Are fluid inclusions in gypsum reliable paleoenvironmental indicators? An assessment of the evidence from the Messinian evaporites

Abstract The paleosalinity of water from which the gypsum precipitated during Messinian salinity crisis is a controversial issue. Recent microthermometry studies on primary fluid inclusions in provided very low values not compatible with precipitation seawater, and suggested strong mixing between seawater nonmarine waters enriched calcium sulfate. We applied new microthermometric protocol crystals nine Mediterranean sections that were experimentally stretched to measure larger population inclusions. results show salinities ranging 9 238 wt‰ NaCl equivalent, largely falling within evaporation path normal seawater. data previous obtained mostly those capable nucleating stable bubble after weak stretching, probably correspond having lower acquired through post-depositional crack-and-seal processes. Our suggest instead marine brine, later modified by post-trapping processes tectonics exhumation.