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Series:   Elements in Geochemical Tracers in Earth System Science

The Chromium Isotope System as a Tracer of Ocean and Atmosphere Redox

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2021

Kohen W. Bauer ,
Noah J. Planavsky ,
Christopher T. Reinhard  and
Devon B. Cole
Kohen W. Bauer
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Noah J. Planavsky
Affiliation:
Yale University, Connecticut
Christopher T. Reinhard
Affiliation:
Georgia Institute of Technology
Devon B. Cole
Affiliation:
Georgia Institute of Technology

Summary

The stable chromium (Cr) isotope system has emerged over the past decade as a new tool to track changes in the amount of oxygen in earth's ocean-atmosphere system. Much of the initial foundation for using Cr isotopes (δ53Cr) as a paleoredox proxy has required recent revision. However, the basic idea behind using Cr isotopes as redox tracers is straightforward—the largest isotope fractionations are redox-dependent and occur during partial reduction of Cr(VI). As such, Cr isotopic signatures can provide novel insights into Cr redox cycling in both marine and terrestrial settings. Critically, the Cr isotope system—unlike many other trace metal proxies—can respond to short-term redox perturbations (e.g., on timescales characteristic of Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles). The Cr isotope system can also be used to probe the earth's long-term atmospheric oxygenation, pointing towards low but likely dynamic oxygen levels for the majority of Earth's history.
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Keywords

chromium isotopesredoxoxygenationdeoxygenationmetal mass balance
Type
Element
Information
Series: Elements in Geochemical Tracers in Earth System Science
Online ISBN: 9781108870443
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 25 February 2021

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