scholarly journals Massive formation of early diagenetic dolomite in the Ediacaran ocean: Constraints on the “dolomite problem”

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (25) ◽  
pp. 14005-14014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biao Chang ◽  
Chao Li ◽  
Deng Liu ◽  
Ian Foster ◽  
Aradhna Tripati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Earth Element ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Early Diagenesis ◽  
Earth Surface ◽  
Doushantuo Formation ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Shallow Marine ◽  
Diagenetic Fluids ◽  
Dolomite Problem ◽  
Clumped Isotope

Paleozoic and Precambrian sedimentary successions frequently contain massive dolomicrite [CaMg(CO3)2] units despite kinetic inhibitions to nucleation and precipitation of dolomite at Earth surface temperatures (<60 °C). This paradoxical observation is known as the “dolomite problem.” Accordingly, the genesis of these dolostones is usually attributed to burial–hydrothermal dolomitization of primary limestones (CaCO3) at temperatures of >100 °C, thus raising doubt about the validity of these deposits as archives of Earth surface environments. We present a high-resolution, >63-My-long clumped-isotope temperature (TΔ47) record of shallow-marine dolomicrites from two drillcores of the Ediacaran (635 to 541 Ma) Doushantuo Formation in South China. Our T∆47record indicates that a majority (87%) of these dolostones formed at temperatures of <100 °C. When considering the regional thermal history, modeling of the influence of solid-state reordering on our TΔ47record further suggests that most of the studied dolostones formed at temperatures of <60 °C, providing direct evidence of a low-temperature origin of these dolostones. Furthermore, calculated δ18O values of diagenetic fluids, rare earth element plus yttrium compositions, and petrographic observations of these dolostones are consistent with an early diagenetic origin in a rock-buffered environment. We thus propose that a precursor precipitate from seawater was subsequently dolomitized during early diagenesis in a near-surface setting to produce the large volume of dolostones in the Doushantuo Formation. Our findings suggest that the preponderance of dolomite in Paleozoic and Precambrian deposits likely reflects oceanic conditions specific to those eras and that dolostones can be faithful recorders of environmental conditions in the early oceans.

Decennial multi-approach monitoring of thermo-hydro-mechanical processes, Kammstollen outdoor laboratory, Zugspitze (Germany)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Scandroglio ◽  
Till Rehm ◽  
Jonas K. Limbrock ◽  
Andreas Kemna ◽  
Markus Heinze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Electrical Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
Permafrost Degradation ◽  
Earth Surface ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Permafrost Rock ◽  
Austrian Alps

&lt;p&gt;The warming of alpine bedrock permafrost in the last three decades and consequent reduction of frozen areas has been well documented. Its consequences like slope stability reduction put humans and infrastructures at high risk. 2020 in particular was the warmest year on record at 3000m a.s.l. embedded in the warmest decade.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Recently, the development of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as standard technique for quantitative permafrost investigation allows extended monitoring of this hazard even allowing including quantitative 4D monitoring strategies (Scandroglio et al., in review). Nevertheless thermo-hydro-mechanical dynamics of steep bedrock slopes cannot be totally explained by a single measurement technique and therefore multi-approach setups are necessary in the field to record external forcing and improve the deciphering of internal responses.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Zugspitze Kammstollen is a 850m long tunnel located between 2660 and 2780m a.s.l., a few decameters under the mountain ridge. First ERT monitoring was conducted in 2007 (Krautblatter et al., 2010)&amp;#160;and has been followed by more than one decade of intensive field work. This has led to the collection of a unique multi-approach data set of still unpublished data. Continuous logging of environmental parameters such as rock/air temperatures and water infiltration through joints as well as a dedicated thermal model (Schr&amp;#246;der and Krautblatter, in review)&amp;#160;provide important additional knowledge on bedrock internal dynamics. Summer ERT and seismic refraction tomography surveys with manual and automated joints&amp;#8217; displacement measurements on the ridge offer information on external controls, complemented by three weather stations and a 44m long borehole within 1km from the tunnel.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Year-round access to the area enables uninterrupted monitoring and maintenance of instruments for reliable data collection. &amp;#8220;Precisely controlled natural conditions&amp;#8221;, restricted access for researchers only and logistical support by Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus, make this tunnel particularly attractive for developing benchmark experiments. Some examples are the design of induced polarization monitoring, the analysis of tunnel spring water for isotopes investigation, and the multi-annual mass monitoring by means of relative gravimetry.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here, we present the recently modernized layout of the outdoor laboratory with the latest monitoring results, opening a discussion on further possible approaches of this extensive multi-approach data set, aiming at understanding not only permafrost thermal evolution but also the connected thermo-hydro-mechanical processes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Krautblatter, M. et al.&amp;#160;(2010) &amp;#8216;Temperature-calibrated imaging of seasonal changes in permafrost rock walls by quantitative electrical resistivity tomography (Zugspitze, German/Austrian Alps)&amp;#8217;, Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 115(2), pp. 1&amp;#8211;15. doi: 10.1029/2008JF001209.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Scandroglio, R. et al.&amp;#160;(in review) &amp;#8216;4D-Quantification of alpine permafrost degradation in steep rock walls using a laboratory-calibrated ERT approach (in review)&amp;#8217;, Near Surface Geophysics.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Schr&amp;#246;der, T. and Krautblatter, M. (in review) &amp;#8216;A high-resolution multi-phase thermo-geophysical model to verify long-term electrical resistivity tomography monitoring in alpine permafrost rock walls (Zugspitze, German/Austrian Alps) (submitted)&amp;#8217;, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Oxygen isotope composition of the Phanerozoic ocean and a possible solution to the dolomite problem

