前寒武纪地质学在当代地球科学中的地位与作用

前寒武纪地质学是地球科学的主要研究领域之一。在前寒武纪岩层中蕴藏着丰富的矿藏,为人类的生存和发展提供了大量的有用资源。前寒武纪还是大陆地壳生长的主要时期,大陆地壳的形成、成因、演化过程及其模式是地球科学家最关心的问题之一。现在出露地表的前寒武纪中、深变质岩已成为研究深部地壳的窗口,为岩石圈研究开辟了新途径,提供了新信息。而生命起源及其早期演化则必须依赖前寒武纪地层中的生命化石记录进行研究。纵观地球科学的发展历史,前寒武纪地质学是地球科学中其它分支学科无法替代的研究领域。     

陕南震旦系上部地层中的后生动物化石及其地层意义

近年来,同位素地质年龄测定的方法应用越来越广泛。但古生物学原理仍然不失为地壳沉积层划分对比的主要理论基础,甚至许多学者还热心地探讨应用这种方法去划分对比前寒武纪地层的可能性(随着有机地球化学的进展,不少人认为应把地层中获得的各种有机化合物作为“化学化石”,进一步对比地层,并探索生命的起源和演化。)。     

先伊迪卡拉期的淮南生物群

在廿世纪中叶以前,人们对于先寒武纪的生物化石发现得很少,除藻类遗迹化石及一些可疑化石外,几乎没有什么可靠的生物化石。与此相反,在古生代地层中,特别是在早寒武世的地层中,却发现了极其丰富的发育较为高级的多门类的生物化石。当时,人们为了解释这种所谓突变现象,就提出了多种假说。但是,在廿世纪中叶以后,随着生产的发展和科学研究的深入,陆续地在晚先寒武纪地层中,发现了许多较大的生物化石、微古植物与微体化石等。由于晚先寒武纪生物化石资料的不断丰富,使得“灾变说”等不攻自破了。     

扬子西南缘古元古界亮山组圆盘状化石的发现及其环境意义

通过1:5万区域地质调查研究,首次在滇中易门地区古元古界易门群亮山组发现圆盘状宏体化石,进一步丰富了滇中古元古代早期宏体化石群种类,为扬子西南缘前寒武纪地层大区域对比提供古生物依据.本次的初步报道为从不同角度探索距今2.8～0.8 Ga的地球早期发展、演化历史开启了新窗口;对地球早期的环境演化与生命进化的研究具有重要价...     

我国寒武纪早期含磷岩系中的几种动物骨骼化石

近年来,由于大量采用化学处理法弥补了野外采集和机械处理的不足,在我国的寒武纪早期的含磷岩系中发现了丰富而多样的小壳动物化石,计有软舌螺类、似软舌螺类、腹足动物、海绵动物、似牙形石以及大批分类位置不明的化石。这些发现为地层的细分与对比、矿床成因与古地理分析以及探讨动物界的早期演化规律提供了丰富的材料。本文报道了发现于陕南宁强县宽川铺寒武纪早期地层的群体动物化石,并记述一种似牙形石化石。     

辽宁复县震旦系高家屯组皱节虫化石的发现

辽东半岛南部晚前寒武纪地层分布广泛,发育完整,顶、底界线清楚,厚度巨大,生物化石丰富,并为中、外地质学家所重视,但是其地层对比一直是争论的问题。有的认为偏老,属青白口系以下,有的认为偏新,属青白口系以上。微古植物、可疑化石Chuaria、叠层石的研究结果受到怀疑;南关岭组底部所产的后生动物化石“水母”、“海绵骨针”和“遗迹化石”,现被查明是非生物成因的;同位素年龄的数据也是矛盾重重。     

