华南埃迪卡拉纪末期硅质岩和深海的氧化还原状态

A suit of cherts deposited in deep-ocean basin of South China during terminal Ediacaran and the beginning of Early Cambrian (about 550～540Ma). The origin of these cherts are controversial, and contrary standpoints exist for the redox state of the terminal Ediacaran deep-ocean because of poor study. In this paper, a detailed sedimentology, element and stable isotope geochemistry study were conducted for cherts of Liuchapo Formation in Anhua County, Hunan Province, Laobao Formation in Sanjiang County, Guangxi Province, and Piyuancun Formation in Xiuning County, Anhui Province. Some conclusions were drawn: (1) These cherts were mainly formed through chemical deposition of dissolved silica derived from chemical weathering in continent. Biological processes played a part in the cherts formation, however, the influence of hydrothermal fluids and detritus materials were trivial. (2) The terminal Ediacaran deep-ocean was anoxic and gradually oxidized. (3) Intense bacterial sulfate reduction decreased sulfate concentration in the ocean and the water column became euxinic during Ediacaran-Cambrian transition period. (4) Due to a high CO2 concentration in the terminal Ediacaran atmosphere, chemical weathering in continent dramatically increased and huge amounts of nutrimental material were transferred into ocean. The biota bloomed because of the nutrimental material. Degradation of huge amounts of organic matter maintained dissolved organic carbon reservoir in the ocean, and prolonged the deep-ocean anoxia.