Constraining the colouration mechanisms of Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

We have used diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to investigate the colouration mechanisms of hematite in Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds (CORBs). Data for samples of CORBs from the Chuangde section in Tibet, Vispi Quarry section in Italy, and Core 12X of Ocean Drilling Program Hole 1049C in the North Atlantic were compared with calibration datasets obtained for hematite in different crystalline forms (kidney and specular hematite) and calcite matrix. Spectra for hematite in either pure form or in calibration datasets show that the centre of the reflection peak shifts to a longer wavelength and depth (D) decreases as the crystallinity of the hematite increases. Compared with specular hematite, the presence of just 0.5% of kidney hematite can cause a much deeper absorption peak and greater redness value, which indicates that kidney hematite has a higher colouration capacity than specular hematite. However, both kidney and specular hematite exhibit a good correlation between the redness value for each calibration dataset and the absorption peak depth. In all three studied sections, hematite is the main iron oxide mineral responsible for colouration. Spectral features such as absorption peak depth and peak centre reveal that hematite crystallinity gradually decreases from red shale to limestone to marl. Based on a spectral comparison of red shale in the Chuangde section before and after citrate–bicarbonate–dithionite (CBD) treatment, we found that two forms of hematite are present: a fine-grained and dispersed form, and a detrital form. The former is relatively poorly crystalline hematite, which has a much stronger colouration capacity than the detrital form. In the Vispi Quarry section and Core 12X of ODP Hole 1049C, a good correlation between the absorption peak depth of hematite and redness value indicates that the red colouration is caused by hematite of similar crystallinity in each section.     

New biostratigraphic data from the Cretaceous Bolinxiala Formation in Zanda, southwestern Tibet of China, and their paleogeographic and paleoceanographic implications

Planktonic foraminiferal fossil assemblages identified from the Bolinxiala Formation in Bolin, Zanda, southwestern Tibet of China, determine its age from latest Albian to Maastrichtian. The fossil contents of the Bolinxiala Formation allow its correlation with successions across a platform-to-basin transect of the Late Cretaceous Tethyan Himalaya passive margin. The ocean anoxic event at the Cenomanian–Turonian transition (OAE2) is located at the Whiteinella archaeocretacaea biozone in Zanda, but lithologically it is characterized by grey and bioturbated limestone, implying that during the OAE2 the shallow-water environments of the Tethyan Himalayan carbonate platform remained oxic. Paleogeographic reconstruction indicates that the Upper Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds (CORBs) in southern Tibet are restricted to the slope and basinal environments but they are entirely missing in the shelf environments. This phenomenon suggests the formation of CORBs by oxidation of Fe(II)-enriched anoxic deep ocean seawater at the chemocline that separated the oxic surface ocean from anoxic deep ocean. For depositional environments above the chemocline, no CORBs would be expected. Because of the chemocline instability across different sedimentary basins, CORBs may be significantly diachronous, consistent with the occurrence of CORBs documented from global sedimentary basins.     

阿尔卑斯-喀尔巴阡上白垩统大洋红层特征与对比

在前人研究的基础上,从时代、岩性、古生物、沉积速率、沉积环境等方面对阿尔卑斯—喀尔巴阡地区的上白垩统大洋红层进行了详细对比,发现研究区内上白垩统大洋红层最早出露于Cenomanian期,最晚可延续至古近纪,且在Campanian期出露最为广泛,其岩性以灰岩、泥灰岩和含泥灰岩为主,生物化石以浮游有孔虫为主,沉积速率较低且在各地不尽相似,在CCD面上、下均可以出现,沉积环境一般是大陆边缘盆地、斜坡和大洋盆地等远洋、半远洋环境。通过比较分析,为进一步深入研究上白垩统大洋红层提供较为全面的基础资料。     

