The sulfur biogeochemical cycle plays a key role in regulating Earth’s surface redox through diverse abiotic and biological reactions that have distinctive stable isotopic fractionations. As such, ...variations in the sulfur isotopic composition (δ34S) of sedimentary sulfate and sulfide phases over Earth history can be used to infer substantive changes to the Earth’s surface environment, including the rise of atmospheric oxygen. Such inferences assume that individual δ34S records reflect temporal changes in the global sulfur cycle; this assumption may be well grounded for sulfate-bearing minerals but is less well established for pyrite-based records. Here, we investigate alternative controls on the sedimentary sulfur isotopic composition of marine pyrite by examining a 300-m drill core of Mediterranean sediments deposited over the past 500,000 y and spanning the last five glacial–interglacial periods. Because this interval is far shorter than the residence time of marine sulfate, any change in the sulfur isotopic record preserved in pyrite (δ34Spyr) necessarily corresponds to local environmental changes. The stratigraphic variations (>76‰) in the isotopic data reported here are among the largest ever observed in pyrite, and are in phase with glacial–interglacial sea level and temperature changes. In this case, the dominant control appears to be glacial–interglacial variations in sedimentation rates. These results suggest that there exist important but previously overlooked depositional controls on sedimentary sulfur isotope records, especially associated with intervals of substantial sea level change. This work provides an important perspective on the origin of variability in such records and suggests meaningful paleoenvironmental information can be derived from pyrite δ34S records.
The Albian-Santonian interval (∼113–83 Ma) is a key interval for Cretaceous climatic and environmental changes. This interval is associated to a rise in sea level until the Late Cenomanian (∼ 94 Ma) ...and to a progressive increase in oceanic temperatures, leading to consider the Late Cenomanian-Santonian interval (∼ 94–83 Ma) as the warmest period of the last 200 Myr. While the Albian-Santonian interval has been well studied in the Northern Hemisphere, the climatic and environmental variations and their consequences on weathering conditions are less documented of the Southern Hemisphere, especially in mid and high latitudes. To better understanding the evolution of weathering conditions, associated to continental climate and sea level changes during this key period, an integrated study, based on a coupled mineralogical and geochemical approach, was carried out on the clay-sized (< 2 μm) fraction from sediments of International Ocean Discovery Program Site U1513 (Mentelle Basin, South-western Australia) and Oceanic Drilling Program Site 763 (Carnarvon Basin, North-western Australia). To determinate variations in weathering conditions, the mineral assemblages of the clay fraction was determined by X-ray diffraction and observed for selected samples by electron microscopy. To identify sources of clay minerals, the concentrations of major and selected trace elements, including rare earth elements, together with strontium and neodymium isotopic measurements were performed on the clay-sized fraction. The X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that clay fraction is dominated by R0-type illite/smectite mixed-layers (smectites), followed by variable proportions of illites, kaolinites for both sites and only on Site 763 of palygorskites. These clay minerals are associated with opal and clinoptilolites. Electron microscopy observations have highlighted the dominance of detrital fleecy smectites but also the occurrence of recrystallized lathed smectites and volcanogenic folded smectites for Site U1513, and authigenesis of clay minerals, associated to palygorskites especially on Turonian to Santonian deposits for Site 763. This authigenesis, confirmed by negative cerium anomaly, is also carried by other minerals in the clay-sized fraction (e.g., clinoptilolites, barite). These different authigenic minerals record a seawater-derived isotopic signature. Therefore, isotopic compositions of the clay-sized fraction reflect a mix between a continental contribution, carried by detrital clay minerals and marine one, supported by authigenic minerals, which complicates the identification of sediment sources. However, despite this, our study demonstrates the major influence of sea level variations on mineralogical variations from Albian to Cenomanian in Western margin of Australia. The decrease in kaolinite proportions at Site U1513 from the Albian to the end of the Cenomanian, is probably related to the increase of sea level, which cause a decrease in detrital inputs in the Mentelle Basin associated with a decrease of weathering and drainage conditions. The progressive sea level rise has also enhanced the effect of the differential settling process of clay minerals by the deposition of coarse clays (e.g., kaolinites and illites) on the continental shelf. Kaolinite-bearing clay deposits, derived from the weathering of the Western Australian Craton during the Albian-Cenomanian times, have been progressively substituted from the Turonian by a carbonate sedimentation, for which the terrigenous component consists only of rare detrital and volcanogenic smectites. In Site 763, the occurrence in kaolinite content during the Coniacian would indicate a decrease of differential settling process related to the weathering of the north part of the Western Australia Craton.
