Sources of organic matter and paleo-environmental implications inferred from carbon isotope compositions of lacustrine sediments at Inexpressible Island, Ross Sea, Antarctica

The carbon isotopic composition of organic matter （δ^13Corg） was determined in two sediment cores （IIL1 and IIL9） recovered from Inexpressible Island, Ross Sea, Antarctica, and analyzed to identify the sources of that organic matter. The δ^13Corg values of sediments of IIL9 were found to vary between -14.6‰ and -11.6‰, with a mean of-13.4‰ （n=48）. These values were significantly higher than those of IIL1 sediments which varied between -23.2‰ and -20.4‰, with a mean of-21.8%o （n=55）. The variation in δ^13Corg values in these two sediment cores indicate different sources of organic matter, The relatively high 6~3Corg values in IIL9 are in accordance with a source from algae, while the low δ^13Corg values in IIL1 evince significant influence from penguin guano with algae as the secondary source. Compared with the reference data from other high-latitude lake sediments and plants, the δ^13Corg values in IIL9 were extremely high, a result likely related to intense competition for CO2 assimilation among algal species during the growing season in this relatively shallow pond. These results indicate that sedimentary δ^13Corg is a reliable proxy for paleo-primary productivity in ponds at Inexpressible Island.

Application of sedimentary pyrite in paleo-environment：a case study of Meihe Formation

The indices related to sedimentary pyrite are widely used in paleo-environmental studies; however its application principles and flaws have not been presented in detail so far,therefore it is necessary to review the controlling factors of them. In this study the authors described the application principles in detail,including pyrite morphology,C/S ratio,DOP,size distribution,sulfur isotope,and further discussed the C-S-Fe system in oil shale in Meihe Formation which indicates oxic or suboxic conditions during oil shale deposition. The concentration of TOC and S in the oil shale in Meihe Formation is more than that in background mudstone,and the pyrite formation is limited by sulfate. Therefore studying the indices related to pyrite proves to be of great importance.

Quantitative relationship between surface sedimentary diatoms and water depth in North-Central Bohai Bay,China

To study the quantitative relationship between surface sedimentary diatoms and water depth,67 surface samples were collected for diatom analysis on eight profiles with water depth variation from the muddy intertidal zone to the shallow sea area in North-Central Bohai Bay,China.The results showed that the distribution of diatoms changed significantly in response to the change in water depth.Furthermore,the quantitative relationship between the distribution of dominant diatom species,their assemblages,and the water depth was established.The water depth optima for seven dominant species such as Cyclotella striata/stylorum,Paralia sulcata,and Coscinodiscus perforatus and the water depth indication range of seven diatom assemblages were obtained in the study area above the water depth(elevation)of-10 m.The quantitative relationship between surface sedimentary diatoms and water depth provides a proxy index for diatom-paleo-water depth reconstruction in the strata in Bohai Bay,China.

Factors controlling the formation and evolution of source rocks in the Shahezi Formation,Xujiaweizi fault depression,Songliao Basin

The types and quality of source rocks in the Shahezi Formation are the key factors affecting the distributions of various deep gas reservoirs in the Xujiaweizi fault depression in Songliao Basin.To clarify the quality differences and origins of different types of source rocks in the Shahezi Formation,this study reconstructed the sedimentary and water environment,determined the controlling effects of fault activity,sedimentary facies,and paleo-sedimentary environment on the quality of various source rocks,by making full use of seismic,logging,core,organic geochemical and element geochemical analysis.The results show that two types of source rocks developed in the Shahezi Formation,namely,mudstones and coals.The mudstones have a relatively high abundance of organic matter,which consists of type-Ⅱ kerogen and partial type-Ⅲ kerogen,and are concentrated in Sha-I Member.The coals have a high abundance of organic matter,which consist of type-Ⅲ kerogen,and are mainly distributed in Sha-Ⅱ Member.During the deposition of Sha-I Member,intense fault activity formed arrow,deep-water lacustrine basins with high salinity and strong reducibility on the downthrow sides of faults.During the deposition of Sha-II Member,fault activity progressively weakened,and the areas of lacustrine basins enlarged to their maximum values and became wide,shallow-water basins with low salinity and low reducibility.The development of source rocks was controlled by fault activity,sedimentary facies,and paleo-sedimentary environment.Fault activity formed accommodation space on the downthrown sides of faults for mudstone accumulation,thus determining mudstone thickness.The sedimentary environment controlled the organic matter input and determined the distribution of mudstones and coals.The paleo-sedimentary environment,which consisted of paleo-salinity,as well as paleo-water depth and redox conditions,affected the accumulation and preservation of organic matter and is the main controlling factor for the quality difference of various source rocks in the Shahezi Formation.