华北克拉通东部新元古代宏体化石生物地层序列

华北克拉通东部是中国晚前寒武纪地层出露最为完整、连续的地区,特别是华北克拉通东缘连续出露了新元古代自老至新的全部地层,是对比和衔接中国南、北方晚前寒武纪地层的关键地区。在该地区所发现和建立的宏体化石群——“龙凤山生物群”、“辽南生物群”和“淮南生物群”可能是新元古代“南华大冰期”前后较为独特的生物群落,其中相当部分可能归属于多细胞后生动物和多细胞藻类,是地球早期生命景观的重要代表。因此,对这些新元古代早期生物群的研究将可能揭示比陡山沱期更早的多细胞后生动植物的演化面貌,在演化生物学上意义重大。近年来,在地调项目的资助下,开展了华北克拉通东部地区的新元古代年代地层及生物地层的研究。本文综合现有资料,详细记述了华北克拉通东部（燕山地区和辽南、徐淮地区）含宏体化石的新元古代地层及其宏体化石特征、组合面貌和生物地层序列。同时,依据宏体化石记录,探讨了中国新元古代地层的对比问题。     

前寒武系地层古生物学研究的学者 ——恭贺邢裕盛教授八十华诞及从事地质工作五十七周年

邢裕盛教授是我国著名前寒武纪地层古生物学家, 是我国前寒武纪微古植物和古藻类学研究的奠基人之一。他是一位野外勤奋工作、实验室严谨治学的科学家。邢裕盛教授长期从事前寒武纪微古植物及生物地层研究, 为国际上最早研究前寒武纪微古植物的少数专家之一。自1962年以来开拓了中国前寒武纪微古植物研究领域, 发现和确定了一些前寒武纪后生动物和后生植物化石门类, 建立了中国晚前寒武纪各时代微古植物组合序列, 探讨了地球早期生物演化进程, 同时在全国晚前寒武纪地层划分和地层对比中解决了一些重大地层问题, 为我国晚前寒武纪地层与国际对比提供了重要依据。     

再谈假疑源类化石

近五十多年来,由于在古老的前寒武纪地层中发现大量特殊的早期生命活动遗迹,从而扩大了建立于显生宙的化石概念,使那些与生物活动有关但并非石化生物遗体的生物遗迹也被认为是化石。实际上,前寒武纪地层中的化石,绝大部分属于被扩大化石概念的范畴中的化石。它们不仅包括原始生物的印模、活动痕迹、沉积构造和改变了成分的构造上保存个体,而且还包括原始生物分解产物的化学分子遗物。作为与前寒武纪生物地层研究密切有关的,则是大家熟悉的迭石和疑源类化石。就疑源类化石来讲,具有明     

滇中易门地区发现化石新物种

通过1∶50 000区域地质调查,在滇中易门地区前人划分的中元古界东川群鹅头厂组灰黑色炭泥质板岩中首次发现了大量保存较好的宏体多细胞生物化石。通过镜下分析、电子探针及电镜扫描的研究,确证其是迄今为止生物结构最为完整的个体较大的多细胞宏体生物化石,填补了云南境内前寒武纪地层无生物化石的空白,宏体生物化石的发现有重大的科学意义及科研价值,是地球早期生命演化研究领域中一项重大的科学发现对地球早期地球环境演化与生命进化的研究具有重要价值。     

Geochemistry,Petrography and Spectroscopy of Organic Matter of Clay‐Associated Kerogen of Ypresian Series: Gafsa‐Metlaoui Phosphatic Basin,Tunisia

This work presents geochemical characterization of isolated kerogen out of clay fraction using petrography studies, infrared absorption and solid state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, with N‐alkane distributions of saturated hydrocarbon. Mineralogical study of clay mineral associations was carried out using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), on Ypresian phosphatic series from Gafsa‐Metlaoui basin, Tunisia. The XRD data indicate that smectite, palygorskite and sepiolite are the prevalent clay minerals in the selected samples. In this clay mineral association, the N‐alkane (m/z = 57) distribution indicates that the marine organic matter is plankton and bacterial in origin. The kerogens observed on transmitted light microscopy, however, appear to be totally amorphous organic matter, without any appearance of biological form. The orange gel‐like amorphous organic matter with distinct edges and homogenous texture is consistent with a high degree of aliphaticity. This material has relatively intense CH₂ and CH₃ infrared bands in ¹³C NMR peaks. This aliphatic character is related to bacterial origin. Brown amorphous organic matter with diffuse edges has a lower aliphatic character than the previous kerogen, deduced from relatively low CH₂ and CH₃ infrared and ¹³C NMR band intensities.     

