The Permian–Triassic mass extinction: Ostracods (Crustacea) and microbialites

The end-Permian mass extinction (EPE), about 252 Myr ago, eradicated more than 90% of marine species. Following this event, microbial formations colonised the space left vacant after extinction of skeletonised metazoans. These post-extinction microbialites dominated shallow marine environments and were usually considered as devoid of associated fauna. Recently, several fossil groups were discovered together with these deposits and allow discussing the palaeoenvironmental conditions following the EPE. At the very base of the Triassic, abundant Ostracods (Crustacea) are systematically present, only in association with microbialites. Bacterial communities building the microbial mats should have served as an unlimited food supply. Photosynthetic cyanobacteria may also have locally provided oxygen to the supposedly anoxic environment: microbialites would have been refuges in the immediate aftermath of the EPE. Ostracods temporarily disappear together with microbialites during the Griesbachian.     

The terminal Permian in European Russia: Vyaznikovian Horizon,Nedubrovo Member,and Permian–Triassic boundary

The comprehensive analysis of the data obtained on terrestrial vertebrata, ostracods, entomologic fauna, megaflora, and microflora in deposits of the Vyaznikovian Horizon and Nedubrovo Member, as well as the paleomagnetic data measured in enclosing rocks, confirms heterogeneity of these deposits. Accordingly, it is necessary to distinguish these two stratons in the terminal Permian of the East European Platform. The combined sequence of Triassic–Permian boundary deposits in the Moscow Syneclise, which is considered to be the most complete sequence in the East European Platform, is as follows (from bottom upward): Vyatkian deposits; Vyaznikovian Horizon, including Sokovka and Zhukovo members; Nedubrovo Member (Upper Permian); Astashikha and Ryabi members of the Vokhmian Horizon (Lower Triassic). None of the sequences of Permian–Triassic boundary deposits known in the area of study characterizes this sequence in full volume. In the north, the Triassic deposits are underlain by the Nedubrovo Member; in the south (the Klyazma River basin), the sections are underlain by the Vyaznikovian Horizon. The Permian–Triassic boundary adopted in the General Stratigraphic Scale of Russia for continental deposits of the East European platform (the lower boundary of the Astashikha Member) is more ancient than the one adopted in the International Stratigraphic Chart. The same geological situation is observed in the German Basin and other localities where Triassic continental deposits are developed. The ways of solving this problem are discussed in this article.     

Current perspectives on the Permian–Triassic boundary and end-Permian mass extinction: Preface

The end-Permian mass extinction is now robustly dated at 252.6 ± 0.2 Ma (U–Pb) and the Permian–Triassic (P–T) GSSP level is dated by interpolation at 252.5 Ma. An isotopic geochronological timescale for the Late Permian–Early Triassic, based on recent accurate high-precision U–Pb single zircon dating of volcanic ashes, together with calibrated conodont zonation schemes, is presented. The duration of the Early Triassic (Induan + Olenekian stages) is estimated at only 5.5 million years. The duration of the Induan Stage (Griesbachian + Dienerian sub-stages) is estimated at ca. one million years and the early Olenekian (Smithian sub-stage) at 0.7 million years duration. Considering this timescale, the “delayed” recovery following the end-Permian mass extinction may not in fact have been particularly protracted, in the light of the severity of the extinction. Conodonts evolved rapidly in the first 1 million years following the mass extinction leading to recognition of high-resolution conodont zones. Continued episodic global environmental and climatic stress following the extinction is recognized by multiple carbon isotope excursions, further faunal turnover and peculiar sedimentary and biotic facies (e.g. microbialites). The end-Permian mass extinction is interpreted to be synchronous globally and between marine and non-marine environments. The nature of the double-phased Late Permian extinction (at the Guadalupian–Lopingian boundary and the P–T boundary), linked to large igneous provinces, suggests a primary role for superplume activity that involved geomagnetic polarity change and massive volcanism.     

Isotope Characteristics (δ13C, δ18O) of Continental Carbonates from Permian‒Triassic Rocks in the Northeastern Russian Plate: Paleoclimatic and Biotic Reasons and Chemostratigraphy

Lithology and Mineral Resources - Carbon and oxygen isotope compositions were determined in the pedogenic, sedimentary, and organogenic carbonates from Upper Permian (Vyatkian Stage) and Lower...     

Structural Connections between the Urals and Western Siberia: A Common Stage of Formation at the Permian–Triassic Boundary

Doklady Earth Sciences - The 40Ar–39Ar dating of mica from schists and blastomylonites, sampled within the limits of a fault that separates the Eastern zone of the Middle Urals, sinking...     

