Metal-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane and the Sturtian deglaciation

Jun Hu, Sanzhong Li (), Shui-Jiong Wang (), Jörn Peckmann, Hongxiang Guan, Shao-yong Jiang, Wei Chen, Huan Cui, Zheng Qin, Peng Liu, Yanhui Suo, Zhaoxia Jiang, Dongyong Li, Nan Wang, Xiaohui Li, Yuan Zhong, Ruru Li, Xi-Ming Yang and Kurt O. Konhauser
Additional contact information
Jun Hu: Ocean University of China
Sanzhong Li: Ocean University of China
Shui-Jiong Wang: China University of Geosciences (Beijing)
Jörn Peckmann: Universität Hamburg
Hongxiang Guan: Ocean University of China
Shao-yong Jiang: China University of Geosciences
Wei Chen: China University of Geosciences
Huan Cui: Kansas State University
Zheng Qin: China University of Geosciences (Beijing)
Peng Liu: Ocean University of China
Yanhui Suo: Ocean University of China
Zhaoxia Jiang: Ocean University of China
Dongyong Li: Ocean University of China
Nan Wang: Ocean University of China
Xiaohui Li: Ocean University of China
Yuan Zhong: Ocean University of China
Ruru Li: Ocean University of China
Xi-Ming Yang: China University of Geosciences (Beijing)
Kurt O. Konhauser: University of Alberta

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract The Sturtian and Marinoan glaciations shaped Neoproterozoic palaeoenvironmental evolution. While methane emission likely intensified the Marinoan greenhouse effect, its role during the Sturtian glaciation—coinciding with widespread iron formations (IFs)—remains poorly understood. Here, we analysed bio-essential metals (Ni, Co, Zn), rare earth elements and yttrium (REY), Fe (δ56Fe) and Ni (δ60Ni) isotopes in hematite and magnetite, alongside bulk-rock and in-situ C isotopes of Mn-rich carbonates from five well-preserved Sturtian-aged IFs in South China. Our findings provide geochemical evidence for a methane-related biogeochemical pathway driving Fe-bearing mineral transformation via methanogenesis and metal-driven anaerobic methane oxidation (AOM), mediated by methanogens and anaerobic methane-oxidizing archaea (ANME) in ferruginous settings. Additionally, the Sturtian deglaciation facilitated atmospheric-oceanic O2 exchange, increased nutrient influx from weathering, and methane release under slow AOM oxidation kinetics, potentially aiding ice sheet melting or prolonging glacial waning.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62622-z

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