and residence in a newly found hydrothermal plume over the Southwest Indian Ridge.The results showed a relatively low value on ~(234)Th/~(238)U ratios(i.e.,0.73-0.88) compared to the deep oceans,indicating an enhanced adsorption of particle-reactive metals onto particulate matter in the plume.Based on the ~(234)Th-~(238)U disequilibria,the adsorption and sinking rate constants of ~(234)Th averaged(0.009±0.001) d~(-1) and(0.113±0.024) d~(-1) in the hydrothermal plume,corresponding to the residence times of(115±19) d and(16±5) d for dissolved and particulate ~(234)Th,respectively.This timescale allows vent-discharged particle-reactive metals to disperse hundreds to thousands of miles away.Thus,hydrothermal activities might influence the metal distribution in deep ocean over a very large scope.Also,a high sinking flux of(36.2±5.4) B q/(m~2·d) for ~(234)Th was observed for the plume,suggesting an enrichment of metal in particles deposited close to the vent.The enhancement of particle sinking could also benefit the transport of organic carbon and nitrogen and fuel the benthic ecosystems under the plume regimes.Thus,hydrothermal plumes may have an impact on both the elemental geochemistry and/or ecosystem to the deep oceans interior than previous expectation.     

西南印度洋龙方斤热液区羽流信号的检测与通量估算

热液流体在物理化学特征方面与周围海水存在较大差异,探测温度异常和浊度异常是寻找热液羽状流信号的重要手段。本文采用“大洋一号”科考船第20航次的拖曳CTD数据和浊度数据,以及21航次的定点CTD数据,研究了西南印度洋龙方斤热液区的温度异常和浊度异常现象。研究表明热液区中性浮力层在水深2 550~2 650 m间,厚度约为100 m,温度异常达0.01 ℃;水深 2 750~2 800 m间亦有温度异常,最大可达0.08 ℃;温度异常水深处存在相应的浊度异常。深层背景海水位温和位密间存在简单线性关系。此外,经初步估计,热液活动区初始浮力通量为8.78×10^-4 m⁴/s³;通过中性浮力层估算热液热通量,约为130±43 MW。     

西南印度洋脊龙旂热液区蚀变岩岩石学特征及对热液流体循环的指示

慢速−超慢速扩张洋脊的海底热液活动区多出露类型多样的蚀变岩石,记录了地壳深部的流体与围岩的相互作用,为研究深部热液流体特征以及循环过程提供了样本。本研究选取了中国大洋第30、34和40航次在超慢速扩张西南印度洋脊龙旂热液区(A区、B区和C区)利用电视抓斗采集的蚀变玄武岩、蚀变辉长岩、蚀变辉石岩和蛇纹岩等蚀变岩样品,利用光学显微镜、电子探针开展了岩相学和矿物化学分析。岩相学结果表明,龙旂热液区蚀变岩石样品约95%发生了地壳浅部的脆性变形作用,靠近龙旂1号热液区(A区)约有5%的蚀变岩石混合发育了脆性变形及脆性−塑性变形特征。研究区岩石蚀变属于中−低温变质作用,变质相近似绿片岩相,变质矿物组合为绿泥石−绿帘石−钠长石−阳起石−榍石。其中,A区的蚀变岩中的绿泥石形成温度(201～341℃)以及蛇纹石、阳起石、绿泥石等蚀变矿物的Fe元素含量(17.5%～27.5%)都高于龙旂3号热液区(B区和C区)的绿泥石形成温度(239～303℃)和Fe元素含量(16.8%～26.5%),这也与在该区观测到高温的热液喷口相符合。本研究认为龙旂热液区所在洋脊段发育的拆离断层为热液流体的向上运移提供了通道,洋壳扩张后期轴部的岩浆熔体在轴侧区域的岩浆侵入或喷发活动可能为热液循环提供了热源。     

Basinal seamounts and seamount chains of the Central Indian Ocean: Probable near-axis origin from a fast-spreading Ridge

Hydrosweep mapping of crust in the Central Indian Ocean Basin reveals abundant volcanoes ocurring both as isolated seamounts and linear seamount chains parallel to flow lines. Their shapes, sizes and overall style of occurrence are indistinguishable from near-axis seamounts in the Pacific. Evidence from seamount morphology, distributions and petrography of dredged samples suggests that they were generated near the fast-spreading Southeast Indian Ridge at 50–60 Ma. If so, this style of near-axis seamount generation may be a result of fast-spreading rate rather than a peculiarity of the present Pacific spreading ridges. In fact, the results of several recent studies, taken together, suggest that the style of axis/near-axis seamount volcanism varies systematically as a function of spreading rate.