Mass-independent fractionation of sulfur isotopes (S-MIF) results from photochemical reactions involving short-wavelength UV light. The presence of these anomalies in Archean sediments [(4-2.5 billion years ago, (Ga)] implies that the early atmosphere was free of the appropriate UV absorbers, of which ozone is the most important in the modern atmosphere. Consequently, S-MIF is considered some o...

We present a refined approach for acquiring sulfur (S) isotope compositions (33S/32S, 34S/32S) in apatite by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), including the characterisation of new reference materials. In order to test method, we analyzed potential samples their S ratios via three different bulk methods. The investigated contain concentrations between ~160 μg/g and 3100 34S/32S (δ34S) dev...

Groundwater and sediment samples (~1 m depth) at sites representative of different groundwater pathways were collected to determine the aqueous speciation of sulfur and the fractionation of sulfur isotopes in aqueous and solid phases. In addition, selected sediment samples at 5 depths (from oxic to anoxic layers) were collected to investigate the processes controlling sulfur biogeochemistry in ...

Sulfur (S) isotopes are used to trace metabolic pathways associated with biological S-cycling in past and present environments on Earth. These (sulfate reduction, sulfur disproportionation sulfide oxidation) can produce unique S isotope signals that provide insight into biogeochemical S-cycling. The cycle is also relevant for extraterrestrial processes. On early Mars, existed different redox st...

To improve our knowledge about the geochemical and environmental aftermath of Neoproterozoic global glaciations, we analyzed stable isotopes (δC, δO, δS) and elemental concentrations (Ca, Mg, S, Sr, Fe, andMn) of the∼10-m-thick Zhamoketi cap dolostone atop the Tereeken diamictite in the Quruqtagh area, eastern Chinese Tianshan. Available chemostratigraphic data suggest that the Tereeken diamict...

Geochemical evidence reported from Paleoproterozoic sediments has long been used to evaluate the transition from the anoxic Archean atmosphere to an oxygenated atmosphere. Sulfur isotopes (S, S, S and S) in sedimentary sulfides and sulfates are an especially sensitive means to monitor this transition, such that the timing of the Paleoproterozoic “Great Oxidation Event” can be investigated using...

We report a 67Zn nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study of compounds containing zinc ions coordinated by oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur ligands. New information concerning 67Zn nuclear quadrupole coupling constants (NQCC) and chemical shift was obtained from magic-angle spinning (MAS) spectra of solid compounds containing both natural abundance and enriched 67Zn isotopes. Rapid ligand exchange pr...

It is generally thought that the sulfate reduction metabolism is ancient and would have been established well before the Neoarchean. It is puzzling, therefore, that the sulfur isotope record of the Neoarchean is characterized by a signal of atmospheric mass-independent chemistry rather than a strong overprint by sulfate reducers. Here, we present a study of the four sulfur isotopes obtained usi...