Carbon and oxygen isotopes of Maastrichtian–Danian shallow marine carbonates: Yacoraite Formation, northwestern Argentina

The Maastrichtian–Danian limestones of the Yacoraite Formation (northwestern Argentina) show carbon and oxygen isotopic values consistent with shallow marine conditions. The members of the formation respond to different sedimentary environments and are characterised by distinctive stable isotopes and geochemistry. The basal Amblayo Member is composed of high-energy dolomitic limestones and limestones with positive isotopic values (+2‰ δ¹³C, +2‰ δ¹⁸O). The top of the member reveals an isotopic shift of δ¹³C (−5‰) and δ¹⁸O (−10‰), probably related to a descent in the sea level. The sandy Güemes Member has isotopically negative (−2‰ δ¹³C, −1‰ δ¹⁸O) limestones, principally controlled by water mixing, decreased organic productivity, and compositional changes in the carbonates. The isotopically lighter limestones are calcitic, with a greater terrigenous contribution and different geochemical composition (high Si–Mn–Fe–Na, low Ca–Mg–Sr). These isotopic and lithological changes relate to the Cretaceous–Palaeogene transition. The Alemanía Member, composed of dolomitic limestones and pelites, represents a return to marine conditions and shows a gradual increase in isotopic values, reaching values similar to those of the Amblayo Member. The Juramento Member, composed of stromatolite limestones, shows isotopic variations that can be correlated with the two well-defined, shallowing-upward sequences of the member.     

New Discovery of Oligocene Gastropod Opercula from the Yehucheng Formation in Northwestern China

Fourteen species of nonmarine gastropod opercula are found to be in high abundance in the Oligocene upper member of the Yehucheng Formation,Lanzhou Basin,northwest China.They are attributed to two families,namely Bithyniidae and Assimineidae,and four genera,namely Pseudemmericia,Bithynia,Mirolaminatus and Assiminea.Among them,three species are new,and they are Bithynia paramonolithic sp.nov.,B.obliquus sp.nov.,and B.disregularis sp.nov.Some of these species were first discovered in Paleogene strata of the vast Northwest China and can be compared with the opercula recovered from the Paleogene deposits in East and South China.It is inferred from the paleontology and sediment associations that the climate was slightly humid and the fauna probably inhabited the fresh or brackish water of a shallow lake in the Lanzhou Basin during the late early Oligocene period.     

New abelisaurid remains from the Anacleto Formation (Upper Cretaceous), Patagonia,Argentina

New theropod remains with abelisaurid affinities from the Upper Cretaceous (Anacleto Formation, lower Campanian), NW Patagonia, Argentina, are here described. The specimen (MPCN-PV 69) consists of a partial premaxilla, fragmentary vertebrae, proximal portion of both humeri, distal portion of the pubis, and an incomplete pedal ungual. Characters linking with Abelisauridae are a premaxilla with a subquadrangular body, externally ornamented, and paradental plates with a striated surface; and humerus with bulbous proximal head, conical internal tuberosity, and reduced greater tubercle. The humerus is similar to those of Carnotaurus and Aucasaurus, due to the presence of a bulbous head and a discontinuity between the head and the internal tuberosity, but also differs from both taxa in the more distal location of the greater tubercle with respect to the internal tuberosity. Aucasaurus also comes from Anacleto Formation, but differences in the humeri suggest that MPCN-PV 69 is a different taxon. The phylogenetic analysis performed supports the affiliation to Abelisauridae, but fails to determinate a more precise relationship with others abelisaurids. However, a majority rule consensus of the analysis shows a position within Brachyrostra. Despite being fragmentary, MPCN-PV 69 probably represents a new abelisaurid from the Anacleto Formation, thus increasing the knowledge and diversity of Late Cretaceous South American abelisaurids.     