Characteristics and Evaluation of the High-Quality Source Rocks of Cretaceous Continental Shale Oil in Tonghua Basin,China

The presence of shale oil in the Cretaceous Hengtongshan Formation in the Tonghua Basin, drilled by the well TD-01, has been discussed in this geological investigation for the first time. To evaluate the high-quality source rocks of Cretaceous continental shale oil, the distribution characteristics and the evolution of the ancient environment, samples of shale were systematically analyzed in terms of sedimentary facies, organic geochemistry, and organic carbon isotopic composition. The results demonstrate that a TOC value of 1.5% represents the lower-limit TOC value of the high-quality source rocks. Source rocks have an aggregate thickness of 211 m and contain abundant organic matter, with TOC values of 2.69% on average and a maximum value over 5.44%. The original hydrocarbon-generative potential value(S_1+S_2) is between 0.18 mg/g and 6.13 mg/g, and the Ro is between 0.97% and 1.40%. The thermal maturation of the source rocks is relatively mature to highly mature. The δ¹³C value range is between -34.75‰ and -26.53‰. The ratio of saturated hydrocarbons to aromatic hydrocarbons is 1.55 to 5.24, with an average of 2.85, which is greater than 1.6. The organic types are mainly type Ⅱ_1, followed by type Ⅰ. The organic carbon source was C_3 plants and hydrophytes. The paleoclimate of the Hengtongshan Formation can be characterized as hot and dry to humid, and these conditions were conducive to the development of high-quality source rocks. A favorable paleoenvironment and abundant organic carbon sources provide a solid hydrocarbon generation base for the formation and accumulation of oil and gas in the shale of the Tonghua Basin.     

Molecular and stable carbon isotopic compositions of saturated fatty acids within one sedimentary profile in the Shenhu,northern South China Sea: Source implications

This study examined the distributions and stable carbon isotopic compositions of saturated fatty acids (SaFAs) in one 300 cm long sedimentary profile, which was named as Site4B in Shenhu, northern South China Sea. The concentrations of total SaFAs in sediments ranged from 1.80 to 10.16 μg/g (μg FA/g dry sediment) and showed an even-over-odd predominance in the carbon chain of C₁₂ to C₃₂, mostly with n-C₁₆ and n-C₁₈ being the two major components. The short-chain fatty acids (ScFAs; n-C₁₂ to n-C₁₈) mainly from marine microorganisms had average δ¹³C values of −26.7‰ to −28.2‰, whereas some terrigenous-sourced long-chain fatty acids (LcFAs; n-C₂₁ to n-C₃₂) had average δ¹³C values of −29.6‰ to −34.1‰. The other LcFAs (n-C₂₄ & n-C₂₆ ∼ n-C₂₈; average δ¹³C values are −26.1‰ to −28.0‰) as well as n-C₁₉ and n-C₂₀ SaFAs (average δ¹³C values are −29.1‰ and −29.3‰, respectively) showed a mixed signal of carbon isotope compositions.The relative bioproductivity calculation (marine vs. terrigenous) demonstrated that most of organic carbon accumulation throughout the sedimentary profile was contributed by marine organism. The high marine productivity in Shenhu, South China Sea may be related to the hydrocarbon seepage which evidenced by diapiric structures. Interestingly, there is a sever fluctuation of terrigenous inputs around the depth of 97 cm below the seafloor (bsf), probably resulting from the influence of the Dansgaard–Oeschger events and the Younger Dryas event as revealed by ¹⁴C age measurements.     

