Can organic haze and O2 plumes explain patterns of sulfur mass-independent fractionation during the Archean?

Liu, Peng; Harman, Chester E.; Kasting, James F.; Hu, Yongyun; Wang, Jingxu

doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2019.115767

Cited by 15 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…( 24 ), we argue for the coexistence of two isotopically distinct diagenetically active sulfur pools. Although alternate views exist ( 25 , 47 – 50 ), against an oxygen-free backdrop, most workers envisage the operation of two Archean atmospheric exit channels, supplying elemental sulfur (S 8 ) and sulfate (SO 4 2- ) to the Earth’s surficial sulfur cycle with positive and negative Δ 33 S values, respectively ‡ ( 12 , 13 , 41 , 51 ). Indeed, it is the relative proportions of each of these sulfur sources that is thought to underpin the Δ 33 S–δ 34 S array that typifies Neoarchean-aged sulfides (Δ 33 S ≈ 0.9 × δ 34 S ( 47 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bulk and grain-scale minor sulfur isotope data reveal complexities in the dynamics of Earth’s oxygenation

Izon

Luo

Uveges

et al. 2022

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Significance The permanent disappearance of mass-independent sulfur isotope fractionation (S-MIF) from the sedimentary record has become a widely accepted proxy for atmospheric oxygenation. This framework, however, neglects inheritance from oxidative weathering of pre-existing S-MIF–bearing sedimentary sulfide minerals (i.e., crustal memory), which has recently been invoked to explain apparent discrepancies within the sulfur isotope record. Herein, we demonstrate that such a crustal memory effect does not confound the Carletonville S-isotope record; rather, the pronounced Δ 33 S values identified within the Rooihoogte Formation represent the youngest known unequivocal oxygen-free photochemical products. Previously observed 33 S-enrichments within the succeeding Timeball Hill Formation, however, contrasts with our record, revealing kilometer-scale heterogeneities that highlight significant uncertainties in our understanding of the dynamics of Earth’s oxygenation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bulk and grain-scale minor sulfur isotope data reveal complexities in the dynamics of Earth’s oxygenation

Izon

Luo

Uveges

et al. 2022

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…This prediction seems in accordance with measurements of early Earth's metavolcanic rocks (Thomassot et al, 2015) and Quaternary volcanic ash (Bindeman et al, 2007) (Figure 5c), in which sulfur recombination reactions associated with thermochemistry in impacts and volcanoes (Noll et al, 1995;Spencer et al, 2000) might be recorded. We note that such steep Δ 36 S/Δ 33 S slope is different from existing theoretical calculations (Babikov, 2017;Babikov et al, 2017), which are also preliminary and controversial (Goldman et al, 2019 (Babikov, 2017;Babikov et al, 2017;Lin, Kang, et al, 2018;Lin, Zhang, et al, 2018;Shaheen et al, 2014) and the calculated isotope effect of sulfur recombination reactions by Babikov (2017) has been incorporated into Archean atmosphere models (Harman et al, 2018;Liu et al, 2019), additional experimental, theoretical, and observational studies to reconcile discrepancies discussed above are needed. Given the absence of significant Δ 36 S anomalies in Martian meteorites (Franz et al, 2014) (Figure 5d), the actual S-MIF signature of recombination reactions is also crucial for deepening understanding the Martian atmosphere.…”

Section: Implications For Planetary Atmospheres and Cosmochemical/geochemical Recordsmentioning

confidence: 68%

“…Apart from recombination reactions, MIF isotope effects in thermal decomposition as discussed in section 3.2.2 should be evaluated. Considering that S‐MIF in sulfur recombination reactions is becoming a crucial component in interpreting Archean data (Babikov, 2017; Babikov et al, 2017; Lin, Kang, et al, 2018; Lin, Zhang, et al, 2018; Shaheen et al, 2014) and the calculated isotope effect of sulfur recombination reactions by Babikov (2017) has been incorporated into Archean atmosphere models (Harman et al, 2018; Liu et al, 2019), additional experimental, theoretical, and observational studies to reconcile discrepancies discussed above are needed. Given the absence of significant Δ 36 S anomalies in Martian meteorites (Franz et al, 2014) (Figure 5d), the actual S‐MIF signature of recombination reactions is also crucial for deepening understanding the Martian atmosphere.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Simple Elemental Sulfur Reduction Method for Isotopic Analysis and Pilot Experimental Tests of Symmetry‐Dependent Sulfur Isotope Effects in Planetary Processes

