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

从太古代和早古元古代沉积硫化物和硫酸盐中测量的多个硫同位素数据可望在我们理解早期全球硫循环及其与大气化学和生物地球化学的密切关系方面取得重大进展。各自的影响将远远优于基于传统34S记录的影响。化学地层学方法，包括32S、33S、34S和36S的同时测量，将应用于南部非洲、西澳大利亚和加拿大2000 Ma之前的主要沉积序列。34S、33S和36S的综合时间记录将揭示有关关键问题的前所未有的详细信息，如大气成分的时间变化、硫生物地球化学的演变以及全球硫循环的整体运行模式。所有这些都将进一步加深我们对地球历史早期阶段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.