Reefs in the Early Paleozoic Taebaek Group, Korea: A Review

Various early Paleozoic (Cambrian Series 3–Middle Ordovician) reefs are found in the Taebaek Group, eastern Korea, located in the eastern margin of the Sino-Korean Block. They occur in every carbonate-dominant lithostratigraphic unit of the group, but their morphology and composition differ markedly. The Daegi Formation (middle Cambrian: Cambrian Series 3) contains siliceous sponge-Epiphyton reefs formed in a shallow subtidal environment, which is one of the earliest metazoan-bearing microbial reefs after the archaeocyath extinction. The Hwajeol Formation (upper Cambrian: Furongian) encloses sporadic dendrolites consisting of Angulocellularia, which developed in a relatively deep subtidal environment, representing a rare deeper water example. The onset of the Ordovician radiation resulted in the formation of microbialite–Archaeoscyphia–calathiid patch reefs in shallow subtidal deposits of the Lower Ordovician Dumugol Formation. Subsequent late Early Ordovician relative sea-level fall established extensive peritidal environments, forming microbial mats and stromatolites of the Lower–Middle Ordovician Makgol Formation. Ensuing Ordovician radiation resulted in one of the earliest metazoan skeletal reefs of the Middle Ordovician Duwibong Formation, constructed by stromatoporoid Cystostroma and bryozoan Nicholsonella, and developed around shallow shoals. These reefs reflect ongoing evolution and sea-level change during the early Paleozoic, and exemplify a rare glimpse of peri-Gondwanan records of reef evolution, which warrant detailed investigations and comparison with their counterparts in other regions.     

Stable isotope(δ~(13)C_(ker),δ~(13)C_(carb),δ~(18)O_(carb)) distribution along a Cambrian outcrop section in the eastern Tarim Basin,NW China and its geochemical significance

This study investigated the geochemical features of the lower Paleozoic strata of Yaerdang Mountain outcrop along with the core samples from well TD2∈ in the eastern Tarim Basin,NW China.The total organic carbon abundance,hydrocarbon-generating precursor biospecies,and stable isotope ratios of organics and carbonate(δ~(13)C_(ker),δ~(13)C_(carb) and δ~(18)O_(carb)) were comprehensively studied for their possible correlative constraints during sedimentary evolution.The results revealed that the δ~(13)C_(ker)(VPDB) of Cambrian kerogens along the outcrop section varied from-34.6‰ to-28.4‰,indicating an increasing tendency from the lower Cambrian to the upper Cambrian.This was on the whole accompanied by the variation in the δ~(13)C_(carb) and δ~(18)O_(carb) along the profile,which might be associated with the changes in the sea level and also in the compositional variation of benthic and planktonic biomass.The large variation in the stable carbon isotope ratios up to 6‰ along the outcrop section reflected the heterogeneity of the Cambrian source rocks from the eastern Tarim Basin.Hence,the ~(13)C-enriched crude oils from well TD2∈might have been derived from a localized stratum of Cambrian source rocks.The results from this study showed the possibility of multiple source kitchens in the Cambrian-lower Ordovician portion of Tarim Basin.     

The characteristics and sources of natural gases from Ordovician weathered crust reservoirs in the Central Gas Field in the Ordos Basin

The Central Gas Field is a famous large-sized gas field in the Ordos Basin of China. However, identification of main gas sources of the Ordovician reservoirs in this gas field remains puzzling. On the basis of a lot of geochemical data and geological research on natural gases, the characteristics and sources of natural gases from Ordovician weathered crust reservoirs in the Central Gas Field in the Ordos Basin were studied. The results indicated that natural gases from Ordovician weathered crust reservoirs in the Central Gas Field in the Ordos Basin have similar chemical and isotopic compositions to highly mature and over-mature dry gases. Both coal-derived gases and oil-type gases coexist in the Central Gas Field in the Ordos Basin. The former was derived mainly from Carboniferous-Permian coal measures and the latter from Lower Paleozoic marine carbonates. It is suggested that coal-derived gases occur in the eastern part of the Central Gas Field while oil-type gases may be produced mainly in the northern, western and southern parts of the Central Gas Field in the Ordos Basin.     

