Towards deciphering the source of rare earth elements in kerogen: Seawater or diagenetic porewater origin?

The composition of rare earth elements (REEs) in kerogen has long been hypothesized to preserve signatures of shallow seawater, assuming that kerogen primarily originates from biomass inhabiting the shallow photic zone. In this study, we examine the composition of REEs in kerogen samples obtained from the Ediacaran Dongkanshang and Fengtan sections in South China. Through a meticulous screening process, we provide evidence that kerogen samples exhibiting patterns of heavy rare earth element (HREE) enrichment are free from acid-insoluble mineral contamination and preserve unaltered REE signatures. This study reveals that kerogens display low total rare earth element (ΣREE) concentrations. As kerogen samples exhibit higher levels of HREE enrichment, the Ce/Ce*, Eu/Eu*, and Y/Ho ratios show an upward trend. Moreover, all the kerogen samples exhibit chondritic Y/Ho ratios (with an average of 32). These findings imply that REEs in kerogens are of diagenetic origin and influenced by the ambient redox conditions. Our results suggest that the distribution patterns of REEs in kerogens derive from porewater within methanogenic zones, as opposed to the oxic seawater photic zone. Consequently, the formation of kerogen could potentially occur within a similar domain as the methanogenic zones, where kerogens can assimilate REEs from pore fluids and incorporate them into their macromolecular structures.