豫西鲁山寒武系馒头组微生物岩旋回及其演化

河南鲁山地区寒武系第三统馒头组三段上部碳酸盐岩中发育了大量微生物岩,包括3种类型核形石和2种类型凝块石,其内发现了大量钙化的蓝细菌化石Girvanella(葛万菌)和Epiphyton(附枝菌)。根据凝块石-核形石—鲕粒的演化关系,可识别出5个微生物岩旋回。凝块石总是位于微生物岩旋回的底部,形成于潮下低能环境中;核形石位于旋回的中部,形成于潮下低-高能周期性变化的环境中;鲕粒灰岩出现在旋回的顶部,发育于持续搅动的潮下高能环境中。水动力条件的逐渐增强是微生物岩类型及其旋回演化的主控因素。     

苏、皖北部震旦纪叠层石及其沉积环境学意义

根据苏、皖北部震旦纪叠层石的外形、大小、颜色及纹层特征,结合其它沉积构造特征,探讨水体能量、光照及沉积作用等环境因素对叠层石生长的影响,以此找出叠层石上具有指相意义的某些生态学特征。目前发现,大型层状、层柱状叠层石往往与浅水低能沉积物共生;分叉不发育的大、中型柱状叠层石则与具周期性变化的浅水高能沉积物共生;分叉发育的柱状叠层石与变化不定的浅水高能沉积物共生;平行分叉的小型柱状叠层石则与中-次中等能量沉积物共生。值得注意的是,环境的变化使一些叠层石形态也随之变异,形成一系列过渡类型,引起分类上的混淆。叠层石纹层表面积与水深往往成反比梯变,这也许与藻席受光照的充足程度有关。叠层石及其围岩的原生色也可作为了解当时水体化学性质及生物对矿物的富集作用的线索。     

豫西寒武系微生物岩中的葛万菌化石及其微观结构*

葛万菌(Girvanella)是由一个相互串联着的细胞列和外部包绕的多糖质黏性胶鞘组成的蓝细菌化石,是豫西寒武系微生物岩中最常见的钙化微生物。葛万菌丝状体在不同的微生物岩中具有不同的排列方式。潮间带环境中的叠层石其葛万菌主要发育在暗色纹层中,丝状体呈规则的水平状分布。在低能的鲕粒滩滩间或滩后洼地环境中形成的核形石形态及圈层结构均不规则,葛万菌丝状体在其核心和暗色纹层中整体表现为不规则的密集缠绕状;高能鲕粒滩环境中的核形石形态浑圆,圈层结构规则,葛万菌丝状体在核形石暗色纹层中多沿切线方向分布。凝块石形成于台地鲕粒滩滩间局限海环境中,葛万菌丝状体相互交织成不规则团块状发育在凝块中。巨鲕形成于台地鲕粒滩滩间海环境,葛万菌丝状体在内圈层呈密集缠绕状分布,在外圈层则沿切线方向展布。虽然葛万菌群的排列方式在不同微生物岩中有所不同,但是单个葛万菌丝状体的特征相似。在偏光显微镜下,葛万菌丝状体呈略弯曲的无分枝、不分节、细长管状,相互缠绕叠覆;单管由深灰色的管壁(胶鞘)和中间明亮的管芯(细胞列)组成。在电子显微镜下,葛万菌的管壁由直径1—2μm沿径向放射排列的粒状或短柱状方解石组成,为葛万菌光合作用诱导产生的生物矿物;管芯直径10—20μm,长度50—200μm不等,由圆柱状方解石组成,为成岩期重结晶所致。根据葛万菌的显微结构,结合现代管状蓝细菌的特征,葛万菌由短杆状细胞而非球状细胞组成,其结构应为由短杆状细胞组成的细胞列、细胞壁和细胞外的胶鞘(EPS)。     

