Microbenthic distribution of Proterozoic tidal flats: environmental and taphonomic considerations

Silicified carbonates of the late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic Society Cliffs Formation, Baffin Island, contain distinctive microfabrics and microbenthic assemblages whose paleo-environmental distribution within the formation parallels the distribution of these elements through Proterozoic time. In the Society Cliffs Formation, restricted carbonates--including microdigitate stromatolites, laminated tufa, and tufted microbial mats--consist predominantly of synsedimentary cements; these facies and the cyanobacterial fossils they contain are common in Paleoproterozoic successions but rare in Neoproterozoic and younger rocks. Less restricted tidal-flat facies in the formation are composed of laminated microbialites dominated by micritic carbonate lithified early, yet demonstrably after compaction; these strata contain cyanobacteria that are characteristic in Neoproterozoic rocks. Within the formation, the facies-dependent distribution of microbial populations reflects both the style and timing of carbonate deposition because of the strong substrate specificity of benthic cyanobacteria. A reasonable conclusion is that secular changes in microbenthic assemblages through Proterozoic time reflect a decrease in the overall representation of rapidly lithified carbonate substrates in younger peritidal environments, as well as concomitant changes in the taphonomic window of silicification through which early life is observed.     

Ediacaran to Lower Ordovician age for rocks ascribed to the Schist–Graywacke Complex (Iberian Massif,Spain): Evidence from detrital zircon SHRIMP U–Pb geochronology

New SHRIMP U–Pb ages of detrital zircon obtained from eight samples of Neoproterozoic to Lower Paleozoic graywackes, schists, microconglomerates and shales provide the maximum depositional age and a new zircon age pattern for the Schist–Graywacke Complex (SGC) from the Iberian Massif (SW Europe). The ages of the youngest zircon grains found in four samples provide a maximum depositional age of latest Ediacaran–Lower Cambrian for the complex. Lower-Middle Cambrian fossiliferous formations on top of the lithologies correctly attributed to the SGC constrain its minimum depositional age. Unexpectedly, two samples attributed to the SGC yielded Cambro-Ordovician zircon populations. These must belong to younger Lower Ordovician sedimentary successions that, up to now, have not been differentiated from those of the SGC. The new age patterns are mainly composed of Neoproterozoic (73%) and Paleoproterozoic (15%) ages, with minor Neoarchean (7%), Mesoarchean (2%), Mesoproterozoic (3%) and Cambrian (1%) ages for the latest Ediacaran–Lower Cambrian successions, and Neoproterozoic (46%) and Cambro-Ordovician (46%) ages, with minor Neoarchean (1%), Mesoarchean (0.5%), Paleoproterozoic (6%), Mesoproterozoic (0.5%) and Carboniferous (1%) ages for the Lower Ordovician successions. The presence of Mesoproterozoic zircon points to the Saharan Metacraton as a contributing source for these sediments. Cadomian granitoids could have been a local Neoproterozoic source. The Cambro-Ordovician zircons may also indicate that Cambro-Ordovician magmatism contributed as a source. Cambro-Ordovician volcanism, the most probable source of the Cambro-Ordovician zircons, would have been coeval with the deposition of the Lower Ordovician successions.     

On the reliability of stable carbon isotopes for Neoproterozoic chemostratigraphic correlation

The reliability of δ¹³C trends in Neoproterozoic carbonate-dominated successions for regional and global chemostratigraphic correlation is discussed. In the light of recent findings of a predominantly non-marine rare earth element and yttrium signature in most Neoproterozoic carbonates and a comparatively short oceanic residence time of carbon, trends towards enrichment in ¹³C seen in many of these carbonates are considered to reflect facies variations rather than temporal signals of ocean chemistry. Positive δ¹³C_Carb excursions are explained by elevated bioproductivity and/or increased evaporation in shallow marine, near-coastal, temporarily restricted depositional environments. Examples are provided that illustrate that C isotope trends can be highly ambiguous temporal markers and are in the absence of other chemostratigraphic data, such as Sr isotope ratios, and radiometric age control of only limited use for stratigraphic correlation. The overall enrichment in ¹³C recorded by most Neoproterozoic carbonates, except for those in close stratigraphic proximity to glacial deposits, is suggested to reflect a dominance of microbially mediated carbonate formation in the Neoproterozoic. This might explain why C isotope chemostratigraphy in Neoproterozoic successions is less reliable than in Phanerozoic successions in which carbonates are, with only few exceptions, biogenic products of shelly fossils.     

