• Volume 85,Issue 3,2011 Table of Contents
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    • A New Darwinopterid Pterosaur from the Middle Jurassic of Western Liaoning, Northeastern China and its Ecological Implications

      2011, 85(3):507-514.

      Abstract (2071) HTML (0) PDF 6.76 M (170) Comment (0) Favorites

      Abstract:A new species of Darwinopterus, D. robustodens sp. nov. is described and named. Based on the new specimen, the diagnostic characters of Darwinopterus are amended and include: rostral dentition composed of well-spaced, spike-like teeth; the longest teeth are confined to the anterior half of the tooth row; tooth alveoli have raised margins; nasoantorbital fenestra confluent; inclined quadrate; elongate cervical vertebrae with low neural spine and reduced or absent ribs; long tail of more than 20 caudals partially enclosed by filiform extensions of the pre- and postzygapophyses; short metacarpus less than 60 per cent length of humerus, fifth toe with two elongate phalanges and curved second pedal phalanx of the fifth toe with the angle between the proximal and distal segments about 130 degrees. The complete specimen of the new pterosaur D. robustodens sp. nov. provides much more osteological information. The differences in tooth morphologies between Darwinopterus modularis and D. robustodens sp. nov. suggest that they filled different ecological niches. The hard integument-bearing Coleoptera may have been the main food source of Darwinopterus robustodens.

    • Sumixam maximus gen. and sp. nov., a New Pennsylvanian Species of Archaeorthoptera (Neoptera; Indiana, USA)

      2011, 85(3):515-520.

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      Abstract:A new Mazon-Creek-type fossil specimen is described as Sumixam maximus gen. and sp. nov., assigned to the taxon Archaeorthoptera Béthoux and Nel, 2002 (composed of Orthoptera and some fossil relatives): it exhibits one of the diagnostic character states of this taxon, which is the fusion of CuA (emerging from M + CuA) with CuP, or a branch of it. A more precise taxonomic assignment is out of reach. The new taxon exhibits a fusion of the anterior branch of MA with RP, and a point of divergence of MA and MP located near the point of divergence of CuA (from M + CuA), but lack a branching of CuPa. This unique combination of character states is probably derived with respect to a number of contemporaneous species. Sumixam maximus gen. and sp. nov. is most likely the closest known relative of the panorthopterans, which include all the recent Archaeorthoptera.

    • New Hormaphididae (Hemiptera, Aphidomorpha) from the Baltic Amber and its Palaeogeographic Significance

      2011, 85(3):521-527.

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      Abstract:The present study describes a new genus and species Unicohormaphis sorini, which belongs to the subfamily Cerataphidinae. The contemporary distribution of aphids belonging to the Hormaphididae family is summarized and analyzed. According to the obtained data, the climate warming in Eocene was conducive to the expansion of the family over the areas of Europe. Subsequent climate changes, resulting from epeirogenic and orogenic movements towards the end of Eocene, led to a considerable cooling and drying of climate in the northern hemisphere. These processes contributed to the shrinking down of areas covered by subtropical forests, which constituted the habitat of Hormaphididae (Cerataphidinae). Retaining their way of life, the Cerataphidinae were forced to limit their distribution, and the representatives of the family in Europe became completely extinct.

    • New Fossil Xyelidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) from the Yixian Formation of Western Liaoning, China

      2011, 85(3):528-532.

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      Abstract:In this paper one new genus and two new species, Brachyoxyela brevinodia sp. nov. and Brachyoxyela gracilenta sp. nov., in the subfamily Macroxyelinae of the family Xyelidae, are described and illustrated. The specimens were collected from the Yixian Formation, the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous, of Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, northeastern China. The new genus is established based on the characters that vein Sc meets R only beyond origin of Rs, third antennal segment is almost equal in length to the rest flagellomeres combined, terminal flagellomeres increasingly shortened toward apex, and vein 2r-rs inclined toward the apex of wing.

    • Evolution of the Ediacaran Doushantuoian Meta-Paleo-Community in Northeast Guizhou, South China

      2011, 85(3):533-543.

