Stable strontium isotope composition of Tonian carbonate rocks in the Huaibei region of North China Craton and its implications for carbon sinking mechanism

Key Points

• To investigate the strontium isotope characteristics of Tonian carbonate rocks and their implications for carbon cycling mechanisms.
• Conducted lithological, elemental, and isotopic geochemical analyses
• Focused on carbonate rocks from the Huaibei Group in the North China Craton
• Measured the δ88/86Sr values to assess deposition conditions and carbon cycling
• The δ88/86Sr values of the carbonate samples were generally lower than global silicate Earth values
• The observed δ88/86Sr value was 0.19‰, indicating a unique deposition pattern influenced by redox states of the water
• A mass balance model suggests a significant accumulation of carbonate rocks with light strontium isotope features in the marine environment