Sedimentology and palynology of the Calafate Formation (Maastrichtian), Austral Basin, Southern Patagonia, Argentina

The Calafate Formation crops out in south-western Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, and displays a stacking of asymmetrical coarsening–fining-upward cycles. These cycles are interpreted as the product of short-lived transgressive-regressive events in which the coarsening upward part represents sedimentary aggradation with a stable or decreasing sea level. Sedimentological and palynological analyses indicate nearshore marine conditions. Even though the existence of an estuary or incised valley cannot be determined, this is the most probable palaeogeographic model. Based on dinoflagellate cysts, the base of the section is considered to be not older than Maastrichtian. The presence of the oyster Ambigostrea clarae (Ihering) occurring together with the dinoflagellate cyst species Manumiella druggii (Stover) Bujak and Davies and Eisenackia circumtabulata Drugg in the middle part of the section indicates an age no older than late Maastrichtian. According to sedimentological data, deposits representing the Cretaceous–Palaeogene transition would have been eroded, which is confirmed by the presence of Grapnelispora loncochensis Papú. This megaspore is a consistent component of the Maastrichtian assemblages from Patagonia.     

福建永安坂头组植物及古气候分析

分析了福建永安盆地早白垩世坂头植物群的组成特征。共计报道该植物群化石24属52种左右,包括未定种以及存疑种21个。植物群的组成以具鳞片状叶的松柏类化石为主,苏铁类化石次之,并以本内苏铁目占绝对优势,然后是真蕨类化石,以小羽片小而质厚为特征,银杏化石及其少见,未发现被子植物。坂头组植物的组成面貌与欧洲Wealden植物群、日本外带领石植物群,以及我国南方植物区,如浙江、山东等地的早白垩世植物群比较一致,说明坂头组含化石层位年龄为早白垩世早期。坂头组大多数植物主要分布于热带或亚热带地区,具有耐干旱炎热的特点,反映了较干旱而炎热的气候特征。除此之外,还发现少量适宜生活在温凉潮湿气候环境下的植物。根据这些对气候具有指示意义的代表分子在坂头组中的数量以及分布情况,推断永安盆地早白垩世早期气候总体上比较干旱炎热,且伴随有不同程度季节性的潮湿。     

贵阳地区下三叠统安顺组遗迹化石及古环境意义

贵阳地区下三叠统安顺组中的遗迹化石是研究P-T生物大灭绝后古环境、古生态的良好材料,在研究区发现、描述了8个遗迹属,9个遗迹种。安顺组中遗迹化石的垂向分布表明:安顺组一段以结构单一、个体较小的遗迹化石Planolites montanus,Palaeophycus curvatus和Phycodes palmatus为主;二、三段中遗迹化石属种增多、生物扰动增强,除了一段的3个遗迹种外还发现有6个遗迹种:Beaconichnus darwinum,Chondrites recurvus, Thalassinoides paradoxicus,Thalassinoides horizontalis,Arenicolites isp.,Rhizocorallium commune,在三段出现的复杂遗迹化石Rhizocorallium commune和Thalassinoides paradoxicus代表了本地区海洋环境在早三叠世晚期的重大改善。岩性特征和生物化石特征表明安顺组一段上部为台缘浅滩环境,二段为碳酸盐岩台地边缘斜坡环境,三段为靠近台地边缘的潮间-潮下环境,在一至三段沉积期,海水含氧条件有所改善,研究区处于浅海“宜居带”上。安顺组四段沉积于半局限台地内的潮间-潮上环境,处于“宜居带”之外,在此区域遗迹化石不发育,生物活动相对较弱。早三叠世奥伦尼克期遗迹化石发育特征表明生物复苏活动在碳酸盐岩台地边缘带相对活跃。     

Paleoenvironmental interpretation and palynology of outcrop and subsurface sections of the Tarija Formation (Upper Carboniferous), northwestern Argentina

