Probing the Isotopic Composition of Surface Waters Across Isotopic Extremes of Cryogenian Carbonates

Neoproterozoic carbonate strata record unusually large and positive carbon isotope values (δ13Ccarb from 4 to 10 per mil), and stratigraphically extensive large negative carbon isotope excursions (δ13Ccarb < -5 per mil). Mechanisms that account for the magnitude, the facies distribution and the global abundance of these isotopically extreme carbonates in Neoproterozoic successions remain poorly understood. Little is also known about organisms and metabolisms that cycled carbon in these carbonate strata, because they rarely contain well-preserved organic-rich fossils. To better understand the cycling of carbon during the deposition of the 715-635 Ma Tayshir member of the Tsagaan Oloom Formation, Mongolia, we analyzed δ13Cfossil of two types of organic fossils that occur in 13C- enriched carbonates (+ 5 to 9.9 per mil) and within 13C-depleted carbonates of the Tayshir anomaly (-3 to -6 per mil). Because these organic microfossils are remarkably similar to the tests of modern planktonic, herbivorous tintinnid ciliates and benthic macroscopic red algae, respectively, they can be used as tracers of organic matter production in surface waters. Fossil tests were extracted by acid maceration, cleaned and analyzed morphologically and microscopically. Their carbon isotopic composition was measured using a nano-scaled elemental analyzer inlet (nano-EA-IRMS), with ±1 per mil analytical precision. To date, we analyzed 12 samples of 100-150 organic tests, representing 3 different fossiliferous parts of the Tayshir anomaly (δ13Ccarb < -3 per mil) and 3 different strata predating the Tayshir anomaly (δ13Ccarb > +5 per mil), respectively. More samples, including those of fossil algae and tests from the carbonate strata overlying the Tayshir anomaly, are currently being analyzed. Initial data reveal a rather constant isotopic composition of organic carbon in fossil tests (δ13Cfossil), with values of -23 ±1 per mil both within 13C-enriched and 13C-depleted carbonates. The isotopic difference between δ13Cfossil and 13C-enriched carbonates is 28 to 30 per mil, suggesting maximal isotopic fractionation by primary producers, and little environmental (or diagenetic) processing of primary photosynthetic carbon. The carbonates of the Tayshir anomaly preserve two organic materials: matrix or bulk carbon characterized by a δ13Corg that covaries with δ13Ccarb, and a small, but morphologically diagnostic component whose δ13Cfossil values do not covary with δ13Ccarb. The stratigraphic thickness (~ 50 m) and isotopic heterogeneity of the organic matter within the Tayshir anomaly (~ 50 m) suggest a prolonged and large contribution of organic carbon remineralization.