Lin

Thiemens

2020

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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Recent insights into fundamental mechanisms underlying quadruple stable sulfur isotope (32S, 33S, 34S, and 36S) mass‐independent fractionation (S‐MIF) chemistry and potential implications for planetary processes highlight the urgent need of conducting laboratory experiments to delineate the chemical physics of S‐MIF. Elemental sulfur (S0), a ubiquitous component in the atmospheres of early Earth and Mars, is a major product or reactant in most experiments. Developing different chemical protocols for isotopic analysis is consequently of utility. The reduction of S0 to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the first step of the fluorination method for isotopic analysis, but existing S0 reduction methods require relatively long chemical reagent preparation time. Here we present an operationally simple and rapid method for reducing S0 to H2S directly by “Thode solution.” External uncertainties of our method for δ34S, Δ33S, and Δ36S measurements (associated with reduction, fluorination, purification, and mass spectrometer analysis) are 0.3‰, 0.01‰, and 0.2‰, respectively, comparable with traditional methods. This new technique was used to determine quadruple stable sulfur isotope compositions of product S0 in a set of pilot experiments designed to investigate possible symmetry‐dependent isotope effects in planetary‐relevant elemental sulfur recombination reactions. Differences in Δ33S and Δ36S between initial and produced S0 are slightly larger than analytical errors, shedding new light into the role of sulfur recombination reactions in S‐MIF. Our study offers a practical approach for measuring multiple isotopic compositions of S0 in laboratory and natural samples and creates new opportunities for deepening understanding of S‐MIF signatures in Archean rocks and Martian meteorites.

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“…1). Shielding of S-MIF forming reactions by oxygen or organic haze have been proposed to erase or decrease S-MIF (Domagal-Goldman et al, 2008;Kurzweil et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2019), but the persistence of S-MIF in these samples precludes an ozone layer, and the Δ 36 S-Δ 33 S dynamics are inconsistent with haze formation (Fig. 2b) (Zerkle et al, 2012).…”

Section: Sulfur and Mercury Mif In The Manjeri Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1). This "mid-Archean MIF minimum" has been variably attributed to changes in global atmospheric chemistry, which could shield or dampen S-MIF forming reactions (Farquhar et al, 2007;Domagal-Goldman et al, 2008;Kurzweil et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2019), or to dilution or mixing of atmospheric sulfur sources on a local or regional scale (Guy et al, 2012;Thomazo et al, 2013;Marin-Carbonne et al, 2014). MIF of mercury (Hg) isotopes in marine sediments can provide additional constraints on atmospheric chemistry.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sulfur and mercury MIF suggest volcanic contributions to Earth’s atmosphere at 2.7 Ga

Zerkle¹,

Claire²,

Rocco³

et al. 2021

Geochem. Persp. Let.

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The Archean eon is associated with large-scale changes in Earth's geosphere and biosphere, including the onset of plate tectonics and the expansion of oxygenic photosynthesis, although the full impacts of these changes on the atmosphere remain unclear. Here we present coupled records of mass independent fractionation of sulfur (S-MIF) and mercury (Hg-MIF) isotopes from well preserved sediments of the ∼2.7 billion year old (Ga) Manjeri Formation, Belingwe Greenstone Belt, Zimbabwe. These palaeoatmospheric proxies record different trends for S-MIF and odd number Hg-MIF versus even number Hg-MIF, providing novel constraints on atmospheric chemistry during this time. S-MIF and odd number Hg-MIF values are muted in comparison to values preserved in later Archean sediments, representing a combination of enhanced volcanic input and local mixing. Even number Hg-MIF is absent from these sediments, consistent with complete photo-oxidation of gaseous Hg 0 , which could have been driven by increased halogen emissions from arc volcanism. When considered within a global geodynamic context, these MIF data suggest an important role for subduction zone-related volcanism associated with early plate tectonics in modulating the ∼2.7 Ga atmosphere.

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Can organic haze and O2 plumes explain patterns of sulfur mass-independent fractionation during the Archean?

Cited by 15 publications

References 45 publications

Bulk and grain-scale minor sulfur isotope data reveal complexities in the dynamics of Earth’s oxygenation

Bulk and grain-scale minor sulfur isotope data reveal complexities in the dynamics of Earth’s oxygenation

A Simple Elemental Sulfur Reduction Method for Isotopic Analysis and Pilot Experimental Tests of Symmetry‐Dependent Sulfur Isotope Effects in Planetary Processes

Sulfur and mercury MIF suggest volcanic contributions to Earth’s atmosphere at 2.7 Ga

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