The Tarija Formation of the Macharetí Group has been studied sedimentologically and palynologically at Zanja Honda Creek and the Zanja Honda x-1 well to assess the paleoenviromental and paleoclimatic evolution of the southern portion of the Tarija Basin. In addition, new palynological data and their implications are presented. The Tarija Formation consists mainly of thick diamictites interbedded with sandstone and mudstone layers; for the first time, a varves succession is described from the cores of the ZH x-1 well. Fifty-six spore species, 18 monosaccates, 1 praecolpate pollen grain, 4 paleophytoplankton species, and much phytodebris are recorded. The indigenous miospores are assigned to the middle portion of the Dictyotriletes bireticulatus–Cristatisporites chacoparanensis (BC) Biozone di Pasquo of early Late Carboniferous (Westphalian) age. Moreover, abundant reworked palynomorphs occur in both assemblages, recording erosion of Silurian–Early Carboniferous rocks. Some Late Carboniferous species such as Crassispora kosankei (Potonié and Kremp) Bhardwaj emend. Smith and Butterworth, Cristatisporites rollerii Ottone, and Cystoptychus azcuyi di Pasquo, exclusive of the KA Biozone, and Raistrickia radiosa Playford and Helby of the RS Biozone di Pasquo are interpreted as reworked from the lower Tupambi and Itacuamí formations. A fluviolacustrine setting is interpreted for the Tarija Formation on the basis of the presence of glacial varves, continental algae such as Botryococcus braunii Kützing, and overall facies associations. A hiatus between the fluviodeltaic interglacial Tupambi–Itacuamí depositional cycle (“Cycle I”) and the fluviolacustrine, glacially influenced Itacuamí–Tarija depositional cycle (“Cycle II”) is suggested by the sedimentary and palynologic data. This interpretation is confirmed by short-ranged species with biostratigraphic value, as well as the recognition of useful lithological and palynological differences helpful for characterizing both similar superposed sedimentary cycles.     

豫西鲁山中元古界云梦山组微生物成因沉积构造发育特征及古环境意义

前寒武纪的生物界是以微生物为主导的,微生物所引起的生物沉积构造的研究一直受到地质学家重视。以往的研究多集中在碳酸盐岩地层,近年来以发育在碎屑岩地层为主的微生物成因沉积构造(MISS)也成为地学界的研究热点之一。豫西鲁山地区云梦山组隶属于中元古界汝阳群,在构造古地理上属于华北地台南缘,主要为一套陆源碎屑岩沉积,其层面发育了大量的MISS,且类型多样。MISS类型的分布特征对精细环境有良好的指示作用;MISS的大量发育表明了当时微生物群落的繁盛,揭示了当时的微生物群落对古环境具有的强大改造功能。     

湘西北渔塘地区寒武系清虚洞组风暴岩及其地质意义

在湘西北渔塘地区,下寒武统的清虚洞组下部发育一套地质特征典型、沉积序列特殊的风暴岩。其底面侵蚀构造清楚,覆盖于底面上的各层段厚度变化较大,在各层段内由下向上碎屑粒度依次变细,并相继出现叠加式丘状交错层理、平行层理和浪成沙纹层理等沉积构造,是典型的浅海风暴岩。该风暴沉积的发现,对建立湘西北地层的沉积学剖面、探讨该区风暴沉积模式的空间变化、明确成矿环境和成矿地质特征等具有重要意义。     

New Fossil Xyelidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) from the Yixian Formation of Western Liaoning, China

In this paper one new genus and two new species, Brachyoxyela brevinodia sp. nov. and Brachyoxyela gracilenta sp. nov., in the subfamily Macroxyelinae of the family Xyelidae, are described and illustrated. The specimens were collected from the Yixian Formation, the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous, of Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, northeastern China. The new genus is established based on the characters that vein Sc meets R only beyond origin of Rs, third antennal segment is almost equal in length to the rest flagellomeres combined, terminal flagellomeres increasingly shortened toward apex, and vein 2r-rs inclined toward the apex of wing.     

