Abstract
Trace elements are central components of enzymes that catalyze many of the essential reactions mediated by life. The redox sensitive nature of trace elements also permits their use as a record of ancient ocean conditions preserved in the geologic record. Trace element geochemistry in modern stratified systems is often used as a proxy for the redox state of the ancient oceans, which are thought to have been largely anoxic. In the present study, we examined trace element behavior of simultaneously collected samples at a heretofore unprecedented depth resolution (1-0.25. m intervals) throughout the redox-stratified water column of Fayetteville Green Lake, N.Y. (FGL), a 53. m deep meromictic lake under euxinic conditions similar to those thought to have been prevalent in Proterozoic oceans. Among characterized Proterozoic ocean analogs, FGL represents an understudied proxy in terms of trace elements, with characteristics of low salinity and high sulfate. In the FGL water column, spikes in the concentration of dissolved Mn, Fe and Co are coincident with the transition from oxic to euxinic conditions, and are associated with a decrease in dissolved Mo concentration. In contrast, the concentration of dissolved Ni did not vary across this transition despite the dramatic shift in redox state. From these data we present a one dimensional model for element transport and cycling through the water column to the sediments. Collectively, this comprehensive analysis of water column geochemistry provides insight into the effects of biogeochemical cycling in stratified systems on dissolved trace element concentrations in the water column. This study, in concert with characterization of other early Earth analogs, will greatly enhance the use of trace elements in interpreting the geologic record.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 389-406 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta |
| Volume | 165 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2015 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors thank Hamilton College students Rachel Green, Daniel Licthenauer, Matthew Bzurstoski, Kevin Boettger, Robert Clayton, Helen Farrell, Leonard Kilekwang, Christopher Rider and Andrew Seraichick for their assistance during sample collection and processing, the Hamilton College Dean of Faculty for providing student summer research stipends, Bruce Wegter for operating the Hamilton College research boat, the New York State Parks, the Green Lakes State Park staff and Ranger in particular for their help, and the NASA Astrobiology Institute, the Penn State Astrobiology Research Center, the NASA Postdoctoral Program, and NSF Grant EAR-1349258 for their generous support. T.L.H. graciously acknowledges support from the NAI Postdoctoral Program. J.R.H. would like to thank Chris House for his encouragement and helpful conversations, and PSU student Brianna McClure for her assistance during sample collection and processing. The authors also wish to thank Christopher Reinhard and an anonymous reviewer for valuable insights and constructive criticism that improved this manuscript.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
Copyright:
Copyright 2016 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