Solubilization of hydrocarbons by the dissolved organic matter in sea water

Water samples from Narragansett Bay and the Providence River, and fulvic acid/ saline water solutions were examined for their ability to solubilize n-alkane (n-C₁₆ and n-C₂₀), isoprenoid (pristane) and aromatic (phenanthrene and anthracene) hydrocarbons and dibutyl phthalate. Removal of the dissolved organic matter (D.O.M.) from the natural samples by activated charcoal and by ultra-violet oxidation resulted in a 50–99 per cent decrease in the amounts of n-alkanes and isoprenoid hydrocarbons solubilized. This decrease was directly related to the amount of D.O.M. removed. The solubilities of the aromatic hydrocarbons were unaffected by the D.O.M. Fulvic acid from a marine sediment, surface active organic material isolated at a chloroform/sea water interface, organic material extracted from a marine sediment by sea water, and organic matter contributed by a municipal sewage effluent, promote n-alkane solubility when added to NaCl solutions and re-enhance solubility when added to organic depleted sea water. The solubility of No. 2 fuel oil increased 2.5 times in the presence of fulvic acid (3.7 mg C/l.) with most of the increase seen in the alkane and isoprenoid components.N-Alkane solubility increases in fulvic acid/saline water solutions with increasing pH and reaches a maximum with respect to ionic strength at I = 0.3. There is evidence to suggest that the mode of solubilization of the hydrocarbons is by incorporation into micelles formed by intermolecular association of the surface active humic-type monomers. The presence of ionic species is a prerequisite for micelle formation.     

Methane adsorption in the low–middle-matured Neoproterozoic Xiamaling marine shale in Zhangjiakou,Hebei

The adsorption capacity of high–over-matured shale has been widely investigated, but the adsorption capacity and the main factors influencing low–middle-matured, type II kerogen-containing, and organic-rich marine shale have been rarely explored. This research conducts organic geochemistry, mineralogical composition, adsorption isotherm tests to reveal the adsorption and main influencing factors of the different geochemistry characteristics, mineralogical compositions, temperature and pressure conditions of the low–middle-matured Neoproterozoic Xiamaling marine shale in Zhangjiakou, Hebei. The investigated shale is in a low–middle maturity stage, contains type II kerogen and is rich in organic matter. The results show that the total organic carbon (TOC) content of the Xiamaling shale is positively correlated with the methane adsorption capacity, which is the most important influencing factor on the adsorptive property of shale. The methane adsorption capacity first decreases to the minimum value as the temperature reaches 360°C equivalent Ro (EqRo = 1.0%), then increases and reaches the maximum value at 620°C (EqRo = 3.28%) and finally decreases again as the temperature rises at the last simulation stage. The mineral components exhibit an insignificant influence on the methane absorbability because of organic-matter coatings. The TOC-normalised methane adsorption capacity is positively correlated with the illite–smectite and clay-mineral contents but shows no significant correlation with brittle minerals, such as quartz. Soluble organic matter and kerogen caused the methane dissolution and adsorbtion, respectively. The strong dissolution property of the soluble organic matter is the most important cause of the larger adsorption capacity of the original shale compared with that of the residual samples. Moreover, the methane adsorption capacity of the Xiamaling shale decreases with increasing temperature, and increases with pressure below the critical pressure but decreases exceeding the critical pressure.     

Subaerial weathering of sedimentary organic matter

Small diameter core samples were taken from outcrops of the Permian Phosphoria Formation and the Cretaceous Pierre Shale of the Western United States to determine the effects of weathering on organic matter in shale outcrops. While the Pierre Shale core showed no evidence of weathering, the Phosphoria Formation showed significant reduction of overall organic content and pronounced changes in organic composition over the near-surface interval of the core. Total organic carbon is lower by as much as 60% over the upper 2 ft of the core. Chloroform-soluble organic matter and total hydrocarbon (C₁₅₊) concentrations are 50% lower over this same interval. The ratio of saturated to aromatic hydrocarbons decreases steadily with core depth over the upper 2.6 ft of the core. Aromatic hydrocarbons are enriched in the stable carbon-13 isotope by an average of 1.7%. over this same interval. Shallow core samples also show a loss of n-paraffins relative to branched/cyclic compounds in the saturated C¹⁵⁺ fraction.Although the extent of weathering is variable, certain characteristic effects are recognizable and can be applied to the interpretation of outcrop data in organic geochemical studies.     

