The Ediacaran Period records a significant turning point in the evolution of life on Earth,witnessing the rise to ecological dominance of macroscopic tissue-grade organisms.The Wenghui biota from the Doushantuo Format...The Ediacaran Period records a significant turning point in the evolution of life on Earth,witnessing the rise to ecological dominance of macroscopic tissue-grade organisms.The Wenghui biota from the Doushantuo Formation of South China hosts abundant multicellular algal macrofossils and problematica,some of which might be closely related to taxa from classic Late Ediacaran assemblages from South Australia and the White Sea biota of Russia.However,a lack of well-resolved isotopic age estimates has hampered efforts to constrain the timing of appearance of the Wenghui biota,obfuscating its significance to our understanding of Ediacaran macroevolution in the aftermath of the Snowball Earth events.Here,we present the first SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating results for samples obtained from a laminated tuff ash layer at the base of the Wenghui biota in the Doushantuo Formation,Jiangkou County,Tongren City,Guizhou Province,China.Our analyses yield an age of 595.4±5.3 Ma for the first appearance of Wenghui biota,suggesting that its appearance postdated that of the Lantian and Weng'an biotas,but preceded that of the Miaohe biota.These newly obtained age proxies offer an independent test of previous isotopic estimates for the age of the Wenghui biota,providing new chronostratigraphic evidence to map the succession of Ediacaran fossil assemblages on the Yangtze Platform during the Doushantuo interval.These data suggest that the Lantian,Weng'an,Wenghui,and Miaohe biotas may record a sequence of biotic assemblages attesting to successive phases in the radiation of Ediacaran macroscopic organisms,particularly macroalgae.展开更多
Among all established geological periods,the Ediacaran Period is the longest,lasting from 635 Ma to 541 Ma.It is within this 94 million years of geological history that the Earth was transformed from a world dominated...Among all established geological periods,the Ediacaran Period is the longest,lasting from 635 Ma to 541 Ma.It is within this 94 million years of geological history that the Earth was transformed from a world dominated by microbes to one increasingly influenced by animal activities.Important evolutionary innovations occurred in the Ediacaran Period,including the rise of macroscopic animals,complex ecological interactions,and metazoan biomineralization.Resolving the causes and consequences of these biological innovations is a major focus of recent geobiological investigations.However,without a solid geological time framework,Ediacaran workers are facing significant challenges in assembling the pieces of the puzzle from different parts of the world.To develop a better understanding of Ediacaran time and life,a group of 25 geologists,geochemists,sedimentologists,and paleontologists gathered together to examine the terminal Ediacaran Nama Group at a field workshop sponsored by IGCP 587“Identity,Facies and Time:The Ediacaran(Vendian)Puzzle”and the ICS Subcommission on Ediacaran Stratigraphy.展开更多
The Ediacaran Period follows the Cryogenian Period in the wake of a snowball Earth glaciation and precedes the Cambrian Period with its rising tide of animal radiation.It is also the longest among all stratigraphicall...The Ediacaran Period follows the Cryogenian Period in the wake of a snowball Earth glaciation and precedes the Cambrian Period with its rising tide of animal radiation.It is also the longest among all stratigraphically defined geological periods,lasting 94 million years(635–541 Ma).展开更多
The Neoproterozoic and Cambrian sequences of the Mount Lofty and Flinders ranges of South Australia record a crucial interval in the evolution of life and environments on Earth.This paper summarises the key characteri...The Neoproterozoic and Cambrian sequences of the Mount Lofty and Flinders ranges of South Australia record a crucial interval in the evolution of life and environments on Earth.This paper summarises the key characteristics of the Ediacaran succession of the Adelaide Geosyncline.Recent interest in the Neoproterozoic and Cambrian successions on all continents has been driven by a quest to better understand the causes and effects of the size revolution that saw the advent of multicellular organisms in the ocean.The principal role of the Neoproterozoic Subcommission has been to determine unique time boundaries that reflect evolutionary changes in the Earth system.Utilisation of a combination of geochemical,paleobiological and stratigraphic events,to offset the limitations of the Neoproterozoic paleontological record,is required to bracket this interval of Earth history.Fossils of the Cryogenian,Ediacaran and Cambrian document a series of unexpected quantum leaps in the size and diversity of life.展开更多
Shales of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation of South China contain a new disc-shaped macrofossil, Eoandromeda octobrachiata, characterized by eight spiral arms that were probably housed within an outer membrane. Alth...Shales of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation of South China contain a new disc-shaped macrofossil, Eoandromeda octobrachiata, characterized by eight spiral arms that were probably housed within an outer membrane. Although the presence of eight radiating structures entails a resemblance to cnidarian octocorals as well as to ctenophores, direct homologies with these extant groups are unlikely. Instead we bring attention to the helicospiral morphology of newly reported embryos from the Doushantuo Formation, suggesting that the long-sought adults of the Ediacaran embryonic metazoans have finally been found.展开更多
Secular variations of carbon isotopic composition of organic carbon can be used in the study of global environmental variation, the carbon cycle, stratigraphic delimitation, and biological evolution, etc. Organic carb...Secular variations of carbon isotopic composition of organic carbon can be used in the study of global environmental variation, the carbon cycle, stratigraphic delimitation, and biological evolution, etc. Organic carbon isotopic analysis of the Nangao and Zhalagou sections in eastern Gnizhou reveals a negative excursion near the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary that correlates with a distinct carbonate carbon isotopic negative excursion at this boundary globally. Our results also demonstrate that several alternating positive and negative shifts occur in the Meishucunian, and an obvious negative anomaly appears at the boundary between the Meishucunian and Qiongzhusian. The isotope values are stable in the middle and lower parts but became more positive in the upper part of the Qiongzhusian. Evolution of organic carbon isotopes from the two sections in the deepwater facies can be well correlated with that of the carbonate carbon isotopes from the section in the shallow water facies. Integrated with other stratigraphic tools, we can precisely establish a lower Cambrian stratigraphic framework from shallow sheff to deep basin of the Yangtze Platform.展开更多