A New Species of Amsassia from the Ordovician of Korea and South China: Paleobiological and Paleogeographical Significance

A new species of the probable calcareous alga Amsassia, A. koreanensis, is recognized from the Duwibong Formation (Middle Ordovician, Darriwilian) of the Taebaeksan Basin in mid-eastern Korea. This is the first report of the genus from the Korean Peninsula, expanding its geographical range to the eastern Sino-Korean Block. The new species also occurs in the Xiazhen Formation (Upper Ordovician, Katian) at Zhuzhai in the South China Block. Amsassia koreanensis is the smallest species of this modular genus, having a maximum module diameter of 0.28 mm. Module increase is by bipartite, tripartite and quadripartite types of longitudinal axial fission, but unlike other species of the genus, quadripartite fission is common. The types of fission are comparable to those in some Tetradiida (now Prismostylales, florideophycean rhodophyte algae), although the processes of fission are different. The distribution of A. koreanensis further strengthens the biogeographical connection between the Sino-Korean and South China blocks, suggesting that these two paleocontinents were located closer together during the Middle to Late Ordovician than previously speculated.     

Gas Occurrence and Accumulation Characteristics of Cambrian–Ordovician Shales in the Tarim Basin, Northwest China

The Tarim Basin is located in northwestern China and is the biggest basin in China with huge oil and gas resources. Especially the Lower to Middle Cambrian and Middle to Upper Ordovician possess the major marine source rocks in the Tarim Basin and have large shale gas resource potential. The Cambrian–Ordovician shales were mainly deposited in basin–slope facies with thicknesses between 30–180 m. For shales buried shallower than 4500 m, there is high organic matter abundance with TOC (total organic carbon) mainly between 1.0% and 6.0%, favorable organic matter of Type I and Type II, and high thermal maturity with RoE as 1.3%–2.75%. The mineral composition of these Cambrian–Ordovician shale samples is mainly quartz and carbonate minerals while the clay minerals content is mostly lower than 30%, because these samples include siliceous and calcareous shale and marlstone. The Cambrian and Ordovician shales are compacted with mean porosity of 4% and 3%, permeability of 0.0003×10?3–0.09×10?3 μm2 and 0.0002×10?3–0.11×10?3 μm2, and density of 2.30 g/m3 and 2.55 g/m3, respectively. The pores in the shale samples show good connectivity and are mainly mesopore in size. Different genetic types of pores can be observed such as intercrystal, intergranular, dissolved, organic matter and shrinkage joint. The reservoir bed properties are controlled by mineral composition and diagenesis. The maximum adsorption amount to methane of these shales is 1.15–7.36 cm3/g, with main affecting factors being organic matter abundance, porosity and thermal maturity. The accumulation characteristics of natural gas within these shales are jointly controlled by sedimentation, diagenesis, hydrocarbon generation conditions?, reservoir bed properties and the occurrence process of natural gas. The natural gas underwent short-distance migration and accumulation, in-place accumulation in the early stage, and adjustment and modification in the later stage. Finally, the Yulin (well Y1) and Tazhong (well T1) areas are identified as the targets for shale gas exploration in the Tarim Basin.     

Sedimentary Environments of Cambrian–Ordovician Source Rocks and Ultra-deep Petroleum Accumulation in the Tarim Basin

The Tarim Basin is the only petroliferous basin enriched with marine oil and gas in China. It is presently also the deepest basin for petroleum exploration and development in the world. There are two main sets of marine Source Rocks (SRs) in the Tarim Basin, namely the high over-mature Cambrian–Lower Ordovician (∈–O1) and the moderately mature Middle–Upper Ordovician (O2–3). The characteristic biomarkers of SRs and oils indicate that the main origin of the marine petroleum is a mixed source of ∈–O1 and O2–3 SRs. With increasing burial, the hydrocarbon contribution of the ∈–O1 SRs gradually increases. Accompanied by the superposition of multi-stage hydrocarbon-generation of the SRs and various secondary alteration processes, the emergence and abnormal enrichment of terpenoids, thiophene and trimethylaryl isoprenoid in deep reservoirs indicate a complex genesis of various deep oils and gases. Through the analysis of the biofacies and sedimentary environments of the ∈–O1 and O2–3 SRs, it is shown that the lower Paleozoic high-quality SRs in the Tarim Basin were mainly deposited in a passive continental margin and the gentle slope of the platform, deep-water shelf and slope facies, which has exhibited a good response to the local tectonic-sedimentary environment. The slope of the paleo-uplift is the mutual area for the development of carbonate reservoirs and the deposition of marine SRs, which would be favorable for the accumulation of petroleum. Due to the characteristics of low ground temperature, the latest rapid and deep burial does not cause massive oil-cracking in the paleo-uplift and slope area. Therefore, it is speculated that the marine reservoirs in the slope of the Tabei Uplift are likely to be a favorable area for deep petroleum exploration, while the oil-cracking gas would be a potential reserve around the west margin of the Manjiaer Depression. Hydrocarbons were generated from various unit SRs, mainly migrating along the lateral unconformities or reservoirs and the vertical faults. They eventually brought up three major types of exploration fields: middle and lower Cambrian salt-related assemblages, dolomite inner reservoirs and Middle and Lower Ordovician oil-bearing karst, which would become the most favorable target of marine ultra-deep exploration in the Tarim Basin.     