Single-grain apatite geochemistry of Permian–Triassic granitoids and Mesozoic and Eocene sandstones from Chiapas,southeast Mexico: implications for sediment provenance

ABSTRACT

This article reports single-grain multi-elemental results (Sr, Y, Th, U, and rare earth elements) obtained in 966 apatites from 18 rocks (sandstones and granitoids) that were sampled from the Mesozoic (Todos Santos and San Ricardo Formations) and Eocene (the El Bosque Formation) successions as well as from the Permian–Triassic Chiapas Massif Complex (CMC), all of which are exposed within the Sierra de Chiapas (SCH), SE Mexico. The objectives of the present study are (1) to establish changes in provenance between the Mesozoic and Eocene sedimentary sequences using single-grain apatite geochemistry, and (2) to identify source areas for siliciclastic materials from the Todos Santos, San Ricardo, and the El Bosque Formations. The results of the present work strongly suggest that apatites from the Todos Santos and San Ricardo Formations were mainly derived from intermediate to felsic I-type granitoids as well as from arc-related volcanic rocks, indicating that the CMC basement was the most important source area for the Mesozoic sandstones in the SCH. An abrupt change in provenance from Mesozoic to Eocene units was identified based on single-grain apatite geochemistry. Detrital apatites of the Ypresian–Lutetian El Bosque Formation were derived from diverse source rocks such as mafic–ultramafic rocks, intermediate to felsic I-type plutons, strongly fractionated S-type granites and pegmatites, as well as from different metamorphic source lithologies (including high-pressure rocks) such as gneisses, migmatites, metapelites, and/or eclogites. It was proposed, therefore, that most Eocene sediments of the SCH were derived from the Guatemala Suture Complex, which involves all the rock types mentioned above. A minor portion of the El Bosque Formation sediments was derived from the CMC area and/or from recycled sandstones from the Mesozoic Todos Santos and San Ricardo Formations. Some advantages and disadvantages of provenance studies based on detrital apatite chemistry were also observed and briefly discussed.     

Permian–Triassic amalgamation of Asia: Insights from Northeast China sutures and their place in the final collision of North China and Siberia

The Central Asia Orogenic Belt (CAOB) corresponds to the domain where Siberia and Mongolia were welded to North China. The eastern extension of the CAOB in Northeast China is disputed, since both suture location and timing are poorly documented. This paper reports for the first time the recognition of two suture zones in the southern part of Northeast China (Manchuria), between the Fushun Mishan and Yilan-Yitong faults. In the Jilin Province, west-directed thrust sheets involving successively, from west to east, passive continental margin rocks, metamorphic rocks and ophiolites, block-in-matrix formations and arc plutons indicate a Permian–Early Triassic collision. In the Liaoning Province, arc plutonism and top-to-the-north ductile shearing, coeval with the emplacement of an ophiolitic nappe, suggest a Palaeozoic collision. These two sutures are correlated with the Ondor Sum and Solonker sutures, described in Inner Mongolia. A new geodynamic model involving rifting and collision of the southern part of the Xilinhot Block with North China is proposed.     

Decoupled δ~(13)C_(carb) and δ~(13)C_(org) records at Triassic–Jurassic boundary interval in eastern Tethys:Environmental implications for spatially different global response

Although δ~(13)C data(either δ~(13)C_(carb) or δ~(13)C_(org)) of many Triassic–Jurassic(T-J) sections have been acquired,pairedδ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org)from continuous T-J carbonate sections,especially in eastern Tethys,have been scarcely reported.This study presents paired and decoupled δ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org)data from a continuous T-J carbonate section in Wadi Naqab.The T-J Wadi Naqab carbonate section,located in United Arab Emirates,Middle East,represents tropical and shallow marine sedimentation in eastern Tethys.At the T-J boundary interval,an initial carbon isotope excursion(CIE) is observed with different magnitude of isotope excursion and timing inδ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org),while subsequently a positive CIE is only distinct in δ~(13)C_(carb).Based on petrological,carbon isotope,Rock-Eval and elemental analyses,the δ~(13)C_(carb)is thought to record marine inorganic carbon,and the δ~(13)C_(org) to record terrigenous organic carbon.Therefore,the paired δ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org)herein potentially document simultaneous changes in T-J atmospheric and marine settings of eastern Tethys.Their decoupled behavior may likely be caused by different changes or evolution of carbon pool between marine and atmospheric settings.The initial CIE present in both δ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org)may indicate influence of isotopically light carbon release related to CAMP activity in both atmospheric and marine settings.The following positive CIE only in δ~(13)C_(carb)suggests relatively steady carbon isotope composition in atmosphere,but enhanced burial of isotopically light carbon in marine settings.Furthermore,the T-J carbonates in the studied section were possibly deposited in normal and oxic shallow marine conditions.Global correlation based on the Wadi Naqab section and other T-J sections suggests spatially different T-J environmental parameters:in eastern Tethys and western Panthalassa,oxic condition,lacking organic-rich sediment,weaker ocean acidification and less influence of isotopically light carbon are more prevalent;in western Tethys and eastern Panthalassa,oxygen-depleted condition,black shales,stronger acidification and heavier influence of isotopically light carbon are more prevalent.These differences may be related to spatial distance from the CAMP or to different paleogeography.     

