A laboratory flume investigation of the formation of fossil stem fills

The mechanism of formation of fossil plant ‘pith casts’ has been investigated experimentally using a small laboratory flume tank. The extent to which filling occurs is dependent on stem length and diameter, and on the current velocity. Stem fills produced by sediment carried in suspension show a distinct structure of two wedges of sediment deposited at either end of the stem cavity. These wedges are deposited from small flow vortices which form when the flow around the stem separates, as the flow through the stem becomes restricted. Stems filled by bedload currents do not show such a uniform structure. The experimentally produced stem fills are comparable with fossil pith casts, e.g. Catamites. The formation of cortical casts of Stigmaria is not simply explained in terms of the processes operating in open-ended stem segments. This investigation of the mechanics of filling of hollow plant organs, and the structure of the fill produced, offers a basis for interpreting the sedimentary environment in which the fossil fills have formed, and leads to a fuller understanding of the mode of formation of such fossils.     

近十五年来蛋化石研究概况

1993年至2008年是中国蛋化石研究不断扩展与深入的时期。这期间的研究更注重于解决盆地地层与蛋化石演化序列间的联系; 开展了翼龙化石胚胎学研究; 通过分子古生物学分析, 尝试了获取古代DNA的方法; 河南西峡恐龙蛋化石博物馆的建立, 成为展示这一阶段进展的突出标志。特别是近几年来, 通过大量资料积累, 发现并揭示出恐龙蛋的变异类型与鸟蛋间的联系, 由此填补了从恐龙到鸟的演化过程中蛋壳形态结构变化的空白。文中还介绍了我国白垩纪几个沉积盆地的生物地层和一些具有特色的蛋化石种类; 提出了新的蛋化石分类意见, 以及与蛋化石有关的生存行为方面的思考。     

新疆库鲁克塔格地区奥陶纪岩相古地理

库鲁克塔格地区在西北地层区划上属塔里木地层区的库鲁克塔格地层分区。其沉积特点受塔里木盆地的影响，但是又不同于塔里木盆地，区内研究程度低。依据野外露头资料，本地区奥陶系南北分区明显，北区岩性为碳酸盐岩建造，生物以三叶虫、头足类、腕足类及珊瑚等浅海生物为主；南区岩性为复理石建造，生物以深海相笔石为主。从岩性、古生物、沉积构造、沉积序列、指相矿物等沉积特征可以看出，本地区奥陶纪古地貌具南低北高的特点。本地区奥陶系发育台地海相、广海陆棚相、盆地边缘斜坡相、深海盆地相、半深海相和浅海相等类型。依据各时期沉积相及其展布特征，总结出４种沉积相模式，即①台地海-广海陆棚沉积相模式；②盆地边缘海陆棚-深海盆地沉积相模式；③海陆过渡-浅海沉积相模式；④冲积扇-三角洲沉积相模式。本次研究对鲁克塔格地库区进一步的研究及找油工作打下了理论基础。     

昆明二村下奥陶统红石崖组顶部Cruziana rugosa遗迹化石群落的沉积环境和生态特征

Cruziana及其相关的遗迹化石是由底栖三叶虫在沉积物表面停歇、爬行所留下的遗迹,一般认为产于潮下带至浅海陆棚环境,具有古水深指示意义。然而,本文通过对昆明民富二村下奥陶统红石崖组顶部含Cruziana rugosa遗迹化石群落层位的沉积环境分析却发现,Cruziana rugosa遗迹化石群落的沉积环境为潮上带—潮间带,说明三叶虫可以在短暂暴露环境中活动。三叶虫的这种适应性活动可能为节肢动物从海洋走向陆地做好了进化准备。     

Triassic palaeosols in the upper Narrabeen group of new South Wales. part I: Features of the palaeosols

The sea‐cliffs north of Sydney expose a complex of Triassic palaeosols, pedoliths, and sedimentary rocks.

The most obvious and diagnostic features of the palaeosols are fossil roots in place and markedly leached or reddened, relatively massive, clay‐rich strata. Associated coaly layers and fossil plant remains in adjacent sediments show varying degrees of decomposition. The A horizons of some of these palaeosols have been silicified by plant opal and contain abundant insect, earthworm, and larger animal burrows, cradle knolls, and basket podzols. Many of the palaeosols have well‐preserved peds and their upper horizons slake more readily in water than their lower horizons. Their B horizons may consist of extensive layers of siderite nodules or red claystone with tubular grey mottles around old root channels.

