Barite chimneys from two hydrothermal sites along the slow-spreading Arctic Ridge system: Initial isotope and mineralogical results

Two hydrothermal sites along the slow-spreading Arctic Ridge systems, the Jan Mayen vent fields (JMVFs) and the recently discovered Loki’s Castle hydrothermal field (LCHF) contains numerous barite chimneys partially covered by microbial mats. The JMVFs are located at 71°N on the south-western Mohns Ridge, approximately 50 km north of the Jan Mayen fracture zone. The LCHF is located at 73.5°N on an axial volcanic ridge where the Mohns Ridge transitions into the Knipovich Ridge and consists of two venting areas. Active hydrothermal venting at both sites is confirmed by elevated hydrogen sulphide concentrations and discharge of high-temperature fluids, reaching 270°C in the JMVFs and 317°C in the LCHF. Barite chimneys from the JMVFs are composed of barite, silica and abundant pyrite-dominated sulphide minerals that display a conspicuous concentric morphology. Raman spectroscopic analysis of the central regions of these concentric sulphide minerals points to the existence of mackinawite (FeS). Furthermore, the existence of greigite (Fe3S4) surrounding the mackinawite is suggested. This observation confirms the general conclusion of earlier experimental studies that these phases act as the metastable precursors of pyrite. In contrast, the barite chimneys of the LCHF consist mainly of pure barite with lesser amounts of sulphide minerals. The difference in the mineralogical composition between the two sites is also expressed in its sulphur isotopic composition. δ34Ssulphate values of the barite chimneys from the JMVFs are lower than δ34S of seawater sulphate (δ34S = +21‰) and δ34Ssulphide values point to a magmatic sulphur source (δ34S = 0‰). This implies that the JMHFs barite chimneys have been formed by a mixture of seawater and hydrothermal fluids, similar to the origin of black smokers. In contrast to the JMVFs, the δ34Ssulphate values from the LCHF barite chimneys are higher than δ34S values for seawater sulphate, but show remarkable differences between the surface of the chimneys and the interior. The highest δ34Ssulphate values have been found in the chimney interior, reaching δ34Ssulphate values up to +34.9‰. These high δ34Ssulphate values can be explained by various processes, including biogenic or thermogenic sulphate-reduction. The presence of twisted microstructures within the chimneys (reveiled by SEM) strongly suggests that biologic processes could have caused the observed sulphur isotope fractionation. Further mineralogical and isotope studies will provide more detailed insights on the formation of barite chimneys found in these hydrothermal sites along the slow-spreading Arctic ridge system.