陕南川北志留系特列奇阶宁强组礁相中的微生物岩和钙藻

分布于扬子区西北缘宁强-广元地区志留系宁强组以约三千米厚的浅水相泥页岩,海相红层夹灰岩为特征,部分灰岩层段中发育生物礁,通过对礁灰岩的微相分析表明,菌藻类可通过四种方式参与造礁过程;1）叠层石;2）凝块岩;3）核形石;4）钙藻碎屑堆积,其中以叠层石和凝块岩最为常见,它们对灰泥基质起显著的粘结作用。而核形石和钙藻相对较少,有的叠层石出现于礁顶相并作为后生动物骨架岩造礁衰减的标志。     

河南登封寒武系第三统张夏组核形石与遗迹化石的耦合变化

河南登封关口剖面寒武系第三统张夏组下部碳酸盐岩中发育了大量的微生物成因的核形石和后生动物遗迹化石。在野外和显微镜下对核形石和遗迹化石进行观察,并统计它们在地层中所占比例,表明核形石和遗迹化石存在着耦合关系。下部地层以发育凝块石和形状不规则、纹层不连续、代表一种低能弱搅动水体的Ⅰ型核形石为主,不含遗迹化石,表明此时微生物在海洋生态系统中占主导地位。中部地层则以发育浑圆形、纹层连续的Ⅱ型核形石和遗迹化石Planolites为特征;而且随水体能量的增强,Planolites丰度逐渐升高,核形石丰度逐渐降低;二者的丰度变化说明后生动物的存在对核形石的数量有一定影响,但未破坏核形石的生长条件。上部地层发育大量Thalassinoides和生物扰动构造,缺乏核形石;后生动物对沉积基底进行反复扰动,彻底破坏了原始层理以及微生物造岩的环境,核形石消失。可见,在张夏组沉积时期,微生物与后生动物以及环境之间存在着特殊的相互作用关系。     

低温对水稻小孢子的形成与发育影响的细胞学研究

水稻小孢子形成与发育对于环境条件影响较为敏感,特别是对高、低温尤为敏感,国内外曾有不少报道。本文对水稻在自然低温条件下小孢子形成和发育的过程,进行细胞形态和结构的观察,以探讨低温的敏感期的影响及其机理。     

石灰岩特有植物圆叶乌桕叶表皮形态特征及其生态适应性研究

采用扫描电子显微镜和光学显微镜,对石灰岩特有植物圆叶乌桕与同属的乌桕、山乌桕的叶表皮微形态进行观察,比较3个种的叶表皮形态特征,分析圆叶乌桕在石灰岩地区生长的环境适应特点。结果表明:圆叶乌桕叶下表皮细胞小且呈无规则型,细胞排列紧密;气孔集中分布于下表皮,气孔密度和气孔指数相对最小;气孔类型是无规则型,无副卫细胞;圆叶乌桕上下叶表皮有厚角质层和蜡质层,蜡被呈片状和网状。圆叶乌桕的叶表皮微形态特征反映了它对石灰岩生境的适应性较强。     

塔里木板块塔中上奥陶统良里塔格组的核形石

核形石包壳特征是分类的重要依据,包壳形态在一定程度取决于其生长环境中的水流能量因素.塔中油田3口井上奥陶统凯迪阶良里塔格组礁滩相所显示的生态指标具有差异性,其中核形石形态学与其产出层位沉积时的能量条件具有很大程度的协同.全包裹型圆形或椭圆形核形石多见于颗粒厌岩和泥粒状灰岩,代表中-高能沉积环境;正常核形石在高能环境出现频率较大;薄皮型核形石多为中等能量的产物;半包裹型核形石多见于灰泥基质的粒泥状灰岩-泥粒状灰岩,指示水流能量偏低的环境,复合型核形石具备半包裹型和全包裹型核形石特征,代表水动力条件相对较强、中高等能量相互交替的环境.     

