Evaluating the multiple-sulfur isotope signature of Eoarchean rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (Southwest-Greenland) by MC-ICP-MS:volcanic nutrient sources for early life
On the anoxic Archean Earth, prior to the onset of oxidative weathering, electron acceptors were relatively scarce, perhaps limiting microbial productivity. An important metabolite may have been sulfate produced during the photolysis of volcanogenic SO2 gas. Multiple sulfur isotope data can be used...
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2024
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Online Access: | https://research-portal.st-andrews.ac.uk/en/researchoutput/evaluating-the-multiplesulfur-isotope-signature-of-eoarchean-rocks-from-the-isua-supracrustal-belt-southwestgreenland-by-mcicpms(e3785ba2-8414-4f0c-9b62-8c59f122734b).html https://doi.org/10.1111/gbi.12595 https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/10023/29634/1/Macdonald_2024_Geobiology_Evaluating-multiple-sulfur_CC.pdf |
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ftunstandrewcris:oai:research-portal.st-andrews.ac.uk:publications/e3785ba2-8414-4f0c-9b62-8c59f122734b 2024-09-15T18:10:12+00:00 Evaluating the multiple-sulfur isotope signature of Eoarchean rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (Southwest-Greenland) by MC-ICP-MS:volcanic nutrient sources for early life MacDonald, Jane Sugden, Patrick J. Dumont, Matthew Declan Szilas, Kristoffer Glorie, Stijn Simpson, Alexander Gilbert, Sarah Burke, Andrea Stueeken, Eva Elisabeth 2024-04-10 application/pdf https://research-portal.st-andrews.ac.uk/en/researchoutput/evaluating-the-multiplesulfur-isotope-signature-of-eoarchean-rocks-from-the-isua-supracrustal-belt-southwestgreenland-by-mcicpms(e3785ba2-8414-4f0c-9b62-8c59f122734b).html https://doi.org/10.1111/gbi.12595 https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/10023/29634/1/Macdonald_2024_Geobiology_Evaluating-multiple-sulfur_CC.pdf eng eng https://research-portal.st-andrews.ac.uk/en/researchoutput/evaluating-the-multiplesulfur-isotope-signature-of-eoarchean-rocks-from-the-isua-supracrustal-belt-southwestgreenland-by-mcicpms(e3785ba2-8414-4f0c-9b62-8c59f122734b).html info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess MacDonald , J , Sugden , P J , Dumont , M D , Szilas , K , Glorie , S , Simpson , A , Gilbert , S , Burke , A & Stueeken , E E 2024 , ' Evaluating the multiple-sulfur isotope signature of Eoarchean rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (Southwest-Greenland) by MC-ICP-MS : volcanic nutrient sources for early life ' , Geobiology , vol. 22 , no. 2 . https://doi.org/10.1111/gbi.12595 Eoarchean Fluid alteration In situ Isua MC-ICP-MS Sulfur issotopes article 2024 ftunstandrewcris https://doi.org/10.1111/gbi.12595 2024-06-26T23:33:42Z On the anoxic Archean Earth, prior to the onset of oxidative weathering, electron acceptors were relatively scarce, perhaps limiting microbial productivity. An important metabolite may have been sulfate produced during the photolysis of volcanogenic SO2 gas. Multiple sulfur isotope data can be used to track this sulfur source, and indeed this record indicates SO2 photolysis dating back to at least 3.7 Ga, that is, as far back as proposed evidence of life on Earth. However, measurements of multiple sulfur isotopes in some key strata from that time can be challenging due to low sulfur concentrations. Some studies have overcome this challenge with NanoSIMS or optimized gas-source mass spectrometry techniques, but those instruments are not readily accessible. Here, we applied an aqua regia leaching protocol to extract small amounts of sulfur from whole rocks for analyses of multiple sulfur isotopes by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). Measurements of standards and replicates demonstrate good precision and accuracy. We applied this technique to meta-sedimentary rocks with putative biosignatures from the Eoarchean Isua Supracrustal Belt (ISB, >3.7 Ga) and found positive ∆33S (1.40–1.80‰) in four meta-turbidites and negative ∆33S (−0.80‰ and −0.66‰) in two meta-carbonates. Two meta-basalts do not display significant mass-independent fractionation (MIF, −0.01‰ and 0.16‰). In situ Re–Os dating on a molybdenite vein hosted in the meta-turbidites identifies an early ca. 3.7 Ga hydrothermal phase, and in situ Rb–Sr dating of micas in the meta-carbonates suggests metamorphism affected the rocks at ca. 2.2 and 1.7 Ga. We discuss alteration mechanisms and conclude that there is most likely a primary MIF-bearing phase in these meta-sediments. Our new method is therefore a useful addition to the geochemical toolbox, and it confirms that organisms at that time, if present, may indeed have been fed by volcanic nutrients. Article in Journal/Newspaper Greenland University of St Andrews: Research Portal Geobiology 22 2 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
University of St Andrews: Research Portal |
op_collection_id |
ftunstandrewcris |
language |
English |
topic |
Eoarchean Fluid alteration In situ Isua MC-ICP-MS Sulfur issotopes |
spellingShingle |
