Pyrite-based trace element fingerprints for methane and oil seepage
Daniel Smrzka, Zhiyong Lin, Patrick Monien, Tianyu Chen, Wolfgang Bach, Jörn Peckmann, Gerhard Bohrmann
Abstract
Pyrite forms at marine hydrocarbon seeps as the result of the microbial oxidation of methane, organic matter, and crude oil coupled to sulphate reduction.Redox sensitive and nutrient trace elements in pyrite may hold valuable information on present and past seepage events, the evolution of fluid composition, as well as the presence of heavy hydrocarbon compounds from crude oil.This study uses the trace element compositions of pyrite that formed at methane seeps and crude oil-dominated seeps to constrain element mobilities during the sulphate reduction processes, and examine the degree to which specific trace elements are captured by pyrite.Pyrite forming at oil seeps shows high Mn/Fe ratios and high Mo content compared to pyrite from methane seeps.These patterns suggest either more intense or persistent sulphidic conditions, or an intensified manganese (oxy)hydroxide shuttle process at oil seeps.Copper and Zn are enriched in oil seepagederived pyrite while Ni and V enrichment is less pronounced, suggesting either a selective uptake of specific elements by pyrite, or varying trace element compositions of organic compounds oxidised via microbial reduction.