Geochemistry of Carbonates Near the Cambrian Series 3-Furongian Boundary and Its Paleoenvironmental Constraints

doi:10.19657/j.geoscience.1000-8527.2021.197

Abstract

Abstract:

The early Furongian mass extinction was likely related to paleoenvironmental changes, yet their relations remain unconstrained. Geochemical signals of shallow-water platform sediments are more sensitive to paleoenvironmental changes than deep-water sediments, which is conducive to understanding this issue. Carbonates in the Cambrian Series 3 Gushan Formation and the Furongian Changshan Formation in the Xiaweidian section of the Xishan (Beijing) were selected for element geochemical and isotopic analyses. The aim is to trace the paleoenvironmental evolution during the Kushanian-Changshanian transition, and to assess its effects on life evolution. The results reveal a major fluctuation in the paleoclimate and paleo-marine environment during the transition period. The sea-level lowstand at the end of Kushanian Stage was followed by rapid transgression in the early Changshanian Stage, during which seawater may have become significantly reducing. These changes, combining with the seawater temperature drop (to minimum) and salinity rise (to maximum), could explain the collapse of trilobite ecology and its subsequent extinction. During this period, the frequent alternation of dry-hot and warm-humid climate and the large-scale transgression may have facilitated the terrigenous detrital (and nutrients) input into the seawater, which promoted biological growth. The presence of deep reducing water is favorable for organic matter preservation, which eventually led to the Positive Carbon Isotope Excursion in the carbonates. We propose that strong correlation is unlikely between the Positive Carbon Isotope Excursion and the Middle to Late Changshanian sea-level drop.

Key words: element geochemistry, carbon isotopes, paleoenvironment, carbonates, Xiaweidian, Xishan, Beijing

CLC Number:

TE121.3

BAI Xiangyu, MA Junwei, XIA Qingping, TAN Xianfeng, LI Kaikai. Geochemistry of Carbonates Near the Cambrian Series 3-Furongian Boundary and Its Paleoenvironmental Constraints[J]. Geoscience, 2022, 36(02): 729-741.

Figures/Tables 10

Fig.1 Paleogeographic map of North China during the Furongian (after Mou[14])

Fig.2 Characteristics of various rock types from the Gushan and Changshan formations in the Xiaweidian section

Table 1 Parameters of the carbonate samples from the Xiaweidian section

层位	各类指标
层位	Mn/Sr	Mg/Ca	FeO/MnO	Ce/La	1000 Sr/Ca
崮山组	$0.24 ~ 1.19 0.62$	$0.01 ~ 0.10 0.04$	$19.62 ~ 78.08 40.94$	$1.38 ~ 2.01 1.64$	$1.15 ~ 2.18 1.59$
长山组	$0.62 ~ 3.82 1.96$	$0.02 ~ 0.38 0.11$	$6.97 ~ 150.90 60.59$	$1.43 ~ 1.86 1.65$	$1.28 ~ 1.73 1.49$
层位	Ni/Co	V/(V+Ni)	T/℃	Z	δEu
崮山组	$2.41 ~ 36.14 15.16$	$0.002 ~ 0.10 0.03$	$16.44 ~ 24.23 20.27$	$120.93 ~ 124.29 122.81$	$0.88 ~ 1.23 1.06$
长山组	$2.83 ~ 73.61 17.84$	$0.000 7 ~ 0.02 0.01$	$17.36 ~ 24.97 22.12$	$122.11 ~ 124.86 123.52$	$0.96 ~ 1.36 1.16$

Table 1 Parameters of the carbonate samples from the Xiaweidian section

层位	各类指标
层位	Mn/Sr	Mg/Ca	FeO/MnO	Ce/La	1000 Sr/Ca
崮山组	$0.24 ~ 1.19 0.62$	$0.01 ~ 0.10 0.04$	$19.62 ~ 78.08 40.94$	$1.38 ~ 2.01 1.64$	$1.15 ~ 2.18 1.59$
长山组	$0.62 ~ 3.82 1.96$	$0.02 ~ 0.38 0.11$	$6.97 ~ 150.90 60.59$	$1.43 ~ 1.86 1.65$	$1.28 ~ 1.73 1.49$
层位	Ni/Co	V/(V+Ni)	T/℃	Z	δEu
崮山组	$2.41 ~ 36.14 15.16$	$0.002 ~ 0.10 0.03$	$16.44 ~ 24.23 20.27$	$120.93 ~ 124.29 122.81$	$0.88 ~ 1.23 1.06$
长山组	$2.83 ~ 73.61 17.84$	$0.000 7 ~ 0.02 0.01$	$17.36 ~ 24.97 22.12$	$122.11 ~ 124.86 123.52$	$0.96 ~ 1.36 1.16$

Fig.3 Relationship of the REE parameters in the carbonate samples from the Xiaweidian outcrop

Fig.4 δ13C vs. δ18O correlations of the carbonate samples from the Xiaweidian section

Fig.5 Vertical profiles of typical element parameters of carbonate samples from the Xiaweidian section

Fig.6 Vertical profiles of the contents of terrigenous materials and nutrient elements of the carbonate samples from the Xiaweidian section

Fig.7 Vertical δ13C and δ18O profiles of the carbonate samples from the Xiaweidian section and paleo-ocean temperature and salinity

Fig.8 Sea-level variation curves during the Cambrian Series 3-Furongian in Xishan, Beijing

Fig. 9 Global comparison of the Cambrian Furongian Steptoean positive carbon isotope excursion

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