Less mature palaeosols show some relict sedimentary bedding and ripple marks within their profiles. More mature palaeosols, which appear massive in the field, may show anomalous grainsize variation in thin section, remaining from sedimentary bedding.

Soils can be eroded and deposited as pedoliths. Conglomerates of palaeosol clay pebbles and siderite nodules are easy to recognize as pedoliths. Finer‐grained pedoliths have the distinctive mineralogy and some of the small structures, but not the larger structures and field relations, of palaeosols.

Siderite crystals and nodules developed in the gleyed organic and A horizons of some of the clayey palaeosols shortly after they were covered by sediment and subsided below base level. With further compaction and dewatering, the ferric‐oxide minerals became redder by inverting to hematite, mineralized joints developed in some massive B horizons, some peds were accentuated by slickensides, and some root channels and coal cleat were filled with copper minerals.     

柴达木盆地东部扎布萨尕秀组的时代归属讨论

柴达木盆地石炭系是中国北方新区新层系油气勘探调查研究的热点,盆地东部地区石炭系出露较全,但多数学者认为柴东地区不存在二叠系。针对扎布萨尕秀组归属于石炭纪还是二叠纪的争议,采集扎布萨尕秀组的砂岩碎屑锆石开展了U-Pb LA-ICP-MS同位素测年,获得40个和谐年龄分布在2488±34 Ma至288±3 Ma之间,最年轻的一组碎屑锆石的加权平均年龄288.0±2.0 Ma（MSWD=0.112,n=21）。这意味着该扎布萨尕秀组中的砂岩沉积于288 Ma之后,晚于国际石炭—二叠纪界限（299 Ma）。依据野外调查和已有研究成果,扎布萨尕秀组中赋存丰富的虫筳科化石,其中膨胀型虫筳属Pseudoschwagerina或Sphaeroschwagerina的出现是进入二叠纪的重要标志。结合碎屑锆石年代学和虫筳属化石特征,扎布萨尕秀组应归属早二叠世,说明柴达木东部地区存在二叠纪沉积记录。该认识为深化柴达木盆地晚古生代—中生代沉积建造和构造演化提供了重要的地层学证据。      

东濮凹陷沙三段正常三角洲沉积中遗迹化石及意义

通过对钻井岩心的观察和遗迹化石的鉴定,在东濮凹陷古近纪沙河街组沙三段发现遗迹化石10属15种,包括:Skolithos vertivalis,Skolithos linearis,Skolithos isp.,Palaeophycus tubularis,Palaeophycus isp.,Planolites montanus,Planolites beverlegensis,Planolites isp.,Mermoides isp.,Taenidium isp.,Teichichnus isp.,Helminthoidichnites tenuis,Helminthopsis isp.,Beaconites isp.和Thalassinoides isp.。根据岩性特征、沉积构造和遗迹化石的组成、分布特征,研究区沙三段主要发育正常三角洲前缘亚相、前三角洲亚相,并划分了反映不同沉积环境和水体深度的2种遗迹组合,分别为Palaeophycus-Planolites遗迹组合和Planolites-Helminthoidichnites遗迹组合。     

甘肃合作地区早、中三叠世盆地一斜坡沉积环境分析

合作地区位于甘肃省南部,区内三叠系十分发育。殷鸿福等系统研究了区内三叠系地层,确定本区属中秦岭地层分区(图1),并分出南、北两带。南带以扎油沟剖面为典型代表,自老至新的地层单位为下三叠统山尕岭群(T_1s)、中三叠统古浪堤组(T_2g);北带以小河沟—土门关剖面为典型代表,自老至新划分出下三叠统隆务河群(T_1l)、中三叠统古浪堤组(T_2g) 研究该区三叠纪沉积环境对了解秦岭印支期构造发展史以及区内沉积矿产的成因及分布规律有着极重要的意义。     

塔里木东南缘洛浦阿其克晚二叠世瓣动物化石及其时代

本文系统研究了塔里木盆地东南缘洛浦阿其克斯格组的瓣鳃动物化石,讨论了化石组合特点及地质时代。根据化石组合面貌、岩性和沉积特征,以及剖面结构,认为普斯格组的时代应为晚二叠世。     

