Geochemistry and Origin of the Red Sea Brines

Abstract

A steady-state model of the brine waters in Atlantis II Deep is presented. The deuterium and oxygen-18 concentrations in the water, and the dissolved argon content suggest a relative warm near surface Red Sea water as the source of the brine. In evaluating the overall environmental situation in the Red Sea in terms of temperature and salinity, the probable source lies about 800km to the south near the Strait of Bab el Mandeb. By integrating isotope data, and the trace and major element spectra of the brine, the origin, age and history of the brine waters become apparent.