News
Redox conditions and ecological resilience during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 in the Western Interior Seaway
Abstract.
"Oceanic Anoxic Events (OAEs) are important geological events that may be analogues to future climate-driven deoxygenation of our oceans. Much of the global ocean experienced anoxic conditions during the Cenomanian–Turonian OAE (OAE2; ∼94 Ma), whereas the Western Interior Seaway (WIS) experienced oxygenation at this time. Here, organic geochemical and palynological data generated from Cenomanian–Turonian age sediments from five sites in the WIS are used to investigate changing redox and ecological conditions across differing palaeoenvironments and palaeolatitudes. [...]".
Source: Science Direct
Authors: Libby J. Robinson et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111496
Global ocean redox changes before and during the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event
Abstract.
"Mesozoic oceanic anoxic events are recognized as widespread deposits of marine organic-rich mudrocks temporally associated with mass extinctions and large igneous province emplacement. The Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event is one example during which expanded ocean anoxia is hypothesized in response to environmental perturbations associated with emplacement of the Karoo–Ferrar igneous province. However, the global extent of total seafloor anoxia and the relative extent of euxinic (anoxic and sulfide-rich) and non-euxinic anoxic conditions during the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event are poorly constrained. [...]".
Source: Nature
Authors: Alexandra Kunert & Brian Kendall
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36516-x
Shallow- and deep-ocean Fe cycling and redox evolution across the Pliensbachian–Toarcian boundary and Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event in Panthalassa
Abstract.
"The late Pliensbachian to early Toarcian was characterized by major climatic and environmental changes, encompassing the early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE, or Jenkyns Event, ∼183 Ma) and the preceding Pliensbachian–Toarcian boundary event (Pl/To). Information on seawater redox conditions through this time interval has thus far come mainly from European sections deposited in hydrographically restricted basins, and hence our understanding of the redox evolution of the open ocean (and in particular Panthalassa – the largest ocean to have existed) is limited. [...]".
Source: Science Direct
Authors: Wenhan Chen et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2022.117959
Constraining marine anoxia under the extremely oxygenated Permian atmosphere using uranium isotopes in calcitic brachiopods and marine carbonates
Abstract.
"The redox chemistry change in ancient oceans has profoundly shaped the evolutionary trajectories of animals. Uranium isotopes (U) in marine carbonate sediments have widely been used to place quantitative constraints on the oxygenation state of the oceans through geological history. However, syndepositional and post-depositional diagenesis impose a positive and variable U offset in the carbonate sediments relative to contemporaneous seawater, leaving uncertainties on quantification of anoxic seafloor areas in the past. Studies from modern settings suggest that Low-Magnesium Calcite (LMC) in articulate brachiopod shells are diagenetic resistant materials that may faithfully record the U value of ancient seawater. [...]".
Source: Science Direct
Authors: Wen-qian Wang et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2022.117714
A Depth-Transect of Ocean Deoxygenation During the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum: Magnetofossils in Sediment Cores From the Southeast Atlantic
Abstract.
"The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM, ∼56 Ma) presents a past analog for future global warming. Previous studies provided evidence for major loss of dissolved oxygen during the PETM, although understanding the degree and distribution of oxygen loss poses challenges. Magnetofossils produced by magnetotactic bacteria are sensitive to redox conditions in sediments and water columns, and have been used to reconstruct paleoredox conditions over a range of geological settings. [...]".
Source: JGR Solid Earth
Authors: Pengfei Xue et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JB024714
Ironstone as a proxy of Paleozoic ocean oxygenation
Abstract.
"Marine ironstone is a Phanerozoic biochemical sedimentary rock that contains abundant primary iron. Although rare, ironstone is conspicuous in the Paleozoic sedimentary record. Its iron source remains contentious, with traditional models invoking a continentally derived source. Increasing sedimentologic evidence suggests that many Paleozoic ironstones formed along favourably oriented continental margins where coastal upwelling delivered ferruginous waters, with the postulated source of iron being deep-ocean hydrothermal fluids. [...]".
Source: Science Direct
Authors: Edward J. Matheson et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2022.117715
Low oxygen levels with high redox heterogeneity in the late Ediacaran shallow ocean: Constraints from I/(Ca + Mg) and Ce/Ce* of the Dengying Formation
Abstract.
"Most previous studies focused on the redox state of the deep water, leading to an incomplete understanding of the spatiotemporal evolution of the redox-stratified ocean during the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition. In order to decode the redox condition of shallow marine environments during the late Ediacaran, this study presents I/(Ca + Mg), carbon and oxygen isotope, major, trace, and rare earth element data of subtidal to peritidal dolomite from the Dengying Formation at Yangba, South China. [...]".
Source: Wiley Online Library
Authors: Yi Ding et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gbi.12520
Mo isotope composition of the 0.85 Ga ocean from coupled carbonate and shale archives: Some implications for pre-Cryogenian oxygenation
Abstract.
"This study addresses marine palaeoredox conditions of the mid-Neoproterozoic by analysing the Mo isotope, trace element, and U-Th-Pb isotope compositions of shallow water microbial carbonate, deep water pelagic carbonate, and shale from the Stone Knife Formation (SKF) in NW Canada. The U-Th-Pb isotope SKF systematics of reef microbialite carbonates, and the moderately expressed negative Ce anomalies are consistent with the presence of dissolved O2 in the surface waters. [...]".
Source: Science Direct
Authors: Edel Mary O'Sullivan et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2022.106760
A transient oxygen increase in the Mesoproterozoic ocean at ∼1.44 Ga: Geochemical evidence from the Tieling Formation, North China Platform
"Oxygen availability is crucial for the evolution of eukaryotes in geological history, yet detailed Mesoproterozoic oceanic-atmospheric redox conditions remain enigmatic. In contrast to the generally accepted hypothesis of an anoxic mid-Proterozoic ocean and atmosphere, several transient oxygenation events may occur at the Earth’s surface during the Mesoproterozoic, especially for the period around 1.4 Ga. The North China Platform develops one of the most complete and continuous Mesoproterozoic stratigraphic successions globally, preserving key information on the redox state of the surface ocean–atmosphere system during the mid-Proterozoic. [...]".
Source: Science Direct
Authors: Yang Yu et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2021.106527
Redox control on the tungsten isotope composition of seawater
Abstract.
"Free oxygen represents an essential basis for the evolution of complex life forms on a habitable Earth. The isotope composition of redox-sensitive trace elements such as tungsten (W) can possibly trace the earliest rise of oceanic oxygen in Earth’s history. However, the impact of redox changes on the W isotope composition of seawater is still unknown. Here, we report highly variable W isotope compositions in the water column of a redox-stratified basin (δ186/184W between +0.347 and +0.810 ‰) that contrast with the homogenous W isotope composition of the open ocean[...]"
Source: PNAS- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Authors: Florian Kurzweil et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023544118
Newsletter
It is possible to subscribe to our email newsletter list.
Depending on the amount of publications, we will summarize the activities on this blog in a newsletter for everyone not following the blog regularly.
If you want to subscribe to the email list to receive the newsletter, please send an email to sfb754@geomar.de with the header "subscribe".
If you want to unsubscribe from the newsletter, please send an email to sfb754@geomar.de with the header "unsubscribe".
You cannot forward any messages as a regular member to the list. If you want to suggest new articles or would like to contact us because of any other issue, please send an email to sfb754@geomar.de.