Enhanced chemical weathering triggered an expansion of euxinic seawater in the aftermath of the Sturtian glaciation

•First report of Li isotope data in the Cryogenian clastic sedimentary strata.•Negative Li isotopic excursion in the basal Cryogenian interglacial interval.•Low Li isotope values suggested enhanced silicate weathering intensity.•Extensive seawater euxinia was triggered by intense silicate weathering. The Cryogenian Period comprised two episodes of global glaciation (Sturtian and Marinoan glaciations) separated by a non-glacial interval, which was characterized by early radiations of eukaryotic algae and putative metazoans. Geochemical data indicate that the non-glacial interval might be marked by a transient marine oxygenation, nevertheless oceanic redox conditions varied both in time and space. Further, the links between non-glacial climate and marine redox variations are not well constrained. Here we present high-resolution lithium isotope (δ7Li), Fe speciation and trace element (Mo and U) data for clastic sedimentary rocks from the Cryogenian interglacial Datangpo Formation, South China, in order to track the evolution of continental chemical silicate weathering and driving factors behind marine redox variability during the Cryogenian non-glacial interval. A significantly negative δ7Li excursion of ∼−5‰ is observed in the basal Datangpo Formation, suggesting a dramatic increase in chemical silicate weathering intensity in the aftermath of the Sturtian glaciation. Expansion and contraction of anoxic-sulfidic conditions, as demonstrated by Fe speciation and trace element (Mo and U) data, mirror changes in silicate weathering intensity. Our study provides evidence that greater nutrient and sulfate availability, due to high silicate weathering intensity associated with increased exposure of fresh rocks and a warm climate, facilitated the spread of euxinic waters over the continental margins of the otherwise ferruginous Cryogenian ocean.