Rodinia connections between Australia and Laurentia: no SWEAT,no AUSWUS?

Although geological comparisons between Australia and North America have provided a basis for various Neoproterozoic Rodinia reconstructions, quantitative support from precisely dated palaeomagnetic poles has so far been lacking. We report U–Pb ages and palaeomagnetic results for two suites of mafic sills within the intracratonic Bangemall Basin of Western Australia, one of which is dated at 1070 ± 6 Ma and carries a high‐stability palaeomagnetic remanence. Comparison of the Bangemall palaeopole with Laurentian data suggests that previous reconstructions of eastern Australia against either western Canada (SWEAT) or the western United States (AUSWUS) are not viable at 1070 Ma. This implies that the Pacific Ocean did not form by separation of Australia–Antarctica from Laurentia, and that up to 10 000 km of late Neoproterozoic passive margins need to be matched with other continental blocks within any proposed Rodinia supercontinent. Our results permit a reconstruction (AUSMEX) that closely aligns late Mesoproterozoic orogenic belts in north‐east Australia and southernmost Laurentia.     

C-isotope Composition of Carbonates from Indravati Basin,India: Implications for Regional Stratigraphic Correlation

The Indravati Basin represents an unmetamorphosed and unfossiliferous sequence and shows a broad similarity in lithological association with other Purana Basins of Central India. The carbonates belonging to Indravati Basin have on average, moderately positive δ13 C values (up to +4.5). Numerous successions reported from other parts of world, show similar δ13 C values and contain evidence to suggest that the latest Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic period may represent an isotopically recognizable interval globally. The elevated δ13 C values of Indravati Basin are also correlatable with other Purana Basins in India including Upper Vindhyan Supergroup.     

C-isotope Composition of Carbonates from Indravati Basin, India: Implications for Regional Stratigraphic Correlation

The Indravati Basin represents an unmetamorphosed and unfossiliferous sequence and shows a broad similarity in lithological association with other Purana Basins of Central India. The carbonates belonging to Indravati Basin have on average, moderately positive δ13 C values (up to +4.5). Numerous successions reported from other parts of world, show similar δ13 C values and contain evidence to suggest that the latest Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic period may represent an isotopically recognizable interval globally. The elevated δ13 C values of Indravati Basin are also correlatable with other Purana Basins in India including Upper Vindhyan Supergroup.     

扬子北缘元古宇马槽园群时代归属新证据 ——对地层对比和古地理格局的启示

马槽园群是华南前寒武纪地层中的重要单元,其沉积特征及时代归属对建立和完善扬子北缘地层格架、认识和恢复当时的古地理格局有重要意义.通常认为,扬子北缘马槽园群(下部八里垭组,上部火烧尖组)是一套角度不整合于中元古界神农架群之上的新元古代磨拉石建造.取自该群下部八里垭组上部的同沉积凝灰岩样品的高精度离子探针(SHRIMP)锆石U-Pb年龄为(1165±14)Ma.该年龄数据表明,马槽园群沉积地层的形成时代应为中元古代,而不是新元古代.野外调查与沉积相分析表明,马槽园群沉积地层中滑塌包卷、正粒序等重力流沉积构造发育,主体为一套斜坡相碳酸盐岩重力流沉积,而非磨拉石建造.结合前人研究结果认为,马槽园群无论是在沉积特征还是时代归属上都不能与华南新元古代裂谷系地层进行对比,而应该属于裂谷系之下的基底地层.     