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      Abstract:Macroscopic organisms lived in the Yangtze Sea of South China during the Late Doushantuo period of the Ediacaran. The results of the specimen collections and statistics within each meter show that the macroscopic biota from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in northeast Guizhou, South China, can be subdivided into Globusphyton, Cucullus, Sectoralga–Longifuniculum, Beltanelliformis, and Baculiphyca–Gesinella paleo-communities. The paleo-community evolution indicates the relationship not only between biota and environment, but also between metaphytes and metazoans. From the Globusphyton paleo-community, through to the Sectoralga–Longifuniculum paleo-community, to the Cucullus paleo-community, the increase in the abundance and diversity of metaphytes (especially the branching macroalgae) and metazoans implies that the oxygen content in the seawater increased gradually. Both the Beltanelliformis and Baculiphyca–Gesinella paleo-communities could be related to a deteriorated environment and fragile ecosystem. The emergence, abundance, and diversity of macroscopic metaphytes, which were closely connected with the environmental microchanges, accelerated the process, improving the environment and increasing oxygen, and established an important platform for the development of macroscopic metazoans.

    • Ontogeny of the Traumatocrinus hsui

      2011, 85(3):544-548.

      Abstract (1419) HTML (0) PDF 4.60 M (73) Comment (0) Favorites

      Abstract:It is suggested that the characters of Traumatocrinus hsui Mu infants change remarkably in different ages; however, the characters of adult individuals are comparatively stable. The present study examined specimens of infant and adult individuals of T. hsui. Based on these observations, the authors divided the ontogeny of T. hsui into four infant stages (infant stage I-IV) and one adult stage. In addition, the characters of the anal pyramid are supplemented and the infrabasal plates of T. hsui are confirmed in the present paper for the first time.

    • Variability of Nonionellina labradorica Dawson in Surface Sediments from Kongsfjorden, West Spitsbergen

      2011, 85(3):549-558.

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      Abstract:Kongsfjorden is a fjord in Spitsbergen (Svalbard archipelago) that lies adjacent to both Arctic and Atlantic water masses and is therefore a suitable site to understand the effects of climate change on ecosystems. To decipher the effect of the lateral advection of transformed Atlantic water (TAW) within the fjord, spatial variations of foraminiferal tests, their test size variations and stable isotopic composition (δ13C and δ18O) in the surface sediments were studied. Total organic carbon and textural analyses were also carried out. The dominant benthic foraminifera included Nonionellina labradorica, Elphidium excavatum, Cassidulina reniforme, Quinqueloculina stalkeri and Islandiella islandica. Nonionellina labradorica was the predominant species in the outer fjord, whereas Elphidium excavatum and Cassidulina reniforme were dominant in the inner fjord. Total organic carbon and the test size of Nonionellina labradorica within the fjord were highly correlated (r2?=?0.97) and both showed a decreasing trend towards the inner fjord. Based on the distribution and abundance of Nonionellina labradorica as well as temperature profiles, we suggest that there was little or no major change in the lateral advection of TAW within the fjord in the immediate past.

    • Late Silurian to Early Devonian Palynomorphs from Qujing, Yunnan, Southwest China

      2011, 85(3):559-568.

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      Abstract:Well-preserved and diversified spores, cryptospores, and acritarchs have been recorded from a relatively continuous sequence that encompasses the Silurian–Devonian boundary in Qujing, Yunnan, southwest China. Four spore assemblage zones from Late Silurian to Early Devonian in age are proposed based on the first appearance datum (FAD) of characteristic spore species. In ascending stratigraphic order, they are Ambitisporites dilutus–Apiculiretusispora synorea (DS; Late Ludfordian to Early Pridoli), Synorisporites verrucatus–Apiculiretusispora plicata (VP; Pridoli), Apiculiretusispora minuta–Leiotriletes ornatus (MO; Lochkovian), and Verrucosisporites polygonalis–Dibolisporites wetteldorfensis (PW; Pragian). The acritarch assemblage from the upper part of the Yulongsi Formation, the Xiaxishancun Formation, and the lower–middle parts of the Xitun Formation indicates an age of Late Silurian. Based on palynological evidence, the upper part of the Yulongsi Formation is considered Late Ludfordian to Early Pridoli in age; the Xiaxishancun Formation is believed to be Pridoli in age; the Xitun Formation is considered Late Pridoli to Early Lochkovian in age; the Guijiatun Formation is considered Lochkovian in age; and the Xujiachong Formation is Late Lochkovian to Pragian in age. The Silurian-Devonian boundary is recognized between the VP and the MO spore biozones, and occurs within the middle part of the Xitun Formation.