Carbon isotope analyses of n-alkanes in dust from the lower atmosphere over the central eastern Atlantic

Atmospheric dust samples collected along a transect off the West African coast have been investigated for their lipid content and compound-specific stable carbon isotope compositions. The saturated hydrocarbon fractions of the organic solvent extracts consist mainly of long-chain n-alkanes derived from epicuticular wax coatings of terrestrial plants. Backward trajectories for each sampling day and location were calculated using a global atmospheric circulation model. The main atmospheric transport took place in the low-level trade-wind layer, except in the southern region, where long-range transport in the mid-troposphere occurred. Changes in the chain length distributions of the n-alkane homologous series are probably related to aridity, rather than temperature or vegetation type. The carbon preference of the leaf-wax n-alkanes shows significant variation, attributed to a variable contribution of fossil fuel- or marine-derived lipids. The effect of this nonwax contribution on the δ¹³C values of the two dominant n-alkanes in the aerosols, n-C₂₉ and n-C₃₁ alkane, is, however, insignificant. Their δ¹³C values were translated into a percentage of C₄ vs. C₃ plant type contribution, using a two-component mixing equation with isotopic end-member values from the literature. The data indicate that only regions with a predominant C₄ type vegetation, i.e. the Sahara, the Sahel, and Gabon, supply C₄ plant-derived lipids to dust organic matter. The stable carbon isotopic compositions of leaf-wax lipids in aerosols mainly reflect the modern vegetation type along their transport pathway. Wind abrasion of wax particles from leaf surfaces, enhanced by a sandblasting effect, is most probably the dominant process of terrigenous lipid contribution to aerosols.     

New aromatic biomarkers and possible maturity indicators found in New Albany Shale extracts

Aromatic hydrocarbons from benzene extracts of New Albany Shale were characterized. A biomarker that has a molecular weight of 546 and a structural configuration consistent with that of an alkyl-aromatic hydrocarbon (C₄₀H₆₆) was tentatively identified. It was found that the relative concentrations of the biomarker are indicative of differing levels of thermal maturity of the shale organic matter. A 40-carbon bicyclic carotenoid (C₄₀H₄₈) is proposed as the geochemical precursor of this biomarker. Thermal maturity of the shale organic matter can also be differentiated by observing differences in “fingerprints” as obtained by field-ionization mass spectrometry on the aromatic hydrocarbon fraction. Using this technique, we found that the more mature shale samples from southeastern Illinois contain more low molecular weight extractable aromatic hydrocarbons and the less mature shale samples from northwestern Illinois contain more high molecular weight extractable aromatic hydrocarbons. It was demonstrated that field-ionization and tandem mass spectrometric techniques through fingerprint and individual compound identification, are useful for shale aromatic hydrocarbon fraction characterization and for thermal maturation interpretation.     

燕山地区中、上元古界地层结构与油气保存条件分析

根据对燕山地区地层结构和岩石组成的分析,确定了以洪水庄组、铁岭组暗色泥、页岩(生)—雾迷山组白云岩(储)—洪水庄组泥、页岩(盖),以及铁岭组、下马岭组暗色泥、页岩(生)—铁岭组白云岩(储)—下马岭组泥、页岩(盖)为主的两套生储盖组合。对泥、页岩生烃指标进行了分析,确定了洪水庄组和下马岭组泥、页岩为主的两套烃源岩。结合地质演化过程的分析,认为燕山地区中、上元古界具有很好的含油气远景。     

Organic geochemical characterization of the New Albany Shale group in the Illinois Basin

Benzene extractable aliphatic hydrocarbons from the New Albany Shale in the Illinois Basin were characterized by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and the total organic matter of the shale was characterized by solid state carbon-13 cross polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance. Core samples from a northwest-trending cross-section of the Illinois Basin were studied. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis (GC/MS) data indicate a regional variation of the aliphatic composition of the shale extracts. A positive, linear relationship between the two ratios, pristane/n-C₁₇ and phytane/n-C₁₈, is indicated. The NMR results indicated that organic matter deposited in northwestern Illinois shale is relatively high in aliphatic hydrocarbon content while, in contrast, organic matter found in southeastern Illinois shale is relatively low in aliphatic hydrocarbon content. Our findings suggest that the organic variation of the shale is mainly due to the differences in thermal maturity of the shale organic matter and the use of pristane/n-C₁₇ ratio as a thermal parameter in the study of oil may be extended to the study of the ancient sediments.