Collaborative Research: Integrating Subsurface Processes across Spatial and Temporal Scales - a Holistic Analysis of Vent Fluid Chemistry at the Lau Back-Arc Spreading Center

尽管在大洋中脊正在形成洋壳的地方对热液喷发系统进行了深入的研究，但在弧后盆地扩张系统中进行的这种研究很少，在那里地壳正被俯冲回地幔。这项研究评估了东刘盆地一个这样的弧后盆地扩张中心的热液活动的化学演化及其与相关喷口生物的联系。2009年收集的一系列独特的时间序列流体样本将分析各种地球化学和同位素物种，包括岩浆挥发性物种。这些数据将与温度测量相结合，以检查酸挥发分对硅质岩浆上覆水热系统演化的影响，以及这如何影响金属的活化。它还将被用来研究洋壳中海水循环的作用及其对通过矿物沉淀去除二氧化碳的影响。这项工作的更广泛影响包括早期职业科学家的支持，一所为马萨诸塞州东南部经济困难的城市中心提供服务的学院的教职员工和本科生的参与，以及吸引参与当地夏季航海项目的本科生。将为K-8学生创建动手学习模块。

Although hydrothermal vent systems have been intensively studied at mid-ocean ridges where ocean crust is being created, few such studies have been carried out in back arc basin spreading systems where crust is being subducted back into the mantle. This research assesses the chemical evolution of hydrothermal activity and its linkages to associated vent biology in one such back arc basin spreading center in the East Lau Basin. A unique series of time series fluid samples that were collected in 2009 will be analyzed for a variety of geochemical and isotopic species, including magmatic volatile species. These data will be combined with temperature measurements to examine the effect of acid volatiles on the evolution of hydrothermal systems overlying silicic magmas and how this influences the mobilization of metals. It will also be used to examine the role of seawater circulation in the ocean crust and its impact on the removal of CO2 via mineral precipitation. Broader impacts of the work include the support of an early career scientist, involvement of faculty and undergraduates from a college that serves economically struggling urban centers in southeastern Massachusetts, and engaging undergraduates involved in local summer sea-going programs. Hands-on learning modules for K-8 students will be created.