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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Globally asynchronous sulphur isotope signals require re-definition of the Great Oxidation Event

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Author(s):
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Philippot, Pascal [1, 2] ; Avila, Janaina N. [3] ; Killingsworth, Bryan A. [4] ; Tessalina, Svetlana [5] ; Baton, Franck [1] ; Caquineau, Tom [1] ; Muller, Elodie [1] ; Pecoits, Ernesto [1, 6] ; Cartigny, Pierre [1] ; Lalonde, Stefan V. [4] ; Ireland, Trevor R. [3] ; Thomazo, Christophe [7] ; van Kranendonk, Martin J. [8] ; Busigny, Vincent [1]
Total Authors: 14
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Paris Diderot, Inst Phys Globe Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cite, CNRS, 1 Rue Jussieu, F-75238 Paris - France
[2] Univ Montpellier, Geosci Montpellier, CNRS, UMR 5243, F-34095 Montpellier - France
[3] Australian Natl Univ, Res Sch Earth Sci, 142 Mills Rd, Canberra, ACT 2601 - Australia
[4] European Inst Marine Studies, UMR6538, Lab Geociences Ocean, Pl Nicolas Copernic, F-29280 Plouzane - France
[5] Curtin Univ, John de Laeter Ctr Isotope Res, Fac Sci & Engn, Bld 301, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845 - Australia
[6] Uruguay Technol Univ UTEC, Dept Environm Sci, Francisco Antonio Maciel 97000, Durazno - Uruguay
[7] Univ Bourgogne Franche Comte, UMR Biogeosci UB6282, CNRS, 6 Bd Gabriel, F-21000 Dijon - France
[8] Univ New South Wales, Sch Biol Earth & Environm Sci, Kensington, NSW 2052 - Australia
Total Affiliations: 8
Document type: Journal article
Source: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS; v. 9, JUN 8 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 17
Abstract

The Great Oxidation Event (GOE) has been defined as the time interval when sufficient atmospheric oxygen accumulated to prevent the generation and preservation of mass-independent fractionation of sulphur isotopes (MIF-S) in sedimentary rocks. Existing correlations suggest that the GOE was rapid and globally synchronous. Here we apply sulphur isotope analysis of diagenetic sulphides combined with U-Pb and Re-Os geochronology to document the sulphur cycle evolution in Western Australia spanning the GOE. Our data indicate that, from similar to 2.45 Gyr to beyond 2.31 Gyr, MIF-S was preserved in sulphides punctuated by several episodes of MIF-S disappearance. These results establish the MIF-S record as asynchronous between South Africa, North America and Australia, argue for regional-scale modulation of MIF-S memory effects due to oxidative weathering after the onset of the GOE, and suggest that the current paradigm of placing the GOE at 2.33-2.32 Ga based on the last occurrence of MIF-S in South Africa should be re-evaluated. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 15/16235-2 - The co-evolution of life and oxygen on early Earth: a South American perspective
Grantee:Pascal Andre Marie Philippot
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - SPEC Program