An 80-million-year sulphur isotope record of pyrite burial over the Permian–Triassic

Salisbury, Jack; Gröcke, Darren R.; Cheung, H.D.R. Ashleigh; Kump, Lee R.; McKie, Tom; Ruffell, Alastair

Abstract

Despite the extensive use of sulphur isotope ratios (δ34S) for understanding ancient biogeochemical cycles, many studies focus on specific time-points of interest, such as the end-Permian mass extinction (EPME). We have generated an 80 million-year Permian–Triassic δ34Sevap curve from the Staithes S-20 borehole, Yorkshire, England. The Staithes δ34Sevap record replicates the major features of the global curve, while confirming a new excursion at the Olenekian/Anisian boundary at ~ 247 million years ago. We incorporate the resultant δ34Sevap curve into a sulphur isotope box model. Our modelling approach reveals three significant pyrite burial events (i.e. PBEs) in the Triassic. In particular, it predicts a significant biogeochemical response across the EPME, resulting in a substantial increase in pyrite burial, possibly driven by Siberian Traps volcanism. Our model suggests that after ~ 10 million years pyrite burial achieves relative long-term stability until the latest Triassic.

Citation

Salisbury, J., Gröcke, D. R., Cheung, H. A., Kump, L. R., McKie, T., & Ruffell, A. (2022). An 80-million-year sulphur isotope record of pyrite burial over the Permian–Triassic. Scientific Reports, 12, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-21542-4

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 28, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Oct 17, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022
• Deposit Date: Dec 22, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 22, 2022
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Electronic ISSN: 2045-2322
• Publisher: Nature Research
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-21542-4
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1184670