The first evidence of iguanodontids (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) in Alberta,Canada – A fossil footprint from the Early Cretaceous

Basal iguanodontians (“iguanodontids”) were a successful group of ornithopod dinosaurs that attained a near global distribution by the late Early Cretaceous. Despite their body fossils being known in abundance from the uppermost Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous of the western United States, their remains have never been found in western Canada. With its extensive, terrestrial sedimentary record for the whole of the Early Cretaceous, the expectation is that these dinosaurs would have been present in western Canada. This paper reports the finding of a fossil footprint from the Gladstone Formation in southwestern Alberta that is interpreted to have been made by an iguanodontid. This identification is based on the late Barremian age of the hosting rock, gross footprint details that match the skeletal foot structure of Iguanodon bernissartensis, and similarities to Early Cretaceous dinosaur footprints found elsewhere in the world that are attributed to iguanodontids. This finding fills a noticeable gap in the iguanodontian fossil record, and is consistent with the clade's attainment of global distribution during the Early Cretaceous.     

塔里木东南缘洛浦阿其克晚二叠世瓣鳃动物化石及其时代

本文系统研究了塔里木盆地东南缘洛浦阿其克普斯格组的瓣鳃动物化石，讨论了化石组合特点及地质时代。根据化石组合面貌、岩性和沉积特征，以及剖面结构，认为普斯格组的时代应为晚二叠世。     

Formation of mud clast breccias and the process of sedimentary autobrecciation in the hominin-bearing (Homo naledi) Rising Star Cave system,South Africa

Unconsolidated mud clast breccia facies in the hominin-bearing (Homo naledi) Rising Star Cave, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa, are interpreted to have formed through a process termed sedimentary autobrecciation in this study. This process, by which most of the angular mud clast breccia deposits are thought to have formed autochthonously to para-autochthonously via a combination of erosion, desiccation, diagenesis and microbial alteration of laminated mud deposits, is thought to have taken place under relatively dry (i.e. non-flooded) conditions inside the cave. Subsequently, gravitational slumping and collapse was the dominant mechanism that produced the mud clast breccia deposits, which commonly accumulate into debris aprons. The mud clast breccia is typically associated with (micro) mammal fossils and is a common facies throughout the cave system, occurring in lithified and unlithified form. This facies has not been described from other cave localities in the Cradle of Humankind. Additionally, sedimentary autobrecciation took place during the deposition of some of the fossils within the Rising Star Cave, including the abundant Homo naledi skeletal remains found in the Dinaledi Subsystem. Reworking of the mud clast breccia deposits occurs in some chambers as they slump towards floor drains, resulting in the repositioning of fossils embedded in the breccias as evidenced by cross-cutting manganese staining lines on some Homo naledi fossil remains. The formation of the unlithified mud clast breccia deposits is a slow process, with first order formation rates estimated to be ca 8 × 10⁻⁴ mm year⁻¹. The slow formation of the unlithified mud clast breccia facies sediments and lack of laminated mud facies within these deposits, indicates that conditions in the Dinaledi Chamber were probably stable and dry for at least the last ca 300 ka, meaning that this study excludes Homo naledi being actively transported by fluvial mechanisms during the time their remains entered the cave.     

The criteria for the biogeneicity of microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) in Archean and younger, sandy deposits

The identification of fossils or biogenic sedimentary structures in rocks of Archean age is difficult, because similar lithological features could rise from purely physical or chemical processes alone. Therefore it is important to define criteria that serve the secure definition of a fossil or structure in question as of biological origin. Such criteria have been established for stromatolites and microfossils.This contribution discusses the 6 criteria of biogeneicity of ‘microbially induced sedimentary structures’ (MISS). Those structures are found in sandy deposits of early Archean age to the present, and rise from the interaction of benthic microbiota with physical sediment dynamics. The six criteria for their biogeneicity are: (i) MISS occur in rocks of not more than lower greenschist facies; (ii) in stratigraphic sections, MISS correlate with turning points of regression–trangressions; (iii), MISS correlate with a characteristic depositional facies that enhances the development and the preservation of microbial mats; (iv), the distribution of MISS correlates with the ancient average hydraulic pattern; (v), the geometries and dimensions of fossil MISS correspond to that of the modern ones; (vi), the MISS include at least one of 9 specific microtextures.     

