| Citation: | JIAO Peng, ZHANG Jinfu, FANG Hanqi, XIE Yu, CUI Haisu, MA Zhongliang, TAN Jingqiang, WEN Zhigang, WANG Zhanghu. Driving force of ancient marine environment around Early Cambrian paleo-uplift: implications from volcanic activity and water salinity in southeastern Nanhua Basin[J]. PETROLEUM GEOLOGY & EXPERIMENT, 2025, 47(6): 1395-1407. doi: 10.11781/sysydz2025061395
|
The Ediacaran-Cambrian transition is a key stage of marine environmental fluctuation and biological evolution in geological history. However, the interrelationships among volcanic/hydrothermal activity, seawater salinity changes, and the Cambrian Explosion in shallow-water areas along the southeastern margin of the Nanhua Basin remain unclear. Drilling samples of the Lower Cambrian from the margin of the paleo-uplift in the central Hunan as research objects were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, inorganic geochemistry, and silicon isotope techniques to elucidate the enrichment carriers and genesis of mercury in sedimentary rocks, the spatio-temporal distribution of seawater salinity, and the sources of siliceous material. Significant mercury anomalies were observed in the basal Cambrian shales surrounding the paleo-uplift, with mercury primarily enriched in organic matter, serving as an effective indicator of volcanic/hydrothermal fluid input. Volcanic/hydrothermal activity was relatively active during the transition from Cambrian Stage 2 to Stage 3 (about 526 to 521 Ma) and gradually declined in the late Stage 3 (about 518 Ma). Water salinity around the paleo-uplift was relatively high, while the deep-water area of central Hunan showed characteristics of freshwater to brackish environments. This difference may be related to the connectivity with the open sea and the degree of water retention. In the early Cambrian, the area around the paleo-uplift experienced a saline environment, which gradually evolved into brackish to freshwater conditions as water retention increased. Additionally, shales of the Niutitang Formation around the paleo-uplift contained abundant siliceous material. In the lower section, silica was mainly biogenic with minor terrigenous and volcanic origins, while in the upper section, silica primarily sourced from a mixture of silica-rich seawater and hydrothermal input. Episodic volcanic/hydrothermal activities and paleogeographic patterns during the Early Cambrian in the shallow-water areas along the southeastern margin of the Nanhua Basin jointly drove salinity stratification and multi-source silica supply. These findings reveal the differential evolution between shallow- and deep-water basins and provide key geochemical constraints for understanding marine environmental fluctuations in the Nanhua Basin.
| [1] |
MORRIS S C.Burgess shale faunas and the Cambrian explosion[J].Science,1989,246(4928):339-346.
|
| [2] |
STEINER M,LI Guoxiang,QIAN Yi,et al.Neoproterozoic to Early Cambrian small shelly fossil assemblages and a revised biostratigraphic correlation of the Yangtze Platform (China)[J].Palaeogeography,Palaeoclimatology,Palaeoecology,2007,254(1/2):67-99.
|
| [3] |
MOCZYDŁOWSKA M.The Ediacaran microbiota and the survival of Snowball Earth conditions[J].Precambrian Research,2008,167(1/2):1-15.
|
| [4] |
DARROCH S A F,BOAG T H,RACICOT R A,et al.A mixed Ediacaran-metazoan assemblage from the Zaris Sub-basin,Namibia[J].Palaeogeography,Palaeoclimatology,Palaeoecology,2016,459:198-208.
|
| [5] |
CHENG Meng,LI Chao,ZHOU Lian,et al.Marine Mo biogeochemistry in the context of dynamically euxinic mid-depth waters:a case study of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang shales,South China[J].Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta,2016,183:79-93.
|
| [6] |
汪瑾,吝祎勃,杨涛.三峡地区早寒武世海水氧化还原环境的变化：来自罗家村剖面碳同位素解耦的证据[J].石油实验地质,2023,45(1):157-167.
WANG Jin,LIN Yibo,YANG Tao.Evolution of environmental oxidation and reduction of sea water in Three Gorges area in Early Cambrian:evidence from decoupled carbon isotopes in Luojiacun section[J].Petroleum Geology & Experiment,2023,45(1):157-167.
|
| [7] |
GAO Ping,HE Zhiliang,LI Shuangjian,et al.Volcanic and hydrothermal activities recorded in phosphate nodules from the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation black shales in South China[J].Palaeogeography,Palaeoclimatology,Palaeoecology,2018,505:381-397.
|
| [8] |
许露露,温雅茹,周向辉,等.鄂西黄陵背斜南缘下寒武统牛蹄塘组一段古沉积环境演化特征：以秭地1井为例[J].石油实验地质,2022,44(3):456-465.
