The great palaeontological achievements of the Russian scientists Amalitsky and Sobolev,who worked in Russia and Poland at the turn of nineteenth and twentieth centuries,have previously been outlined in detail.However...The great palaeontological achievements of the Russian scientists Amalitsky and Sobolev,who worked in Russia and Poland at the turn of nineteenth and twentieth centuries,have previously been outlined in detail.However,their original and surprisingly modern concepts of the development of life on earth have received far less attention.Amalitsky was one of the first scholars who considered the intimate relationship between floral and faunal evolution and the interdependence between a developing biosphere and geological processes.In fact,he documented,for the first time,the existence of a single palaeobiogeographical province during the Permian Period,which we now refer to as the supercontinent Pangaea.In 1896,Amalitsky’s main idea was that there were extended periods of gradual change in topography and biosphere of the earth,but that it was orogenic activity that had a marked impact on biotic crises.His pupil at Warsaw University,Sobolev,followed up on his work,and in fact came up with the theory of neocatastrophism in 1928.Thus,Amalitsky’s model predates the concept of cyclic evolution of the biosphere in dependence on orogenic cycles,with a prime role for volcanism,which is currently well known as the“volcanic greenhouse”.Sobolev also recognised four main mass extinctions,i.e.,the late Ordovician,the late Devonian,the late Triassic and the Cretaceous/Paleogene ones,but somehow he‘missed out on’the end-Permian catastrophe.展开更多
Cambrian carbonates with abundant fossils of agnostoid trilobites deposited on the southern slope （Jiangnan slope belt） of the Yangtze Platform and in the Jiangnan deepwater basin are well exposed in the Wangeun Sec...Cambrian carbonates with abundant fossils of agnostoid trilobites deposited on the southern slope （Jiangnan slope belt） of the Yangtze Platform and in the Jiangnan deepwater basin are well exposed in the Wangeun Section of western Hunan, South China, and in the Duibian A Section of western Zhejiang, southeastern China, respectively. To better understand the response of carbonisotope excursions to depositional environment changes, mass extinctions and eustatic events, we collected 530 carbonate samples in fresh roadcut exposures of the two measured sections for analysis of carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions. Data of δ^13C from the Wangcun Section, western Hunan, South China, demonstrate that the Cambrian carbon-isotope profile includes three remarkable positive excursions CPEwc-1, 2, 3 in the Upper Series 2, in the Lower and in the Middle Furongian Series. Three distinctive negative excursions CNEwc,-1, 2, 3 were separately tested in the Lower Terreneuvian Series, Lower Series 3 and in the Upper Furongian Series. Similarly, in the corresponding horizons in the Duibian A Section, Zhejiang Province, southeastern China, three positive excursions CPEdb-1, 2, 3 and three negative excursions CNEdb-1, 2, 3 also have been discovered. We interpret these significant carbon-isotope excursions as being associated with enhanced biogenic prodnctivity, mass extinctions and eustatic events.展开更多
This paper reassesses published interpretation that beef and cone-in-cone （B-CIC） fibrous calcite cements were precipitated contemporaneously just below the sea floor in uncon- solidated sediment, in limestones asso...This paper reassesses published interpretation that beef and cone-in-cone （B-CIC） fibrous calcite cements were precipitated contemporaneously just below the sea floor in uncon- solidated sediment, in limestones associated with the end-Permian （P/T） and end-Triassic （T/J） mass extinctions. That interpretation introduced the concept of a sub-seafloor car- bonate factory associated with ocean acidification by raised carbon dioxide driven by volcanic eruption, coinciding with mass extinction. However, our new fieldwork and petrographic analysis, with literature comparison, reveals several problems with this concept. Two key points based on evidence in the T/J transition of the UK are： （I） that B-CIC calcite deposits form thin scattered layers and lenses at several horizons, not a distinct deposit associated with volcanic activity; and （2） B-CIC calcite is more common in Early Jurassic sediments after the extinction and after the end of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province volcanism proposed to have supplied the carbon dioxide required. Our samples from Late Triassic, Early Jurassic and Early Cretaceous limestones in southern UK show that B-CIC calcite occurs in both marine and non-marine sediments, therefore ocean processes are not mandatory for its formation. There is no proof that fibrous calcite was formed before lithification, but our Early Jurassic samples do prove fibrous calcite formed after compaction, thus interpretation of crystal growth in uncon- solidated sediment is problematic. Furthermore, B-CIC crystals mostly grew both upwards and downwards equally, contradicting the interpretation of the novel carbonate factory that they grew preferentially upwards in soft sediment. Finally, Early Jurassic and Early Cretaceous examples are not associated with mass extinction. Three further key points derived from the literature include： （I） B-CIC calcite is wide- spread geographically and stratigraphically, not clustered around mass extinctions or the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum （PETM） event; （2） isotope signatures suggest B-CIC calcite formed under high pressure in burial at 70-120℃, incompatible with interpretation of formation of B-CIC calcite at the redox boundary below the ocean floor; and （3） B-CIC calcite reported in P/T boundary microbialites in one site in Iran is the only occurrence known despite extensive published studies of similar shallow marine settings, demon- strating its formation is localized to the Iran site. Based on the above evidence, our opinion is that B-CIC calcite is best explained as a later diagenetic feature unrelated to rapid Earth-surface environmental change associated with mass extinctions; thus a novel carbonate factory is highly unlikely.展开更多
The End-Permian mass extinction(EPME),Earth’s most severe biocrisis,occurred proximal to the Permian-Triassic Boundary(PTB),with marine ecosystems experiencing catastrophic collapse.This study employs stable carbon(...The End-Permian mass extinction(EPME),Earth’s most severe biocrisis,occurred proximal to the Permian-Triassic Boundary(PTB),with marine ecosystems experiencing catastrophic collapse.This study employs stable carbon(δ^(13)C)and oxygen isotopes from marine carbonates in the Haidai Section(Xuanwei,northeastern Yunnan)to decipher paleoenvironmental drivers.The well-preserved stratigraphic sequence encompasses the Upper Permian(Yangxin and Xuanwei Formations)transitioning into the Lower Triassic(Feixianguan and Jialingjiang Formations),providing a continuous marine sedimentary archive.A marked negativeδ^(13)C excursion(-9.66‰V-PDB)occurs at the PTB,initiating from+0.82‰with subsequent gradual recovery.This geochemical signature correlates with:90%reduction in primary productivity Biodiversity collapse exhibiting cluster extinction patterns Prolonged suppression of ecological recovery Concurrently,reconstructed seawater temperatures reveal extreme thermal fluctuations,surging from 23℃to 32℃at the PTB before precipitously declining to 16℃.These perturbations demonstrate coupled biogeochemical dynamics wherein:•Carbon cycle destabilization disrupted nutrient fluxes.•Temperature oscillations exceeded marine taxa thermal tolerances.•Synergistic environmental stresses amplified extinction selectivity.Theδ^(13)C-temperature covariance(r^(2)=0.085)establishes mechanistic linkages between physicochemical perturbations and biotic responses.Our findings demonstrate that the EPME was driven by positive feedback loops in which:Volcanic CO₂emissions triggered carbonate saturation decline Thermal stratification exacerbated anoxia Biogeochemical cycling perturbations suppressed primary producers This integrated geochemical record from the Haidai Section provides critical insights into environment-organism coevolution during Phanerozoic Earth’s most profound mass extinction.展开更多
