A large epeiric methanogenic Bambuí sea in the core of Gondwana supercontinent?

Carbon isotope compositions of both sedimentary carbonate and organic matter can be used as key proxies of the global carbon cycle and of its evolution through time,as long as they are acquired from waters where the dissolved inorganic carbon(DIC)is in isotope equilibrium with the atmospheric CO2.However,in shallow water platforms and epeiric settings,the influence of local to regional parameters on carbon cycling may lead to DIG isotope variations unrelated to the global carbon cycle.This may be especially true for the terminal Neoproterozoic,when Gondwana assembly isolated waters masses from the global ocean,and extreme positive and negative carbon isotope excursions are recorded,potentially decoupled from global signals.To improve our understanding on the type of information recorded by these excursions,we investigate the pairedδ^13Ccarb andδ^13Corg evolution for an increasingly restricted late Ediacaran-Cambrian foreland system in the West Gondwana interior:the basal Bambui Group.This succession represents a 1~(st)-order sedimentary sequence and records two majorδ^13Ccarb excursions in its two lowermost lower-rank sequences.The basal cap carbonate interval at the base of the first sequence,deposited when the basin was connected to the ocean,hosts antithetical negative and positive excursions forδ^13Ccarb andδ^13Corg,respectively,resulting inΔ^13C values lower than 25‰.From the top of the basal sequence upwards,an extremely positiveδ^13Ccarb excursion is coupled toδ^13Corg,reaching values of+14‰and-14‰,respectively.This positive excursion represents a remarkable basin-wide carbon isotope feature of the Bambui Group that occurs with only minor changes inΔ^13C values,suggesting change in the DIC isotope composition.We argue that this regional isotopic excursion is related to a disconnection between the intrabasinal and the global carbon cycles.This extreme carbon isotope excursion may have been a product of a disequilibria between the basin DIC and atmospheric CO2 induced by an active methanogenesis,favored by the basin restriction.The drawdown of sulfate reservoir by microbial sulfate reduction in a poorly ventilated and dominantly anoxic basin would have triggered methanogenesis and ultimately methane escape to the atmosphere,resulting in a^13C-enriched DIC influenced by methanogenic CO2.Isolated basins in the interior of the Gondwana supercontinent may have represented a significant source of methane inputs to the atmosphere,potentially affecting both the global carbon cycle and the climate.     

四川广元上寺剖面上二叠统大隆组有机质分布特征与富集因素

四川盆地上二叠统大隆组富有机质硅质泥岩是页岩气勘探的一套重要目的层系.利用扫描电子显微镜和元素地球化学等方法探究大隆组有机质类型、分布特征及富集因素,对该地区非常规油气勘探具有指导意义.根据扫描电镜图片,上寺剖面大隆组有机质按形态可分为形态有机质、弥散有机质和沥青.三者成因不同,形态有机质是选择性保存的结果,以离散状分布在所有岩性样品中;弥散有机质是大隆组有机碳总量(total organic carbon,TOC)的主体,主要分布在硅质泥岩样品中,硅质灰岩样品中极少,体现了粘土矿物的吸附作用;沥青是可溶有机质运移进入孔、缝系统,经高热演化后形成的块状有机质,主要分布于硅质灰岩和灰岩样品中.该剖面地球化学数据显示缺氧沉积环境有利于有机质保存,但海洋表层生产力才是控制TOC含量变化的主要因素.研究表明,晚二叠世海平面上升导致上寺剖面大隆组表层生产力增加及底层海水缺氧,该组富有机质黑色硅质泥岩段高TOC是沉积环境与矿物吸附共同作用的结果,同时也反映了原生有机质保存情况.更好的理解泥质烃源岩中有机质赋存类型有助于烃源岩评价及非常规油气勘探开发工作.      

