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Analysis of deep-ocean sediments from the TAG hydrothermal field (MAR, 26° N): application of short-wave infrared reflectance (SWIR) spectra for offshore geochemical exploration

  • Sediments, Sec 1 • Sediment Quality and Impact Assessment • Research Article
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Abstract

Purpose

The cost-efficient methods of analysis, such as rapid short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectral analysis, have been applied for the efficient exploration of critical raw materials (CRM), including mineral components and rare earth elements (REE) from the deep-ocean sediments.

Methods

Gravity cored sediment samples were collected during an oceanographic mission to the Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse (TAG) hydrothermal field of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR, 26° N). SWIR reflectance spectra (dependent variable) of samples were mathematically tested against referent geochemical data (independent variable), obtained by conventional analysis (ICP/OES, ICP/MS), after applied full cross-validation multivariate partial least square regression (CVPLSR). Value of parameter-residual predictive deviation (RPD) was used for evaluation of CVPLSR modeling: RPD > 2.5 (satisfactory calibration model for the screening purposes) and RPD > 5.0 (model adequate for the quality control of the studied elements).

Results

The CVPLSR modeling provided significant results for the determination of several mineral components: major elements (Fe and Si) had the values of RPD equal to 3.65 and 2.84, respectively, which indicated a viable potential for their routine analysis, whereas RPD for Ca was equal to 5.51, thus assuring its quality control by SWIR analysis, in sediment samples of the studied location. Among the REE, Ce (RPD = 2.55) and Er (RPD = 2.59) yielded the most satisfactory results.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the benefit of rapidly obtained empirical SWIR-reflectance data, which can be used for near-real-time exploration of geochemical deposits hosted in deep-ocean sediments.

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Acknowledgments

The work was done as part of the project “BLUE MINING—Breakthrough solutions for the sustainable exploration and extraction of deep-sea mineral resources,” that has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development, and demonstration under grant agreement no. 604500. The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support FCT through project UIDB/50019/2020–IDL.

The authors would like to thank Dr. Sven Petersen (GEOMAR, Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany), Dr. Sofia Martins, and the “M127” cruise team, for their technical support during the oceanographic mission and gravity core recovery, for their preservation a priori analysis, and for the AUV-derived map of the TAG hydrothermal field.

The authors are specially thankful to Editor-in-Chief of the Journal, the Subject Editor, and the Referees for their constructive and valuable comments, which improved the manuscript until its final version.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. REQUIMTE/FCT-NOVA, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Nova University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Jelena Milinovic

  2. Faculty of Sciences, Institute Dom Luiz, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, Lisbon, Portugal

    Fernando J.A.S. Barriga

  3. National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton, England

    Bramley J. Murton

Authors
  1. Jelena Milinovic
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  2. Fernando J.A.S. Barriga
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  3. Bramley J. Murton
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Correspondence to Jelena Milinovic.

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The research did not involve any studies with human participants and/or animals. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Responsible editor: Patrick Byrne

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Milinovic, J., Barriga, F.J. & Murton, B.J. Analysis of deep-ocean sediments from the TAG hydrothermal field (MAR, 26° N): application of short-wave infrared reflectance (SWIR) spectra for offshore geochemical exploration. J Soils Sediments 20, 3472–3486 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-020-02691-3

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