Multiple sulphur isotopes reflecting atmospheric and oceanic evolution in the Archean and Paleoproterozoic

从太古宙和古元古代早期沉积硫化物和硫酸盐中测量到的多种硫同位素数据，预计将在我们对早期全球硫循环及其与大气化学和生物地球化学密切关系的认识方面取得重大进展。各自的影响将远远优于那些基于传统的<s:1> 34S记录。化学地层学方法，包括同时测量32S、33S、34S和36S，将应用于南部非洲、西澳大利亚和加拿大2000年前的主要沉积序列。将这3个轨道的时间记录结合起来，将揭示大气成分的时间变化、硫生物地球化学演化以及全球硫循环的整体运行模式等关键问题上前所未有的详细信息。所有这些都将进一步加深我们对地球历史早期地球系统变化的理解。

A major advance in our understanding of the early global sulphur cycle and its intimate relation to atmospheric chemistry and biogeochemistry is anticipated from multiple sulphur isotope data measured in sedimentary sulphides and sulphates of Archean and early Paleoproterozoic age. Respective implications will be far superior to those based on the traditional 34S record. A chemostratigraphic approach, involving the simultaneous measurement of 32S, 33S, 34S, and 36S, will be applied to major pre-2000 Ma sedimentary successions in southern Africa, Western Australia and Canada. Combined temporal records of 34S, 33S, and 36S will reveal unprecedented detailed information in respect to key issues, such as temporal changes in atmospheric composition, the evolution of sulphur biogeochemistry, and the overall operational mode of the global sulphur cycle. All will further our understanding of Earth System changes during the early part of Earth’s history.