Geochemical characteristics of the Jøtul Hydrothermal Vent Field, Kniepovich Ridge.

Project title

Geochemical characteristics of the Jøtul Hydrothermal Vent Field, Kniepovich Ridge.

Supervisor

Rolf B. Pedersen

Sabina Strmic Palinkas

Project description

The Jøtul Hydrothermal Vent Field is the only known active vent field along Kniepovich Ridge. The vent field was discovered in summer 2022 and revisited and sampled several times since then. The collected samples of both active and inactive chimneys give us an opportunity to study the evolution the ongoing ore-forming hydrothermal processes as well as processes that affect stability of sulfide phases in inactive hydrothermal systems. This study will combine 1) lithogeochemical analyses of hydrothermal altered basalts; 2) determination of mineral paragenesis of active and inactive chimneys; 3) analyses of trace element distribution between present sulfide phases, with a focus to elements from the Critical Raw Material list; 4) determination of the sulfur isotope signature of sulfide phases; and 5) fluid inclusion study. The main aims of the study is to determine: 1) P-T-X characteristics of ore-forming fluids as well as their control on hydrothermal mobility of the elements from the Critical Raw Material list; 2) potential source of metals and sulfur and 3) the fate of metals during the transition of an active hydrothermal system to its inactive phase.