Untold muddy tales: Paleoenvironmental dynamics of a “barren” mudrock succession from a shallow Permian epeiric sea

During the late Paleozoic, the intracratonic Paraná Basin, Brazil, in central Gondwanaland, was covered by a huge (>1.600.000 km²), shallow and isolated epeiric sea. Within the Permian succession, oxygen-deficient facies are commonly recorded in the Mesosaurus-bearing Irati Formation (Cisuralian, Artinskian/Kungurian) and the overlaying Serra Alta Formation (Guadalupian, Wordian/Capitanian). Barren, dark-grey mudstones are the main facies preserved in this last unit, which has usually discouraged extensive and detailed stratigraphical and paleontological investigations. However, exhaustive sedimentological, taphonomic and paleontological surveys in those deposits reveal a dynamic and complex depositonal history. Based on sedimentary fabric, autochthonous to parautochthonous occurrences of shelly benthic invertebrates (bivalves) and the presence/absence of concretion-bearing and phosphate-rich layers, we report variations in the oxygen levels of bottom and pore waters, in bathymetry, sedimentation rates, and changes in benthic colonization. Our data indicate that the deposition of this “apparently barren” mudstone-dominated succession was driven by a complex interplay of variations in sedimentation rate and oxygen pulses tied to tectonic and climate changes. Three distinct populations or invertebrate paleocommunities were recorded, which were adapted to (a) normal background low-oxygen (dysoxic) conditions (i.e., minute infaunal suspension-feeding bivalves associated with the trace fossil Planolites), (b) chemically toxic (anoxic/extreme dysoxic) substrates, including gigantic burrowing bivalves (probable chemosymbiotic taxa), and (c) oxic/dysoxic substrates following short-term bottom disruptions.     

The influence of physical and biological processes on the ichthyoplankton communities in the Gulf of Sirte (Southern Mediterranean Sea)

This paper reports on the first study on the ichthyoplankton community structure in the Gulf of Sirte and its spatial distribution in relation to environmental conditions and zooplankton abundance. The results make an important contribution to the future management of fisheries in this unexplored, but much exploited, area. Biological samples were collected in July 2008 using a Bongo40 net. In total, 1914 larvae were found and 1652 of these were identified. In particular, bathypelagic taxa were the most abundant, followed by demersal, mesopelagic, pelagic and epipelagic taxa. The ichthyoplankton community had a patchwork distribution influenced by oligotrophic conditions, the bottom depth and oceanographical features. The results suggest that environmental forcings were able to transport the ichthyoplankton to productive areas. Indeed, maximum fish egg densities were found in coastal stations in correspondence with the Atlantic Tunisian Current inflow, whereas larvae were mainly concentrated in the east side of the Gulf, probably as a result of advection by the anticyclonic circulation. Additionally, the distribution patterns of the total larvae density and the different assemblages were well matched with the abundance of the zooplankton, probably determining final larval survival, growth and recruitment.     

Crustacean decapod assemblages associated with fragmented Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean Sea): composition,temporal dynamics and influence of meadow structure

The decapod assemblage associated with a Posidonia oceanica meadow located near its western limit of biogeographic distribution was studied over an annual cycle. Fauna samples were taken seasonally over a year (five replicates per season) in two sites located 7 km apart, using a non‐destructive sampling method (airlift sampler) for the seagrass. The dominant species of the assemblage, Pisidia longimana, Pilumnus hirtellus and Athanas nitescens, were associated with the protective rhizome stratum, which is mainly used as a nursery. The correlations between decapod assemblage structure and some phenological parameters of the seagrass shoots and wave height were negative or null, which reflects that species associated with the rhizome had a higher importance than those associated with the leaf stratum. The abundance and composition of the decapod assemblage as well as the ecological indexes displayed a seasonality trend with maximum values in summer‐autumn and minimum in winter‐spring, which were related to the seawater temperature and the recruitment periods of the dominant species. The spatial differences found in the structure and dynamics of the assemblages may be due to variations in the recruitment of the dominant species, probably as a result of the influence of local factors (e.g. temperature, currents) and the high dispersal ability of decapods, together with the patchy configuration and the surrounding habitats. The studied meadows are fragmented and are integrated within a mosaic of habitats (Cymodocea nodosa patches, algal meadows, rocky and sandy bottoms), which promotes the movement of individuals and species among them, maintaining a high species richness and evenness.     

