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Borate ore deposits occur predominantly in Phanerozoic evaporative sedimentary environments but are scarce in Precambrian strata. However, massive B- and Mg-rich borate deposits are abundant in the Paleoproterozoic strata of Northeast (NE) China. In addition, several of these borate deposits are dominated by Fe (e.g., >60% Fe 2 O 3 content in the Wengquangou deposit). To constrain the origin of these unusual deposits, we obtained B, Fe, and Mg isotope data on the wall rocks and ores of the Mg-rich Houxianyu borate deposit and the Fe-rich Wengquangou borate deposit in NE China. The δ 11 B values of the borate deposits (10.7 ± 4.4‰, n = 15) are higher than most types of igneous and non-evaporative sedimentary rocks, suggesting that B is of evaporative sedimentary origin. However, the borate deposits have a limited range of δ 56 Fe values near 0‰ (0.05 ± 0.18‰, n = 24), which is similar to igneous rocks and thus points to a magmatic origin for the Fe. The δ 26 Mg values of the ores and associated rocks (−0.52 ± 0.34‰, n = 24) are intermediate between Mg-rich carbonate rocks and igneous rocks, suggesting a mixed sedimentary and magmatic origin for the Mg. Regional metamorphism and intense deformation modified the deposits significantly by promoting metasomatic alteration of the igneous rocks and evaporite minerals, thus resulting in mixing of magmatic and sedimentary-evaporative sources as well as recrystallization of the sedimentary borate precursors to metamorphic borate minerals. Hence, the B, Fe, and Mg isotope data together with geological and mineralogical observations indicate that formation of the Paleoproterozoic B-(Fe) deposits in NE China involved a three-stage process: enrichment of B and Mg by evaporative sedimentation, introduction of Fe and additional Mg by volcanism, and modification by regional metamorphism/metasomatism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant strata-bound magnesite deposits are absent in modern and most Phanerozoic sedimentary environments but occur predominantly in Precambrian strata. These deposits may have formed directly through precipitation of evolved Mg-rich seawater in an evaporative shallow-marine setting or, alternatively, by epigenetic–hydrothermal replacement of the Mg-rich carbonate precursor. To test these hypotheses, we obtained the first Mg isotope data from the world’s largest strata-bound magnesite deposit belt, hosted by the ca. 2.1 Ga Dashiqiao Formation in Northeast China. The Mg isotope compositions (δ 26 Mg) of most magnesite ores in the Huaziyu deposit are heavier (–0.75 ± 0.26‰) than most Proterozoic sedimentary dolostones. The Mg isotope compositions and major and trace element data indicate that the magnesites are probably not of hydrothermal origin. Instead, a Mg-rich carbonate precursor precipitated from evaporating seawater in a semi-closed system. Diagenetic brines altered the Mg-rich carbonate precursor to magnesite. Subsequently, recrystallization during regional metamorphism produced coarsely crystalline and saddle magnesite. These interpretations are consistent with the geological features and other geochemical data (element concentrations and C and O isotopes) for the magnesite ores. Hence, we interpret the formation of the Huaziyu magnesite deposit to be dominated by evaporative sedimentation and brine diagenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Syn-sedimentary Microbialites and dolomite cements under an anoxic shallow marine setting from the basal Dengying Formation; • Silicate weathering flux at the terminal Ediacaran is supported by positive Mg isotope excursion; • Enhanced silicate weathering flux increased seawater Mg/Ca ratio and alkalinity and facilitated the subsequent earliest biomineralization of animals. The advent of animal biomineralization at the terminal Ediacaran remarkably changed the marine ecological system. Changed seawater Mg/Ca ratio is considered as an important external trigger for this transition, but the intrinsic relationship between seawater Mg/Ca variation and animal biomineralization is not well constrained due to the lack of reliable archives. To constrain the coeval seawater chemistry and explore its role in the origin of metazoan biomineralization, we systematically conducted petrographical and geochemical investigations on dolostones from the terminal Ediacaran (∼551 Ma) Dengying Formation of the Yangtze Block in South China. The well-preserved sedimentary fabrics, growth zones as well as cathodoluminescent bands in microbialites and fibrous dolomite cements in the Algal Dolomite Member of the Dengying Formation indicate these dolomites were formed during syn-sedimentary diagenesis. The distribution patterns of rare earth elements in these dolomite components documented relatively anoxic shallow water conditions. Furthermore, negative correlations between O and Mg isotope compositions in well-preserved dolomite components indicate the variable mixture of freshwater with seawater in the shallow platform environment. The pervasive influence of freshwater on seawater indicates an enhanced riverine input, and it should be dominated by silicate weathering flux due to the heavier Mg isotopic compositions in freshwater endmember. Enhanced silicate weathering flux at the basal Dengying Formation may be related to the abundant erosions and exposures caused by the significant changes in Earth's surface tectonic and climatic conditions at the late Ediacaran. Consequently, the increased silicate weathering flux would deliver more Mg cations and net alkalinity to the oceans than the mixed weathering flux, which probably facilitated the subsequent skeletonization of early animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Both mineralogical and geochemical analysis suggest a shift towards more extensive reverse weathering within the uppermost portion of the glaciogenic Nantuo Formation. • This reverse weathering was likely driven by a combination of rising temperatures and pH and high dissolved silica concentrations. • The carbon cycle modeling implies that widespread reverse weathering could have driven a protracted (millions of years) carbon dioxide drawdown following deglaciation. Snowball Earth glaciations are the most extreme climate perturbations recorded in Earth's history. It has been argued that the termination of these events was characterized by a single rapid transition from near-global ice coverage to an ice-free greenhouse climate state. Notably, this deviates with more extended transition periods of ice sheet waxing and waning typical of Phanerozoic glaciations. Using a coupled mineralogical and Mg and Li isotopic approach, we explore the role that authigenic clay formation within the seafloor may have played on Earth's climate during deglaciation of the Marinoan Snowball Earth event. Marine authigenic clay formation—a process referred to as reverse weathering—recycles carbon within the ocean–atmosphere system and acts to elevate atmospheric CO 2 levels. The results indicate a shift towards more extensive reverse weathering within the uppermost portion of the glaciogenic Nantuo Formation in South China. Carbon cycle modeling indicates that widespread reverse weathering could have driven a protracted (millions of years) carbon dioxide drawdown following high carbon dioxide levels expected during deglaciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]