Carbon and sulfur isotopic fluctuations associated with the end-Guadalupian mass extinction in South China

Concentrations of total organic matter (TOC), carbon isotopic compositions of carbonate and organic matter (δ¹³C_carb, δ¹³C_org), and sulfur isotopic compositions of carbonate associated sulfate (δ³⁴S_sulfate) across the Guadalupian–Lopingian (G–L) boundary were analyzed from identical samples of Tieqiao section, Laibin, Guangxi province, South China. The δ¹³C_carb values show a positive excursion from − 0.45‰ to the peak of 3.80‰ in the Laibin limestone member of the Maokou Formation, followed by a drastic drop to − 2.60‰ in the lowest Heshan formation, then returned to about 1.58‰. Similar to the trends of the δ¹³C_carb values, Δ¹³C_carb–org values also show a positive excursion followed by a sharp negative shift. The onset of a major negative carbon isotope excursion postdates the end Guadalupian extinction that indicates subsequent severe disturbance of the ocean–atmosphere carbon cycle. The first biostratigraphic δ³⁴S_sulfate values during the G–L transition exhibit a remarkable fluctuation: a dramatic negative shift followed by a rapid positive shift, ranging from 36.88‰ to − 37.41‰. These sulfate isotopic records suggest that the ocean during the G–L transition was strongly stratified, forming an unstable chemocline separating oxic shallow water from anoxic/euxinic deep water. Chemocline excursions, together with subsequent rapid transgression and oceanic anoxia, were likely responsible for the massive diversity decline of the G–L biotic crisis.     

Assessment on Redox Conditions and Organic Burial of Siliciferous Sediments at the Latest Permian Dalong Formation in Shangsi, Sichuan, South China

The redox sensitive elements, molybdenum (Mo) and uranium (U), in marine sediments from the latest Permian Dalong (大隆) Formation at the Shangsi (上寺) Section, Northeast Siehuan (四川), South China, were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine their response to a range of redox conditions, and to estimate the organic carbon burial rate. On the basis of the correlation between authigenic Mo abundance and organic carbon content in modern oceans, the organic carbon burial rates were calculated for the rocks at Dalong Formation, ranging from 0.48-125.83 mmol/(m2-d), which shows a larger range than the mineralization rate of organic carbon at the continental margins (1.6-4.23 mmol/(m2.d)). The Zr-normalized Mo and U abundances show large fluctuations in the entire section. The maxima of Zr-normalized Mo abundance and thus the maxima of the organic carbon burial rates were observed at the interval between the 155th and 156th beds (404-407 m above the base of Middle Permian). A decrease (the minimum) in U/Mo ratios is present in this interval. It is speculated that the oxygen-limited conditions and ultimately anoxia or euxinia may develop within this depth interval. In contrast, an enhanced enrichment of Zr-normallzed U abundance is found, in association with less enrichment in Zr-normnllzed Mo abundance in the interval from the I51st to 154th beds (395-404 m above the base of Middle Permian), inferring the dominance of a suboxic/anoxic depositional condition (denitrifying condition), or without free H2S. The presence of small quantities of dissolved oxygen may have caused the solubilization and loss of Mo from sediments. It is proposed that the multiple cycles of abrupt oxidation and reduction due to the upwelllng at this interval lead to the enhanced accumulation of authigenic U, but less enrichment of Mo. A decrease in the contents of U, Mo, and TOC is found above the 157th bed (407 m above the base of Middle Permian), in association with the enhanced U/Mo ratio, suggesting the overall oxic conditions at the end of the Dalong Formation.     

Organic matter provenance,palaeoproductivity and bottom water anoxia during the Cenomanian/Turonian oceanic anoxic event in the Newfoundland Basin (northern proto North Atlantic Ocean)

Free and sulfur-bound biomarkers in sediments deposited in the northern proto North Atlantic (Newfoundland Basin, ODP Site 1276) during the Cenomanian–Turonian oceanic anoxic event 2 (OAE-2) were studied. The δ¹³C records of phytane and lycopane confirmed the stratigraphic position of the positive carbon isotope excursion associated with OAE-2, previously reported for total organic carbon (TOC) and β,β-homohopane. Sediments before and after the OAE-2 interval were poor in organic matter (OM) and comprised numerous gravity flow deposits. The interval itself was composed of pelagic sediments with occasionally a much higher TOC content of up to 12.7%. The OAE-2 sediments were characterized by a low amount of terrestrial OM since the dominant biological sources of the biomarkers were aquatic in origin. High hopane, pentamethylicosane (PMI), and squalane abundances in the OM-rich sediments pointed to a relatively high input of prokaryotes, partly derived from cyanobacteria, as suggested by the occasional occurrence of 2-methylhopanes. PMI comprised both the regular and irregular isomer and changes in the δ¹³C of PMI are thought to reflect contributions from methanogenic and methanotrophic archea. The high relative concentration of lycopane indicated that bottom water conditions were anoxic during large parts of the OAE-2 interval. In one horizon, trace amounts of isorenieratane provided evidence for the occasional occurrence of photic zone anoxia. Taken together, the data imply that oceanic anoxia, and probably also high productivity, reached the northernmost part of the proto-North Atlantic during OAE-2, albeit that photic zone anoxia was much less common than in the southern proto-North Atlantic.     

