Current Science

Durbar Ray ¹, E. V. S. S. K. Babu ², L. Surya Prakash ³

Affiliations
1 CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, IN
2 CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, IN
3 ESSO-National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Vasco da Gama, Goa 403 804, IN

Abstract

Suspended matter from hydrothermal plume at 3°40'N Carlsberg Ridge was studied for microtexture and geochemistry. Characteristics of these plume particles were compared with deep-oceanic particulates from different depths. Compared to fine, deep-oceanic suspended matter (≤2.0 μm), some particles in the plume were larger (≥20 μm) and had irregular shape and surface. These plume particles were mostly composed of Fe-oxides and silicates. Bulk composition showed that plume particles were relatively enriched with Fe, P, Mn, rare earth elements (except Ce) and U, but had other trace element concentration analogous to that found in deep-oceanic suspended matter. Efficient scavenging of elements from hydrothermal fluid and sea water makes geochemistry of plume particulates different from common oceanic particles.

Keywords

Deep-Oceanic Particulates, Geochemistry, Hydrothermal Plume, Micro-Texture, Suspended Particulate Matter.

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E. V. S. S. K. Babu ¹, V. M. Tiwari ¹, Somnath Dasgupta ²

Affiliations
1 CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, IN
2 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, Mohanpur, Nadia 741 246, IN

Abstract

Understanding the geodynamic processes that underpin the formation of continents is fundamental to decoding the complex evolutionary history of the Earth and the terrestrial planets. In the Phanerozoic Eon, the paradigm of plate tectonics and Wilson-cycle processes not only constitutes a robust and unifying mechanism to explain the orogenic processes of crust formation, recycling and preservation, but also the complex interactions among the solid earth, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere relevant to evolution of life and climate. However, there is yet no consensus on a global geodynamic framework for the Hadean and Archean Eons.

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