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Minerals Report - International Seabed Authority

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anhydrite and partly through conversion of igneous pyrrhotite to secondary<br />

pyrite and the oxidation of Fe 2+ to Fe 3+ forming Fe-oxyhydroxides and<br />

secondary magnetite in the basalt 40 . Partial reduction of seawater SO4 2-<br />

contributes to the formation of H2S, but most of the reduced S in the fluid is<br />

derived from the rock itself.<br />

SEAWATER<br />

MASSIVE<br />

BLACK SMOKERS<br />

MAGMA CHAMBER<br />

SULFIDES<br />

STOCKWORK<br />

SEAFLOOR<br />

PILLOW LAVAS<br />

SHEETED<br />

GABBRO<br />

DIKES<br />

PERIDOTITE<br />

Figure 3. Model showing a seawater hydrothermal convection system above a sub axial magma chamber<br />

at an oceanic spreading center. Radius of a typical convection cell is about 3-5 km. Depth of the magma<br />

chamber usually varies between 1.5 and 3.5 km.<br />

This highly corrosive fluid is now capable of leaching elements such as<br />

Li, K, Rb, Ca, Ba, the transition metals Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, together with Au, Ag<br />

and some Si from the oceanic basement 43 . Sulphide droplets in the basalt are<br />

considered to be the major source for metals and S 44 . The metals are mainly<br />

transported as chloride complexes at high temperatures and, in some cases, as<br />

bisulphide complexes (in particular Au) at lower temperatures.<br />

INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY 115

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