浙江长兴煤山下三叠统和龙山组、南陵湖组沉积地球化学特征与古环境意义

对全球二叠系-三叠系界线层型剖面--中国浙江长兴煤山D剖面和龙山组、南陵湖组47件样品的地球化学特征(常量元素、微量元素和稀土元素)的系统分析表明,和龙山组的w(MgO)/w(CaO)及w(SiO2)、w(Al2O3)、w(K2O)等变化不大,稀土元素和微量元素丰度自下而上的变化趋势基本一致,反映其形成时的气候条件变化不大,气候主要从潮湿向略干旱转变,但其中也具有多个微小的变化旋回,反映每个小旋回的环境变化较小;从南陵湖组底部开始,w(MgO)/w(CaO)变化明显,形成的岩石中w(SiO2)、w(Al2O3)、w(K2O)急剧下降,岩石的稀土元素和微量元素总量也下降,反映南陵湖期海平面持续下降,沉积水体变浅,物源区较近,气候的变化比较大,总体向干旱转变.     

塔里木盆地西北缘玉尔吐斯组硅质岩成因及石油地质意义

塔里木盆地下寒武统玉尔吐斯组是一套岩性复杂的烃源岩,该组中出现了广泛分布的层状硅质岩。层状硅质岩的形成环境较为特殊,对层状硅质岩的成因研究有助于还原玉尔吐斯组沉积时期的沉积背景,从而预测优质烃源岩的分布。利用不同露头剖面的硅质岩样品,通过薄片鉴定、SEM观察、能谱探针、有机碳含量测定等无机-有机岩石学分析认为,玉尔吐斯组硅质岩形成于裂谷背景下的高盐度、碱性封闭水体中,沉积水体的水动力变化使硅质岩具有层状构造和碎屑结构。陆源碎屑、生物以及与裂谷作用同时发生的火山活动为水体提供了硅质来源,热液为封闭水体带来了营养物质,使藻类、小壳类生物在裂谷中生长繁盛;生物的生长富集和特殊水体的良好保存条件,使玉尔吐斯组发育了良好的烃源岩层。硅质岩的岩石学、地球化学特征显示,早寒武世拉张应力条件下的大规模裂谷作用,形成了大范围展布的台内裂陷,台内裂陷环境有利于优质烃源岩的发育,研究区早古生代-新元古代地层有良好的勘探潜力。     

安徽巢湖地区二叠系瓜德鲁普统孤峰组古环境演化

二叠纪瓜德鲁普世是古海洋条件发生重大变化的转折期。瓜德鲁普世古海洋、古环境的演化对古生代底栖无脊椎动物灭绝的影响仍然是个谜。利用元素地球化学,分析瓜德鲁普统孤峰组的陆源碎屑供应、海洋表层水体的初级生产力以及底部水体的氧化还原条件。结果表明:瓜德鲁普世早期和晚期分别发生了一次陆源碎屑输入的高峰期。瓜德鲁普世早期海洋初级生产力最高,中期海水初级生产力较低,而晚期稍有升高。瓜德鲁普世古海水主要为缺氧至硫化环境。瓜德鲁普世早期以贫氧至缺氧环境为主,间歇性出现硫化环境;中晚期则以硫化环境为主,间歇性出现缺氧环境。这些氧化还原环境的演化主要受到水动力条件的影响。瓜德鲁普世深水环境水体的持续缺氧硫化引发浅水台地底部水体的持续贫氧甚至缺氧,造成海洋生态系统变得脆弱,引发生物危机事件。     

