Establishing criteria to distinguish oil-seep from methane-seep carbonates
- Author(s)
- Daniel Smrzka, Jennifer Zwicker, Andreas Klügel, Patrick Monien, Wolfgang Bach, Gerhard Bohrmann, Jörn Ludwig Peckmann
- Abstract
Hydrocarbon seeps harbor copious chemosynthesis-dependent life, the traces of which are preserved in the fossil record within authigenic carbonates. These environments are mostly characterized by seepage of methane-rich fluids, yet numerous crude oil-dominated seeps have been discovered in recent years. Oil seepage has a profound influence on the local fauna, but recognizing such seeps in the rock record remains elusive. This study presents new geo-chemical data that will allow for a more confident identification of ancient oil-seep deposits. Geochemical data from modern and ancient seep limestones reveal that oil-dominated seep carbonates are enriched in rare earth elements and uranium compared to their methane-dominated counterparts. These trace element patterns have the potential to serve as a basis for an improved understanding of the adaptation of chemosynthetic life to oil seepage, and to better constrain the marine carbon cycle in the geologic past.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Geology
- External organisation(s)
- Universität Bremen, Universität Hamburg
- Journal
- Geology
- Volume
- 44
- Pages
- 667-670
- No. of pages
- 4
- ISSN
- 0091-7613
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1130/G38029.1
- Publication date
- 07-2016
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 105105 Geochemistry, 105121 Sedimentology
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geology
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/2fa12fd0-260c-4ba6-b4d8-60e7a00eef0e