The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point （GSSP） for the base of the Hirnantian Stage （the uppermost of the Ordovician System）

The Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point （GSSP） for the base of the Hirnantian Stage （the uppermost of the Ordovician System） is defined at a point 0.39m below the base of the Kuanyinchiao Bed in the Wangjiawan North section. The section is located near Wangjiawan village, 42 km north of Yichang city （western Hubei, China）, at 30° 58′56″N and 111° 25′10″E. The GSSP level coincides with the first appearance of the graptolite species Normalograptus extraordinarius （Sobolevskaya）. Secondary markers include the onset of a positive carbon-isotope excursion, and a slightly earlier first appearance of Normalograptus ojsuensis （ Koren and Mikhailova ）. The Wangjiawan North section possesses continuity of sedimentation and biozonation with completeness of exposures, abundant and well-preserved graptolites and shelly fossils, i. e. the Hirnantia- Dalmanitina shelly fauna which is a key element for recognition of the Hirnantian Stage. The Wangjiawan North, South and Riverside sections possess favorable facies and widespread correlation potential, are free from structure complication, metamorphism and other alteration, and have good accessibility. The Riverside section in particular possesses amenability to isotopic age determination. The beginning of the Hirnantian was followed by a global episode of a major extinction event, which happened in the Diceratograptus mirus Subzone. The proposal was voted by the International Subcommission on Ordovician Stratigraphy in October, 2004, approved by the International Commission on Stratigraphy in February, 2006, and ratified by the International Union of Geological Sciences in May, 2006.

A brief history of the Rheic Ocean

The Rheic Ocean was one of the most important oceans of the Paleozoic Era. It lay between Laurentia and Gondwana from the Early Ordovician and closed to produce the vast Ouachita- Alleghanian-Variscan orogen during the assembly of Pangea. Rifting began in the Cambrian as a continua- tion of Neoproterozoic orogenic activity and the ocean opened in the Early Ordovician with the separation of several Neoproterozoic arc terranes from the continental margin of northern Gondwana along the line of a former suture. The rapid rate of ocean opening suggests it was driven by slab pull in the outboard Iapetus Ocean. The ocean reached its greatest width with the closure of Iapetus and the accretion of the peri- Gondwanan arc terranes to Laurentia in the Silurian. Ocean closure began in the Devonian and continued through the Mississippian as Gondwana sutured to Laurussia to form Pangea. The ocean consequently plays a dominant role in the Appalachian-Ouachita orogeny of North America, in the basement geology of southern Europe, and in the Paleozoic sedimentary, structural and tectonothermal record from Middle America to the Middle East. Its closure brought the Paleozoic Era to an end.

Speculations on the mechanisms for the formation and breakup of supercontinents

The supercontinent cycle has had a profound effect on the Earth＇s evolution since the Late Archean but our understanding of the forces responsible for its operation remains elusive.Supercontinents appear to form by two end-member processes：extroversion,in which the oceanic lithosphere surrounding the supercontinent（exterior ocean） is preferentially subducted（e.g.Pannotia）,and introversion in which the oceanic lithosphere formed between dispersing fragments of the previous supercontinent（interior ocean） is preferentially subducted（e.g.Pangea）.Extroversion can be explained by ＂top-down＂ geodynamics, in which a supercontinent breaks up over a geoid high and amalgamates above a geoid low. Introversion,on the other hand,requires that the combined forces of slab-pull and ridge push（which operate in concert after supercontinent break-up） must be overcome in order to enable the previously dispersing continents to turn inward.Introversion may begin when subduction zones are initiated along boundaries between the interior and exterior oceans and become trapped within the interior ocean.We speculate that the reversal in continental motion required for introversion may be induced by slab avalanche events that trigger the rise of superplumes from the core-mantle boundary.

Late syn-to post-collisional magmatism in Madagascar:The genesis of the Ambalavao and Maevarano Suites

The East African Orogen involves a collage of Proterozoic microcontinents and arc terranes that became wedged between older cratonic blocks during the assembly of Gondwana.The Ediacaran-Cambrian Ambalavao and Maevarano Suites in Madagascar were emplaced during the waning orogenic stages and consist of weakly deformed to undeformed plutonic rocks and dykes of mainly porphyritic granite but also gabbro,diorite and charnockite.U-Pb geochronological data date emplacement of the Ambalavao Suite to between ca.580 Ma and 540 Ma and the Maevarano Suite to between ca.537 Ma and522 Ma.Major and trace element concentrations are consistent with emplacement in a syn-to postcollisional tectonic setting as A-type(anorogenic) suites.Oxygen(δ^(18)O of 5.27‰-7.45‰) and hafnium(ε(Hf)(t) of-27.8 to-12.3) isotopic data from plutons in the Itremo and Antananarivo Domains are consistent with incorporation of an ancient crustal source.More primitive δ^(18)O(5.27‰-5.32‰) andε(Hf)(t)(+0.0 to+0.2) isotopic values recorded in samples collected from the Ikalamavony Domain demonstrate the isotopic variation of basement sources present in the Malagasy crust.The Hf isotopic composition of Malagasy zircon are unlike more juvenile Ediacaran-Cambrian zircon sou rces elsewhere in the East African Orogen and,as such,Madagascar represents a distinct and identifiable detrital zircon source region in Phanerozoic sedimentary provenance studies.Taken together,these data indicate that high-T crustal anatexis,crustal assimilation and interaction of crustal material with mantle-derived melts were the processes operating during magma emplacement.This magmatism was coeval with polyphase deformation throughout Madagascar during the amalgamation of Gondwana and magmatism is interpreted to reflect lithospheric delamination of an extensive orogenic plateau.

