Mass Fluxes Attending the Palagonitization of Sideromelane in Hyaloclastites From the HSDP-2 Core Hole

Isovolumetric conversion of sideromelane to gel palagonitized glass releases components to solution because the latter is hydrated and less dense. In hyaloclastites from the HSDP-2 core, development of gel palagonitized glass is accompanied by the precipitation of secondary minerals, chiefly smectite, phillipsite, and chabazite, but also thaumasite, apophyllite, gyrolite, and gypsum. We have calculated mass balance among these major phases using a combination of electron microprobe analyses (for major elements) and laser ablation microprobe-inductively coupled mass spectrometry (for trace elements), in conjunction with density determinations and petrographic point counts. Our reconnaissance data indicate that most major elements are elutriated from sideromelane during conversion to gel palagonitized glass, except FeO which remains constant, and TiO2 which is somewhat enriched (by more than passive accumulation) in the gel palagonitized glass. Conversely, precipitation of secondary cements in pores requires addition of major elements to the whole rock, chiefly SiO2, Al2O3, K2O, MgO, and MnO. One unexpected initial result is that the REE patterns of sideromelane and associated gel palagonitized glasses are nearly identical. Differences in absolute abundances reflect change in density.