Ikaite (СаСО3·6Н2O) in bottom sediments of the Laptevs' sea and the role of anaerobic methane oxidation in this mineral-forming process
Krylov A. A., Logvina E. A., Matveeva T. V., Prasolov E. M., Sapega V. F., Demidova A. L., Radchenko M. S.
Zapiski RMO (Proceedings of the Russian Mineralogical Society). 2015. V. 144. N 4. P. 61-75
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Language: Russian
Abstract
Studied samples of ikaite have been collected in the southern part of the Laptevs’ sea in 2008. XRD analysis data have shown that by destruction ikaite is transformed into calcite and waterite phases. Isotopic composition of carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) in the sample composed of the ikaite, calcite and vaterite mixture was –31.0 and –0.39 ‰, respectively, and after the complete destruction of ikaite it has become –29.0 and 0.67 ‰ VPDB, respectively. Calculated theoretical values of δ18O in porous water, from which ikaite has formed in equilibrium conditions, vary from 4.0 to –2.8 ‰ VSMOW. It evidences the weak influence of the Lena river water upon formation of the studied sample. The result of the balance calculations points that organic matter was the principal source of carbon in ikaite (88—92 %), with supplementary supply from methane (8—12 %).
Key words: ikaite, the Laptevs’ sea, methane, carbon, anaerobic methane oxidation.