Climate change is a natural phenomenon.Over the past billions of years,Earth’s climate has experienced many ice and warm periods.These changes have created various environments,directly benefiting and disadvantaging ...Climate change is a natural phenomenon.Over the past billions of years,Earth’s climate has experienced many ice and warm periods.These changes have created various environments,directly benefiting and disadvantaging certain species,eventually leding to extinction and evolutionary diversification through natural selection.However,rapid and drastic changes in Earth’s climate could be destructive and may lead to mass extinction.It is generally believed that four of the five mass extinction events were caused by drastic changes in the level of atmospheric greenhouse gases.In the recent period(the Anthropocene epoch),when human activi-ties began to significantly impact the Earth’s climate,numerous pieces of scientific evidence indicate that anthropogenic activities are associated with the extinction of plants and animals and may lead to the sixth mass extinction.However,some scientists deny the pos-sibility of the 6th mass extinction.Therefore,there is an urgent need to comprehensively review the impact of anthropogenic global warming on our natural environment.This article reviews the scientific evidence of the synergistic impact and chain effects of anthro-pogenic global warming on ecosystems and living organisms on Earth.It earnestly attempts to summarize relevant data published for specific research questions to improve the understanding of diverse evidence.This helps clarify the current state of research and rai-ses public awareness of the impact of anthropogenic global warming on all stakeholders on Earth.展开更多
Gastropods,as one of the most common invertebrates in shallow marine environments,were heavily impacted by the Permian–Triassic mass extinction(PTME),with severe loss of diversity and remarkable dwarfism of body size...Gastropods,as one of the most common invertebrates in shallow marine environments,were heavily impacted by the Permian–Triassic mass extinction(PTME),with severe loss of diversity and remarkable dwarfism of body size.Here,we report a new gastropod fauna from the Permian-Triassic carbonates of Zuodeng,Guangxi Province,South China.Five species belonging to five genera and two indeterminate taxa are identified.The Zuodeng fauna is dominated by Paleozoic holdover taxa,including Holopea teres,Protostylus sp.,and Wannerispira shangganensis although most of them are found in the basal Triassic microbialites.Three gastropod communities have been recognized by cluster analysis.Further morphological analyses show that the changing pattern of disparity,with diversity decreasing from communityⅡtoⅢ,fits the interior-reduction model.In addition,the morphospace of community in microbialites is higher than those in non-microbialite bearing beds at Zuodeng,shedding new light on the ecological role of microbialites during the Permian–Triassic environmental stress.展开更多
The widespread microbialites deposition that followed the End-Permian mass extinction in the Tethyan realm have been intensively studied because of the evidence they provide on the nature of this crisis and its afterm...The widespread microbialites deposition that followed the End-Permian mass extinction in the Tethyan realm have been intensively studied because of the evidence they provide on the nature of this crisis and its aftermath. However, the age of the microbialite event remains controversial. New conodont collection across the Permian–Triassic（P–T） transition from Dajiang（Guizhou Province, South China） in this study enable us to discriminate four conodont zones, in ascending order, they are： Hindeodus parvus zone, Isarcicella lobata zone, Isarcicella isarcica zone and Hindeodus sosioensis zone. The age of microbialite in the P–T transition at the Dajiang Section is considered to be within the Hindeodus parvus zone and thus to clearly post-date the main extinction crisis. Reviewing the age of onset of microbialites throughout the Tethyan regions reveals two different ages： a Hindeodus changxingensis zone age is dominant in south-western and westernmost Tethys, whilst most other regions show microbialite deposition began in the Hindeodus parvus zone. Our investigation also indicates that two conodont changes occur at this time： an increase of hindeodid species immediately following a sequence boundary and the mass extinction, and a phase of extinction losses in the earliest Triassic Isarcicella isarcica zone during highstand development.展开更多
This paper discusses the clayrocks widespread at the Permian-Triassic boundary, which are mostly of volcanic origin. Volcanogenetic textures, structures and minerals such as high-temperature quartz are found in clayro...This paper discusses the clayrocks widespread at the Permian-Triassic boundary, which are mostly of volcanic origin. Volcanogenetic textures, structures and minerals such as high-temperature quartz are found in clayrocks at the Permian-Triassic boundary in many places. Thousands of microspherules have been collected from the Boundary clayrocks, many of which exhibit the typical features of the process from melting to cooling and solidification. indicating that they were formed by volcanic eruption or extraterrestrial impact. Volcanic effects on the Permian-Triassic mass extinction may be reflected in conodonts, algae and ammonoids. The Boundary clayrocks are found in many Permian-Triassic sections along the coast of Tethys. Their orighin remains to be studied.展开更多
With the method of differential optical absorption spectroscopy （DOAS）, average concentrations of aerosol particles along light path were measured with a flashlight source in Chiba area during the period of one mont...With the method of differential optical absorption spectroscopy （DOAS）, average concentrations of aerosol particles along light path were measured with a flashlight source in Chiba area during the period of one month. The optical thickness at 550 nm is compared with the concentration of ground-measured suspended particulate matter （SPM）. Good correlations are found between the DOAS and SPM data, leading to the determination of the aerosol mass extinction efficiency （MEE） to be possible in the lower troposphere. The average MEE value is about 7.6m^2.g^-1 , and the parameter exhibits a good correlation with the particle size as determined from the wavelength dependence of the DOAS signal intensity.展开更多
