长江三峡地区埃迪卡拉(震旦)系锆石U-Pb新年龄对庙河生物群和马雷诺冰期时限的限定

首次报道应用高分辨率、高精度离子微探针(SHRIMPⅡ)定年方法,对采自三峡地区黄陵背斜西翼湖北省秭归县九曲脑剖面震旦系灯影组与陡山沱组界线和陡山沱组底部的凝灰岩锆石进行的U-Pb定年研究.分析结果,灯影组与陡山沱组界线的凝灰岩锆石测点形成2组,较年轻的一组由16个测点组成,舍去偏离较大的1个点,给出的206Pb/238U比值年龄加权平均值为549.9Ma±6.1 Ma(MSWD=1.48),代表该层位的实际年龄并限定了庙河生物群的最小年龄.采自陡山沱组底部的另一样品测点同样分为2组一组由3个点组成,给出784Ma±15Ma(MSWD=0.05)的继承年龄值;另一组由15个测点组成,给出206Pb/238U比值年龄加权平均值为628.3Ma±5.8Ma(MSWD=0.86).这一定年结果是目前中国震旦(埃迪卡拉)系陡山沱组底部首次获得的SHRIMp锆石U-Pb年龄.采样点紧邻作为震旦系底界的"盖帽碳酸盐岩"之上,基本可以限定震旦系的底界年龄.该结果与国际地层委员会2004年发布的<国际地层表>中埃迪卡拉系(Ediacaran)的底界年龄630Ma非常接近,表明中国修订后的震旦系/南华系界线年龄应为630Ma左右.     

Direct dating of the Sete Lagoas cap carbonate (Bambuí Group,Brazil) and implications for the Neoproterozoic glacial events

The end of the Neoproterozoic is punctuated by glacial deposition, but the chronology of these deposits is hindered presently by the paucity of geochronological data. Here, we present new radiometric dating for the basal Sete Lagoas cap carbonate deposits that overlie glacial units in the São Francisco craton. Six samples from aragonite‐pseudomorph crystal‐rich facies, showing pristine textures and constant ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios around 0.7075, yielded a Pb–Pb isochron age of 740 ± 22 Ma, which is interpreted as the depositional age for these remarkably preserved rocks. This age can be used to infer a low‐to‐moderate palaeolatitude of 20–30° for carbonate (and glacial) deposition. In addition, as it overlaps the ages obtained for the oldest Neoproterozoic glacial successions, our result reinforces the idea of a long‐standing ‘Sturtian’ interval, suggesting that this event represents either different discrete glaciations or a protracted event encompassing almost 80 Ma.     

Acritarchs of Las Ventanas Formation (Ediacaran, Uruguay): Implications for the timing of coeval rifting and glacial events in western Gondwana

Acritarchs and other organic-walled microfossils occurring in siltstones of the Las Ventanas Formation (Quebrada de Viera and El Perdido members) are systematically described and illustrated. The assemblage includes the following species: Leiosphaeridia tenuissima, Leiosphaeridia minutissima, Lophosphaeridium sp., Soldadophycus bossii, Soldadophycus major, Soldadophycus sp. and Vendotaenia antiqua. The microflora is characterized by low diversity (six species), dominance of L. tenuissima, absence of acanthomorphic acritarchs, and relatively large size of sphaeromorphs, reaching 400 μm in diameter. A number of species are shared with acritarch assemblages preserved in the overlying Arroyo del Soldado Group. Differences between assemblages include the occurrence of abundant Bavlinella faveolata and small size of spheroids in the Arroyo del Soldado Group. The assemblage occurring in Las Ventanas Formation is assigned to the Ediacaran Leiosphere Palynoflora, which spans the interval between the base of the Ediacaran (end of the Marinoan Glaciation, 635 Ma) and the termination of the Gaskiers Glaciation (582 Ma). An early Ediacaran age between 615 and 579 Ma is also supported by available radiometric ages. An extensional setting for Las Ventanas basin is suggested on the basis of the bimodal, synsedimentary volcanism, strong palaeorelief, great thickness of alluvial fan conglomerates and the evolution from continental to open marine environments. Diamictites occurring in the Quebrada de Viera Member are described for the first time, including associated dropstones which suggest a glacial origin. If confirmed, this would be one more example of the association between rifting and glaciation in the Neoproterozoic, coeval with a low-diversity, high-abundance acritarch microflora. A causal relationship between these tectonic, climatic and biologic events is discussed.     