沉积物中铁氧化物的定量方法及其 在白垩纪大洋红层中的应用

赤铁矿和针铁矿是自然界中最稳定的两种铁氧化物,广泛存在于地球的各个圈层。很多沉积物的颜色都是由它们引 起的,它们的形成和保存具有重要的环境指示意义。实验室中赤铁矿和针铁矿的表征和鉴定手段很多,但受其含量低、结 晶差、颗粒细小难分离等因素的困扰以及某些测试方法自身的限制,能用于铁氧化物定量分析的方法很少。文中就常用的 基于X射线衍射（XRD） 和漫反射光谱（DRS） 的铁氧化物定量方法进行了系统评价。在定性分析的基础上,采用基于 XRD的K值法获得西藏床得剖面红色页岩中赤铁矿的含量为3.81％~8.11％,采用DRS与多元线性回归相结合的方法获得北 大西洋ODP1049C孔12X岩芯段棕色层中赤铁矿和针铁矿的含量分别为0.13％~0.82％和0.22%~0.81％,橙色层中赤铁矿和 针铁矿的含量分别为0.19%~0.46％和0.29%~0.67％。与其它分析结果的比较表明,这两种定量方法在白垩纪大洋红层中的 应用是可行的。但在实际应用时,首先要通过XRD和DRS相结合来提高定性分析的准确性,然后通过综合分析铁氧化物的 预判含量范围和结晶程度来选择合适的定量方法。     

Planktic Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy of the Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds in Kangmar,Southern Tibet,China

The planktic foraminifera of the Chuangde Formation (Upper Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds, CORBs) as exposed at Tianbadong section, Kangmar, southern Tibet has been firstly studied for a detailed for a detailed biostratigraphy elaboration. A rich and well-preserved planktic foraminifera were recovered from the Chuangde Formation of the Tianbadong section and the Globotruncanita elevata, Globotruncana ventricosa, Radotruncana calcarata, Globotruncanella havanensis, Globotruncana aegyptiaca, Gansserina gansseri and Abathomphalus mayaroensis zones have been recognized. The planktic foraminiferal assemblage points to an early Campanian to Maastrichitian age for the CORBs of the eastern North Tethyan Himalayan sub-belt, which also provides a better understanding of the shifting progress of the Indian Plate to the north and the evolution of the Neotethyan ocean. The lithostratigraphy of the Chuangde Formation of the Tianbadong section comprises two lithological sequences observed in ascending succession: a lower unit (the Shale Member) mainly composed of purple (cherry-red, violet-red) shales with interbedded siltstones and siliceous rocks; and an upper unit (the Limestone Member) of variegated limestones. The strata of the Chuangde Formation in the Tianbadong section are similar to CORBs in other parts of the northern Tethyan Himalaya area of Asia (Gyangze, Sa’gya, Sangdanlin, northern Zanskar, etc.). The fossil contents of the Chuangde Formation in the sections (CORBs) studied provide a means of correlation with the zonation schemes for those of the northern Tethyan Himalayan sub-belt and the Upper Cretaceous of the southern Tethyan Himalayan sub-belt. Paleogeographic reconstruction for the Late Cretaceous indicates that the Upper Cretaceous Chuangde Formation (CORBs) and correlatable strata in northern Zanskar were representative of slope to basinal deposits, which were situated in the northern Tethyan Belt. Correlatable Cretaceous strata in Spiti and Gamba situated in the southern Tethyan Belt in contrast were deposited in shelf environments along the Tethyan Himalayan passive margin. CORBs are most likely formed by the oxidation of Fe(II)-enriched, anoxic deep ocean water near the chemocline that separated the oxic oceanic surface from the anoxic.     

Cretaceous oceanic red bed deposition, a tool for paleoenvironmental changes--Workshop of IGCP 463 ＆ 494

Members of IGCP 463, Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds (CORBs), held the third workshop in Romania. In addition to scientific sessions,discussions of results and future plans, the participants examined exposures of Upper Cretaceous Red Beds of the Romanian Carpathians characterized both by pelagic/hemipelagic and turbiditic facies.     

Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds: Distribution, Lithostratigraphy and Paleoenvironments

Cretaceous oceanic red beds (CORBs) represented by red shales and marls, were deposited during the Cretaceous and early Paleocene, predominantly in the Tethyan realm, in lower slope and abyssal basin environments. Detailed studies of CORBs are rare; therefore, we compiled CORBs data from deep sea ocean drilling cores and outcrops of Cretaceous rocks subaerially exposed in southern Europe, northwestern Germany, Asia and New Zealand. In the Tethyan realm, CORBs mainly consist of reddish or pink shales, limestones and marlstones. By contrast, marlstones and chalks are rare in deep-ocean drilling cores. Upper Cretaceous marine sediments in cores from the Atlantic Ocean are predominantly various shades of brown, reddish brown, yellowish brown and pale brown in color. A few red, pink, yellow and orange Cretaceous sediments are also present. The commonest age of CORBs is early Campanian to Maastrichtian, with the onset mostly of oxic deposition often after Oceanic Anoxic Events (OAEs), during the early Aptian, late Albian-early Turonian and Campanian. This suggests an indicated and previously not recognized relationship between OAEs, black shales deposition and CORBs. CORBs even though globally distributed, are most common in the North Atlantic and Tethyan realms, in low to mid latitudes of the northern hemisphere; in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean in the mid to high latitudes of the southern hemisphere; and are less frequent in the central Pacific Ocean. Their widespread occurrence during the late Cretaceous might have been the result of establishing a connection for deep oceanic current circulation between the Pacific and the evolving connection between South and North Atlantic and changes in oceanic basins ventilation.     

Late Cretaceous Foraminiferal Faunas from the Saiqu “mélange” in Southern Tibet

As one of the mélanges in the southern side of the Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone, the Saiqu mélange in southern Tibet is important for understanding the evolution of the Neo-Tethys ocean. The age of the Saiqu mélange, however, has been debated due to the lack of reliable fossil evidence in matrix strata. Based on lithological similarities with platform strata in southern Tibet and limited fossils from exotic blocks, previous studies variously ascribed the Saiqu mélange to be Triassic in general, Late Triassic, or Late Cretaceous. Here we reported planktonic foraminiferal faunas from the matrix strata of the Saiqu mélange. The new fossils yield a Late Cretaceous age, which is so far the best age constraint for the mélange. Regional stratigraphic correlation indicates that the Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds (CORBs) in Saiqu may be time equivalent to the CORBs of the Zongzhuo Formation in neighboring regions. Thus the Saiqu mélange should be correlated to the Upper Cretaceous Zongzhuo Formation rather than the Triassic Xiukang Group, as previously suggested.     

白垩纪大洋红层：特征、分布与成因

“白垩纪大洋红层”（CORB）自20世纪末正式提出后已经迅速成为白垩纪新的研究方向之一。本文在参考国外CORB的学术研究成果基础上,重点对我们在西藏南部和意大利中部两个研究程度较高地区所获得的立典研究成果予以详细介绍,同时对CORB的全球性对比进行总结和归纳,对大洋红层蕴涵的古海洋、古气候信息进行详细评述。我们认为,CORB是沉积物在原地氧化条件下的产物,导致该氧化条件出现的主要因素是底层水高含量的溶解氧,而深层古洋流的发育很可能是导致高溶解氧含量的主要原因。     

Upper Cretaceous pelagic red beds,implications for paleoclimate and pale oc eanography

Members of IGCP 463, Upper Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds: Response to Ocean/Climate Global Change (CORBs) held their second workshop near the Black Sea in Bartin, Turkey. In addition to discussion of results and plans, the participants examined exposures of pelagic red beds in northern Turkev.     

