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A theoretical prediction of chemical zonation in early oceans (>520 Ma)

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Abstract

Early oceans (>520 Ma) were characterized by widespread water-column anoxia, stratification, and limited oxidant availability, which are comparable to the chemical characteristics of modern marine sedimentary pore-waters in productive continental margins. Based on this similarity and our current understanding of the formation mechanism of early Earth ocean chemistry, we propose an idealized chemical zonation model for early oceans that includes the following redox zones (from shallow nearshore to deep offshore regions): oxic, nitrogenous (NO -3 -NO -2 -enriched), manganous-ferruginous (Mn2+ or Fe2+-enriched), sulfidic (H2S-enriched), methanic (CH4-enriched), and ferruginous (Fe2+-enriched). These zones were dynamically maintained by a combination of processes including surface-water oxygenation by atmospheric free oxygen, nitrate reduction beneath the chemocline, nearshore manganese-iron reduction, sulfate reduction, methanogenesis, and hydrothermal Fe2+ inputs from the deep ocean. Our modified “euxinic wedge” model expands on previous versions of this model, providing a more complete theoretical framework for the chemical zonation of early Earth oceans that helps to explain observations of unusual Mo-S-C isotope patterns. This model may provide a useful foundation for future studies of ocean chemistry evolution and elemental biogeochemical cycles in early Earth history.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Chao Li, Meng Cheng, Thomas J. Algeo & ShuCheng Xie

  2. School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Meng Cheng

  3. State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Thomas J. Algeo

  4. Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221-0013, U.S.A.

    Thomas J. Algeo

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  1. Chao Li
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Correspondence to Chao Li.

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Li, C., Cheng, M., Algeo, T.J. et al. A theoretical prediction of chemical zonation in early oceans (>520 Ma). Sci. China Earth Sci. 58, 1901–1909 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-015-5190-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-015-5190-7

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