The stable sulfur isotope and abundance fluxes of reduced inorganic sulfur and organic sulfur phases recorded in the Permian-Triassic transition of the Meishan type section

Sulfur cycle fluxes implicated in the Permian-Triassic mass extinction have traditionally been studied by the sulfur phase abundances in sedimentary rocks and the stable sulfur isotopic value (δ³⁴S) of seawater sulfate inferred from mineral sulfate analyses. This information might be complemented by studies of the reduced inorganic sulfur and organic sulfur produced following bacterial sulfate reduction. To explore this potential the δ³⁴S and concentration analyses of total reduced inorganic sulfur (TRIS) and organic sulfur – separately in the forms of kerogen (Ker) and individual organosulfur compounds, specifically dibenzothiophenes (DBTs) – has been conducted on sediments across the Late Permian to Early Triassic marine type section of Meishan-1 (South China). The relatively steady δ³⁴S profiles (e.g., < 5 ‰ variation) of all sulfur phases measured through much of the late Permian were indicative of a primary seawater sulfate control, but other biogeochemical modulators caused prominent δ³⁴S fluctuations of TRIS and DBT adjacent to the extinction event. The late Triassic δ³⁴S_TRIS profile of Meishan-1 displayed a notable ³⁴S enrichment (+15 ‰ increase) in bed 22–24 sediments concomitant with lower δ³⁴S_DBT values (−7 ‰ decrease), whereas co-eval δ³⁴S_KerS values remained relatively constant. The contrasting δ³⁴S_DBT and δ³⁴S_KerS data suggests the dynamic behavior of specific diagenetic sulfurisation processes may be resolved by the δ³⁴S of discrete organic sulfur compounds (i.e., dibenzothiophenes, DBTs), but dissipated by the sulfurisation collective represented by the bulk kerogen fraction. The inverse isotopic trend observed between DBT and TRIS resulted in negative Δδ³⁴S_DBT-TRIS values identifying an organic sulfurisation pathway(s) with an unusual preference over pyrite (FeS₂) for the lighter stable sulfur isotope. A redox control of the δ³⁴S_DBTs and δ³⁴S_TRIS deviations in the bed 22–24 extinction interval was confirmed by coincident variation in TRIS/(TRIS + KerS) and pyrite (Py) and highly reactive (HR) iron ratios (Fe_Py/Fe_HR). The iron (Fe) speciation data indicated a transition to ferruginous conditions, ruling out Fe²⁺ limitation as a factor in the bias against ³⁴S evident in DBT formation. The ³⁴S depletion of the DBTs promoted by the ferruginous setting may arise from the rapid and irreversible reaction of organic substrates with labile sulfur anions (e.g. HS^-) or be supported by an especially localised sediment–water depositional microenvironment. Our study highlights the potential of incorporating stable sulfur isotope analytics of reduced and organic sulfur phases, particularly of specific organic compounds, into a holistic assessment of the dynamic sulfur biochemical periods of Earth’s past.