北山造山带破城山地区冰碛岩沉积时代、物源及构造意义：来自碎屑锆石U- Pb年代学及Lu- Hf同位素的约束

出露于北山造山带的洗肠井群为新元古代晚期的冰川沉积,记录了前寒武纪演化过程的重要信息。本文对北山破城山地区的洗肠井群进行了野外地质、碎屑锆石U-Pb年代学与Lu-Hf同位素研究。结果显示破城山地区的洗肠井群具有冰碛岩的特征,其中泥质粉砂岩和含冰碛砾石粉砂—细砂岩最年轻的碎屑锆石年龄分别为579±12 Ma和574±8 Ma,结合洗肠井群与上覆下寒武统双鹰山组为平行不整合接触关系,可精确限定洗肠井群的形成时代为埃迪卡拉纪晚期。洗肠井群碎屑岩具有单一的碎屑锆石年龄峰值(635～631 Ma),且该时期锆石的两阶段Hf模式年龄主要集中于1.52～0.60 Ga,显示中元古代地壳的再造与新生地壳的特征,其与天山造山带的塔里萨依组具有明显的相似性。洗肠井群碎屑锆石中还出现～0.9 Ga和～1.4 Ga的年龄,与北山造山带内部发育的中—新元古代的岩浆事件相当。且洗肠井群的冰碛砾石主要为白云岩、硅质白云岩和极少量的石英岩,与其下部呈断层接触的蓟县系平头山组和长城系古硐井群的岩性组合相一致,由此可见洗肠井群的碎屑物质很可能来源于北山造山带自身。同时认为洗肠井群冰碛岩为中高纬度地区冰川与水流冲刷共同作用...     

Earliest Eocene (53 Ma) convergence in the Southwest Pacific: evidence from pre‐obduction dikes in the ophiolite of New Caledonia

Uncertainty about the timing and location of the initiation of convergence in the western and south‐western Pacific greatly hinders accurate plate tectonic reconstructions of subduction systems in that area. The chemistry and age of dikes intruding mantle peridotite in the ophiolite of New Caledonia infer that subduction‐related magmatism began before 53 Ma. These new results infer that obduction in the south‐west Pacific is unrelated to the reorientation of the Pacific plate motion that occurred c. 43 Ma and confirm new interpretations showing that changes in mantle flow, hotspot and plate motion may have occurred as soon as late Paleocene or early Eocene.     

Metamorphic petrology of a high‐T/low‐P granulite terrane (Damara belt,Namibia) – Constraints from pseudosection modelling and high‐precision Lu–Hf garnet‐whole rock dating

Migmatites comprise a minor volume of the high‐grade part of the Damara orogen of Namibia that is dominated by granite complexes and intercalated metasedimentary units. Migmatites of the Southern Central Zone of the Damara orogen consist of melanosomes with garnet+cordierite+biotite+K‐feldspar, and leucosomes, which are sometimes garnet‐ and cordierite‐bearing. Field evidence, petrographic observations, and pseudosection modelling suggest that, in contrast to other areas where intrusion of granitic magmas is more important, in situ partial melting of metasedimentary units was the main migmatite generation processes. Pseudosection modelling and thermobarometric calculations consistently indicate that the peak‐metamorphic grade throughout the area is in the granulite facies (~5 kbar at ~800°C). Cordierite coronas around garnet suggest some decompression from peak‐metamorphic conditions and rare andalusite records late, near‐isobaric cooling to <650°C at low pressures of ~3 kbar. The inferred clockwise P–T path is consistent with minor crustal thickening through continent–continent collision followed by limited post‐collisional exhumation and suggests that the granulite facies terrane of the Southern Central Zone of the Damara orogen formed initially in a metamorphic field gradient of ~35–40°C/km at medium pressures. New high‐precision Lu–Hf garnet‐whole rock dates are 530 ± 13 Ma, 522.0 ± 0.8 Ma, 520.8 ± 3.6 Ma, and 500.3 ± 4.3 Ma for the migmatites that record temperatures of ~800°C. This indicates that high‐grade metamorphism lasted for c. 20–30 Ma, which is compatible with previous estimates using Sm–Nd garnet‐whole rock systematics. In previous studies on Damara orogen migmatites where both Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf chronometers have been applied, the dates (c. 520–510 Ma) agree within their small uncertainties (0.6–0.8% for Sm–Nd and 0.1–0.2% for Lu–Hf). This implies rapid cooling after high‐grade conditions and, by implication, rapid exhumation at that time. The cause of the high geothermal gradient inferred from the metamorphic conditions is unknown but likely requires some extra heat that was probably added by intrusion of magmas from the lithospheric mantle, i.e., syenites that have been recently re‐dated at c. 545 Ma. Some granites derived from the lower crust at c. 545 Ma are the outcome rather than the cause of high‐T metamorphism. In addition, high contents of heat‐producing elements K, Th, and U may have raised peak temperatures by 150–200°C at the base of the crust, resulting in the widespread melting of fertile crustal rocks. The continuous gradation from centimetre‐scale leucosomes to decametre‐scale leucogranite sheets within the high‐grade metamorphic zone suggests that leucosome lenses coalesced to form larger bodies of anatectic leucogranites, thereby documenting a link between high‐grade regional metamorphism and Pan‐African magmatism. In view of the close association of the studied high‐T migmatites with hundreds of synmetamorphic high‐T granites that invaded the terrane as metre‐ to decametre‐wide sills and dykes, we postulate that crystallization of felsic lower crustal magma is, at least partly, responsible for heat supply. Late‐stage isobaric cooling of these granites may explain the occurrence of andalusite in some samples.     

