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Co-variation of crenarchaeol and branched GDGTs in globally-distributed marine and freshwater sedimentary archives

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Erin McClymont, Dr Antoni Rosell-Mele

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Abstract

Two major types of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) are commonly used in paleoecological and paleoclimatological reconstructions: isoprenoidal and branched GDGTs. In aquatic environments, it was originally assumed that isoprenoidal GDGTs, especially crenarchaeol, derive mainly from aquatic Thaumarchaeota, while branched GDGTs are an allochthonous input derived from soil Bacteria. Recently, direct co-variation of crenarchaeol and branched GDGTs has been described in two marine sedimentary records, and this observation suggests that in situ production of branched GDGTs is possible at least in some aquatic environments. After investigating 30 published and unpublished data sets from downcore and surface sediments as well as sediment traps from 19 distinct regions around the world, we found a widespread significant correlation between concentrations of branched GDCTs and crenarchaeol (p<0.01; r(2) = 0.57-0.99), even when normalized against TOC, where available. These data sets include freshwater and marine environments with varying distances from the shore, varying redox conditions and different terrestrial matter input pathways. Our findings from this large-scale data set suggest that a common or mixed source for both GDGT types is actually commonplace in lacustrine and marine settings. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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Author(s): Fietz S, Huguet C, Bendle J, Escala M, Gallacher C, Herfort L, Jamieson R, Martinez-Garcia A, McClymont EL, Peck VL, Prahl FG, Rossi S, Rueda G, Sanson-Barrera A, Rosell-Mele A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Global and Planetary Change

Year: 2012

Volume: 92-93

Pages: 275-285

Print publication date: 01/07/2012

ISSN (print): 0921-8181

ISSN (electronic): 1872-6364

Publisher: Elsevier BV

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2012.05.020

DOI: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2012.05.020

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