We present high-resolution analyses of clay mineral assemblages combined with analysis of Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions of the <2 μm silicate fraction of sediments from Integrated Ocean Drilling ...Program (IODP) Site U1430 in the southern Sea of Japan, in order to trace the sources of clay minerals and reconstruct proxy records of past changes in Asian eolian input to the basin since 15 Ma. The clay mineral assemblages at IODP Site U1430 mainly consist of smectite (∼51%) and illite (∼36%), with minor kaolinite (∼7%) and chlorite (∼6%). Provenance analysis suggests that the fine-grained sediment at the study site is a two end-member mixture of eolian dust from Central Asia and fluvial input from the Japanese islands. The Central Asian end member supplied illite-rich and high 87Sr/86Sr and low εNd(0) eolian dust to the study site by wind, while the Japanese end member, characterized by young volcanic rocks, contributed smectite-rich, low 87Sr/86Sr and high εNd(0) weathering products via rivers. The ratio of illite/smectite and εNd(0) values of clay-sized silicate sediments at Site U1430 were used as proxies for tracing the changing strength of central Asian eolian input to the Sea of Japan, and thus reconstruct the aridification history of its source region. Our study presents for the first time a continuous, high-resolution record that highlights the four-step drying of Central Asia that occurred at ∼11.8 Ma, 8 Ma, 3.5 Ma and 1.2 Ma. Considered the nature and timing of major climatic and tectonic events in Asia, we conclude that the strengthened aridification of Central Asia starting at ∼11.8 Ma was possibly driven by the combined effect of Tibetan surface uplift and global cooling, whereas the rapid drying at ∼8 Ma was caused primarily by the uplift of the northern Tibetan Plateau. In contrast, global cooling, overwhelming the influence of Tibetan Plateau uplift, has become the primary control on Central Asia aridification since ∼3.5 Ma.
•We show a long-term record of Asian eolian input to Japan Sea since 15 Ma.•Highlight the four steps drying of Central Asia at 11.8 Ma, 8 Ma, 3.5 Ma and 1.2 Ma.•Asian drying was driven by combined effect of Tibetan uplift and global cooling.
Along the Central Indian Ridge (CIR), the geochemical and isotopic signature of mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) from three segments between 8° and 12°S show a FOZO-like enrichment with elevated ...3He/4He (R/RA) (> 10 RA), suggesting small-scale upwelling with a deep primordial mantle component. Based on complementary major and trace elements analysis as well as Sr, Nd and Pb radiogenic isotope compositions of MORB samples from the same location, we confirm the presence of a FOZO/C-like enriched signature characterized by high Pb isotope ratios (206Pb/204Pb = 18.1134–19.1481; 207Pb/204Pb = 15.4710–15.6146 and 208Pb/204Pb = 37.8625–39.0332), relatively low 87Sr/86Sr (0.702767–0.702974) and high 143Nd/144Nd (0.512989–0.513118). In agreement with recent seismological studies highlighting an asthenospheric anomaly centered under the Mascarene Basin and flowing beneath the CIR, we propose that this plume-like anomaly named Mascarene Basin Asthenosphere Reservoir (MBAR) is the source of the enriched FOZO/C-like signature observed along this portion of the CIR. Furthermore, our analyses reveal that the source of the MBAR anomaly may have a unique geochemical signature in the Indian Ocean, distinct from other Indo-African plumes such as the Réunion plume. Moreover, the primordial characteristics, and the location of the MBAR (next to the margin of the African LLSVP) suggest that this plume-like anomaly may be a disconnected blob/proto-plume of a broad mantle structure formed by different Indo-African plumes/upwelling (e.g., Afar and Bouvet plumes) and anchored in the lower mantle.
•Sr-Nd-Pb isotope and trace element confirm a FOZO/C-like signature for CIR MORB.•Interaction between Mascarene Basin Asthenosphere Reservoir (MBAR) and CIR.•MBAR may be an aborted plume branch from the deep mantle, from the African LLSVP.•MBAR unlikely originated from the same plume branch conduit as the Réunion plume.•MBAR component may show a unique geochemical signature in the Indian Ocean.
Two well-dated ca Holocene-long sedimentary sequences from deepest parts of Lake Bourget provide new insights onto the evolution of erosion patterns at a regional scale in NW European Alps. The ...combination of high resolution geochemistry – XRF core scanning, calibrated by 150 punctual measurements – and isotope geochemistry (ɛNd) of the terrigenous fraction permitted the reconstruction not only of the intensity, but also the type (physical erosion vs. chemical weathering) and the location (Prealpine massifs vs. High Crystalline massifs) of dominant erosion processes. Those data point the persistency of weak erosion fluxes from 9600 to 5500 cal. BP due both to a dry climate and the growing sheltering effect of soils that rapidly progressed between 9600 and 8000 cal. BP. Soils then reached a steady state before being destabilised around 4400 cal. BP, probably in response to human impact. The human impact then reached a sufficient intensity to change erosion patterns at a regional scale, but did not result in a significant increase of the regional terrigenous flux. The following enhancement of erosion processes occurred around 2700 cal. BP. It was first paced by changing climatic conditions, but probably reinforced by human impact during Late Iron Age – Antiquity period. Over the long-term trend, the Lake Bourget record pinpoints an evolution of paleohydrological conditions in the Alps dominated by dry conditions from 9500 to 4400 cal. BP and a subsequent drift toward wetter conditions that culminated during the so-called Little Ice Age (ca 1350–1900 AD). In such a context the current dry conditions in European Alps appear out-of-trend. At high resolution, 17 periods of enhanced hydrological activity highlight the rapid climatic changes that are typical of the Holocene.
