Stable and clumped isotope characterization of authigenic carbonates in methane cold seep environments

摘要

Cold seep environments are characterized by methane-rich fluid migration and discharge at the seafloor. These environments are also intimately linked to microbial communities, which oxidize methane anaerobically, increase alkalinity and promote authigenic carbonate precipitation. We have analyzed a suite of methane-derived authigenic carbonate (MDAC) crusts from the North and Barents Sea using stable and clumped isotopes (delta C-13, delta O-18, delta Ca-44, and Delta(47)) to characterize the sources of fluids as well as the environment of carbonate authigenesis. We additionally assess the potential of MDACs as a Delta(47)-based paleotemperature archive.