Lower crustal melting and the role of open-system processes in the genesis of syn-orogenic quartz diorite–granite–leucogranite associations: constraints from Sr–Nd–O isotopes from the Bandombaai Complex, Namibia

The Bandombaai Complex (southern Kaoko Belt, Namibia) consists of three main intrusive rock types including metaluminous hornblende- and sphene-bearing quartz diorites, allanite-bearing granodiorites and granites, and peraluminous garnet- and muscovite-bearing leucogranites. Intrusion of the quartz diorites is constrained by a U–Pb zircon age of 540±3 Ma.

Quartz diorites, granodiorites and granites display heterogeneous initial Nd- and O isotope compositions (_{Nd (540 Ma)}=−6.3 to −19.8; δ¹⁸O=9.0–11.6‰) but rather low and uniform initial Sr isotope compositions (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_initial=0.70794–0.70982). Two leucogranites and one aplite have higher initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.70828–0.71559), but similar initial _Nd (−11.9 to −15.8) and oxygen isotope values (10.5–12.9‰). The geochemical and isotopic characteristics of the Bandombaai Complex are distinct from other granitoids of the Kaoko Belt and the Central Zone of the Damara orogen. Our study suggests that the quartz diorites of the Bandombaai Complex are generated by melting of heterogeneous mafic lower crust. Based on a comparison with results from amphibolite-dehydration melting experiments, a lower crustal garnet- and amphibole-bearing metabasalt, probably enriched in K₂O, is a likely source rock for the quartz diorites. The granodiorites/granites show low Rb/Sr (<0.6) ratios and are probably generated by partial melting of meta-igneous (intermediate) lower crustal sources by amphibole-dehydration melting. Most of the leucogranites display higher Rb/Sr ratios (>1) and are most likely generated by biotite-dehydration melting of heterogeneous felsic lower crust. All segments of the lower crust underwent partial melting during the Pan-African orogeny at a time (540 Ma) when the middle crust of the central Damara orogen also underwent high T, medium P regional metamorphism and melting. Geochemical and isotope data from the Bandombaai Complex suggest that the Pan-African orogeny in this part of the orogen was not a major crust-forming episode. Instead, even the most primitive rock types of the region, the quartz diorites, represent recycled lower crustal material.     