Dissolution and Deformation Characteristics of Limestones Containing Different Calcite and Dolomite Content Induced by CO2-Water-Rock Interaction

To investigate the impacts of mineral composition on physical and mechanical properties of carbonate rocks, limestone specimens containing different contents in calcite and dolomite are selected to perform CO2-water-rock reaction experiments. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) are carried out to examine the change characteristics of mineral dissolution and pore structure after reaction. The core flooding experiments with Fiber Bragg gratings are implemented to examine the stress sensitivity of carbonate rocks. The results show that the limestones containing pure calcite are more susceptible to acid dissolution compared to limestone containing impure dolomite. The calcite content in pure limestone decreases as the reaction undergoes. The dissolution of dolomite leads to the formation of calcite in impure limestone. Calcite dissolution leads to the formation of macropore and flow channels in pure limestone, while the effects of impure dolomite in impure limestone results in mesopore formation. When confining pressure is lower than 12 MPa, pure limestones demonstrate higher strain sensitivity coefficients compared to impure limestone containing dolomite after reaction. When confining pressure exceeds 12 MPa, the strain sensitivity coefficients of both pure and impure limestones become almost equal.     

Analysis of limestone micromechanical properties by optical microscopy

Four dense Scandinavian limestones were analyzed to determine their mechanical properties. The generation of dust (? 10 μm) and fines (? 90 μm) during a closed circuit vertical roller mill comminution process was correlated with the calcite crystal size distributions of each limestone. Thin sections were analyzed and by means of stereology the calcite crystal size distributions for each limestone was measured. The dust generation of limestones is governed by a surface abrasive mechanism (R² = 0.99) and the production of fines is governed by the mechanical strength of limestones (R² = 0.99). The overall limestone degradation mechanism is predominantly controlled by the calcite cleavage planes which reduce the power consumption during the comminution process. This study is the first step in determining the influence of limestone texture on the wear rates in heterogenous raw mixes used in closed circuit comminution equipment.     

Calcite cementation during bacterial manganese, iron and sulphate reduction in Jurassic shallow marine carbonates

Faunally restricted argillaceous wackestones from the Middle Jurassic of eastern England contain evidence of early diagenetic skeletal aragonite dissolution and stabilization of the carbonate matrix, closely followed by precipitation of zoned calcite cements, and precipitation of pyrite. Distinctive cathodoluminescence and trace element trends through the authigenic calcites, their negative δ¹³C compositions and the location of pyrite in the paragenetic sequence indicate that calcite precipitation took place during sequential bacterial Mn, Fe and sulphate reduction. Calcite δ¹⁸O values are compatible with cementation from essentially marine pore fluids, although compositions vary owing to minor contamination with ¹⁸O-depleted ‘late’cements. Mg and Sr concentrations in the calcites are lower than those in recent marine calcite cements. This may be a result of kinetic factors associated with the shallow burial cementation microenvironments. Bicarbonate for sustained precipitation of the authigenic calcites was derived largely from aragonite remobilization, augmented by that produced through anaerobic organic matter oxidation in the metal and sulphate reduction environments. Aragonite dissolution is thought to have been induced by acidity generated during aerobic bacterial oxidation of organic matter. Distinction of post-oxic metal reduction and anoxic sulphate reduction diagenetic environments in modern carbonate sediments is uncommon outside pelagic settings, and early bacterially mediated diagenesis in modern platform carbonates is associated with extensive carbonate dissolution. High detrital Fe contents of the Jurassic sediments, and their restricted depositional environment, were probably the critical factors promoting early cementation. These precipitates constitute a unique example of calcite authigenesis in shallow water limestones during bacterial Mn and Fe reduction.     

Syntectonic hydrothermal calcite in a faulted carbonate platform margin (Albian of Jorrios, northern Spain)

ABSTRACT A calcite mass more than 1·5 km long and 20 m wide crops outs along the faulted margin of the Albian carbonate platform of Jorrios in northern Spain. The mass contains abundant dissolution cavities up to 7 m long and 1 m high, filled with cross‐stratified quartz sandstone and alternating sandstone–calcite laminae. Similar cavities are also present in a 50‐m‐wide zone of platform limestones adjacent to the calcite mass that are filled with limestone breccias and sandstone. The calcite mass has mean δ¹⁸O values of 19·6‰ (SMOW), whereas platform limestones have mean δ¹⁸O values of 24·4‰ (SMOW). Synsedimentary faulting of the carbonate margin and circulation of heated fault‐related waters resulted in replacement of a band of limestone by calcite. Soon after this replacement, dissolution by undersaturated fluids affected both the calcite mass and the adjacent limestones. Percolating marine quartz sand filled all dissolution cavities, sometimes alternating with precipitating calcite. The resulting cavities and fills, which recall products of meteoric diagenesis, are attributed to a hydrothermal origin based on their geometry, occurrence along the profile and synsedimentary tectonic relationships. The early faulting and diagenesis are related to local extensional tectonism in a large‐scale strike‐slip setting. Movements occurred during the early dispar/appenninica zone of the Late Albian.     