Geochemistry and environment evolution of Core E in the Laizhou Bay since last stage of Middle Pleistocene

Geochemistry analysis has been done on Core E (37 07' N, 118 55' E; depth: 82.1 m) taken from the Laizhou Bay in 1994. Nine kinds of invariable elements, 15 kinds of microelements and the content of lime carbonate are measured by means of ICP. The results indicate that most of the invariable elements and microelements in Core E show significant changes in the boundary stratotype, and the ratios between elements (Mn/Fe, Sr/Ba, Ti/Al) in particular. So they can be used as characteristic indicator to stratigraphic division of Quaternary. The changes of invariable elements are primarily controlled by the host minerals, and they mainly indicate the provenance as well as the sedimentation and depositional environment. Several elements, such as Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, Mn and Ti, are very sensitive to the provenance and environment. The distribution of microelements differs in four depositional periods: last stage of Middle Pleistocene, last interglacial period, last glacial period and Recent epoch, and especially in the 'cold period' and 'warm period'. The loops in the cycle curves of the most microelements correspond with the sand bed sediments, among which there are six sand units representing 'warm period' sediments, and one representing 'cold period' sediments. The carbonate is on the high side in the aeolian silt sediments formed in the glacial lowering of sea level in Core E, but on the low side in the transgressive sand beds formed in the interglacial period. The content variation of carbonate has a direct bearing on the grain size and the styles of sediments, and is a good indicator to the climate, environment and stratigraphic division.

Paleoenvironmental Approach on the Lower CretaceousSequences of Areia do Mastro (Cabo Espichel, SouthernPortugal)

This palaeontological study focuses on the sedimentology and palaeofauna of Areia do Mastro locale in Cabo Espichel (Sesimbra, south of Lisbon). Two main geological formations are identified in Areia do Mastro: the Areia do Mastro Formation and the Papo-Seco Formation. We report herein the fossilized vertebrate and invertebrate remains from the basal deposits (marls, sands and gravels) of Papo-Seco Formation assigned to Lower Barremian (Lower Cretaceous). The sedimentological analysis and identified palaeofauna indicated a changing environment with important biological and ecological aspects. Extensive periods of sea level fluctuations and subsequent transgressive marine episodes had as a result the continental infralittoral internal platform to be gradually replaced by a lagoon, as revealed from the fossil remains embodied in the sediments during the formation of the afore mentioned sedimentary sequences.

New Data about the Paleo Environment of the Papo-Seco Formation （Lower Cretaceous） of Southern Portugal

New vertebrate and invertebrate remains are reported from the basal deposits （marls, sands and gravels） of Papo-Seco Formation （Lower Barremian, Lower Cretaceous） of Areias do Mastro, nearby Cabo Espichel, Sesimbra, south of Lisbon. The studied layers were formed in an environment of shallow-marine features （lagoon, estuary）. Recent paleontological inspection generated several vertebrate and invertebrate remains, including shells and trace fossils （casts and molds） of gastropods and bivalves; after examination, there were identified bones and teeth of fish, crocodiles, dinosaurs, pterosaurs and turtle shell fragments. The new data constitute an important contribution to the knowledge of vertebrate paleo-diversity for the environment during the Lower Cretaceous of Portugal.