    • Phylogeny of Devonian Lycopsids Inferred from Bayesian Phylogenetic Analyses

      2011, 85(3):569-580.

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      Abstract:To investigate the phylogeny of early lycopsids, cladistic analyses using both parsimony and Bayesian approaches are presented, with a data matrix of 33 morphological characters across 25 taxa. The resulting parsimony and Bayesian trees showed overall similarities in tree topologies. In the Bayesian tree, the Protolepidodendrales and the heterosporous lycopsids are recognized as two monophyletic groups, and within the latter group, the Isoetales sensu lato forms a subclade. This topology implies that the acquisition of a ligulate character evolved twice in the lycopsids, once in the protolepidodendralean Leclercqia Banks et al., and once in the heterosporous lycopsid clade. Phylogenetic positions of several lycopsid plants previously reported from the Mid-Upper Devonian of South China, which have uncertain ordinal affinities, were estimated by the cladistic analyses; cf. Longostachys Xue et Hao, Longostachys Zhu et al., Monilistrobus Wang et Berry, and Yuguangia Hao et al. fall well within the Isoetales clade, as earliest members of this order, while Minostrobus Wang and Wuxia Berry et al. are nested within the basal part of the heterosporous lycopsids. Bayesian analyses are a very useful approach in systematic studies and can be applied in analyzing paleobotanical data sets as well.

    • Chinese Continental Blocks in Global Paleocontinental Reconstruction during Paleozoic and Mesozoic

      2011, 85(3):581-597.

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      Abstract:The Cambrian to Cretaceous paleomagnetic data from Chinese continental and adjacent blocks were collected using principles to obtain reliable and high-precision paleomagnetic data and to pay attention to the similarity of paleobiogeography and the coordination of tectonic evolution. The Chinese continental blocks were laid up on the reconstruction of proposed global paleocontinents with almost the same scale. Thus, it can be clearly recognized that the global continents, including Chinese continental blocks, range along latitudes on the southern side of the equator during the Early Paleozoic. In the Paleozoic, Chinese continental blocks were still located among the Laurentia, Siberia and Gondwana plates, following the fast moving of the Siberia Plate northwards, the amalgamation in a north-south direction at the western parts of the Laurentia and Gondwana plates, and the Iapetus and Rheic Oceans were subducted, eventually to form a uniform Pangea in the Late Paleozoic. The Australian and Indian plates of Eastern Gondwana moved and dispersed gradually southwards, continued to extend the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. The Chinese continental and adjacent blocks were still located in the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, preserved the status of dispersion, gradually moving northwards, showing characteristics of ranging along a north–south orientation until the Permian. In addition, a series of local collisions happened during the Triassic, and consequently most of the Chinese continental blocks were amalgamated into the Pangea, except for the Gangdise and Himalayan blocks. There was a counter-clockwise rotation of the Eastern Asian continent in the Jurassic and northwards migration of the Chinese continent in varying degrees during the Cretaceous, but the Himalayan and Indian plates did not collide into the Chinese continent during this period.

    • Measurement and Analysis of Thermal Conductivity of Rocks in the Tarim Basin, Northwest China

      2011, 85(3):598-609.

