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P/Ca in carbonates as a proxy for alkalinity and phosphate levels
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  • Miquela Ingalls,
  • Clara Blättler,
  • John Higgins,
  • John S Magyar,
  • John M. Eiler,
  • Woodward Fischer
Miquela Ingalls
California Institute of Technology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Clara Blättler
University of Chicago
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John Higgins
Princeton University
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John S Magyar
California Institute of Technology
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John M. Eiler
California Institute of Technology
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Woodward Fischer
California Institute of Technology
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Abstract

Understanding mechanisms, rates, and drivers of carbonate formation provides insight into the chemical evolution of Earth’s oceans and atmosphere. We paired geological observations with elemental and isotope geochemistry to test potential proxies for calcium-to-alkalinity ratios (Ca:ALK). Across diverse carbonate facies from Pleistocene closed-basin lakes in Owens Valley, CA, we observed less δ44/40Ca variation than theoretically predicted (>0.75‰) for the very low Ca:ALK in these systems. Carbonate clumped isotope disequilibria implied rapid carbonate growth—kinetic isotope effects, combined with the diverse carbonate minerals present, complicated the interpretation of ∆δ44/40Ca as a paleo-alkalinity proxy. In contrast, we observed that high phosphate concentrations are recorded by shoreline and lake bottom carbonates formed in eleven Pleistocene lakes at orders of magnitude greater concentrations than marine carbonates. Because the maximum phosphate content of water depends on Ca:ALK, we propose that carbonate P/Ca can inform phosphate levels and thereby Ca:ALK of aqueous environments in the carbonate record.
16 Nov 2020Published in Geophysical Research Letters volume 47 issue 21. 10.1029/2020GL088804