Parnell, J. and Boyce, A. J. (2017) Microbial sulphate reduction during Neoproterozoic glaciation, Port Askaig Formation, UK. Journal of the Geological Society, 174(5), pp. 850-854. (doi: 10.1144/jgs2016-147)
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Abstract
The Neoproterozoic Port Askaig Formation contains widespread pyrite within many diamictite beds, across Scotland and Ireland. The quantity of pyrite is anomalous for coarse-grained rocks, especially in rocks deposited at a time when seawater contained low sulphate levels owing to a continental ice cover, which inhibited weathering. Sulphur isotope compositions evolve from lightest values (down to −3.1‰) at the base of the formation to highly positive compositions in the overlying Bonahaven Dolomite (mean +44.8‰). This trend is consistent with progressive utilization of available sulphate by closed-system microbial sulphate reduction. Together with records from other contemporary diamictite successions, there emerges a picture of global microbial activity during Neoproterozoic ‘Snowball Earth’ glaciation.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Additional Information: | A.J.B. is funded by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) support of the Isotope Community Support Facility at SUERC. J.P. was supported by NERC grant NE/L001764/1. |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Boyce, Professor Adrian |
Authors: | Parnell, J., and Boyce, A. J. |
College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre |
Journal Name: | Journal of the Geological Society |
Publisher: | Geological Society of London |
ISSN: | 0016-7649 |
ISSN (Online): | 2041-479X |
Published Online: | 15 May 2017 |
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