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      Abstract:: As a parameter that describes heat transmission properties of rocks, thermal conductivity is indispensable for studying the thermal regime of sedimentary basins, and retrieving high-quality data of thermal conductivity is the basis for geothermal related studies. The optical scanning method is used here to measure the thermal conductivity of 745 drill-core samples from the Tarim basin, the largest intermontane basin with abundant hydrocarbon potential in China, and water saturation correction is made for clastic rock samples that are of variable porosity. All the measured values, combined with previously published data in this area, are integrated to discuss the distribution characteristics and major controlling factors that affect the thermal conductivity of rocks in the basin. Our results show that the values of thermal conductivity of rocks generally range from 1.500 to 3.000 W/m·K with a mean of 2.304 W/m·K. Thermal conductivity differs considerably between lithological types: the value of a coal sample is found to be the lowest as being only 0.249 W/m·K, while the values for salt rock samples are the highest with a mean of 4.620 W/m·K. Additionally, it is also found that the thermal conductivity of the same or similar lithologic types shows considerable differences, suggesting that thermal conductivity cannot be used for distinguishing the rock types. The thermal conductivity values of mudstone and sandstone generally increase with increasing burial depth and geological age of the formation, reflecting the effect of porosity of rocks on thermal conductivity. In general, the mineral composition, fabric and porosity of rocks are the main factors that affect the thermal conductivity. The research also reveals that the obvious contrast in thermal conductivity of coal and salt rock with other common sedimentary rocks can induce subsurface temperature anomalies in the overlying and underlying formations, which can modify the thermal evolution and maturity of the source rocks concerned. This finding is very important for oil and gas resources assessment and exploration and needs further study in detail. The results reported here are representative of the latest and most complete dataset of thermal conductivity of rocks in the Tarim basin, and will provide a solid foundation for geothermal studies in future.

    • Petrogenesis of Indosinian Granitoids in Middle-Segment of South Qinling Tectonic Belt: Constraints from Sr-Nd Isotopic Systematics

      2011, 85(3):610-628.

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      Abstract:South Qinling Tectonic Belt (SQTB) is located between the Shangzhou-Danfeng and Mianxian-Lueyang sutures. There are a lot of early Mesozoic granitoid plutons in its middle segment, comprising the Dongjiangkou-Zhashui granitoid plutons at the northeast, Huayang-Wulong-Laocheng granitoid plutons at the central part, Xiba granitoid pluton at the northwest and Guangtoushan-Liuba granitoid plutons at the southwest. These Indonisian granitoids contain a mass of various scale mafic enclaves, which show sometimes clear boundaries and sometimes transitional boundaries with their host granitoids. These granitoids also exhibit metaluminous to peraluminous series, commonly higher Mg# and a wide range of petrochemistry from low-K tholeiite series, through mid-K and high-K calc-alkaline series to shoshonite series and predominated samples are attributed to mid-K and high-K calc-alkaline series. Detailed analyses in Sr-Nd isotopic systematics and petrochemistry reveal that there may be regionally initial granitoid magma of the Indonisian granitoid plutons, comprising Dongjiangkou-Zhashui, Huayang-Wulong-Laocheng, Xiba, and Guangtoushan-Liuba granitoid plutons, which were produced by hybrids of magmas in various degrees, and the initial magmas were derived from both the mantle and the lower continental crust (LCC) sources in the SQTB. The initial granitoid magma further did the magma hybrid with the magmas from the LCC, crystallization fractionation, and assimilation with upper crustal materials during their emplacement to produce these granitoid plutons in the SQTB. These magmatism processes are most likely to occur under continent marginal arc and syn-collision to post-collision tectonic backgrounds.

    • Seismic Evidence for Plume and Subducting Slab in West Yunnan, Southwestern China

      2011, 85(3):629-636.

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      Abstract:Western Yunnan is located within a gigantic Tethys orogenic zone between Gondwana and Laurasia. Magmatic activity records of the associated Wilson orogenic cycle show that the causes of plate spreading in the region might have been related to sub-mantle plume. Tectonics, geophysics, sedimentary strata, tectonic evolution of the lithosphere and other research results indicate that there is geological evidence for mantle plume magmatic activities in West Yunnan. Tomography also supports the idea that there is a subducting slab near the Red River fault and an upwelling mantle plume in West Yunnan. Here our research presents seismic evidence for upwelling mantle plume, which is a main cause leading to subducting slab in West Yunnan. The analysis is based on compressional-to-shear (P-to-S) converted seismic phases, recorded on seismograph stations in the Sichuan-Yunnan seismic network, and made a study on 410-km and 660-km discontinuities, as well as on three sections of CCP stacking.

    • Basement of the South China Sea Area: Tracing the Tethyan Realm

      2011, 85(3):637-655.