伟晶质岩浆的同化混染与分离结晶(AFC)作用及铀成矿效应:以纳米比亚湖山铀矿为例

纳米比亚湖山铀矿位于达马拉造山带的中央南部地区,工业铀矿物为晶质铀矿,属于伟晶岩型铀矿床。关于不同矿石中铀元素的富集与沉淀机制还存在一定争议。为了揭示伟晶质岩浆演化与铀矿化作用的关系,本文对矿区内不同矿物组成的伟晶岩型矿石开展了岩石和矿物地球化学研究。野外及镜下鉴定结果显示,矿化伟晶岩可以分为“简单类型”矿体和“复杂类型”矿体。前者具有正常的花岗伟晶结构,晶质铀矿均匀分布于造岩矿物之间,矿化程度低到中等;后者表现出非均匀的结构特征,且矿化程度极高,晶质铀矿在成因上与大量黑云母团块有明显的空间联系。地球化学研究表明:在“简单类型”伟晶岩中,铀元素主要通过伟晶质岩浆的分离结晶作用富集;“复杂类型”伟晶质岩浆的演化则明显受控于同化混染作用,其铀矿化为岩浆同化混染与分离结晶(assimilation-fractional crystallization,AFC)作用产物。具体而言,外来基性组分(FeO,MgO,TiO₂,MnO)的混入导致“复杂类型”熔体中矿物的结晶顺序发生改变,长石类矿物的“延后”结晶为黑云母提供了更加有利的结晶空间和条件,促使黑云母以团块状聚集的形式产出。黑云母的大量析出会引发残余岩浆中UF_m^4-m络合物的水解,导致晶质铀矿在团块黑云母内部或周围沉淀。因此,本文有关“简单类型”和“复杂类型”产铀伟晶岩的研究,有效地揭示了岩浆演化过程与铀矿化机制,丰富了伟晶岩型铀矿床理论,为后期勘查开发提供了科学依据。     

Aragonite stromatolitic buildups from Santorini (Aegean Sea,Greece): Geochemical and palaeontological constraints of the caldera palaeoenvironment prior to the Minoan eruption (ca 3600 yr bp)

The pyroclastic deposits of the Minoan eruption (ca 3600 yr bp ) in Santorini contain abundant xenoliths. Most of these deposits are calcareous blocks of laminated‐botryoidal, stromatolite‐like buildups that formed in the shallow waters of the flooded pre‐Minoan caldera; they consist of (i) light laminae, of fibrous aragonite arranged perpendicular to layering, and (ii) dark laminae, with calcified filaments of probable biological origin. These microstructures are absent in the light laminae, suggesting a predominant inorganic precipitation of aragonite on substrates probably colonized by microbes. Internal cavities contain loose skeletal grains (molluscs, ostracods, foraminifera and diatoms) that comprise taxa typical of shallow marine and/or lagoon environments. Most of these forms are typical of warm water environments, although no typical taxa from hydrothermal vents have been observed. Past gasohydrothermal venting is recorded by the occurrence of barite, pyrolusite and pyrite traces. The most striking features of the stable isotopic data set are: (i) an overall wide range in δ¹³C_PDB (0·16 to 12·97‰) with a narrower variation for δ¹⁸O_PDB (?0·23 to 4·33‰); and (ii) a relatively uniform isotopic composition for the fibrous aragonite (δ¹³C = 12·40 ± 0·43‰ and δ¹⁸O = 2·42 ± 0·77‰, n = 21). The δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values from molluscs and ostracods display a covariant trend, which reflects a mixing between sea water and a fluid influenced by volcano‐hydrothermal activity. Accordingly, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr from the studied carbonates (0·708758 to 0·709011 in fibrous aragonite and 0·708920 to 0·708991 in molluscs) suggests that the aragonite buildups developed in sea water under the influence of a hydrothermal/volcanic source. Significant differences in trace elements have been detected between the fibrous aragonite and modern marine aragonite cements. The caldera water from which the fibrous aragonite crusts formed received an input from a volcano‐hydrothermal system, probably producing diffuse venting of volcanogenic CO₂ gas and of a fluid enriched in Ca, Mn and Ba, and depleted in Mg and probably in Sr.     

华南滇东地区震旦(Ediacaran)系顶部Longfengshaniaceae藻类化石的发现及意义

本文报道了在中国云南东部晋宁、江川地区的震旦(Ediacaran)系顶部渔户村组旧城段新发现的龙凤山藻科(Longfengshaniaceae)化石,与华北燕山地区新元古代青白口系长龙山组及北美中元古代小达尔群产出的Longf engshania化石明显不同,叶状体形态更为多样,呈梭形、枣核形、铲形、长条带形或球囊形等,拟茎较粗壮,与叶状体的接合很平缓,部分可见盘状、短茎状、披针状固着构造和叶状体萌生现象。依据形态记述了2属6种,包括1新属2新种3相似种,讨论和修订了龙凤山藻的科、属特征。华南滇东地区这些宏体藻类化石的发现进一步表明震旦(Ediacaran)纪末期也存在后生植物的多样化发展,可能为早寒武世“澄江生物群”的爆发性演化奠定了生态基础。     

