Trace elements geochemistry of marine sediments and its implications for gas hydrate exploration

YU Zhe; DENG Yinan; CHEN Chen; CAO Jun; FANG Yunxin; JIANG Xuexiao; HUANG Yi

doi:10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2021040101

Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology > 2022 > 42(1): 111-122. > DOI: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2021040101

YU Zhe，DENG Yinan，CHEN Chen，et al. Trace elements geochemistry of marine sediments and its implications for gas hydrate exploration [J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology，2022，42(1)：111-122. DOI: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2021040101

Citation:

PDF (6073 KB)

Trace elements geochemistry of marine sediments and its implications for gas hydrate exploration

1.
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
2.
MNR Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources, Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510075, China

More Information

Received Date: March 31, 2021
Revised Date: May 23, 2021
Available Online: January 26, 2022

Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Gas hydrate is closely related to some major scientific issues such as energy supply and global environmental changes, and has become one of the hotspots of the world. Previous studies of the geochemical characteristics of methane seepage areas were mainly focused on shallow sediments, while the geochemical characteristics of deep sediments are ignored to certain extent. In order to explore the relationship between gas hydrate and the characteristics of trace elements in deeper sediments, 4 holes have been drilled and sampled at the Shenhu area of the South China Sea. Main, trace elements and organic carbon geochemical characteristics of the samples are analyzed and the oxidation-reduction state and their correlation with Mo and TOC discussed. The results suggest that the major elements in the sediments mainly come from terrigenous clastic material input, without obvious relationship with the process of gas hydrate enrichment. In the area rich in natural gas hydrate, Ba and Mo elements are always highly enriched showing obvious "Ba peaks" and "Mo peaks" owing to the sulfidation environment caused by the decomposition of natural gas hydrates. Therefore, the enrichment of Ba and Mo in the sediments can be used as important geochemical indicators to possible presence of gas hydrate accumulation.
- trace elements,
- gas hydrate drilling,
- marine sediments,
- the South China Sea

FullText(HTML)

References (38)