合肥盆地安参1井前侏罗纪基底地层的孢粉组合特征与时代归属

大别山北缘的安参1井是合肥盆地最深的一口参数井,钻遇前侏罗纪基底地层达千米以上,为一套不含煤层(线)或灰岩以泥岩为主的地层,与周缘华北陆块和大别造山带等构造单元的地层对比困难。因缺少宏观化石记录和明确的定年依据,其时代归属一直存在争议,制约了对这一套特殊地层所反映的地质信息的进一步挖掘。为进一步明确该套特殊地层的地质时代,本项研究对安参1井4160~5152m井段大量岩心和岩屑样品进行了微古化石分析,在其中5块样品中发现了保存良好的孢粉化石647粒,共计23属51种及部分未定种。根据对孢粉化石的类型、属种和含量的分析,将其自下而上划分为两个孢粉化石组合:Ⅰ.Densosporites reynoldburgensisLaevigatosporites perminutus;Ⅱ.Triquitrites-Macrotorispora media。孢粉组合Ⅰ中蕨类植物孢子以平均含量87.67%占绝对优势,代表分子有Laevigatosporites perminutus,Lycospora rotunda,Patellisporites meishanesis等,裸子植物花粉均为单囊粉属Florinites;孢粉组合Ⅱ中,蕨类植物孢子平均含量降低至53.78%,其中蕨类孢子Lycospora rotunda消失,Leiotriletes adnatus,Triquitrites,Crassipora等含量下降,并有特征分子大一头沉孢属Macrotorispora出现,裸子植物花粉含量和丰富度明显增加,以柯达粉属Cordaitina为主。经过与华北其他地区孢粉组合特征的对比分析,上述两个孢粉组合分别与华北陆块晚古生代二叠系太原组和上石盒子组具有明确的相似性,与早期和中晚期华夏植物群面貌相一致,反映了裸子植物逐渐繁盛、属种越来越丰富的过程,孢粉组合Ⅰ和Ⅱ的地质时代分别为晚石炭世晚期至早二叠世早期和晚二叠世,为安参1井前侏罗纪基底存在石炭—二叠系提供了直接证据,也为合肥盆地沉积环境和古气候分析提供了新资料。     

Biotic response to the latest Cenomanian drowning and OAE2: A case study from the Eastern Desert of Egypt

The changes in macrofauna and microfauna, before, during and after the latest Cenomanian global Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE2), from the Eastern Desert of Egypt are documented, along with an inferred paleoenvironment. The age of the studied OAE2 interval is constrained by the last occurrence of the marker calcareous nannofossils species Axopodorhabdus albianus along with the previously identified positive δ¹³C excursion from the coeval ammonite Vascoceras cauvini Zone (= Neocardioceras juddii Zone), enabling correlation with the peak ‘b’ of the OAE2. Based on the studied microfaunal assemblages, a warm shallow restricted lagoonal environment with mesotrophic conditions and strong seasonality is inferred. The presence of a rare ammonite (and ostracods) attest to the intermittent introduction of marine waters within this inner ramp setting. In terms of sequence stratigraphy, two 3rd order depositional sequences are recorded. The top surface of the first depositional sequence, at the sequence boundary, SB Ce 5 (the start of the OAE2), is marked by an abrupt faunal change with reduced abundances of the macrofaunal elements. This is in tune with other Egyptian records of relatively smaller loss (10 %) at the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary, as compared to much higher numbers (53–79% of species), globally. This faunal (biotic bottleneck) and lithological change (from siliciclastic-dominated deposits to a largely carbonate-dominated one) at the SB Ce 5 is attributed as a response to the latest Cenomanian drowning (the highest sea-level during the Phanerozoic), that also resulted in the formation of carbonate platform.     