Origins of the supercontinent cycle

The supercontinent cycle, by which Earth history is seen as having been punctuated by the episodic assembly and breakup of supercontinents, has influenced the rock record more than any other geologic phenomena, and its recognition is arguably the most important advance in Earth Science since plate tectonics. It documents fundamental aspects of the planet＇s interior dynamics and has charted the course of Earth＇s tectonic, climatic and biogeochemical evolution for billions of years. But while the widespread realization of the importance of supercontinents in Earth history is a relatively recent development, the supercontinent cycle was first proposed thirty years ago and episodicity in tectonic processes was recognized long before plate tectonics provided a potential explanation for its occurrence. With interest in the supercontinent cycle gaining momentum and the literature expanding rapidly, it is instructive to recall the historical context from which the concept developed. Here we examine the supercontinent cycle from this perspective by tracing its development from the early recognition of long-term epi- sodicity in tectonic processes, through the identification of tectonic cycles following the advent of plate tectonics, to the first realization that these phenomena were the manifestation of episodic superconti- nent assembly and breakup.

Trial by fire:Testing the paleolongitude of Pangea of competing reference frames with the African LLSVP

Paleogeography can be reconstructed using various crust-or mantle-based reference frames that make fundamentally different assumptions.The various reconstruction models differ significantly in continental paleolongitude,but it has been difficult to assess which models are more valid.We suggest here a "LLSVP test",where an assumed correlation between present-day large low velocity shear-wave provinces and the paleogeography of supercontinent Pangea at breakup ca.200 million years ago can be used to assess the relative accuracy of published reconstructions.Closest correlations between continental paleolongitude and the African LLSVP are achieved with mantle-based reference frames(moving hotspots and true polar wander),whereas shallower crustbased reference frames are shown to be invalid.The relative success of mantle-based frames,and thus the importance of the depth of reference frame,supports the notion that mantle convection is largely vertical compared to the horizontal plate motion of tectonics.

Biostratigraphy and geography of the Ordovician-Silurian Lungmachi black shales in South China

Based on the new material of seven Ordovician-Silurian boundary sections investigated recently, together with previously published data, we analyze the temporal and spatial distributions of the Lungmachi black shales, a key petroleum source bed widely distributed in South China. The Lungmachi black shales range in age from the Normalograptus persculptus Biozone of the uppermost Ordovician to the Spirograptus guerichi Biozone of the lower Telychian, and ten graptolite biozones can be recognized within this unit. The basal and upper contacts of the Lungmachi black shales are diachronous. The basal contact ranges from the N. persculptus to the C. cyphus biozones, a span of five graptolite biozones over two stages. The upper contact ranges from the D. pectinatus-M. argenteus Biozone to the Spirograptus guerichi Biozone, which spans four graptolite biozones over two stages. The Yichang Uplift resulted in the formation of the Hunan-Hubei Submarine High in the border area of Hubei, Hunan, and Chongqing. This is supported by a break in sedimentation in this area spanning all or part of the Hirnantian, and in many areas extending into the underlying Katian and overlying Rhuddanian. Comparison of the distribution of the Katian to Rhuddanian strata in this area indicates a growth and subsequent reduction in area of the Hunan-Hubei Submarine High particularly in the Hirnantian to early Rhuddanian. This may partly represent the influence of the process of formation and melting of ice sheet in Ordovician South Pole and consequent sea level change.

Assessing the utility of dissolved organic matter photoreactivity as a predictor of in situ methylmercury concentration

Methylmercury（MeHg） bioaccumulation is a growing concern in ecosystems worldwide. The absorption of solar radiation by dissolved organic matter（DOM） and other photoreactive ligands can convert MeHg into less toxic forms of mercury through photodemethylation. In this study, spectral changes and photoreactivity of DOM were measured to assess the potential to control photoreactions and predict in situ MeHg concentration. Water samples collected from a series of lakes in southwestern Nova Scotia in June, August, and September were exposed to controlled ultraviolet-A（UV-A） radiation for up to 24 hr. Dissolved organic matter photoreactivity, measured as the loss of absorbance at 350 nm at constant UV-A irradiation, was positively dependent on the initial DOM concentration in lake waters（r^2=0.94）. This relationship was consistent over time with both DOM concentration and photoreactivity increasing from summer into fall across lakes. Lake in situ MeHg concentration was positively correlated with DOM concentration and likely catchment transport in June（r = 0.77） but not the other sampling months. Despite a consistent seasonal variation in both DOM and Fe, and their respective correlations with MeHg, no discernable seasonal trend in MeHg was observed. However, a 3-year dataset from the 6 study lakes revealed a positive correlation between DOM concentration and both Fe（r = 0.91） and MeHg concentrations（r = 0.51） suggesting a more dominant landscape mobility control on MeHg.The DOM-MeHg relationships observed in these lakes highlights the need to examine DOM photoreactivity controls on MeHg transport and availability in natural waters particularly given future climate perturbations.