湘西北奥陶系宝塔组灰岩龟裂纹构造特征、成因及其资源意义

湘西北上奥陶统宝塔组灰岩的龟裂纹构造在岩序上具有"下密上稀、过渡变形、不穿邻层、似泄水充填"的特点,是地史时期一种特殊的沉积构造.为了查明其成因机制及其与扬子海盆演化过程的内在联系,从湘西北龟裂纹灰岩的岩石学特征、裂缝特征、地球化学特征、盆地模型以及综合对比已知成因的"似龟裂纹构造"等诸多方面入手,经研究后认为龟裂纹构造属于一种受准同生期胶凝缩作用影响形成初始微缝,随后在构造挤压控制下、盆地快速下沉、盆内形成异常高压场的流体环境,驱使下伏富水岩层的灰泥物质向上挤入、充填、改造先期初始裂缝而形成.宝塔组龟裂纹构造的研究,为我们探究构造-流体-岩石多重作用机制提供了岩石学方面的资料;同时,该裂纹疏导功能良好,具有重要的成矿(油藏)意义.     

Ichnofossils from the Miocene Middle Bhuban Formation, Mizoram,Northeast India and their Paleoenvironmental Significance

An ichnofossil assemblage is preserved in sediments of the Middle Bhuban Formation,Surma Group,of Miocene age from the Durtlang and Chanmari sections,Aizawl district,Mizoram,northeastern India.The studied sections comprise a thick,bioturbated and thinly bedded sandstone–silty shale facies.The preserved ichnofossils show high density and low diversity with the assemblage represented by feeding and resting traces,i.e.,Psilonichnus upsilon Frey et al.,1984,Ophiomorpha isp.,Teichichnus spiralis Mikulá.1990,Skolithos isp.,Palaeophycus isp.,and other horizontal burrows.Sedimentary structures associated with these traces are mainly cross bedding,flaser bedding and slump structures.Considering the distribution of the Psilonichnus ichnogenus across an integrated ichnological–sedimentological framework,the stratigraphic interval of the Middle Bhuban Formation,in which they occur,are interpreted to have been deposited under a shallow,marginal-marine channel complex dominated by tidal channels developed in quiet,brackish-water portions of a delta plain.     

湘西北龙山地区下奥陶统桐梓组潮坪风暴岩的发现及其意义

报道了湘西北地区早奥陶世桐梓组地层中的风暴岩,并对该套事件沉积体的区域展布及表现形式进行了系统阐述。通过对野外剖面的仔细观测和室内资料的综合研究,普遍见指示潮坪环境的半球状叠层石、羽状交错层理等,并识别出各种侵蚀-撕裂构造、粒序层理、韵律层理、变形层理及沙纹-波状层理等风暴沉积标志,丘状交错层理常保存不全,综合分析后认为该风暴岩为潮坪风暴沉积,并进一步划分出4种类型的风暴沉积序列。同时,区内桐梓组见有大套滑塌重力流沉积,经对比,可能为同一飓风事件在不同环境中产生的不同物质记录。该套风暴岩具有重要的地质意义:风暴沉积特征的变化蕴含了丰富的气候变化信息,反映出晚寒武世至早奥陶世时期全球温室继承、转型的一种气候响应。风暴岩、风暴浊积岩及滑塌角砾岩的发现,为该时期“鄂西台洼”的存在提供了新的沉积学证据;也为区内含矿段地层的精细划分和对比提供实际参考;同时,对分析华南板块的向北漂移提供了更仔细、更可靠的参考数据。     

华北燕山地区雾迷山组疑源类化石组合及其特征

本文通过系统采样,利用化学浸泡法,对冀北坳陷凌源地区和宣龙坳陷北京延庆地区的雾迷山组疑源类进行了研究,并划分出四个化石组合,自下而上分别为:罗庄组合(Asperatopsophosphaera umishanensis-Oscillatori-opsis luozhuangensis)、磨盘峪组合(Stictosphaeridium pectinale-Micrhystridium pallidum)、二十里堡组合(Pale-amorpha punctulata-Orygmatosphaeridium rubignosum)和闪坡岭组合(Microconcentrica cymata-Baltisphaeridium cerinum).通过两个地区疑源类组合特征的对比,认为凌源地区和延庆地区雾迷山组微疑源类化石组合及特征具有可对比性.     