华北陆台上一个大型沉积盆地古生界油气的形成与演化

Based on the studies of geological history during the Paleozoic time. depoaitional esvironment, the evolution of organisms, the content of organic substances and the distribution of oil-generatlng strata, various indicators concerning oil generation are discussed and. compared in terms of Organic substance composition, the alkane and isopronoid in saturated hydrocarbon, characteristic functional group of the aromatic hydrocarbon and its structure, element composition and free radical concentration in asphaltene as well as carbon isotopes. The following conclusions can be drawn: (1) During the Later Paleozoic, the mud stone of the two oil-generating depressions of the Ponhsi Group on the western part of the basin was the most important reservoir and the black mud stone and limestone were secondary in importance. (2) Both the Ordovicoan Machiakou limestone and the shale of grapholithic facies are main oil (gas) generating strata in the western part of the basin. The Changhsia Group of the middle Cambrian system may also be oil-generatlng but is of little consequence. (3) Oil and gas formation in the Upper and. Lower Paleozoic groups represent two. different evolutionary stages. In the Upper Paleozoic group the petroleum formed is a kind of light oil, and large quantities of natural gas had been formed from the coal-bearing Taiyuan and Shansi Groups as a result of metamorphism. In response to the action of temperature and. presses over the prolonged geological period, oil sad gas formation in the lower Paleozoie group corresponds to a more advanced evolutionary stage, during which the generation of natural gas is the dominant process in comparation with oil condensation. Therefore the lower Paleozoic group is believed to be more promising for gas prospecting.     

Redefinition and Formation Age of the Tanjianshan Group in Xitieshan Region,Qinghai

The Tanjianshan Group, which was previously divided into a, b, c and d formations, has been controversial for a long time. It mainly distributes in the northern margin of Qaidam Basin and is an important early Paleozoic greenschist facies metamorphic volcanic sedimentary rock formation. Detailed field investigation and zircon LA-ICPMS U-Pb dating of the key strata suggest that the original lower part of a Formation(a-1) versus the original middle upper of d Formation(d-3 and d-4), the original upper part of a Formation(a-2) and b Formation versus the original lower part of d Formation(d-1 and d-2) of Tanjianshan Group are contemporaneous heterotopic facies volcanicclasolite deposit, respectively. The former formations formed during the middle-late Ordovician(463–458 Ma), while the latter ones formed in the late Ordovician(about 445 Ma). The original c formation of Tanjianshan Group, which formed after 430 Ma, is similar to the Maoniushan Formation of Kunlun Mountains and north Qaidam Basin. According to the rules of stratigraphic division and naming, new stratum formations of Tanjianshan Group are re-built and divided into Duancenggou(O1-2td), Zhongjiangou(O2-3tz) and Xitieshan(O3tx) formations. The original c Formation is separated from Tanjianshan Group and is renamed as the Wuminggou Formation(S3-D1w), which shows a discordant contact with underlying Tanjianshan Group and overlying Amunike Formation(D3a). The zircon U-Pb age frequency spectrogram of Tanjianshan Group indicates three prominent peaks of 430 Ma, 460 Ma and 908 Ma, which is consistent with the metamorphic and magmatic crystallization ages obtained from para- and orthogneisses in north Qaidam HP-UHP metamorphic belt, implying that strong Caledonian and Jinningian tectonic and magmatic events have ever happened in North Qaidam.     