Carbon and Oxygen Isotopic Signatures in Albian-Danian Limestones of Cauvery Basin, Southeastern India

The Albian-Danian limestones of Cauvery Basin show a wide range of d¹³C and d¹⁸O values (–13.2 to +1.1% and –9.0 to –2.5%, respectively). The cement samples show negative carbon and oxygen isotope values (–18.9 to –3.9% and –9.0 to –4.3%, respectively). The petrographic study reveals the presence of algae, molluscs, bryozoans, foraminifers and ostracods as major framework constituents. The limestones have microspar and equant sparry calcite cements. The pore spaces and vugs are filled with sparry calcite cement. The bivariate plot of d¹³C and d¹⁸O suggests that most of the samples fall in the freshwater limestone and meteoric field, while few samples fall in the marine limestone and soil calcite fields. The presence of sparry calcite cement, together with negative carbon and oxygen isotope values, indicates that these limestones have undergone meteoric diagenesis.     

地球圈层之间相互作用对白垩纪大洋缺氧与富氧过程的制约

白垩纪诸多地质事件中,以黑色页岩为特征的大洋缺氧事件和以红层为特征的大洋富氧环境尤其引人关注。本文探讨了白垩纪大洋从缺氧到富氧转化的过程与机制,认为上述沉积事件是地球圈层之间相互作用的结果。白垩纪岩石圈剧烈的岩浆活动,是缺氧、富氧事件发生的源动力,水圈、大气圈、生物圈的共同作用是沉积事件发生的结果。具体过程为:白垩纪大规模的火山喷发,改变了海陆面积的对比,并引起地球内部大量热能释放和大气中CO_2气体浓度的升高,最终导致大气温度的升高。海水温度的升高和CO_2浓度的增加导致海洋环境中溶解O_2的降低,缺氧事件随之而产生。同时,海底岩浆喷发在海底产生大量的富含铁元素的基性和超基性岩石,通过海底风化和热液活动,铁元素从岩石圈进入水圈。海水中的铁元素是海洋浮游植物宝贵的营养盐类,其含量的增加可激发浮游植物的大规模繁盛,而这一生命过程可以吸收海水中大量的CO_2,并且产生等量的O_2。随着海水中O_2浓度的不断升高,以富含Fe3+的红色沉积物为特征的海洋富氧环境出现。藏南和深海钻探、大洋钻探典型剖面的数据证实大洋缺氧和富氧发生的韵律性,即缺氧事件之后往往伴随富氧环境的出现。研究认为,白垩纪大洋缺氧和富氧事件是同一原因导致的不同结果,地球圈层相互作用是其根本制约因素。由岩浆活动引起的缺氧事件和同样由其造成的富氧环境,其机制存在明显的差异,前者以物理、化学过程为主,后者除此之外还演绎了更为复杂的生物-海洋地球化学过程。     

River water quality in weathered limestone: A case study in upper Mahanadi basin, India