Various environmental changes were associated with the Permian-Triassic mass extinction at 252.2 Ma. Diverse unusual sediments and depositional phenomena have been uncovered as responses to environmental and biotic ch...Various environmental changes were associated with the Permian-Triassic mass extinction at 252.2 Ma. Diverse unusual sediments and depositional phenomena have been uncovered as responses to environmental and biotic changes. Lithological and detailed conodont biostratigraphic correlations within six Permian-Triassic boundary sections in South China indicate rapid fluctuations in carbonate deposition. Four distinct depositional phases can be recognized： （1） normal carbonate deposition on the platform and slope during the latest Permian; （2） reduced carbonate deposition at the on- set of the main extinction horizon; （3） expanded areas of carbonate deposition during the Hindeodus changxingsensis Zone to the H. parvus Zone; and （4） persistent mud-enriched carbonate deposition in the aftermath of the Permian-Triassic transition. Although availability of skeletal carbonate was significantly reduced during the mass extinction, the increase in carbonate deposition did not behave the same way. The rapid carbonate depositional changes, presented in this study, suggest that diverse environmental changes played key roles in the carbonate deposition of the Permian-Triassic mass extinction and onset of its aftermath. An overview of hypotheses to explain these changes implies enhanced terrestrial input, abnormal ocean circulation and various geobiological processes contributed to carbonate saturation fluctuations, as the sedimentary response to large volcanic eruptions.展开更多
Shaw's method used to correlate 40 sections across the Permo-Triassic boundary in South China is applied in the paper. Two steps are adopted to get an Integral Composite Section (ICS) by synthesizing these data : ...Shaw's method used to correlate 40 sections across the Permo-Triassic boundary in South China is applied in the paper. Two steps are adopted to get an Integral Composite Section (ICS) by synthesizing these data : First , South China is divided into five areas and composite section developed for each area . Then the second step . the Changxing composite section is regarded as a composite standard (CSRS) while the ICS is produced by matching the CSRS with composite sections of the other areas. Three biozones in the Changxingian and two biozones in the Griesbachian can be discerned on the basis of computing Z values in the ICS. These biozones are marked by the Z values which quantitatively represent their time ranges ; therefore , they may increase accuracy of stratigraphic time correlation . The mass extinction at the end of the Permian is an abrupt event that is supported by the relative rate of extinction near the P/T boundary . About 90% of invertebrate species died out by the end of the Permian . The duration of the mass extinction is rather short ,approximately 0.018Ma .展开更多
The rugosan fauna from the Guanyinqiao Bed （latest Ordovician, Hirnantian） of northern Guizhou, China is known to belong to the cold or cool-water type corals. The components of the fauna are solitary corals only, a...The rugosan fauna from the Guanyinqiao Bed （latest Ordovician, Hirnantian） of northern Guizhou, China is known to belong to the cold or cool-water type corals. The components of the fauna are solitary corals only, and corallite septa are generally strongly dilated, especially the streptelasmatid corals are dominant comprising 98% of the whole fauna. The Guanyinqiao Bed is rich in rugosans of 18 genera, which are streptelasnmtid Streptelasma （=Helicelasma）, Brachyelasma, Amplexobrachyelasma, Salvadorea, Grewingkia, Borelasma, CrassUasma, Leolasma, KenophyUum, UUernelasma, Paramplexoides, Siphonolasma, Pycnactoides, Dalmanophyllum, Bodophyllum, Axiphoria, Lambeophyllum and cystiphyllid Sinkiangolasma. Although this fauna was fairly abundant in a confined area （northern-northeastern Guizhou, southern Sichuan） during the Hirnantian age, the rugosan mass extinction （generic extinction rate 81%） happened at the end of the Hirnantian Stage. It is conduded that the mass extinction is related to the ending of maximum glaciation and ice cap melting in Gondwana in the southern hemisphere in the latest Hirnantian, resulting in rapid global sea-level rise in the earliest Silurian. In the Upper Yangtze Basin, the sea bottom environments were replaced by anoxic and warmer water during that time, so that the cool-water type rugosan became extinct. The present paper attempts to revise some already described rugose coral genera and species （He, 1978, 1985） and to supplement a few new forms from the Guanyinqiao Bed. Fourteen species of 12 genera are re-described and illustrated, of which one species- Grewingkia latifossulata is new. As a whole, the rugosan fauna of the Guanyinqiao Bed may be correlated with those contemporaneous of North Europe, Estonia and North America, indicating a dose biogeographic affinity to North Europe.展开更多
The end-Triassic （also Triassic-Jurassic） mass extinction severely affected life on planet Earth 200 million years ago. Paleoclimate change triggered by the volcanic eruptions of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Provin...The end-Triassic （also Triassic-Jurassic） mass extinction severely affected life on planet Earth 200 million years ago. Paleoclimate change triggered by the volcanic eruptions of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province （CAMP） caused a great loss of marine biodiversity, among which 96% coral genera were get lost. However, there is precious little detail on the paleoecology and growth forms lost between the latest Triassic extinction and the Early Jurassic recovery. Here a new pilot study was conducted by analyzing corallite integration levels among corals from the latest Triassic and Early Jurassic times. Integration levels in corals from the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic were determined through both the Paleobiology Database as well as from a comprehensive museum collection of fossil corals. Results suggest that in addition to a major loss of diversity following the end-Triassic mass extinction, there also was a significant loss of highly integrated corals as clearly evidenced by the coral data from the Early Jurassic. This confirms our hypothesis of paleoecological selectivity for corals following the end-Triassic mass extinction. This study highlights the importance of assigning sim- ple to advanced paleoecological characters with integration levels, which opens a useful approach to understanding of mass extinction and the dynamics of the recovery.展开更多
The Late Ordovician mass extinction(LOME)was the first global extinction with the destruction of 85%of marine species.However,the cause of LOME is still controversial.Most studies attribute it to large-scale volcanism...The Late Ordovician mass extinction(LOME)was the first global extinction with the destruction of 85%of marine species.However,the cause of LOME is still controversial.Most studies attribute it to large-scale volcanism caused by global cooling or warming.Through analyzing the driving difference between global cooling and warming on large-scale magmatism,the perspective is intended to evoke a hot discussion on the cause of LOME.Did global cooling or warming trigger the LOME?展开更多
Over the past 500 million years in Earth's history,five mass extinctions("Big Five")have been identified,each with an extinction rate of exceeding 75%of marine species[1].Abrupt climatic and environmenta...Over the past 500 million years in Earth's history,five mass extinctions("Big Five")have been identified,each with an extinction rate of exceeding 75%of marine species[1].Abrupt climatic and environmental changes attributed to intra-or extraterrestrial events were proposed to cause these mass extinctions.Today the world is likely facing an ongoing biotic crisis,the socalled sixth mass extinction[2],due to the accelerated climate and environmental changes resulting from various anthropogenic activities.It is estimated that the average rate of vertebrate species loss in the last century is 100 times greater than the background rate[2].Deciphering the causes and mechanisms of past mass extinctions therefore is of great importance,as it provides critical knowledge for understanding the pattern and underlying mechanism of current biodiversity loss.展开更多
