A pulse of oxygen increase in the early Mesoproterozoic ocean at ca. 1.57–1.56 Ga

Shang, Mohan; Tang, Dongjie; Shi, Xiaoying; Zhou, Limin; Zhou, Xiqiang; Song, Huyue; Jiang, Ganqing

doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2019.115797

Cited by 88 publications

(108 citation statements)

References 88 publications

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“…The predominantly low I/(Ca + Mg) values in the study section raise the possibility of diagenetic alterations of our samples. However, they fall within the typical I/(Ca + Mg) range of the mid‐Proterozoic (Hardisty et al, 2017) and show a similar stratigraphic trend to that reported from the Gan'gou section, Yanqing area (Shang et al, 2019), which is about 110 km west to the study section. We therefore conclude that our I/(Ca + Mg) results are mainly controlled by redox conditions during the time of carbonate deposition rather than by diagenetic effects.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…The δ 15 N in sedimentary rocks can be used as an effective proxy for N cycling and ocean redox conditions in deep time because N is redox sensitive and displays characteristic isotopic fractionations during redox transformations (e.g., Ader et al, 2016; Stüeken et al, 2016; Wang, Jiang, et al, 2018; Wang, Ling, et al, 2018; Zerkle et al, 2017). Our new data along with previously published geochemical and paleontological data from time‐equivalent strata (e.g., Guo et al, 2013; Luo et al, 2014; Shang et al, 2019; Tang et al, 2016; Zhang et al, 2018) provide comprehensive insights into linkages between the oceanic N cycle, ocean redox conditions, and eukaryote evolution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…The boundary between the Members II and III is marked with a clear flooding surface and occurrences of carbonate concretions. This horizon can be well correlated with the equivalent bed in the stratotype section at Jixian and in the other sections at Yanqing and Pingquan (Guo et al, 2013; Shang et al, 2019). Abundant fist‐sized carbonate concretions are observed in the lower part of the Member III (Figures 2e and 2f).…”

Section: Geological Background and Samplingmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Member IV is characterized by massive reefal microbialites alternating with thick‐bedded cherty dolostone. In the Yanqing area (Shang et al, 2019; Tang et al, 2016) and Pingquan area (Guo et al, 2013; Guo et al, 2015), densely packed stromatolite columns up to 1.8 m long and 35 cm wide are observed in this unit. They form massive reef framestones composed typically of multibranching stromatolites and variably shaped thrombolites with well‐developed herringbone calcite patches as pore‐filling precipitates (Tang et al, 2017).…”

Section: Geological Background and Samplingmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…They form massive reef framestones composed typically of multibranching stromatolites and variably shaped thrombolites with well‐developed herringbone calcite patches as pore‐filling precipitates (Tang et al, 2017). No radiometric age has been reported for Member IV, but based on the two zircon U‐Pb ages of 1483 ± 13 Ma and 1487 ± 16 Ma from the middle part of the overlying Wumishan Formation (Su, 2014), the top of the Gaoyuzhuang Formation most likely falls around circa 1540 Ma (Shang et al, 2019; Tang et al, 2016).…”

Section: Geological Background and Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Coupled Nitrate and Phosphate Availability Facilitated the Expansion of Eukaryotic Life at Circa 1.56 Ga