References

[1]	Dickens G R, O'Neil J R, Rea D K, et al. Dissociation of oceanic methane hydrate as a cause of the carbon isotope excursion at the end of the Paleocene [J]. Paleoceanography, 1995, 10(6): 965-971. doi: 10.1029/95PA02087
[2]	Hesselbo S P, Gröcke D R, Jenkyns H C, et al. Massive dissociation of gas hydrate during a Jurassic oceanic anoxic event [J]. Nature, 2000, 406(6794): 392-395. doi: 10.1038/35019044
[3]	Milkov A V, Sassen R. Preliminary assessment of resources and economic potential of individual gas hydrate accumulations in the Gulf of Mexico continental slope [J]. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2003, 20(2): 111-128. doi: 10.1016/S0264-8172(03)00024-2
[4]	Maslin M, Owen M, Day S, et al. Linking continental-slope failures and climate change: Testing the clathrate gun hypothesis [J]. Geology, 2004, 32(1): 53-56. doi: 10.1130/G20114.1
[5]	Wellsbury P, Goodman K, Cragg B A, et al. The geomicrobiology of deep marine sediments from Blake ridge containing methane hydrate (sites 994, 995, and 997)[M]//Paull C K, Matsumoto R, Wallace P, et al. Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program Scientific Results. College Station, TX: Ocean Drilling Program, 2000, 164: 379-391.
[6]	邓希光, 吴庐山, 付少英, 等. 南海北部天然气水合物研究进展[J]. 海洋学研究, 2008, 26(2):67-74 doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-909X.2008.02.010 DENG Xiguang, WU Lushan, FU Shaoying, et al. The research advances of natural gas hydrates in northern South China Sea [J]. Journal of Marine Science, 2008, 26(2): 67-74. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-909X.2008.02.010
[7]	吴能友, 梁金强, 王宏斌, 等. 海洋天然气水合物成藏系统研究进展[J]. 现代地质, 2008, 22(3):356-362 doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-8527.2008.03.003 WU Nengyou, LIANG Jinqiang, WANG Hongbin, et al. Marine gas hydrate system: state of the art [J]. Geoscience, 2008, 22(3): 356-362. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-8527.2008.03.003
[8]	姚伯初, 杨木壮, 吴时国, 等. 中国海域的天然气水合物资源[J]. 现代地质, 2008, 22(3):333-341 doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-8527.2008.03.001 YAO Bochu, YANG Muzhuang, WU Shiguo, et al. The gas hydrate resources in the China seas [J]. Geoscience, 2008, 22(3): 333-341. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-8527.2008.03.001
[9]	何家雄, 卢振权, 张伟, 等. 南海北部珠江口盆地深水区天然气水合物成因类型及成矿成藏模式[J]. 现代地质, 2015, 29(5):1024-1034 doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-8527.2015.05.005 HE Jiaxiong, LU Zhengquan, ZHANG Wei, et al. Biogenetic and Sub-biogenetic gas resource and genetic types of natural gas hydrates in Pearl River Mouth Basin, Northern Area of South China Sea [J]. Geoscience, 2015, 29(5): 1024-1034. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-8527.2015.05.005
[10]	Deng Y N, Chen F, Hu Y, et al. Methane seepage patterns during the middle Pleistocene inferred from molybdenum enrichments of seep carbonates in the South China Sea [J]. Ore Geology Reviews, 2020, 125: 103701. doi: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2020.103701
[11]	Chen F, Hu Y, Feng D, et al. Evidence of intense methane seepages from molybdenum enrichments in gas hydrate-bearing sediments of the northern South China Sea [J]. Chemical Geology, 2016, 443: 173-181. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.09.029
[12]	邓义楠, 方允鑫, 张欣, 等. 南海琼东南海域沉积物的微量元素地球化学特征及其对天然气水合物的指示意义[J]. 海洋地质与第四纪地质, 2017, 37(5):70-81 DENG Yi’nan, FANG Yunxin, ZHANG Xin, et al. Trace element geochemistry of sediments in Qiongdongnan area, the South China Sea, and its implications for gas hydrates [J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2017, 37(5): 70-81.
[13]	冯东, 陈多福. 海底沉积物孔隙水钡循环对天然气渗漏的指示[J]. 地球科学进展, 2007, 22(1):49-57 doi: 10.3321/j.issn:1001-8166.2007.01.007 FENG Dong, CHEN Duofu. Barium Cycling in pore water of seafloor sediment: indicator of methane fluxes [J]. Advances in Earth Science, 2007, 22(1): 49-57. doi: 10.3321/j.issn:1001-8166.2007.01.007
[14]	吴庐山, 杨胜雄, 梁金强, 等. 南海北部琼东南海域HQ-48PC站位地球化学特征及对天然气水合物的指示意义[J]. 现代地质, 2010, 24(3):534-544 doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-8527.2010.03.018 WU Lushan, YANG Shengxiong, LIANG Jinqiang, et al. Geochemical characteristics of sediments at Site HQ-48PC in Qiongdongnan Area, the North of the South China Sea, and their implication for gas hydrates [J]. Geoscience, 2010, 24(3): 534-544. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-8527.2010.03.018
[15]	Sato H, Hayashi K I, Ogawa Y, et al. Geochemistry of deep sea sediments at cold seep sites in the Nankai Trough: insights into the effect of anaerobic oxidation of methane [J]. Marine Geology, 2012, 323-325: 47-55. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2012.07.013
[16]	Feng D, Chen D F. Authigenic carbonates from an active cold seep of the northern South China Sea: New insights into fluid sources and past seepage activity [J]. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 2015, 122: 74-83. doi: 10.1016/j.dsr2.2015.02.003
[17]	Ge L, Jiang S Y, Swennen R, et al. Chemical environments of cold seep carbonate formation on the northern continental slope of South China Sea: evidence from trace and rare earth element geochemistry [J]. Marine Geology, 2010, 277(1-4): 21-30. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2010.08.008
