Carbon isotope fluctuations in Precambrian carbonate sequences of several localities in Brazil

Carbon isotope fluctuations in Precambrian sedimentary carbonates between 2.8 Ga and 0.60 Ga in Brazil are examined in this study. The carbonate facies of the BIF of the 2.8 Ga-old Carajas Formation, state of Para in northern Brazil, has rather homogeneous d13C (-5 o/ooPDB), compatible with carbonatization of a silicate protolith by a CO2-rich fluid from mantle degassing. The Paleoproterozoic Gandarela Formation, state of Minas Gerais, displays a narrow  d13C variation (-1.5 to +0.5 o/oo) compatible with carbon isotope signatures of carbonates deposited around 2.4 Ga worldwide. The Fecho do Funil Formation has probably recorded the Lomagundi  d13C positive anomaly (+6.4 to +7.1 o/ooPDB). The magnesite-bearing carbonates of the Oros mobile belt, state of Ceara, exhibit carbon isotope fluctuation within the range for carbonates deposited at 1.8 Ga. The C-isotope record of the Frecheirinha Formation, northwestern state of Ceara, shows negative  d13C values in its lower portion (-2 o/oo) and positive values up section (+1 to +3 o/oo), which suggests this sequence is a cap carbonate deposited after a glacial event around 0.95 Ga. The Jacoca and Acaua sedimentary carbonate Formations, state of Sergipe, NE Brazil, show carbon isotope fluctuations very similar to each other (average around -5 o/oo), compatible with a deposition around 0.76 Ga. The younger Olho D'Agua carbonate Formation, however, also in the state of Sergipe, displays negative  d13C values at the lower portion of the Formation, changing dramatically up section to positive values as high as +10 o/oo, a characteristic compatible with a Sturtian cap carbonate deposited around 0.69 Ga. On the light of the C isotope data discussed in this study, it seems that  d13C fluctuations in Paleoproterozoic carbonates in Brazil are within the range found globally for metasedimentary carbonates of this age. Carbon isotope data proved to be very useful in establishing relative chronology of Neoproterozoic carbonate formations for which precise radiometric ages are not available.