Extreme gravitational collapse is explored by utilizing two fundamental properties and one reasonable assumption, which together lead logically to an end-state gravitating structure. This structure, called a Terminal ...Extreme gravitational collapse is explored by utilizing two fundamental properties and one reasonable assumption, which together lead logically to an end-state gravitating structure. This structure, called a Terminal state neutron star, manifests nature’s ultimate density of mass and possesses the ultimate electromagnetic barrier. It is then shown how this structure is central to the remarkable mechanism whereby the density is prevented from going higher. A simple process assures that such density is not exceeded—regardless of the quantity of additional mass. As an example, the discourse focuses on the expected progression and outcome when a compact star of <img src="Edit_2c290d68-3330-4724-9e68-e7f1c9d3df1a.png" width="25" height="15" alt="" />—far more mass than can be accommodated by the basic Terminal state structure—undergoes total gravitational collapse. An examination of what happens to the considerable excess mass leads the discussion to the <i>principle of mass extinction by the process of aether deprivation</i> and its profound implications for black-hole physics and the current revolution in cosmology.展开更多
The miniaturization of organisms during the Permian-Triassic mass extinction,as an ecological strategy in response to environmental devastation,has been widely recognized in diverse marine invertebrates.Previous studi...The miniaturization of organisms during the Permian-Triassic mass extinction,as an ecological strategy in response to environmental devastation,has been widely recognized in diverse marine invertebrates.Previous studies on the extinction process and miniaturization of foraminifers in the Permian-Triassic interval have relied on the fossil record of the low-latitude Paleotethys or a global database,although data and materials from the high-latitude Neotethys region are still rare.To reveal the evolutionary patterns and spatial variability of foraminifers at different latitudes and paleogeographic contexts,here we investigated the fossil distribution and size variation of foraminifers in the Selong Section of southern Xizang,located in the mid-latitude Neotethys of the Southern Hemisphere during the Permian-Triassic transition.The results show that the foraminifer of the Selong Section experienced a two-pulsed extinction(total species extinction rate of 71%),consistent with the time in South China but with a lower magnitude of extinction.Meanwhile,the data show that foraminiferal test volume was significantly miniaturized following the first pulse of extinction event:the mean size of post-extinction foraminifer was only 15%of that in the pre-extinction,mainly reflected by the disappearance of large forms as well as occurrences of smaller survivors and originators.Combined with the South China record,size data from southern Xizang indicate that the miniaturization of foraminifera is synchronous in the Paleotethys and Neotethys but smaller in magnitude in the Neotethys.We propose that ocean anoxia and acidification may be the environmental pressures leading to local and global foraminiferal miniaturizations,along with global warming,which might play a dominant role.展开更多
One caveat to the dinosaur’s extinction is the conclusion that avian dinosaurs survived and became ancestors of birds. Their mobility enabled them to migrate great distances and find the nutrients needed to survive. ...One caveat to the dinosaur’s extinction is the conclusion that avian dinosaurs survived and became ancestors of birds. Their mobility enabled them to migrate great distances and find the nutrients needed to survive. Given this scenario, could the current observable migration of birds (the “dinosaurian offspring”) now be related? Migration is the regular seasonal movement undertaken by many species of birds, with the most common pattern, flying north in the Northern spring to breed in the temperate or Arctic summer and returning in the Northern autumn to wintering grounds in warmer regions of the south. The primary motivation for migration appears to be food. None of the major North-South migratory pathways fly over the Caribbean but three main fly ways, past to the west of the theorized K-T impact centre. Due to their ability to fly, the “avian Dinosaurs” adapted and survived very quickly in response to the disaster that marked the K-T boundary. It is an interesting speculation that the avian migration that we witness today is rooted in an event that occurred 66 million years ago! But it does explain why the migratory birds mostly fly from Polar summer to polar summer when they could just be as easily fly from Polar zone to the warmer equatorial region and back. In the recent article in Nature by Melanie During about identifying the late spring timing of the “Astro disaster”, it can be cited as consistent with my speculation. A late April early May Impact as suggested by During would have seen these migrations completely. The western migratory routes would have been found to be “luxurious” in vegetation in that first northern autumn after the “Astro-impact” while all eastern routes would have still been barren.展开更多
Fullerenes (C 60 /C 70 ), clays and rocks near the Permian-Triassic (P/T) boundary in the Meishan section of South China are explored by means of comprehensive analytical techniques, including ultrasonic extraction wi...Fullerenes (C 60 /C 70 ), clays and rocks near the Permian-Triassic (P/T) boundary in the Meishan section of South China are explored by means of comprehensive analytical techniques, including ultrasonic extraction with column purification, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of- flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS). The study confirms the existence of fullerenes toward the P/T event boundary and their absence in clays and limestones beyond the boundary. In particular, the white clay, known as the event boundary, contains fullerenes of 0.33 ppb, while the red material, as the first lamina fill of goethite and gypsum on the base of the white clay, contains fullerenes of 1.23 ppb, and the last lamina of 2.50 ppb. Significantly, distinct enrichment of fullerenes is coincident with the disappearance of fossil records of marine species (94%) just at the base of the white clay, implying that geological fullerenes would be one of temporal remnants led by the P/T catastrophic event. This work strongly supports that fullerenes would be one of significant records of the P/T catastrophic event but their origin remains to be studied further.展开更多
