A new approach to discern the hydrocarbon sources (oil vs. methane) of authigenic carbonates forming at marine seeps. (April 2020) - Sun, Yuedong
Abstract: Numerous marine hydrocarbon seeps have been discovered in the past three decades, the majority of which are dominated by methane-rich fluids. However, an increasing number of modern oil seeps and a few ancient oil-seep deposits have been recognized in recent years. Oil seepage exerts significant control on the composition of the seep-dwelling fauna and may have impacted the marine carbon cycle through geological time to a greater extent than previously recognized. Yet, distinguishing oil-seep from methane-seep deposits is difficult in cases where δ 13 Ccarb values are higher than approximately −30‰ due to mixing of different carbon sources. Here, we present a comparative study of authigenic carbonates from oil-dominated (site GC232) and methane-dominated (site GC852) seep environments of the northern Gulf of Mexico, aiming to determine the geochemical characteristics of the two types of seep carbonates. We analyzed (1) major and trace element compositions of carbonates, (2) total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and carbon isotope (δ 13 CTOC ) of residue after decalcification, (3) sulfur isotope signatures of chromium reducible sulfur (CRS, δ 34 SCRS ) and residue after CRS extraction (δ 34 STOS ), as well as (4) sulfur contents (TOS) of residue after CRS extraction. Carbonates from the studied oil seep are dominated by aragonite and exhibit lower δ 34 SCRS values, suggesting carbonate precipitation close to the sediment surface. In addition, oil-seep carbonates are characterized by higher TOC and TOS contents and higher TOC/TN ratios, as well as less negative δ 13 CTOC values compared to methane-seep carbonates, probably reflecting a contribution of residual crude oil enclosed in oil-seep carbonates. Very low δ 13 CTOC values (as low as −68.7‰, VPDB) and low TOC/TN ratios of methane-seep carbonates indicate that the enclosed organic matter is derived mainly from the biomass of methanotrophic biota. This study presents new geochemical data that will allow the discrimination of oil-seep from methane-seep deposits. Although some of the geochemical patterns are likely to be affected by late diagenesis, if applied with caution, such patterns can be used to discern the two end-member types of seepage – oil seeps and methane seeps – in the geological record. Highlights: A comparative study of carbonates from oil and methane seeps was conducted. Oil seep carbonates tend to have more aragonite than methane seep carbonates. Lower δ 34 SCRS values in oil seep carbonates confirm formation at shallower depth. Oil-seep carbonate has higher δ 13 CTOC and TOC/TN than methane-seep carbonate. A potential approach for identification of oil seeps in the rock record.