贵阳花溪地区下三叠统大冶组中Phycosiphon形态结构分析及其古环境意义

贵阳花溪地区下三叠统大冶组二段Phycosiphon数量丰富、保存完整,为研究其行为习性提供了良好材料。对61个样品中的267个“U”型叶片的宽、高和边缘管直径统计分析表明,“U”型叶片宽、高比一般在0.5–0.6之间,边缘管直径和叶片高之比在0.12–0.18之间,据此推测Phycosiphon造迹生物大小与叶片大小存在一定的关系。对Phycosiphon造迹生物行为习性进行了研究分析,认为叶片的凹曲方向可以指示造迹生物的觅食方向。Phycosiphon基本形态由“U”型觅食迹和线形爬行迹构成,“U”型觅食迹和线形爬行迹可以构成鹿角状、团状、不规则状以及链状四种组合类型。鹿角状和团状多形成于浊流事件之前,指示低能静水环境;不规则状一般形成于浊流事件之后,指示沉积速率较快和相对高能的水体环境;链状在这两种环境中都有发育,体现了Phycosiphon造迹生物随机性觅食的特点。Phycosiphon发育特征表明研究区在早三叠世处于浅海碳酸盐台地前缘斜坡地带,浊流频发,但整体处于贫氧、低能的环境。     

四川龙门山地区下泥盆统平驿铺组的遗迹化石

四川龙门山甘溪剖面下泥盆统平驿铺组的滨浅海相地层中赋存无脊椎动物遗迹化石,可识别出居住迹、停息迹、觅食迹3大类,鉴定为11属,包括Arenicolites,Chondrites,Cylindrichnus,Diplocraterion,Palaeophycus,Planolites,Phycodes,Rhizocorallium,Rusophycus,Skolithos和Thalassinoides。根据遗迹化石特征及其沉积环境,可识别出5个遗迹组合:1)Planolites-Palaeophycus遗迹组合,主要由觅食迹组成,指示低能的砂质近滨环境;2)Rusophycus-Phycodes遗迹组合,主要是觅食迹和停息迹,形成于低能的近滨环境;3)Chondrites-Palaeophycus遗迹组合,主要是居住迹和觅食迹,反映了贫氧低能的近滨下部环境;4)Skolithos-Cylindrichnus遗迹组合,主要由居住迹组成,形成于高能的前滨环境;5)Skolithos-Diplocraterion遗迹组合,主要为居住迹和觅食迹组合,反映了低能、食物丰富的近滨上部环境。     

Origin and evolution of an Upper Jurassic complex of carbonate buildups from Zegarowe Rocks (Kraków–Wieluń Upland, Poland)

The Upper Jurassic complex of Zegarowe Rocks is situated on the Kraków–Wieluń Upland in southern Poland. The complex is dominated by massive limestones representing carbonate buildups. The successive stages of carbonate buildup development include: colonisation, aggradational growth and progradation phases. In the colonisation phase, on top of loose peloidal-ooid sands micritic peloidal thrombolites developed. Peloidal and agglutinated thrombolites and stromatolites proliferated during the aggradational growth phase, whereas the progradation phase was characterised by shallowing and related development of agglutinated stromatolites with coprolites. The latter were the effect of periodical stabilisation of detrital sediments by microbial mats. The Zegarowe Rocks complex developed upon an elevation of the Late Jurassic stable northern shelf of the Tethys. This elevation was formed due to local decrease in subsidence rate, induced by the presence of a Palaeozoic granitoid intrusion in the shelf substratum. The carbonate buildups of the Zegarowe Rocks complex, initially developing as sediment-starved mounds upon fault-controlled intraplatform highs under strongly restricted background sedimentation rate, were replaced by agglutinated microbial reefs.     

