Evolution of Carbon Isotope Composition in Potential Global Stratotype Section and Point at Luoyixi, South China, for the Base of the Unnamed Global Seventh Stage of Cambrian System

This work deals with the evolution of carbon isotope composition in the Luoyixi （罗依溪） Section, a candidate of the Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point （GSSP）, defining the base of the as-yet-undefined seventh stage of Cambrian System at the first appearance of the cosmopolitan agnostoid Lejopyge iaevigata. This level is favored in a vote of International Subcommission on Cambrian Stratigraphy （ISCS） as the biohorizon for defining the base of a global stage. Two hundred and sixty-four samples for carbon and oxygen isotope analysis have been collected from the carbonate successions at an interval of 0.25 to 0.5 m in this section. Results of the carbon isotope data exhibit a remarkable disciplinarian trend. The pattern of the carbon isotope evolution is gently undulant with a relatively long period during the underlying Drumian Stage, and then the values of δ13C fluctuate sharply with a short period in provisional seventh stage. The onset of sharp fluctuation in the δ13C values begins at the proposed GSSP level, defining the base of the global seventh stage, where δ13C values change from a gentle trend to a sharp trend. Distinct covariant-relationships among δ13C,δ18O, and sea level fluctuations suggest that a warming change in paleoclimate took place during the early global seventh stage, which led to a positive shift in δ13C values.

Recently Ratified and Proposed Cambrian Global Standard Stratotype-section and Points

This paper briefly summarizes an officially ratified Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point （GSSP） and a proposed GSSP for global stages of the Cambrian System. The Luoyixi section near Luoyixi town, Guzhang, northwestern Hunan is ratified as the boundary stratotype for the base of the global Guzhangian Stage, which is the upmost stage of an unnamed series termed provisionally as Cambrian Series 3. The GSSP position lies 121.3 m above the base of the Huaqiao Formation in the section, coinciding with the first appearance of the cosmopolitan agnostoid trilobite Lejopyge leavigata.The Duibian B section at Duibian village, Jiangshan, western Zhejiang, is proposed as the boundary stratotype for the base of the proposed global Jiangshanian Stage that is the second stage of the Furongian Series. The proposed GSSP position lies 108.12 m above the base of the Huayansi Formation in the section, coinciding with the first appearance of the cosmopolitan agnostoid trilobite Agnostotes orientalius. This horizon is also with the first appearance of the cosmopolitan polymerid trilobite lrvingella angustilimbata.

全球寒武系第三统第七阶GSSP候选剖面的碳同位素地层

湘西罗依溪剖面包含有被国际地层委员会寒武系分会表决通过的、确定全球寒武系第三统第七阶底界的球接子三叶虫Lejopygelaevigata的首现点位,是全球寒武系第三统第七阶GSSP的候选剖面。野外按0.25—0.5m的样品间距,对该点位附近的碳酸盐岩采取了264件碳、氧同位素样品,分析结果表明全球寒武系第三统Drumian阶上部δ13C值呈恒幅波状演化、波动范围较小,δ18O波动强烈、幅度较大;而第七阶下部δ13C值跳跃强烈、幅度较大,总体表现为高值,δ18O值波动减弱、趋向低值;全球寒武系第三统第七阶底部的候选GSSP正好处于δ13C值由恒幅波动向剧烈跳跃的转折处。第七阶早期δ13C值、δ18O值及海平面三者之间存在较好的耦合关系,表现为海平面上升到最高位置、δ13C值较高、δ18O值较低,造成耦合的原因可能为全球气候变暖,大量淡水流向海洋、海域扩大,初始生产率提高,较多12C为生物所摄取,导致海水中13C的浓度相对升高,沉积的碳酸盐岩具有较高的δ13C值。同时,由于最大海泛期洋流活动频繁,对江南斜坡带沉积作用有一定影响,致使碳酸盐岩沉积物的碳、氧同位素组成变化较大。