Late Permian–Early Triassic environmental changes recorded by multi-isotope (Re-Os-N-Hg) data and trace metal distribution from the Hovea-3 section,Western Australia

The temporal coincidence between the Late Permian mass extinction (LPME) and the emplacement of Siberian Trap basalts suggests a causal link between the two events. Here, we discuss stratigraphic changes of organic and inorganic (including isotopic) geochemical properties of marine sediments across the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) in the Hovea-3 core, Western Australia, a key PTB section in the southern Neo-Tethys ocean. These data are compared with published data from the Meishan section, southern China, and from the Opal Creek section in western Canada, providing a view of Tethys and Panthalassa changes at the PTB. Trace metal and N-isotopic data, together with organic matter properties suggest that anoxic conditions were established prior to the LPME, intensified close to the LPME, and continued with photic-zone euxinia into the Early Triassic. For the Hovea-3 section, Re-Os ages confirm Changhsingian (253.5 ± 1.4 Ma) deposition of the dated interval sampled immediately below the stratigraphic level characterized by major lithological and isotopic changes. Evaluation of Re-Os, N, and Hg elemental and isotopic data for Hovea-3 suggests that anoxic conditions in the latest Permian were generally unrelated to direct magmatic contributions. A major increase in the initial Os isotopic ratio of Lower Triassic shales suggest an ~8× increase in the Early Triassic continental runoff, based on moderately conservative assumptions for end-members contributing Os to the Permian–Triassic ocean. Comparison to other PTB sections confirms a global signal of increasing Re/Os ratios in the Late Permian, and major and long-lived changes in the isotopic composition of the post-extinction ocean. A distinct peak in Hg concentrations carrying a volcanic isotopic signature, also identified in other PTB sections, likely represents a major pulse of Siberian Trap volcanism. This Hg peak in the Hovea-3 section, however, is detected above the stratigraphic level containing multiple other widely recognized and more permanent geochemical changes. Therefore, direct volcanic inputs to the Permian–Triassic Ocean likely post-date the LPME in this Western Australian section.     

Geochemistry of sedimentary rocks from Permian–Triassic boundary sections of Tethys Himalaya: implications for paleo-weathering,provenance, and tectonic setting

The geochemical characteristics of two sections—the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) Guryul Ravine section, Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, India; and the Attargoo section, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India—have been studied in the context of provenance, paleo-weathering, and plate tectonic setting. These sections represent the siliciclastic sedimentary sequence from the Tethys Himalaya. The PTB siliciclastic sedimentary sequence in these regions primarily consists of sandstones and shales with variable thickness. Present studied sandstones and shales of both sections had chemical index of alteration values between 65 and 74; such values reveal low-to-moderate degree of chemical weathering. The chemical index of weathering in studied samples ranged from 71 to 94, suggesting a minor K-metasomatism effect on these samples. Plagioclase index of alteration in studied sections ranged from 68 to 92, indicating a moderate degree of weathering of plagioclase feldspars. The provenance discriminant function diagram suggests that the detritus involved in the formation of present studied siliciclastic sedimentary rocks fall in quartzose sedimentary and felsic igneous provenances. These sediments were deposited in a passive continental margin plate tectonic setting according to their location on a Si₂O versus K₂O/Na₂O tectonic setting diagram.     

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the Response Strategies of China

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which launched in 2015 inherited, extended and developed the merits of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in 2000. By the analysis of SDG goals, it can be found that SDG has mainly covered the securities of food supplies, disease prevention, social justice and human rights, the securities of water, energy, land and eco-environment. It covers the human, social, economic, and eco-environmental dimensions. To achieve it, the SDG should be localized and coordinated with the long-term development strategies of Chinese government. And the goals should be integrated into the policies and engineering projects of China simultaneously. By multilaterally cooperating with international communities and sharing the development experiences of other countries/regions, and confronting global issues together, the SDG can be achieved eventually by all the countries of the world.     

