Abstract
In general, total organic carbon (TOC) is directly used as a proxy for paleoproductivity, however, it is not only affected by paleoproductivity, but also controlled by redox conditions and terrigenous detrital matter influx. Major and trace elements were analysed with the purpose of investigating the redox potential and paleoproductivity during deposition of the Hongshuizhuang Formation. In the present study, C-S relationship, V/Cr ratio and Mo concentration indicate that the dolomites were deposited in oxic environments, however, most of the black shales were accumulated in euxinic environments. P/Ti values in the Hongshuizhuang samples can be compared with those in the Japanese Ubara Permian-Triassic section which were regarded to be deposited under a moderate to high paleoproductivity. Ba/Al values are slightly lower than that of the laminated sediments from the continental margins of Central California (CCAL) which were thought to be accumulated under a high paleoproductivity. These results indicate that the paleoproductivity was moderate to high during deposition of the Hongshuizhuang Formation. Burial organic carbon shows positive correlations with V/Cr and Mo, but shows only weakly or no correlation with P/Ti and Ba/Al, respectively, suggesting that although the paleoproductivity was moderate to high during deposition of the Hongshuizhuang Formation, its organic-rich sediments were predominantly controlled by redox conditions and had no direct relationship with paleoproductivity.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Dong J S, Wan X Q. The preliminary study of paleoproductivity at Neogene period in Zhujiangkou basin (in Chinese). In: Neogene Microfossil and Paleooceanography Study of Zhujiangkou Basin in South China Sea. Wuhan: China University of Geosciences Press, 1996. 129
Zhang H F, Fang C L, Gao X Z, et al. Petroleum Geology (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 1999. 1–338
Pujol F, Berner Z, Stüben D. Palaeoenvironmental changes at the Frasnian/Famennian boundary in key European sections: Chemostratigraphic constraints. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol, 2006, 240: 120–145
Rimmer S M, Thompsona J A, Goodnighta S A, et al. Multiple controls on the preservation of organic matter in Devonian-Mississippian marine black shales: Geochemical and petrographic evidence. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol, 2004, 215: 125–154
Turgeon S, Brumsack H J. Anoxic vs dysoxic events reflected in sediment geochemistry during the Cenomanian-Turonian Boundary Event (Cretaceous) in the Umbria-Marche Basin of central Italy. Chem Geol, 2006, 234: 321–339
Goldberg E D, Arrhenius G O S. Geochemistry of Pacific pelagic sediments. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1958, 13: 153–212
Dymond J, Suess E, Lyle M. Barium in deep-sea sediment: A geochemical proxy for paleoproductivity. Paleoceanography, 1992, 7: 163–181
Dymond J, Collier R. Particulate barium fluxes and their relationships to biological productivity. Deep-Sea Res, 1996, 43: 1283–1308
Paytan A, Kastner M, Chavez F P. Glacial to interglacial fluctuations in productivity in the equatorial Pacific as indicated by marine barite. Science, 1996, 274: 1355–1357
Paytan A, Griffith E M. Marine barite: Recorder of variations in ocean export productivity. Deep-Sea Res II, 2007, 54: 687–705
Ingall E D, Bustin R M, VanCappellan P. Influence of water column anoxia on the burial and preservation of carbon and phosphorus in marine shales. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1993, 57: 303–316
Filippelli G M, Delaney M L. The oceanic phosphorus cycle and continental weathering during the Neogene. Paleoceanography, 1994, 9: 643–652
Latimer J C, Filippelli G M. Eocene to Miocene terrigenous inputs and export production: Geochemical evidence from ODP Leg 177, Site 1090. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol, 2002, 182: 151–164
Murray R W, Leinen M, Isern A R. Biogenic flux of Al to sediment in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean: Evidence for increased productivity during glacial episodes. Paleoceanography, 1993, 8: 651–670
Murray R W, Leinen M. Scavenged excess aluminum and its relationship to bulk titanium in biogenic sediment from the central equatorial Pacific Ocean. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1996, 60: 3869–3878
Kumar N, Anderson R F, Biscaye P E. Remineralization of particulate authigenic trace metals in the Middle Atlantic Bight: Implications for proxies of export production. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1996, 60: 3383–3397
