Nitrogen isotopes in deep time

Colin Mettam; Aubrey L. Zerkle

doi:10.1017/9781108847186

Nitrogen isotopes in deep time

Colin Mettam
, Aubrey L. Zerkle^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for life, and its sources and cycling have varied over earth history. Stable isotope ratios of nitrogen compounds (expressed as δ15N, in ‰) are preserved in the sedimentary record and track these changes, providing important insights into associated biogeochemical feedbacks. Here we review the use of nitrogen stable isotope geochemistry in unravelling the evolution of the global N cycle in deep time. We highlight difficulties with preservation, unambiguous interpretations, and local versus global effects. We end with several case studies illustrating how depositional and stratigraphic context is crucial in reliably interpreting δ15N records in ancient marine sediments, both in ancient anoxic (Archean) and more recent well oxygenated (Phanerozoic) environments.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Cambridge Elements
Editors	Timothy Lyons, Alexandra Turchyn, Chris Reinhard
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
ISBN (Electronic)	9781108847186
ISBN (Print)	9781108810708
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108847186
Publication status	Published - 22 Jan 2021

Publication series

Name	Elements in geochemical tracers in Earth system science
ISSN (Print)	2515-6454
ISSN (Electronic)	2515-7027

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 14 Life Below Water

Keywords

Nitrogen isotopes
Nutrients
Precambrian Earth
Early life

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10.1017/9781108847186

Mettam_2020_CambridgeElements_Nitrogenisotopes_AAM
Copyright © Colin Mettam and Aubrey L. Zerkle 2021. This work has been made available online in accordance with publisher policies or with permission. Permission for further reuse of this content should be sought from the publisher or the rights holder. This is the author created accepted manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108847186
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title = "Nitrogen isotopes in deep time",

abstract = "Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for life, and its sources and cycling have varied over earth history. Stable isotope ratios of nitrogen compounds (expressed as δ15N, in ‰) are preserved in the sedimentary record and track these changes, providing important insights into associated biogeochemical feedbacks. Here we review the use of nitrogen stable isotope geochemistry in unravelling the evolution of the global N cycle in deep time. We highlight difficulties with preservation, unambiguous interpretations, and local versus global effects. We end with several case studies illustrating how depositional and stratigraphic context is crucial in reliably interpreting δ15N records in ancient marine sediments, both in ancient anoxic (Archean) and more recent well oxygenated (Phanerozoic) environments.",

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AU - Mettam, Colin

AU - Zerkle, Aubrey L.

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N2 - Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for life, and its sources and cycling have varied over earth history. Stable isotope ratios of nitrogen compounds (expressed as δ15N, in ‰) are preserved in the sedimentary record and track these changes, providing important insights into associated biogeochemical feedbacks. Here we review the use of nitrogen stable isotope geochemistry in unravelling the evolution of the global N cycle in deep time. We highlight difficulties with preservation, unambiguous interpretations, and local versus global effects. We end with several case studies illustrating how depositional and stratigraphic context is crucial in reliably interpreting δ15N records in ancient marine sediments, both in ancient anoxic (Archean) and more recent well oxygenated (Phanerozoic) environments.

AB - Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for life, and its sources and cycling have varied over earth history. Stable isotope ratios of nitrogen compounds (expressed as δ15N, in ‰) are preserved in the sedimentary record and track these changes, providing important insights into associated biogeochemical feedbacks. Here we review the use of nitrogen stable isotope geochemistry in unravelling the evolution of the global N cycle in deep time. We highlight difficulties with preservation, unambiguous interpretations, and local versus global effects. We end with several case studies illustrating how depositional and stratigraphic context is crucial in reliably interpreting δ15N records in ancient marine sediments, both in ancient anoxic (Archean) and more recent well oxygenated (Phanerozoic) environments.

KW - Nitrogen isotopes

KW - Nutrients

KW - Precambrian Earth

KW - Early life

U2 - 10.1017/9781108847186

DO - 10.1017/9781108847186

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9781108810708

T3 - Elements in geochemical tracers in Earth system science

BT - Cambridge Elements

A2 - Lyons, Timothy

A2 - Turchyn, Alexandra

A2 - Reinhard, Chris

PB - Cambridge University Press

ER -

Nitrogen isotopes in deep time

Abstract

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UN SDGs

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