植物挥发性有机物的气候与环境效应研究进展

植物挥发性有机物(Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds,BVOCs)是大气中挥发性有机化合物(VOCs)的主要组分,具有重要的气候与环境效应。在梳理和总结既有研究成果的基础上,立足于BVOCs的大气化学过程,阐述了BVOCs不同组分的化学反应过程及其在大气臭氧(O3)和二次有机气溶胶(SOA)污染形成中的作用,指出了BVOCs在O_3和SOA污染形成中的重要性,以及BVOCs影响地球气候的2种主要途径:1通过形成SOA以气溶胶的形式影响地球大气辐射平衡;2参与地球碳循环,影响CH_4和CO等温室气体的寿命。进而,分别总结了BVOCs通过上述2个途径对地球气候影响的研究成果;阐述了BVOCs观测技术的现状与排放量估算模型的发展历程,分析了模型的优缺点与模型间的传承关系及其与气候系统模式耦合的现状。同时展望了BVOCs气候与环境效应亟需深入研究的问题,包括BVOCs氧化机制、产物的理化性质、耦合BVOCs排放及大气化学过程的地球系统模式研制等。     

西藏定结盆地中更新世介形类与环境气候变化

西藏定结盆地叶如藏布东岸剖面为一套灰—灰白色粘土质砂、粉砂、细砂与粗砂层所组成的湖相沉积地层,厚约41.3m,该套地层中产丰富的介形类化石,含10属26种,ESR测年数据显示地层沉积时间介于543.8~184.0 kaBP的中更新世时期。本文首次报道了该盆地中更新世时期(543.8~184.0 kaBP)的介形类,据介形类属种类型与丰度值变化,自下而上可分为6个化石组合;结合ESR测年结果,讨论了定结古湖近360 ka的沉积环境与气候变化:543.8~437.9 kaBP,湖区气候偏凉湿,降水较多,湖面较宽,水体较深,但水温不高,水质为微咸水;437.9~347.7 kaBP,湖区气候较上一时期变得寒冷,水体变小,湖水向咸化发展;347.7~264.2 kaBP,气候较上一时期变得更冷,湖泊水体扩大,湖水含盐度减少,向淡化方向发展;264.2~254.9 kaBP,湖区气候更加寒冷,水体温度变得更冷,湖泊水体先缩小后逐渐增大;254.9~239.0 kaBP,湖泊水体减少,湖区气候较前一阶段变暖;239.0~184.0 kaBP,湖水较上一时期有所扩大,淡化明显,湖泊周边环境依然比较寒冷。     

国际地学计划(IGCP)--中国地学与世界互动的平台

国际地学计划（International Geoscience Programme,IGCP）,是联合国教科文组织（UNESCO）的五大科学计划之一,亦是联合国系统（the United Nations system）唯一的国际地学计划。该计划由UNESSO和国际地质科学联合会（IUGS）于1972年共同发起,并于1974年正式实施至今,全球已有150多个国家和地区的数千名地球科学家积极参与,其主要优势在于拥有一个覆盖基础研究设施和高水平人力资源的世界网络。截止到2005年底,已批准实施了295个项目,其中254个区域性与全球性的地球科学研究项目已先后完成。国际地球科学界普遍认为IGCP是对各国科学家开放的固体地球科学领域内一项最为成功的计划,为地球科学家进行项目合作提供了一个国际平台,是最为引人关注的UNESCO科学计划之一。     

Environmental Forcing of Phytoplankton in a Mediterranean Estuary (Guadiana Estuary,South-western Iberia): A Decadal Study of Anthropogenic and Climatic Influences

Phytoplankton seasonal and interannual variability in the Guadiana upper estuary was analyzed during 1996–2005, a period that encompassed a climatic controlled reduction in river flow that was superimposed on the construction of a dam. Phytoplankton seasonal patterns revealed an alternation between a persistent light limitation and episodic nutrient limitation. Phytoplankton succession, with early spring diatom blooms and summer–early fall cyanobacterial blooms, was apparently driven by changes in nutrients, water temperature, and turbulence, clearly demonstrating the role of river flow and climate variability. Light intensity in the mixed layer was a prevalent driver of phytoplankton interannual variability, and the increased turbidity caused by the Alqueva dam construction was linked to pronounced decreases in chlorophyll a concentration, particularly at the start and end of the phytoplankton growing period. Decreases in annual maximum and average abundances of diatoms, green algae, and cyanobacteria were also detected. Furthermore, chlorophyll a decreases after dam filling and a decrease in turbidity may point to a shift from light limitation towards a more nutrient-limited mode in the near future.     

Recent 200 Years Climatic and Environmental Records From the Far East Rongbuk Ice Core, Mt. Qomolangma(Everest)

RECENT 200 YEARS CLIMATIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS FROM THE FAR EAST RONGBUK ICE CORE, MT. QOMOLANGMA (EVEREST)