Climatic signals in lacustrine deposits of the Upper Yacoraite Formation,Western Argentina: Evidence from clay minerals,analcime, dolomite and fibrous calcite

Authigenic clays are an important control on reservoir quality in lacustrine carbonates but remain challenging to predict. Lacustrine depositional systems respond to climatic variations in rainfall, surface runoff and groundwater input, and evaporation, and result in rapid and frequent changes in lake volume; this is expressed through changing water depth and shoreline position. In the upper portion of the Early Palaeocene Yacoraite Formation of the Salta Basin in Argentina, extensive lacustrine deposits were deposited during the sag phase of rifting. Prior high-resolution stratigraphic studies have suggested that climatic factors control microbial carbonate sequences within a ‘balanced fill’ lake, with variation in the lake level having a major influence on facies association changes. This study characterizes the evolution of facies and mineralogy within the Yacoraite Formation, focusing on the distribution of clay minerals, making a link between the high, medium and low-frequency sequence stratigraphic cycles. The low-frequency transgressive hemicycle of the upper portion of the Yacoraite Formation is comprised of abundant siliciclastic facies, suggesting a wetter period. Microbialites occurring in this interval are coarse-grained and agglutinated. Detrital clay minerals such as illite and chlorite and associated siliciclastic sediments were input to the lake during high-frequency transgressive periods. During high-frequency regressive hemicycles, sedimentation was dominated by carbonate facies with Ca-rich dolomite and the authigenic clays are comprised of chlorite/smectite mixed-layers. By contrast, the low frequency regressive hemicycle records fine-grained agglutinated microbialite with horizons of fibrous calcite, more stoichiometric dolomite, barite and authigenic magnesian smectite. This indicates elevated ion concentrations in the lake under intense evaporation during an arid period. Understanding the conditions that are favourable for formation and preservation of authigenic clays within the lacustrine environment can improve understanding of reservoir quality in comparable economically important deposits.     

A New Fossil Amiidae (Holostei: Halecomorphi) from the Upper Cretaceous Adamantina Formation,Southeastern Brazil,with comments on western Gondwana amiids

Amiid remains from the Upper Cretaceous (Turonian-Santonian) Adamantina Formation, Bauru Basin, Southeastern Brazil are described. The material is known only from fragmented isolated jaw bones (maxilla and dentary), a vertebral centrum, and isolated teeth and represents the first halecomorph described from this stratigraphical unit. Characters of the maxilla and the shape of the teeth, permit referral to the subfamily Vidalaminae. The Adamantina material differs from material described from the slightly younger Marília Formation (Maastrichthian) of the same Bauru Basin, by the presence of longitudinal ridges on the surface of the maxilla as well as by tooth sockets of equal size. These two records are the unique indisputable occurrences of freshwater vidalamins and confirm the presence of this clade within the incipient Neotropical ichthyofauna.     

豫西北及晋东南地区下二叠统太原组风暴沉积及伴生遗迹化石特征

豫西北及晋东南地区下二叠统太原组碳酸盐岩中发育多层风暴沉积并含丰富的遗迹化石。通过对风暴沉积层的宏观及微观分析,特别是对各种风暴沉积序列及其所含遗迹化石的组成与分布特点的研究,在太原组碳酸盐岩中已识别出7种风暴沉积类型,与之伴生的遗迹化石有Zoophycos,Palaeophycus,Nereites.,Chondrites,Planolites,Palaeophycus,Helminthopsis,Teichichnus,Rhizocorallium,Thalassinoides和Ophiomorpha等。它们分别形成在海湾-潟湖、潮间-潮下浅滩、局限台地和潮下开阔台地沉积环境。该成果既可丰富我国华北盆地早二叠世含煤岩系的沉积类型,也可为深入研究该区早二叠世沉积演化乃至成煤与成气的古环境条件提供事件沉积和生物学方面的信息。