Large acanthomorphic acritarchs have been found in chert of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation at several localities in South China, including the East Yangtze Gorges of Hubei Province,Weng＇an area of Guizhou Provinc...Large acanthomorphic acritarchs have been found in chert of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation at several localities in South China, including the East Yangtze Gorges of Hubei Province,Weng＇an area of Guizhou Province, and elsewhere. However, their potential for biostratigraphic subdivision and correlation of Ediacaran successions is limited by facies control, taphonomic biases,and taxonomic problems. In the Yangtze Gorges, the Doushantuo Formation is generally subdivided into four lithologic members. However, in the Weng＇an area, the Doushantuo Formation comprises just a lower and upper part separated by a mid-Doushantuo erosional surface. In the Yangtze Gorges at the Zhangcunping section, the Doushantuo succession is similar to that at Weng＇an. So far, the correlation between the Yangtze Gorges and Weng＇an area, and elsewhere has been an issue of debate. To resolvethe debate, we selected eight sections in the Yangtze Gorges area and systemically sampled chert nodules of the Doushantuo Formation, focusing in particular on the upper Doushantuo Formation. Our data confirm two different assemblages appearing separately in the second and third members, which are separated by a negative δ13C excursion （EN2）. The lower assemblage is characterized by Tianzhushania and a diverse suite of large acanthomorphic acritarchs. The upper assemblage is distinguished from the lower assemblage, by （1） absence of Tianzhushania; （2） occurrence of abundant,100-150 μm, smooth-walled spherical microfossils; （3） occurrence of highly diverse acanthomorphic acritarchs including species extending from the second member and new forms in this member; （4）occurrence of unnamed new forms of protist; and （5） occurrence of the tubular microfossil Sinocyclocylicus guizhouensis. Since the Tianzhushania-dominated assemblage is not present in Australia, it seems that only the upper acanthomorph assemblage is present and thus the lower Doushantuo acanthomorph assemblage is missing in Australia.展开更多
Phosphatic rocks are widely distributed in Neoproterozoic Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in Yangtze Gorges Area, South China. In this study, rare earth element geochemistry of eight phosphatic rock samples from the Hu...Phosphatic rocks are widely distributed in Neoproterozoic Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in Yangtze Gorges Area, South China. In this study, rare earth element geochemistry of eight phosphatic rock samples from the Hushan Section has been studied. All the samples display typical hat-shaped REE patterns, moderate negative Ce anomalies（Ce/Ce＊=0.55 to 0.67）, slightly positive Eu anomalies（Eu/Eu＊=1.05 to 1.22） and low Y/Ho ratios（38.2±5.6）. The hat-shaped REE patterns indicate diagenetic alteration of the primary REE signatures, which coincides with detrital siliciclastic sources of REE based on the Y/Ho ratios. The degree of Negative Ce anomalies and positive Eu anomalies may have recorded the redox features of diagenetic fluids, suggesting an anoxic environment during the phosphogenesis processes in Neoproterozoic Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation, South China. The geochemical comparison between the Lower Phosphorite Layer and Upper Phosphorite Layer at Hushan indicates a greater degree of diagenesis occurred in the Upper Layer than the Lower one. Besides the terrigenous sources of REE, organic materials could have also played a role on the REE characteristics.展开更多
The geochemistry and paleogeography of the Doushantuo succession in the Shennongjia area have been insufficiently studied. Here, we report on the carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of Ediacaran Doushantuo cap carb...The geochemistry and paleogeography of the Doushantuo succession in the Shennongjia area have been insufficiently studied. Here, we report on the carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of Ediacaran Doushantuo cap carbonates from four sections（Longxi, Muyu, Yazikou and Songluo） in the Shennongjia area. A large C-isotopic gradient（~5‰） between the Longxi and Songluo sections, here identified for the first time, is inferred to have been dynamically maintained by photosynthesis in surface waters and anaerobic oxidation of dissolved organic carbon（DOC） in deep waters. Spatial variation in C-isotope chemostratigraphy among the four sections was related to Marinoan post-glacial sea-level elevation changes. At Longxi, a positive δ^（13）C_（carb） shift below the horizon containing tepee-like structure resulted from intense photosynthesis during early regression. A negative δ^（13）C_（carb） shift within the tepee-horizon was triggered by sulfate reduction and freshwater mixing with ^（13）C-depleted dissolved inorganic carbon（DIC） during late regression. A positive δ^（13）C_（carb） excursion in the uppermost part of the cap carbonate was related to enhance primary productivity and organic matter burial during early transgression. At Muyu, the carbon isotopic variation tendency, which is similar to that at Longxi, may have been mildly influenced by the surface water environment. At Songluo, the positive δ^（13）C_（carb） excursion, up to-4‰ in the lower part of the cap carbonate, was probably associated with methanogenesis in deep waters during late transgression to early regression and subsequently disappeared due to decomposition of methane hydrate during late regression. At Yazikou, the consistently stable δ^（13）C_（carb） values around-4‰ indicate that the cap carbonate may have deposited at intermediate water depths. As evidenced by diagnostic sedimentary characteristics of the study sections, the palaeogeographic framework of the Shennongjia area exhibited deepening from SE to NW during the Early Ediacaran Period in the aftermath of Snowball Earth.展开更多
A new macrofossil Lagerstatte was discovered from the uppermost Ediacaran Jiucheng Member at Jinning and Jiangchuan of the eastern Yunnan, yielding numerous diverse well-preserved thallophyte macrofossils. These inclu...A new macrofossil Lagerstatte was discovered from the uppermost Ediacaran Jiucheng Member at Jinning and Jiangchuan of the eastern Yunnan, yielding numerous diverse well-preserved thallophyte macrofossils. These include the previously-known representatives of vendobionts, Vendotaenia and Tyrasotaenia, and the biggish multicellular benthos such as Chuaria-like and Tawuia- like fossiis, as well as Longfengshaniaceaens with diverse holdfast structures. There are still some other problematic macrofossils with peculiar configurations as well as uncertain relatives. The distinct dominance of the giant, unbranching thallophytes occasionally with holdfast structures distinguishes this assemblage from the other Ediacaran macrofossil Lagerstattes in the Doushantuo Formation at Miaohe, Wenghui and Lantian, and the contemporary assemblage in the Shibantan Member of Dengying Formation, Yangtze Gorges area. This paper outlines the characteristics of some of the multicellular macrofossils from the Jiucheng Member at Jiangchuan. They include some macrofossils with different types of holdfast structure, larger Chuaria-like and Tawuia-like morphology and questionable affinities as well. The discovery of greater diverse macrofossil assemblages from the Jiucheng Member of eastern Yunnan has further indicated that an important diversification and evolutionary radiation of metaphytes took place in the latest Ediacaran time. This radiation of largescale, benthic metaphyte along with phytoplankton was likely important contributors to the early Cambrian explosion of metazoans.展开更多
Macroscopic organisms lived in the Yangtze Sea of South China during the Late Doushantuo period of the Ediacaran.The results of the specimen collections and statistics within each meter show that the macroscopic biota...Macroscopic organisms lived in the Yangtze Sea of South China during the Late Doushantuo period of the Ediacaran.The results of the specimen collections and statistics within each meter show that the macroscopic biota from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in northeast Guizhou,South China,can be subdivided into Globusphyton,Cucullus,Sectoralga-Longifuniculum, Beltanelliformis,and Baculiphyca-Gesinella paleo-communities.The paleo-community evolution indicates the relationship not only between biota and environment,but also between metaphytes and metazoans.From the Globusphyton paleo-community,through to the Sectoralga-Longifuniculum paleo-community,to the Cucullus paleo-community,the increase in the abundance and diversity of metaphytes（especially the branching macroalgae）and metazoans implies that the oxygen content in the seawater increased gradually.Both the Beltanelliformis and Baculiphyca-Gesinella paleo-communities could be related to a deteriorated environment and fragile ecosystem.The emergence,abundance,and diversity of macroscopic metaphytes,which were closely connected with the environmental microchanges,accelerated the process,improving the environment and increasing oxygen,and established an important platform for the development of macroscopic metazoans.展开更多
In South China, various megascopic symmetrical metazoan fossils were found in the upper Doushantuo （陡山沱） Formation of the Neoproterozoic Ediacaran. The worm-like fossil is characterized by modern taxological anne...In South China, various megascopic symmetrical metazoan fossils were found in the upper Doushantuo （陡山沱） Formation of the Neoproterozoic Ediacaran. The worm-like fossil is characterized by modern taxological annelid, for many metameres, parapodia, one possible tentale, an alimentary canal, and a dorsal vessel. The triradiate discoidal fossils belong to Trilobozoa, and the octaradiate discoidal fossil might be Ctenophora. All these fossils indicate that the megascopic metazoans have appeared in the Doushantuoian of Eidacaran and imply that the symmetrical metazoans must have originated at least 550 Ma ago.展开更多
The Ediacaran and early Cambrian black shales are widespread across the South China Craton （Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks）. However, the trace element distribution patterns of the Ediacaran and early Cambrian black s...The Ediacaran and early Cambrian black shales are widespread across the South China Craton （Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks）. However, the trace element distribution patterns of the Ediacaran and early Cambrian black shales in the Cathaysia Block are still unclear. In this study, thirty- four black shale samples in the Lechangxia Group （Ediacaran） and thirteen black shale samples in the lower Bacun Group （early Cambrian） from Guangning area, western Guangdong Province, South China, were analyzed for major and trace elements concentrations. Compared to the upper continental crust, the Ediacaran black shales exhibit strongly enriched Se, Ga, and As with enrichment factor values （EF） higher than 10, significantly enrichedBi and Rb （10〉EF〉5）, weakly enriched Mo, Ba, Cs, V, In, Be, TI, and Th （5〉EF〉2）, normal U, Cr, Cd, Sc, Pb, Cu, and Li （2〉EF〉0.5）, and depleted Ni, Zn, Sr, and Co. Early Cambrian black shales display strongly enriched Se, Ga, and As, significantly enriched Ba, Bi, and Rb, weakly enriched Mo, Cs, Cd, V, U, Be, In, and TI, normal Sc, Th, Cr, Li, Cu, Ni, and Pb and depleted Co, Zn, and Sr. Moreover, Se is the most enriched trace element in the Ediacaran and early Cambrian black shales： concentrations vary from 0.25 to 30.09 ppm and 0.54 to 5.01 ppm, and averaging 4.84 and 1.72 ppm, with average EF values of 96.87 and 34.32, for the Ediacaran and early Cambrian shales respectively. The average concentration of Se in the Ediacaran black shales is 2.8 times higher than that of early Cambrian black shales. Se contents in the Ediacaran and early Cambrian black shales exhibit significant variation （P = 0.03）. Provenance analysis showed that Se contents of both the Ediacaran and early Cambrian black shales were without detrital provenance and volcanoclastic sources, hut of hydrothermal origin. The deep sources of Se and the presence of pyrite may explain the higher Se contents in the Ediacaran black shales. Similar with the Se-rich characteristics of the contemporaneous black shales in the south Qingling Mountain and Yangtze block, the Ediacaran and early Cambrian black shales in Guangning area, Cathaysia, are also enriched in Se, which may provide a clue for looking for the selenium-rich resources in western Guangdong Province.展开更多
The Ediacaran-Cambrian transition is characterized by numerous events such as the emergence of large multi-cellular metazoans and surface environmental disturbances.Based on geological evidence,it has been proposed th...The Ediacaran-Cambrian transition is characterized by numerous events such as the emergence of large multi-cellular metazoans and surface environmental disturbances.Based on geological evidence,it has been proposed that this transition coincided with the increase in the atmospheric oxygen level that was key to the evolution of life.Even though ancient redox conditions can be inferred from the composition of sedimentary iron mineral species,this method is not necessarily applicable to all rocks.In the Earth system,the cycling of iron is of considerable interest owing to its sensitivity to redox conditions.Information regarding the paleo-oceanic iron cycle is revealed in the iron isotopic composition of ironbearing minerals.Unfortunately,only limited iron isotopic data exists for Ediacaran-to Cambrianperiod oceans.To circumvent this deficiency,we drilled a fossiliferous Ediacaran to Early Cambrian sedimentary succession in the Three Gorges region,South China.We analyzed the iron isotope ratios(δ^(56/54)Fe)of pyrite grains in the drill cores using laser ablation multi collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.The results demonstrate large variations inδ^(56/54)Fe,from-1.6 to 1.6‰,and positive iron isotope ratios are observed in many successions.The presence of positiveδ^(56/54)Fe in pyrite indicates that the ferrous iron in the seawater was partially oxidized,suggesting that seawater at Three Gorges was ferruginous during the Ediacaran and Early Cambrian periods.However,aggregated pyrite grains in organic carbon-rich black shales at Member 4 of the Doushantuo Formation and the base of the Shuijingtuo Formation yield near-zeroδ^(56/54)Fe values;this suggests that the ocean was transiently dominated by sulfidic conditions during these periods.Notably negativeδ^(56/54)Fe values,lower than-1‰,can be interpreted as a signature of DIR.The DIR also might contribute in part to the re-mineralization of organic matter during the largest negative carbon isotope anomaly in the Ediacaran.展开更多
The abundance and diversity of macrofossils in the Ediacaran have attracted much attention.The upper Doushantuo macrobiotas in South China,including the Miaohe biota from Hubei and the Wenghui biota from Guizhou,are m...The abundance and diversity of macrofossils in the Ediacaran have attracted much attention.The upper Doushantuo macrobiotas in South China,including the Miaohe biota from Hubei and the Wenghui biota from Guizhou,are mainly preserved as the carbonaceous compressions and dominated by macroscopic algae and metazoans.Here,we describe 10 genera and 10 species（including 6 new genera and species） of macrofossils from the Wenghui biota.At present,the Wenghui biota yields macrofossils in more than 31 genera and 33 species,excluding those given no image and established on a few unascertained specimens.Based on the occurrence and distribution of macrofossils in both Miaohe and Wenghui areas,the middle-late Ediacaran（back shales of the upper Doushantuo Formation） in South China can be subdivided into two assemblage biozones in biostratigraphy：（i） the Protoconites-Linbotulitaenia-Eoandromeda Anomalophton assemblage biozone characterized by abundant and diverse macrofossils and by the ranges of Protoconites,Linbotulitaenia and Anomalophton;and（ii） the Baculiphyca-Gesinella-Cucullus-Beltanelliformis assemblage biozone characterized by the acme of the longer macrofossils Baculiphyca and Gesinella,and by few shorter and discoidal macrofossils.展开更多
Abundant phosphatized acritarchs are preserved in the late Precambrian （Ediacaran） Doushantuo Formation at Weng＇an, Guizhou Province, southwest China. Most of them are large with various spinous ornaments and multi...Abundant phosphatized acritarchs are preserved in the late Precambrian （Ediacaran） Doushantuo Formation at Weng＇an, Guizhou Province, southwest China. Most of them are large with various spinous ornaments and multilayered outer walls. The general characters of these fossils are quite similar to those found from the homochronous deposits of the Yangtze Gorges, southern China. Therefore the Doushantuo Formation in the Weng＇an area can be correlated directly with the Doushantuo Formation of the Yangtze Gorges. Four species in four genera, including two new genera, two new species and one uncertain species are systematically described for the first time from the studied locality. The taxa are Bacatisphaera baokangensis Zhou, Brasier et Xue, 2001, Taeniosphaera doushantuoensis gen. et sp. nov., Rugospinasphaera speciosa gen. et sp. nov. and Meghystichosphaeridium sp. The new data enriches the famous Weng＇an biota, especially the marine microplankton flora in the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation.展开更多
The late Ediacaran Shuram-Wonoka excursion, with δ^(13)C_(carb) values as low as-12‰(PDB) in marineshelf deposits and spanning up to 10 Myr, is the deepest and most protracted δ^(13)C_(carb) negative anomaly recogn...The late Ediacaran Shuram-Wonoka excursion, with δ^(13)C_(carb) values as low as-12‰(PDB) in marineshelf deposits and spanning up to 10 Myr, is the deepest and most protracted δ^(13)C_(carb) negative anomaly recognised in Earth history. The excursion formed on at least four continents in low(≤32°) palaeolatitudes, and in China is associated with a major phosphogenic event. Global and intrabasinal correlation, magnetostratigraphy, isotope conglomerate tests and further geochemical data are consistent with a primary or syn-depositional origin for the excursion. Continental-margin phosphorites are generated by oceanic upwelling driven by surface winds, and δ^(13)C_(carb) negative anomalies are explicable by oceanic upwelling of 13 C-depleted deep oceanic waters, arguing that a feature common to these exceptional Ediacaran events was unprecedented perturbation of the world ocean. These events occurred during the transition from an alien Proterozoic world marked by low-palaeolatitude glaciation near sea level and strong seasonality to the familiar Phanerozoic Earth with circum-polar glaciation and temperate climate, suggesting that the Shuram-Wonoka excursion is related to this profound change in Earth's climate system. Of various hypotheses for Proterozoic low-palaeolatitude glaciation, only the high obliquity(>54°) hypothesis, which posits secular decrease in obliquity to near the present-day value(23.5°) during the Ediacaran, predicts an unparalleled revolution in the Ediacaran world ocean. The obliquity controls the sense of the world ocean's meridional overturning circulation, which today is driven by the sinking of cold, dense water at the poles and upwelling driven by zonal surface winds.When the decreasing obliquity passed the critical value of 54° during the Ediacaran the meridional temperature gradient reversed, with the equator becoming warmer than the poles and Hadley lowlatitude(<30°-35°) atmospheric zonal circulation reversing. This reversal of the temperature gradient is unique to the Ediacaran Period and caused reversal of the oceanic meridional overturning circulation,with upwelling of anoxic, 13 C-depleted deep oceanic waters producing a deeply negative and protractedδ^(13)C_(carb) signature on late Ediacaran marine-shelf deposits.展开更多
The Ediacaran–Cambrian succession in South China records dramatic biological,oceanic and geochemical changes,but it is not well constrained geochronologically.This study reports a new SIMS U-Pb date of 543.4±3.5...The Ediacaran–Cambrian succession in South China records dramatic biological,oceanic and geochemical changes,but it is not well constrained geochronologically.This study reports a new SIMS U-Pb date of 543.4±3.5 Ma(MSWD=1.2)from a tuffaceous layer in the Zhoujiaao Section,and carbonate C-O isotopes in both Zhoujiaao and Sixi sections,Three Gorges area.This tuffaceous layer is present in the Upper Dengying Formation(i.e.,the Baimatuo Member)which is characterized by a stableδ13Ccarb plateau and the beginning of a negativeδ13Ccarb shift near its upper boundary.In accordance with the existing biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic data,this new date corroborates that the upper boundary of the Dengying Formation in South China is approximately equivalent to the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary(ca.541 Ma).This age also provides the minimum age of the last appearance of the Shibantan biota in the Three Gorges area,indicating that the terminal Ediacaran index fossils(e.g.,Cloudina,Sinotubulites)are not reliable stratigraphic markers for further subdivision of the uppermost Ediacaran.展开更多
The Upper Ediacaran microbial carbonates of the Tarim Basin are potential reservoir geobodies for future hydrocarbon exploration with rising interest in exploration for deeply-buried reserves.However,little knowledge ...The Upper Ediacaran microbial carbonates of the Tarim Basin are potential reservoir geobodies for future hydrocarbon exploration with rising interest in exploration for deeply-buried reserves.However,little knowledge has been acquired on the types of microbial carbonates that are present,the properties of the reservoir and the pore evolution,hampering predictions of high-quality reservoirs in these carbonates.Integrated with petrography and in-situ U-Pb dating geochronology analyses,this study aims to clarify the types of microbial carbonates present and to reconstruct the pore evolution processes of the potential reservoir rocks.The Upper Ediacaran microbial carbonates of the Tarim Basin can be divided into four types,based on their features in terms of different scales(macro-to micro-):microbial laminite,stromatolite,spongiomicrobialite and microbial-peloidal wackestone/mudstone.Petrophysical properties show that all these microbial carbonates have low porosity and very low permeability with poor connectivity.These carbonates were subject to long-term and complex diagenetic processes,mainly consisting of dissolution,compaction,pervasive dolomitization,cementation and fracturing.The most important reservoir spaces are contributed by vugs and dissolution-enlarged pores,which are likely to have been associated with the widespread uplift of the Aksu area in the terminal Ediacaran.In contrast,the cementation of the fine-to-medium crystalline dolomite greatly reduced the pre-existing pores.Pore types are closely related to different microbial fabrics,which played an important role in the pore evolution of the microbial carbonates.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42172035 and 41572024)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Liaoning Universities(No.LJ202410166012)+1 种基金Geological Survey Project of China(No.DD20221645)Open Foundation(No.203124)of State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy(Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology,CAS)。
文摘The Ediacaran Period records a significant turning point in the evolution of life on Earth,witnessing the rise to ecological dominance of macroscopic tissue-grade organisms.The Wenghui biota from the Doushantuo Formation of South China hosts abundant multicellular algal macrofossils and problematica,some of which might be closely related to taxa from classic Late Ediacaran assemblages from South Australia and the White Sea biota of Russia.However,a lack of well-resolved isotopic age estimates has hampered efforts to constrain the timing of appearance of the Wenghui biota,obfuscating its significance to our understanding of Ediacaran macroevolution in the aftermath of the Snowball Earth events.Here,we present the first SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating results for samples obtained from a laminated tuff ash layer at the base of the Wenghui biota in the Doushantuo Formation,Jiangkou County,Tongren City,Guizhou Province,China.Our analyses yield an age of 595.4±5.3 Ma for the first appearance of Wenghui biota,suggesting that its appearance postdated that of the Lantian and Weng'an biotas,but preceded that of the Miaohe biota.These newly obtained age proxies offer an independent test of previous isotopic estimates for the age of the Wenghui biota,providing new chronostratigraphic evidence to map the succession of Ediacaran fossil assemblages on the Yangtze Platform during the Doushantuo interval.These data suggest that the Lantian,Weng'an,Wenghui,and Miaohe biotas may record a sequence of biotic assemblages attesting to successive phases in the radiation of Ediacaran macroscopic organisms,particularly macroalgae.
文摘Among all established geological periods,the Ediacaran Period is the longest,lasting from 635 Ma to 541 Ma.It is within this 94 million years of geological history that the Earth was transformed from a world dominated by microbes to one increasingly influenced by animal activities.Important evolutionary innovations occurred in the Ediacaran Period,including the rise of macroscopic animals,complex ecological interactions,and metazoan biomineralization.Resolving the causes and consequences of these biological innovations is a major focus of recent geobiological investigations.However,without a solid geological time framework,Ediacaran workers are facing significant challenges in assembling the pieces of the puzzle from different parts of the world.To develop a better understanding of Ediacaran time and life,a group of 25 geologists,geochemists,sedimentologists,and paleontologists gathered together to examine the terminal Ediacaran Nama Group at a field workshop sponsored by IGCP 587“Identity,Facies and Time:The Ediacaran(Vendian)Puzzle”and the ICS Subcommission on Ediacaran Stratigraphy.
基金support was provided by the International Commission on Stratigraphy,National Science Foundation(EAR-1523334 to Stanley FinneyEAR-1528553 to SX)+4 种基金NASA Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology Program(NNX15AL27G to SX)National Natural Science Foundation of China(41272011 and 41410104004 to CZ and SX)Ministry of Science and Technology of China(2013CB835005 to CZ)Chinese Academy of Sciences(KZZD-EW-02 to CZ)Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada(NSERC)Discovery Grants to GMN and ML,Queen’s University Research Chair to GMN,Russian Science Foundation(14-17-00409 to DVG).
文摘The Ediacaran Period follows the Cryogenian Period in the wake of a snowball Earth glaciation and precedes the Cambrian Period with its rising tide of animal radiation.It is also the longest among all stratigraphically defined geological periods,lasting 94 million years(635–541 Ma).
基金Support has been provided from Australian Research Council Discovery grant(DP0453393)National Science Foundation grant(EAR-0074021).
文摘The Neoproterozoic and Cambrian sequences of the Mount Lofty and Flinders ranges of South Australia record a crucial interval in the evolution of life and environments on Earth.This paper summarises the key characteristics of the Ediacaran succession of the Adelaide Geosyncline.Recent interest in the Neoproterozoic and Cambrian successions on all continents has been driven by a quest to better understand the causes and effects of the size revolution that saw the advent of multicellular organisms in the ocean.The principal role of the Neoproterozoic Subcommission has been to determine unique time boundaries that reflect evolutionary changes in the Earth system.Utilisation of a combination of geochemical,paleobiological and stratigraphic events,to offset the limitations of the Neoproterozoic paleontological record,is required to bracket this interval of Earth history.Fossils of the Cryogenian,Ediacaran and Cambrian document a series of unexpected quantum leaps in the size and diversity of life.
基金Fieldwork and research were funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （Grant Nos. 40272015 and 40672022） the China Geology Survey （Grant No. 200213000042 and 1212010511607）.
文摘Shales of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation of South China contain a new disc-shaped macrofossil, Eoandromeda octobrachiata, characterized by eight spiral arms that were probably housed within an outer membrane. Although the presence of eight radiating structures entails a resemblance to cnidarian octocorals as well as to ctenophores, direct homologies with these extant groups are unlikely. Instead we bring attention to the helicospiral morphology of newly reported embryos from the Doushantuo Formation, suggesting that the long-sought adults of the Ediacaran embryonic metazoans have finally been found.
文摘Secular variations of carbon isotopic composition of organic carbon can be used in the study of global environmental variation, the carbon cycle, stratigraphic delimitation, and biological evolution, etc. Organic carbon isotopic analysis of the Nangao and Zhalagou sections in eastern Gnizhou reveals a negative excursion near the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary that correlates with a distinct carbonate carbon isotopic negative excursion at this boundary globally. Our results also demonstrate that several alternating positive and negative shifts occur in the Meishucunian, and an obvious negative anomaly appears at the boundary between the Meishucunian and Qiongzhusian. The isotope values are stable in the middle and lower parts but became more positive in the upper part of the Qiongzhusian. Evolution of organic carbon isotopes from the two sections in the deepwater facies can be well correlated with that of the carbonate carbon isotopes from the section in the shallow water facies. Integrated with other stratigraphic tools, we can precisely establish a lower Cambrian stratigraphic framework from shallow sheff to deep basin of the Yangtze Platform.
文摘Large acanthomorphic acritarchs have been found in chert of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation at several localities in South China, including the East Yangtze Gorges of Hubei Province,Weng＇an area of Guizhou Province, and elsewhere. However, their potential for biostratigraphic subdivision and correlation of Ediacaran successions is limited by facies control, taphonomic biases,and taxonomic problems. In the Yangtze Gorges, the Doushantuo Formation is generally subdivided into four lithologic members. However, in the Weng＇an area, the Doushantuo Formation comprises just a lower and upper part separated by a mid-Doushantuo erosional surface. In the Yangtze Gorges at the Zhangcunping section, the Doushantuo succession is similar to that at Weng＇an. So far, the correlation between the Yangtze Gorges and Weng＇an area, and elsewhere has been an issue of debate. To resolvethe debate, we selected eight sections in the Yangtze Gorges area and systemically sampled chert nodules of the Doushantuo Formation, focusing in particular on the upper Doushantuo Formation. Our data confirm two different assemblages appearing separately in the second and third members, which are separated by a negative δ13C excursion （EN2）. The lower assemblage is characterized by Tianzhushania and a diverse suite of large acanthomorphic acritarchs. The upper assemblage is distinguished from the lower assemblage, by （1） absence of Tianzhushania; （2） occurrence of abundant,100-150 μm, smooth-walled spherical microfossils; （3） occurrence of highly diverse acanthomorphic acritarchs including species extending from the second member and new forms in this member; （4）occurrence of unnamed new forms of protist; and （5） occurrence of the tubular microfossil Sinocyclocylicus guizhouensis. Since the Tianzhushania-dominated assemblage is not present in Australia, it seems that only the upper acanthomorph assemblage is present and thus the lower Doushantuo acanthomorph assemblage is missing in Australia.
基金supported by projects from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 41230102,41273009)the National 973 project (No. 2013CB835000)
文摘Phosphatic rocks are widely distributed in Neoproterozoic Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in Yangtze Gorges Area, South China. In this study, rare earth element geochemistry of eight phosphatic rock samples from the Hushan Section has been studied. All the samples display typical hat-shaped REE patterns, moderate negative Ce anomalies（Ce/Ce＊=0.55 to 0.67）, slightly positive Eu anomalies（Eu/Eu＊=1.05 to 1.22） and low Y/Ho ratios（38.2±5.6）. The hat-shaped REE patterns indicate diagenetic alteration of the primary REE signatures, which coincides with detrital siliciclastic sources of REE based on the Y/Ho ratios. The degree of Negative Ce anomalies and positive Eu anomalies may have recorded the redox features of diagenetic fluids, suggesting an anoxic environment during the phosphogenesis processes in Neoproterozoic Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation, South China. The geochemical comparison between the Lower Phosphorite Layer and Upper Phosphorite Layer at Hushan indicates a greater degree of diagenesis occurred in the Upper Layer than the Lower one. Besides the terrigenous sources of REE, organic materials could have also played a role on the REE characteristics.
基金supported by State Key R&D project of China (No.2016YFA0601100)the international IMBER project+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.41472085, 41172102)China Scholarship Council
文摘The geochemistry and paleogeography of the Doushantuo succession in the Shennongjia area have been insufficiently studied. Here, we report on the carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of Ediacaran Doushantuo cap carbonates from four sections（Longxi, Muyu, Yazikou and Songluo） in the Shennongjia area. A large C-isotopic gradient（~5‰） between the Longxi and Songluo sections, here identified for the first time, is inferred to have been dynamically maintained by photosynthesis in surface waters and anaerobic oxidation of dissolved organic carbon（DOC） in deep waters. Spatial variation in C-isotope chemostratigraphy among the four sections was related to Marinoan post-glacial sea-level elevation changes. At Longxi, a positive δ^（13）C_（carb） shift below the horizon containing tepee-like structure resulted from intense photosynthesis during early regression. A negative δ^（13）C_（carb） shift within the tepee-horizon was triggered by sulfate reduction and freshwater mixing with ^（13）C-depleted dissolved inorganic carbon（DIC） during late regression. A positive δ^（13）C_（carb） excursion in the uppermost part of the cap carbonate was related to enhance primary productivity and organic matter burial during early transgression. At Muyu, the carbon isotopic variation tendency, which is similar to that at Longxi, may have been mildly influenced by the surface water environment. At Songluo, the positive δ^（13）C_（carb） excursion, up to-4‰ in the lower part of the cap carbonate, was probably associated with methanogenesis in deep waters during late transgression to early regression and subsequently disappeared due to decomposition of methane hydrate during late regression. At Yazikou, the consistently stable δ^（13）C_（carb） values around-4‰ indicate that the cap carbonate may have deposited at intermediate water depths. As evidenced by diagnostic sedimentary characteristics of the study sections, the palaeogeographic framework of the Shennongjia area exhibited deepening from SE to NW during the Early Ediacaran Period in the aftermath of Snowball Earth.
基金supported by the Key Laboratory of Stratigraphy and Paleontology,Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences(Grant No.JB0705)the Institute of Geology,Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences(Grant No.J0716)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.40272015,40672022)the China Geology Survey Grant(Grant Nos.1212010511607,200213000042)
文摘A new macrofossil Lagerstatte was discovered from the uppermost Ediacaran Jiucheng Member at Jinning and Jiangchuan of the eastern Yunnan, yielding numerous diverse well-preserved thallophyte macrofossils. These include the previously-known representatives of vendobionts, Vendotaenia and Tyrasotaenia, and the biggish multicellular benthos such as Chuaria-like and Tawuia- like fossiis, as well as Longfengshaniaceaens with diverse holdfast structures. There are still some other problematic macrofossils with peculiar configurations as well as uncertain relatives. The distinct dominance of the giant, unbranching thallophytes occasionally with holdfast structures distinguishes this assemblage from the other Ediacaran macrofossil Lagerstattes in the Doushantuo Formation at Miaohe, Wenghui and Lantian, and the contemporary assemblage in the Shibantan Member of Dengying Formation, Yangtze Gorges area. This paper outlines the characteristics of some of the multicellular macrofossils from the Jiucheng Member at Jiangchuan. They include some macrofossils with different types of holdfast structure, larger Chuaria-like and Tawuia-like morphology and questionable affinities as well. The discovery of greater diverse macrofossil assemblages from the Jiucheng Member of eastern Yunnan has further indicated that an important diversification and evolutionary radiation of metaphytes took place in the latest Ediacaran time. This radiation of largescale, benthic metaphyte along with phytoplankton was likely important contributors to the early Cambrian explosion of metazoans.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation of China(no40739901 and 40621002)the National Science Foundation of Guizhou Province(J- 2010-2030)the Stadholder Foundation of Guizhou Province
文摘Macroscopic organisms lived in the Yangtze Sea of South China during the Late Doushantuo period of the Ediacaran.The results of the specimen collections and statistics within each meter show that the macroscopic biota from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in northeast Guizhou,South China,can be subdivided into Globusphyton,Cucullus,Sectoralga-Longifuniculum, Beltanelliformis,and Baculiphyca-Gesinella paleo-communities.The paleo-community evolution indicates the relationship not only between biota and environment,but also between metaphytes and metazoans.From the Globusphyton paleo-community,through to the Sectoralga-Longifuniculum paleo-community,to the Cucullus paleo-community,the increase in the abundance and diversity of metaphytes（especially the branching macroalgae）and metazoans implies that the oxygen content in the seawater increased gradually.Both the Beltanelliformis and Baculiphyca-Gesinella paleo-communities could be related to a deteriorated environment and fragile ecosystem.The emergence,abundance,and diversity of macroscopic metaphytes,which were closely connected with the environmental microchanges,accelerated the process,improving the environment and increasing oxygen,and established an important platform for the development of macroscopic metazoans.
基金the Science and TechnologyFoundation of Guizhou Province (No. J-2006-2099)the Stadholder Foundation of Guizhou Provincethe SINOPECProject (No. G0800-08-ZS-319).
文摘In South China, various megascopic symmetrical metazoan fossils were found in the upper Doushantuo （陡山沱） Formation of the Neoproterozoic Ediacaran. The worm-like fossil is characterized by modern taxological annelid, for many metameres, parapodia, one possible tentale, an alimentary canal, and a dorsal vessel. The triradiate discoidal fossils belong to Trilobozoa, and the octaradiate discoidal fossil might be Ctenophora. All these fossils indicate that the megascopic metazoans have appeared in the Doushantuoian of Eidacaran and imply that the symmetrical metazoans must have originated at least 550 Ma ago.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.41172310, 41472322 and 40872210)the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No.2014CB238906)the Local Science and Technology Tasks "Distribution Patterns and Prospect of Exploitation and Utilization of Selenium in Foshan area, Guangdong" and "Construction for Laboratory of Selenium Resources Comprehensive Utilization"
文摘The Ediacaran and early Cambrian black shales are widespread across the South China Craton （Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks）. However, the trace element distribution patterns of the Ediacaran and early Cambrian black shales in the Cathaysia Block are still unclear. In this study, thirty- four black shale samples in the Lechangxia Group （Ediacaran） and thirteen black shale samples in the lower Bacun Group （early Cambrian） from Guangning area, western Guangdong Province, South China, were analyzed for major and trace elements concentrations. Compared to the upper continental crust, the Ediacaran black shales exhibit strongly enriched Se, Ga, and As with enrichment factor values （EF） higher than 10, significantly enrichedBi and Rb （10〉EF〉5）, weakly enriched Mo, Ba, Cs, V, In, Be, TI, and Th （5〉EF〉2）, normal U, Cr, Cd, Sc, Pb, Cu, and Li （2〉EF〉0.5）, and depleted Ni, Zn, Sr, and Co. Early Cambrian black shales display strongly enriched Se, Ga, and As, significantly enriched Ba, Bi, and Rb, weakly enriched Mo, Cs, Cd, V, U, Be, In, and TI, normal Sc, Th, Cr, Li, Cu, Ni, and Pb and depleted Co, Zn, and Sr. Moreover, Se is the most enriched trace element in the Ediacaran and early Cambrian black shales： concentrations vary from 0.25 to 30.09 ppm and 0.54 to 5.01 ppm, and averaging 4.84 and 1.72 ppm, with average EF values of 96.87 and 34.32, for the Ediacaran and early Cambrian shales respectively. The average concentration of Se in the Ediacaran black shales is 2.8 times higher than that of early Cambrian black shales. Se contents in the Ediacaran and early Cambrian black shales exhibit significant variation （P = 0.03）. Provenance analysis showed that Se contents of both the Ediacaran and early Cambrian black shales were without detrital provenance and volcanoclastic sources, hut of hydrothermal origin. The deep sources of Se and the presence of pyrite may explain the higher Se contents in the Ediacaran black shales. Similar with the Se-rich characteristics of the contemporaneous black shales in the south Qingling Mountain and Yangtze block, the Ediacaran and early Cambrian black shales in Guangning area, Cathaysia, are also enriched in Se, which may provide a clue for looking for the selenium-rich resources in western Guangdong Province.
基金supported by JSPS grants(Nos.24840021,18740318,23340152,25610148) from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan
文摘The Ediacaran-Cambrian transition is characterized by numerous events such as the emergence of large multi-cellular metazoans and surface environmental disturbances.Based on geological evidence,it has been proposed that this transition coincided with the increase in the atmospheric oxygen level that was key to the evolution of life.Even though ancient redox conditions can be inferred from the composition of sedimentary iron mineral species,this method is not necessarily applicable to all rocks.In the Earth system,the cycling of iron is of considerable interest owing to its sensitivity to redox conditions.Information regarding the paleo-oceanic iron cycle is revealed in the iron isotopic composition of ironbearing minerals.Unfortunately,only limited iron isotopic data exists for Ediacaran-to Cambrianperiod oceans.To circumvent this deficiency,we drilled a fossiliferous Ediacaran to Early Cambrian sedimentary succession in the Three Gorges region,South China.We analyzed the iron isotope ratios(δ^(56/54)Fe)of pyrite grains in the drill cores using laser ablation multi collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.The results demonstrate large variations inδ^(56/54)Fe,from-1.6 to 1.6‰,and positive iron isotope ratios are observed in many successions.The presence of positiveδ^(56/54)Fe in pyrite indicates that the ferrous iron in the seawater was partially oxidized,suggesting that seawater at Three Gorges was ferruginous during the Ediacaran and Early Cambrian periods.However,aggregated pyrite grains in organic carbon-rich black shales at Member 4 of the Doushantuo Formation and the base of the Shuijingtuo Formation yield near-zeroδ^(56/54)Fe values;this suggests that the ocean was transiently dominated by sulfidic conditions during these periods.Notably negativeδ^(56/54)Fe values,lower than-1‰,can be interpreted as a signature of DIR.The DIR also might contribute in part to the re-mineralization of organic matter during the largest negative carbon isotope anomaly in the Ediacaran.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation of China(Grant No.:41162003,No.:41663005 and No.:41172002)
文摘The abundance and diversity of macrofossils in the Ediacaran have attracted much attention.The upper Doushantuo macrobiotas in South China,including the Miaohe biota from Hubei and the Wenghui biota from Guizhou,are mainly preserved as the carbonaceous compressions and dominated by macroscopic algae and metazoans.Here,we describe 10 genera and 10 species（including 6 new genera and species） of macrofossils from the Wenghui biota.At present,the Wenghui biota yields macrofossils in more than 31 genera and 33 species,excluding those given no image and established on a few unascertained specimens.Based on the occurrence and distribution of macrofossils in both Miaohe and Wenghui areas,the middle-late Ediacaran（back shales of the upper Doushantuo Formation） in South China can be subdivided into two assemblage biozones in biostratigraphy：（i） the Protoconites-Linbotulitaenia-Eoandromeda Anomalophton assemblage biozone characterized by abundant and diverse macrofossils and by the ranges of Protoconites,Linbotulitaenia and Anomalophton;and（ii） the Baculiphyca-Gesinella-Cucullus-Beltanelliformis assemblage biozone characterized by the acme of the longer macrofossils Baculiphyca and Gesinella,and by few shorter and discoidal macrofossils.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.440272015)the China Geological Survey(Grant No.200213000042).