Integrated chemostratigraphy and biostratigraphy of the Windermere Supergroup, northwestern Canada: implications for Neoproterozoic correlations and the early evolution of animals

The thick, richly fossiliferous succession of the upper Windermere Supergroup, Mackenzie Mountains, northwestern Canada, provides a test of integrated biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic frameworks in terminal Proterozoic correlation. The C- and Sr-isotopic abundances of lower Keele Formation carbonates approximate those for other pre-Varanger samples, confirming that the simple disc-like fossils of the underlying Twitya Formation predate all known diverse Ediacaran faunas. "Tepee" and Sheepbed carbonates record strong post-glacial isotopic excursions; in contrast, delta13C values for Gametrail through Risky carbonates vary only within the narrow range of about +l% to +2%. A second negative excursion occurs in Ingta Formation carbonates that immediately underlie the paleontologically determined Precambrian-Cambrian boundary. The upper Windermere profile as a whole compares closely with curves determined for other terminal Proterozoic successions. The lowermost diverse Ediacaran assemblages in the Sheepbed Formation correlate chemostratigraphically with the oldest fauna in Namibia, but the two assemblages differ in taxonomic composition. Blueflower assemblages correlate both chemostratigraphically and taxonomically with faunas from Australia, China, Siberia, and elsewhere. Increasing data support the hypothesis that paleontological and geochemical data together provide a reliable means of correlating terminal Proterozoic sedimentary rocks throughout the world.     

Deformation Pattern in the Kurnool and Nallarnalai Groups in the Northeastern Part (Palnad Area) of the Cuddapah Basin, South India and its Implication on Rodinia/Gondwana Tectonics

The Proterozoic basins of India adjoining the Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt (EGGB) in eastern and southern India contain both Mesproterozoic and Neoproterozoic successions. The intracratonic set-up and contractional deformation fo the Neoproterozoc successions in the Paland sub-basin in the northeastern part of Cuddapah basin and similar crustal shortening in contemporaneous successions lying west of the EGGB and Nellore Schist Belt (NSB) are considered in relation to the proposed geodynamic evolution of the the Rodinia and Gondwana supercontinents. Tectonic shortening in the Palnad sub-basin (northeast Cuddapah), partitioned into top-to-westnorthwest thrust shear, flexural folds and cleavage development under overall E-W contraction, suggests foreland style continental shortening within an intracratonic set-up. A thrust sheet containing the Nallamalai rocks and overlying the Kurnool rocks in the northeastern part of Palnad sub-basin exhibits early tight to isoclinal folds and slaty (phylllitic) cleavage, which can be correlated with early Mesoproterozoic deformation structures in the nothern Nallamalai Fold Belt (NFB). NNE-SSW trending folds and cleavage affect the Kurnool Group and overprint earlier structures in the thrust sheet. Thrusting of the Nallamalai rocks and the later structures may have been related to convergence of the Eastern Ghats terrane and the East-Dharwar-Bastar craton during Early Neoproterozoic (Greenvillian) and/or later rejuvenation related to Pan-African amalgamation of East and West Gondwana.     

Ore-Bearing Formations of the Precambrian in South China and Their Prospects

In the Precambrian System of the Yangtze and Cathaysian plates six ore-bearing formations can be identified: the Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing formations in volcanic rocks of marine facies of the Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic, Cu-Au-bearing formations and Pb-Zn-bearing formations in volcanic rocks of marine facies of the Mesoproterozoic, Pb-Zn-bearing formations in volcaniclastic rock and carbonate rock of the Neoproterozoic, Fe-Mn-bearing formations in the volcaniclastic rock of the Neoproterozoic, and Ni-Cr-serpentine-bearing formations in ophiolite and ultrabasic rock of the Meso- and Neoproterozoic. They were mostly formed in the marginal rift valleys of the Yangtze and Cathaysian plates, where occur stratabound and stratiform ore deposits, thermal deposits and porphyry polymetallic deposits. The six regions with ore-bearing formations have good prospects for ore deposits.     