Stromatolitic limestone and calcareous shale belonging to Chattisgarh Supergroup of Proterozoic age dominate the upper part of the Mahanadi river basin. X-ray diffractogram (XRD) of limestone rocks show presence of a significant amount of calcite, dolomite and ankerite. Shales of various colours contain calcite and dolomite. It is observed that congruent dissolution of carbonate minerals in the Charmuria pure limestone has given rise to a typical karst topography. On the other hand, limestones are also seen to support red and black soil profiles. This indicates that the limestone bedrock undergoes a parallel incongruent weathering, which leaves a residue of decomposed rock. The XRD analyses reveal that the limestone soils thus formed contain an assemblage of quartz, clays and Fe-oxides. It is likely that the silicate component trapped during deposition of the stromatolitic limestone weathers incongruently resulting in diverse soil profiles. Carbonate and silicate mineral weathering schemes have been worked out to explain the soil formation, fixation of Al in clay minerals, and Fe in goethite. The water quality parameters such as Ca, Mg and HCO₃ in the river water suggest under saturation with respect to calcite and dolomite. The mineral stability diagrams indicate that kaolinite and Ca-smectite are stable in the river water environment, hence they occur in suspended sediments and soils. The dominant influence of carbonate weathering on the water quality is observed even in the downstream part of the river outside the limestone terrain.     

安徽巢湖凤凰山石炭系黄龙组红色灰岩矿物地球化学特征

安徽巢湖凤凰山晚石炭世黄龙组的地层主体为肉红色生物屑微晶灰岩,顶部为夹灰岩条带的泥岩。矿物学分析显 示,肉红色生物屑微晶灰岩的矿物主要为方解石,含少量针铁矿和赤铁矿。漫反射光谱分析表明,常用的古气候指标“红 度”与灰岩中铁氧化物、氢氧化物的光谱强度具显著的正相关性,而与岩石的全铁含量相关性较低,据此推测铁的氧化物 和氢氧化物是灰岩呈肉红色的重要原因。元素地球化学分析结果显示,黄龙组灰岩相对富Fe,Mn,而贫Co,Ni,在 Al-Fe-Mn,Fe-Mn-(Cu+Co+Ni)以及Cu-Pb-Zn三角判别图上,均靠近或落入热液成因区。综合地球化学特征与前人研究成 果,该文认为巢湖凤凰山黄龙组肉红色灰岩的形成很可能受到海底热液活动的影响。     

Characterization of bauxite deposits from Kachchh Area,Gujarat

The bauxites deposits of Kachchh area in Gujarat are investigated to characterize them based on mineralogical and petrographic studies. The major bauxitic mineral in these occurrences is gibbsite, with minor concentration of boehmite and diaspore. Apart from the bauxitic minerals, the other associate minerals are kaolin, calcite, alunite and the iron ore minerals such as hematite and goethite and titanium rich anatase. The iron ore minerals (hematite and goethite) are 10-50microns in size and are disseminated throughout the oolitic and pisolitic bauxitic minerals. At places the goethite exhibits colloform texture. The preservation of basaltic texture in some of the samples indicate that the insitu nature of these bauxites, which are formed by the alteration of calcic plagioclase from the parent basalt. Although, the basalt occurs as the main parent rock for these bauxites, the presence of calcite in some of the samples represent the possibility of having a limestone parent rock at least in some of the bauxite occurrences.     

新疆柯坪中奥陶统结核状灰岩的沉积环境及成因

对新疆柯坪地区中奥陶统灰岩和泥岩交互沉积地层中的结核状灰岩的沉积环境和形成机制进行了研究。根据野外观察并结合室内偏光显微镜下阴极发光和染色等方法分析其结构和构造特征，发现有团块状、网纹状、透镜状3种结核状灰岩。运用X光衍射仪和质谱仪等化学分析手段对其常量元素、微量元素、碳氧同位素、酸不溶物等进行了测定。综合分析矿物、岩石、生物和地球化学特征，认为它们形成于陆棚中水体较深的沉积环境，灰岩和泥岩交互韵律层是在表层洋流、大洋底流和物源供给的周期变化作用下形成的。结核状灰岩形成于沉积-成岩早期阶段，它们的形成机制分别是：团块状灰岩是在洋流活动后的平静期因水体中碳酸钙沿凝结核凝结、增大、胶结而形成；网纹状灰岩是在盐度不饱和的深海底流的周期作用下冲刷同生期沉积的碳酸盐灰泥而形成；透镜状灰岩是通过上覆水体与沉积物的差异压实作用而形成的。