The benthic foraminiferal δ³⁴S records flux and timing of paleo methane emissions.

ABSTRACT: In modern environments, pore water geochemistry and modelling simulations allow the study of methane (CH₄) sources and sinks at any geographic location. However, reconstructing CH₄ dynamics in geological records is challenging. Here, we show that the benthic foraminiferal δ³⁴S can be used to reconstruct the flux (i.e., diffusive vs. advective) and timing of CH₄ emissions in fossil records. We measured the δ³⁴S of Cassidulina neoteretis specimens from selected samples collected at Vestnesa Ridge, a methane cold seep site in the Arctic Ocean. Our results show lower benthic foraminiferal δ³⁴S values (∼20‰) in the sample characterized by seawater conditions, whereas higher values (∼25-27‰) were measured in deeper samples as a co

SUBMITTER: Borrelli C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6987089 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature