Copper Mineralization in the Lower Cambrian Cover of Jbel N’Zourk (Central Anti Atlas, Morocco): Tectonic-Mineralizations Relationships

The Moroccan Anti-Atlas is a vast geological region composed of a Precambrian basement covered by a late-Neoproterozoic to Paleozoic sedimentary sequences. More than 200 copper occurrences are listed in these sequences. The copper mineralization of the Jbel N’Zourk (Central Anti-Atlas) is observed into the lower Limestones of the lower Cambrian (Adoudou formation), just above the volcanic formations of the Jbel Boho between Bou Azzer El Graara and Zenaga inliers. The region is by an E-W shortening resulting in an overlapping structure with vergence associated with folds. Generally, the mineralization is hosted along the principal fault of Jbel N’Zourk and sometimes in the anticlines hinges. The petrographic study showed that the mineralization can be observed in several aspects, either in the fractures and veins, in small karsts or rarely disseminated in calcite and dolomite minerals. These observations host new arguments who contribute to a later reconcentration of the copper mineralization of Jbel N’Zourk, trapped on faulted and folded structures attributed to Variscan deformation.

New Vetulicoliids from the Lower Cambrian Guanshan Fauna, Kunming

The Guanshan Fauna, a soft-bodied fauna intermediate between the Chengjiang Fauna and the Kaili Fauna and also the Burgess Shale Fauna stratigraphically, consists of trilobites, trilobitoides, Tuzoia, Vetulicola, Paleoscolex, brachiopods and sponges. The discovery and research of this fauna is of great significance in understading the 'Cambrian Explosion' and the evolution of early life. The occurrence of vetulicoliids from the Guanshan Fauna not only adds new members to the taxonomic list, but also provides new information to the evolution of this animal group. This paper describe Vetulicola gantoucunensis Luo, Fu et Hu sp. nov. from the Lower Cambrian Wulongqing Formation in the Kunming area. Also presented are the amended description of Vetulicola and the comparisons with related genera within Vetulicoliids. The affinity, distribution, as well as evolution of vetulicoliids are discussed.

Geochemistry of Platinum Group and Rare Earth Elements of the Polymetallic Layer in the Lower Cambrian,Weng'an,Guizhou Province

The black shales of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in Weng＇an, on the Yangtze platform of south China, contain voluminous polymetallic sulfide deposits. A comprehensive geochemical investigation of trace, rare earth, and platinum group elements （PGE） has been undertaken in order to discuss its ore genesis and correlation with the tectono-depositional setting. The ore-bearing layers enrich molybdenum （Mo）, nickel （Ni）, vanadium （V）, lead （Pb）, strontium （Sr）, barium （Ba）, uranium （U）, arsenic （As）, and rare earth elements （REE） in abundance. High uranium/ thorium （U/Th） ratios （U/Th〉I） indicated that mineralization was mainly influenced by the hydrothermal process. The 8U value was above 1.9, showing a reducing sedimentary condition. The REE patterns showed high enrichment in light rare earth elements （LREE） （heavy rare earth elements （HREE） （LREE/HREE=5-17）, slightly negative europium （Eu） and cerium （Ce） anomalies （δEu=0.81- 0.93）, and positive Ce anomalies （δCe=0.76-1.12）. PGE abundance was characterized by the PGE-type distribution patterns, enriching platinum （Pt）, palladium （Pd）, ruthenium （Ru） and osmium （Os）. The Pt/Pd ratio was 0.8, which is close to the ratios of seawater and ultramafic rocks. All of these geochemical features suggest that the mineralization was triggered by hydrothermal activity in an extensional setting in the context of break-up of the Rodinian supercontinent.

Fossil Association from the Lower Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in the Yangtze Gorges Area,Hubei,South China

Apart from previously reported Small Shelly Fossils （SSFs）, a macroscopic fossil assemblage, comprising abundant algae, cone-shaped tubular fossil forms, and probable impressions of a megascopic metazoan, comes from the Lower Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area of western Hubei Province, south China. The visible fossils are preserved in thinlaminated siltstone or muddy siltstone intercalated between 8-15 ram-thick carbonate deposits, probably representing sedimentary settings of a constrained local depression in the shallow water carbonate platform during the Early Cambrian Meishucunian Stage. The macroscopic fossil association provides significant fossil evidence about the evolution of life from the late Precambrian to the ＇Cambrian explosion＇ interval.

From Basin Black Shales to Platform Carbonate Rocks:A Study on Sequence Stratigraphy for the Lower Cambrian of the Upper-Yangtze Region in South China

In the Upper-Yangtze region, especially in Guizhou Province and its adjacent areas, the Lower Cambrian is well developed and is marked by a succession from black shales of the basin facies to carbonate rocks of the platform facies. The drowning event of the platform occurring at the turn from Sinian to Cambrian resulted in a set of black shales, i.e. the Niutitang Formation, which makes up the bottom part of the Lower Cambrian. With the shoaling of the sedimentary environment, a set of carbonate rocks, i.e. the Qingxudong Formation, was formed in the top part of the Lower Cambrian. Thus, the Lower Cambrian in the study area makes up one second-order sequence that can be further subdivided into five third-order sequences, and forms a regularly cyclic succession of transgression-regression. There is a regularly vertical stacking pattern for the third-order sequences in the second-order sequence. From bottom to top, the succession of the ＂CS （condensed section） ＋HST （high-stand system tract）＂ of the third-order sequences is changed into the succession of the ＂TST （transgressive system tract）＋CS＋HST＂. Correspondingly, the drowning-type sequence boundary is changed into the exposure-type one. Therefore, both the second-order and the third-order sequences have similar sedimentary-facies architectures. A concomitant with these temporal changes, the Lower Cambrian with a thickness of 1000 m that contains five third-order sequences is changed into a condensed succession that cannot identify third-order sequences toward the southeast with the deepening of the sedimentary environment. According to the elementary features of the third-order sequences, i.e. the regularity o sedimentary-facies successions in space and the synchronism of sedimentary-environment changes in time, the detailed division of the third-order sequences at main logged sections in different paleogeographical background becomes the basis to establish the sequence-stratigraphic framework that can demonstrate two types of facies-changing surface and two types of diachronism in the stratigraphic records. This sequence-stratigraphic framework shows a growing process of the carbonate platform from the base of the condensed succession formed by black shales of basin facies. Resulting from the rapid transgression at the turn from Sinian to Cambrian the ecological space became open, which formed the antecedent condition of paleogeographical setting for ＂the Cambrian Biological Explosion＂. Ultimately, the genetic relationship between the depositional events and the biological-diversity events is very complex and there remain lots of problems that need further research in the future.

Trace Fossils from Lower Cambrian Wusongger Formation in Xiaoerbulake Outcrop,Kalpin Area,Xinjiang

Based on the analysis of trace fossils collected from the typical outcrop of the Lower Cambrian Wusongger Formation in the Kalpin area, ten ichnospecies of six ichnogenus were identified in the upper member of the Wusongger Formation, with most of them being found for the first time. The trace fossils are described seriatim. The ichnospecies are mainly represented by such common trace fossils as Ophiomorpha nodosa, Helminthopsis hieroglyphica, Helminthopsis ichnosp., Planolites beverleyensis, Planolites vulgaris, Planolites montanus, Palaeophycus striatus, Palaeophycus curvatus, Cochlichnus anguineus and Rituichnus elongatum. The trace fossils are of high diversity and low abundance, and can be diagnosed as the Cruziana ichnofacies. They can be interpreted as having formed in a shallow water environment.

Controls on the organic carbon content of the lower Cambrian black shale in the southeastern margin of Upper Yangtze

Control of various factors, including mineral components, primary productivity and redox level, on the total organic carbon(TOC) in the lower Cambrian black shale from southeastern margin of Upper Yangtze(Taozichong, Longbizui and Yanbei areas) is discussed in detail in this article. Mineral components in the study strata are dominated by quartz and clay minerals. Quartz in the Niutitang Formation is mainly of biogenic origin, and the content is in positive correlation with TOC, while the content of clay minerals is negatively correlated with TOC. Primary productivity, represented by the content of Mobio(biogenic molybdenum), Babio(biogenic barium) and phosphorus, is positively correlated with TOC. The main alkanes in studied samples are nCC, and odd–even priority values are closed to 1(0.73–1.13), which suggest the organic matter source was marine plankton. Element content ratios of U/Th and Ni/Co and compound ratio Pr/Ph indicate dysoxic–anoxic bottom water, with weak positive relative with TOC. In total, three main points can be drawn to explain the relationship between data and the factors affecting organic accumulation:(1) quartz-rich and clay-mineral-poor deep shelf–slope–basin environment was favorable for living organisms;(2) high productivity provided the material foundation for organic generation;(3) the redox conditions impact slightly on the content of organic matter under high productivity and dysoxic–anoxic condition.

Microfossils from the Chert in the Lower Cambrian Shuijingtuo Formation at Miaohe, Zigui, Hubei Province

This paper reports for the first time on the microfossils discovered in the black cherts of the basal part of the Lower Cambrian Shuijingtuo Formation at Miaohe village, Zigui County, Hubei Province, all of which were observed in thin sections. Nine genera, 9 species and 3 indeterminate species (including a new species) are described. According to these microfossils, the conclusion is made that the microfossil zone may be equivalent to the small shelly fossil assemblage zones 2—3 of the Meishucun stage. They have provided another important line of evidence for the correlation of the Sinian-Cambrian boundary strata with those of the adjacent areas.

The nature, type, and origin of diagenetic uids and their control on the evolving porosity of the Lower Cambrian Xiaoerbulak Formation dolostone, northwestern Tarim Basin, China

The study on Lower Cambrian dolostones in Tarim Basin can improve our understanding of ancient and deeply buried carbonate reservoirs.In this research,diagenetic fluid characteristics and their control on porosity evolution have been revealed by studying the petrography and in situ geochemistry of different dolomites.Three types of diagenetic fluids were identified:(1) Replacive dolomites were deviated from shallow burial dolomitizing fluids,which might probably be concentrated ancient seawater at early stage.(2) Fine-to-medium crystalline,planar-e diamond pore-filling dolomites(Fd1) were likely slowly and sufficiently crystallized from deep-circulating crustal hydrothermal fluids during Devonian.(3) Coarse crystalline,non-planar-a saddle pore-filling dolomites(Fd2) might rapidly and insufficiently crystallize from magmatic hydrothermal fluids during Permian.Early dolomitizing fluids did not increase the porosity,but transformed the primary pores to dissolution pores through dolomitization.Deep-circulating crustal hydrothermal fluids significantly increased porosity in the early stages by dissolving and then slightly decreased the porosity in the late stage due to Fd1 precipitation.Magmatic hydrothermal fluids only precipitated the Fd2 dolomites and slightly decreased the porosity.In summary,Devonian deep-circulating crustal hydrothermal fluids dominated the porosity evolution of the Lower Cambrian dolostone reservoir in the Tarim Basin.