东秦岭商丹地区刘岭群浅变质沉积岩系碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄及其地质意义

传统意义的刘岭群广泛分布于南秦岭北缘地区,由于特殊的大地构造位置,其一直被视为揭示秦岭造山带早古生代南秦岭构造带和北秦岭构造带汇聚过程的重要窗口.丹凤－商南－西坪地区的刘岭群较山阳－柞水地区的刘岭群变质程度深且变形复杂,分别被称为刘岭群浅变质沉积岩系和刘岭群沉积岩系以示区分.山阳－柞水地区的刘岭群沉积岩系据可靠的古生物化石证据被划归为中泥盆统或上泥盆统,而商丹地区的刘岭群浅变质沉积岩系则无可靠的时代证据,被划归为下古生界.通过对商丹地区浅变质沉积岩系中的石榴二云母石英片岩进行LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb同位素年龄研究,获得碎屑锆石年龄谱介于2 598~390 Ma,2个主要峰值年龄段分别为~1.0~0.6 Ga和~0.5~0.4 Ga,3个次要峰值年龄段分别为~2.6~2.3 Ga、~1.71~1.60 Ga和~1.3~1.2 Ga.综合本次及前人研究结果表明:刘岭群浅变质沉积岩系和沉积岩系物源具有双源性,南、北秦岭构造带均为其提供重要物源;商丹地区刘岭群浅变质沉积岩系最大沉积时限为~390 Ma,该地层最可能形成于中晚泥盆世;刘岭群沉积岩系和刘岭群浅变质沉积岩系可能为同时代沉积物,后期经历不同构造变形,形成于前陆盆地构造环境.      

塔里木北缘库车坳陷侏罗系阳霞组的双壳类化石及其时代

系统采集并研究了塔里木盆地北缘库车坳陷库车河剖面阳霞组的双壳动物化石，讨论了化石组合特点及其地质时代，根据化石组合面貌、岩性和沉积特征以及剖面结构，认为阳霞组的时代应为早侏罗世晚期，与北缰地区的三工河组相当。     

Identifying the accidental-natural mortality of leporids in the archaeological record: insights from a taphonomical analysis of a pitfall without evidence of human presence

Leporids (Lagomorpha, Mammalia), especially the mountain hare (Lepus timidus) and the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), have been among the most abundant small game in western Europe since the Pleistocene. These animals are preferred prey for more than 40 predators, which increases the chances of finding their skeletal remains at archaeological or natural sites, and in particular karstic formations alternately occupied by Palaeolithic human societies and other predators. Moreover, specific eco-ethological characteristics for both species also offer the possibility to produce a substantial quantity of their bones accumulated by natural mortality without predation, making it more difficult to identify their origin in the fossil record. Despite this fact, the taphonomic signature of accidental-natural accumulations of leporids in karsts, such as pitfalls, has never been properly characterised. In order to address these issues, we carried out a detailed taphonomic study of leporid remains in a pitfall without any evidence of human activity, namely at Coulet des Roches (Monieux, Vaucluse, south-eastern France). At this site, leporids are the most abundant species throughout the Last Glacial Maximum sedimentary sequence. The bone accumulation was analysed in order to determine the most relevant criteria to identify a natural accumulation that results from the accidental fall of individuals in the pitfall. The relative proportions of each species are consistent with their current ethology, and their mortality profiles are compatible with the structure of a living natural population. The completeness rate of the different skeletal portions for both species is relatively high, bones are less fragmented and, unlike what might be expected, very few anatomical connections were preserved. The observed anatomical representation, breakage, and bone surface modification patterns are discussed and compared with available data concerning accumulations with predation. Taken together, the identified criteria contribute valuable help in the recognition of accidental mortality in the fossil record, as well as to evaluate the proportion of leporid bones accumulated naturally and those accumulated by predation, human or not, in a deposit.     

