Reconstruction of paleo-redox conditions and early sulfur cycling during deposition of the Cryogenian Datangpo Formation in South China

In South China, the Datangpo black shales (663 Ma–654.5 Ma) were deposited during the Cryognian interglacial time between the Sturtian and Marinoan glaciations. Multi-geochemical proxies, including different iron speciation and relevant ratios (FeHR/FeT, FeP/FeHR and FeT/Al ratios) and molybdenum concentrations, were used to reconstruct the paleo-depositional environment of this black shale horizon. The ratios of different iron species (FeHR/FeT > 0.38 and FeP/FeHR < 0.80) suggest an overall anoxic conditions (ferruginous) over the deposition of the black shales, although intermittent euxinic (FeHR/FeT > 0.38 and FeP/FeHR ≈ 0.80) and oxic (FeHR/FeT < 0.38) intervals could have occurred. Furthermore, FeT/Al ratios (FeT/Al ≤ 0.51) confirm that water column may not be persistent euxinia during the deposition of the Datangpo black shales. Meanwhile, molybdenum concentrations show a decreasing trend towards the top of the black shales, reconciling the gradual oxygenating trend during this period as stated above. Compared to δ34SPy values in the Mesoproterozoic deep ocean, more positive δ34SPy values of this study may result from a small size of sulfate reservoir. The small-size sulfate reservoir and concurrent enrichment of molybdenum indicate that the ocean chemistry in the Cryogenian Period is similar to that in the Archean Eon.