Paleoproterozoic (2155–1970 Ma) evolution of the Guiana Shield (Transamazonian event) in the light of new paleomagnetic data from French Guiana

We present a comprehensive paleomagnetic study on Paleoproterozoic (2173–2060 Ma) plutonic and metamorphic rocks from French Guiana, representative of the full range of the main Transamazonian tectonothermal steps. Twenty-seven groups of directions and poles were obtained from combination of 102 sites (613 samples) based on age constraint, similar lithology and/or geographical proximity. Paleomagnetic results show variations between rocks of different ages which are supposed to be characteristic of magnetizations acquired during uplift and cooling of successive plutonic pulses and metamorphic phases. This is also reinforced by positive field tests (baked contact and reversal tests). Recent U/Pb and Pb/Pb on zircon and complementary ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar on amphibole and biotite allow questioning the problem of magnetic ages relative to rock formation ages. Estimated magnetic ages, based on amphibole dating as a proxy, enable us to construct a Guiana Shield apparent polar wander path for the 2155–1970 Ma period. It is also possible to present paleolatidudinal evolution and continental drift rates related to specific Transamazonian tectonic regimes.French Guiana and probably the Guiana Shield were located at the Equator from ca. 2155 to 2130 Ma during the Meso-Rhyacian D1 magmatic accretion phase, related to subduction of Eorhyacian oceanic crust. After closure of the Eorhyacian Ocean and collision of West African and Amazonian plates, the Guiana Shield moved. The first evolution towards 60° latitude, occurs after 2080 Ma, during the Neorhyacian D2a post collisional sinistral transcurrent phase. During the Late Rhyacian D2b phase, up to 2050 Ma, the Guiana Shield reaches the pole and starts to move to lower latitudes on an opposite meridian. By the Orosirian D2c phase, from ca. 2050 to 1970 Ma, the Guiana Shield reaches the Equator.Based on the amphibole ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dates, we estimate the continental drift between 12 and 16 cm/y for the Meso to Late Rhyacian period followed by a lower rate between 9 and 14 cm/y up to Orosirian time. This study highlights rock ages and magnetic ages are prerequisite to any continental reconstruction especially when it is shown continental drift is important for a 100–200 Ma time period. Our results confirm the possibility of APWP construction on Paleoproterozoic plutonic rocks but suggest improvement will rely on the combination with multidisciplinary approaches such as structural geology and multi-method radiometric dating.     

The ultrafine component in Chinese loess and its variation over the past 7·6 Ma: implications for the history of pedogenesis

Grain‐size data from different climatic zones across the Chinese Loess Plateau show that the loess generally contains an ultrafine component, which has a consistent modal grain size of ca 0·37 μm and a variable proportion of 4 to 10%. The variation of the ultrafine component through a loess section is characterized by a high proportion and fine grain size in palaeosols, and by a low proportion and coarse grain size in loess layers. Its proportional content in a stratum roughly increases from north‐west to south‐east across the Loess Plateau. Quantitative X‐ray diffraction analysis indicates that the ultrafine component is composed mainly of clay minerals (ca 70%), which are mostly illite (ca 80%), and with significant amounts of kaolinite (ca 8%) and chlorite (ca 2%). The temporal and spatial variations of the ultrafine component, and the degree of illite crystallinity, suggest that this component in aeolian sediments is linked closely to the process of pedogenesis. Weakly altered loess on the north‐western margin of the Loess Plateau contains considerable amounts of detrital clay minerals derived from the aeolian source areas. Results from a loess section with a basal age of 7·6 Ma in the central Loess Plateau show that the ultrafine component increased from 7·6 to 5 Ma, and progressively decreased thereafter. This trend was punctuated by two abrupt changes at 2·6 and 0·6 Ma. These variations reflect to a considerable extent the history of pedogenesis during the Late Cenozoic.     

