Genesis of proterozoic iron-formation: sulphur isotope evidence

Seven units of carbonaceous shale or sulphide-facies iron-formation have been sampled. They are associated with Proterozoic iron-formations that range in age from ~ 1.9 to ~2.5 Ga: Sokoman and Gunflint (Canada), Riverton (United States), Penge (South Africa) and Brockman (Australia). Sulphur isotope ratios have been determined on the sulphides removed from these shales by both physical and chemical means.The mean δ³⁴S composition of the seven units varies between ?4.9%. and +6.6%. and the sample variance is low within each unit. These distributions are more characteristic of hydrothermal sulphide than sulphide produced by biogenic reduction. This hydrothermal sulphide is believed to have originated from high temperature reduction of seawater sulphate and from magmatic sulphide. A model is suggested whereby this sulphide was exhaled into stratified anoxic/oxic basins. The sulphide and associated base metals were deposited in the reduced sediments beneath the anoxic waters, while some iron and manganese was deposited on oxygenated shelves.The data support, but do not prove, a hydrothermal exhalative origin for lower Proterozoic iron-formation.