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► A continuous regional (surface area > 4000 km2) sequence of Holocene erosion. ► Elemental and isotope geochemistry tracks provenance source and erosion patterns. ► Early- to mid-Holocene: low erosion rates; Neoglacial: enhanced physical erosion. ► Human impact detected at Bronze Age, Gallo-Roman and Medieval periods. ► Climate seems the main driver of erosion increase in Late Holocene.
Variscan granitoids and associated mafic rocks exposed in the External Crystalline Massifs (ECM) of the Western Alps document the Variscan stages from the early Carboniferous collision to the early ...Permian post-collisional setting. Our study focuses on the Central part of the ECM, synthesizing newly acquired and existing geochronological, whole-rock geochemical and isotopic data. We identified two distinctive magmatic series: (i) high-K calc-alkaline granitoids, which range from magnesian (MgG) to ferro-magnesian (FeMgG) rocks; (ii) ultra-high-K metaluminous (UHKM) rocks (“durbachites”). These series were emplaced roughly simultaneously between ca. 350 and 300 Ma, with two main episodes during the Visean (ca. 348–335 Ma) and the late Carboniferous (305–299 Ma), with a more limited activity in between. A younger Permian event at ca. 280–275 Ma has also been identified in one granitoid pluton. Contemporaneous emplacement of these two series reflects concomitant crustal anatexis and melting of LILE–LREE-rich metasomatized lithospheric mantle. Trace elements and Nd–Sr isotopes reveal significant hybridization between these two magmatic end members, by magma mixing, or assimilation of crystallized mafic ultrapotassic enclaves in the high-K calc-alkaline granitoids. Granitoid composition evolves over time, especially SiO
2
, Mg#, Sr/Y, La/Yb and Nb/Ta, possibly explained by increasing differentiation of magmas over time, changes in the crust versus mantle sources mass-balance, and decrease in melting pressure due to the orogenic collapse. The εNd
i
values of both high-K calc-alkaline granitoids and durbachites decreases from − 3.8; − 2.9 to − 6.4; − 5.2 between 345 and 320 Ma, possibly indicating an increasing influence of subducted/relaminated crustal material contaminating the lithospheric mantle source. εNd
i
values then rise to − 3.7; − 0.5 during the late Carboniferous, possibly due to progressive exhaustion of the enriched mantle source, or advection of the asthenosphere during the post-collisional stage.
Graphic abstract
Possible geodynamic scenario along the central-eastern segment of the Variscan Belt, which may account for the temporal evolution of Variscan magmatism in the External Western Alps.
The Meillon (Callovo-Oxfordian) and Mano (Tithonian) Formations are dolomitized carbonate reservoirs that actively produce oil and gas (Aquitaine Basin, France). In this study, the dolomitization ...conditions of their counterparts exhumed in the northwestern Pyrenees are detailed using a combination of field observations, petrography, fluid inclusion microthermometry, elemental and isotopic geochemistry, and carbonate U–Pb geochronology. Dolomitization occurred in several stages spanning from the Neocomian (pre-rift) to the Albian (syn-rift, associated with mantle exhumation and active salt tectonics). Both formations were first massively dolomitized in near-surface to shallow burial conditions during the Berriasian-Valanginian, likely triggered by the influx of marine-derived waters. Between the Barremian and the Albian, the Early Cretaceous rifting caused the upward influx of hot fluids associated with the partial to complete recrystallization of the initial dolomites. During the Albian, subsequent dolomites precipitated in both formations as high-temperature (T > 160 °C) vein- and pore-filling cement. Distinct fluid inclusion chlorinities and rare earth element patterns between the Meillon and Mano Formations point to fluid compartmentalization during this stage. Whereas dolomite cements indicate the involvement of evaporite-derived brines in the Meillon Formation, precipitation was likely related to clay-derived water in the Mano Formation. Lastly, a final episode of dolomite cementation occurred only in the vicinity of faults and volcanic intrusions during the Albian when the highest temperatures were recorded in both formations (T > 250 °C). These saddle dolomites precipitated from hydrothermal water with a mixture of mantle-, crustal-, and evaporite-derived waters channeled by faults and active diapirs. Subsequent quartz and calcite cement precipitation reveals a temperature decrease in a post-rift to inversion setting (post-Cenomanian) and indicates fluid compartmentalization between both formations. This study highlights the major control exerted by rifting, combined with the presence of diapiric salt, on dolomitization, making carbonate platforms of modern salt-rich passive margins potential targets for exploration.