Nitrogen isotope chemostratigraphy of the Ediacaran and Early Cambrian platform sequence at Three Gorges,South China

The appearance of multicellular animals and subsequent radiation during the Ediacaran/Cambrian transition may have significantly changed the oceanic ecosystem. Nitrogen cycling is essential for primary productivity and thus its connection to animal evolution is important for understanding the co-evolution of the Earth's environment and life. Here, we first report on coupled organic carbon and nitrogen isotope chemostratigraphy from the entire Ediacaran to Early Cambrian period by using drill core samples from the Yangtze Platform, South China. The results show that δ¹⁵N_TN values were high (~ + 6‰) until middle Ediacaran, gradually dropping down to − 1‰ at the earliest Cambrian, then rising back to + 4‰ in the end of the Early Cambrian. Organic carbon and nitrogen contents widely varied with a relatively constant C/N ratio in each stratigraphic unit, and do not apparently control the carbon and nitrogen isotopic trends. These observations suggest that the δ¹⁵N_TN and C/N trends mainly reflect secular changes in nitrogen cycling in the Yangtze Platform. Onset of the observed negative N isotope excursion coincided with a global carbon isotope excursion event (Shuram excursion). Before the Shuram event, the high δ¹⁵N probably reflects denitrification in a nitrate-limited oceanic condition. Also, degradation of dissolved and particulate organic matter could be an additional mechanism for the ¹⁵N-enrichment, and may have been significant when the ocean was rich in organic matter. At the time of the Shuram event, both δ¹³C_carb and δ¹⁵N_TN values were dropped probably due to massive re-mineralization of organic matter. This scenario is supported by an anomalously low C/N ratio, implying that enhanced respiration resulted in selective loss of carbon as CO₂ with recycled organic nitrogen. After the Shuram event, the δ¹⁵N value continued to decrease despite that δ¹³C_carb rose back to + 4‰. The continued δ¹⁵N drop appears to have coincided with a decreasing phosphorus content in carbonate. This suggests that ocean oxygenation may have generated a more nitrate-rich condition with respect to phosphorus as a limiting nutrient. Similar to the Shuram event, another negative δ¹³C_carb event in the Canglanpuan stage of the Early Cambrian is also characterized by carbon isotopic decoupling as well as the low C/N ratio. The results strongly support that the two stages of the decoupled negative δ¹³C_carb excursions reflect a disappearance of a large organic carbon pool in the ocean. The two events appear to relate with the appearance of new metazoan taxa with novel feeding strategies, suggesting a link between ocean oxygenation, nutrient cycling and the appearance and adaptation of metazoans. The nitrogen isotope geochemistry is very useful to understand the link between the environmental, ecological and biological evolutions.     

下扬子皖南宣泾地区二叠系海相页岩特征及其沉积环境

为评价下扬子地区二叠系海相页岩层段页岩气勘探潜力,以皖南宣泾地区3口钻井岩心为例,通过岩心照片、薄片、X射线衍射、总有机碳等测试来分析页岩特征及其沉积环境.结果显示宣泾地区孤峰组中上部为富有机质层段,银屏组为贫有机质层段;宣泾东南地区大隆组中下部为高-富有机质层段,西北地区中上部为富有机质层段.孤峰组早期随着构造沉降和海水加深,宣泾地区形成了高生物生产力和缺氧环境,沉积了较厚硅质岩层;中晚期海平面缓慢下降,生物生存空间减少,高有机质沉降使水体硫化,TS含量增大,TOC含量达10%.银屏组沉积期海平面快速下降,变为浅海氧化环境,TOC含量小于1%.大隆组早期东南浅水斜坡位置受上升流影响,形成高生物生产力和缺氧环境,沉积了硅质岩层,TOC含量大于4%;中晚期海平面下降,TOC含量从东南浅水向西北深水变高.      

