Nickel and zinc micronutrient availability in Phanerozoic oceans
OPEN ACCESS
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2023-05
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
OPEN ACCESS
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
Nickel and zinc are both bio-essential micronutrients with a nutrient-like distribution in the modern ocean, but show key differences in their biological functions and geochemical behavior. Eukaryotic phytoplankton, and especially diatoms, have high Zn quotas, whereas cyanobacteria generally require relatively more Ni. Secular changes in the relative availability of these micronutrients may, therefore, have affected the evolution and diversification of phytoplankton. In this study, we use a large compilation of Ni and Zn concentration data for Phanerozoic sediments to evaluate longterm changes in Ni and Zn availability and possible links to phytoplankton evolution. Modern data suggest that organic-rich sediments capture the dissolved deep ocean Ni/Zn ratio, regardless of local depositional conditions. We use this observation to constrain Ni/Zn ratios for past oceans, based on data from the sedimentary record. This record highlights long-term changes in the relative availability of these micronutrients that can be linked to the (bio)geochemical conditions on the Earth's surface. Early Palaeozoic oceans were likely relatively Ni rich, with sedimentary Ni/Zn ratios for this interval mostly being around similar to 1 or higher. A comparison with Phanerozoic strontium-, carbon-, and sulfur-isotopic records suggests that the late Palaeozoic decrease in sulfidic conditions and increase in hydrothermal inputs and organic-carbon burial rates caused a shift towards more Zn-rich conditions. Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments show relatively Zn-rich oceans for these time intervals, with sedimentary Ni/Zn ratios mostly being around similar to 1 or lower. These observations imply that the diversification of the dominant groups of modern eukaryotic phytoplankton occurred in relatively Zn-rich oceans and that these organisms still carry this signature in their stoichiometries. However, the Phanerozoic transition to a more Zn-rich ocean predates the origin and diversification of modern eukaryotes and, therefore, this transition was likely not the main direct cause for eukaryotic diversification in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
21 (3)
Pages / Article No.
310 - 322
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Organisational unit
03956 - Vance, Derek / Vance, Derek
Notes
Funding
834236 - Nutrients in anoxic oceans – Trace metals in modern and ancient environments (EC)