•The northwestern Pyrenean carbonates were affected by multi-phase dolomitization.•U–Pb dating and SIMS with a conventional diagenetic approach highlight the control exerted by rifting and salt tectonics.•Different fluids such as marine-, evaporite-, crustal-, mantle-, and clay-derived waters were involved in dolomitization.•The distinct diagenetic evolution of the Meillon and Mano Formations reveals the presence of fluid compartmentalization.
We review the scientific efforts over the last decades to reconstruct erosion from continuous alpine lake sediment records. We focused both on methodological issues, showing the growing importance of ...non-destructive high resolution approaches (XRF core-scanner) as well as progresses in the understanding of processes leading to the creation of an “erosion signal” in lakes. We distinguish “continuous records” from “event-records”. Both provide complementary information but need to be studied with different approaches. Continuous regionally-relevant records proved to be particularly pertinent to document regional erosion patterns throughout the Holocene, in particular applying the source to sink approach. Event-based approaches demonstrated and took advantage of the strong non-linearity of sediment transport in high altitude catchment areas. This led to flood frequency and intensity reconstructions, highlighting the influence of climate change upon flood dynamics in the mountain.
The combination of different record types, both in terms of location (high vs. low elevation), sedimentology (high vs. low terrigenous contribution) and significance (local vs. regional) is one of the main outputs of this paper. It allows the establishment of comprehensive histories of NW French Alps erosion, but also and consequently, soil dynamics and hydrological patterns throughout the Holocene. We also discuss the influence of glacier dynamics, one of the major agents of erosion in the Alps.
A major feature is the growing human influence upon erosion at a local scale since at least the middle of the Bronze Age (3500 cal. BP). However and according to the regional record from Lake Bourget, only few periods of rising erosion at local scales generated a regional record that can be discriminated from wetter climatic periods. Among them, the period between 200 BCE and 400 AD appeared to be marked by a generalised rise in human-triggered erosion at local scales in the northern French Alps.
This review highlights the importance of modern high-resolution and interdisciplinary studies of lake sediments, in order to better understand the complex relationships between humans, climate and the Earth system in general. We strongly argue that regional integration of data is now required to move a step further. Such an integration is easier with cost- and time-effective methods as well as after a better definition of approaches and their limits. This should lead to a stronger collaboration between paleo-data producers and modellers in the near future.
•A review of reconstructed erosion from lake sediments.•Highlights the importance of regional studies.•Human-erosion detectable since Bronze Age; 400 BC-400 AD (Iron Age-Antiquity) was a period of strong human-erosion in NW Alps.•Rare intense precipitation events are the main triggers of sediment movement at high altitude sites.•Regional erosion patterns reflect i) hydro-climate; ii) soil dynamics; iii) glaciers fluctuations.
The Mozambique Channel plays a key role in the exchange of water masses between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, which include the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) inflow from the south and the North ...Indian Deep Water (NIDW), an aged form of the NADW spreading poleward from the northern and equatorial Indian Ocean basin. Several authors assume that the Davie Ridge acts as a topographic barrier to the northward advection of NADW, which would therefore be absent in the Comoros Basin. Other studies suggest that the NADW flows from the south of the Mozambique Channel to the Comoros Basin, indicating that the Davie Ridge may not currently constitute a blocking topographic barrier to deep water mass circulation. To address this question, we studied ferromanganese (Fe, Mn) crusts collected over 2000 km in the Mozambique Channel, from the Agulhas Plateau to the Glorieuses Islands. Neodymium (Nd) isotope compositions (εNd) of surface scrapings range between εNd = −10.1 above the Agulhas Plateau, which might reflect the NADW inflow, and more radiogenic values between εNd = −8.0 and −8.2 in the Glorieuses area, highlighting the NIDW influence. However, value of εNd = −9.4 measured north of the Davie Ridge cannot be explained by the sole influence of the NIDW and therefore highlights the advection of the NADW northeast of the Comoros Basin. We estimate that the contribution of the NADW through the channel is up to 68% in the Agulhas Plateau and 60% north of the Davie Ridge. These findings are consistent with previous hydrographic studies and suggest that the Davie Ridge does not currently act as topographic barrier to deep currents.
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•Fe-Mn crusts in the Mozambique Channel record water-mass circulation.•North Atlantic Deep Water spans the Davie Ridge to the Comoros Basin.•Davie Ridge does not act as an impassable obstacle to the deep currents.
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