A series of biomarkers were identified in the aliphafic and aromatic fractions of the extracts from Late Permian Dalong （大隆） and Wujiaping （吴家坪） formations in Shangsi （上寺） Section, Northeast Sichuan （四...A series of biomarkers were identified in the aliphafic and aromatic fractions of the extracts from Late Permian Dalong （大隆） and Wujiaping （吴家坪） formations in Shangsi （上寺） Section, Northeast Sichuan （四川）, South China, on the basis of the analysis of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MC）. The dominance of lower-molecular-weight n-alkanes throughout the profile suggests the dominant contribution of algae and bacteria to the organics preserved in the marine section. Wujiaping Formation is characterized by the elevated contribution from algae as well as other photoautotrophs such as photosynthetic bacteria as shown by the molecular ratios of hopanes to steranes or tricyclic terpanes as well as the ratio of pristane （Pr） and phytane （Ph） to C17 and C18 n-alkanes. This is in accord with the data from the microscopic measurement on the calcareous algae. In contrast, Dalong Formation is featured by enhanced contribution from bacteria and probably terrestrial organics indicated by the enhanced C24 tetracyclic terpanes relative to tricyclic terpanes. The two formations also show a distinct discrimination in sedimentary environmental conditions including redox condition and salinity. The anoxic condition was only found in the middle of the Dalong Formation as shown by the ratios of Pr/Ph and dibenzothiophene to phenanthrene, consistent with the reported data of Mo and U. An enhanced salinity indicated by the homohopane index is observed at the shallow Wujiaping Formation. On the basis of the composition of primary productivity and the redox condition, Dalong Formation is proposed, herein, to be potential hydrocarbon source rocks in the study site. It is notable that the topmost end-Permian is characterized by a large perturbauce in both the redox condition and salinity, with oxic conditions being frequently interrupted by short-term anoxia, likely showing a causal relationship with the episodic biotic crisis across the Permian-Triassic boundary.展开更多
文摘The great palaeontological achievements of the Russian scientists Amalitsky and Sobolev,who worked in Russia and Poland at the turn of nineteenth and twentieth centuries,have previously been outlined in detail.However,their original and surprisingly modern concepts of the development of life on earth have received far less attention.Amalitsky was one of the first scholars who considered the intimate relationship between floral and faunal evolution and the interdependence between a developing biosphere and geological processes.In fact,he documented,for the first time,the existence of a single palaeobiogeographical province during the Permian Period,which we now refer to as the supercontinent Pangaea.In 1896,Amalitsky’s main idea was that there were extended periods of gradual change in topography and biosphere of the earth,but that it was orogenic activity that had a marked impact on biotic crises.His pupil at Warsaw University,Sobolev,followed up on his work,and in fact came up with the theory of neocatastrophism in 1928.Thus,Amalitsky’s model predates the concept of cyclic evolution of the biosphere in dependence on orogenic cycles,with a prime role for volcanism,which is currently well known as the“volcanic greenhouse”.Sobolev also recognised four main mass extinctions,i.e.,the late Ordovician,the late Devonian,the late Triassic and the Cretaceous/Paleogene ones,but somehow he‘missed out on’the end-Permian catastrophe.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.41672028,41672002,41330101,41221001)
文摘Cambrian carbonates with abundant fossils of agnostoid trilobites deposited on the southern slope （Jiangnan slope belt） of the Yangtze Platform and in the Jiangnan deepwater basin are well exposed in the Wangeun Section of western Hunan, South China, and in the Duibian A Section of western Zhejiang, southeastern China, respectively. To better understand the response of carbonisotope excursions to depositional environment changes, mass extinctions and eustatic events, we collected 530 carbonate samples in fresh roadcut exposures of the two measured sections for analysis of carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions. Data of δ^13C from the Wangcun Section, western Hunan, South China, demonstrate that the Cambrian carbon-isotope profile includes three remarkable positive excursions CPEwc-1, 2, 3 in the Upper Series 2, in the Lower and in the Middle Furongian Series. Three distinctive negative excursions CNEwc,-1, 2, 3 were separately tested in the Lower Terreneuvian Series, Lower Series 3 and in the Upper Furongian Series. Similarly, in the corresponding horizons in the Duibian A Section, Zhejiang Province, southeastern China, three positive excursions CPEdb-1, 2, 3 and three negative excursions CNEdb-1, 2, 3 also have been discovered. We interpret these significant carbon-isotope excursions as being associated with enhanced biogenic prodnctivity, mass extinctions and eustatic events.
文摘This paper reassesses published interpretation that beef and cone-in-cone （B-CIC） fibrous calcite cements were precipitated contemporaneously just below the sea floor in uncon- solidated sediment, in limestones associated with the end-Permian （P/T） and end-Triassic （T/J） mass extinctions. That interpretation introduced the concept of a sub-seafloor car- bonate factory associated with ocean acidification by raised carbon dioxide driven by volcanic eruption, coinciding with mass extinction. However, our new fieldwork and petrographic analysis, with literature comparison, reveals several problems with this concept. Two key points based on evidence in the T/J transition of the UK are： （I） that B-CIC calcite deposits form thin scattered layers and lenses at several horizons, not a distinct deposit associated with volcanic activity; and （2） B-CIC calcite is more common in Early Jurassic sediments after the extinction and after the end of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province volcanism proposed to have supplied the carbon dioxide required. Our samples from Late Triassic, Early Jurassic and Early Cretaceous limestones in southern UK show that B-CIC calcite occurs in both marine and non-marine sediments, therefore ocean processes are not mandatory for its formation. There is no proof that fibrous calcite was formed before lithification, but our Early Jurassic samples do prove fibrous calcite formed after compaction, thus interpretation of crystal growth in uncon- solidated sediment is problematic. Furthermore, B-CIC crystals mostly grew both upwards and downwards equally, contradicting the interpretation of the novel carbonate factory that they grew preferentially upwards in soft sediment. Finally, Early Jurassic and Early Cretaceous examples are not associated with mass extinction. Three further key points derived from the literature include： （I） B-CIC calcite is wide- spread geographically and stratigraphically, not clustered around mass extinctions or the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum （PETM） event; （2） isotope signatures suggest B-CIC calcite formed under high pressure in burial at 70-120℃, incompatible with interpretation of formation of B-CIC calcite at the redox boundary below the ocean floor; and （3） B-CIC calcite reported in P/T boundary microbialites in one site in Iran is the only occurrence known despite extensive published studies of similar shallow marine settings, demon- strating its formation is localized to the Iran site. Based on the above evidence, our opinion is that B-CIC calcite is best explained as a later diagenetic feature unrelated to rapid Earth-surface environmental change associated with mass extinctions; thus a novel carbonate factory is highly unlikely.
基金supported by the Scientific Research Fund of the Education Department of Yunnan Province(Grant Number:2019J0488).
