Trace elements in sedimentary pyrite through time: application to understanding temporal changes in ocean oxygenation and ore deposit cycles in marine basins

TL;DRAbstract

This research outlines a new and innovative method to determine variations in the trace metal content of the oceans through time, by LA-ICPMS analysis of sedimentary pyrite in black shales from early Archean to present day. The oceans are a significant source of metals that can inform us about economic accumulations in sedimentary basins; in particular of gold, iron, zinc, copper and uranium. Preliminary research shows that certain metals (e.g. Ni, Co, Cu and Au) have generally decreased in the oceans through time whereas other metals (e.g., Mo, Se and Zn) have generally increased. These changes appear to be controlled by many factors including; 1) residence times of the metals in the ocean, 2) gradual oxygenation of the Earths atmosphere/oceans, 3) the composition of exposed crustal rocks 4) seafloor hydrothermal activity, and 5) cycles of ocean anoxia. This preliminary work also shows links betweentemporal curves of trace metals in the ocean and cycles of major metal accumulations of

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