Late Cretaceous Paleoenvironment and Paleoclimate Change During Large Lake Transgression in the Songliao Basin,NE China

Late Cretaceous lacustrine deposits in Songliao Basin provide a unique material to study the paleo-environment and paleoclimate of nomarine Cretaceous.Two large transgressions occurred during the Qingshankou and Nenjiang deposition times,the later of which was larger.Based on sedimentation,ostracode,TOC,HI,δ13Corg and C/N from upper Yaojia Formation to Lower Nenjiang Formation in the eastern Songliao Basin。

Multiple Proxies on the Paleoenvironment of the Early Cambrian Marine Black Rock Series in the Tarim Basin, NW China: Molybdenum Isotope and Trace Element Evidence

The early Cambrian carbonaceous shale and laminated chert-phosphorite assemble (the black rock series) are widespread at the northwest margin of the Tarim Basin, Northwest China. In combination with previously reported data, we present stable molybdenum isotope (δ98/95Mo), TOC, and redox-sensitive trace elements to evaluate the sedimentary conditions in early Cambrian water column during the deposition of the black rock series in the Tarim Basin. Redox variation was documented based on enrichment factors (MoEF, VEF, and UEF) and redox-sensitiv elements ratios (Ni/Co, V/Cr, δU), etc. During the early Cambrian, there was transgressive event, and the sea level continues to rise. In the basal Cambrian, laminated chert-phosphorite assemble with low TOC concentrations suggest the oxic sedimentary condition in a restricted basin. Light Mo isotope values and redox sensitive elements enrichment in the carbonaceous shale layer indicate lack oxygenic sedimentary condition, and was suboxic/anoxic conditions during the transgressive phase. The hydrothermal fluids from the open ocean affected the whole deposition process of the black rock series.

Marine and Inland Water Resources in Eneolithic Communities. New Data from Sardinia （Italy）

This paper presents research aimed at identifying the methods with which prehistoric man interacted with marine and inland water environments. The objective is to determine the degree to which resources from these environments influenced the socio-economic organization of these peoples. The coastline around Cagliari and its hinterland （southern Sardinia, Italy） were chosen as the subject, on the basis of the presence of both the sea and several ponds. The territory is noted as being home to both Neolithic and Eneolithic settlements. Among these the archaeological excavation of the village of Su Coddu/Canelles produced a large quantity of malacofauna. Data has been processed from part of the settlement that gave radiocarbon dating from the period between 3640 and 2900 cal. BC, and in which it was possible to carry out the level of sampling that was necessary to complete the research. In particular this interdisciplinary project, which aims to make an overall study of the settlement, the data relating to the geography of the area, the archaeological documentation, the fauna and shell artefacts will be extrapolated. Numerous methods are applied above all in reference to the marines and ponds resources. Additionally, the morphological anatomical-comparative analysis （in order to determine the typology of the faunal remains and to identify each individual species） and the technological analysis of the manufactured shells （so as to detect the selection and the transformation type of raw materials） are accomplished. The research has led to the identification of a settlement model in which agriculture formed the primary means of subsistence, that was complemented by the rearing of livestock, through hunting and gathering. The exploitation of marine and inland waters resources, as food source, have to be important because 99% of the faunal remains are shells. Different shell species are recognized, among those the Ostrea edulis provides the raw material to produce bevelled objects, which are documented inside the settlement in considerable number. Some plant species, typical of the lagoon ecosystem, were used for building and craft production.

