Microanalyses link sulfur from large igneous provinces and Mesozoic mass extinctions

作者：Callegaro Sara^*; Baker Don R; De Min Angelo; Marzoli Andrea; Geraki Kalotina; Bertrand Herve; Viti Cecilia; Nestola Fabrizio

来源：Geology, 2014, 42(10): 895-898.

DOI：10.1130/G35983.1

Volcanic gases can have devastating impacts on Earth%26apos;s environment and life. However, measurement of volatile elements in prehistoric magmas is challenging. We present a new method for determining sulfur contents in magmas using its concentrations in clinopyroxenes and an experimentally determined crystal-melt partition coefficient. Using this method we compared magmatic sulfur contents in the Parana-Etendeka large igneous province (LIP; South America) and two other similarly sized LIPs, the Central Atlantic magmatic province (CAMP) and the Deccan Traps (India). We found that the CAMP and Deccan Traps, both associated with major extinction events, contained high magmatic sulfur concentrations, up to 1900 ppm. Conversely, the Parana-Etendeka LIP, lacking significant environmental effects, had substantially lower magmatic sulfur concentrations, less than 800 ppm.

• 出版日期2014-10