Trace Element and Rare Earth Element (REE) Partitioning during Fluid-Mineral Equilibria at Elevated Temperatures andPressures

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Trace element and Rare Earth Element chemistry of hot spring fluids in mid-ocean ridges depends upon two factors: 1) the composition of the host rock through which these fluids flow; and 2) the chemical exchanges that occur between the rocks and the fluids. However, for these elements to be useful in gaining understanding of either rock composition or chemical alterations that occur in sub-seafloor hydrothermal systems, much has yet to be learned about mineral-fluid equilibria under in situ conditions. The Drs. Seyfried and Berndt will conduct lab experiments that duplicate the temperature, pressure, mineral and fluid conditions thought to exist within mid-ocean ridges. The goal is to gain a quantitative understanding of the thermodynamic basis for the distribution of trace elements and Rare Earth Elements between minerals and hydrothermal fluids. Most of the work will be conducted at the Univ. of Minnesota, but special techniques involving REE analysis is sub-contracted to Dr. Klinkhammer who will do the work at MIT.