Chemostratigraphy of Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic carbonates of the Nico Pérez Terrane,Río de la Plata Craton,Uruguay

Increasing evidence shows that Mesoproterozoic rocks are widespread in the Río de la Plata Craton. Carbon and strontium isotope analyses were carried out for three different, carbonate-bearing successions in the southern Nico Pérez Terrane. The Parque UTE Group is erected, comprising (from base to top) the mainly volcanogenic Cañada Espinillo Formation, the dolomitic Mina Valencia Formation and the mixed carbonate-siliciclastic Cerro del Mástil Formation. A δ¹³C curve was obtained for carbonates of the Parque UTE Group, which is characterized by a plateau at +1 to +1.6‰ V-PDB, bracketed between two negative excursions (−1.8‰ V-PDB at the base and −3.3‰ V-PDB at the top). These values are consistent with a Mesoproterozoic depositional age for the unit, as indicated by U–Pb ages of synsedimentary volcanics and gabbros of 1429 ± 21 and 1492 ± 4 Ma, respectively.     

新疆阿克苏地区新元古代沉积特征对裂谷发育过程的指示

阿克苏地区地处塔里木克拉通西北部的盆-山结合部位,新元古代地层齐全且发育前寒武纪蓝片岩,保留了新元古代从洋壳俯冲汇聚到陆壳拉张伸展过程的记录,是近年塔里木新元古界研究的热点及重点地区。但阿克苏地区新元古代地层层序和沉积体系的研究较为薄弱,构造对沉积充填的控制作用仍不清楚,由此也制约着对塔里木克拉通初期裂谷发育演化的认识。本文综合地层学、沉积学等多种研究手段,分析阿克苏地区新元古代地层展布及垂向发育特征,将多处实测剖面与钻井-地震剖面结合,构建了阿克苏地区新元古代地层发育序列及空间对比格架。明确了由裂陷控制的沉积相类型及演化：南华纪巧恩布拉克组先后发育冲积扇/扇三角洲、水下-冰川亚相（冰碛岩）及深水陆棚相;尤尔美那克组,早期以陆上-冰川沉积为主,晚期以冲积扇沉积为主;震旦纪苏盖特布拉克组由冲积扇过渡到辫状河三角洲和潮坪相;奇格布拉克组以碳酸盐岩台地沉积为主。通过盆-山构造结合沉积序列分析,确定新元古代经历了三个构造-沉积演化阶段：（1）局限深裂谷发育阶段（南华纪）,充填冲积扇/扇三角洲及深水陆棚相沉积,其中发育两期不同环境的冰川沉积;（2）裂谷扩张期（震旦纪早期）,火山活动强烈,发育冲积扇-辫状河三角洲、潮坪相沉积;（3）坳陷发育期（震旦纪晚期）,广盆浅海环境,发育碳酸盐岩台地。     

Depositional environment and tectono-provenance of Upper Kaimur Group sandstones,Son Valley,Central India

The Mesoproterozoic Upper Kaimur Group consists of Bijaigarh Shale, Scarp Sandstone, and Dhandraul Sandstone. Based on the lithofacies data set, two major facies associations were identified, namely—tidal sand flat/sand bar facies association (TSFA) and tidally influenced fluvial channel facies/tidal channel facies association (TIFCFA). The Dhandraul Sandstone has been interpreted as a product of TIFCFA and the underlying Scarp Sandstone in TSFA which endorses a tidal dominated estuarine setting. Detrital modes of the Dhandraul and Scarp Sandstones fall in the quartz arenite to sub-litharenite types. Petrographical data suggest that the deposition of the Upper Kaimur Group sandstones took place in humid climate and was derived from mixed provenances. The sandstone composition suggests detritus from igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks, and recycled sedimentary rocks. The sandstone tectonic discrimination diagrams suggest that the provenances of the Upper Kaimur Group sandstones were continental block, recycled orogen, rifted continental margin to quartzose recycled tectonic regimes. It is envisaged that the Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic granite, granodiorite, gneiss, and metasedimentary rocks of Mahakoshal Group and Chotanagpur granite–gneiss present in the western and northwestern direction are the possible source rocks for the Upper Kaimur Group in the Son Valley.     

