Regional geochemistry of sediments from the Hellenic volcanic arc in regard to submarine hydrothermal activity

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Abstract
Some 600 surface sediment samples from the Hellenic Volcanic Arc region have been analyzed by bulk and HCl selective leach geochemical techniques. Geostatisti‐cal analysis, followed by further selective leaches on a number of samples, has been used in order to identify any regional hydrothermal influence on the sediments and/or any local hydrothermal metal enrichments. The two main sediment components affecting the geochemical variability in the region are biogenic carbonate and volcaniclastic/terrigenous detritus. Proximity to islands appears to be the primary factor controlling the variability in these components. Sediments from deeper water, to the south of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc and in the Anydros Basin, exhibit some elevated levels of Mn, Co, and Cu, probably of hydrogenous origin. No widespread hydrothermal influence to the sediments in the region is recognized, although this could in part be due to the high sedimentation rates in the region. Localized hydrothermal inputs to sediments are, however, recognized proximal to Santorini, in particular within the northern part of the central caldera. These are predominantly of Fe and associated adsorbed/coprecipitated elements along with some Mn enrichment. Several samples proximal to Milos, just off the coast in the northern part of the central Milos embayment, also show enrichments of commonly hydrothermally associated elements, including Mn, Cu, Zn, and Pb. Data suggest that these enrichments could, in part, be due to weathering of “on‐land”; mineralization as well as hydrothermal inputs.