文摘The End-Permian mass extinction(EPME),Earth’s most severe biocrisis,occurred proximal to the Permian-Triassic Boundary(PTB),with marine ecosystems experiencing catastrophic collapse.This study employs stable carbon(δ^(13)C)and oxygen isotopes from marine carbonates in the Haidai Section(Xuanwei,northeastern Yunnan)to decipher paleoenvironmental drivers.The well-preserved stratigraphic sequence encompasses the Upper Permian(Yangxin and Xuanwei Formations)transitioning into the Lower Triassic(Feixianguan and Jialingjiang Formations),providing a continuous marine sedimentary archive.A marked negativeδ^(13)C excursion(-9.66‰V-PDB)occurs at the PTB,initiating from+0.82‰with subsequent gradual recovery.This geochemical signature correlates with:90%reduction in primary productivity Biodiversity collapse exhibiting cluster extinction patterns Prolonged suppression of ecological recovery Concurrently,reconstructed seawater temperatures reveal extreme thermal fluctuations,surging from 23℃to 32℃at the PTB before precipitously declining to 16℃.These perturbations demonstrate coupled biogeochemical dynamics wherein:•Carbon cycle destabilization disrupted nutrient fluxes.•Temperature oscillations exceeded marine taxa thermal tolerances.•Synergistic environmental stresses amplified extinction selectivity.Theδ^(13)C-temperature covariance(r^(2)=0.085)establishes mechanistic linkages between physicochemical perturbations and biotic responses.Our findings demonstrate that the EPME was driven by positive feedback loops in which:Volcanic CO₂emissions triggered carbonate saturation decline Thermal stratification exacerbated anoxia Biogeochemical cycling perturbations suppressed primary producers This integrated geochemical record from the Haidai Section provides critical insights into environment-organism coevolution during Phanerozoic Earth’s most profound mass extinction.
基金supported by the Scientific Research Capacity Building Project for Beibu Gulf Marine Ecological Environment Field Observation and Research Station of Guangxi(No.23-026-271)the Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences in Guangxi Universities‘Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Center’the Pinglu Canal and Beibu Gulf Coastal Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi.
文摘Climate change is a natural phenomenon.Over the past billions of years,Earth’s climate has experienced many ice and warm periods.These changes have created various environments,directly benefiting and disadvantaging certain species,eventually leding to extinction and evolutionary diversification through natural selection.However,rapid and drastic changes in Earth’s climate could be destructive and may lead to mass extinction.It is generally believed that four of the five mass extinction events were caused by drastic changes in the level of atmospheric greenhouse gases.In the recent period(the Anthropocene epoch),when human activi-ties began to significantly impact the Earth’s climate,numerous pieces of scientific evidence indicate that anthropogenic activities are associated with the extinction of plants and animals and may lead to the sixth mass extinction.However,some scientists deny the pos-sibility of the 6th mass extinction.Therefore,there is an urgent need to comprehensively review the impact of anthropogenic global warming on our natural environment.This article reviews the scientific evidence of the synergistic impact and chain effects of anthro-pogenic global warming on ecosystems and living organisms on Earth.It earnestly attempts to summarize relevant data published for specific research questions to improve the understanding of diverse evidence.This helps clarify the current state of research and rai-ses public awareness of the impact of anthropogenic global warming on all stakeholders on Earth.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.41730320,42030513)。
文摘Gastropods,as one of the most common invertebrates in shallow marine environments,were heavily impacted by the Permian–Triassic mass extinction(PTME),with severe loss of diversity and remarkable dwarfism of body size.Here,we report a new gastropod fauna from the Permian-Triassic carbonates of Zuodeng,Guangxi Province,South China.Five species belonging to five genera and two indeterminate taxa are identified.The Zuodeng fauna is dominated by Paleozoic holdover taxa,including Holopea teres,Protostylus sp.,and Wannerispira shangganensis although most of them are found in the basal Triassic microbialites.Three gastropod communities have been recognized by cluster analysis.Further morphological analyses show that the changing pattern of disparity,with diversity decreasing from communityⅡtoⅢ,fits the interior-reduction model.In addition,the morphospace of community in microbialites is higher than those in non-microbialite bearing beds at Zuodeng,shedding new light on the ecological role of microbialites during the Permian–Triassic environmental stress.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 41172024, 41272044)the "973" Program (No. 2011CB808800)+2 种基金the "111" Project (No. B08030)the ‘Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China University of Geosciences (Wuhan)the State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (No. GBL11202)
文摘The widespread microbialites deposition that followed the End-Permian mass extinction in the Tethyan realm have been intensively studied because of the evidence they provide on the nature of this crisis and its aftermath. However, the age of the microbialite event remains controversial. New conodont collection across the Permian–Triassic（P–T） transition from Dajiang（Guizhou Province, South China） in this study enable us to discriminate four conodont zones, in ascending order, they are： Hindeodus parvus zone, Isarcicella lobata zone, Isarcicella isarcica zone and Hindeodus sosioensis zone. The age of microbialite in the P–T transition at the Dajiang Section is considered to be within the Hindeodus parvus zone and thus to clearly post-date the main extinction crisis. Reviewing the age of onset of microbialites throughout the Tethyan regions reveals two different ages： a Hindeodus changxingensis zone age is dominant in south-western and westernmost Tethys, whilst most other regions show microbialite deposition began in the Hindeodus parvus zone. Our investigation also indicates that two conodont changes occur at this time： an increase of hindeodid species immediately following a sequence boundary and the mass extinction, and a phase of extinction losses in the earliest Triassic Isarcicella isarcica zone during highstand development.
文摘This paper discusses the clayrocks widespread at the Permian-Triassic boundary, which are mostly of volcanic origin. Volcanogenetic textures, structures and minerals such as high-temperature quartz are found in clayrocks at the Permian-Triassic boundary in many places. Thousands of microspherules have been collected from the Boundary clayrocks, many of which exhibit the typical features of the process from melting to cooling and solidification. indicating that they were formed by volcanic eruption or extraterrestrial impact. Volcanic effects on the Permian-Triassic mass extinction may be reflected in conodonts, algae and ammonoids. The Boundary clayrocks are found in many Permian-Triassic sections along the coast of Tethys. Their orighin remains to be studied.
基金Project supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China （Grant No 10274080）.
文摘With the method of differential optical absorption spectroscopy （DOAS）, average concentrations of aerosol particles along light path were measured with a flashlight source in Chiba area during the period of one month. The optical thickness at 550 nm is compared with the concentration of ground-measured suspended particulate matter （SPM）. Good correlations are found between the DOAS and SPM data, leading to the determination of the aerosol mass extinction efficiency （MEE） to be possible in the lower troposphere. The average MEE value is about 7.6m^2.g^-1 , and the parameter exhibits a good correlation with the particle size as determined from the wavelength dependence of the DOAS signal intensity.