Silicalites of Hydrothermal Origin in the Lower Cambrian Black Rock Series of South China

A silicalite bed was found in the hanging wall and foot wall of the sulfide-rich bed ofthe Lower Cambrian black rock series in South China. Its origin was not described before. Onthe oxide （SiO2-Al2O3, SiO-2-MgO, SiO2-K2O+ Na2O） diagrams for discriminating silicalitesof chemical, biological and volcanic origins （Liu Xiufeng, 1991）, most of the data points of silicalites fall within the areas representing silicaIites of chemical and volcanic origins. On the AlFe-Mn diagram for discriminating silicalites of hydrothermal and biological origins （Yamamoto,1987）, the data points fall within the areas representing silicalites of hydrothermal and hydrothermal-biological origins. On the SiO2-Al2O3 diagram for discriminating silicalites of hydrothermal and hydrogenous origins （Bonatti, 1975 ）, the data points mostly fall within thehydrothermal area. The ratios of SiO2Al2O3, SiO2/（K2O+Na2O）, SiO2/MgO, and K2O/Na2O in the silicalites stand between those of volcanic sediments and of sea floor hydrothermalsediments. The total amount of rareuearth elements in the silicalites is low; the North American Shale-normalized REE patterns decline leftward with obvious negative Ce anomaly. Thetrace elements Mo, Zn, As, Sb, Se, U, and Ba are higher than those in non-hydrothermalsediments and U/Th≥1. The present authors think that the silicalites are derived fromseafloor hot brines which had attracted elements from igneous rocks.

Simulating experiment on the enrichment of precious metals in Lower Cambrian black shale series of Hunan and Guizhou provinces

Adsorption experiments were made at room temperature and neutral pH value on different types of min-erals associated with the Lower Cambrian black shale series polymetallic layers in Hunan and Guizhou provinces on nanometer-sized Pt colloids and PtCl42--bearing ionic solutions with an attempt to constrain the relationship between the different types of minerals in the polymetallic layers and the enrichment of platinum group elements (PGEs). Experimental results showed that the different types of minerals show strong selectivity to the adsorption of nano-meter-sized Pt colloids and PtCl42--bearing ionic solutions. Metallic sulfides, organic matter and clay minerals are the strong adsorbents of PGEs, while quartz, albite, muscovite and other silicate minerals show a week adsorbility to both of them. This phenomenon is well consistent with the geological fact that metallic sulfides, organic matter and clay minerals in the polymetallic layers of the black shale series are the major carrier minerals of PGEs, giving a thorough explanation to the mechanism of enrichment of previous metal elements. Adsorption may be a principal mechanism of enrichment of precious metal elements under lower temperature conditions. The presence of the aforementioned strong adsorbents is the good geochemical barriers for the enrichment of PGEs.

Discussion on the PGE anomalies and source materials of K-bentonite(Bed 5) in the Lower Cambrian Meishucun section, Yunnan

The Meishucun section in Yunnan is the stratotype section for stratigraphic correlation of the Lower Cambrian strata across the Yangtze Block. Known for enriched small shelly fossils, it is a prominent section for investigating the Early Cambrian phosphogenic event.Pasˇava et al.(Econ Geol 105:1047–1056, 2010) reported anomalously high PGE concentrations in this section, up to576 9 10-9(434 9 10-9Pt, 142 9 10-9Pd) for the total PGE concentrations of a K-bentonite sampled from the bottom of Bed 5. This finding can illustrate two significant statements:(1) in addition to the attested polymetallic NiMo-PGE ore layer, another potential PGE enrichment layer exists with PGE concentrations up to the mineralization level; and(2) acid volcanics have high PGE contents overturning conventional views. To inspect whether the anomalous PGE concentration is pervasive, we investigated Bed 5 of the Meishucun section systematically, and sampled from a profile with a thickness of 3.5 m. The major and trace element geochemistry indicate the Bed5 K-bentonite is derived from acid volcanic ash. PGE concentrations were determined repeatedly by isotope dilution-ICP-MS using improved digestion technique(Qi et al., in J Anal At Spectrom 26:1900–1904, 2011), and were duplicated by fire assay method. The results showed that each sample had total PGE concentrations of less than0.90 9 10-9, and Pt ? Pd concentrations of no higher than0.70 9 10-9. Combined with the petrological and mineralogical features, and trace and rare earth element analyses,it is inferred that no generality of PGE enrichment exists in Bed 5 and that the anomalous PGE concentration is likely due to the nugget effect of volcanic ash modified by currents in a shallow coastal environment.

