Deep-Sea Authigenic Calcite and Dolomite

Abstract

Crystals of calcite and, in one case, of dolomite up to 90 µm in size are dispersed in pelagic red clay at several sites on the floor of the South Pacific Ocean. They were analyzed by microscopic, x-ray diffraction, electron x-ray microprobe, and oxygen isotopic techniques. These carbonates are authigenic and were probably precipitated from hydrothermal solutions connected with deep-sea volcanic activity.