Quaternary low-temperature serpentinization and carbonation in the New Caledonia ophiolite

Abstract

The low-temperature alteration (< 150 °C) of ophiolites by infiltrated meteoric waters removes atmospheric CO2 through mineral carbonation and is assumed to generate H2 and possibly CH4 according to so-called serpentinization reactions. This overall alteration pattern is primarily constrained by the chemical composition of alkaline springs that are issued in several ophiolites worldwide. Here we report on the fingerprint, as veinlet mineralization, of the reactive percolation of such meteoric waters in the New Caledonia ophiolite (Massif du Sud). The mineralization which resulted from carbonation and serpentinization reactions, is young (< 2 Ma) and formed at a temperature of ca. 95 °C. It is mainly composed of lizardite, dolomite, magnetite ± pyroaurite. Thermochemical simulation of mineral–water equilibria shows that the percolating aqueous fluid was alkaline and H2 bearing. The δ13C of dolomite is exceptionally high, between 7.1 and up to 17.3‰, and is interpreted as evidence of low-temperature methanogenesis. Overall, the percolating fluid had a chemical composition similar to that of the waters issued today in the (hyper)alkaline springs of the Massif du Sud. The studied veinlets are thus interpreted as a sample of the plumbing system that fed an ancient Quaternary alkaline spring in the area.