Eoarchean Fluid alteration In situ Isua MC-ICP-MS Sulfur issotopes MacDonald, Jane Sugden, Patrick J. Dumont, Matthew Declan Szilas, Kristoffer Glorie, Stijn Simpson, Alexander Gilbert, Sarah Burke, Andrea Stueeken, Eva Elisabeth Evaluating the multiple-sulfur isotope signature of Eoarchean rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (Southwest-Greenland) by MC-ICP-MS:volcanic nutrient sources for early life |
topic_facet |
Eoarchean Fluid alteration In situ Isua MC-ICP-MS Sulfur issotopes |
description |
On the anoxic Archean Earth, prior to the onset of oxidative weathering, electron acceptors were relatively scarce, perhaps limiting microbial productivity. An important metabolite may have been sulfate produced during the photolysis of volcanogenic SO2 gas. Multiple sulfur isotope data can be used to track this sulfur source, and indeed this record indicates SO2 photolysis dating back to at least 3.7 Ga, that is, as far back as proposed evidence of life on Earth. However, measurements of multiple sulfur isotopes in some key strata from that time can be challenging due to low sulfur concentrations. Some studies have overcome this challenge with NanoSIMS or optimized gas-source mass spectrometry techniques, but those instruments are not readily accessible. Here, we applied an aqua regia leaching protocol to extract small amounts of sulfur from whole rocks for analyses of multiple sulfur isotopes by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). Measurements of standards and replicates demonstrate good precision and accuracy. We applied this technique to meta-sedimentary rocks with putative biosignatures from the Eoarchean Isua Supracrustal Belt (ISB, >3.7 Ga) and found positive ∆33S (1.40–1.80‰) in four meta-turbidites and negative ∆33S (−0.80‰ and −0.66‰) in two meta-carbonates. Two meta-basalts do not display significant mass-independent fractionation (MIF, −0.01‰ and 0.16‰). In situ Re–Os dating on a molybdenite vein hosted in the meta-turbidites identifies an early ca. 3.7 Ga hydrothermal phase, and in situ Rb–Sr dating of micas in the meta-carbonates suggests metamorphism affected the rocks at ca. 2.2 and 1.7 Ga. We discuss alteration mechanisms and conclude that there is most likely a primary MIF-bearing phase in these meta-sediments. Our new method is therefore a useful addition to the geochemical toolbox, and it confirms that organisms at that time, if present, may indeed have been fed by volcanic nutrients. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
MacDonald, Jane Sugden, Patrick J. Dumont, Matthew Declan Szilas, Kristoffer Glorie, Stijn Simpson, Alexander Gilbert, Sarah Burke, Andrea Stueeken, Eva Elisabeth |
author_facet |
MacDonald, Jane Sugden, Patrick J. Dumont, Matthew Declan Szilas, Kristoffer Glorie, Stijn Simpson, Alexander Gilbert, Sarah Burke, Andrea Stueeken, Eva Elisabeth |
author_sort |
MacDonald, Jane |
title |
Evaluating the multiple-sulfur isotope signature of Eoarchean rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (Southwest-Greenland) by MC-ICP-MS:volcanic nutrient sources for early life |
title_short |
Evaluating the multiple-sulfur isotope signature of Eoarchean rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (Southwest-Greenland) by MC-ICP-MS:volcanic nutrient sources for early life |
title_full |
Evaluating the multiple-sulfur isotope signature of Eoarchean rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (Southwest-Greenland) by MC-ICP-MS:volcanic nutrient sources for early life |
title_fullStr |
Evaluating the multiple-sulfur isotope signature of Eoarchean rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (Southwest-Greenland) by MC-ICP-MS:volcanic nutrient sources for early life |
title_full_unstemmed |
Evaluating the multiple-sulfur isotope signature of Eoarchean rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (Southwest-Greenland) by MC-ICP-MS:volcanic nutrient sources for early life |
title_sort |
evaluating the multiple-sulfur isotope signature of eoarchean rocks from the isua supracrustal belt (southwest-greenland) by mc-icp-ms:volcanic nutrient sources for early life |
publishDate |
2024 |
url |
https://research-portal.st-andrews.ac.uk/en/researchoutput/evaluating-the-multiplesulfur-isotope-signature-of-eoarchean-rocks-from-the-isua-supracrustal-belt-southwestgreenland-by-mcicpms(e3785ba2-8414-4f0c-9b62-8c59f122734b).html https://doi.org/10.1111/gbi.12595 https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/10023/29634/1/Macdonald_2024_Geobiology_Evaluating-multiple-sulfur_CC.pdf |
genre |
Greenland |
genre_facet |
Greenland |
op_source |
MacDonald , J , Sugden , P J , Dumont , M D , Szilas , K , Glorie , S , Simpson , A , Gilbert , S , Burke , A & Stueeken , E E 2024 , ' Evaluating the multiple-sulfur isotope signature of Eoarchean rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (Southwest-Greenland) by MC-ICP-MS : volcanic nutrient sources for early life ' , Geobiology , vol. 22 , no. 2 . https://doi.org/10.1111/gbi.12595 |
op_relation |
https://research-portal.st-andrews.ac.uk/en/researchoutput/evaluating-the-multiplesulfur-isotope-signature-of-eoarchean-rocks-from-the-isua-supracrustal-belt-southwestgreenland-by-mcicpms(e3785ba2-8414-4f0c-9b62-8c59f122734b).html |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1111/gbi.12595 |
container_title |
Geobiology |
container_volume |
22 |
container_issue |
2 |
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1810447798669148160 |