Carbon and oxygen isotopes suggesting deep-water basin deposition associated with hydrothermal events （Shangsi Section,Northwest Sichuan Basin-South China）

Carbon and oxygen isotope records for Shangsi Section in Northwest Sichuan Basin, South China can help investigating depositional environments and processes, including the burial rate and possible contribution of hydrothermal events. Samples from the lower Chihsian Formation show δ13CPDB and δ18OPDB values close to those of typical marine limestone. However, the overlying Permian middle-upper Chihsian, Wujiaping, and Maokou Formation samples reveal negative δ18OSMOW values and strong positive δ13CPDB values. These indicate high biological productivity and rapid burial of organic carbon. Samples from the Dalong Formation present both negative δ13CPDB and negative δ18OPDB values, which are quite different from the underlying Permian strata. These abnormal carbon and oxygen isotope characteristics in the Dalong Formation may suggest that hydrothermal processes contributed to deposition.     

古海洋研究中的地球化学新指标

有机地球化学与微量元素地球化学古环境指标及其相关的同位素指标已成为追溯古全球变化与古海洋生物地球化学演化的有力工具。从古环境替代指标的示踪原理和应用的角度，综述了有孔虫碳同位素、有机地球化学整体指标、生物标志化合物、单体有机分子同位素、微量元素等在古海洋古环境研究中的应用及相关的研究动态与进展。指出古海洋研究正从以恢复古海洋的物理参数（温度、盐度、古洋流等）为主，向着揭示古水团演化、古生产力、古营养状况、碳贮库及碳循环等古生物地球化学演化过程方向纵深发展。     

Middle Permian organic carbon isotope stratigraphy and the origin of the Kamura Event

Large carbon cycle perturbations associated with the Middle Permian (Capitanian) mass extinction have been widely reported, but their causes and timing are still in dispute. Low resolution carbon isotope records prior to this event also limit the construction of a Middle Permian chemostratigraphic framework and global or local stratigraphic correlation, and hence limit our understanding of carbon cycle and environmental changes. To investigate these issues, we analyzed the ¹³C_org values from the Middle Permian chert-mudstone sequence (Gufeng Formation) in the Lower Yangtze deep-water basin (South China) and compared them with published records to build a chemostratigraphic scheme and discuss the underlying environmental events. The records show increased δ¹³C_org values from late Kungurian to early Guadalupian, followed by a decrease to the late Wordian/early Capitanian. The early-mid Capitanian was characterized by elevated δ¹³C_org values suggesting the presence of the “Kamura Event”: an interval of heavy positive values seen in the δ¹³C_carb record. We propose that these heavy Capitanian δ¹³C values may be a response to a marked decline in chemical weathering rates on Pangea and associated reduction in carbonate burial, which we show using a biogeochemical model. The subsequent negative δ¹³C excursion seen in some carbonate records, especially in shallower-water sections (and in a muted expression in organic carbon) coincide with the Capitanian mass extinction may be caused by the input of isotopically-light carbon sourced from the terrestrial decomposition of organic matter.     

Biogeochemical Records at Shangsi Section, Northeast Sichuan in China： The Permian Paleoproductivity Proxies

The marine primary producers assimilate the atmospheric CO2 to form the organic carbon in surface water. The organic carbon then settles down through the water column and is removed from the oceans by final preservation in sediments in the form of petroleum or nature gases. The reconstruction of paleoproductlvity will thus improve our understanding of the biological processes in the formation of fossil energy resource and help to locate new sites for future exploration. In this study, biorelated elements P, Cd, Al, Ba, as well as redox sensitive element Mo, were analyzed in the 448 rock samples collected from Permian strata at the Shangsi (上寺) Section, Guangyuan (广元), Northeast Sichuan (四川) in China. On the basis of the Ti content, the nondetrital contents of P, Ca, and Al, denoted as Pxs, Cdxs, and Alxs, were calculated and found to coincide with the TOC content throughout the whole section, with some enrichment intervals being found in the middle part of Chihsia Formation, topmost Maokou (茅口) Formation, and Dalong (大隆) Formation. This suggests that the biorelated elements could be used as proxies for the paleoproductivity here in this section. Baxs, a paleoproductivity indicator widely used in the paleoceanography, shows insignificant correlation with TOC, Pxs, Cdxs, and Alxs, probably arising from the loss of biological barium in anoxic conditions. Compiled with the data of TOC content and Pxs Cdxs, and Alxs, three episodes of enhanced paleoproductivity were identified in Permian strata including the middle part of Chihsla Formation, topmost Maokou Formation, and Dalong Formation.     

