Pathways for Neoarchean pyrite formation constrained by mass-independent sulfur isotopes.

ABSTRACT: It is generally thought that the sulfate reduction metabolism is ancient and would have been established well before the Neoarchean. It is puzzling, therefore, that the sulfur isotope record of the Neoarchean is characterized by a signal of atmospheric mass-independent chemistry rather than a strong overprint by sulfate reducers. Here, we present a study of the four sulfur isotopes obtained using secondary ion MS that seeks to reconcile a number of features seen in the Neoarchean sulfur isotope record. We suggest that Neoarchean ocean basins had two coexisting, significantly sized sulfur pools and that the pathways forming pyrite precursors played an important role in establishing how the isotopic characteristics of each of these pools was transferred to the sedimentary rock record. One of

SUBMITTER: Farquhar J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3816403 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature