Rare-earth element patterns in conodont albid crowns: Evidence for massive inputs of volcanic ash during the latest Permian biocrisis?

Rare-earth element (REE) profiles were generated from conodont bioapatite for two Permian–Triassic boundary sections in South China (Meishan and Daxiakou) in order to investigate environmental changes following the latest Permian mass extinction (LPME). REE concentrations were measured in albid crowns, the conodont histology that is densest and least susceptible to diagenetic alteration, in an effort to recover seawater REE signatures. However, an analysis of REE sources demonstrated that 80–100% of REEs in the study samples were derived from siliciclastic sources, presumably the abundant clay minerals present in the study sections. Interval I (pre-LPME) exhibited lower ΣREE concentrations and distinctly different REE distribution patterns than Intervals II (syn-LPME) and III (post-LPME) of the study sections. REE “fingerprinting” suggests that the latter two intervals contain a large fraction of REEs derived from volcanic clays, characterized by low Eu/Eu* and LaN/YbN and high Th/La ratios. The presence of volcanically derived REEs in post-LPME Interval III indicates that volcanic eruptions continued to spew ash for an extended interval following the boundary crisis or, perhaps more likely, that substantial ash deposits that fell on landmasses during the LPME were slowly eroded and transported to the marine environment. The most probable source of this volcanic ash is the Siberian Traps magmatic province. Ce/Ce* ratios of 0.8–1.0 around the LPME may reflect suboxic to anoxic seawater conditions, although it is uncertain whether Ce in the study sections is mainly of hydrogenous or detrital origin.

► P-Tr conodont REE obtained from South China using LAICP-MS technique indicate extremely environmental changes during the P-Tr mass extinction.
► Modelling of La, Th, and Y/Ho relationships demonstrates that 80–100% of REEs were altered likely by volcanic clays.
► Volcanically derived REEs in post-extinction interval indicate that volcanic eruptions were rather active during the P-Tr biocrisis and its aftermath.
► P-Tr Ce/Ce⁎ ratios reflect suboxic to anoxic seawater conditions, although it is uncertain whether Ce is mainly of hydrogenous or detrital origin.