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      Abstract:The basement of the South China Sea (SCS) and adjacent areas can be divided into six divisions (regions) – Paleozoic Erathem graben-faulted basement division in Beibu Gulf, Paleozoic Erathem strike-slip pull-apart in Yinggehai waters, Paleozoic Erathem faulted-depression in eastern Hainan, Paleozoic Erathem rifted in northern Xisha (Paracel), Paleozoic Erathem strike-slip extending in southern Xisha, and Paleozoic-Mesozoic Erathem extending in Nansha Islands (Spratly) waters. The Pre-Cenozoic basement in the SCS and Yunkai continental area are coeval within the Tethyan tectonic domain in the Pre-Cenozoic Period. They are formed on the background of the Paleo-Tethyan tectonic domain, and are important components of the Eastern Tethyan multi-island-ocean system. Three branches of the Eastern Paleo-Tethys tectonic domain, North Yunkai, North Hainan, and South Hainan sea basins, have evolved into the North Yunkai, North Hainan, and South Hainan suture zones, respectively. This shows a distinctive feature of localization for the Pre-Cenozoic basement. The Qiongnan (i.e. South Hainan) Suture Zone on the northern margin of the South China Sea can be considered the vestige of the principal ocean basin of Paleo-Tethys, and connected with the suture zone of the Longmucuo-Shuanghu belt–Bitu belt –Changning-Menglian-Bentong-Raub belt, the south extension of Bitu-Changning-Menglian–Ching Mai belt–Chanthaburi-Raub-Bentong belt on the west of South China Sea, and with the Lianhua-Taidong suture zone (a fault along the east side of Longitudinal Valley in Taiwan)–Hida LP/HT (low pressure-high temperature) metamorphic belt–Hida-marginal HP/LT metamorphic belt in southwestern Honshu of Japan, on the east of the South China Sea. The Qiongbei (North Hainan) suture zone may eastwards extended along the Wangwu-Wenjiao fault zone, and connects with the Lufeng-Dapu-Zhenghe-Shangyu (Lianhuashan) deep fault zone through the Pearl River Mouth Basin. The Meso-Tethys developed on the south of the South China Sea. The Nansha Trough may be considered the vestige of the northern shelf of the Meso-Tethys. The oceanic crust of the Meso-Tethys has southwards subducted along the subduction-collision-thrust southern margin of the Nansha Trough with a subduction-pole opposite to those of the Yarlung Zangbo-Mytkyina-Bago zone on the west of the South China Sea, and the Meso-Tethyan (e.g. Northern Chichibu Ocean of the Meso-Tethys) suture zone “Butsozo tectonic line” in the outer belt of the Jurassic-Early Cretaceous terrene group in southwest Japan, on the east of the South China Sea.

    • Theoretical Prediction of Gibbs Free Energies of Formation for Crystalline α-MOOH and α-M2O3 Based on a Linear Free-Energy Relationship

      2011, 85(3):656-660.

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      Abstract:In the present study, the modified Sverjensky–Molling equation, derived from a linear-free energy relationship, is used to predict the Gibbs free energies of formation of crystalline phases of α-MOOH (with a goethite structure) and α-M2O3 (with a hematite structure) from the known thermodynamic properties of the corresponding aqueous trivalent cations (M3+). The modified equation is expressed as ΔG0f,MVX=aMVXΔG0n,M3++bMVX+βMVXγM3+, where the coefficients aMVX, bMVX, and βMVX characterize a particular structural family of MvX (M is a trivalent cation [M3+] and X represents the remainder of the composition of solid); γ3+ is the ionic radius of trivalent cations (M3+); ΔG0f,MVX is the standard Gibbs free energy of formation of MvX; and ΔG0n,M3+ is the non-solvation energy of trivalent cations (M3+). By fitting the equation to the known experimental thermodynamic data, the coefficients for the goethite family (α-MOOH) are aMVX=0.8838, bMVX=?424.4431 (kcal/mol), and βMVX=115 (kcal/mol.?), while the coefficients for the hematite family (α-M2O3) are aMVX=1.7468, bMVX=?814.9573 (kcal/mol), and βMVX=278 (kcal/mol.?). The constrained relationship can be used to predict the standard Gibbs free energies of formation of crystalline phases and fictive phases (i.e. phases that are thermodynamically unstable and do not occur at standard conditions) within the isostructural families of goethite (α-MOOH) and hematite (α-M2O3) if the standard Gibbs free energies of formation of the trivalent cations are known.

