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dc.contributor.authorMacDonald, Jane
dc.contributor.authorSugden, Patrick J.
dc.contributor.authorDumont, Matthew Declan
dc.contributor.authorSzilas, Kristoffer
dc.contributor.authorGlorie, Stijn
dc.contributor.authorSimpson, Alexander
dc.contributor.authorGilbert, Sarah
dc.contributor.authorBurke, Andrea
dc.contributor.authorStueeken, Eva Elisabeth
dc.date.accessioned2024-04-10T14:30:10Z
dc.date.available2024-04-10T14:30:10Z
dc.date.issued2024-04-10
dc.identifier300762418
dc.identifiere3785ba2-8414-4f0c-9b62-8c59f122734b
dc.identifier85189894737
dc.identifier.citationMacDonald , J , Sugden , P J , Dumont , M D , Szilas , K , Glorie , S , Simpson , A , Gilbert , S , Burke , A & Stueeken , E E 2024 , ' Evaluating the multiple-sulfur isotope signature of Eoarchean rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (Southwest-Greenland) by MC-ICP-MS : volcanic nutrient sources for early life ' , Geobiology , vol. 22 , no. 2 . https://doi.org/10.1111/gbi.12595en
dc.identifier.issn1472-4677
dc.identifier.otherORCID: /0000-0002-3754-1498/work/157578800
dc.identifier.otherORCID: /0000-0001-6861-2490/work/157578935
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10023/29634
dc.descriptionFunding: Australian Research Council - FT210100906; Natural Environment Research Council - NE/V010824/1.en
dc.description.abstractOn the anoxic Archean Earth, prior to the onset of oxidative weathering, electron acceptors were relatively scarce, perhaps limiting microbial productivity. An important metabolite may have been sulfate produced during the photolysis of volcanogenic SO2 gas. Multiple sulfur isotope data can be used to track this sulfur source, and indeed this record indicates SO2 photolysis dating back to at least 3.7 Ga, that is, as far back as proposed evidence of life on Earth. However, measurements of multiple sulfur isotopes in some key strata from that time can be challenging due to low sulfur concentrations. Some studies have overcome this challenge with NanoSIMS or optimized gas-source mass spectrometry techniques, but those instruments are not readily accessible. Here, we applied an aqua regia leaching protocol to extract small amounts of sulfur from whole rocks for analyses of multiple sulfur isotopes by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). Measurements of standards and replicates demonstrate good precision and accuracy. We applied this technique to meta-sedimentary rocks with putative biosignatures from the Eoarchean Isua Supracrustal Belt (ISB, >3.7 Ga) and found positive ∆33S (1.40–1.80‰) in four meta-turbidites and negative ∆33S (−0.80‰ and −0.66‰) in two meta-carbonates. Two meta-basalts do not display significant mass-independent fractionation (MIF, −0.01‰ and 0.16‰). In situ Re–Os dating on a molybdenite vein hosted in the meta-turbidites identifies an early ca. 3.7 Ga hydrothermal phase, and in situ Rb–Sr dating of micas in the meta-carbonates suggests metamorphism affected the rocks at ca. 2.2 and 1.7 Ga. We discuss alteration mechanisms and conclude that there is most likely a primary MIF-bearing phase in these meta-sediments. Our new method is therefore a useful addition to the geochemical toolbox, and it confirms that organisms at that time, if present, may indeed have been fed by volcanic nutrients.
dc.format.extent22
dc.format.extent19689228
dc.language.isoeng
dc.relation.ispartofGeobiologyen
dc.subjectEoarcheanen
dc.subjectFluid alterationen
dc.subjectIn situen
dc.subjectIsuaen
dc.subjectMC-ICP-MSen
dc.subjectSulfur issotopesen
dc.subjectDASen
dc.titleEvaluating the multiple-sulfur isotope signature of Eoarchean rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (Southwest-Greenland) by MC-ICP-MS : volcanic nutrient sources for early lifeen
dc.typeJournal articleen
dc.contributor.sponsorNERCen
dc.contributor.institutionUniversity of St Andrews. School of Earth & Environmental Sciencesen
dc.contributor.institutionUniversity of St Andrews. St Andrews Isotope Geochemistryen
dc.contributor.institutionUniversity of St Andrews. St Andrews Centre for Exoplanet Scienceen
dc.identifier.doi10.1111/gbi.12595
dc.description.statusPeer revieweden
dc.identifier.grantnumberNE/V010824/1en


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