The sedimentary sulfur system: Biogeochemistry and evolution through geologic time

Rickard, David 2013. The sedimentary sulfur system: Biogeochemistry and evolution through geologic time. Mackenzie, Fred T., ed. Treatise on Geochemistry Volume 9: Sediments, Diagenesis and Sedimentary Rocks, Vol. 9. Elsevier, pp. 267-326. (10.1016/B978-0-08-095975-7.00710-5)

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Abstract

This chapter reviews recent advances in understanding the geochemistry and biogeochemistry of sulfur in clastic sediments and sedimentary rocks. Chemical sediments, such as evaporites and hydrothermal precipitates, are not considered. Shales are by far the largest sulfur reservoirs in sedimentary rocks and thus a large part of this chapter is focused on these mudrocks and their precursor sediments. Since the chapter on sulfur-rich sediments appeared in the first edition of the Treatise of Geochemistry, this area has proved to be one of the most exciting areas of contemporary Earth and Environmental Science research. The geochemistry of recent and ancient sedimentary sulfur systems is reviewed. The geomicrobiology of the sedimentary sulfur system is summarized and the evolution of the sulfur system considered. The geochemistry of ancient sulfur-rich sediments is examined and the evolution of the sedimentary sulfur system is discussed against the background of the evolution of the Earth surface environment. The subject is of interest to scientists in a number of disciplines, including geology, sedimentology, geochemistry, biogeochemistry and geomicrobiology. The sulfur system is important to environmental scientists considering the present and future effects of pollution and anoxia. The insight the sedimentary sulfur system provides on the nature and evolution of the Early Earth is a major focus of current Earth Science research. The development of the sulfur system – particularly the characteristics of ocean anoxia over the last 200 Ma – is considered to infer the future fate of the Earth surface system as well as understand the past. The biochemistry and microbiology of the sulfur system are key to understanding microbial ecology and the evolution of life on Earth.

Item Type:	Book Section
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Earth and Environmental Sciences
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISBN:	9780080983004
Last Modified:	08 Mar 2019 11:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/119897

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