Main controlling factor and mechanism of gas-in-place content of the Lower Cambrian shale from different sedimentary facies in the western Hubei area, South China

The Lower Cambrian shale gas in the western Hubei area,South China has a great resource prospect,but the gas-in-place(GIP)content in different sedimentary facies varies widely,and the relevant mechanism has been not well understood.In the present study,two sets of the Lower Cambrian shale samples from the Wells YD4 and YD5 in the western Hubei area,representing the deep-water shelf facies and shallowwater platform facies,respectively,were investigated on the differences of pore types,pore structure and methane adsorption capacity between them,and the main controlling factor and mechanism of their methane adsorption capacities and GIP contents were discussed.The results show that the organic matter(OM)pores in the YD4 shale samples are dominant,while the inorganic mineral(IM)pores in the YD5 shale samples are primary,with underdeveloped OM pores.The pore specific surface area(SSA)and pore volume(PV)of the YD4 shale samples are mainly from micropores and mesopores,respectively,while those of the YD5 shale samples are mainly from micropores and macropores,respectively.The methane adsorption capacity of the YD4 shale samples is significantly higher than that of the YD5 shale samples,with a maximum absolute adsorption capacity of 3.13 cm^(3)/g and 1.31 cm^(3)/g in average,respectively.Compared with the shallow-water platform shale,the deep-water shelf shale has a higher TOC content,a better kerogen type and more developed OM pores,which is the main mechanism for its higher adsorption capacity.The GIP content models based on two samples with a similar TOC content selected respectively from the Wells YD4 and YD5 further indicate that the GIP content of the deep-water shelf shale is mainly 34 m^(3)/t within a depth range of 1000—4000 m,with shale gas exploration and development potential,while the shallow-water platform shale has normally a GIP content of<1 m^(3)/t,with little shale gas potential.Considering the geological and geochemical conditions of shale gas formation and preservation,the deep-water shelf facies is the most favorable target for the Lower Cambrian shale gas exploration and development in the western Hubei area,South China.

Evaluation of Shale Reservoir Quality by Geophysical Logging for Shuijingtuo Formation of Lower Cambrian in Yichang Area, Central Yangtze

Taking the shale of Shuijingtuo Formation of Lower Cambrian in Yichang area as the research object,the shale reservoir characteristics are comprehensively evaluated and classified by fitting regression and formula calculation method in this study,using laboratory testing and geophysical logging data.The results show that the interpretation data of ECS(elemental capture spectroscopy)logging has a high correlation with the measured minerals data,which can be a good method to evaluate the minerals component of the shale.The calculated content of brittle minerals at the lower part of Shuijingtuo Formation is the relatively highest,generally more than 40%,which is the most favorable segment for fracturing.The correlation coefficient between the interpretation data of CMR(combinable nuclear magnetic resonance)logging and the result of laboratory porosity test is 0.97,which can effectively and accurately evaluate the reservoir porosity.The evaluation results show that the porosity of the lower member of Shuijingtuo Formation is generally greater than 3%,while that of the upper member is generally less than 3%.The lower segment is with the relative optimal physical conditions.There is a good correlation between the acoustic logging data and the gas bearing content testing results.A gas bearing content evaluation model is established.The results show that the gas bearing content of the lower 20 m shale is generally more than 2%,indicating that the lower part is a shale gas enrichment segment.Mechanical parameters such as Young modulus,Poisson ratio and brittleness index of shale reservoir are evaluated by using the logging data of P-wave time difference and S-wave time difference.The continuous 15 m shale at the lower part is with the relatively optimal low Poisson ratio,high Young modulus and high brittleness index,developing the optimum brittle condition.Based on the evaluation and classification of above parameters,the shale is divided into three types.The TypeⅠis the optimal,mainly located at the bottom.Its thickness is 8.5 m in total.The TypeⅡmainly develops at the middle part.The TypeⅢis the worst,mainly at the upper part.