Lacustrine sedimentary record of early Aptian carbon cycle perturbation in western Liaoning,China

The early Aptian abrupt carbon isotope excursion in marine carbonate and sedimentary organic matter reflects a major perturbation in the global carbon cycle. However, until now almost all the evidences of this event came from marine deposits. Here we present organic-carbon isotope (δ¹³C_org) data from the non-marine Jehol Group in western Liaoning, China. The lacustrine δ¹³C_org curve is marked by a relative long-lasting δ¹³C_org minimum followed by two stages of positive δ¹³C_org excursions that are well correlated with contemporaneous marine records. The carbon isotope correlation shows that the lacustrine strata of the Jehol Group were deposited at the same time of the early Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE1a). The relative long-lasting δ¹³C_org minimum supports the hypothesis that volcanic CO₂ emission may have played the main role in triggering the negative δ¹³C excursion and global warming at the onset of this event. In addition, the onset of δ¹³C_org minimum is concomitant with the radiation of the Jehol Biota, implying that the evolutionary radiation of the Jehol Biota may have been closely related with the increase in atmospheric CO₂ and temperature.     

The carbon isotopic response of algae, (cyano)bacteria, archaea and higher plants to the late Cenomanian perturbation of the global carbon cycle: Insights from biomarkers in black shales from the Cape Verde Basin (DSDP Site 367)

The stable carbon isotopic compositions of free and sulfur (S)-bound biomarkers derived from algae, (cyano)bacteria, archaea and higher plants and total organic carbon (TOC) during the first phase of the late Cenomanian/Turonian oceanic anoxic event (OAE) were measured in black shales deposited in the southern proto-Atlantic Ocean in the Cape Verde basin (DSDP Site 367) to determine the response of these organisms to this major perturbation of the global carbon cycle resulting from widespread burial of marine organic matter. The average positive isotope excursions of TOC and biomarkers varied from 5.1‰ to 8.3‰. The δ¹³C values were cross correlated to infer potential common sources of biomarkers. This revealed common sources for C₃₁ and C₃₂ hopanes but no 1:1 relationship for pristane and phytane. The correlation of δ¹³C_TOC with the δ¹³C value of sulfur (S)-bound phytane is the strongest. This is because S-bound phytane is derived from phytol that originates from all marine primary producers (algae and cyanobacteria) and thus represents a weighted average of their carbon isotopic compositions. The δ¹³C values of S-bound phytane and C₃₅ hopane were also used to estimate pCO₂ levels. Before the OAE burial event, pCO₂ levels are estimated to be ca. 1300 ppmv using both biomarkers and the independent maximum Rubisco fractionation factors. At times of maximum organic carbon burial rates during the OAE, reconstructed pCO₂ levels are estimated to be ca. 700 ppmv. However, compared to other C/T OAE sections the positive isotope excursion of S-bound phytane is also affected by an increased production during the OAE. When we compensate for this, we arrive at pCO₂ levels around 1000 ppmv, a reduction of ca. 25%. This indicates that burial of organic matter can have a large effect on atmospheric CO₂ levels.     