贵州宰便-高武地区中新元古代火山岩的发现及其意义

宰便、高武地区位于九万大山北缘，有保存完好的中新元古代地质记录。笔者在该区的1：5万区调工作中发现中新元古代基性火山岩，不仅为该区中新元古代地层增添了新的内容，同时为研究Rodinia超大陆的裂解提供了新的素材。     

Geochronological evidence for late‐Grenvillian magmatic and metamorphic events in central Taimyr,northern Siberia*

U–Th–Pb analyses of zircons from six granites and one metasediment collected in the accretionary Central belt of Taimyr, Arctic Siberia, demonstrate that Neoproterozoic (c. 900 Ma) granites intrude late Mesoproterozoic/early Neoproterozoic amphibolite facies metamorphic rocks. This is the first time in the Mamont–Shrenk region that Neoproterozoic ages have been recognized for these lithologies, previously thought to be Archaean/Palaeoproterozoic in age. The Mamont–Shrenk Terrane (MST) represents a Grenvillian age (micro?) continent intercalated with younger Neoproterozoic ophiolites during thrusting and accreted to the northern margin of the Siberian craton sometime before the late Vendian. Basement to the MST may have been derived from the Grenvillian belt of east Greenland. Viable tectonic reconstructions must allow for an active margin along northern Siberia (modern day coordinates) in the middle Neoproterozoic.     

南乌拉尔地区中—新元古代地层序列及碳酸盐岩和碎屑岩发现臼齿构造的地质意义

中—新元古代地层在南乌拉尔海槽中极为发育,地层厚度巨大,几个阶段的构造演化和沉积特征清晰可见。新太古代和下里菲是俄罗斯重要的大型层状铁矿和菱镁矿的宿主地层,中里菲群(元古宙地层)地层厚度极大,伴随了几次沉积旋回,发育了从深海相到大陆缓坡的碳酸盐岩沉积;随着新元古代末次冰期之后,文德系发育了可全球对比的白海动物群(伊迪卡拉动物群)。笔者首次确认了南乌拉尔地区中—新元古代地层3套臼齿构造,其中巴卡尔组(Bakal)碳酸盐岩臼齿构造与碎屑岩地震液化脉互层共生,特别是大量臼齿构造也发育在大型叠层石中。从臼齿构造与碎屑岩液化脉互层的共生特征,说明发育在碳酸盐岩中臼齿构造与地震机理的液化作用有关。该3套臼齿构造与中国华北地台中—新元古代地层中发现的臼齿构造(液化脉)时代大体接近。     

华北克拉通南缘中—新元古界沉积充填特征及演化

华北克拉通南缘中—新元古代地层广泛发育、出露较好。以华北克拉通南缘熊耳裂陷槽中—新元古代地层为研究对象,在总结对比前人研究成果的基础上,以4条典型基干剖面实测、3条重点辅助剖面观察与描述,从岩石颜色、岩石组合类型、岩石结构、沉积构造等众多方面,对华北克拉通南缘中—新元古界的沉积相类型、特征、展布规律以及沉积充填序列进行了深入分析。结果表明:1）研究区中—新元古界发育障壁型海岸相、无障壁型海岸相、浅海陆棚相、碳酸盐岩台地相、扇三角洲相及冰川相6种沉积相、10种亚相及15种微相;并详细阐述了各种相、亚相以及微相的沉积特征;2）明确了研究区中—新元古代在不同地质时期发育的主要沉积相类型及特征;3）深入探讨了研究区中—新元古界的沉积充填特征,并将其划分出大陆裂谷早期沉积（熊耳群）、大陆裂谷晚期沉积（小沟背组—云梦山组）、中元古代被动大陆边缘沉积（白草坪组—黄连垛组）和新元古代被动大陆边缘沉积（董家组—东坡组）等4个沉积充填序列。     

