Structural architecture of Neoproterozoic rifting depression groups in the Tarim Basin and their formation dynamics

The Tarim Basin is the largest, oil-bearing, superimposed basin in the northwest of China. The evolution and tectonic properties of the initial Tarim Basin have been hotly disputed and remain enigmatic. The Neoproterozoic basin is covered by a vast desert and a huge-thickness of sedimentary strata, has experienced multiple tectonic movements, had a low signal to noise ratios(SNRs) of deep seismic reflection data, all of which have posed critical obstacles to research. We analysed four field outcrops, 18 wells distributed throughout the basin, 27 reprocessed seismic reflection profiles with higher SNRs across the basin and many ancillary local 2D and 3D profiles and aeromagnetic data. We found about 20 normal fault-controlled rifting depressions of the Cryogenian and Ediacaran scattered throughout the basin, which developed on the Precambrian metamorphic and crystalline basement. The structural framework is clearly different from that of the overlying Phanerozoic. The rifting depressions consist of mainly half grabens, symmetrical troughs and horst-grabens. From the northeast to southwest of the basin,they are divided into three rifting depression groups with the WNW, ENE, and NW-trends that are mainly controlled by normal faults. The maximum thicknesses of the strata are up to 4100 m. From the Cryogenian to Ediacaran, most of the main inherited faults to active and eventually ceased at the end of the Ediacaran or Early Cambrian, while subsidence centres appeared and migrated eastward along the faults. They revealed that the different parts of the Tarim continental block were in NNE-SSWoriented and NNW-SSE-oriented extensional paleo-stress fields(relative to the present) during the Neoproterozoic, and were accompanied by clockwise shearing. According to the analysis of the activities of syn-sedimentary faults, filling sediments,magmatic events, and coordination with aeromagnetic anomalies, the tectonic properties of the fault depressions are different and are primarily continental rifts or intra-continental fault-controlled basins. The rifting phases mainly occurred from 0.8–0.61 Ga.The formation of the rifting depression was associated with the initial opening of the South Altun-West Kunlun Ocean and the South Tianshan Ocean, which were located at the northern and southern margins of the Tarim Block, respectively, in response to the break-up of the Supercontinent Rodinia and the initial opening of the Proto-Tethys Ocean.     

Nature and significance of the Neoproterozoic Sturtian–Marinoan Boundary,Northern Adelaide Geosyncline,South Australia

The Cryogenian succession of the Northern Flinders Ranges reveals a complex sedimentary record between the Sturtian and Marinoan glacial deposits. A major unconformity separates the Sturtian and Marinoan-aged sedimentary successions in the area. This forms a subaerial erosion surface with terrestrial and marginal marine infill directly above the Angepena and Balcanoona Formations in their respective localities. This exposure surface is here correlated with the previously documented submarine unconformity between the Yankaninna Formation and the underlying deep marine Tapley Hill Formation. This erosional event provides a chronostratigraphic marker horizon that coincides approximately with thepreviously defined Sturtian–Marinoan Time Series boundary in the Northern Flinders Ranges. These stratigraphic relationships also constrain lateral facies relationships between the Oodnaminta ReefComplex (Balcanoona Formation) and the Angepena Formation. Similarly, the shallow-water Weetootla Dolomite is correlated with the deeper water carbonates of the Yankaninna Formation.     

Geochemical Characteristics and Genetic Significance of Datangpo‐Type Manganese Ore Deposits during the Cryogenian Period

The Datangpo‐type manganese ore deposits, which formed during the Nanhuan (Cryogenian) period and are located in northeastern Guizhou and adjacent areas, are one of the most important manganese resources in China, showing good prospecting potential. Many middle‐to‐large deposits, and even super‐large mineral deposits, have been discovered. However, the genesis of manganese ore deposits is still controversial and remains a long‐standing source of debate; there are several viewpoints including biogenesis, hydrothermal sedimentation, gravity flows, cold‐spring carbonates, etc. Geochemical data from several manganese ore deposits show that there are positive correlations between Al₂O₃ and TiO₂, SiO₂, K₂O, and Na₂O, and strong negative correlations between Al₂O₃ and CaO, MgO, and MnO in black shales and manganese ores. U, Mo, and V show distinct enrichment in black shales and inconspicuous enrichment in Mn ores. Ba and Rb show strong positive correlations with K₂O in manganese ores. Cu, Ni, and Zn show clear correlations with total iron in both manganese ores and black shales. ∑REE of manganese ores has a large range with evident positive Ce anomalies and positive Eu anomalies. The Post Archean Australian Shale (PAAS) normalized rare earth element (REE) distribution patterns of manganese ores present pronounced middle rare earth element (MREE) enrichment, producing “hat‐shaped” REE plots. ∑REE of black shales is more variable compared with PAAS, and the PAAS‐normalized REE distribution patterns appear as “flat‐shaped” REE plots, lacking evident anomaly characteristics. δ¹³C values of carbonate in both manganese ores and the black shales show observable negative excursions. The comprehensive analysis suggests that the black shales formed in a reducing and quiet water column, while the manganese ores formed in oxic muddy seawater, which resulted from periodic transgressions. There was an oxidation–reduction cycle of manganese between the top water body and the bottom water body caused by the transgressions during the early Datangpo, which resulted in the dissolution of manganese. Through the exchange of the euphotic zone water and the bottom water, and episodic inflow of oxygenated water, the manganese in the bottom water was oxidized to Mn‐oxyhydroxides and rapidly buried along with algae. In the early diagenetic stage, Mn‐oxyhydroxides were reduced and dissolved in the anoxic pore water and then transformed into Mn‐carbonates by reacting with HCO₃^? from the degradation of organic matter or from seawater. In the intervals between transgressions, continuous supplies of terrigenous clastics and the high productive rates of organic matter in the euphotic zone resulted in the deposition of the black shales enriched in organic matter.     