XU Lulu,WEN Yaru,ZHOU Xianghui,et al.Paleo-environment of the first member of Niutitang Formation on the southern margin of Huangling Anticline,western Hubei Province:a case study of well ZD-1[J].Petroleum Geology & Experiment,2022,44(3):456-465.
|
| [9] |
WANG Zhanghu,TAN Jingqiang,BOYLE R,et al.Mercury anomalies within the Lower Cambrian (stage 2-3) in South China:links between volcanic events and paleoecology[J].Palaeogeography,Palaeoclimatology,Palaeoecology,2020,558:109956.
|
| [10] |
ZHU Guangyou,WANG Pengju,LI Tingting,et al.Nitrogen geochemistry and abnormal mercury enrichment of shales from the lowermost Cambrian Niutitang Formation in South China:implications for the marine redox conditions and hydrothermal activity[J].Global and Planetary Change,2021,199:103449.
|
| [11] |
WEI Wei,ALGEO T J.Elemental proxies for paleosalinity analysis of ancient shales and mudrocks[J].Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta,2020,287:341-366.
|
| [12] |
程猛,张子虎,金承胜,等.寒武纪早期南华盆地盐度及水文动力学过程重建[J].中国科学(地球科学),2023,53(6):1273-1284. CHENG Meng,ZHANG Zihu,JIN Chengsheng,et al.Salinity variation and hydrographic dynamics in the Early Cambrian Nanhua Basin (South China)[J].Science China Earth Sciences,2023,66(6):1268-1278.
|
| [13] |
WANG Jianguo,CHEN Daizhao,YAN Detian,et al.Evolution from an anoxic to oxic deep ocean during the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition and implications for bioradiation[J].Chemical Geology,2012,306-307:129-138.
|
| [14] |
HAN Tao,FAN Haifeng,ZHU Xiaoqing,et al.Submarine hydrothermal contribution for the extreme element accumulation during the Early Cambrian,South China[J].Ore Geology Reviews,2017,86:297-308.
|
| [15] |
FAN Haifeng,ZHANG Hongjie,XIAO Chaoyi,et al.Large Zn isotope variations in the Ni-Mo polymetallic sulfide layer in the Lower Cambrian,South China[J].Gondwana Research,2020,85:224-236.
|
| [16] |
XU Lingang,LEHMANN B,MAO Jingwen,et al.Re-Os age of polymetallic Ni-Mo-PGE-Au mineralization in Early Cambrian black shales of South China—a reassessment[J].Economic Geology,2011,106(3):511-522.
|
| [17] |
YANG Chuan,LI Xianhua,ZHU Maoyan,et al.Geochronological constraint on the Cambrian Chengjiang biota,South China[J].Journal of the Geological Society,2018,175(4):659-666.
|
| [18] |
JIANG Ganqing,WANG Xinqiang,SHI Xiaoying,et al.The origin of decoupled carbonate and organic carbon isotope signatures in the Early Cambrian (ca.542-520 Ma) Yangtze platform[J].Earth and Planetary Science Letters,2012,317-318:96-110.
|
| [19] |
GOLDBERG T,STRAUSS H,GUO Qingjun,et al.Reconstructing marine redox conditions for the Early Cambrian Yangtze Platform:evidence from biogenic sulphur and organic carbon isotopes[J].Palaeogeography,Palaeoclimatology,Palaeoecology,2007,254(1/2):175-193.
|
| [20] |
王必金,包汉勇,郭战峰,等.湘鄂西区寒武系层序划分及其对油气勘探的意义[J].石油实验地质,2013,35(4):372-377.