Wang R J, Li J R. Quaternary high-resolution opal record and its paleoproductivity implication at ODP Site 1143, southern South China Sea (in Chinese). Chin Sci Bull (Chin Ver), 2003, 48: 74–77
Li J R, Wang R J, Li B H. Opal accumulation rates and paleo-productivity variation from 12 Ma in the south of South China Sea (in Chinese). Chin Sci Bull (Chin Ver), 2002, 47: 235–237
Chen J F, Zheng L F, Wiesner M G, et al. Estimate of primary production and export production based on sediment trap in surface layer of South China Sea (in Chinese). Chin Sci Bull (Chin Ver), 1998, 43: 639–641
Dean W E, Gardner J V, Piper D Z. Inorganic geochemical indicators of glacial-interglacial changes in productivity and anoxia on the California continental margin. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1997, 61: 4507–4518
Algeo T J, Kuwahara K, Sano H, et al. Spatial variation in sediment fluxes, redox conditions, and productivity in the Permian-Triassic Panthalassic Ocean. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol, 2011, 308: 65–83
Qin J, Zhong N N, Qi W, et al. Organic Petrology of the Hongshuizhuang Formation in northern North China (in Chinese). Oil Gas Geol, 2010, 31: 367–374
Wang H Z, Qiao X F. Proterozoic stratigraphy and tectonic frame work of China. Geol Mag, 1997, 125: 599–614
Liu Y Q. Tectonic cyclic sequences in the mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic aulacogen of Yanshan-A concept of aulacogen tectonic cycle and its hierarchy (in Chinese). Acta Geosci Sin, 1997, 18: 142–149
Gao L Z, Zhang C H, Shi X Y, et al. A new SHRIMP age of the Xiamaling Formation in the North China Plate and its geological significance. Acta Geol Sin, 2007, 81: 1103–1109
Gao L Z, Zhang C H, Shi X Y, et al. Mesoproterozoic age for Xiamaling formation in North China Plate indicated by zircon SHRIMP dating. Chin Sci Bull, 2008, 53: 2665–2671
Li H K, Lu S N, Li H M, et al. Zircon and beddeleyite U-Pb precision dating of basic rock sills intruding Xiamaling Formation, North China (in Chinese). Geol Bull Chin, 2009, 28: 1396–1404
Su W B, Li H K, Huff W D, et al. SHRIMP U-Pb dating for a K-bentonite bed in the Tieling Formation, North China. Chin Sci Bull, 2010, 55: 3312–3323
Wen X D. Lithofacies-palaeogeography and their evolution of the middle-upper Proterozoic in North China (in Chinese). J Univ Petrol Chi, 1989, 13: 13–21
Wang J, Chen J F. Study on the environment and potential of source rocks in North China Platform of Middle-Upper Proterzoic (in Chinese). Nat Gas Geosci, 2001, 12: 27–35
Duan J Y, Liu P J. Abysmal and sub-abysmal deposit of mesoproterozoic in Yanshan aulocogen, north China (in Chinese). J Jilin Univ, 2003, 33: 7–12
Bao Z D, Chen J F, Zhang S C, et al. Study on sedimentary environment and controlled factors of hydrocarbon rock of Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic in North China (in Chinese). Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2004, 34: 114–119
Zhabina N N, Volkov I I. A method of determination of various sulfur compounds in sea sediments and rocks. Ann Arbor Sci, 1978, 735-746
Canfield D E, Raiswell R, Westrich J T, et al. The use of chromium reduction in the analysis of reduced inorganic sulfur in sediments and shales. Chem Geol, 1986, 54: 149–155
Gorjan P, Veevers J J, Walter M R. Neoproterozoic sulfur-isotope variation in Australia and global implications. Precambrian Res, 2000, 100: 151–179
Berner R A, Raiswell R. Burial of organic carbon and pyrite sulphur in sediments over Phanerozoic time: A newtheory. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1983, 47: 855–862
Leventhal J S. An interpretation of carbon and sulfur relationships in Black Sea sediments as indicators of environments of deposition. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1983, 47: 133–138
Leventhal J S. Carbon and sulfur relationships in Devonian shales from the Appalachian Basin as an indicator of environment of deposition. Amer J Sci, 1987, 287: 33–49
Raiswell R, Berner R A. Pyrite formation in euxinic and semi-euxinic sediments. Amer J Sci, 1985, 285: 710–724
Sadiq M. Thermodynamic solubility relationships of inorganic vanadium in the marine environment. Mar Chem, 1988, 23: 87–96
Van der Sloot H A, Hoede D, Wijkstra J, et al. Anionic species of V, As, Se, Mo, Sb, Te and W in the Scheldt and Rhine estuaries and the Southern Bight (North Sea). Estua Coastal Shelf Sci, 1985, 21: 633–651
Wanty R B, Goldhaber R. Thermodynamics and kinetics of reactions involving vanadium in natural systems: Accumulation of vanadium in sedimentary rock. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1992, 56: 171–183
