Arning, Esther T. et al. (2011): Organic carbon remineralisation and complex, early diagenetic solid-aqueous solution-gas interactions; case study ODP Leg 204, Site 1246 (Hydrate Ridge)

Leg/Site/Hole:
ODP 204
ODP 204 1246
Identifier:
2012-068663
georefid

10.1016/j.marchem.2011.04.006
doi

Creator:
Arning, Esther T.
German Research Centre for Geosciences, Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
author

Fu, Yunjiao
Clausthal University of Technology, Germany
author

van Berk, Wolfgang
author

Schulz, Hans-Martin
author

Identification:
Organic carbon remineralisation and complex, early diagenetic solid-aqueous solution-gas interactions; case study ODP Leg 204, Site 1246 (Hydrate Ridge)
2011
Marine Chemistry
Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands
126
1-4
120-131
A quantitative simulation of interdependent diagenetic reactions in marine sediments using the PHREEQC (version 2) computer code is presented. The model recreates observed diagenetic signals (distribution of dissolved, mineral, and gaseous species) at ODP Leg 204, Site 1246 (Hydrate Ridge), including methane hydrate formation. The approach relies on thermodynamic calculations for equilibrium reactions in aqueous solutions that are constrained by the irreversible remineralisation of organic carbon. The model scenario describes a growing sediment column in which solids as well as aqueous species are progressively buried according to the observed sedimentation rate. Further, one-dimensional molecular diffusion of aqueous species is considered. Reaction kinetics of organic carbon remineralisation is integrated into the set of equilibrium reactions by defining the type and amount of remineralised organic carbon at each time step. The match between modelled and measured solid phase contents and pore water concentration profiles (pH, ammonia, sulphate, calcium, chloride, sodium, magnesium, and potassium) confirms the model validity. Sediments of ODP Leg 204, Site 1246 are located within the gas hydrate stability zone and methane is solely of biogenic origin. The modelled amount of in situ-generated biogenic methane exceeds the methane solubility with respect to methane hydrate. Carbon mass balance calculations reveal that the largest carbon sink is diagenetic carbonate, highlighting the influence of organic matter degradation on diagenetic mineral formation. The generated methane (as methane hydrate and dissolved methane) is the second most important carbon species within the sediments. Model calibration based on measured alkalinity and ammonia concentration profiles provides insight on the amount and type (marine or terrestrial) of organic matter that was initially deposited and subsequently remineralised. This information cannot be obtained solely from a characterisation of the relict sedimentary organic carbon. Consequently, geochemical models, such as the one presented in this study lead to a better understanding of paleoceanographic conditions such as marine productivity and terrigenous organic matter input due to prevailing paleocurrents. Abstract Copyright (2011) Elsevier, B.V.
English
Serial
Coverage:Geographic coordinates:
North:44.3500
West:-125.0800East: -125.0800
South:44.3500

Geochemistry of rocks, soils, and sediments; Oceanography; aliphatic hydrocarbons; alkali metals; alkaline earth metals; alkanes; ammonia compound; calcium; carbon; carbonates; chloride ion; chlorine; concentration; cores; diagenesis; early diagenesis; East Pacific; gas hydrates; genesis; geochemistry; greigite; halogens; Hydrate Ridge; hydrocarbons; hydrochemistry; iron; Leg 204; magnesium; marine sediments; metals; methane; mineralization; models; North Pacific; Northeast Pacific; Ocean Drilling Program; ODP Site 1246; organic carbon; organic compounds; Pacific Ocean; phosphates; phosphorus; PHREEQC; pore water; potassium; sediments; struvite; sulfides; sulfur;

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