华南奥陶-志留系龙马溪组黑色笔石页岩的生物地层学

基于湖北7条奥陶-志留系界线剖面的野外和室内工作,并参考邻近地区的剖面资料,详细讨论了这一地区龙马溪组黑色笔石页岩的顶、底界线,并对其时空分布进行了深入研究.扬子区龙马溪组黑色笔石页岩跨越了奥陶系-志留系的界线,从奥陶系赫南特阶顶部的Normalograptus persculptus带至志留系特列奇阶最底部的Spirograptus guerichi带,共包含10个笔石带.扬子区龙马溪组黑色笔石页岩的顶、底界线都是穿时的,其底界从N.persculptus带至Coronograptus cyphus带,共穿越了2个阶的5个笔石带;其顶界从Demirastrites pectinatus-Monograptus argenteus带到Spirograptus guerichi带,共穿越了2个阶的4个笔石带.受宜昌上升的影响,在湖北、湖南、重庆交界地区有一湘鄂水下高地.这一水下高地在赫南特期至鲁丹早期甚至更晚时间存在沉积缺失现象.通过对比晚奥陶世赫南特期和志留纪鲁丹早期该地区黑色笔石页岩的分布范围可以发现,从赫南特期至鲁丹早期,湘鄂水下隆起的影响范围逐渐收缩,这与赫南特冰期之后的全球冰川消融和海平面上升是一致的.

湖北恩施太阳河奥陶纪-志留纪之交沉积间断的研究

依据湖北恩施太阳河灯草坪奥陶系—志留系剖面的生物地层学和岩石学的研究,该剖面的沉积间断发生在Paraorthograptus pacificus带至Coronograptus cyphus带之间,共缺失5个笔石带。奥陶系、志留系之间黏土岩矿物分析显示,在奥陶系、志留系之间出现有高岭土,推断在其间可能上升为陆地。具体演变过程为:在晚奥陶世晚期P.pacificus带之前,该区属于黑色笔石页岩沉积环境;在P.pacificus带(也可能略早),该区抬升,形成水下高地,其沉积环境达到了水下风化面,出现了生物扰动现象,并伴有一定的水下动力作用;至奥陶纪最晚期—志留纪早期,该区进一步抬升,可能上升为陆地;至志留纪早期C.cyphus带,该区快速下降,恢复到黑色笔石页岩沉积环境。凯迪晚期的全球海平面下降和志留纪早期"华夏古陆"不断向西及西北扩展的耦合作用是导致该区上升为陆地的主要因素。对整个扬子地区奥陶纪-志留纪之交沉积间断的综合分析需要在多个剖面开展进一步的研究工作。

物种分布模型在古生物学研究中的应用

物种分布模型(Species distribution models,SDMs)是基于物种的生态位要求,通过将物种已知的分布数据和对应地区的环境数据联系起来,以预测该物种在不同时间和空间下的地理分布的一种数学工具。它为地史时期生物地理分布的重建、生物生态特征的分析及生物与地球环境协同演化研究等提供了一种新的途径。此方法具有研究精度高、预测效果好及应用广泛等优点,尤其适合开展高精度的古生物地理、古生态及生物宏演化等相关研究。文章着重介绍物种分布模型的基本原理及建模流程,在此基础上以笔石种Tang yagraptus typicus Mu作为建模实例进一步说明物种分布建模的详细步骤,最后概述此方法在古生物研究中的适用性及存在的问题。

古生物多样性统计方法及其适用性分析

以化石产出记录为对象,以时间段为单位的编目式物种多样性统计分析是古生物多样性研究的主要内容。由于地层和化石记录本身的不完整性,以及不同地区和时段各门类化石系统古生物学、生物地层学等方面研究程度的差异,使得多样性统计结果往往存在一定偏差,同时不合理的数学统计方法的选用也会对多样性演化形式产生进一步的误读。基于单一时间段内,不同化石延限类型对该时段物种多样性的贡献度的不同看法,存在多种不同的多样性统计方法。而针对时间段跨度、短延限分子比例和生物群多样性变化形式的不同情况,每一种统计方法各自具有一定的适用范围,合理的方法选择能够良好模拟真实情况;反之,不恰当的统计方法则会人为引进更多的偏差。提高原始数据精度、合理划分时间单元和采用不同统计方法对比研究,可以有效的减小偏差。