中国塔里木板块南华纪成冰事件及其地层对比

"雪球地球"假说为全球新元古代冰碛岩研究注入了新的活力。各国地质学家根据新元古代冰碛岩全球各大洲发育的特点,并依据同位素年龄、δ13C/δ18O和Sr的比值和化学蚀变指数(CIA)为全球的新元古界划分出4个冰期,但国际上的4个冰期的限定,是各大洲不同剖面冰期的集合。新元古代冰期事件周期变化视为早期生物复苏和早期动物分异的起点。由于国际埃迪卡拉系底界(GSSP)年龄,即成冰系顶界年龄确定后,使成冰系底界年龄成为当前研究的重点。中国新疆塔里木板块库鲁克塔格地区新元古代冰碛岩是目前世界各大陆中发育有4套连续的新元古代冰碛岩和多期火成岩事件的唯一剖面,它的进一步深入研究,可以备考全球冰期的同步性,以期建立全球新元古代冰碛岩标准剖面。本文报道了来自塔里木西南缘南华系波龙组的碎屑锆石年龄,有助于我们对塔里木板块西南缘南华系时代的限定。     

新元古代极端冰期事件中生物避难所的环境条件

新元古代成冰纪(南华纪)(720～635 Ma)以全球性冰期事件而闻名。这次冰期事件对早期生命演化产生了显著影响,被认为是生命演化的“过滤器”和“瓶颈”。冰期前后生物对比表明生物演化并未中断,暗示冰期过程中存在生物避难所。扬子板块北缘神农架地区成冰系南沱组中发现了罕见的宏体藻类生物记录——宋洛生物群。为了探究成冰纪全球性冰期背景下,古环境与生物幸存之间的关系,本文对扬子北缘宋洛剖面和青林口剖面南沱组内含化石页岩层和不含化石泥岩层开展了元素地球化学对比研究。结果显示,不含化石泥岩层沉积于半咸水氧化环境,而含“宋洛生物群”化石的页岩层沉积于冰消期末期,当时海洋为正常盐度、次氧化状态,该地区具有相对温暖的气候条件。这可能为“宋洛生物群”在极端冰期下幸存并保存为化石提供了有利条件。该研究也表明新元古代极端冰期事件中的确存在适合复杂生命生存的避难所。     

Reconstruction of paleo-redox conditions and early sulfur cycling during deposition of the Cryogenian Datangpo Formation in South China

In South China, the Datangpo black shales (663 Ma–654.5 Ma) were deposited during the Cryognian interglacial time between the Sturtian and Marinoan glaciations. Multi-geochemical proxies, including different iron speciation and relevant ratios (Fe_HR/Fe_T, Fe_P/Fe_HR and Fe_T/Al ratios) and molybdenum concentrations, were used to reconstruct the paleo-depositional environment of this black shale horizon. The ratios of different iron species (Fe_HR/Fe_T > 0.38 and Fe_P/Fe_HR < 0.80) suggest an overall anoxic conditions (ferruginous) over the deposition of the black shales, although intermittent euxinic (Fe_HR/Fe_T > 0.38 and Fe_P/Fe_HR ≈ 0.80) and oxic (Fe_HR/Fe_T < 0.38) intervals could have occurred. Furthermore, Fe_T/Al ratios (Fe_T/Al ≤ 0.51) confirm that water column may not be persistent euxinia during the deposition of the Datangpo black shales. Meanwhile, molybdenum concentrations show a decreasing trend towards the top of the black shales, reconciling the gradual oxygenating trend during this period as stated above. Compared to δ³⁴S_Py values in the Mesoproterozoic deep ocean, more positive δ³⁴S_Py values of this study may result from a small size of sulfate reservoir. The small-size sulfate reservoir and concurrent enrichment of molybdenum indicate that the ocean chemistry in the Cryogenian Period is similar to that in the Archean Eon.     

