Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1873 |
| Journal | Nature Communications |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Feb 2025 |
Abstract
Unusually high δ15N values in the Neoarchean sedimentary record in the time period from 2.8 to 2.6 Ga, termed the Nitrogen Isotope Event (NIE), might be explained by aerobic N cycling prior to the Great Oxidation Event (GOE). Here we report strongly positive δ15N values up to +42.5 ‰ in ~2.75 – 2.73 Ga shallow-marine carbonates from Zimbabwe. As the corresponding deeper-marine shales exhibit negative δ15N values that are explained by partial biological uptake from a large ammonium reservoir, we interpret our data to have resulted from hydrothermal upwelling of 15N-rich ammonium into shallow, partially oxic waters, consistent with uranium isotope variations. This work shows that anomalous N isotope signatures at the onset of the NIE temporally correlate with extensive volcanic and hydrothermal activity both locally and globally, which may have stimulated primary production and spurred biological innovation in the lead-up to the GOE.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemistry(all)
- General Chemistry
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- General Physics and Astronomy
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Nature Communications, Vol. 16, No. 1, 1873, 22.02.2025.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Anomalous δ15N values in the Neoarchean associated with an abundant supply of hydrothermal ammonium
AU - Martin, Ashley N.
AU - Stüeken, Eva E.
AU - Gehringer, Michelle M.
AU - Markowska, Monika
AU - Vonhof, Hubert
AU - Weyer, Stefan
AU - Hofmann, Axel
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2025.
PY - 2025/2/22
Y1 - 2025/2/22
N2 - Unusually high δ15N values in the Neoarchean sedimentary record in the time period from 2.8 to 2.6 Ga, termed the Nitrogen Isotope Event (NIE), might be explained by aerobic N cycling prior to the Great Oxidation Event (GOE). Here we report strongly positive δ15N values up to +42.5 ‰ in ~2.75 – 2.73 Ga shallow-marine carbonates from Zimbabwe. As the corresponding deeper-marine shales exhibit negative δ15N values that are explained by partial biological uptake from a large ammonium reservoir, we interpret our data to have resulted from hydrothermal upwelling of 15N-rich ammonium into shallow, partially oxic waters, consistent with uranium isotope variations. This work shows that anomalous N isotope signatures at the onset of the NIE temporally correlate with extensive volcanic and hydrothermal activity both locally and globally, which may have stimulated primary production and spurred biological innovation in the lead-up to the GOE.
AB - Unusually high δ15N values in the Neoarchean sedimentary record in the time period from 2.8 to 2.6 Ga, termed the Nitrogen Isotope Event (NIE), might be explained by aerobic N cycling prior to the Great Oxidation Event (GOE). Here we report strongly positive δ15N values up to +42.5 ‰ in ~2.75 – 2.73 Ga shallow-marine carbonates from Zimbabwe. As the corresponding deeper-marine shales exhibit negative δ15N values that are explained by partial biological uptake from a large ammonium reservoir, we interpret our data to have resulted from hydrothermal upwelling of 15N-rich ammonium into shallow, partially oxic waters, consistent with uranium isotope variations. This work shows that anomalous N isotope signatures at the onset of the NIE temporally correlate with extensive volcanic and hydrothermal activity both locally and globally, which may have stimulated primary production and spurred biological innovation in the lead-up to the GOE.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85218504824&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/s41467-025-57091-3
DO - 10.1038/s41467-025-57091-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 39984454
AN - SCOPUS:85218504824
VL - 16
JO - Nature Communications
JF - Nature Communications
SN - 2041-1723
IS - 1
M1 - 1873
ER -