All available information on metalliferous sediments (MS) in recent and ancient oceans and the Red Sea is summarized in this monograph. The main features of their composition, regularities of chemical elements and accumulation rate distributions are shown. Reasons for different distribution types are revealed, and the transformation of hydrothermal ore matter from hydrothermal fluids to accumulation in MS is traced. The book also presents reliable numerical models of MS and their strata formation. With their use, the intensity and position of submarine high-temperature hydrothermal activity and ore formation in the geological past, are reconstructed on materials of MS study, as are the present areas of occurrence of sediment-covered deposits.
From the contents:Foreword * Preface * Introduction * Recent metalliferous sediments in the oceans: Metalliferous sediments from the Southeast Pacific; Metalliferous sediments from the northern part of the East Pacific Rise; Metalliferous sediments from the Juan de Fuca Ridge; Metalliferous sediments from the Indian ocean; Sediments in the areas of hydrothermal activity in the Southwest Pacific; Metalliferous sediments in the rift zone of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge * Metalliferous sediments of the Red Sea: Conditions of formation; Atlantis II Deep; Northeast Thetis Deep; General characteristics of mineral components in the hydrothermal matter of metalliferous sediments from the Red Sea; General characteristics of chemical composition of the metal-bearing matter in metalliferous sediments from the Red Sea * Ancient metalliferous sediments in the oceans: Occurrence of ancient metalliferous sediments, thickness of metalliferous strata; Age and duration of accumulation of metalliferous strata; Chemical composition of ancient metalliferous sediments; Evolution of chemical composition of ancient metalliferous sediments * Formation of composition of metalliferous sediments, formation of metalliferous strata: Sources of metal-bearing matter in metalliferous sediments; Chemical composition of hydrothermal fluids; Hydrothermal plumes; Settling fluxes of hydrothermal particulate matter; Differentiation of chemical elements during formation of metalliferous sediments in the ocean; Reflection of metallogenic specialization of hydrothermal fluids and near-vent massive accumulations of sulfide minerals in the composition of metalliferous sediments; Formation of distal metalliferous strata; Formation of composition of metalliferous sediments in the Red Sea * Reconstruction of the history of hydrothermal activity and mineral formation in the oceans based on the studies of metalliferous sediments: Reconstruction of the history of hydrothermal activity and mineral formation based on the studies of sediment cores; Reconstruction of the history of hydrothermal activity and mineral formation based on the studies of deep-sea drilling cores; Scale and dimension of reconstructions * References * Index.
EVGENY GURVICH was born in 1947 in Moscow. He received his Ph.D. and D.Sc. degrees from the P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology in Moscow where he remained for more than 25 years. From 2003 until 2005 he worked as a guest scientist at the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar- and Marine Research in Bremerhaven (Germany). He is the author of about 200 scientific publications and reports, including 5 monographs. He has participated in 27 scientific expeditions and received several honors and awards.
From the reviews: "This book proffers a very thorough general overview as to what is known at present about the products of deep-sea hydrothermalism forming metalliferous deposits and the basic theories ! . All those interested and involved in teaching and learning (at undergraduate and graduate levels: as text the book is highly recommended) and engaged in research and exploration (Thwaites, 2005) of oceanographic and related environments must get familiar with this excellent book. ! every library of universities and research institutions must have a copy." (Karl Wolf, The Australian Geologist Newsletter, Issue 138, 2006) "Metalliferous Sediments of the World Ocean summarizes the state of the art in the recent research on hydrothermal sedimentation in the deep ocean. The author ! explains in a manner that is concise and easy to understand the basics and most recent findings in the field. ! I have really enjoyed reading Gurvich's book. ! I will recommend it to my colleagues. I am convinced that a wide range of geoscientists will benefit from using it as it is a valuable source of information." (Vesselin Dekov, Journal of Sedimentary Research, May, 2006)