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Tracking the rise of eukaryotes to ecological dominance with zinc isotopes
Author(s) -
Isson Terry T.,
Love Gordon D.,
Dupont Christopher L.,
Reinhard Christopher T.,
Zumberge Alex J.,
Asael Dan,
Gueguen Bleuenn,
McCrow John,
Gill Ben C.,
Owens Jeremy,
Rainbird Robert H.,
Rooney Alan D.,
Zhao MingYu,
Stueeken Eva E.,
Konhauser Kurt O.,
John Seth G.,
Lyons Timothy W.,
Planavsky Noah J.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
geobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.859
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1472-4669
pISSN - 1472-4677
DOI - 10.1111/gbi.12289
Subject(s) - biogeochemical cycle , ecosystem , dominance (genetics) , ecology , geologic record , isotope , biogeochemistry , carbon cycle , sedimentary rock , environmental science , isotopes of carbon , oceanography , earth science , total organic carbon , paleontology , geology , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , gene
The biogeochemical cycling of zinc (Zn) is intimately coupled with organic carbon in the ocean. Based on an extensive new sedimentary Zn isotope record across Earth's history, we provide evidence for a fundamental shift in the marine Zn cycle ~800 million years ago. We discuss a wide range of potential drivers for this transition and propose that, within available constraints, a restructuring of marine ecosystems is the most parsimonious explanation for this shift. Using a global isotope mass balance approach, we show that a change in the organic Zn/C ratio is required to account for observed Zn isotope trends through time. Given the higher affinity of eukaryotes for Zn relative to prokaryotes, we suggest that a shift toward a more eukaryote‐rich ecosystem could have provided a means of more efficiently sequestering organic‐derived Zn. Despite the much earlier appearance of eukaryotes in the microfossil record (~1700 to 1600 million years ago), our data suggest a delayed rise to ecological prominence during the Neoproterozoic, consistent with the currently accepted organic biomarker records.