[18]	Hu Y, Feng D, Peckmann J, et al. New insights into cerium anomalies and mechanisms of trace metal enrichment in authigenic carbonate from hydrocarbon seeps [J]. Chemical Geology, 2014, 381: 55-66. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2014.05.014
[19]	Liang Q Y, Hu Y, Feng D, et al. Authigenic carbonates from newly discovered active cold seeps on the northwestern slope of the South China Sea: Constraints on fluid sources, formation environments, and seepage dynamics [J]. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 2017, 124: 31-41. doi: 10.1016/j.dsr.2017.04.015
[20]	Zhang G X, Liang J Q, Lu J A, et al. Geological features, controlling factors and potential prospects of the gas hydrate occurrence in the east part of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea [J]. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2015, 67: 356-367. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2015.05.021
[21]	Feng D, Qiu J W, Hu Y, et al. Cold seep systems in the South China Sea: an overview [J]. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 2018, 168: 3-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2018.09.021
[22]	张伟, 梁金强, 苏丕波, 等. 南海北部陆坡高饱和度天然气水合物气源运聚通道控藏作用[J]. 中国地质, 2018, 45(1):1-14 doi: 10.12029/gc20180101 ZHANG Wei, LIANG Jinqiang, SU Pibo, et al. Migrating pathways of hydrocarbons and their controlling effects associated with high saturation gas hydrate in Shenhu area, northern South China Sea [J]. Geology in China, 2018, 45(1): 1-14. doi: 10.12029/gc20180101
[23]	Dickens G R. Rethinking the global carbon cycle with a large, dynamic and microbially mediated gas hydrate capacitor [J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2003, 213(3-4): 169-183. doi: 10.1016/S0012-821X(03)00325-X
[24]	冯东, 陈多福, 苏正, 等. 海底甲烷缺氧氧化与冷泉碳酸盐岩沉淀动力学研究进展[J]. 海洋地质与第四纪地质, 2006, 26(3):125-131 FENG Dong, CHEN Duofu, SU Zheng, et al. Anaerobic oxidation of methane and seep carbonate precipitation kinetics at seafloor [J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2006, 26(3): 125-131.
[25]	Dickens G R. Sulfate profiles and barium fronts in sediment on the Blake Ridge: present and past methane fluxes through a large gas hydrate reservoir [J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2001, 65(4): 529-543. doi: 10.1016/S0016-7037(00)00556-1
[26]	Riedinger N, Kasten S, Gröger J, et al. Active and buried authigenic barite fronts in sediments from the Eastern Cape basin [J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2006, 241(3-4): 876-887. doi: 10.1016/j.jpgl.2005.10.032
[27]	Aloisi G, Wallmann K, Bollwerk S M, et al. The effect of dissolved barium on biogeochemical processes at cold seeps [J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2004, 68(8): 1735-1748.
[28]	Torres M E, Bohrmann G, Dubé T E, et al. Formation of modern and Paleozoic stratiform barite at cold methane seeps on continental margins [J]. Geology, 2003, 31(10): 897-900. doi: 10.1130/G19652.1
[29]	Berner R A. Diagenetic models of dissolved species in the interstitial waters of compacting sediments [J]. American Journal of Science, 1975, 275(1): 88-96. doi: 10.2475/ajs.275.1.88
[30]	Helz G R, Miller C V, Charnock J M, et al. Mechanism of molybdenum removal from the sea and its concentration in black shales: EXAFS evidence [J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 1996, 60(19): 3631-3642. doi: 10.1016/0016-7037(96)00195-0
[31]	Helz G R, Bura-Nakić E, Mikac N, et al. New model for molybdenum behavior in euxinic waters [J]. Chemical Geology, 2011, 284(3-4): 323-332. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2011.03.012
[32]	Zheng Y, Anderson R F, Van Geen A, et al. Authigenic molybdenum formation in marine sediments: a link to pore water sulfide in the Santa Barbara Basin [J]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2000, 64(24): 4165-4178. doi: 10.1016/S0016-7037(00)00495-6
[33]	Tribovillard N, Algeo T J, Lyons T, et al. Trace metals as paleoredox and paleoproductivity proxies: an update [J]. Chemical Geology, 2006, 232(1-2): 12-32. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2006.02.012
[34]	Algeo T J, Maynard J B. Trace-element behavior and redox facies in core shales of Upper Pennsylvanian Kansas-type cyclothems [J]. Chemical Geology, 2004, 206(3-4): 289-318. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2003.12.009
[35]	Boetius A, Ravenschlag K, Schubert C J, et al. A marine microbial consortium apparently mediating anaerobic oxidation of methane [J]. Nature, 2000, 407(6804): 623-626. doi: 10.1038/35036572
[36]	Algeo T J, Tribovillard N. Environmental analysis of paleoceanographic systems based on molybdenum-uranium covariation [J]. Chemical Geology, 2009, 268(3-4): 211-225. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2009.09.001
[37]	Ferré B, Jansson P G, Moser M, et al. Reduced methane seepage from Arctic sediments during cold bottom-water conditions [J]. Nature Geoscience, 2020, 13(2): 144-148. doi: 10.1038/s41561-019-0515-3
[38]	Crémière A, Lepland A, Chand S, et al. Timescales of methane seepage on the Norwegian margin following collapse of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet [J]. Nature Communications, 2016, 7: 11509. doi: 10.1038/ncomms11509