Stratigraphic Framework of the Cryogenian in China

The Cryogenian is a critical period in the history of the Earth. It is marked by multiple extreme climate changes that caused alternating global glacial and interglacial intervals. These dramatically changed the sedimentary system, and metal ores and source rocks distributed widely during this period. Therefore, studying the Cryogenian stratigraphic framework and sedimentary basins is important to improve the stratigraphic resolution for metal mineral and hydrocarbon prospecting and exploration in China. This review paper firstly divides three tectonic-stratigraphic regions in China in the Cryogenian, including the tectonic-stratigraphic regions of Great South China, Xingmeng-Tarim, and North China. Secondly, geochronologic data and geological records are combined to clearly depict the Cryogenian sedimentary sequence of continental blocks and micro-continental blocks in different tectonic-stratigraphic regions. The results were used to propose a new comparison scheme of stratigraphy for the Cryogenian in China. Finally, according to differences of sedimentary evolution and tectonic evolvement, sedimentary basins and their lithofacies paleogeography are identified and summarized, respectively.     

黔中开阳地区南华系澄江组古环境演化及意义

为查明贵州开阳极乐南华系澄江组的沉积环境演化过程、物质来源。对开阳磷矿极乐矿段南华系澄江组剖面进行详细的野外考察,并开展沉积学、矿物学、主量、微量和稀土元素地球化学特征研究。结果表明:澄江组岩样SiO_2含量为65.56%～78.45%,结合岩矿鉴定结果认为岩性主要为石英岩屑砂岩;其Al_2O_3/SiO_2值和TiO_2含量自下而上呈逐渐减小趋势;其Sr/Cu值平均为13.15,显示为干旱炎热气候;其沉积环境参数主要指标Th/U2,V/Cr2,δCe1,δEu1,均显示澄江组水体为氧化环境。∑REE为152.28～266.23μg/g,呈轻稀土富集,重稀土亏损,其配分模式与青白口系清水江组一致。综合认为:澄江组整套岩层水平层理发育,表明沉积区水体相对安静,总体为湖相沉积。其早至中—晚期水体深度由深变浅,至末期为浅滩环境。沉积物质可能来源于青白口系清水江组。沉积期间的古气候环境为干旱炎热,水体盐度自早到晚期持续上升,总体为氧化环境。澄江时期沉积的厚大泥沙建造,为后期陡山沱期形成无障壁浅滩缓坡相环境提供了物质基础。     

Geological note: Pyro‐intrusive veins in the northeastern Sydney Basin

Stratigraphic and sedimentological investigation of the interglacial succession within the Cryogenian-aged Umberatana Group of the Northern and Central Flinders Ranges reveals a complex array of sedimentary successions lying between the Sturtian and Marinoan glacial deposits. The Sturtian–Marinoan Series boundary was first defined from the Adelaide area at the uppermost contact of the Brighton Limestone. In the Northern Flinders Ranges the Sturtian–Marinoan Series boundary has been positioned at the uppermost contact of the Balcanoona Formation, which is thought to correlate with the Brighton Limestone. In the Northern Flinders Ranges a major unconformity separates the Sturtian and Marinoan-aged sedimentary successions (Nepouie–Upalinna Subgroups). In moderately deep marine depositional settings, this submarine unconformity is located at the base of the Yankaninna Formation where erosion has deeply incised (up to 300 m) into the underlying Tapley Hill Formation. In shallower marine settings the unconformity is found at the base of the Weetootla Dolomite. In very deep water depositional settings this unconformity is not recognised, and the Yankaninna Formation appears to conformably overlie the Tapley Hill Formation suggesting that this erosional feature is restricted to shallow and moderately deep depositional settings. This unconformity presents a regionally persistent chronostratigraphic marker horizon, which reliably marks the Sturtian–Marinoan Series boundary at the base of the Yankaninna Formation from shallow shelfal to deep-water basinal settings throughout the Northern Flinders Ranges. In the Central Flinders Ranges the post-Sturtian glacial stratigraphy records a very similar depositional record to that observed in the Northern Flinders Ranges. In the Central regions the Tapley Hill Formation is overlain by deep-marine carbonates and calcareous shales of the Wockerawirra Dolomite and Sunderland Formations, respectively. The base of the Wockerawirra Dolomite is found to be in erosional contact with the underlying Tapley Hill Formation. This stratigraphic relationship, together with lithological similarities, indicates the Wockerawirra Dolomite and Sunderland Formation of the Central Flinders Ranges are lateral correlatives of the Yankaninna Formation of the Northern Flinders Ranges. The regional nature of the Sturtian–Marinoan unconformity in the Adelaide Geosyncline suggest the possible existence of a glacio-eustatic event that may correlate with glacials/glaciation elsewhere on the Earth during the Cryogenian.     

扬子陆块东南缘南华纪地层对比

扬子陆块东南缘的南华纪地层剖面众多 ,依据我国南华系与国际上“成冰系”相对应的原则 ,选择了其中 5条具代表性的剖面进行对比研究后认为 :扬子东南陆缘的冰川事件序列为长安冰期、富禄 (莲沱 )间冰期、古城冰期、大塘坡间冰期、南沱冰期 ;鄂西一带缺失长安冰期沉积 ;长安组的底界可定为南华系的底界 ,南沱组 (或洪江组 )的顶界可定为南华系的顶界 ;上下统的分界在莲沱组 (或富禄组 )与古城组之间 ;以冰川事件为主线 ,结合同位素年龄值 ,探讨了组与组跨相区对比中存在的问题以及南华系的年限。