Geochemistry of Clayey Aquitard Pore Water as Archive of Paleo-Environment, Western Bohai Bay

The record of paleo-environment in clayey aquitard pore water is much more effective relative to aquifer groundwater owing to the low permeability of clayey aquitard. Oxygen-18（18O）, deuterium（D）, and chemical patterns were determined in pore water samples extracted from two 500 m depth boreholes, G1 and G2, in western Bohai Bay, China. Shallow pore water samples（depth〈102 m） are saline water, with the TDS（total dissolved solids） of 3.69–30.75 g/L, and deeper ones（depth=102–500 m） are fresh water, with the TDS〈1 g/L. Content of major ions（i.e., Cl-, Na＋, K＋, Mg2＋, SO2-4, Ca2＋） is high in marine sediment pore water samples and gradually decrease towards to terrestrial sediment pore water, together with the Cl/Br and Sr/Ba ratios changing significantly in different sedimentary facies along the study profile, indicating that pore water may be paleo-sedimentary water and not replaced by modern water. δ18O profile and positive correlation between δ18O and Cl- of shallow saline pore water indicated diffusion as the main transport mechanism, and distinguished four transgressive layers since Late Quaternary（i.e., Holocene marine unit, two Late Pleistocene marine units and Middle Pleistocene marine unit）, further supporting the finding that pore water retained the feature of paleo-sedimentary water. Climate was identified as the main influence on the isotopic signature of aquitard pore water and four climate periods were determined by δ18O profile.

Sedimentary Characteristics and Paleoenvironment of Shale in the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation, North Guizhou Province, and Its Shale Gas Potential

The Paleozoic Wufeng-Longmaxi shale is one of the main horizons for shale gas exploration in Sichuan Basin. Outcrop, core and thin section observations, X-ray diffraction analysis, trace element geochemistry and other methods have been used to understand the sedimentary characteristics and identify hydrocarbon source rocks in suitable sedimentary paleoenvironments in the Wufeng-Longmaxi shale in northern Guizhou Province. The thickness of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation ranges from 20 to 200 m and it was mainly deposited on a deep-water shelf. The TOC content is high, up to 5.75%. The main non-organic minerals are detrital quartz and clay minerals, with a little plagioclase feldspar, potassium feldspar, calcite, dolomite and pyrite. There is also biogenic microcrystalline quartz. Six lithofacies have been identified： siliceous shale, clay shale, calcareous shale, silty shale, carbonaceous shale, and muddy siltstone. Using biological Ba, V/（V＋Ni）, TOC, V/Cr, B, Sr/Ba and other indicators, we estimate primary productivity, redox conditions and paleosalinity and show that the early stage of Wufeng-Longmaxi deposition occurred under strong anoxic conditions, high paleosalinity and yielded a high TOC content and an excellent potential shale gas source. The anoxic environment was destroyed at the late stages of Wufeng-Longmaxi deposition, the TOC content decreased, so that it is likely to be a high quality source rock. Organic pores acted as the key reservoir space in the shales, and the pores are mainly mesopose, with most pore diameters less than 20 nm. The siliceous shale has high TOC content and brittle mineral（quartz） content making it an important exploration target for shale oil and gas exploration.

Spatial pattern and temporal trend of prehistoric human sites and its driving factors in Henan Province, Central China

The Yangshao Culture （approx. 6.9-5.5 ka BP） and the Longshan Culture （approx. 4.6-4.0 ka BP） played important roles in Henan＇s Neolithic Period. Due to spatial distribution of the Yangshao cultural sites, they had a river-oriented trend in comparison with those in the Longshan Period. Apart from terrain factors, distribution of the sites in both periods is subject to paleo-environmental changes. The Yangshao Culture originated in Holocene Optimum Period, and the Longshan Culture started in climatic fluctuations prior to Neolithic ending. But the latter owned more sites and wider scopes than the former did. Both the Cultures devel- oped fast in rich rainfall and warm periods, and withered for abrupt cooling events in 5.4 ka BP and 4.0 ka BP respectively. Therefore, the sustainability of Henan＇s Neolithic Cultures is not good as expected. Whilst, the ancient farming acted an irreplaceable part in distribution of human sites, and the need for farming space prompted human sites to expand from the western hilly areas towards the eastern plain of Henan. Moreover, the neighboring cultures poured into Henan and complicated the cultural patterns. Besides, characteristics of the sites in the Erlitou Period suggest that some social factors disturbed the spatial pattern at the end of Neolithic age in Henan.

