Globally asynchronous sulphur isotope signals require re-definition of the Great Oxidation Event

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04621-x
• Publication Date: 2018-06-04T11:09:03Z
• Authors: Pascal Philippot; Janaína N. Ávila; Bryan A. Killings...; Svetlana Tessalina; Franck Baton; Tom Caquineau; Elodie Muller; Ernesto Pecoits; Pierre Cartigny; Stefan V. Lalonde; Trevor R. Ireland; Christophe Thomazo; Martin J. van Kra...; Vincent Busigny
• Keywords: Geochronology; Geologic record

The Great Oxidation Event (GOE) has been defined as the time interval when sufficient atmospheric oxygen accumulated to prevent generation and preservation of mass-independent fractionation sulphur isotopes (MIF-S) in sedimentary rocks. Existing correlations suggest that GOE was rapid globally synchronous. Here we apply isotope analysis diagenetic sulphides combined with U-Pb Re-Os geochronology document cycle evolution Western Australia spanning GOE. Our data indicate that, from ~2.45 Gyr beyond 2.31 Gyr, MIF-S preserved punctuated by several episodes disappearance. These results establish record asynchronous between South Africa, North America Australia, argue for regional-scale modulation memory effects due oxidative weathering after onset GOE, current paradigm placing at 2.33-2.32 Ga based on last occurrence Africa should be re-evaluated.