WANG Bijin,BAO Hanyong,GUO Zhanfeng,et al.Sequence stratigraphic division of Cambrian in western Hunan-Hubei and applications for petroleum exploration[J].Petroleum Geology & Experiment,2013,35(4):372-377.
|
| [21] |
PI Daohui,LIU Congqiang,SHIELDS-ZHOU G A,et al.Trace and rare earth element geochemistry of black shale and kerogen in the Early Cambrian Niutitang Formation in Guizhou province,South China:constraints for redox environments and origin of metal enrichments[J].Precambrian Research,2013,225:218-229.
|
| [22] |
JIANG Shaoyong,PI Daohui,HEUBECK C,et al.Early Cambrian ocean anoxia in South China[J].Nature,2009,459(7248):E5-E6.
|
| [23] |
OKADA Y,SAWAKI Y,KOMIYA T,et al.New chronological constraints for Cryogenian to Cambrian rocks in the Three Gorges,Weng’an and Chengjiang areas,South China[J].Gondwana Research,2014,25(3):1027-1044.
|
| [24] |
张庆玉,梁彬,陈宏峰,等.雪峰山西侧海相碳酸盐岩沉积间断古岩溶发育规律研究[J].石油实验地质,2011,33(3):285-288.
ZHANG Qingyu,LIANG Bin,CHEN Hongfeng,et al.Generation principle of ancient karst in marine carbonate rock hiatus,west of Xuefeng Mountain[J].Petroleum Geology & Experiment,2011,33(3):285-288.
|
| [25] |
龚清,凌明星,郑旺.汞稳定同位素示踪地质记录中火山活动的应用[J].中国科学(地球科学),2024,54(5):1459-1483. GONG Qing,LING Mingxing,ZHENG Wang.Applications of mercury stable isotopes for tracing volcanism in the geologic record[J].Science China Earth Sciences,2024,67(5):1436-1458.
|
| [26] |
YIN Runsheng,FENG Xinbin,LI Xiangdong,et al.Trends and advances in mercury stable isotopes as a geochemical tracer[J].Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry,2014,2:1-10.
|
| [27] |
SCHUSTER P F,KRABBENHOFT D P,NAFTZ D L,et al.Atmospheric mercury deposition during the last 270 years:a glacial ice core record of natural and anthropogenic sources[J].Environmental Science & Technology,2002,36(11):2303-2310.
|
| [28] |
SHEN Jun,ALGEO T J,CHEN Jiubin,et al.Mercury in marine Ordovician/Silurian boundary sections of South China is sulfide-hosted and non-volcanic in origin[J].Earth and Planetary Science Letters,2019,511:130-140.
|
| [29] |
SHEN Jun,YU Jianxin,CHEN Jiubin,et al.Mercury evidence of intense volcanic effects on land during the Permian-Triassic transition[J].Geology,2019,47(12):1117-1121.
|
| [30] |
GRASBY S E,THEM II T R,CHEN Zhuoheng,et al.Mercury as a proxy for volcanic emissions in the geologic record[J].Earth-Science Reviews,2019,196:102880.
|
| [31] |
PRUSS S B,JONES D S,FIKE D A,et al.Marine anoxia and sedimentary mercury enrichments during the Late Cambrian SPICE event in northern Scotland[J].Geology,2019,47(5):475-478.
|
| [32] |
THIBODEAU A M,RITTERBUSH K,YAGER J A,et al.Mercury anomalies and the timing of biotic recovery following the end-Triassic mass extinction[J].Nature Communications,2016,7(1):11147.
|
| [33] |
COMPSTON W,ZHANG Zichao,COOPER J A,et al.Further SHRIMP geochronology on the Early Cambrian of South China[J].American Journal of Science,2008,308(4):399-420.
|
| [34] |
ZHOU Mingzhong,LUO Taiyi,LI Zhengxiang,et al.SHRIMP U-Pb zircon age of tuff at the bottom of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation,Zunyi,South China[J].Chinese Science Bulletin,2008,53(4):576-583.
|
| [35] |
CHEN Daizhao,WANG Jianguo,QING Hairuo,et al.Hydrothermal venting activities in the Early Cambrian,South China:petrological,geochronological and stable isotopic constraints[J].Chemical Geology,2009,258(3/4):168-181.
|
| [36] |
BOLHAR R,VAN KRANENDONK M J,KAMBER B S.A trace element study of siderite-jasper banded iron formation in the 3.45 Ga Warrawoona Group,Pilbara Craton: formation from hydrothermal fluids and shallow seawater[J].Precambrian Research,2005,137(1/2):93-114.
|
| [37] |
THORNALLEY D J R,ELDERFIELD H,MCCAVE I N.Holocene oscillations in temperature and salinity of the surface subpolar North Atlantic[J].Nature,2009,457(7230):711-714.
|
| [38] |
WEI Wei,ALGEO T J,LU Yangbo,et al.Identifying marine incursions into the Paleogene Bohai Bay Basin lake system in northeastern China[J].International Journal of Coal Geology,2018,200:1-17.