Effect of Miocene basaltic volcanism in Shanwang (Shandong Province, China) on environmental changes

Miocene(16―10 Ma) basalts,together with significantly well-preserved fossils(including animal and plant fossils) in the contemporaneously tephra-rich Maar sediments,are located in Shanwang volcanic region,Shandong Province,China.Distribution area of the basaltic eruption products is about 240 km2.Detailed field observations indicate that most of basaltic rocks are fissure eruptive products and some are central eruptives constrained by linear faults.The well-preserved fossils in the lacustrine deposits have been considered to be a result of mass mortalities.Based on physically volcanologic modeling results,eruption column of the basaltic fissure activities in the Shanwang volcanic region is estimated to have entered the stratosphere.Petrographic observations indicate that the basalts have porphyritic textures with phenocrysts of olivine,pyroxene,plagioclase feldspar and alkali feldspar setting in groundmass of plagioclase feldspar,alkali feldspar,quartz,apatite and glass.Based on observations of tephra,tuff and tuffites collected in the Maar sediments of the Shanwang area,we determined major element oxide concentrations and volatile composition of melt inclusions in phenocrysts and matrix glasses by electron microprobe analysis.Volatile(including S,Cl,F and H2O) concentrations erupted into the stratosphere were estimated by comparing pre-and post-eruptive volatile concentrations.Our determination results show that contents of S,Cl,F and H2O emitted into the stratosphere were 0.18%― 0.24%,0.03%―0.05%,0.03%―0.05% and 0.4%―0.6%,respectively,which was characterized by high-S contents erupted.Amounts of volatiles emitted in the Shanwang volcanic region are much higher than those in eruptions which had a substantial effect on climate and environment.According to the com-positions and amounts of the volatiles erupted from the Miocene basaltic volcanism in Shanwang,we propose a hypothesis that volatile-rich basaltic volcanism could result in the mass mortalities by in-jecting volatiles(e.g.,SO2,H2S,HCl,HF and H2O) into the stratosphere that would have triggered abrupt environmental changes(including formation of acid rain,temperature decline,ozone depletion,etc.) and altered lake chemistry,and subsequently volcanic ash fall buried and covered the dead animals and plants,forming well-preserved fossils in Shanwang Maar sediments.

Soluble salt deposit in the Nihewan beds and its environmental significance

Observation and experimental analysis of soluble salt deposit along four profiles across the strata deposited in Nihewan paleolake basin enabled us to recognize the nature and evolution stages of the Nihewan paleolake and its significance in stratigraphical division and pa-leo-environmental reconstruction. The Nihewan paleolake was at least a weak-saline to semi-saline lake and represents an intracontinental lake in the semi-arid region. The lower member of sedimentary strata in the paleolake contains gypsum layer and gypsum lamellae. Soluble salt is mainly composed of SO42- and Ca2+ ions, representing a trend of the paleolake evolvinginto a stage of sulfate lake. The upper member of the strata has predominantly Cl-, K+, and Na+ ions in soluble salt, indicating a starting development of the paleolake to chlorite lake, but no salt rock was deposited, indicating a drying trend of the area.

Disastrous Abrupt Climate Events of Environment Change in Beijing in Recent 15,000 Years

In this paper, 197 samples were gathered from a 820 cm profile in Donganchi of Fangshan, Beijing. They provided a continuous record of vegetation and environmental change overca.15,000 aB. P.. By these records, it is concluded that in about 14, 100~14, 000 aB. P, the climate was cold and dry, which corresponds to Gothenburg Drift and interval between 10, 620 to10, 310 aB. P.. The rapid decline in pollen, charcoal concentrations and LOI implied a more cold-er climate and probably corresponded to Younger Dryas cooling event, at 5, 770 aB. P., 4, 650aB. P. and 2, 850 ~ 2, 650 aB. P., while the decline of forest cover showed three abrupt coldepisodes.