Abstract
THE input of high-temperature fluids to the ocean along sea-floor spreading centres plays an important part in controlling the composition of sea water1–3. Available data1–3 show that hydrothermal systems are major sources of lithium, manganese, rubidium, iron and silicon and sinks for magnesium and sulphur. Furthermore, reactive precipitates formed in vent systems or emerging plumes4–6 scavenge elements from sea water, thereby also influencing the composition of the sea water. Our work on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, combined with data from the Pacific Ocean, shows that scavenging by vent-derived iron oxides helps to control the concentration and cycling of vanadium in the ocean. We estimate that 10–60% of the riverine input of vanadium to the ocean is removed from sea water by this mechanism and that such a process is also important for other elements.
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Trefry, J., Metz, S. Role of hydrothermal precipitates in the geochemical cycling of vanadium. Nature 342, 531–533 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/342531a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/342531a0
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