SULFIDE MINERAL-VENT FLUID INTERACTION DURING UPFLOW AT ODP MOUND, MIDDLE VALLEY, NORTHERN JUAN DE FUCA RIDGE
Intervent variations in H2S and H2 concentrations might be attributed to reaction of fluids with a disequilbrium assemblage of sulfide minerals during upflow from deep-seated reaction zones. Because of pipe-like flow at 1035H, fluid-rock interaction is limited and fluids can flow from the base of the mound to the seafloor with minimal compositional changes. In contrast, more tortuous flow paths through the mound during upflow at Spire result in extensive interaction of fluids and substantial changes in fluid composition. Modifications to fluid composition during upflow at the relatively long-lived Shiner Bock are not observed because time integrated water:rock ratios are high and mineral assemblages that line flow paths have already equilibrated with the composition of fluids entering at the base of the mound. Reaction-path modeling indicates that reaction of ODP 1035H and Shiner Bock fluids with pyrite in the mound produces pyrrhotite and concentrations of H2S and H2 identical to those observed at Spire. Conversion of pyrite to pyrrhotite is consistent with mineral paragenesis in the ODP Mound and sulfur isotope variations in vent fluids. These results indicate that vent fluids actively re-equilibrate during upflow, resulting in changes in sulfide mound mineralogy and fluid composition.