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Evidence for the oxidation of Earth’s crust from the evolution of manganese minerals

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel R. Hummer

    (Southern Illinois University)

  • Joshua J. Golden

    (University of Arizona)

  • Grethe Hystad

    (Purdue University Northwest)

  • Robert T. Downs

    (University of Arizona)

  • Ahmed Eleish

    (Tetherless World Constellation, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)

  • Chao Liu

    (Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science)

  • Jolyon Ralph

    (Mindat.org, 128 Mullards Close, Mitcham)

  • Shaunna M. Morrison

    (Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science)

  • Michael B. Meyer

    (Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science)

  • Robert M. Hazen

    (Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science)

Abstract

Analysis of manganese mineral occurrences and valence states demonstrate oxidation of Earth’s crust through time. Changes in crustal redox state are critical to Earth’s evolution, but few methods exist for evaluating spatially averaged crustal redox state through time. Manganese (Mn) is a redox-sensitive metal whose variable oxidation states and abundance in crustal minerals make it a useful tracer of crustal oxidation. We find that the average oxidation state of crustal Mn occurrences has risen in the last 1 billion years in response to atmospheric oxygenation following a 66 ± 1 million-year time lag. We interpret this lag as the average time necessary to equilibrate the shallow crust to atmospheric oxygen fugacity. This study employs large mineralogical databases to evaluate geochemical conditions through Earth’s history, and we propose that this and other mineral data sets form an important class of proxies that constrain the evolving redox state of various Earth reservoirs.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel R. Hummer & Joshua J. Golden & Grethe Hystad & Robert T. Downs & Ahmed Eleish & Chao Liu & Jolyon Ralph & Shaunna M. Morrison & Michael B. Meyer & Robert M. Hazen, 2022. "Evidence for the oxidation of Earth’s crust from the evolution of manganese minerals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-28589-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28589-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert Frei & Claudio Gaucher & Simon W. Poulton & Don E. Canfield, 2009. "Fluctuations in Precambrian atmospheric oxygenation recorded by chromium isotopes," Nature, Nature, vol. 461(7261), pages 250-253, September.
    2. Lee R. Kump, 2008. "The rise of atmospheric oxygen," Nature, Nature, vol. 451(7176), pages 277-278, January.
    3. Chao Liu & Andrew H. Knoll & Robert M. Hazen, 2017. "Geochemical and mineralogical evidence that Rodinian assembly was unique," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, December.
    4. Lee R. Kump & Mark E. Barley, 2007. "Increased subaerial volcanism and the rise of atmospheric oxygen 2.5 billion years ago," Nature, Nature, vol. 448(7157), pages 1033-1036, August.
    5. Fabrice Gaillard & Bruno Scaillet & Nicholas T. Arndt, 2011. "Atmospheric oxygenation caused by a change in volcanic degassing pressure," Nature, Nature, vol. 478(7368), pages 229-232, October.
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