Stratigraphy and microfossils (radiolarians and planktonic foraminifers) of the Upper Cretaceous (upper Santonian–lower Campanian) Struganik limestone (Western Serbia)

Radiolarians and planktonic foraminifers were studied from several sections of the Upper Cretaceous lithographic limestones near Struganik Village (Western Serbia). These deposits were formed in a local basin, in a low-energy sedimentary environment surrounded by a shallow-water carbonate platform. The Struganik limestone is represented by alternating micritic limestone with calcarenite, rudite and tuffaceous rocks. The sections of the Struganik limestone have a narrow stratigraphic interval that covers the upper Santonian and probably includes the lower Campanian, with a total thickness reaching 120–150 m. The radiolarian zones Crucella robusta and Afens perapediensis were traced within the unit. The foraminiferal zone Dicarinella asymetrica was tentatively identified.     

Rare earth and yttrium elements (REY) patterns of mesostructures of Miaolingian (Cambrian) thrombolites at Jiulongshan,Shandong Province,China

The relationship between the thrombolitic mesostructures and their depositional environments is still poorly understood due to inconsistent results by sedimentary investigation. Rare earth elements plus yttrium (REY) in ancient microbialites have been extensively applied to paleoenvironmental studies owing to their fractionation in different depositional environments. In order to investigate the environmental controls on thrombolitic mesostructures, we present the REY concentrations and patterns of four types of mesostructures of the Miaolingian (Cambrian) thrombolites in the Changhia Formation at the Jiulongshan section, Shandong Province, China. The REY compositions of those thrombolites show two distinctive groups: (1) light REY depleted patterns with negative Ce anomalies in spotted (SM) and layered mesostructures (LM) of thrombolites; and (2) flat patterns with weak Ce anomalies in dendritic (DM) and meshed mesostructures (MM) of thrombolites. Controlling factors analysis reveals that terrigenous detritus inputs have stronger influence on REY in SM and LM. In contrast, early diagenetic porewaters from underlying sediments have more serious impacts on REY concentrations and patterns in DM and MM. Our results clearly indicate that SM and LM were formed under oxic marine settings with minor terrigenous inputs, whereas DM and MM formed under suboxic marine settings suffered from early diagenetic porewater from underlying sediments. This new geochemical evidence suggests that thrombolitic mesostructures were strongly influenced by paleoenvironment, and REY of thrombolites with controlling factors analysis can be utilized as effective proxies for paleoenvironments.     

Coralline red algal limestones of the late Eocene alpine Foreland Basin in Upper Austria: Component analysis, facies and palecology

Summary Late Eocene sediments of the Upper Austrian Alpine Foreland Basin discordantly overlie Mesozoic and crystalline rocks, which are deeply eroded and form a distinct pre-Eocene relief. Late Eocene deposits contain red algal limestones with a remarkable lateral extent and a high diversity of sedimentary facies. Towards the south the algal limestones change into more clastic sediments, which are characterized by larger foraminifera and bryozoans. Main components are coralline algal branches and detritus, coralline crusts, rhodoliths, peyssonneliacean aggregates and crusts, nummulitid and orthophragminid foraminifera, corals, bryozoans, as well as terrigenous components. Rank correlation and factor analysis were calculated in order to obtain informations about relations between components. Hierarchical cluster analysis allowed the designation of 17 facies, most of them are dominated by coralline algae. Actualistic comparisons and correlations obtained from statistical analyses allowed the reconstruction of the depositional environments. Main features of the northern area are huge accumulations of unattached coralline algae (branches, rhodoliths, detritus), which are comparable to the present-day “Maerl”-facies. They formed loose frameworks cut by sand channels. The frequency of coralline detritus decreases upsection. Peyssonneliacean algae in higher parts of the profiles show growth-forms that are comparable to peyssonneliaceans of the Mediterranean circalittoral soft bottoms. This succession can be interpreted by an increasing relative sea level. Besides, crustose coralline algal frameworks were growing on morphological highs which are partially comparable to the present-day “Coralligéne de Plateau” of the Mediterranean Sea. In contrast to the northern area, sedimentation rate of the southern area is too low to keep up with rising sea level. The typical succession from nummulitid- to orthophragminid-and bryozoan-dominated facies can be interpreted by an increasing water depth from shallowest subtidal to the deeper photic zone and finally to the aphotic zone.     