Late Cenomanian environmental conditions at the submerged Tatric Ridge,Central Western Carpathians during the period preceding Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 – A palaeontological and isotopic approach

Micropalaeontological and isotopic studies of the upper Cenomanian turbiditic/hemipelagic sediments from the High-Tatric unit (Central Western Carpathians; Polish part of the Tatra Mountains) has been undertaken to characterize the sedimentary conditions in the Tatric basin, a part of the Western Tethys, related to the interval preceding the late Cenomanian oceanic anoxic event (OAE2). The deposition of these sediments, including organic-rich layers (TOC up to 0.7%), corresponds to the Rotalipora cushmani foraminiferal Zone. Microfacial, foraminiferal and palynological analyses show that the sea floor was located at upper bathyal depths and the water column was poorly oxygenated. The intrabasinal carbonate material indicates moderate primary productivity with rare periods of upwellings. The scarcity of marine fossils in redeposited material and features of carbonate lithoclasts suggest very low productivity in the nearshore surface water, most probably due to a low-density hyposaline cap as surface runoff from the southern margin of the basin. The carbon isotopic study documents the negative values of δ¹³C_carb in the whole section as an effect of transfer of isotopically light carbon sourced from various sources. Such negative values of δ¹³C_carb are characteristic of the upper Cenomanian sediments, deposited in relatively shallow water basins, characterized by input of terrestrial organic matter and/or carbonate particles known from the Western Interior sections, the Atlantic coastal plain, the northwestern African margin, the eastern margin of the Apulian Platform and shelf sediments in the NW Europe and Tethyan Himalayas. Most probably, all of these events could be related to the global sea level fluctuations that occurred ca. 95.5–94.5 Ma comparing with the Haq (2014) eustatic curve.     

Isotopic and Chemical Constraints on the Biogeochemistry of Dissolved Inorganic Carbon and Chemical Weathering in the Karst Watershed of Krka River (Slovenia)

The hydrogeochemical and carbon isotope characteristics of the Krka River, Slovenia, were investigated to estimate the carbon transfer from the land ecosystem in the watershed. During the 3-year sampling period (2008–2010), temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, major ion content, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and dissolved organic carbon content, and the isotopic composition of DIC (δ¹³C_DIC) were monitored in the main stream of the Krka River and its tributaries. The major solute composition of analysed waters is dominated by an input of HCO₃ ^?, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ originating from carbonate dissolution. The Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺/HCO₃ ^? molar ratio values ranging from 0.24 to 0.71 and 0.05 to 0.30, respectively, indicate a high degree of dolomite dissolution relative to calcite. Dissolved CO₂ concentrations in the river were up to tenfold supersaturated relative to the atmosphere, resulting in supersaturation with respect to calcite and degassing of CO₂ downstream. The δ¹³C values in river water range from ?15.6 to ?9.4 ‰ and are controlled by the input of tributaries, exchange with atmospheric CO₂, degradation of organic matter, and dissolution of carbonates. The mass balance calculations for riverine DIC suggest that the contribution from carbonate dissolution and degradation of organic matter have major influence, whereas the exchange with atmospheric CO₂ has minor influence on the inorganic carbon pool in the Krka River.     

Late Glacial and Holocene Paleolimnology of two temperate lakes inferred from sediment organic δ13C chronology

The stable carbon isotope (δ¹³C) and elemental C/N ratios in Total Organic Carbon (TOC) extracted from radiometrically dated cores from two Midwestern USA lakes were determined to investigate the factors that control these values in temperate lakes. The range of δ¹³C values (-26 to -32%) and C/N ratios (mean value ∼10.8) are typical of values reported for other temperate lake organic matter in this region. In the core from Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, a negative correlation was seen between the TOC and δ¹³C, which can be interpreted in terms of a re-mixing and consumption of sedimented organic carbon along with rapid equilibration throughout the water column. No correlation was seen between the TOC and δ¹³C in the record from Ladd Lake, Ohio, implying that in this latter lake productivity alone was not a singular process controlling the isotope ratio. Here, it is suggested that equilibrium conditions are maintained such that the DIC of the water is never depleted of aqueous CO₂ during high organic production and the resulting δ¹³C of the organic carbon lacks correlation with the TOC. Further, in this lake a fine resolution analysis was carried out which indicated a possible anthropogenic influence on the isotope ratio around times when human settlement (∼300 yrs ago) and enhanced agricultural practices (∼80 yrs ago) were significant. The study shows that carbon isotope studies are useful in paleolimnologic investigations.     