    • Late Jurassic Cu-Mo Mineralization at the Zhashui-Shanyang District, South Qinling, China: Constraints from Re-Os Molybdenite and Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry U-Pb Zircon Dating

      2011, 85(3):661-672.

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      Abstract:The Zhashui-Shanyang district is one of the most important sulfide deposits in the Qinling Orogen where the formation of porphyry-skarn Cu-Mo deposits has a close genetic link with the Yanshannian magmatism. Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb zircon dating of two granodiorite intrusions (Xiaohekou and Lengshuigou deposits) was investigated in the Zhashui-Shanyang district and the rock-forming ages obtained from 148.3±2.8?to 152.6±1.2?Ma, averaging 150.5 Ma, accompanied by a younger disturbance age of 144.3±1.7?Ma in the Lengshuigou intrusion, which is in excellent agreement with published sensitive high resolution ion micro-probe (SHRIMP) zircon date on the later monzodiorite porphyry phase in the Lenshuigou deposit. Two samples were selected for molybdenite ICP-MS Re-Os isotopic analyses from the Lengshuigou granodiorite porphyry, yielding Re-Os model ages from 149.2±2.7 Ma to 150.6±3.4 Ma, with a weighted mean age of 149.7±2.1 Ma. These mineralization ages overlap rock-forming ages of the host intrusions within the error range. This implies that the mineralization occurred in the Late Jurassic, which belongs to the tectonic phase B event of the Yanshan Movement, not Cretaceous as previously thought. Therefore, the Late Jurassic mineralization of the Zhashui-Shanyang district could be connected to the large-scale Yanshan molybdenum metallogenic period, the geodynamic regime of which is attributable to the far field response of convergence of surrounding plates, perhaps the approximately westward subduction of the Izanagi plate beneath the Eurasian continent.

    • Re–Os and U–Pb Geochronology of the Erlihe Pb–Zn Deposit, Qinling Orogenic Belt, Central China, and Constraints on Its Deposit Genesis

      2011, 85(3):673-682.

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      Abstract:The Erlihe Pb–Zn deposit is an important mine of the Pb–Zn metallogenic zone in the South Qinling Orogen. It has been considered a sedimentary exhalative deposit in previous investigations because the ore body occurs concordantly at the transitional location of an upright fold. Re and Os isotopic analyses for paragenetic pyrites with sphalerite and galena from the ore body have been used to determine the timing of mineralization and to trace the source of metallogenic materials. The Re–Os isotopic data of four pyrite samples construct an isochron, yielding a weighted average age of 226±17 Ma (mean square weighted deviation=1.7), which is considered the main mineralization age. A dioritic porphyrite vein sample, showing weaker mineralization, was also dated using the SHRIMP zircon U–Pb isotopic method to constrain the youngest metallogenic age of the ore deposit, because it distributes along a group of tensional joints cutting not only the upright fold in the deposit field, but also the main ore bodies. The dioritic porphyrite sample yields a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 221±3 Ma, which is slightly younger than the Re–Os isotopic isochron age of the pyrites, considered as the upper age limit of the mineralization, namely the ending age of the mineralization. The Os isotopic compositions of sulfide minerals distribute within a range between Os isotopic compositions of the crust and the mantle, indicating that the ore deposit can be derived from magma-related fluid, and the metallogenic materials are most likely derived from the mixing source of the crust and the mantle. The Erlihe Pb–Zn deposit and associated dioritic porphyrite vein, important records of Qinling tectonic–magmatism–mineralization activities, were formed during the Triassic collisional orogeny processes.

    • Oxygen Isotope Characteristics of the Footwall Alteration Zones in the Hongtoushan Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit, Liaoning Province, China and Restoration of Their Formation Temperatures

      2011, 85(3):683-693.