Microbialites and global environmental change across the Permian-Triassic boundary: a synthesis

Permian-Triassic boundary microbialites (PTBMs) are thin (0.05-15 m) carbonates formed after the end-Permian mass extinction. They comprise Renalcis-group calcimicrobes, microbially mediated micrite, presumed inorganic micrite, calcite cement (some may be microbially influenced) and shelly faunas. PTBMs are abundant in low-latitude shallow-marine carbonate shelves in central Tethyan continents but are rare in higher latitudes, likely inhibited by clastic supply on Pangaea margins. PTBMs occupied broadly similar environments to Late Permian reefs in Tethys, but extended into deeper waters. Late Permian reefs are also rich in microbes (and cements), so post-extinction seawater carbonate saturation was likely similar to the Late Permian. However, PTBMs lack widespread abundant inorganic carbonate cement fans, so a previous interpretation that anoxic bicarbonate-rich water upwelled to rapidly increase carbonate saturation of shallow seawater, post-extinction, is problematic. Preliminary pyrite framboid evidence shows anoxia in PTBM facies, but interbedded shelly faunas indicate oxygenated water, perhaps there was short-term pulsing of normally saturated anoxic water from the oxygen-minimum zone to surface waters. In Tethys, PTBMs show geographic variations: (i) in south China, PTBMs are mostly thrombolites in open shelf settings, largely recrystallised, with remnant structure of Renalcis-group calcimicrobes; (ii) in south Turkey, in shallow waters, stromatolites and thrombolites, lacking calcimicrobes, are interbedded, likely depth-controlled; and (iii) in the Middle East, especially Iran, stromatolites and thrombolites (calcimicrobes uncommon) occur in different sites on open shelves, where controls are unclear. Thus, PTBMs were under more complex control than previously portrayed, with local facies control playing a significant role in their structure and composition.     

Evolution of an isolated carbonate bank during Oligocene,Miocene and Pliocene times,Cayman Brac,British west Indies

Summary Modern carbonate sedimentation in the Caribbean Sea commonly occurs on banks that are surrounded and isolated by deep oceanic water. This depositional regime also occurred during the Tertiary, and many islands, such as Cayman Brac, have sequences that evolved in such settings. Cayman Brac is a small (about 39 km²) island, located on the Cayman Ridge, that has an exposed Oligocene to Pliocene succession which encompasses three unconformity-bounded formations. The upper Lower Oligocene Brac Formation is formed ofLepidocyclina limestones and sucrosis dolostones that locally contain numerous bivalves and gastropods. The overlying Lower to Middle Miocene Cayman Formation is formed of pervasively dolomitized mudstones to grainstones that contain an abundant, diverse biota of corals, gastropods, bivalves, foraminifera, and algae. Rhodolites are locally common. The Pliocene Pedro Castle Formation is formed of limestones, dolostones, and dolomitic limestones that contain a biota which is similar to that in the Cayman Formation. The unconformities between the formations represent substantial periods of time during which the previously deposited carbonates were lithified and eroded to produce karst terrains. All facies in the Brac, Cayman, and Pedro Castle formations on Cayman Brac developed on a bank that was no more than 20 km long and 3 km wide. There is no evidence of reef development other than isolated thickets ofStylophora and/orPorites and no systematic stratigraphic or geographic changes in the facies patterns of the formations. Comparison with modern Caribbean banks shows that the depositional regime was primarily controlled by water depth and energy levels. Limestones of the Brac Formation probably accumulated in low-energy conditions in water less than 10 m deep. The overlying Cayman Formation contains facies that formed in water 15 to 30 m deep with good cross-bank circulation. The Pedro Castle Formation formed in slightly shallower water (5–25 m) and lower energy conditions. The disconformities between the packages correlate with world wide eustatic drops in sea level.     

