Effective use of cerium anomalies as a redox proxy in carbonate-dominated marine settings

Rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) have a distinct distribution pattern in seawater, and this pattern may be faithfully preserved in carbonate sediments and rocks. Anomalous concentrations of redox-sensitive cerium (Ce) compared with neighbouring REY originate in oxic water column conditions, and as such, Ce anomalies can provide a potentially useful redox proxy in carbonate-dominated marine settings. The methods used to extract REY from carbonates vary widely, and may suffer from widespread leaching of REY from accessory non-carbonate minerals and organic matter, limiting the application of Ce anomalies for palaeo-redox reconstruction. We have systematically compared different methods on 195 carbonate…

• SR
  Sight Research UK

  Awards: NE/I00596X/1, NE/I005935/1
• NE
  Natural Environment Research Council

  Awards: NE/I00596X/1, NE/1005978/1, NE/I005935/1