文摘Abundant phosphatized acritarchs are preserved in the late Precambrian （Ediacaran） Doushantuo Formation at Weng＇an, Guizhou Province, southwest China. Most of them are large with various spinous ornaments and multilayered outer walls. The general characters of these fossils are quite similar to those found from the homochronous deposits of the Yangtze Gorges, southern China. Therefore the Doushantuo Formation in the Weng＇an area can be correlated directly with the Doushantuo Formation of the Yangtze Gorges. Four species in four genera, including two new genera, two new species and one uncertain species are systematically described for the first time from the studied locality. The taxa are Bacatisphaera baokangensis Zhou, Brasier et Xue, 2001, Taeniosphaera doushantuoensis gen. et sp. nov., Rugospinasphaera speciosa gen. et sp. nov. and Meghystichosphaeridium sp. The new data enriches the famous Weng＇an biota, especially the marine microplankton flora in the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation.
文摘The late Ediacaran Shuram-Wonoka excursion, with δ^(13)C_(carb) values as low as-12‰(PDB) in marineshelf deposits and spanning up to 10 Myr, is the deepest and most protracted δ^(13)C_(carb) negative anomaly recognised in Earth history. The excursion formed on at least four continents in low(≤32°) palaeolatitudes, and in China is associated with a major phosphogenic event. Global and intrabasinal correlation, magnetostratigraphy, isotope conglomerate tests and further geochemical data are consistent with a primary or syn-depositional origin for the excursion. Continental-margin phosphorites are generated by oceanic upwelling driven by surface winds, and δ^(13)C_(carb) negative anomalies are explicable by oceanic upwelling of 13 C-depleted deep oceanic waters, arguing that a feature common to these exceptional Ediacaran events was unprecedented perturbation of the world ocean. These events occurred during the transition from an alien Proterozoic world marked by low-palaeolatitude glaciation near sea level and strong seasonality to the familiar Phanerozoic Earth with circum-polar glaciation and temperate climate, suggesting that the Shuram-Wonoka excursion is related to this profound change in Earth's climate system. Of various hypotheses for Proterozoic low-palaeolatitude glaciation, only the high obliquity(>54°) hypothesis, which posits secular decrease in obliquity to near the present-day value(23.5°) during the Ediacaran, predicts an unparalleled revolution in the Ediacaran world ocean. The obliquity controls the sense of the world ocean's meridional overturning circulation, which today is driven by the sinking of cold, dense water at the poles and upwelling driven by zonal surface winds.When the decreasing obliquity passed the critical value of 54° during the Ediacaran the meridional temperature gradient reversed, with the equator becoming warmer than the poles and Hadley lowlatitude(<30°-35°) atmospheric zonal circulation reversing. This reversal of the temperature gradient is unique to the Ediacaran Period and caused reversal of the oceanic meridional overturning circulation,with upwelling of anoxic, 13 C-depleted deep oceanic waters producing a deeply negative and protractedδ^(13)C_(carb) signature on late Ediacaran marine-shelf deposits.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.41472089,91755210)
文摘The Ediacaran–Cambrian succession in South China records dramatic biological,oceanic and geochemical changes,but it is not well constrained geochronologically.This study reports a new SIMS U-Pb date of 543.4±3.5 Ma(MSWD=1.2)from a tuffaceous layer in the Zhoujiaao Section,and carbonate C-O isotopes in both Zhoujiaao and Sixi sections,Three Gorges area.This tuffaceous layer is present in the Upper Dengying Formation(i.e.,the Baimatuo Member)which is characterized by a stableδ13Ccarb plateau and the beginning of a negativeδ13Ccarb shift near its upper boundary.In accordance with the existing biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic data,this new date corroborates that the upper boundary of the Dengying Formation in South China is approximately equivalent to the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary(ca.541 Ma).This age also provides the minimum age of the last appearance of the Shibantan biota in the Three Gorges area,indicating that the terminal Ediacaran index fossils(e.g.,Cloudina,Sinotubulites)are not reliable stratigraphic markers for further subdivision of the uppermost Ediacaran.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development(R&D)Program of China(2017YFC0603103)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U19B6003)。
文摘The Upper Ediacaran microbial carbonates of the Tarim Basin are potential reservoir geobodies for future hydrocarbon exploration with rising interest in exploration for deeply-buried reserves.However,little knowledge has been acquired on the types of microbial carbonates that are present,the properties of the reservoir and the pore evolution,hampering predictions of high-quality reservoirs in these carbonates.Integrated with petrography and in-situ U-Pb dating geochronology analyses,this study aims to clarify the types of microbial carbonates present and to reconstruct the pore evolution processes of the potential reservoir rocks.The Upper Ediacaran microbial carbonates of the Tarim Basin can be divided into four types,based on their features in terms of different scales(macro-to micro-):microbial laminite,stromatolite,spongiomicrobialite and microbial-peloidal wackestone/mudstone.Petrophysical properties show that all these microbial carbonates have low porosity and very low permeability with poor connectivity.These carbonates were subject to long-term and complex diagenetic processes,mainly consisting of dissolution,compaction,pervasive dolomitization,cementation and fracturing.The most important reservoir spaces are contributed by vugs and dissolution-enlarged pores,which are likely to have been associated with the widespread uplift of the Aksu area in the terminal Ediacaran.In contrast,the cementation of the fine-to-medium crystalline dolomite greatly reduced the pre-existing pores.Pore types are closely related to different microbial fabrics,which played an important role in the pore evolution of the microbial carbonates.