基金supported by the "973 Program" (No. 2011CB808800)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 41172312, 41272372, 41302010, 41402302)+1 种基金the State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (No. GKZ14Y663)the "111 Project" (No. B08030)
文摘Various environmental changes were associated with the Permian-Triassic mass extinction at 252.2 Ma. Diverse unusual sediments and depositional phenomena have been uncovered as responses to environmental and biotic changes. Lithological and detailed conodont biostratigraphic correlations within six Permian-Triassic boundary sections in South China indicate rapid fluctuations in carbonate deposition. Four distinct depositional phases can be recognized： （1） normal carbonate deposition on the platform and slope during the latest Permian; （2） reduced carbonate deposition at the on- set of the main extinction horizon; （3） expanded areas of carbonate deposition during the Hindeodus changxingsensis Zone to the H. parvus Zone; and （4） persistent mud-enriched carbonate deposition in the aftermath of the Permian-Triassic transition. Although availability of skeletal carbonate was significantly reduced during the mass extinction, the increase in carbonate deposition did not behave the same way. The rapid carbonate depositional changes, presented in this study, suggest that diverse environmental changes played key roles in the carbonate deposition of the Permian-Triassic mass extinction and onset of its aftermath. An overview of hypotheses to explain these changes implies enhanced terrestrial input, abnormal ocean circulation and various geobiological processes contributed to carbonate saturation fluctuations, as the sedimentary response to large volcanic eruptions.
文摘Shaw's method used to correlate 40 sections across the Permo-Triassic boundary in South China is applied in the paper. Two steps are adopted to get an Integral Composite Section (ICS) by synthesizing these data : First , South China is divided into five areas and composite section developed for each area . Then the second step . the Changxing composite section is regarded as a composite standard (CSRS) while the ICS is produced by matching the CSRS with composite sections of the other areas. Three biozones in the Changxingian and two biozones in the Griesbachian can be discerned on the basis of computing Z values in the ICS. These biozones are marked by the Z values which quantitatively represent their time ranges ; therefore , they may increase accuracy of stratigraphic time correlation . The mass extinction at the end of the Permian is an abrupt event that is supported by the relative rate of extinction near the P/T boundary . About 90% of invertebrate species died out by the end of the Permian . The duration of the mass extinction is rather short ,approximately 0.018Ma .
文摘The rugosan fauna from the Guanyinqiao Bed （latest Ordovician, Hirnantian） of northern Guizhou, China is known to belong to the cold or cool-water type corals. The components of the fauna are solitary corals only, and corallite septa are generally strongly dilated, especially the streptelasmatid corals are dominant comprising 98% of the whole fauna. The Guanyinqiao Bed is rich in rugosans of 18 genera, which are streptelasnmtid Streptelasma （=Helicelasma）, Brachyelasma, Amplexobrachyelasma, Salvadorea, Grewingkia, Borelasma, CrassUasma, Leolasma, KenophyUum, UUernelasma, Paramplexoides, Siphonolasma, Pycnactoides, Dalmanophyllum, Bodophyllum, Axiphoria, Lambeophyllum and cystiphyllid Sinkiangolasma. Although this fauna was fairly abundant in a confined area （northern-northeastern Guizhou, southern Sichuan） during the Hirnantian age, the rugosan mass extinction （generic extinction rate 81%） happened at the end of the Hirnantian Stage. It is conduded that the mass extinction is related to the ending of maximum glaciation and ice cap melting in Gondwana in the southern hemisphere in the latest Hirnantian, resulting in rapid global sea-level rise in the earliest Silurian. In the Upper Yangtze Basin, the sea bottom environments were replaced by anoxic and warmer water during that time, so that the cool-water type rugosan became extinct. The present paper attempts to revise some already described rugose coral genera and species （He, 1978, 1985） and to supplement a few new forms from the Guanyinqiao Bed. Fourteen species of 12 genera are re-described and illustrated, of which one species- Grewingkia latifossulata is new. As a whole, the rugosan fauna of the Guanyinqiao Bed may be correlated with those contemporaneous of North Europe, Estonia and North America, indicating a dose biogeographic affinity to North Europe.
文摘The end-Triassic （also Triassic-Jurassic） mass extinction severely affected life on planet Earth 200 million years ago. Paleoclimate change triggered by the volcanic eruptions of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province （CAMP） caused a great loss of marine biodiversity, among which 96% coral genera were get lost. However, there is precious little detail on the paleoecology and growth forms lost between the latest Triassic extinction and the Early Jurassic recovery. Here a new pilot study was conducted by analyzing corallite integration levels among corals from the latest Triassic and Early Jurassic times. Integration levels in corals from the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic were determined through both the Paleobiology Database as well as from a comprehensive museum collection of fossil corals. Results suggest that in addition to a major loss of diversity following the end-Triassic mass extinction, there also was a significant loss of highly integrated corals as clearly evidenced by the coral data from the Early Jurassic. This confirms our hypothesis of paleoecological selectivity for corals following the end-Triassic mass extinction. This study highlights the importance of assigning sim- ple to advanced paleoecological characters with integration levels, which opens a useful approach to understanding of mass extinction and the dynamics of the recovery.
文摘The Late Ordovician mass extinction(LOME)was the first global extinction with the destruction of 85%of marine species.However,the cause of LOME is still controversial.Most studies attribute it to large-scale volcanism caused by global cooling or warming.Through analyzing the driving difference between global cooling and warming on large-scale magmatism,the perspective is intended to evoke a hot discussion on the cause of LOME.Did global cooling or warming trigger the LOME?
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42025703,42325202,and 42277072)。
文摘Over the past 500 million years in Earth's history,five mass extinctions("Big Five")have been identified,each with an extinction rate of exceeding 75%of marine species[1].Abrupt climatic and environmental changes attributed to intra-or extraterrestrial events were proposed to cause these mass extinctions.Today the world is likely facing an ongoing biotic crisis,the socalled sixth mass extinction[2],due to the accelerated climate and environmental changes resulting from various anthropogenic activities.It is estimated that the average rate of vertebrate species loss in the last century is 100 times greater than the background rate[2].Deciphering the causes and mechanisms of past mass extinctions therefore is of great importance,as it provides critical knowledge for understanding the pattern and underlying mechanism of current biodiversity loss.