Conodonts from the Sesong Slate and Hwajeol Formation (Guzhangian to Furongian) in the Taebaeksan Basin, Korea

Abundant conodont elements have been recovered from the Hwajeol Formation, to allow five zones to be erected: Proconodontus, Eoconodontus notchpeakensis, Cambrooistodus minutus, Cordylodus proavus, and Fryxellodontus inornatus-Monocostodus sevierensis-Semiacontiodus lavadamensis zones, in ascending order. More confident biozones are recognized in the Sesong Slate and lower Hwajeol Formation in the Makgol section, a part of the southern limb of the Baekunsan syncline, Taebaeksan Basin, Korea, especially focusing on the conodont biostratigraphic boundary of two units, and the subdivision potential of the previous "Proconodontus Zone", lowermost biozone of the Hwajeol Formation. Similarly, only a few conodont elements recovered from upper 14.5 m interval, namely the Furongian portion of the Sesong Slate, in the Makgol section did not allow erection of a biozone. Nevertheless, this part of the unit plus the basal 2.5 m interval of the Hwajeol Formation is characterized by the occurrence of Prooneotodus rotundatus(Druce and Jones), Teridontus nakamurai(Nogami), Phakelodus elongatus(An) and Phakelodus tenuis Müller. This interval marks the early Furongian "Prooneotodus rotundatus Zone". The rest of the measured section yielded relatively abundant conodonts, so three conodont biozones are proposed, based on the successive appearance of key species: Proconodontus tenuiserratus, Proconodontus posterocostatus, and Proconodontus muelleri zones, in ascending order, and thus allowing subdivision of the previous "Proconodontus Zone". The four conodont biozones are correlated with the relevant biozones of North and South China, and North America.     

Cambrian Stem-group Cnidarians with a New Species from the Cambrian Series 3 of the Taebaeksan Basin, Korea

Five species, Lipopora lissa Jell and Jell, 1976, Lipopora daseia Jell and Jell, 1976, Tretocylichne perplexa Engelbretsen, 1993 from Australia, Cambroctoconus orientalis Park, Woo, Lee, Lee, Lee, Han and Chough, 2011 from China, and Cambroctoconus kyrgyzstanicus Peel, 2014 from Kyrgyzstan, belonging to the Cambrian stem-group cnidarians have been documented in the fossil record. Cambroctoconus coreaensis sp. nov., interpreted here as a stem-group cnidarian, from the Seokgaejae section in the Daegi Formation, Taebaek Group (Cambrian Series 3), Taebaeksan Basin, central-eastern Korean Peninsula, has a slender cup-shaped skeleton. A cladistic analysis produced 21 most parsimonious trees, which invariably placed the six stem-group cnidarians below the crown-group, but their relationships within the stem-group are unresolved. Nine out of the 21 trees suggest a monophyletic relationship for the Cambrian stem-group cnidarians, whereas in six other trees a monophyly of Cambroctoconus and Tretocylichne appeared as the sister-group to the crown-group cnidarians with Lipopora at the most basal branch. This result may reflect the fact that crown-group cnidarians evolved in the Precambrian, and suggests that the diversity of stem-group cnidarians was a result of an independent radiation in the Cambrian.     

Geology of the 2018 Winter Olympic site,Pyeongchang, Korea

We review the geology of the Gyeonggi Massif, Gyeonggi Marginal Belt, and Taebaeksan Basin of the Korean Peninsula, which are relevant to the 2018 Winter Olympic sites. Neoarchaean–Palaeoproterozoic gneisses and schists of the Gyeonggi Massif underwent two distinct collisional orogenies at the Palaeoproterozoic (1.88–1.85 Ga) and Triassic (245–230 Ma). These basement rocks are structurally overlain by a suite of Mesoproterozoic to Early Permian supracrustal rocks of the Gyeonggi Marginal Belt, consisting primarily of medium-pressure schists and amphibolites metamorphosed at ~270–250 Ma. In contrast, sedimentary successions in the Taebaeksan Basin, commonly fossiliferous, consist primarily of Early Cambrian–Middle Ordovician Joseon Supergroup and Late Carboniferous–Early Triassic Pyeongan Supergroup. The ‘Great Hiatus’ between the two supergroups is characteristic for the North China Craton. The marked contrast in tectonometamorphic evolution between the Taebaeksan Basin and Gyeonggi Marginal Belt suggests an existence of major suture in-between, which is most likely produced by the Permian–Triassic continental collision between the North and South China cratons. Finally, recent tectonics of the Korean Peninsula is governed by the opening of East Sea/Sea of Japan during the Late Oligocene–Early Miocene. This back-arc rifting event has resulted in an exhumation of the Taebaek Mountain Range, estimated to be 22 ± 3 Ma on the basis of apatite (U–Th)/He ages. Thus, high topography in the 2018 Winter Olympic sites is the consequence of Tertiary tectonics associated with the opening of a back-arc basin.     