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (26) ◽  
pp. 6602-6607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uri Ryb ◽  
John M. Eiler
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Isotope ◽  
Isotope Exchange ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Oxygen Isotope Exchange ◽  
Diagenetic Alteration ◽  
Isotope Studies ◽  
Dolomite Problem ◽  
Clumped Isotope

The18O/16O of calcite fossils increased by ∼8‰ between the Cambrian and present. It has long been controversial whether this change reflects evolution in the δ18O of seawater, or a decrease in ocean temperatures, or greater extents of diagenesis of older strata. Here, we present measurements of the oxygen and ‟clumped” isotope compositions of Phanerozoic dolomites and compare these data with published oxygen isotope studies of carbonate rocks. We show that the δ18O values of dolomites and calcite fossils of similar age overlap one another, suggesting they are controlled by similar processes. Clumped isotope measurements of Cambrian to Pleistocene dolomites imply crystallization temperatures of 15–158 °C and parent waters having δ18OVSMOWvalues from −2 to +12‰. These data are consistent with dolomitization through sediment/rock reaction with seawater and diagenetically modified seawater, over timescales of 100 My, and suggest that, like dolomite, temporal variations of the calcite fossil δ18O record are largely driven by diagenetic alteration. We find no evidence that Phanerozoic seawater was significantly lower in δ18O than preglacial Cenozoic seawater. Thus, the fluxes of oxygen–isotope exchange associated with weathering and hydrothermal alteration reactions have remained stable throughout the Phanerozoic, despite major tectonic, climatic and biologic perturbations. This stability implies that a long-term feedback exists between the global rates of seafloor spreading and weathering. We note that massive dolomites have crystallized in pre-Cenozoic units at temperatures >40 °C. Since Cenozoic platforms generally have not reached such conditions, their thermal immaturity could explain their paucity of dolomites.

scholarly journals Clumped isotopes in near-surface atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> over land, coast and ocean in Taiwan and its vicinity

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 5297-5314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amzad Hussain Laskar ◽  
Mao-Chang Liang
Keyword(s):  
Thermodynamic Equilibrium ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Co2 Exchange ◽  
Atmospheric Co2 ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Clumped Isotopes ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Clumped Isotope

Abstract. Molecules containing two rare isotopes (e.g., 13C18O16O in CO2), called clumped isotopes, in atmospheric CO2 are powerful tools to provide an alternative way to independently constrain the sources of CO2 in the atmosphere because of their unique physical and chemical properties. We presented clumped isotope data (Δ47) in near-surface atmospheric CO2 from urban, suburban, ocean, coast, high mountain ( ∼  3.2 km a.s.l.) and forest in Taiwan and its vicinity. The primary goal of the study was to use the unique Δ47 signature in atmospheric CO2 to show the extents of its deviations from thermodynamic equilibrium due to different processes such as photosynthesis, respiration and local anthropogenic emissions, which the commonly used tracers such as δ13C and δ18O cannot provide. We also explored the potential of Δ47 to identify/quantify the contribution of CO2 from various sources. Atmospheric CO2 over ocean was found to be in thermodynamic equilibrium with the surrounding surface sea water. Respired CO2 was also in close thermodynamic equilibrium at ambient air temperature. In contrast, photosynthetic activity result in significant deviation in Δ47 values from that expected thermodynamically. The disequilibrium could be a consequence of kinetic effects associated with the diffusion of CO2 in and out of the leaf stomata. We observed that δ18O and Δ47 do not vary similarly when photosynthesis was involved unlike simple water–CO2 exchange. Additionally we obtained Δ47 values of car exhaust CO2 that were significantly lower than the atmospheric CO2 but higher than that expected at the combustion temperature. In urban and suburban regions, the Δ47 values were found to be lower than the thermodynamic equilibrium values at the ambient temperature, suggesting contributions from local combustion emission.

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