Timescales and rates for peridotite-groundwater reactions in the Samail Ophiolite, Sultanate of Oman

Amelia N Paukert Vankeuren1,2, Juerg Michael Matter1,3, Martin Stute4,5 and Peter B Kelemen2,5, (1)California State University Sacramento, Geology Department, Sacramento, CA, United States, (2)Columbia University of New York, Palisades, NY, United States, (3)University of Southampton, School of Ocean and Earth Science, Southampton, United Kingdom, (4)Columbia University, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, New York, United States, (5)Lamont -Doherty Earth Observatory, Palisades, NY, United States
Abstract:
The peridotite section of the Samail Ophiolite, Sultanate of Oman is a site of ongoing low temperature serpentinization and carbonation. We present geochemical data for waters collected from boreholes in the peridotite to help describe subsurface water-rock reactions and rates. We constrained groundwater age using 3H-3He dating, He accumulation, dissolved noble gas thermometry, and stable isotopes (δ2H, δ18O). Dissolved gas samples were collected from boreholes and used to estimate ongoing serpentinization rates.

Boreholes in peridotite contain two water types: Type I Mg2+-HCO3- water and Type II Ca2+-OH- water. All of our groundwater dating techniques suggest boreholes with Type I water contain modern recharge. Type I boreholes have 3H-3He dates of 0-40 years, 3He/4He ratios similar to the atmosphere, and low levels of He accumulation. Noble gas thermometry shows recharge temperatures of 32oC, the modern mean annual ground temperature. Stable isotopes in Type I waters fall between the northern and southern local meteoric water lines, similar to other modern northern Oman groundwaters (Weyhenmeyer et al., Wat. Resour. Res., 2002). In contrast, Type II hyperalkaline groundwaters from boreholes in peridotite appear to be significantly older. Waters have pre-bomb 3H levels, and significant He accumulation from sources such as crustal production from radioactive decay or mantle He. Noble gas temperatures range from 30oC to 25oC, with the cooler samples potentially having recharged during a glacial period. Stable isotopes for Type II waters plot either between the northern and southern meteoric water lines or are enriched in δ18O. The enrichment may be due to evaporation or a change in the source of local water vapor during glacial periods.

Dissolved gases from boreholes with Type I water are primarily N2, while gases from boreholes with Type II water include millimolar concentrations of H2, CH4, or both. These dissolved gases suggest the Type II boreholes are in or near areas of active low temperature serpentinization. Serpentinization rates calculated from dissolved gas concentrations and groundwater flow vary from 4x10-8 to 2x10-6 volume fraction peridotite serpentinized per year.

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