Tide-dominated Middle Devonian sequence from the northern part of the Holy Cross Mountains (Central Poland)

Summary The dolomitic Wojciechowice Formation distinctly differs from the remaining, mainly shaly Middle Devonian succession in northern part of the Holy Cross Mountains (Central Poland). The upper Member of the Formation (Crystalline Dolostone Mb.), in greater part dolomitized but also containing limestone beds, is composed of shallowing-upward cyclothems well exposed in Skaly quarry in the Bodzentyn syncline. The lower parts of the cyclothems, interpreted as subtidal facies, contain fossils characteristic for restricted environments. They are grouped into two assemblages. The first, with brachiopods (largeBornhardtina andEmanuella), massive stromatoporoids, and subordinate gastropods and amphiporoids is related to a deeper subtidal environment, while the second (mainly amphiporoids, gastropods, ostracodes and calcareous algae) is shallower subtidal. Towards the top of succession the fossil content radically decreases. The upper parts of cyclothems are composed mainly of different types of laminites. In these parts of the section, interpreted as intertidal/supratidal units, stromatolites, desiccation polygons, intraformational breccias, and common bioturbations are present. The whole succession was deposited in a low-energy environment, only intermittently affected by high-energy events. For their most spectacular example of this, aBornhardtina-coquinite, a tempestitic origin is proposed. The interval with cyclic sedimentation studied correlates with the dolomitized lower “Unit I” of the Stromatoporoid-Coral Kowala Formation from the southern part of the Holy Cross Mountains, which exhibits sabkha-type cyclicity. The differences in development of cyclothems in both regions resemble outer and inner part of an extensive platform, and correspond well with basic trends of the Lower-Middle Devonian transgression in the Holy Cross Mountains. The general succession of formations deposited during this process coincides with transgressive events on Johnson's eustatic curve for the Devonian.     

Anthracoporella mounds in the Late Carboniferous Auernig Group,Carnic Alps (Austria)

Summary A heretofore undocumented example of skeletal mounds formed by the dasycladacean algaAnthracoporella spectabilis is described from mixed carbonate-clastic cycles (Auernig cyclothems) of the Late Carboniferous (Gzhelian) Auernig Group of the central Carnic Alps in southern Austria. The massive mound facies forms biostromal reef mounds that are up to several m thick and extend laterally over more than 100 m. The mound facies is developed in the middle of bedded limestones, which are up to 16 m thick. These limestones formed during relative sea-level highstands when clastic influx was near zero. The mound facies is characterized by well developed baffler and binder guilds and does not show any horizontal or vertical zonation. Within the massive mound faciesAnthracoporella is frequently found in growth position forming bafflestones and wackestones composed of abundantAnthracoporella skeletons which toppled in situ or drifted slightly.Anthracoporella grew in such profusion that it dominated the available sea bottom living space, forming ‘algal meadows’ which acted as efficient sediment producers and bafflers. BecauseAnthracoporella could not provide a substantial reef framework, and could not withstand high water turbulence, the biostromal skeletal mounds accumulated in shallow, quiet water below the active wave base in water depths less than 30 m. The massive mound facies is under- and overlain by, and laterally grades into bedded, fossiliferous limestones of the intermound facies, composed mainly of different types of wackestones and packstones. Individual beds containAnthracoporella andArchaeolithophyllum missouriense in growth position, forming “micromounds’. Two stages of mound formation are recognized: (1) the stabilization stage when bioclastic wackestones accumulated, and (2) the skeletal mound stage when the sea-bottom was colonized byAnthracoporella and other members of the baffler and binder guilds, formingAnthracoporella bafflestones and wackestones of the mound facies. A slight drop in sea-level led to the termination of the mound growth and accumulation of organic debris, particularly calcareous algae, fusulinids, crinoids and bryozoans, forming well bedded limestones, which overlie the mound facies