Pelagic Barite: Tracer of Ocean Productivity and a Recorder of Isotopic Compositions of Seawater S, O, Sr, CA and Ba

by Weiqi Yao, Elizabeth Morris Griffith, Adina Paytan

Reconstruction of ocean paleoproductivity and paleochemistry is paramount to understanding global biogeochemical cycles such as the carbon, oxygen and sulfur cycles and the responses of these cycles to changes in climate and tectonics. Paleo-reconstruction involves the application of various tracers that record seawater compositions, which in turn may be used to infer oceanic processes. Several important tracers are incorporated into pelagic barite, an authigenic mineral that forms in the water column. Here we summarize the utility of pelagic barite for the reconstruction of export production and as a recorder of seawater S, O, Sr, Ca and Ba.

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Published November 30, 2020