A comprehensive and up-to-date review of the subject of the nature, causes, and consequences of fluid flow in oceanic crust, this edited volume sets in context much recent research for the first time. The book begins with a concise review of the relatively brief history of its subject which began shortly after the dawning of plate-tectonic theory little more than 30 years ago. It then describes the nature and important consequences of fluid flow in the sub-seafloor, ending with a summary of how the oceans are affected by the surprisingly rapid exchange of water between the crust and the water column overhead. The accompanying CD includes a full and easily navigated set of diagrams and captions, references, and photos of research vessels, submersibles, and tools used in marine hydrologic studies. A valuable resource for graduate students and researchers of Earth Sciences and Oceanography.
• The first review of the study of ocean crustal hydrogeology; it is both historically comprehensive and up-to-date • Useful for students in providing an in-depth review and a comprehensive bibliography • Valuable for classroom use, particularly by way of the CD which includes access to figures and the ‘tour’ of photos of the ‘tools of the trade’ for marine hydrogeologists
Contents
Introduction E. E. Davis and H. Elderfield; Part I. The Background: 1. Variability of heat flux through the sea floor: discovery of hydrothermal circulation in the oceanic crust J. G. Sclater; 2. Foundations of research into heat, fluid, and chemical fluxes in oceanic crust H. Elderfield, K. Becker and E. E. Davis; Part II. Hydrological Structure, Properties, and State of the Oceanic Crust: 3. Variability of ocean crustal structure created along the global midocean ridge S. M. Carbotte and D. S. Scheirer; 4. Fracturing and fluid flow in the oceanic crust: insights from borehole imaging and other downhole measurements D. Goldberg, G. J. Iturrino and K. Becker; 5. Hydrothermal ageing of oceanic crust: inferences from seismic refraction and borehole studies I. Grevemeyer and A. Bartetzko; 6. Sediment permeability, distribution, and influence on fluxes in oceanic basement G. A. Spinelli, E. R. Giambalvo and A. T. Fisher; 7. In situ determinations of the permeability of the igneous oceanic crust K. Becker and E. E. Davis; 8. Observations of temperature and pressure: constraints on ocean crustal hydrologic state, properties, and flow E. E. Davis and K. Becker; 9. Hydrothermal insights from the Troodos ophiolite, Cyprus J. Cann and K. Gillis; Part III. Heat and Fluid Fluxes: 10. Deep-seated oceanic heat flow, heat deficits, and hydrothermal circulation R. N. Harris and D. S. Chapman; 11. Rates of flow and patterns of fluid circulation A. T. Fisher; 12. Applying fundamental principles and mathematical models to understand processes and estimate parameters K. Wang; 13. Geothermal evidence for continuing hydrothermal circulation in older (>60 M.y.) ocean crust R. P. Von Herzen; Part IV: Geochemical State and Water-Rock Reactions: 14. Alterations and mass transport in high-temperature hydrothermal systems at mid-ocean ridges: controls on the chemical and isotopic evolution of axial vent fluids W. E. Seyfried Jr and W. C. Shanks III; 15: Alteration of the upper oceanic crust: mineralogy, chemistry, and processes J. C. Alt; 16. Ridge flank sediment - fluid interactions M. Kastner and M. D. Rudnicki; 17. Microbial reactions in marine sediments J. P. Telling, E. R. C. Hornibrook and R. J. Parkes; 18. Microbial mediation of oceanic crust alteration H. Staudigel and H. Furnes; Part V. Geochemical Fluxes: 19. Geochemical fluxes through mid-ocean ridge flanks C. G. Wheat and M. J. Mottl; 20. Insight into the hydrogeology and alteration of oceanic lithosphere based on subduction zones and arc volcanism S. M. Peacock; 21. Hydrothermal fluxes in a global context M. Bickle and H. Elderfield.
Review
'… a concise review of the relatively brief history of its subject … a valuable sourse for graduate students and researchers of Earth sciences and oceanography.' Environmental Geology
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