Breit G N, Wanty R B. Vanadium accumulation in carbonaceous rocks: A review of geochemical controls during deposition and diagenesis. Chem Geol, 1991, 91: 83–97
Emerson S R, Huested S S. Ocean anoxia and the concentrations of molybdenum and vanadium in seawater. Mar Chem, 1991, 34: 177–196
Morford J L, Emerson S. The geochemistry of redox sensitive trace metals in sediments. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1999, 63: 1735–1750
Tribovillard N, Algeo T W, Lyons T, et al. Trace metals as paleoredox and paleoproductivity proxies: An update. Chem Geol, 2006, 232: 12–32
Cranston R E, Murray J W. The determination of chromium species in natural waters. Anal Chim Acta, 1978, 99: 275–282
Elderfield H. Chromium speciation in sea water. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1970, 9: 10–16
Achterberg E P, van den Berg C M G, Boussemart M, et al. Speciation and cycling of trace metals in Esthwaite water: A productive English lake with seasonal deep-water anoxia. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1997, 61: 5233–5253
Huerta-Diaz M A, Morse J W. Pyritisation of trace metals in anoxic marine sediments. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1992, 56: 2681–2702
Morse J W, Luther III G W. Chemical influences on trace metal-sulfide interactions in anoxic sediments. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1999, 63: 3373–3378
Jones B, Manning D A C. Comparison of geochemical indices used for the interpretation of palaeoredox conditions in ancient mudstones. Chem Geol, 1994, 111: 111–129
Broecker W S, Peng T H. Tracers in the Sea. New York: Eldigio Press, 1982
Calvert S E, Pedersen T F. Geochemistry of recent oxic and anoxic sediments: Implications for the geological record. Mar Geol, 1993, 113: 67–88
Crusius J, Calvert S E, Pedersen T F, et al. Rhenium and molybdenum enrichments in sediments as indicators of oxic, suboxic, and sulfidic conditions of deposition. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 1996, 145: 65–78
Helz G R, Miller C V, Charnock J M, et al. Mechanism of molybdenum removal from the sea and its concentration in black shales: EXAFS evidence. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1996, 60, 3631–3642
Algeo T J, Maynard J B. Trace-element behavior and redox facies in core shales of Upper Pennsylvanian Kansas-type cyclothems. Chem Geol, 2004, 206: 289–318
Brumsack H J. The inorganic geochemistry of Cretaceous black shales (DSDP Leg 41) in comparison to modern upwelling sediments from the Gulf of California. Geol Sot Lond Spec Publ, 1986, 21: 447–462
Meyer E E, Burgreen B N, Lackey H, et al. Evidence for basin restriction during syn-collisional basin formation in the Silurian Arisaig Group, Nova Scotia. Chem Geol, 2008, 256: 1–11
Arthur M A, Dean W E. Organic matter production and preservation, and evolution of anoxia in the Holocene Black Sea. Paleoceangraphy, 1998, 13: 395–411
Piper D Z. Seawater as the source of minor elements in black shales, phosphorites, and other sedimentary deposits. Chem Geol, 1994, 115: 95–114
Holland H D. The Chemistry of the Atmosphere and the Oceans. New York: Wiley-Interscience, 1978
Tyrrell T. The relative influences of nitrogen and phosphorus on oceanic primary production. Nature, 1999, 400: 525–531
Redfield A C. The biological control of chemical factors in the environment. Am Sci, 1958, 46: 205–222
Brumsack H J, Gieskes J M. Interstitial water trace metal chemistry of laminated sediments from the Gulf of California, Mexico. Mar Chem, 1983, 14: 89–106
Brumsack H J, Zuleger E, Gohn E, et al. Stable and radiogenic isotopes in pore waters from Leg 127, Japan Sea. In: Pisciotto K A, Ingle Jr J C, Von Breymann M T, et al., eds. Proc Ocean Drill Project 127/128, 1992, Part 1, 635–650
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com
Rights and permissions
This article is published under an open access license. Please check the 'Copyright Information' section either on this page or in the PDF for details of this license and what re-use is permitted. If your intended use exceeds what is permitted by the license or if you are unable to locate the licence and re-use information, please contact the Rights and Permissions team.
About this article
Cite this article
Luo, Q., Zhong, N., Zhu, L. et al. Correlation of burial organic carbon and paleoproductivity in the Mesoproterozoic Hongshuizhuang Formation, northern North China. Chin. Sci. Bull. 58, 1299–1309 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-012-5534-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-012-5534-z