Coincident negative shifts in sulfur and carbon isotope compositions prior to the end-Permian mass extinction at Shangsi Section of Guangyuan, South China

Sulfur isotope composition of carbonate-associated sulfate (δ³⁴S_CAS) and carbon isotope composition of carbonate (δ¹³C_carb) were jointly investigated on the Late Permian rocks at Shangsi Section, Guanyuan, Northeast Sichuan, South China. Both δ³⁴S_CAS and δ¹³C_carb show gradual decline trends in Late Permian strata, inferring the occurrence of the long-term variation of marine environmental conditions. Associated with the long-term variation are the two coincident negative shifts in δ³⁴S_CAS and δ¹³C_carb, with one occurring at the boundary between Middle Permian Maokou Formation and Late Permian Wujiaping Formation and another at Middle Dalong Formation. Of significance is the second shift which clearly predates the regression and the biotic crisis at the end of Permian at Shangsi Section, providing evidence that a catastrophic event occurred prior to the biotic crisis. The frequent volcanisms indicated by the volcanic rocks or fragments, and the upwelling are proposed to cause the second negative excursion. An abrupt extreme negative δ³⁴S_CAS (ca. −20‰) associated with a low relative concentration of CAS and total organic carbon without large change in δ¹³C_carb is found at the end of the second shift, which might arise from the short-term oxygenation of bottom waters and sediments that resulted from the abrupt sea level drop.     

Organic fraction of the total carbon burial flux deduced from carbon isotopes across the Permo-Triassic boundary at Meishan,Zhejiang Province,China

By combining the carbon cycle model with the records of carbonate and organic (kerogen) carbon isotope, this paper presents the calculation of the fraction of organic carbon burial (f _org) of beds 23–40 at the global boundary stratotype section and point (GSSP) of the Permian-Triassic boundary at Meishan, Zhejiang Province. The resulting calculation produces two episodes of f _org maxima observed to occur at beds 23–24 and 27–29, which respectively corresponds to the two episodic anoxic events indicated by the flourish of green sulfur bacteria. Two episodic f _org minima occurred at beds 25–26 and 32–34, generally coincident with the flourish of cyanobacteria (bed 26 and upper part of beds 29 to 34) as shown by the high value of 2-melthyhopnoanes. It appears that the f _org is related to the redox conditions, with greater f _org values observed under the reductive condition. The relationship between f _org and the total organic carbon (TOC) content was complex. The f _org value was low at some beds with a high TOC content (such as bed 26), while high observed at some beds with a low TOC content (e.g. bed 27). This association infers the important contribution of primary productivity to the TOC content. The original organic burial could be thus calculated through the configuration of the function of the primary productivity and f _org, which can be used to correct the residual TOC measured today. This investigation indicates that compiling the organic-inorganic carbon isotopes with the carbon cycle model favors to understand the fraction of organic carbon burial, providing information for the reconstruction of the coupling among biota, environments and organic burial. Journal of China University of Geosciences, 2007, 32(6): 767–773 [译自: 地球科学—中国地质大学学报]     

浙江煤山P/T之交碳同位素对有机碳埋藏的指示意义

根据碳酸盐碳同位素和有机(干酪根) 碳同位素记录, 结合碳循环模式, 计算得到了浙江煤山全球二叠系-三叠系界线层型剖面第23-40层的有机碳埋藏分数f_org.在第23-24层和第27-29层下部出现f_org的两个高峰值, 与绿硫细菌反映的两个缺氧环境条件相对应.在第25-26层和第32-34层出现两个f_org低谷值, 与2-甲基藿烷指示的两次蓝细菌繁盛(第26层和第29层上部到第34层) 基本吻合.这些结果反映了f_org与埋藏时的氧化还原条件密切相关.f_org与总有机碳含量TOC的关系比较复杂, 一些TOC较高的层位(如第26层) f_org却较低, 而一些TOC较低的层位(如第27层) f_org却较高, 反映了原始生产力对TOC的重要贡献.根据原始生产力和f_org得到的原始有机埋藏量, 可以校正现今测得的残余TOC.本次研究结果说明, 同步有机-无机碳同位素分析, 在建立一定碳循环模型的基础上, 计算有机碳埋藏分数, 可有效指示有机质埋藏状态, 进而为建立生物-环境-有机碳埋藏的耦合关系模型提供基础.