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      Abstract:The Hongtoushan Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Deposit (VMSD) occurs in the Hunbei granite-greenstone terrane, Liaoning Province, NE China. Rocks in the mining area have been metamorphosed around 3.0–2.8 Ga to upper amphibolite facies at temperatures between 600°C and 650°C. Cordierite-anthophyllite gneiss (CAG) in the Hongtoushan mining area, which occurs hundreds of meters below the ore horizon, corresponds to the metamorphosed semi-conformable alteration zone of the VMSD hydrothermal system, whereas the one immediately below the main ore layer represents the metamorphosed pipe-like alteration zone. Whole-rock oxygen isotope signatures were well preserved in both types of CAGs, although the mineral components have been entirely changed during regional metamorphism. Therefore, whole-rock oxygen isotopes can be used to estimate the formation temperature of both types of alteration zone. Calculations show that the semi-conformable and pipe-like alteration zones for the Hongtoushan submarine hydrothermal system were formed at 290–360°C and 285–320°C, respectively, whereas estimates for the former were slightly higher than that of the latter, indicating that the semi-conformable alteration zone represents the deep part of the Hongtoushan seafloor hydrothermal system, while the pipe-like alteration zone represents the discharge conduits for metal-rich fluids, which is closer to the seafloor.

    • Sulfur Isotopes of Framboidal Pyrite in the Permian-Triassic Boundary Clay at Meishan Section

      2011, 85(3):694-701.

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      Abstract:Pyrite framboids were found in the Permian-Triassic boundary at Meishan Section, while their sulfur isotopes were determined. The majority of framboids is less than 5 μm in diameter, with some large-sized framboids. Also, euhedral gypsums were observed in the boundary clay. The authors suppose that most of the pyrite framboids formed just below the redox boundary and stopped growing after entering the lower water column. The result indicates that it was probably lower dysoxia condition in the temporal ocean. Moreover, the authors also presume that some pyrite was oxidated to sulfates accompanying the fluctuation of redox condition, which would probably be the origin of the negative sulfur isotopes of gypsum and CAS reported before. In addition, sulfur isotope of framboidal pyrite suggests that sulfur is originated from bacterial sulfate reduction in anoxic condition. Therefore, this study confirms that the ocean was widely anoxic during the Permian-Triassic transitional period. However, the redox condition in temporal ocean was probably not stable, with short-term fluctuations.

    • Hydrocarbon Generation Kinetic Characteristics from Different Types of Organic Matter

      2011, 85(3):702-711.

      Abstract (1518) HTML (0) PDF 9.00 M (72) Comment (0) Favorites

      Abstract:In order to contrast the hydrocarbon generation kinetic characteristics from different types of organic matter (OM), 18 samples from different basins were pyrolyzed using Rock-Eval-II apparatus under the open system. From the experimental results, the curve of hydrocarbon generation rate vs. temperature can be easily obtained, which usually can be used to optimize kinetic parameters (A, E, F) of the hydrocarbon generation model. In this paper, the parallel first-order reaction with a single frequency factor model is selected to describe the hydrocarbon generation kinetic characteristics. The hydrocarbon generation kinetic parameters reveal that the types of compound structures and chemical bonds of the lacustrine facies type I OM are relatively homogeneous, with one dominating activation energy. The types of chemical bonds of the lacustrine facies type II2 OM and the terrestrial facies type III OM are relative complex, with a broad activation energy distribution, and the reaction fraction of the preponderant activation energy drops with the decrease of hydrogen index. The impact of the activation energy distribution spaces on the geological extrapolation of kinetic parameters is also investigated. The results show that it has little effect on the hydrocarbon transformation ratio (TR) and therefore, the parallel first-order reaction model with proper number of activation energies can be better used to describe the hydrocarbon generation process. The geological extrapolation results of 18 samples of kinetic parameters show that the distribution range of the hydrocarbon generation rate of the type I OM is relatively narrow and the hydrocarbon generation curve is smooth. In comparison, the distribution range of the hydrocarbon generation for type II1 and type II2-III OM are quite wide, and the hydrocarbon generation curves have fluctuation phenomena. The distribution range of the hydrocarbon generation rate and the fluctuation phenomena are related to the kinetic parameters of OM; the narrower the activation energy distribution, the narrower the hydrocarbon generation rate distribution, and the smoother the hydrocarbon generation curve, and vice versa.

    • Iron Isotope Compositions of Natural River and Lake Samples in the Karst Area, Guizhou Province, Southwest China

      2011, 85(3):712-722.

