Chu, Yongzhi; Li, Xiaohu; Xie, Ruifang C; Conway, Tim M; Xu, Antao; Dong, Yanhui (2026): Measured iron isotopic compositions of Fe-Mn crust sample CXD31 [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.991015 (DOI registration in progress)
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Published: 2026-04-01
Abstract:
Iron (Fe) is a key micronutrient regulating marine productivity and the global carbon cycle, yet reconstructing the relative contributions of different Fe sources through time remains challenging. Here we present high-resolution iron isotopic compositions (δ56Fe), measured by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), from a Fe-Mn crust sample (CXD31) recovered from the North Pacific Ocean, spanning the past ~23 Myr. The Fe isotopic values vary within the range of modern marine Fe sources, reflecting dynamic mixing among atmospheric dust, sedimentary inputs, and hydrothermal contributions. Using isotope mass-balance calculations, we reconstruct temporal changes in the relative importance of these Fe sources since the Miocene. Three intervals characterized by elevated δ56Fe values (~16.9, ~11.6, and ~2.7 Ma) indicate enhanced inputs of isotopically heavy Fe, which we attribute to increased aeolian dust supply linked to progressive aridification of inland Asia. These Fe isotope data provide a long-term record of Fe source variability in the North Pacific and offer new constraints on the coupling between continental climate evolution and oceanic Fe cycling.
Keyword(s):
Funding:
Coverage:
Latitude: 19.900000 * Longitude: 173.200000
Date/Time Start: 2003-07-19T00:00:00 * Date/Time End: 2003-07-19T00:00:00
Minimum Elevation: -1357.0 m * Maximum Elevation: -1357.0 m
Event(s):
Parameter(s):
| # | Name | Short Name | Unit | Principal Investigator | Method/Device | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Age | Age | Ma | Chu, Yongzhi | ||
| 2 | δ56Fe | δ56Fe | ‰ | Chu, Yongzhi | Multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICPMS) | |
| 3 | δ56Fe, standard deviation | δ56Fe std dev | ± | Chu, Yongzhi | Multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICPMS) | 2 SD |
License:
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY-4.0)
Status:
Curation Level: Enhanced curation (CurationLevelC)
Size:
78 data points
Data
| 1 Age [Ma] | 2 δ56Fe [‰] | 3 δ56Fe std dev [±] |
|---|---|---|
| 0.20 | -0.33 | 0.05 |
| 0.91 | -0.24 | 0.03 |
| 1.77 | -0.28 | 0.03 |
| 2.37 | -0.27 | 0.01 |
| 3.24 | -0.39 | 0.03 |
| 4.21 | -0.38 | 0.02 |
| 4.68 | -0.37 | 0.01 |
| 5.47 | -0.73 | 0.02 |
| 6.82 | -0.40 | 0.04 |
| 7.57 | -0.45 | 0.02 |
| 8.15 | -0.48 | 0.05 |
| 8.92 | -0.57 | 0.02 |
| 9.37 | -0.20 | 0.00 |
| 10.14 | -0.43 | 0.05 |
| 11.51 | -0.14 | 0.02 |
| 12.28 | -0.12 | 0.02 |
| 12.92 | -0.38 | 0.01 |
| 13.35 | -0.61 | 0.02 |
| 13.71 | -0.40 | 0.03 |
| 14.82 | -0.47 | 0.02 |
| 15.78 | -0.36 | 0.04 |
| 17.21 | -0.16 | 0.03 |
| 18.02 | -0.42 | 0.04 |
| 18.73 | -0.30 | 0.02 |
| 19.91 | -0.37 | 0.04 |
| 20.40 | -0.19 | 0.04 |