Fe isotope and trace element geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic syn-glacial Rapitan iron formation

We have measured the iron isotope compositions and trace element concentrations of a suite of iron formation (IF) samples from the Neoproterozoic Rapitan Group, which was deposited during the older of two glacial episodes recorded in the Windermere Supergroup of the northern Canadian Cordillera. Like most other Neoproterozoic examples, iron in the Rapitan IF resides almost exclusively as hematite. This mineralogical simplicity compared to Archean and Paleoproterozoic banded iron formations is attributed to a limited supply of organic carbon to the Rapitan glacial ocean that inhibited diagenetic production of reduced iron phases. Sedimentological considerations indicate that the Rapitan IF was deposited during a rise in relative sea level related to a period of glacial advance and isostatic subsidence. Trace element data, including rare earth element plus yttrium (REE + Y) patterns, suggest an anoxic deep ocean dominated by low-temperature hydrothermal input and capped by a weakly oxic surface ocean. The iron isotope data show a trend of increasing δ57Fe (versus IRMM-14) up-section from ~−0.7‰ to 1.2‰, corresponding to a shift from a muddy IF facies to a dominantly jaspilitic IF facies. This distinct isotopic pattern likely records a steep isotopic gradient across the iron chemocline in Rapitan seawater.

Research Highlights
► We present trace element and iron isotope data on the Rapitan iron formation.
► The iron isotope data show a large rise in iron isotope values up-section.
► This isotopic trend is coupled to increasing water depth.
► The trend likely records a vertical iron isotope gradient in Rapitan seawater.
► We propose a new model for iron isotopic variability in ancient iron formations.