Release of tephra-hosted iron during early diagenesis fingerprinted by iron isotopes

The micronutrient iron (Fe) plays a fundamental role controlling primary productivity in the upper ocean, with volcanic eruptions and deposition of airborne volcanic material (termed tephra) a potential source of Fe. Here, we investigate the geochemical and Fe isotopic (delta 56Fe) composition of tephra layers, sediments, and mixed tephra-sediment samples from the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Hole 1396C, located offshore the volcanically active island of Montserrat in the Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea. We find that buried tephras, which have experienced diagenesis, exhibit lighter delta 56Fe (relative to standard IRMM-524a) compositions (down to -0.26 +/- 0.04%o, 2SD) than fresh tephra deposited in Montserrat (delta 56Fe = 0.02 +/- 0.02%o, 2SD). Such negative values suggest that isotopically heavier Fe has been lost from the originally deposited material. Using multivariate statistical modelling and mass balance constraints, we identify the outward Fe flux (with calculated delta 56Fe of 0.21 +/- 0.31%o, 2SD, n = 12) during non -reductive dissolution of tephra as the likely cause of the retention of these light delta 56Fe compositions. Due to the widespread nature of tephra deposition, tephra diagenesis may provide an important source of isotopically heavy dissolved Fe (dFe) to the oceans. This process contrasts with more commonly considered reductive dissolution processes, which provide a source of dFe enriched in light isotopes to the oceans.(c) 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates the geochemical and Fe isotopic composition of tephra layers, sediments, and mixed tephra-sediment samples from the Montserrat region in the Caribbean Sea. The research finds that buried tephras with diagenesis have lighter Fe isotopic compositions compared to fresh tephra. Non-reductive dissolution of tephra is identified as the likely cause for the retention of these light Fe isotopic compositions.