The Neoproterozoic banded iron formations(BIFs)were closely associated with the“Snowball Earth”during the breakup of the Rodinia,thus they played an important role in our understanding of the atmospheric and oceanic...The Neoproterozoic banded iron formations(BIFs)were closely associated with the“Snowball Earth”during the breakup of the Rodinia,thus they played an important role in our understanding of the atmospheric and oceanic oxygen levels during this period.In this contribution,the Neoproterozoic(ca.737 Ma)Baijianshan BIF at Southeast Tarim,northwestern China was identified.Magnetite is the dominated iron-species,which occurs as the lamina interbedded with chert.The BIF contains low concentrations of trace elements,and is depleted in light rare earth elements(LREEs)based on comparison with the Post-Archean Australian Shale(PAAS).In addition,the BIF exhibits slightly positive La-Eu anomalies,negligible Ce anomalies,insignificant Y anomalies,chondritic Y/Ho ratios(23-32),and slightly chondritic initial ε_(Nd)(t=737 Ma)values(−0.45 to 1.46,averaging 0.37).All these features indicate that the precipitation of Baijianshan BIF was closely related to the submarine low-T hydrothermal fluids with little detrital contribution.Moreover,the Baijianshan BIF is characterized by the significant enrichment of heavy Fe isotopes,with δ^(57)Fe_(IRMM-014) values ranging from 1.78‰ to 3.05‰,revealing the partial oxidation of Fe^(2+) into Fe^(3+) during the precipitation of this BIF.Our data suggest that the formation of Baijianshan BIF was closely associated with a significantly reducing ocean,which most likely was isolated from the oxidized atmosphere by a local ice sheet.This Neoproterozoic Baijianshan ocean has the initial oxygen levels as low as,or even lower than that of Archean and Paleoproterozoic oceans.展开更多
Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of banded iron formations (BIFs) is characterized by high anisotropy and well-developed bedding-parallel magnetic foliation. Since most previous studies were focused on pala...Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of banded iron formations (BIFs) is characterized by high anisotropy and well-developed bedding-parallel magnetic foliation. Since most previous studies were focused on palaeomagneism of BIFs and BIF-derived iron ores, little effort has been made to further understand this special type of AMS for BIFs. A detailed theoretical analysis, incorporating with the previous experimental data, is made to understand the formative mechanism of this special anisotropy for BIFs. The good consistence between the theoretical and experimental results demonstrates that this type of anisotropy is likely caused by the layered structure of BIFs, and thus verifies the term of textural anisotropy for BIFs. Theoretical analysis also shows that in the negligence of the inter-layer magnetic action BIF’s apparent anisotropy increases with an increase in intrinsic susceptibility of magnetic layers, but decreases with an increase in length-to- diameter ratio of the magnetic layer.展开更多
The earliest Precambrian microbial structures appear in successions with banded iron formations (BIF) suggesting genetic relationships. The hypothesis of the deep ocean origin of BIFs associated with Mid-Ocean Ridge (...The earliest Precambrian microbial structures appear in successions with banded iron formations (BIF) suggesting genetic relationships. The hypothesis of the deep ocean origin of BIFs associated with Mid-Ocean Ridge (MOR) like features seems to have been recently supported by the discovery of peculiar microbial ecosystems with unique faunal assemblages restricted to these volcanic vents. However, new sedimentological evidence points to the accumulation of varved BIF in huge, very shallow lakes of hydrothermal-water situated on continental plates while passing through thePolar Regions, where UV radiation is minimal. The mineral-rich solutions seeped from numerous fumaroles, providing suitable conditions for chemical reactions between inorganic components, incidentally creating organic-like self-multiplying molecules long before the biologically-initiated BIF deposition. Some of these early chemoautotrophic prokaryotes developed oxygenic photosynthesis during half a year of solar illumination. The released oxygen formed iron oxides and carbonates deposited with amorphous silica (geyserite) in laminae as BIF during 3.8 - 1.9 Ga. BIF deposition consumed most of the photosynthetic oxygen for 1.4 billion years. Intensified cyanobacteria oxygenic photosynthesis during 2.4 - 2.2 Ga raised the atmospheric oxygen content (Great Oxidation Event) over the Polar Regions, forming an oxygen-ozone shield against UV radiation. It gradually extended to lower latitudes, enabling prokaryotes to leave their ecologically stable habitat and acclimatize in new ecosystems, where they diversified, leading to eukaryote evolution. The 231/2° inclination of Earth’s rotation axis differentiated the solar effect on the Polar Regions, which controlled life evolution on Earth, as well as on planet Mars (25° inclination), where life probably did not evolve beyond early prokaryotes.展开更多