New Insight into Factors Controlling Organic Matter Distribution in Lower Cambrian Source Rocks: A Study from the Qiongzhusi Formation in South China

Sedimentary organic matter(OM) is a major reservoir of organic carbon in the global carbon cycle. Despite many studies, there still exist many debates on the mechanism of OM accumulation and preservation in marine sediments. We present a new field study of a Lower Cambrian shallow marine shelf sequence in the northern edge of the Yangtze Plate, China. Our results show that palynological OM and biogenic silica(Bio-Si) could be used alongside more conventional redox and paleo-productivity proxies to study the distribution of OM in marine sediments. The qualitative and quantitative study of palynological OM provides more detailed information on the nature of sedimentary organic carbon, which can be helpful in the assessment of primary productivity and OM preservation. In addition, the presence of Bio-Si stimulates the physical preservation of OM. Further analysis indicates that an increase in Bio-Si can promote OM preservation. This case-study provides insight into the intertwined factors controlling OM accumulation in the Early Cambrian.

Study of Noble Metal Elements in Lower Cambrian Black Rock Series of Guizhou-Hunan Provinces, China

Systematic analyses of noble metal elements in the Lower Cambrian black rock series of South China are reported. Correlations of w (Os)/ w (Ir), w (Au)/ w (Ir), w (Ag)/ w (Au), w (Pt+Pd)/ w (Os+Ru+Rh+Ir), relations of noble metal and platinum group element (PGE) distribution patterns reveal that the noble metals are not directly from extraterrestrial materials. Studying the data of 9 aspects, the authors conclude that the noble metals were mainly from ultramafic mafic igneous rocks and their enrichment in black rocks is mainly controlled by hydrothermal fluid.

Pore characteristics and formation mechanism of high-maturity organic-rich shale in Lower Cambrian Jiumenchong Formation,southern Guizhou

In order to investigate pore characteristics and formation mechanism in the high-maturity organic-rich shale of Lower Cambrian Jiumenchong Formation in southern Guizhou,the pore structure,pore type and storage properties are well studied through the rock thin section,total rock X-ray diffraction,lowtemperature nitrogen adsorption,high pressure mercury injection-adsorption test,helium porosity test,argon ion polishing-scanning electron microscope,thermal evolution and pore evolution history reconstruction,and based on the diagenesis and compaction as well as thermal evolution process,a microscopic pore formation and evolution model of high-maturity organic-rich shale are established.The result shows that the high-maturity organic-rich shale of Jiumenchong Formation has the average total specific surface area of 12.66m^(2)/g and the total pore volume of 11.54×10^(-3)cm^(3)/g,and the total specific surface area have a positive correlation with total pore volume;the total specific surface area and the total pore volume are slightly lower compared with the Lower Silurian shale.The pores are dominated by micropores and mesopores,while macropores are very rare.The pores of the organic-rich shale mainly are organic pores with small diameter usually less than 30 nm,and the pore boundary form is irregular,the inorganic mineral pores are not developed.Compared with the Silurian shale,the shale has poorer reservoir property,the average porosity is only 2.80%;the horizontal permeability is 1e3 times of the vertical permeability,indicating the horizontal lamellations are not developed.The formation and evolution of pores in high-maturity organic-rich shale is jointly influenced by the evolutionary process of intergranular pores of inorganic mineral under the control of the diagenesis and compaction,the organic pore formation process in the hydrocarbon generation-oil formation-oil and gas transformation sequence under the control of thermal evolution,and the natural gas loss-supply equilibration process under the condition of later pore preservation.

Reservoir characteristics and controlling factor of shale gas in Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation, South China

Large-scale exploration and development of shale gas in Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation of South China has been carried out in recent years,but the result is not good,only except some drilling wells in Jingyan-Qianwei area of Sichuan Basin and Yichang of Hubei obtain some commercial gas flows.In order to clarify reasons for failure of shale gas exploration and development in Niutitang Formation around Sichuan Basin and to provide reservoir geological parameters for subsequent efficient exploration and development,taking a case of shale gas reservoirs in Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in northeast Chongqing around Sichuan Basin,some experimental methods,such as analysis of organic carbon pyrolysis,determination of equivalent vitrinite reflectance,focused ion beam scanning electron microscope(FIB-SEM)and other are adopted in this study.The results show that the average TOC of shale samples in Niutitang Formation in northeast Chongqing is 3.1%,the equivalent vitrinite reflectance ranges from 3.0%to 4.0%,and the degree of thermal evolution reaches the post-matureemetamorphic stage.Due to excessively high degree of the thermal evolution,organic pores in shale samples are not developed in Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in the study area,instead,micro-nano pores dominated by intergranular pores and intragranular pores are developed in the shale.The degree of the thermal evolution controls the sustaining gas generation of kerogen and retained liquid hydrocarbons in the shale,it also controls the development of organic pores of the shale.The evolution of organic pores and hydrocarbon generation in the shale of Niutitang Formation in northeast Chongqing around Sichuan Basin do not match best with each other,that is,during development period of a large number of organic pores,thermal evolution degree of reservoirs is further enhanced because the strata are not uplifted in time,therefore,the quantity of organic pores is decreased sharply,the shale gas would be escaped due to the absence of organic pores as effective storage space after the shale gas generation.Therefore,the efficient exploration and development of the shale gas in Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in South China should be focused on the shale development area where the shale is characterized by moderate thermal evolution degree(2.0%<R_(o)<3.0%)and shallow buried depth,that is,the shale distribution area with paleo-uplift or paleo-buried hill.

Source tracing of noble metal elements in Lower Cambrian black rock series of Guizhou-Hunan Provinces, China

The Lower Cambrian black rock series of South China is abnormally rich in noble metal elements. According to the concentrations, the ratios, the relations, the distribution and partition patterns of noble metal elements, the authors think that the noble metals and other elements are neither directly from extraterrestrial materials, nor from the products of normal marine sedimentation. The abnormal enrichment of noble metal elements is closely related with hydrothermal fluid that flew out on the sea floor through deep cycling and reaction with Proterozoic ultramafic-mafic igneous rocks forming noble metal rich fluid. It is possible to form industrial multiple-element-ore-deposits, especially hydrothermal type platinum-group-element-ore-deposits in the region with strong hydrothermal action.

Quadrapyrgites from the lower Cambrian of South China:growth pattern,post-embryonic development,and affinity

Quadrapyrgites is a microfossil reported with embryonic and post-embryonic stages from the lower Cambrian small shelly fauna of South China,and is closely related to Olivooides.Their development mode and systematic positions are hot topics in palaeoembryology and evolutionary biology in recent years,but are still under debate.Here,we present a description on the growth pattern and post-embryonic development of Quadrapyrgites quadratacris recovered from the lower Cambrian of South China.The growth zone of Q.quadratacris is situated at the oral end,and new terminal lobes are generated within the oral aperture.The terminal lobes are first in control of the opening and closure of the tubes,and later transferred to be crests,thus elongating the tubes.The post-embryonic development is characterized by a one-by-one addition of crests on the post-embryonic tissue,and an ontogenetic sequence with crest number from 1 to 17 is reconstructed.During the ontogeny,the embryonic tissue remains stable in size and morphology.The oral aperture is the only opening of the tubes,while a possible anus on the apical end does not occur.Quadrapyrgites was proposed to be the sister group of Olivooides,and now this is strengthened by the identical growth pattern and post-embryonic development.The comprehensive data from anatomy,growth pattern and post-embryonic development reject the stemlineage cycloneuralian affinity for Quadrapyrgites and Olivooides,and instead support a coronate scyphozoan hypothesis.