秦岭岩群中斜长角闪岩的年代学、地球化学特征及其地质意义

本文对秦岭岩群中的三个斜长角闪岩（变质沉积岩）样品进行了岩石学、锆石U-Pb年代学和岩石地球化学研究,限定了秦岭岩群的形成时代,讨论了秦岭岩群的构造背景及归属问题。锆石定年结果显示了971 Ma、1222 Ma和840 Ma三个最大沉积年龄。秦岭岩群是一个杂岩体,秦岭岩群中至少存在中元古代（较老组成部分）和新元古代早期（较新组成部分）的岩性单元。秦岭岩群变质沉积岩的锆石年龄峰主要集中在中元古代-新元古代早期,具有与扬子块体和华北块体明显不同的锆石年代学特征,秦岭岩群在中元古代-新元古代早期为独立发展的微陆块。结合秦岭岩群的年代学特征及前人的研究结果,秦岭岩群中的变质沉积岩应沉积于弧相关的构造环境。     

Characterization of C‐isotope variability in the Delhi Supergroup,northwestern India and the Mesoproterozoic ocean

Marine carbonate rocks of the Delhi Supergroup of northwestern India show little deviation in whole‐rock δ ¹³Ccarb and δ ¹⁸Ocarb values, which generally are around 0 and –10‰ respectively. These narrow ranges and almost constant δ ¹³Ccarb values persist despite close sampling through long sections. The data suggest that the global rate of organic carbon burial was probably constant during deposition of the Delhi Supergroup. The nearly invariant C isotopic profile of the Delhi Supergroup is similar to C isotopic profiles of Mesoproterozoic carbonates older than 1.3 Ga, as reported from different parts of world. Carbonate units on the western margin of the Delhi Supergroup however, have on average moderately positive δ ¹³C values (from 2 to +4.96‰). These high δ ¹³C carbonates may represent the Mesoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic transition (from ～1.25 to ～0.85 Ga), a period characterized by high positive δ ¹³C values globally.     

东南极拉斯曼丘陵地区变质杂岩的层序与构造变形过程

东南极拉斯曼丘陵地区位于兰伯特裂谷东缘普里兹湾东岸,该地区主要出露一套麻粒岩相变质岩,前期对原岩时代、变质过程等进行了详细研究,但是对于变质杂岩的层序和变形过程研究相对薄弱。文章通过大比例尺地质填图,发现拉斯曼丘陵地区变质杂岩总体成层有序,在此基础上建立拉斯曼岩群,并将其划分成6个岩组,原岩形成时代为中元古代。拉斯曼岩群经历了格林维尔期和泛非期变质作用的叠加,变质程度均达到高角闪岩相-麻粒岩相。拉斯曼丘陵地区主体构造线方向为北东东—南西西方向,总体上构成往北东东方向翘起的复式向斜构造,几个岩组的分布也显示由东向西逐渐变新。东部米洛半岛一带明显叠加了北北西—南南东向的构造变形。研究表明,拉斯曼岩群经历了6次重要的构造变形,包括新元古代格林维尔期(D1)、新元古代—早古生代泛非期变质变形作用(D2,D3,D4,D5)以及中新生代伸展作用(D6)。目前岩石中保存的主变形面理是格林维尔期和泛非期两次构造热事件的复合型面理,主要是泛非事件形成,格林维尔期变形面理呈残留状。综合拉斯曼岩群变质年龄及早古生代进步花岗岩体形成时代,认为D2~D5变形时代为550~500 Ma左右。因此,拉斯曼丘陵地区变质变形特征显示,中元古代拉斯曼岩群经历了格林维尔期和泛非期两次重要的造山作用,以及冈瓦纳大陆的裂解。