|
| [39] |
CAO Guangyao,LIU Yu,LI Chao,et al.Salinity variations of the inner Yangtze Sea during the Ordovician-Silurian transition and its influences on marginal marine euxinia[J].Global and Planetary Change,2023,225:104129.
|
| [40] |
REMÍREZ M N,ALGEO T J.Paleosalinity determination in ancient epicontinental seas:a case study of the T-OAE in the Cleveland Basin (UK)[J].Earth-Science Reviews,2020,201:103072.
|
| [41] |
LEE K,KIM T W,BYRNE R H,et al.The universal ratio of boron to chlorinity for the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans[J].Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta,2010,74(6):1801-1811.
|
| [42] |
MCALISTER J A,ORIANS K J.Dissolved gallium in the Beaufort Sea of the Western Arctic Ocean:a GEOTRACES cruise in the International Polar Year[J].Marine Chemistry,2015,177:101-109.
|
| [43] |
KEREN R,MEZUMAN U.Boron adsorption by clay minerals using a phenomenological equation[J].Clays and Clay Minerals,1981,29(3):198-204.
|
| [44] |
WEI Guangyi,WEI Wei,WANG Dan,et al.Enhanced chemical weathering triggered an expansion of euxinic seawater in the aftermath of the Sturtian glaciation[J].Earth and Planetary Science Letters,2020,539:116244.
|
| [45] |
WANG Zhanghu,TAN Jingqiang,BOYLE R,et al.Evaluating episodic hydrothermal activity in South China during the Early Cambrian:implications for biotic evolution[J].Marine and Petroleum Geology,2020,117:104355.
|
| [46] |
HAQ B U,SCHUTTER S R.A chronology of Paleozoic sea-level changes[J].Science,2008,322(5898):64-68.
|
| [47] |
WANG Zhanghu,XIE Xiaomin,WEN Zhigang.Formation conditions of Ediacaran-Cambrian cherts in South China:implications for marine redox conditions and paleoecology[J].Precambrian Research,2022,383:106867.
|
| [48] |
WEN Hanjie,FAN Haifeng,TIAN Shihong,et al.The formation conditions of the early Ediacaran cherts,South China[J].Chemical Geology,2016,430:45-69.
|
| [49] |
VAN DEN BOORN S H J M,VAN BERGEN M J,NIJMAN W,et al.Dual role of seawater and hydrothermal fluids in Early Archean chert formation:evidence from silicon isotopes[J].Geology,2007,35(10):939-942.
|
| [50] |
GEORG R B,REYNOLDS B C,WEST A J,et al.Silicon isotope variations accompanying basalt weathering in Iceland[J].Earth and Planetary Science Letters,2007,261(3/4):476-490.
|
| [51] |
FAN Haifeng,WEN Hanjie,ZHU Xiangkun,et al.Hydrothermal activity during Ediacaran-Cambrian transition:silicon isotopic evidence[J].Precambrian Research,2013,224:23-35.
|
| [52] |
BRENGMAN L A,FEDO C M.Development of a mixed seawater-hydrothermal fluid geochemical signature during alteration of volcanic rocks in the Archean (~2.7 Ga) Abitibi Greenstone Belt,Canada[J].Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta,2018,227:227-245.
|
| [53] |
WEDEPOHL K H.Environmental influences on the chemical composition of shales and clays[J].Physics and Chemistry of the Earth,1971,8:307-333.
|
| [54] |
ZHANG Hongjie,FAN Haifeng,WEN Hanjie,et al.Oceanic chemistry recorded by cherts during the Early Cambrian Explosion,South China[J].Palaeogeography,Palaeoclimatology,Palaeoecology,2020,558:109961.
|
| [55] |
VAN DEN BOORN S H J M,VAN BERGEN M J,VROON P Z,et al.Silicon isotope and trace element constraints on the origin of ~3.5 Ga cherts:implications for Early Archaean marine environments[J].Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta,2010,74(3):1077-1103.
|
Website Copyright © Wuxi Research Institute of Petroleum Geology, SINOPEC
苏ICP备15009037号
苏公网安备32021102000780号
Address：No. 2060, Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, Jiangsu (214126) Tel：0510-68787204，68787203 Fax：0510-68787113 Email：sysydz.syky@sinopec.com
Supported by:
Beijing Renhe Information Technology Co. Ltd
DownLoad: