TY - JOUR

T1 - Strong positive fractionation of chromium isotopes in iron formation of the Jacadigo Group (Brazil) – A link to enhanced atmospheric oxygenation during the Late Neoproterozoic

AU - Árting, Trygvi Bech

AU - Boggiani, Paulo César

AU - Gaucher, Claudio

AU - Fernandes, Henrique Albuquerque

AU - Frei, Robert

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s)

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Cr isotopes recorded in iron formations (IF) are considered to have the potential to reflect the isotope signatures in respective ambient surface seawater. The ∼600 Ma Fe and Mn deposits pertaining to the Banda Alta Formation (Urucum district, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil), comprise the world's youngest and largest Neoproterozoic sedimentary Fe and Mn formations (MnF). Shale normalized Rare Earth Element and Yttrium (REY) patterns of drillcore samples show flat, positively sloped patterns with absent Europium anomalies and near- to supra-chondritic Yttrium-Holmium ratios with negative Cerium anomalies, which imply intermittent mixing of freshwater with seawater. Redox sensitive element enrichment factors (MoEF, UEF, CrEF) show positive correlation, indicating varying redox conditions across the Jacadigo Basin, with ephemeral euxinic conditions. The Cr isotope signatures across the Urucum IF (δ53Crauth at: Morraria Grande + 0.93 ± 0.34 ‰, 2σ, n = 28; Morro do Rabichão + 0.5 ± 0.4 ‰, 2σ, n = 3; and Morro do Urucum ca. + 0.64 ‰, n = 1) are statistically indistinguishable from previously published surface outcrop samples at Morro do Urucum. Our new data support: (1) a stable supply of oxidized Cr potentially from continental sources at the time of deposition, implying high atmospheric O2 levels in the Late Neoproterozoic; (2) insignificant alteration of the authigenic Cr isotope signals by tropical weathering despite surface iron up-concentration and leaching of carbonates, and (3) lack of isotope effects that would be associated with non-quantitative reduction processes and accompanying particulate transport to the chemical sediments in the Jacadigo Basin. The combined information from (isotope)geochemical data presented herein speak for a deposition of the Urucum IFs in restricted, periodically ice-covered and stratified sub-basins with partial connection to the open ocean, and for the presence of a sufficiently oxidative atmosphere which promoted a continuous supply of the surface waters with isotopically heavy Cr from the weathering landmasses at this time.

AB - Cr isotopes recorded in iron formations (IF) are considered to have the potential to reflect the isotope signatures in respective ambient surface seawater. The ∼600 Ma Fe and Mn deposits pertaining to the Banda Alta Formation (Urucum district, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil), comprise the world's youngest and largest Neoproterozoic sedimentary Fe and Mn formations (MnF). Shale normalized Rare Earth Element and Yttrium (REY) patterns of drillcore samples show flat, positively sloped patterns with absent Europium anomalies and near- to supra-chondritic Yttrium-Holmium ratios with negative Cerium anomalies, which imply intermittent mixing of freshwater with seawater. Redox sensitive element enrichment factors (MoEF, UEF, CrEF) show positive correlation, indicating varying redox conditions across the Jacadigo Basin, with ephemeral euxinic conditions. The Cr isotope signatures across the Urucum IF (δ53Crauth at: Morraria Grande + 0.93 ± 0.34 ‰, 2σ, n = 28; Morro do Rabichão + 0.5 ± 0.4 ‰, 2σ, n = 3; and Morro do Urucum ca. + 0.64 ‰, n = 1) are statistically indistinguishable from previously published surface outcrop samples at Morro do Urucum. Our new data support: (1) a stable supply of oxidized Cr potentially from continental sources at the time of deposition, implying high atmospheric O2 levels in the Late Neoproterozoic; (2) insignificant alteration of the authigenic Cr isotope signals by tropical weathering despite surface iron up-concentration and leaching of carbonates, and (3) lack of isotope effects that would be associated with non-quantitative reduction processes and accompanying particulate transport to the chemical sediments in the Jacadigo Basin. The combined information from (isotope)geochemical data presented herein speak for a deposition of the Urucum IFs in restricted, periodically ice-covered and stratified sub-basins with partial connection to the open ocean, and for the presence of a sufficiently oxidative atmosphere which promoted a continuous supply of the surface waters with isotopically heavy Cr from the weathering landmasses at this time.

KW - Banda Alta Formation

KW - Chromium isotopes

KW - Late Neoproterozoic

KW - Marinoan glaciation

KW - Urucum iron formation Brazil

U2 - 10.1016/j.gr.2023.06.017

DO - 10.1016/j.gr.2023.06.017

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85165304579

VL - 124

SP - 39

EP - 60

JO - Gondwana Research

JF - Gondwana Research

SN - 1342-937X

ER -