蓟县中、新元古界的成岩作用——源于矿物学的数据

本文运用系列黏土矿物学和碳酸盐结构占位的方法研究了蓟县中、新元古界剖面出露的碎屑岩和碳酸盐岩.这些方法包括了伊利石结晶度、绿泥石结晶度、黏土矿物组合、粒度分布、多型、有序度、Mg/Ca离子占位以及地质温压计.结果表明:伊利石结晶度Kübler指数范围为0.37°～1.37°Δ2θ,绿泥石结晶度árkai指数范围为0.31°～2.40°Δ2θ,以及1Md的多型,一致指示本区处于晚期成岩作用影响范围,仅非常有限局部达到了初始变质的状态;黏土矿物组合主要是伊利石、伊蒙混层、绿蒙混层和高岭石;粒度分布范围为8～24 nm,其上界(23～24 nm)达到了NEWMOD计算的理论成岩带/近变质带界限,与结晶度数据一致,也表明了本区处于晚期成岩阶段.白云石有序度的数据表明,本区碳酸盐岩白云石的有序度值范围为0.19～0.99,可分为4个带:甚低级有序带、低级有序带、中级有序带、高级有序带.与川东石炭-二叠系碳酸盐岩相比,中低级有序带有一定的油气前景.本区由西向东,由甚低级有序带变化到高级有序带,白云石有序度升高.估计的成岩作用温度为183～200±20℃,压力为330 MPa,古地热梯度为17～21℃/km.     

上海东部地区全新世孢粉组合及古植被和古气候

通过对上海东部地区南汇鹤鸣Hm孔、东海Dh1井、高桥G2孔3口钻井全新世地层的孢粉研究,划分出5个孢粉组合带和3个亚带,恢复了本地区古植被演替和古气候波动的5个阶段：第1阶段为针阔叶混交林-草地,反映气候温凉略湿（前北方期）;第2阶段为含常绿阔叶树的针阔叶混交林,反映气候温和略干（北方期）;第3阶段为以常绿栎类、栲属、杨梅等为主的常绿阔叶林,反映气候热暖潮湿（大西洋期）;第4阶段是以栎、松、禾本科为主的针阔叶混交林,反映气候温暖略干（亚北方期）;第5阶段是以落叶栎类、常绿栎类、松为主的落叶阔叶、常绿阔叶、针叶混交林-草地,反映气候温暖湿润（亚大西洋期）。这为本地区的地层年代划分和对比提供了可靠的证据,为全新世古植被、古气候及古环境的重建提供了重要的孢粉学资料。     

山东南部沿海冬季小型底栖生物的初步研究

利用统计法、经验模型和多元聚类分析法和数学分析软件对2006年12月908项目冬季航次山东南部海域(36°15′—36°45′N,120°45′—122°00′E)小型底栖生物调查所获得的数据进行分析,获得该调查海域冬季小型底栖生物的平均丰度为(657.43±214.60)ind/10cm2,平均生物量为(847.15±427.63)μgdwt/10cm2,平均生产量为(7624.32±3848.64)μgdwt/(10cm2·a-1);还对N/C、Simpson优势度指数、Margalef多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数和香农-威纳指数进行了计算。与2006年8月908项目夏季航次同一海域调查数据进行了比较,得到小型底栖生物的平均丰度及其优势类群线虫丰度冬季明显低于夏季,而生物量和类群多样性与夏季相当。同时,依据丰度指标对山东南部研究海域进行了初步的生态学划分,呈现出较明显的地域性。     

Benthic macrofauna and productivity regimes in the Barents Sea — Ecological implications in a changing Arctic

Benthic faunal assemblages were analysed from 47 stations in the central and southern parts of the Barents Sea, together with sedimentary and water column parameters, daily ice records and modelled integrated primary productivity. Sampling spanned areas influenced by Atlantic Water (AW) to those lying under Arctic Water (ArW), and included stations with mixed water masses. Ice cover suppressed water column productivity in the northern areas. Three main faunal groups were identified, based on similarity of numerical faunal composition. The northern and southern faunal groups were separated by the northernmost penetration of AW in the bottom water and the third group, the Hopen group, was influenced by modified bank water. Faunal abundances were significantly higher within the southern faunal group relative to the northern group, but the numbers of taxa present were similar. The particularly rich fauna of the Hopen group reflected sediment heterogeneity and tight pelagic–benthic coupling. These results suggest that a retreat and thinning of the ice cover in the Barents Sea likely will result in the northern parts of the Barents Sea becoming more Atlantic in character, with a higher productivity at the sea floor.