      Abstract (1580) HTML (0) PDF 12.21 M (69) Comment (0) Favorites

      Abstract:To better understand the Fe isotope characteristics of natural samples in the Karst area, the Fe isotope compositions of riverine suspended particulates, lake suspended particulates, lake sediments, porewaters, phytoplanktons, and aerosols in the watersheds of Lake Aha (a mineralized water system) and Lake Hongfeng (a mesotrophic water system), which are located in the Karst area, southwest China, were investigated. The studied samples displayed a variable range between δ56Fe=?2.03‰ and 0.36‰. Aerosols and phytoplanktons have similar or slightly heavier Fe isotope compositions relative to the average of igneous rocks. Fe isotope compositions of riverine Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) were mainly affected by the types of tributaries. Suspended particulates collected from tributaries seriously contaminated with coal mine drainages displayed negative δ56Fe values (?0.89‰ to ?0.31‰) during summer, and there were significant increases of δ56Fe values in winter, except AR2, which was polluted with both coal mine drainage and sewage effluent. Characteristics of lakes have important influences on Fe isotope compositions of suspended particulates, lake sediments, and porewaters. The epilimnetic particulate Fe of Lake Hongfeng had δ56Fe=?0.04‰ to 0.13‰, while lighter Fe isotope compositions were measured for particulate Fe from Lake Aha, ranging from ?0.42‰ to ?0.09‰. Sediments collected from Hou Wu (HW) station of Lake Hongfeng have an average δ56Fe value of 0.09‰ and their corresponding porewaters have lighter Fe isotope compositions, ranging from ?0.57‰ to ?0.31‰; no significant variations have been observed. For the Liang Jiang Kou (LJK) station of Lake Aha, the content of reactive Fe and the concentration of sulfate were all high. Due to the reactive Fe recycling, including dissimilatory Fe reduction, adsorption, and Fe–sulfide formation, porewaters sampled near the sediment surface have been found to have a δ56Fe value as low as ?2.03‰ and an increase up to 0.12‰, with a burial depth of 10?cm. In contrast, an opposite variation trend was found for LJK sediments. Sediments sampled at 1-cm depth had a value of δ56Fe=?0.59‰ and decrease as low as ?1.75‰ with burial depth. This investigation demonstrated that significant Fe isotope fractionations occur in surface environments. Fe isotope compositions of particulate Fe were seriously affected by Fe sources, and Fe biogeochemical recycling has an important influence on Fe isotope fractionations in lake sediments, especially when there are significant amounts of reactive Fe and sulfate.

    • Chronological Link Between the Abrupt Change of the Loess Grain Size Sequence and the Formation of River Terraces on the Eastern Margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Since the Late Early-Pleistocene

      2011, 85(3):723-732.

      Abstract (1445) HTML (0) PDF 11.39 M (46) Comment (0) Favorites

      Abstract:Based on the study of magnetostratigraphy, magnetic susceptibility and grain size of Garzê A section on the southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau since the late early-Pleistocene, the basal age of Garzê loess is located at ~1.16?MaBP and a series of abrupt paleoclimatic changes is detected. The times of abrupt changes are of distinct series features, and the interval between each two adjacent abrupt changes is ~50 kyr or ~100?kyr. The most significant abrupt changes occur at around 1.06, 0.85, 0.6, 0.46, 0.39 and 0.14?MaBP. There is a chronological link between the abrupt changes of paleoclimate and the formation of river terraces and it is almost simultaneous with a strengthening trend of neotectonic activities. Therefore, maybe the climatic transition controll the timing of terrace formation, and the tectonic uplift originate potential energy and has a direct effect on channel incision, both the climatic transition and the tectonic uplift are important. Terraces are the products of the interaction of instable climatic variations and tectonic uplift. Like the loess-paleosol sequences, river terrace sequences are also controlled by the climate-tectonic coupling system and are ruled by climate-tectonic gyration with a ~100?kyr paracycle, which may be the short eccentricity period of the earth.

Chief Editor:HOU Zengqian

Governing Body:China Association for Science and Technology

Organizer:Geological Society of China

start publication :1922

ISSN:ISSN 1000-9515

CN:CN 11-2001/P

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