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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Preparation of Authigenic Pyrite from Methane-bearing Sediments for In Situ Sulfur Isotope Analysis Using SIMS
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Sulfur isotopes in diamonds reveal differences in continent construction

Karen V Smit1, Steven B Shirey2, Erik H Hauri2

  • 1Gemological Institute of America, 50 West 47th Street, New York, NY 10036, USA. ksmit@gia.edu.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|April 27, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Neoproterozoic diamonds reveal ancient sulfur signatures from Earth's surface trapped in the mantle. This indicates early tectonic processes, including subduction, played a key role in forming the continental lithosphere billions of years ago.

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