A high‐resolution relative time scale for the Viséan Stage (Carboniferous) of the Kulm Basin (Rhenish Mountains,Germany)

The Viséan (Carboniferous) sedimentary succession of the basinal Kulm facies (Rhenish Mountains) was investigated in detail in order to achieve a high‐resolution stratigraphic subdivision and correlation. Additionally, the ranges of fossil index taxa (ammonoids), fossil marker beds, volcaniclastic horizons and sedimentary features (e.g. colour changes) were integrated in the correlation. As a result, a comprehensive database was compiled, which contains 190 stratigraphic events of the Viséan interval of this area. Several sections are almost completely composed of shales, which are regarded to represent a slow but constant basinal background sedimentation of the Kulm facies. The thickness of lithological homogeneous sections thus indicates an approximately linear record of time and the average thicknesses of biozones and positions of stratigraphic events can easily be calculated from the compiled database. The result is an approximately time‐linear biostratigraphic scale for the Viséan Stage of the Kulm Basin. Given a numerical length of the Viséan Stage of ca. 19 Ma, 190 stratigraphic events give a mean resolution of 100 000 years. This is unique in Palaeozoic stratigraphy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The generation at hot springs of sedimentary ore deposits, microbialites and life

Notwithstanding the current fashion which favours an epigenetic origin for what used to be termed SEDEX deposits, there are several lines of evidence to indicate that Phanerozoic base-metal orebodies of this type have at least some exhalative aspects. The fossil polychaete worms, which occur in Lower Carboniferous pyrite mounds at Tynagh and Silvermines in Ireland, have affinities to Paralvinella, an organism that lives attached to hydrothermal chimneys at the Juan de Fuca hot spring site in the Northeast Pacific. In addition, fossil tube worms, and their moulds, occur both in silica masses underlying the Carboniferous giant Red Dog sulphide orebody in Alaska and in Devonian barite and base-metal deposits in North America and in Russia, respectively. The development of sulphide and carbonate fossil microbialites over exhalative centres further supports generation of some mineral deposits on sea or lake floors. Carbonate microbialite mounds are also developing today over warm springs and seepages.The existence of an environment in which sulphide mineralisation developed at the sea floor has implications also in a different sphere. Life itself may have emerged in a similar milieu at 4.2 Ga from iron monosulphide bubbles. A primitive metabolism could have been driven by the high, long-lived and constant, redox potential of 300 mV made available across an iron monosulphide membrane which would have been spontaneously generated where sulphide-bearing, submarine, alkaline springs issued into the acidic, iron-bearing, Hadean ocean. The alkaline spring provided bisulphide to the iron-rich (carbonic) acid ocean for the precipitation of iron-monosulphide bubbles (probotryoids), as well as acetate (Shock, 1992) — the feeder to the biochemical Krebs cycle, driven in reverse by the high partial pressure of CO₂. In addition to its scientific significance, an understanding of these beginnings may well benefit research into many aspects of economic geology.Even more extreme redox contrasts are revealed by the presence of sedimentary jasper or iron formation in three of the major Carboniferous sulphide orebodies in Ireland. Pyritic sulphide microbialites also grew over some of the associated fossil hot-spring sites and may be recognised by their bacteriogenic δ³⁴S values (−20 to −40‰). Recognition of such fossil hot-spring sites could lead to further discoveries of SEDEX deposits.     

Discovery of antler from a new site in the Pinjor Formation (Pleistocene) of Pakistan

Partially complete right antler from the Pinjor Formation (Pleistocene) of the Upper Siwalik Subgroup is identified, described and its phylogenetic relationship is discussed. The fossil antler is compared with other known fossil records of family Cervidae as well as with the extant species, on the basis of which it can be attributed to Axis punjabiensis. This species has not been reported previously from this fossil site.     

内蒙迪彦庙地区寿山沟组地层研究

内蒙迪彦庙地区早二叠世寿山沟组地层发育良好,岩性相对稳定,变质、变形程度较低,是研究区范围内早二叠世地层层序研究的理想地区。该课题逐层实测了寿山沟组剖面,从剖面的岩性地层人手,着重分析了迪彦庙地区早二叠世的岩性组合特征、基本层序、沉积旋回特征;同时根据古生物化石类型和组合,推断该区域形成的地质时代和沉积环境。研究表明：寿山沟组剖面厚度为9598．98m,根据岩性和粒度的大小,可分3个岩段：一段为滨浅海一浅海陆棚沉积;二段、三段为一套浊流沉积岩系,发育特征性浊流沉积构造,为典型的复理石建造。