[1]	LAI Yijun, YANG Tao, LIANG Jinqiang, ZHANG Guangxue, SU Pibo, FANG Yunxin. Geochemistry of sediment pore water from Well GMGS2-09 in the southeastern Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea: An indication of gas hydrate occurrence[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2019, 39(3): 135-142. DOI: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2018010201
[2]	WEI Jiangong, YANG Shengxiong, LIANG Jinqiang, LU Jingan, LIU Shengxuan, ZHANG Wei. Impact of seafloor drilling on methane seepage—enlightenments from natural gas hydrate drilling site GMGS2-16, northern South China Sea[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2018, 38(5): 63-70. DOI: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2018.05.006
[3]	WU Daidai, XIE Rui, YANG Rui, SUN Tiantian, YANG Fei, LIU Lihua, WU Nengyou. GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE SEDIMENTS IN SHENHU HYDRATE DRILLING AREA, NORTHERN SOUTH CHINA SEA[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2017, 37(6): 100-109. DOI: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2017.06.011
[4]	DENG Yinan, FANG Yunxin, ZHANG Xin, CHEN Fang, WANG Haifeng, REN Jiangbo, LIU Chenhui, GUAN Yao. TRACE ELEMENT GEOCHEMISTRY OF SEDIMENTS IN QIONGDONGNAN AREA, THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR GAS HYDRATES[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2017, 37(5): 70-81. DOI: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2017.05.007
[5]	FU Piaoer, ZHUANG Chang, LIU Jian, CHEN Daohua, ZHANG Xin, CHEN Sihai. RARE EARTH ELEMENTS GEOCHEMISTRY AND PROVENANCE OF THE SEDIMENTS FROM CORE XH-CL16 IN THE XISHA TROUGH, SOUTH CHINA SEA[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2015, 35(4): 63-71. DOI: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2015.04.007
[6]	GAO Hongyan, ZHONG Guangfa, LIANG Jinqiang, GUO Yiqun. ESTIMATION OF GAS HYDRATE SATURATION WITH MODIFIED BIOT-GASSMANN THEORY: A CASE FROM NORTHERN SOUTH CHINA SEA[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2012, 32(4): 83-89. DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1140.2012.04083
[7]	CHEN Fang, ZHOU Yang, SU Xin, LIU Guanghu, LU Hongfeng, WANG Jinlian. GAS HYDRATE SATURATION AND ITS RELATION WITH GRAIN SIZE OF THE HYDRATE-BEARING SEDIMENTS IN THE SHENHU AREA OF NORTHERN SOUTH CHINA SEA[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2011, 31(5): 95-100. DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1140.2011.05095
[8]	CAI Guanqiang, QIU Yan, PENG Xuechao, ZHONG Hexian. THE GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TRACE ELEMENTS AND REES IN SURFICIAL SEDIMENTS OF THE SOUTHWESTERN SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2010, 30(5): 53-62. DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1140.2010.05053
[9]	WU Daidai, WU Nengyou, FU Shaoying, LIANG Jinqiang, GUAN Hongxiang. GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SHALLOW SEDIMENTS IN THE GAS HYDRATE DISTRIBUTION AREA OF DONGSHA, THE NORTHERN SOUTH CHINA SEA[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2010, 30(5): 41-51. DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1140.2010.05041
[10]	SHA Zhibin, GUO Yiqun, YANG Muzhuang, LIANG Jinqiang, WANG Lifeng. RELATION BETWEEN SEDIMENTATION AND GAS HYDRATE RESERVOIRS IN THE NORTHERN SLOPE OF SOUTH CHINA SEA[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2009, 29(5): 89-98. DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1140.2009.05089

Cited By

Cited by

Periodical cited type(1)

张雅茹，张广璐，杨俊，赵彦彦，管红香，刘盛. 南海不同沉积环境黄铁矿的矿物学及原位微区地球化学研究. 古地理学报. 2024(06): 1498-1515+1543-1545 .

Other cited types(0)

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Article views (1769) PDF downloads (221) Cited by(1)

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Abstract

References

Trace elements geochemistry of marine sediments and its implications for gas hydrate exploration