University of Tasmania
Browse
143441 - Trends in Ocean S-Isotopes May Be Influenced by Major LIP Events.pdf (2.56 MB)

Trends in Ocean S-Isotopes May Be Influenced by Major LIP Events

Download (2.56 MB)
Mega volcanic eruptions associated with the formation of Large Igneous Provinces (LIPS) pump vast amounts of carbon dioxide and sulfur-rich gases into the atmosphere and stratosphere with the potential to totally change the chemistry of the global ocean. Here we investigate the sedimentary pyrite sulfur isotope record of black shales through time and demonstrate two coherent populations termed P1 and P2. Population P1 dominates the Archean pyrites, has a mean of δ34S = +3.7‰, standard deviation of 5.3‰, and is considered to represent S of mantle origin. Population P2 appears toward the start of the Proterozoic, dominates the Phanerozoic, has a mean around +25‰ and standard deviation of 13.5‰, and is considered to represent S of seawater sulfate origin. Population P1 can be identified in sedimentary pyrite at certain times in the Proterozoic and Phanerozoic, which correspond, within error, with the timing of 25 major LIP events. Our data suggest that at regular times through the Proterozoic, coinciding with major LIP events, the oceans contained a mixture of seawater sulfate and dissolved mantle sulfide derived from the LIPs. LA-ICP-MS analyses of the sedimentary pyrite indicate that metals, particularly gold, nickel, cobalt, and PGE were also enriched in the oceans at these times. The long periods between major LIP eruptions enabled the oceans to return to a seawater sulfate background equilibrium with a decrease in the mantle-derived metals.

History

Publication title

Large Igneous Provinces: A Driver of Global Environmental and Biotic Changes

Editors

RE Ernst, AJ Dickson, & A Bekker

Pagination

341-376

ISBN

9781119507451

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

American Geophysical Union and John Wiley & Sons

Place of publication

United States

Extent

21

Rights statement

Copyright 2021 The Authors. Co-published 2021 by the American Geophysical Union and John Wiley and Sons, Inc

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the earth sciences

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC