The redox sensitivity of molybdenum (Mo) isotopes makes them valuable in tracing and reconstructing (paleo-)methane seepage. Yet, our understanding of the characteristics of Mo isotopic composition in the methane seepage environment is limited. In conjunction with prior research, this study further examines the Mo isotopic composition of sediments in various methane seepage environments and investigates its potential controlling mechanisms. The research highlights that the Mo isotopic composition in sediments is primarily influenced by the sulfidic state of the environment (strongly or weakly sulfidic) and the source of Mo: seawater or Fe-Mn (oxy)hydroxides. Based on these factors, four models of Mo isotopic composition in methane seepage environments are proposed: (1) Sediments in a strong methane seepage environment (with low Fe-Mn shuttling) exhibit heavy δ98Mo signatures and high MoEF. Furthermore, the δ98Mo values increase with increasing MoEF; (2) sediments in a strong methane seepage environment (with high Fe-Mn shuttling) display light δ98Mo signatures and high MoEF. In contrast, the δ98Mo values decrease with the increase of MoEF; (3) sediments from weak methane seepage environments (with low Fe-Mn shuttling) exhibit light δ98Mo signatures and low MoEF, similar to the upper continental crust values; and (4) sediments in weak methane seepage environments (with high Fe-Mn shuttling) display a light δ98Mo signature and a low MoEF. These models help in understanding the controls on Mo isotopic compositions in different methane seepage scenarios and can aid in the reconstruction of past methane seepage events and environmental conditions.
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Research Article|
May 13, 2025
Early Publication
Environmental sulfidation and Mo source jointly control Mo isotopic composition in sediments under methane seepage Available to Purchase
Xiaoming Miao;
Xiaoming Miao
1
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China2
Key Lab of Submarine Geosciences and Prospecting Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
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Davide Oppo;
Davide Oppo
3
School of Geosciences, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana 70503, USA
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Jiangong Wei;
Jiangong Wei
4
Ministry of Land and Resources Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources, Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510075, China5
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China6
Sanya Institute of South China Sea Geology, Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Sanya 572025, China
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Jiangtao Li;
Jiangtao Li
7
State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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Jiwei Li;
Jiwei Li
8
Deep Sea Science Division, Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
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Mengran Du;
Mengran Du
8
Deep Sea Science Division, Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
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Hongxiang Guan;
Hongxiang Guan
2
Key Lab of Submarine Geosciences and Prospecting Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
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Xiting Liu;
Xiting Liu
2
Key Lab of Submarine Geosciences and Prospecting Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
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Jie Li;
Jie Li
9
State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
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Tingting Wu;
Tingting Wu
4
Ministry of Land and Resources Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources, Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510075, China5
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
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Kaikai Wu;
Kaikai Wu
10
First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, 266061 Qingdao, China
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Jingrui Li
Jingrui Li
11
Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
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Xiaoming Miao
1
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China2
Key Lab of Submarine Geosciences and Prospecting Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Davide Oppo
3
School of Geosciences, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana 70503, USA
Jiangong Wei
4
Ministry of Land and Resources Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources, Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510075, China5
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China6
Sanya Institute of South China Sea Geology, Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Sanya 572025, China
Jiangtao Li
7
State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Jiwei Li
8
Deep Sea Science Division, Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
Mengran Du
8
Deep Sea Science Division, Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
Hongxiang Guan
2
Key Lab of Submarine Geosciences and Prospecting Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Xiting Liu
2
Key Lab of Submarine Geosciences and Prospecting Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Jie Li
9
State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
Tingting Wu
4
Ministry of Land and Resources Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources, Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510075, China5
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
Kaikai Wu
10
First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, 266061 Qingdao, China
Jingrui Li
11
Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
Publisher: Geological Society of America
Received:
31 Aug 2024
Revision Received:
22 Mar 2025
Accepted:
16 Apr 2025
First Online:
13 May 2025
Online ISSN: 1943-2674
Print ISSN: 0016-7606
© 2025 Geological Society of America
GSA Bulletin (2025)
Article history
Received:
31 Aug 2024
Revision Received:
22 Mar 2025
Accepted:
16 Apr 2025
First Online:
13 May 2025
Citation
Xiaoming Miao, Davide Oppo, Jiangong Wei, Jiangtao Li, Jiwei Li, Mengran Du, Hongxiang Guan, Xiting Liu, Jie Li, Tingting Wu, Kaikai Wu, Jingrui Li; Environmental sulfidation and Mo source jointly control Mo isotopic composition in sediments under methane seepage. GSA Bulletin 2025; doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B37992.1
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