Wang

Shi

et al. 2020

JGR Biogeosciences

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Recent geochemical and paleontological studies have revealed a significant ocean oxygenation episode and an evolutionary leap of eukaryotes at the onset of the Mesoproterozoic. However, the potential role of nitrogen availability and its interaction with other nutrients in these environmental and biological events have not been investigated. Here we present an integrated study of nitrogen isotopes (δ 15 N), organic carbon isotopes (δ 13 C org ), and major and trace element concentrations from Member III of the Gaoyuzhuang Formation in the central North China Craton where the earliest macroscopic multicellular eukaryotic fossils were reported. The enrichments of redox-sensitive elements (Mo, U, and V), coupled with Mo-U covariations, δ 13 C org , and I/(Ca + Mg), indicate that the Gaoyuzhuang Member III in the study area was deposited in largely suboxic-anoxic environments with ephemeral occurrences of euxinia. These data reinforce previous inferences of a strongly redox stratified ocean during the early Mesoproterozoic, but a pulsed oxygenation event may have resulted in deepening of the chemocline. The high δ 15 N values from the study section are interpreted as a result of aerobic N cycling and the presence of a fairly stable nitrate pool in the surface oxic layer, possibly due to the combined effects of oxygenation and low primary productivity. Increased availability of nitrate could have contributed to the expansion of eukaryotic life at this time. However, our data also suggest that nitrate alone was not the only trigger. Instead, this evolutionary leap was likely facilitated by multiple environmental factors, including a rise in O 2 levels and increasing supplies of phosphorus and other bio-essential trace elements.Plain Language Summary The oldest macroscopic eukaryotes (algae) first appeared in ancient oceans about 1.56 billion years ago. Before that, only simple and microscopic fossils have been discovered. The reason behind this evolutionary leap is, however, still puzzling scientists. Here we use multiple proxies to study the change of nutrient and oxygen levels during this critical period. Our results demonstrate the availability of the nutrient nitrogen (in form of nitrate) in the oxic surface ocean owing largely to restrictive consumption by organic carbon decomposition, providing favorable N substance for bio-utilization. Furthermore, we also found evidence for the joint increase of O 2 level, seawater phosphorus, and some bio-essential trace elements along with the occurrence of these earliest algae. Our study provides important clues for untangling the triggers of biological innovation at circa 1.56 Ga.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Section: Geological Background and Samplingmentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Geological Background and Samplingmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Geological Background and Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Coupled Nitrate and Phosphate Availability Facilitated the Expansion of Eukaryotic Life at Circa 1.56 Ga

Wang

Shi

et al. 2020

JGR Biogeosciences

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Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) and Anoxia Events in “The Boring Billion”

Zhang

Ernst

Pei

et al. 2021

Geophysical Monograph Series

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Recent results on ca. 1,380 Ma LIPs and black shales indicate a temporal link between LIPs and black shales and suggest a potential way for using coeval LIPs and black shales as natural markers for boundaries in the Mesoproterozoic timescale. In this chapter, we provide a brief review of LIPs and black shales during "the Boring Billion" in different cratons. The results show that in addition to the ca. 1,380 Ma LIP activity that is coeval with black shales, other major LIPs during this period can preliminarily be divided into several stages and are likely/possibly contemporaneous with black shales, especially the 1,650-1,620 Ma and ca. 1,100 Ma LIPs. Our results demonstrate that the global-scale LIPs and black shales in the Boring Billion can potentially be used as natural markers for subdivisions of the Proterozoic timescale. The results also suggest that, while the Boring Billion was characterized by suboxic or mildly oxygenated marine basins, it was interrupted by several OAEs that are partly caused by the environmental impact of LIPs. Preliminarily proposed correlation of LIPs and black shales provide a new way to explain the fluctuating evolution of atmosphere, life, and marine basins during the Boring Billion as identified by many recent studies.

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Enhanced weathering triggered the transient oxygenation event at ~1.57 Ga

Tang

Shi

et al. 2022

Preprint

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A pulse of oxygen increase in the early Mesoproterozoic ocean at ca. 1.57–1.56 Ga

Cited by 88 publications

References 88 publications

Coupled Nitrate and Phosphate Availability Facilitated the Expansion of Eukaryotic Life at Circa 1.56 Ga

Coupled Nitrate and Phosphate Availability Facilitated the Expansion of Eukaryotic Life at Circa 1.56 Ga

Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) and Anoxia Events in “The Boring Billion”

Enhanced weathering triggered the transient oxygenation event at ~1.57 Ga

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