Carbon isotope composition of Upper Cambrian to Lower Ordovician carbonate in Korea,and its bearing on the Cambrian–Ordovician boundary and Lower Ordovician paleoceanography

This study presents an example of locating Cambrian–Ordovician boundary in the lower Paleozoic carbonate succession in Korea using carbon isotope stratigraphy. The Yeongweol Unit of the lower Paleozoic Joseon Supergroup comprises the Upper Cambrian Wagok Formation and the Lower Ordovician Mungok Formation in the Cambrian–Ordovician transition interval. Conventionally, the boundary was placed at the lithostratigraphic boundary between the two formations. This study reveals that the boundary is positioned in the basal part of the Mungok Formation based on the carbon isotope stratigraphy coupled with biostratigraphic information of conodont and trilobite faunas. The δ¹³C curve of the Lower Ordovician Mungok Formation shows a similar trend to that of the coeval stratigraphic interval of Argentine Precordillera (Buggisch et al., 2003), suggesting that the δ¹³C curve of the Mungok Formation reflects the Early Ordovician global carbon cycle.     

中韩寒武系地层对比——以北京西山和韩国太白地区为例

韩国太白地区位于朝鲜半岛中东部,包含一套古生代地层,发育有下古生界寒武系地层,露头良好,易于观察。北京西山地区与韩国太白地区寒武系地层在岩性、沉积环境演化方面具有一定的可对比性。通过研究北京西山地区与韩国太白盆地上寒武统地层的岩性、沉积环境和古生物群特征,得出两者在构造演化之间的联系。     

Tracking Paleozoic evolution of the South Korean Peninsula from detrital zircon records: Implications for the tectonic history of East Asia

The southern part of the Korean Peninsula preserves important records of the Paleozoic evolutionary history of East Asia. Here we present SHRIMP U–Pb ages of detrital zircon grains from Paleozoic metasedimentary successions (Okcheon and Joseon Supergroups, Yeoncheon Group, Taean Formation, and Pyeongan Supergroup) that are incorporated into the major Phanerozoic mountain belts (Okcheon and Hongseong-Imjingang Belts) in South Korea, providing new insights for provenances and paleotectonic evolution of the South Korean Peninsula during Paleozoic time. The zircon ages from our samples display two distinct spectra patterns in their presence/absence of Neoproterozoic and/or Paleozoic populations. Our results, together with the available data from the Korean Peninsula, suggest that: (1) the Early to Middle Paleozoic successions in the Okcheon Belt were deposited in continental margin setting(s) formed by Neoproterozoic intracratonic rifting, (2) the Middle Paleozoic metasedimentary rocks in the Imjingang belt can be interpreted as molasse and flysch sediments along an active continental margin, (3) the Late Paleozoic to Early Triassic Taean Formation along the western Gyeonggi Massif represents a syn- to post-collision deltaic complex of a remnant oceanic basin, and (4) the Late Paleozoic to possibly Early Triassic Pyeongan Supergroup in the Okcheon Belt might represent a wedge-top and/or foreland basin. The spatial and temporal discrepancy between the South Korean Peninsula and the Central China Orogenic Belt during Paleozoic might reflect lateral variations in crustal evolution history along the East Asian continental margin during the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean closure.     

SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages of pyroclastic rocks in the Bansong Group, Taebaeksan Basin, South Korea and their implication for the Mesozoic tectonics