文摘Extreme gravitational collapse is explored by utilizing two fundamental properties and one reasonable assumption, which together lead logically to an end-state gravitating structure. This structure, called a Terminal state neutron star, manifests nature’s ultimate density of mass and possesses the ultimate electromagnetic barrier. It is then shown how this structure is central to the remarkable mechanism whereby the density is prevented from going higher. A simple process assures that such density is not exceeded—regardless of the quantity of additional mass. As an example, the discourse focuses on the expected progression and outcome when a compact star of <img src="Edit_2c290d68-3330-4724-9e68-e7f1c9d3df1a.png" width="25" height="15" alt="" />—far more mass than can be accommodated by the basic Terminal state structure—undergoes total gravitational collapse. An examination of what happens to the considerable excess mass leads the discussion to the <i>principle of mass extinction by the process of aether deprivation</i> and its profound implications for black-hole physics and the current revolution in cosmology.
基金supported by the State Key R&D Project of China(No.2023YFF0804000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.92155201,92255303)a BQR of the Universit'e de Bourgogne。
文摘The miniaturization of organisms during the Permian-Triassic mass extinction,as an ecological strategy in response to environmental devastation,has been widely recognized in diverse marine invertebrates.Previous studies on the extinction process and miniaturization of foraminifers in the Permian-Triassic interval have relied on the fossil record of the low-latitude Paleotethys or a global database,although data and materials from the high-latitude Neotethys region are still rare.To reveal the evolutionary patterns and spatial variability of foraminifers at different latitudes and paleogeographic contexts,here we investigated the fossil distribution and size variation of foraminifers in the Selong Section of southern Xizang,located in the mid-latitude Neotethys of the Southern Hemisphere during the Permian-Triassic transition.The results show that the foraminifer of the Selong Section experienced a two-pulsed extinction(total species extinction rate of 71%),consistent with the time in South China but with a lower magnitude of extinction.Meanwhile,the data show that foraminiferal test volume was significantly miniaturized following the first pulse of extinction event:the mean size of post-extinction foraminifer was only 15%of that in the pre-extinction,mainly reflected by the disappearance of large forms as well as occurrences of smaller survivors and originators.Combined with the South China record,size data from southern Xizang indicate that the miniaturization of foraminifera is synchronous in the Paleotethys and Neotethys but smaller in magnitude in the Neotethys.We propose that ocean anoxia and acidification may be the environmental pressures leading to local and global foraminiferal miniaturizations,along with global warming,which might play a dominant role.
文摘One caveat to the dinosaur’s extinction is the conclusion that avian dinosaurs survived and became ancestors of birds. Their mobility enabled them to migrate great distances and find the nutrients needed to survive. Given this scenario, could the current observable migration of birds (the “dinosaurian offspring”) now be related? Migration is the regular seasonal movement undertaken by many species of birds, with the most common pattern, flying north in the Northern spring to breed in the temperate or Arctic summer and returning in the Northern autumn to wintering grounds in warmer regions of the south. The primary motivation for migration appears to be food. None of the major North-South migratory pathways fly over the Caribbean but three main fly ways, past to the west of the theorized K-T impact centre. Due to their ability to fly, the “avian Dinosaurs” adapted and survived very quickly in response to the disaster that marked the K-T boundary. It is an interesting speculation that the avian migration that we witness today is rooted in an event that occurred 66 million years ago! But it does explain why the migratory birds mostly fly from Polar summer to polar summer when they could just be as easily fly from Polar zone to the warmer equatorial region and back. In the recent article in Nature by Melanie During about identifying the late spring timing of the “Astro disaster”, it can be cited as consistent with my speculation. A late April early May Impact as suggested by During would have seen these migrations completely. The western migratory routes would have been found to be “luxurious” in vegetation in that first northern autumn after the “Astro-impact” while all eastern routes would have still been barren.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.40072055,40232025) the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education(No.20040290005).
文摘Fullerenes (C 60 /C 70 ), clays and rocks near the Permian-Triassic (P/T) boundary in the Meishan section of South China are explored by means of comprehensive analytical techniques, including ultrasonic extraction with column purification, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of- flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS). The study confirms the existence of fullerenes toward the P/T event boundary and their absence in clays and limestones beyond the boundary. In particular, the white clay, known as the event boundary, contains fullerenes of 0.33 ppb, while the red material, as the first lamina fill of goethite and gypsum on the base of the white clay, contains fullerenes of 1.23 ppb, and the last lamina of 2.50 ppb. Significantly, distinct enrichment of fullerenes is coincident with the disappearance of fossil records of marine species (94%) just at the base of the white clay, implying that geological fullerenes would be one of temporal remnants led by the P/T catastrophic event. This work strongly supports that fullerenes would be one of significant records of the P/T catastrophic event but their origin remains to be studied further.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40730209)the SINOPEC project (G0800-06-ZS-319)
文摘A series of biomarkers were identified in the aliphafic and aromatic fractions of the extracts from Late Permian Dalong （大隆） and Wujiaping （吴家坪） formations in Shangsi （上寺） Section, Northeast Sichuan （四川）, South China, on the basis of the analysis of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MC）. The dominance of lower-molecular-weight n-alkanes throughout the profile suggests the dominant contribution of algae and bacteria to the organics preserved in the marine section. Wujiaping Formation is characterized by the elevated contribution from algae as well as other photoautotrophs such as photosynthetic bacteria as shown by the molecular ratios of hopanes to steranes or tricyclic terpanes as well as the ratio of pristane （Pr） and phytane （Ph） to C17 and C18 n-alkanes. This is in accord with the data from the microscopic measurement on the calcareous algae. In contrast, Dalong Formation is featured by enhanced contribution from bacteria and probably terrestrial organics indicated by the enhanced C24 tetracyclic terpanes relative to tricyclic terpanes. The two formations also show a distinct discrimination in sedimentary environmental conditions including redox condition and salinity. The anoxic condition was only found in the middle of the Dalong Formation as shown by the ratios of Pr/Ph and dibenzothiophene to phenanthrene, consistent with the reported data of Mo and U. An enhanced salinity indicated by the homohopane index is observed at the shallow Wujiaping Formation. On the basis of the composition of primary productivity and the redox condition, Dalong Formation is proposed, herein, to be potential hydrocarbon source rocks in the study site. It is notable that the topmost end-Permian is characterized by a large perturbauce in both the redox condition and salinity, with oxic conditions being frequently interrupted by short-term anoxia, likely showing a causal relationship with the episodic biotic crisis across the Permian-Triassic boundary.