Full-glacial — late-glacial palaeoclimate of the Southern Andes: evidence from pollen,beetle and glacial records

Palaeoecological studies carried out in the Chilean Lake District and Chilotan Archipelago (41°–43°S) record full-glacial and late-glacial pollen assemblages beginning just after 21000 and beetle assemblages after 18000, both sets extending until 10000 ¹⁴C yr BP. Pollen records indicate that Subantarctic Parkland, the vegetation of the early millennia of record, changed after about 14000 yr BP to become open woodland and later North Patagonian Evergreen Forest. Assemblages of plants and beetles, responding more or less in unison to a strong rise in temperature (≥ 6°C), behaved in accord at around 14000 until 13000–12500 yr BP, the beetle fauna displaying a marked increase in obligate forest types. During full-glacial conditions (17400–16100 and 15300 and 14400 yr BP) and in the late-glacial interval (after about 13000 yr BP), however, climate evidently coerced populations dissimilarly, the pollen sequence showing an increase in plant taxa indicative of colder climate, whereas the beetle fauna underwent little or no variation. Contrasting climate modes implied by plants and beetles may be attributed to differential responses to apparent low-order temperature changes (≤ 2–3°C).     

On the thermal stability of Rb-Sr and K-Ar biotite systems: Evidence from coexisting Sveconorwegian (ca 870 Ma) and Caledonian (ca 400 Ma) biotites in SW Norway

The Caledonian orogeny has imposed a zone of greenschist facies metamorphism on the high-grade Sveconorwegian basement along the front of the Caledonian nappe system in S.W. Norway. In this zone a Caledonian generation of green biotite (ca 400 Ma old) has developed, indicating a metamorphic temperature of about 400° C. This Caledonian biotite occurs side by side with relicts of a Sveconorwegian generation of brown biotite (ca 870 Ma old). The somewhat younger ages obtained from a number of brown biotites can be related to a partial transformation of the old biotite to titanite+green biotite during the Caledonian metamorphic recrystallization. Loss of radiogenic Ar and Sr from the biotite by volume diffusion apparently has not been operative, even at a temperature as high as 400° C. The Sveconorwegian biotite appears to have remained virtually closed to K-Ar and Rb-Sr up to the break-down due to metamorphic recrystallization.     

华南震旦系陡山沱组磷质震积岩及其与多细胞生物群相关性初探

埃迪卡拉纪（震旦纪）陡山沱期是Rodinia超大陆裂离的重要地质时期,是多细胞生物起源和发展的重要转折时期和磷质聚集时期,也是化学、气候和环境变化的剧烈时期。液化岩脉、液化角砾岩、脉化变形构造、以及阶梯状层内断层等磷质震积岩的发现,表明扬子地区在陡山沱期晚期至少发生过两次以上的地震事件。地震构造运动将地球内部积累能量快速地释放,可能是磷质来源和热水活动一种重要的方式或通道。海水中磷等无机营养盐分的增加,海水温度的升高,有利于多细胞生物的起源和发展,同时多细胞生物的繁盛又有利于磷的聚集。     

Palaeoceanographic changes in the North Atlantic during the Mid‐Pleistocene Transition (MIS 31–19) as inferred from planktonic foraminiferal and calcium carbonate records

Marine sediments from the Integrated Ocean Drilling Project (IODP) Site U1314 (56.36°N, 27.88°W), in the subpolar North Atlantic, were studied for their planktonic foraminifera, calcium carbonate content, and Neogloboqudrina pachyderma sinistral (sin.) δ¹³C records in order to reconstruct surface and intermediate conditions in this region during the Mid‐Pleistocene Transition (MPT). Variations in the palaeoceanography and regional dynamics of the Arctic Front were estimated by comparing CaCO₃ content, planktonic foraminiferal species abundances, carbon isotopes and ice‐rafted debris (IRD) data from Site U1314 with published data from other North Atlantic sites. Site U1314 exhibited high abundances of the polar planktonic foraminifera N. pachyderma sin. and low CaCO₃ content until Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 26, indicating a relatively southeastward position of the Arctic Front (AF) and penetration of colder and low‐salinity surface arctic water‐masses. Changing conditions after MIS 25, with oscillations in the position of the AF, caused an increase in the northward export of the warmer North Atlantic Current (NAC), indicated by greater abundances of non‐polar planktonic foraminifera and higher CaCO₃. The N. pachyderma sin. δ¹³C data indicate good ventilation of the upper part of the intermediate water layer in the eastern North Atlantic during both glacial and interglacial stages, except during Terminations 24/23, 22/21 and 20/1. In addition, for N. pachyderma (sin.) we distinguished two morphotypes: non‐encrusted and heavily encrusted test. Results indicate that increases in the encrusted morphotype and lower planktonic foraminiferal diversity are related to the intensification of glacial conditions (lower sea‐surface temperatures, sea‐ice formation) during MIS 22 and 20.     

