Celestine in a sulfidic spring barite deposit - A potential biomarker?

We have documented the presence of celestine (SrSO4) within sediment accumulating at an artesian sulfidic spring (Zodletone Spring, Oklahoma) dominated by barite (BaSO4) precipitation associated with microbiological activity. The distribution and speciation of Sr in solid phases was determined by synchrotron-based micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and micro-X-ray diffraction, and particle morphology and texture was determined using electron microscopy. In all the natural sulfidic spring samples and lithified tufa sample, celestine was detected in fine-grained micron-scale Sr-rich phases but not in euhedral, Sr-poor grains. In parallel laboratory-based precipitation experiments, celestine was not observed even when solutions contained high Sr/Ba. Thermodynamic predictions alone do not account for the presence of micron-scale celestine in the sulfidic spring, and they do not account for the differences in Sr presence and distribution in naturally-occurring versus synthetic grains. While the mechanism is unclear, based on this evidence we hypothesize that the combination of bacterial surfaces and microenvironments within the crusts and microbial mats creates a synergistic effect where Sr is preferentially exchanged over Ba between the overlying stream water and the pore water within the mats allowing celestine to precipitate. Ultimately, our results point to an important role of biological activity for preferential Sr uptake. The presence of micron-scale celestine in ancient barite deposits can therefore potentially be used as a biomarker for conditions similar to modern sulfidic springs.

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