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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.)

In Situ Fe and S isotope analyses in pyrite from the 3.2 Ga Mendon Formation (Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa): Evidence for early microbial iron reduction

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Author(s):
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Marin-Carbonne, Johanna [1, 2] ; Busigny, Vincent [3, 4] ; Miot, Jennyfer [5] ; Rollion-Bard, Claire [4] ; Muller, Elodie [4] ; Drabon, Nadja [6] ; Jacob, Damien [7] ; Pont, Sylvain [5] ; Robyr, Martin [1] ; Bontognali, Tomaso R. R. [8, 9] ; Francois, Camille [10] ; Reynaud, Stephanie [11] ; Van Zuilen, Mark [4] ; Philippot, Pascal [4, 12]
Total Authors: 14
Affiliation:
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[1] Univ Lausanne, Inst Sci Terre, Lausanne - Switzerland
[2] Univ Lyon, UJM St Etienne, Lab Magma & Volcans, UCA, CNRS, IRD, UMR 6524, St Etienne - France
[3] Inst Univ France, Paris - France
[4] Univ Paris, Inst Phys Globe, CNRS, Paris - France
[5] Sorbonne Univ, Univ Pierre & Marie Curie, IMPMC, Museum Natl Hist Nat, CNRS UMR 7590, IRD 206, Paris - France
[6] Stanford Univ, Dept Geol Sci, Stanford, CA 94305 - USA
[7] Univ Lille, UMET UMR 8207 CNRS, Villeneuve Dascq - France
[8] Space Explorat Inst, Neuchatel - Switzerland
[9] Univ Basel, Dept Environm Sci, Basel - Switzerland
[10] Univ Liege, Early Life Traces & Evolut Astrobiol Lab, Dept Geol, B18, Liege - Belgium
[11] Univ Lyon, UJM St Etienne, CNRS, Lab Hubert Curien, St Etienne - France
[12] Univ Montpellier, Geosci Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5243, Montpellier - France
Total Affiliations: 12
Document type: Journal article
Source: Geobiology; v. 18, n. 3 MAR 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

On the basis of phylogenetic studies and laboratory cultures, it has been proposed that the ability of microbes to metabolize iron has emerged prior to the Archaea/Bacteria split. However, no unambiguous geochemical data supporting this claim have been put forward in rocks older than 2.7-2.5 giga years (Gyr). In the present work, we report in situ Fe and S isotope composition of pyrite from 3.28- to 3.26-Gyr-old cherts from the upper Mendon Formation, South Africa. We identified three populations of microscopic pyrites showing a wide range of Fe isotope compositions, which cluster around two delta Fe-56 values of -1.8 parts per thousand and +1 parts per thousand. These three pyrite groups can also be distinguished based on the pyrite crystallinity and the S isotope mass-independent signatures. One pyrite group displays poorly crystallized pyrite minerals with positive Delta S-33 values > +3 parts per thousand, while the other groups display more variable and closer to 0 parts per thousand Delta S-33 values with recrystallized pyrite rims. It is worth to note that all the pyrite groups display positive Delta S-33 values in the pyrite core and similar trace element compositions. We therefore suggest that two of the pyrite groups have experienced late fluid circulations that have led to partial recrystallization and dilution of S isotope mass-independent signature but not modification of the Fe isotope record. Considering the mineralogy and geochemistry of the pyrites and associated organic material, we conclude that this iron isotope systematic derives from microbial respiration of iron oxides during early diagenesis. Our data extend the geological record of dissimilatory iron reduction (DIR) back more than 560 million years (Myr) and confirm that micro-organisms closely related to the last common ancestor had the ability to reduce Fe(III). (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