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On the isotopic sulfur composition of some Precambrian strata

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Abstract

A study of minerals from Proterozoic and Archean series of various regions has been carried out. Sulfate and sulfide sulfur, having doubtlessly passed through the cycle of isotopic fractionation, has been determined in Archean rocks of the Baikal region. In the lazurite deposit of Malaya Bystraya, the country rocks are Precambrian stinking (fetid) dolomites which contain ancient hydrogen sulfide with δ34S from +19.0 to +33.4‰, and sulfate with δ34S=+44.9‰. Carbonate rocks have served as sources of sulfide and sulfate sulfur for a number of minerals (lazurite, scapolites, apatite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, a. o.). A connection between the enrichment of sulfides of metamorphic strata in the 32S isotope or the 34S isotope and the presence in rocks of increased amounts of graphite — the product of metamorphism of the organic matter of ancient sediments — is established. A conclusion has been drawn regarding the isotopic fractionation about 3·109 y. ago.

Zusammenfassung

Schwefelisotopenfraktionierung durch den Sulfid-Sulfat-Zyklus findet nur dort statt, wo freier Sauerstoff vorhanden ist. Diese Tatsache wird benutzt, um das Eintreten von freiem Sauerstoff und den Beginn organischen Lebens im Präkambrium festzusetzen. Fraktionierter Sulfid- und Sulfatschwefel in archäischen Gesteinen vom Baikalsee wurde gemessen und ein Zusammenhang zwischen dem Schwefelisotopenverhältnis und einem zunehmenden Gehalt an Graphit festgestellt, der dem Gehalt an organischer Substanz entstammt. Diese Isotopenfraktionierung datiert ungefä hr 3:109 M.J. her.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geology, Moscow, USSR

    F. V. Chukhrov, V. I. Vinogradov & L. P. Ermilova

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  1. F. V. Chukhrov
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  2. V. I. Vinogradov
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  3. L. P. Ermilova
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Chukhrov, F.V., Vinogradov, V.I. & Ermilova, L.P. On the isotopic sulfur composition of some Precambrian strata. Mineral. Deposita 5, 209–222 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00201988

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