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Sulfate triple-oxygen-isotope evidence confirming oceanic oxygenation 570 million years ago

Author

Listed:
  • Haiyang Wang

    (Nanjing University
    Chengdu University of Technology
    Chengdu University of Technology)

  • Yongbo Peng

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Chao Li

    (Chengdu University of Technology
    Chengdu University of Technology
    Chengdu University of Technology)

  • Xiaobin Cao

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Meng Cheng

    (Chengdu University of Technology
    Chengdu University of Technology
    Chengdu University of Technology)

  • Huiming Bao

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

Abstract

The largest negative inorganic carbon isotope excursion in Earth’s history, namely the Ediacaran Shuram Excursion (SE), closely followed by early animal radiation, has been widely interpreted as a consequence of oceanic oxidation. However, the primary nature of the signature, source of oxidants, and tempo of the event remain contested. Here, we show that carbonate-associated sulfate (CAS) from three different paleocontinents all have conspicuous negative 17O anomalies (Δ′17OCAS values down to −0.53‰) during the SE. Furthermore, the Δ′17OCAS varies in correlation with its corresponding δ34SCAS and δ18OCAS as well as the carbonate δ13Ccarb, decreasing initially followed by a recovery over the ~7-Myr SE duration. In a box-model examination, we argue for a period of sustained water-column ventilation and consequently enhanced sulfur oxidation in the SE ocean. Our findings reveal a direct involvement of mass-anomalously 17O-depleted atmospheric O2 in marine sulfate formation and thus a primary global oceanic oxygenation event during the SE.

Suggested Citation

  • Haiyang Wang & Yongbo Peng & Chao Li & Xiaobin Cao & Meng Cheng & Huiming Bao, 2023. "Sulfate triple-oxygen-isotope evidence confirming oceanic oxygenation 570 million years ago," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-39962-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39962-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Huiming Bao & Mark H. Thiemens & James Farquhar & Douglas A. Campbell & Charles Chi-Woo Lee & Klaus Heine & David B. Loope, 2000. "Anomalous 17O compositions in massive sulphate deposits on the Earth," Nature, Nature, vol. 406(6792), pages 176-178, July.
    2. L. Paul Knauth & Martin J. Kennedy, 2009. "The late Precambrian greening of the Earth," Nature, Nature, vol. 460(7256), pages 728-732, August.
    3. Peter W. Crockford & Justin A. Hayles & Huiming Bao & Noah J. Planavsky & Andrey Bekker & Philip W. Fralick & Galen P. Halverson & Thi Hao Bui & Yongbo Peng & Boswell A. Wing, 2018. "Triple oxygen isotope evidence for limited mid-Proterozoic primary productivity," Nature, Nature, vol. 559(7715), pages 613-616, July.
    4. Matthew S. Dodd & Wei Shi & Chao Li & Zihu Zhang & Meng Cheng & Haodong Gu & Dalton S. Hardisty & Sean J. Loyd & Malcolm W. Wallace & Ashleigh vS. Hood & Kelsey Lamothe & Benjamin J. W. Mills & Simon , 2023. "Uncovering the Ediacaran phosphorus cycle," Nature, Nature, vol. 618(7967), pages 974-980, June.
    5. Huiming Bao & J. R. Lyons & Chuanming Zhou, 2008. "Triple oxygen isotope evidence for elevated CO2 levels after a Neoproterozoic glaciation," Nature, Nature, vol. 453(7194), pages 504-506, May.
    6. Boaz Luz & Eugeni Barkan & Michael L. Bender & Mark H. Thiemens & Kristie A. Boering, 1999. "Triple-isotope composition of atmospheric oxygen as a tracer of biosphere productivity," Nature, Nature, vol. 400(6744), pages 547-550, August.
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