Bacterial sulfate reduction and pH: Implications for early diagenesis

Birnbaum, S. J.; Wireman, John W.

doi:10.1016/0009-2541(84)90144-x

Cited by 41 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…2), indicates that the onset of this metabolic activity initially lowers the pH, which would favor the dissolution of the pre-existing carbonates (Eq. 3) (Birnbaum and Wireman, 1984;Morse and Mackenzie, 1990;Walter and Burton, 1990;Walter et al, 1993;Morse, 2003;Meister, 2013), as well as the precipitation of authigenic silica (Eq. 4) (Stage 1 in Fig.…”

Section: Mechanism For Authigenic Mineralizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Was the Ediacaran Shuram Excursion a globally synchronized early diagenetic event? Insights from methane-derived authigenic carbonates in the uppermost Doushantuo Formation, South China

et al. 2017

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The Ediacaran Period is characterized by the most profound negative carbon isotope (δ 13 C) excursion in Earth history, the Shuram Excursion. Various hypotheses -including the massive oxidation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the oceans, the weathering of terrestrial organic carbon, or the release and oxidation of methane hydrates and/or expelled petroleum from the subsurface -have been proposed as sources of the 13 C-depleted carbon. More recently, it has been suggested that global-scale precipitation of early authigenic carbonates, driven by anaerobic microbial metabolism in unconsolidated sediments, may have caused the Shuram Excursion, but empirical evidence is lacking. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of a Shuram-associated interval from the uppermost Doushantuo Formation in South China. Our study reveals petrographic evidence of methane-derived authigenic calcite (formed as early diagenetic cements and nodules) that are remarkably depleted in 13 C -suggesting a buildup of alkalinity in pore fluids through the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) -and systematically depleted in 18 O relative to co-occurring dolomite. Early authigenesis of these minerals is likely to be driven by increased microbial sulfate reduction, triggered by enhanced continental weathering in the context of a marked rise in atmospheric oxygen levels. In light of the finding of methane-derived authigenic carbonates at Zhongling, and based on our basin-scale stratigraphic correlation, we hypothesize that the marked 13 C and 18 O depletion (including their co-variation noted worldwide) in the Shuram Excursion may reflect an episode of authigenesis occurring within a sulfate-methane transition zone (SMTZ). If true, the Shuram Excursion was then a global biogeochemical response to enhanced seawater sulfate concentration in the Ediacaran ocean driven by the Neoproterozoic oxidation of surface environments. This paleo-oceanographic transition may have therefore paved the way for subsequent evolution and diversification of animals. Our study highlights the significance of an integrated approach that combines petrography, mineralogy, and texture-specific micro-drilling geochemistry in chemostratigraphic studies.

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Section: Mechanism For Authigenic Mineralizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Was the Ediacaran Shuram Excursion a globally synchronized early diagenetic event? Insights from methane-derived authigenic carbonates in the uppermost Doushantuo Formation, South China

et al. 2017

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“…A frost barrier in or near the pan could also pond water at shallow levels within the soil during early spring melt. In a forested soil with thick leaf litter this water could become stagnant enough to encourage sulfate-reducing bacteria to generate patchy silica cement by mechanisms that have been duplicated experimentally (Birnbaum and Wireman 1984;Birnbaum et al 1986). By this model, prismatic peds of the Scott pedotype can be regarded as indications of a seasonally cold climate.…”

Section: Vertical Jointingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…need for a concentration mechanism for selective silicification of root traces, peat fragments, and fossil wood in the Lashly Formation. Considering indications of low-temperature silicification early during burial and local pyrite cubes, a likely mechanism for silicification of root traces, peat, and wood is as a consequence of plant decay by sulfate-reducing bacteria (Birnbaum and Wireman 1984;Birnbaum et al 1986). This process requires chemically reducing conditions and an organic substrate.…”

Section: Origin Of the White Root Tracesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Middle Triassic Paleosols and paleoclimate of Antarctica

Retallack¹,

Alonso-Zarza²

1998

Journal of Sedimentary Research

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“…One of the consistently abundant diatom species, Achnanthes minutissima Kutzing, is the best indicator of high dissolved oxygen concentrations in alkaline waters (Cholnoky, 1968;Schoeman, 1973). In addition, there is no substantial leaching of diatom frustules, which seems to be a common occurrence under sulfate-reducing conditions (Birnbaum and Wireman, 1984 (Craig, 1953). Waters flowing through a canal (in contrast to standing-water conditions) were shallow, fast moving, and well aerated.…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%