The results of silicon isotope analyses of Precambrian BIF are reported for the first time. The δ<sup>30</sup>Si values of magnetite-quartzite in the Gongchangling ore deposit are between —0.9 and —2.2...The results of silicon isotope analyses of Precambrian BIF are reported for the first time. The δ<sup>30</sup>Si values of magnetite-quartzite in the Gongchangling ore deposit are between —0.9 and —2.2‰, which are obviously different from those in host rocks （0.2——0.6‰）. It is suggested that the BIF may be a product of chemical precipitation in Archean submarine hydrothermal environment. There is a possibility of using silicon isotopes to distinguish the protolith of metamorphic rocks and trace the origin of silicon of altered minerals.展开更多
基金funded by the Fundamental Research Fund for central universities(Grant No.B16020127)。
文摘The Neoproterozoic banded iron formations(BIFs)were closely associated with the“Snowball Earth”during the breakup of the Rodinia,thus they played an important role in our understanding of the atmospheric and oceanic oxygen levels during this period.In this contribution,the Neoproterozoic(ca.737 Ma)Baijianshan BIF at Southeast Tarim,northwestern China was identified.Magnetite is the dominated iron-species,which occurs as the lamina interbedded with chert.The BIF contains low concentrations of trace elements,and is depleted in light rare earth elements(LREEs)based on comparison with the Post-Archean Australian Shale(PAAS).In addition,the BIF exhibits slightly positive La-Eu anomalies,negligible Ce anomalies,insignificant Y anomalies,chondritic Y/Ho ratios(23-32),and slightly chondritic initial ε_(Nd)(t=737 Ma)values(−0.45 to 1.46,averaging 0.37).All these features indicate that the precipitation of Baijianshan BIF was closely related to the submarine low-T hydrothermal fluids with little detrital contribution.Moreover,the Baijianshan BIF is characterized by the significant enrichment of heavy Fe isotopes,with δ^(57)Fe_(IRMM-014) values ranging from 1.78‰ to 3.05‰,revealing the partial oxidation of Fe^(2+) into Fe^(3+) during the precipitation of this BIF.Our data suggest that the formation of Baijianshan BIF was closely associated with a significantly reducing ocean,which most likely was isolated from the oxidized atmosphere by a local ice sheet.This Neoproterozoic Baijianshan ocean has the initial oxygen levels as low as,or even lower than that of Archean and Paleoproterozoic oceans.
文摘Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of banded iron formations (BIFs) is characterized by high anisotropy and well-developed bedding-parallel magnetic foliation. Since most previous studies were focused on palaeomagneism of BIFs and BIF-derived iron ores, little effort has been made to further understand this special type of AMS for BIFs. A detailed theoretical analysis, incorporating with the previous experimental data, is made to understand the formative mechanism of this special anisotropy for BIFs. The good consistence between the theoretical and experimental results demonstrates that this type of anisotropy is likely caused by the layered structure of BIFs, and thus verifies the term of textural anisotropy for BIFs. Theoretical analysis also shows that in the negligence of the inter-layer magnetic action BIF’s apparent anisotropy increases with an increase in intrinsic susceptibility of magnetic layers, but decreases with an increase in length-to- diameter ratio of the magnetic layer.
文摘The earliest Precambrian microbial structures appear in successions with banded iron formations (BIF) suggesting genetic relationships. The hypothesis of the deep ocean origin of BIFs associated with Mid-Ocean Ridge (MOR) like features seems to have been recently supported by the discovery of peculiar microbial ecosystems with unique faunal assemblages restricted to these volcanic vents. However, new sedimentological evidence points to the accumulation of varved BIF in huge, very shallow lakes of hydrothermal-water situated on continental plates while passing through thePolar Regions, where UV radiation is minimal. The mineral-rich solutions seeped from numerous fumaroles, providing suitable conditions for chemical reactions between inorganic components, incidentally creating organic-like self-multiplying molecules long before the biologically-initiated BIF deposition. Some of these early chemoautotrophic prokaryotes developed oxygenic photosynthesis during half a year of solar illumination. The released oxygen formed iron oxides and carbonates deposited with amorphous silica (geyserite) in laminae as BIF during 3.8 - 1.9 Ga. BIF deposition consumed most of the photosynthetic oxygen for 1.4 billion years. Intensified cyanobacteria oxygenic photosynthesis during 2.4 - 2.2 Ga raised the atmospheric oxygen content (Great Oxidation Event) over the Polar Regions, forming an oxygen-ozone shield against UV radiation. It gradually extended to lower latitudes, enabling prokaryotes to leave their ecologically stable habitat and acclimatize in new ecosystems, where they diversified, leading to eukaryote evolution. The 231/2° inclination of Earth’s rotation axis differentiated the solar effect on the Polar Regions, which controlled life evolution on Earth, as well as on planet Mars (25° inclination), where life probably did not evolve beyond early prokaryotes.
文摘The results of silicon isotope analyses of Precambrian BIF are reported for the first time. The δ<sup>30</sup>Si values of magnetite-quartzite in the Gongchangling ore deposit are between —0.9 and —2.2‰, which are obviously different from those in host rocks （0.2——0.6‰）. It is suggested that the BIF may be a product of chemical precipitation in Archean submarine hydrothermal environment. There is a possibility of using silicon isotopes to distinguish the protolith of metamorphic rocks and trace the origin of silicon of altered minerals.