Cavity‐filling dolomite speleothems and submarine cements in the Ediacaran Dengying microbialites,South China: Responses to high‐frequency sea‐level fluctuations in an ‘aragonite–dolomite sea’

Speleothems, mostly composed of calcium carbonate, are widely present in modern karst‐originated caves, but have rarely been reported in palaeokarst systems. This study presents a novel type of dolomite speleothem and subsequent submarine dolomite cement, which are widely present in the upper Ediacaran Dengying Formation in the upper Yangtze area. These precipitated materials occur in the cavity system that cuts across several peritidal cycles. The interconnected cavity networks with irregular shapes, embayed walls, internal breccias on cavity floor and their preferential development in the shallower cycle tops (for example, tepee‐deformed beds) suggest that they were initially generated by subaerial dissolution. As the earliest infills, the hemispherical protrusions, icicle‐like pendants and ground‐up columns show similar morphological features and occurrence patterns to the cave popcorn, stalactites and stalagmites, respectively. Thus, these earliest infills are speleothems resulting from associated meteoric precipitation during subaerial exposure. The isopachous growth pattern of subsequent more extensive fibrous dolomite cements points to a submarine diagenetic environment in which they were precipitated. Microscopically, the micritic to micro‐crystalline dolomite, acicular dolomite in speleothems and the subsequent fibrous dolomite share similar crystal fabrics to metastable precursors (for example, Mg‐calcite). Meanwhile, the carbon‐oxygen isotope compositions of the speleothem and fibrous dolomite, although partly altered by burial diagenesis, share a large overlap with host rock and coeval marine carbonates all over the Yangtze Platform. For these reasons, these speleothems and fibrous cements are considered to have been initially precipitated as metastable carbonate precursors in meteoric and submarine environments, respectively, and stabilized during submarine mimetic dolomitization. The cyclic occurrence of cavity systems filled with speleothems and submarine cements reflects periodic subaerial exposure and marine flooding of broad tidal flat in the upper Yangtze area, driven by high‐frequency sea‐level fluctuations. Furthermore, the Neoproterozoic seawater chemistry that favoured early dolomitization of carbonate precursor mineralogies was an advantage for the preservation of fabrics from metastable precursor minerals.     

Basin‐scale thermal and fluid flow histories revealed by carbonate clumped isotopes (Δ47) – Middle Jurassic carbonates of the Paris Basin depocentre

The reconstruction of past diagenetic conditions in sedimentary basins is often under‐constrained. This results from both the analytical challenge of performing the required analyses on the minute sample amounts available from diagenetic mineral phases and the lack of tracers for some of the diagenetic parameters. The carbonate clumped isotope thermometry (Δ₄₇) opens new perspectives for unravelling the temperatures of diagenetic phases together with the source of their parent fluids, two parameters that are otherwise impossible to constrain in the absence of exploitable fluid inclusions. Here is reported the study of a large number of sedimentary and diagenetic carbonate phases (from Middle Jurassic reservoirs of the Paris Basin depocentre) by combining detailed petrographic observations with a large number of Δ₄₇ data (n  > 45) on a well‐documented paragenetic sequence, including calcite and dolomite burial cements. The data reveal carbonate crystallization at temperatures between 29°C and 98°C from fluids with δ ¹⁸O_water values between −7‰ and +2‰, in response to the progressive burial and uplift of the Paris Basin, throughout 165 Myr of basin evolution. Coupled with the time–temperature evolution previously estimated from thermal maturity modelling, these temperatures allow determining the timing of four successive cementation episodes. The overall data set indicates a history of complex water mixing with a significant contribution of hypersaline waters from the Triassic aquifers migrated upward along faults during the Cretaceous subsidence of the basin. Subsequent large‐scale infiltrations of meteoric waters induced a dilution of these pre‐existing brines in response to the Paris Basin uplift in the Tertiary. Overall, the data presented here allow proposing an integrated approach to characterize the cementation events affecting the studied carbonate reservoir units, based on temperature, oxygen isotope composition and salinity of the parent fluids as well as on petrographic grounds.