The Bansong Group (Daedong Supergroup) in the Korean peninsula has long been considered to be an important time marker for two well-known orogenies, in that it was deposited after the Songnim orogeny (Permian–Triassic collision of the North and South China blocks) but was deformed during the Early to Middle Jurassic Daebo tectonic event. Here we present a new interpretation on the origin of the Bansong Group and associated faults on the basis of structural and geochronological data. SHRIMP (Sensitive High-Resolution Ion MicroProbe) U–Pb zircon age determination of two felsic pyroclastic rocks from the Bansong Group formed in the foreland basin of the Gongsuweon thrust in the Taebaeksan Basin yielded ages of 186.3 ± 1.5 and 187.2 ± 1.5 Ma, respectively, indicating the deposition of the Bansong Group during the late Early Jurassic. Inherited zircon component indicates ca. 1.9 Ga source material for the volcanic rocks, agreeing with known basement ages.The Bansong Group represents syntectonic sedimentation during the late Early Jurassic in a compressional regime. During the Daebo tectonic event, the northeast-trending regional folds and thrusts including the Deokpori (Gakdong) and Gongsuweon thrusts with a southeast vergence developed in the Taebaeksan Basin. This is ascribed to deformation in a continental-arc setting due to the northwesterly orthogonal convergence of the Izanagi plate on the Asiatic margin, which occurred immediately after the juxtaposition of the Taebaeksan Basin against the Okcheon Basin in the late stage of the Songnim orogeny. Thus, the Deokpori thrust is not a continental transform fault between the North and South China blocks, but an “intracontinental” thrust that developed after their juxtaposition.     

Characterization of Quartzites in the Southern Korean Peninsula

In the southern Korean Peninsula twelve quartzite strata occur in the Gyeonggi massif and Okcheon belt. Their geologic ages range from Precambrian to Upper Paleozoic. All quartzites in the Gyeonggi massif are of Precambrian in age and are characterized by high-grade metaquartzites; they are Seosan, Anyang, Yongmunsan and Uiam quartzites from west to east. Quartzite types occurring in the Okcheon belt are diverse from orthoquartzite to medium-grade metaquartzite. Orthoquartzites are all Paleozoic in age and are distributed mainly in the eastern Okcheon belt (Taebaeksan Basin) (Jangsan, Dongjeom and Jeongseon quartzites) with one in the central Okcheon belt (Mungyeong Quartzite). Low-grade metaquartzite is Hwasan quartzite in the western part and medium-grade metaquartzites are Daehyangsan and Geumsusan quatzites in the central part, and Yongamsan quartzite in the southwestern part of the Okcheon belt. Distribution of quartzite types in the southern Korean Peninsula is not related to the geologic age of quartzites. As a case study, quartzite characteristics were applied to a provenance study of quartzite clasts in the northwestern part of the Cretaceous Gyeongsang Basin. Quartzite clasts in the study area are interpreted to have been mostly derived from source quartzites in the Okcheon belt, which is consistent with the results of previous studies.     

塔里木地区早古生代海平面波动特征:来自地球化学及岩溶的证据

下古生界是塔里木盆地内最有潜力找到大油气田的层位。通过盆地内48口钻至下古生界钻井的沉积层序与沉积相分析、9800km地震剖面的地震相分析、大量Sr、C同位素及微量元素分析,并结合相关资料,开展了寒武纪—奥陶纪的以世或期为单位的岩相古地理研究,定性探讨海平面变迁。在此基础上,运用沉积地球化学定量探讨海平面的波动。分析表明,早古生代塔里木地区经历了两次大规模的海侵与海退过程,寒武纪和奥陶纪各经历了一次。每个海侵与海退过程内各包含了两个较高频的海平面升降旋回,即早寒武世早期海侵—早寒武世中期至中寒武世晚期海退、中寒武世末期海侵—晚寒武世晚期海退、早奥陶世早期至中奥陶世中期海侵—中奥陶世晚期海退、晚奥陶世早期海侵—晚奥陶世中至晚期海退。在上述2次大规模的海侵与海退以及4个较高频的海平面升降旋回中,两次大的海侵分别发育于早寒武世早期以及晚奥陶世早中期,三次较大的海退出现于中寒武世晚期、晚寒武世末期、晚奥陶世早期。岩溶在地层格架中的发育支持了上述结论。     

Late Neoproterozoic (Ediacaran)-Early Paleozoic (Cambrian) acritarchs from the Marwar Supergroup,Bikaner-Nagaur Basin,Rajasthan

Characteristic latest Neoproterozoic and Early Paleozoic acritarchs and associated organic-walled microfossils are recorded from the sediments of Marwar Supergroup encountered in BGW-A well (Bikaner-Nagaur Basin) from 1123–481 m depth. Six distinct acritarch assemblages, broadly comparable with globally known Ediacaran (Vendian) and Cambrian assemblages are recognised. The recovered microfossils provide precise age for different units of the Marwar Supergroup whose ages, till now, were poorly understood due to absence or paucity of invertebrate and other mega and microfossils.