An Anaerobic Microbial Community Mediates Epigenetic Native Sulfur and Carbonate Formation During Replacement of Messinian Gypsum at Monte Palco, Sicily

TL;DR

A microbial community in Sicily transforms ancient gypsum into sulfur and carbonate under anaerobic conditions, using methane as a carbon source.

Contribution

The study identifies a unique anaerobic microbial community responsible for epigenetic mineral formation in a confined, high-sulfate environment.

Findings

The sulfur-bearing carbonates are 13C-depleted, indicating methane as a major carbon source.

Native sulfur shows variable 34S-enrichment, suggesting high conversion to sulfur in a closed system.

Biomarkers like sn3-hydroxyarchaeol and GDGTs indicate the presence of ANME-1 archaea and sulfate-reducing bacteria.

Abstract

The microbially mediated replacement of sulfate‐bearing evaporites by authigenic carbonate and native sulfur under anoxic conditions is poorly understood. Sulfur‐bearing carbonates from the Monte Palco ridge (Sicily) replacing Messinian gypsum were therefore studied to better characterize the involved microorganisms. The lack of (1) sedimentary bedding, (2) lamination, and (3) significant water‐column‐derived lipid biomarkers in the secondary carbonates implies replacement after gypsum deposition (epigenesis). Allochthonous clasts from the older Calcare di Base and the younger Trubi Formation within these carbonates further evidence epigenetic formation. The sulfur‐bearing carbonates are significantly 13C‐depleted (δ13C as low as −51‰), identifying methane as a major carbon source. The 18O‐enrichment of the carbonates (δ18O as high as 5.4‰) probably reflects precipitation from 18O‐enriched fluids transported along adjacent faults or precipitation in a closed system with very little water. Native sulfur with variable 34S‐enrichment (δ34S as high as 18.9‰), a relatively small maximum offset (12.3‰) between the sulfate source (gypsum) and native sulfur, and high δ34S values of carbonate‐associated sulfate (as high as 61.1‰) suggest a high conversion to native sulfur in a (semi‐)closed system, with insignificant sulfate removal. Anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) apparently affiliated with the ANME‐1 clade mediated secondary mineral formation as evidenced by the biomarker inventory, which contains abundant 13C‐depleted isoprenoids including sn3‐hydroxyarchaeol as the sole hydroxyarchaeol isomer and glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs). A series of various, tentatively identified 13C‐depleted non‐isoprenoidal dialkyl glycerol diethers (DAGEs), 10me‐C16 fatty acid, hydroxy C16 fatty acids, and cyclopropyl‐C17:0ω7,8 fatty acid agree with sulfate‐reducing bacteria participating in the anaerobic oxidation of methane. Specific conditions during gypsum replacement, unlike those at marine methane seeps, are reflected by the occurrence of 13C‐depleted lipids such as lycopane, 9me‐C17 fatty acid, and novel DAGEs. As a response to a confined environment probably characterized by high sulfate concentrations, sulfidic conditions, and elevated salinity, ANMEs and sulfate‐reducing bacteria apparently adapted their membrane compositions to cope with such stressors.

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