The sequestration of trace metals preserved in pyritized burrows

Connor Brolly; John Parnell; Xueying Wang

doi:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2021.105959

The sequestration of trace metals preserved in pyritized burrows

Connor Brolly^* (Corresponding Author), John Parnell, Xueying Wang

^*Corresponding author for this work

Geology and Geophysics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Pyritized burrows from three localities were analysed using LA-ICP-MS to determine their trace element content and assess their ability to sequester trace elements. Pyritic burrows from Hock Cliff (Jurassic), Wren’s Nest (Silurian) and Southerham Grey Pit (Cretaceous) have anomalous levels of Se, Cu and Pb and are enriched relative to their host sediments. Sequestration rates were calculated using sedimentation rates from similar depositional environments. Results show that pyritic burrows, mediated by bacterial sulphate reduction, can sequester Se, Cu and Pb up to 3 orders of magnitude greater than the rate of Fe-Mn crusts, which are considered rich sources of trace elements, demonstrating that bioturbated marine sediments are significant sinks of trace elements.

Original language	English
Article number	105959
Number of pages	10
Journal	Sedimentary Geology
Volume	421
Early online date	1 Jul 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2021.105959
Publication status	Published - 15 Jul 2021

Keywords

Bioturbation
burrows
pyrite
trace elements
sequestration
selenium

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Cite this

@article{3cd806b4e6ed49398016266ee46690b5,

title = "The sequestration of trace metals preserved in pyritized burrows",

abstract = "Pyritized burrows from three localities were analysed using LA-ICP-MS to determine their trace element content and assess their ability to sequester trace elements. Pyritic burrows from Hock Cliff (Jurassic), Wren{\textquoteright}s Nest (Silurian) and Southerham Grey Pit (Cretaceous) have anomalous levels of Se, Cu and Pb and are enriched relative to their host sediments. Sequestration rates were calculated using sedimentation rates from similar depositional environments. Results show that pyritic burrows, mediated by bacterial sulphate reduction, can sequester Se, Cu and Pb up to 3 orders of magnitude greater than the rate of Fe-Mn crusts, which are considered rich sources of trace elements, demonstrating that bioturbated marine sediments are significant sinks of trace elements. ",

keywords = "Bioturbation, burrows, pyrite, trace elements, sequestration, selenium",

author = "Connor Brolly and John Parnell and Xueying Wang",

note = "Acknowledgments This work was supported by NERC grant NE/M010953/1. Electron Microscopy was performed with the help of J. Still in the ACEMAC Facility at the University of Aberdeen.",

year = "2021",

month = jul,

day = "15",

doi = "10.1016/j.sedgeo.2021.105959",

language = "English",

volume = "421",

journal = "Sedimentary Geology",

issn = "0037-0738",

publisher = "Elsevier",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - The sequestration of trace metals preserved in pyritized burrows

AU - Brolly, Connor

AU - Parnell, John

AU - Wang, Xueying

N1 - Acknowledgments This work was supported by NERC grant NE/M010953/1. Electron Microscopy was performed with the help of J. Still in the ACEMAC Facility at the University of Aberdeen.

PY - 2021/7/15

Y1 - 2021/7/15

N2 - Pyritized burrows from three localities were analysed using LA-ICP-MS to determine their trace element content and assess their ability to sequester trace elements. Pyritic burrows from Hock Cliff (Jurassic), Wren’s Nest (Silurian) and Southerham Grey Pit (Cretaceous) have anomalous levels of Se, Cu and Pb and are enriched relative to their host sediments. Sequestration rates were calculated using sedimentation rates from similar depositional environments. Results show that pyritic burrows, mediated by bacterial sulphate reduction, can sequester Se, Cu and Pb up to 3 orders of magnitude greater than the rate of Fe-Mn crusts, which are considered rich sources of trace elements, demonstrating that bioturbated marine sediments are significant sinks of trace elements.

AB - Pyritized burrows from three localities were analysed using LA-ICP-MS to determine their trace element content and assess their ability to sequester trace elements. Pyritic burrows from Hock Cliff (Jurassic), Wren’s Nest (Silurian) and Southerham Grey Pit (Cretaceous) have anomalous levels of Se, Cu and Pb and are enriched relative to their host sediments. Sequestration rates were calculated using sedimentation rates from similar depositional environments. Results show that pyritic burrows, mediated by bacterial sulphate reduction, can sequester Se, Cu and Pb up to 3 orders of magnitude greater than the rate of Fe-Mn crusts, which are considered rich sources of trace elements, demonstrating that bioturbated marine sediments are significant sinks of trace elements.

KW - Bioturbation

KW - burrows

KW - pyrite

KW - trace elements

KW - sequestration

KW - selenium

U2 - 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2021.105959

DO - 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2021.105959

M3 - Article

VL - 421

JO - Sedimentary Geology

JF - Sedimentary Geology

SN - 0037-0738

M1 - 105959

ER -

The sequestration of trace metals preserved in pyritized burrows

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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