Manifestation of carbonate-barite mineralization around methane seeps in the Sea of Okhotsk (the western slope of the Kuril Basin)

First data are reported on a new manifestation of carbonate-barite mineralization found at a site of methane emanations on the western slope of the Kuril Basin, Sea of Okhotsk. Morphological types of barite, aragonite, and low-magnesian calcite are considered in detail; the results of carbon and oxygen isotope study of carbonate concretions and crusts are presented. It is shown that the barite was formed in sediments owing to the diffusion infiltration of the barium-rich fluids through sedimentary succession. The component and isotope compositions of gases are determined and the relatively elevated content of heavy hydrocarbons is revealed. It was assumed that the relatively heavy isotope composition of carbonates is caused by the influence of fluid released from deep sedimentary horizons owing to the dehydration of clay minerals during post- sedimentation transformations. Obtained data show that the origin of carbonate-barite mineralization is related to the migration of hydrocarbons (mainly methane) and barium-bearing cold gas-fluid flows, which were derived not only from near-surface reservoirs but also from deeper-seated sources.