Drilling Mantle Peridotite Along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge from 14° to 16°N

Kelemen, P.; Kikawa, Eiichi; Baldauf, J.G.; Miller, D.J.

doi:10.2973/odp.sp.209.2002

Cited by 27 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…A total of fourteen holes (>10 m deep) were cored at seven different sites in three different OCCs during ODP Legs 118, 153, 176, 179, and 209 (Robinson, et al, 1989;Cannat, et al, 1995;Dick, et al, 1999;Pettigrew et al, 1999;Kelemen, et al, 2004). Those efforts recovered only gabbroic sections, ranging from Fe-Ti oxide gabbros to troctolites, locally intruded by diabase.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

IODP Expeditions 304 & 305 Characterize the Lithology, Structure, and Alteration of an Oceanic Core Complex

et al. 2006

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

IODP Expeditions 304 & 305 Characterize the Lithology, Structure, and Alteration of an Oceanic Core Complex

et al. 2006

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“…(36). Thermal conductivity values of serpentinites are based on measurements taken during ODP 209 (37) and an average value of 2.9 W·m −1 ·K −1 is used. Using these values, the maximum depth for the 122°C isotherm varies between ∼8,000 and 15,000 mbsf (Fig.…”

Section: Depth Limit For Microbial Life Within Subduction Zone Forearcsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subduction zone forearc serpentinites as incubators for deep microbial life

Plümper

Geisler

et al. 2017

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Serpentinization-fueled systems in the cool, hydrated forearc mantle of subduction zones may provide an environment that supports deep chemolithoautotrophic life. Here, we examine serpentinite clasts expelled from mud volcanoes above the Izu-BoninMariana subduction zone forearc (Pacific Ocean) that contain complex organic matter and nanosized Ni-Fe alloys. Using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy, we determined that the organic matter consists of a mixture of aliphatic and aromatic compounds and functional groups such as amides. Although an abiotic or subduction slab-derived fluid origin cannot be excluded, the similarities between the molecular signatures identified in the clasts and those of bacteria-derived biopolymers from other serpentinizing systems hint at the possibility of deep microbial life within the forearc. To test this hypothesis, we coupled the currently known temperature limit for life, 122°C, with a heat conduction model that predicts a potential depth limit for life within the forearc at ∼10,000 m below the seafloor. This is deeper than the 122°C isotherm in known oceanic serpentinizing regions and an order of magnitude deeper than the downhole temperature at the serpentinized Atlantis Massif oceanic core complex, MidAtlantic Ridge. We suggest that the organic-rich serpentinites may be indicators for microbial life deep within or below the mud volcano. Thus, the hydrated forearc mantle may represent one of Earth's largest hidden microbial ecosystems. These types of protected ecosystems may have allowed the deep biosphere to thrive, despite violent phases during Earth's history such as the late heavy bombardment and global mass extinctions.deep biosphere | serpentinization | subduction zone | forearc

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“…Many oxide gabbros contain apatite and zircon as accessory minerals. Ubiquitous occurrences of oxide gabbros were also noted in ODP Hole 735B, Atlantis Bank (Dick, Natland, Miller, et al, 1999); in the MARK area (ODP Leg 153; Cannat, Karson, Miller, et al, 1995); and at 15°N at the MAR (ODP Leg 209; Kelemen, Kikawa, Miller, et al, 2004).…”

Section: Igneous Stratigraphymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…F6), reflecting a strong lithologic heterogeneity, from very primitive troctolitic assemblages to evolved, oxide-rich gabbros (ODP Leg 209; Kelemen, Kikawa, Miller, et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A total of 11 holes (>10 m deep) were cored at 6 different sites in 3 different locations (Atlantis Bank, Southwest Indian Ridge, 57°16′ W; MAR, 15°44′ N; Kane Fracture Zone [MARK] area, MAR, 23°32′ N) during ODP Legs 118, 153, 176, and 209 (Robinson, Von Herzen, et al, 1989;Cannat, Karson, Miller, et al, 1995;Dick, Natland, Miller, et al, 1999;Kelemen, Kikawa, Miller, et al, 2004). In all of these holes, the dominant rock type recovered is gabbro and ranges from diabase to troctolitic in composition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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