皖南休宁新元古界-下寒武统沉积岩的有机碳同位素记录

皖南休宁县蓝田地区震旦系皮园村组和下寒武统荷塘组主要由硅质岩和黑色页岩组成。皮园村组硅质岩的分析结果表明:δ13Corg分析值落在-36.39‰—-31.45‰范围之内,而且从该剖面的底部到顶部呈现出逐步下降的趋势,可能归之于大气和海洋中O2/CO2比值上升,生物氧化作用增强所致;有机碳(TOC)含量<1%,有机氮(TON)含量<1‰,两者均处于蓝田地区埃迪卡拉系—下寒武统地层的最低值,证明晚震旦世时期该地区海洋生物产量比前期(蓝田期)海洋产量显著下降,可能归之于海水加深,不利于海洋生物的繁殖。荷塘组黑色页岩的δ13Corg分析值落在-33‰—-31‰范围之内,TOC和TON含量与皮园村组比较有大幅度提高,尤其黑色页岩下段TOC含量达到13.85%,证明早寒武世海洋生物得到了大发展。由于新元古代冰期后海洋藻类的大量涌现和早寒武世海洋生物得到大发展,生物光合作用产生大量的O2,导致大气和海水中O2/CO2比值进一步升高,可能是引发“寒武纪生物大爆发”的重要因素。     

皖南震旦纪-早寒武世沉积岩有机碳、氮元素记录

安徽南部晚震旦世蓝田组、皮园村组和早寒武世荷塘组主要由黑色页岩和硅质岩组成。分析结果表明,蓝田组和荷塘组的总有机碳(可达10％--18％)和总有机氮(可达2．0‰--2．6‰)的高含量,应归于富有机质埋藏所致,反映新元古代末次冰期后和早寒武世海洋浮游生物处于大发展时期。由于海洋植物的光合作用产生大量O2,并消耗大量CO2,导致大气中O2／CO2比率明显增加,为震旦纪晚期多细胞真核生物的辐射、后生动物的出现和‘寒武纪生物大爆发’提供了条件。蓝田组黑色页岩中部的有机碳与有机氮含量大体呈现正比例增加,并且分别达到17．74％和2．66‰的最高值,与该剖面发现的蓝田植物群相对应;荷塘组黑色页岩的有机碳和有机氮垂直分布曲线之间呈现相互背离,即有机氮含量与时增加,而有机碳含量与时减少,与扬子地台相应的地层层位产生的澄江动物群相对应,表明TON和TOC分布特征有可能与早期生物演化历程相关。     

稳定碳同位素技术在北京市公园湖泊沉积物有机质来源分析与评价中的应用

湖泊是陆地水圈的重要组成部分,湖泊沉积物是水体污染物的源和汇,北京湖泊生态环境和环境质量评价越来越受关注。本研究对2012—2013年北京市19个公园湖泊表层沉积物中δ13Corg、C/N值及TOC、TON含量进行分析,探讨了湖泊生产力分布、湖泊营养输入、表层沉积物营养含量以及各沉积物有机质来源。结果表明,湖泊表层沉积物由于存在地域差异,δ13Corg、C/N、TOC、TON含量的差别较大、湖泊生产力与营养水平各不相同;通过有机指数评价法推断,所研究的湖泊中只有3个湖泊较清洁,其他均受到不同程度的有机污染;结合δ13Corg(-27.6‰~-22.1‰)和C/N(8.2~58.1)2个特征值对沉积物进行有机质来源的定性及半定量分析,推断出北京市公园湖泊有机质大多来源为污水有机质,应主要从控制污水输入方面降低湖泊污染风险。     

新太古代-古元古代东海岩群双湖石墨矿成因:来自有机碳同位素的证据

中国北方古元古代孔达岩系内含有丰富的石墨矿,其地质年龄主要集中在20-23亿年之间;片麻岩系中石墨的碳同位素值主要分布在-22.8‰到-21.5‰之间,被认为来源于古代有机质沉积后的变质作用;而少量石墨的碳同位素数据在-10‰到-5‰之间,接近热液来源的碳同位素,被认为与无机来源有关。苏鲁高压变质带中的石墨矿勘查过程中,发现了出露赋存在新太古代-古元古代东海岩群班庄组中的双湖石墨矿。此前中国科研人员对新太古代-古元古代石墨矿的研究,主要集中在华北板块。本次研究对华北板块与华南板块之间的苏鲁造山带的东海岩群班庄组中的碳酸盐岩以及石墨,分别进行了无机碳同位素与有机碳的地球化学研究。结果发现东海岩群班庄组石墨的有机碳同位素大致分布在-22‰到-32‰之间,吻合此前古元古代的有机碳同位素数据,表明该套石墨沉积为生物成因。     

龙感湖沉积物碳、氮同位素记录的环境演化

通过对龙感湖沉积物样品中δ13Corg、δ15N、有机碳与总氮比值(C/N)、总有机碳(TOC)和总氮(TN)含量的测定,分析了自1948年以来龙感湖沉积物有机质的来源,探讨了湖泊生产力变化以及随后的沉积演化过程.结果表明:在这个沉积历史阶段中,湖泊沉积物有机质以自生有机物源为主,大型水草发育,伴有低等藻类参与,湖泊沉积物受陆源输入影响较小,基本不受城市污染物的输入影响,但受流域农业化肥大量使用的影响较大;随着营养物质的输入,湖泊的初级生产力逐渐增大,藻类开始发育;在沉积历史上L2点附近低等藻类相对发育早,但L1点沉积物相对能够固定更多的营养盐.     

松辽盆地中部青山口组-姚家组界线上下的古湖泊特征及古气候响应

松辽盆地从青山口组沉积期到姚家组沉积期有重大的古湖泊环境与古气候变化.根据对松辽盆地中部X-22井青山口组-姚家组界线上下12.20 m地层的TOC、δ13 Corg和HI等参数的分析,将该沉积期古湖泊的演化分为三个阶段.最下部TOC含量相对较高、δ13 Corg偏负、HI中等,反映了当时气候温暖湿润,湖水较深,有机质来源于高等植物和部分藻类,湖底呈还原环境.向上TOC和HI急剧降低,δ13 Corg略偏正,反映了气候开始变得干热,湖水变浅,湖底呈弱氧化环境,有机质主要来源于高等植物.到了最上部开始出现红层,TOC含量更低,δ13 Corg进一步偏正,反映气候更加于热、湖水更浅,湖底呈强氧化环境.δ13 Corg在界线处出现小幅度的正偏,与G-12井的研究结果一致.     

新元古代大塘坡组黑色页岩中的甲藻甾烷及其生物学意义

大塘坡组黑色页岩为中国扬子地台新元古代间冰期沉积。在湖北长阳古城和湖南花垣民乐的大塘坡组黑色页岩中检测到沟鞭藻的生物标志化合物——甲藻甾烷,这是目前国内地质时代最早的甲藻甾烷的检出报道,结合其它化石资科,表明沟鞭藻与其它真核藻类的系统发生至少在新元古代就已经完成、这与真核生物在新元古代冰期结束前就有很大发展的推测相一致。     

黄土典型坝系流域碳沉积特征及其源解析

沉积物信息能够反映流域侵蚀环境变化,研究沉积物碳赋存规律对流域侵蚀过程和生态恢复具有重要指示意义。本文选取黄土高原典型坝系流域,通过土壤沉积剖面取样和室内测试分析,同时利用稳定同位素技术,分析了坝地及沟道沉积土壤剖面的碳分布特征及其来源解析。结果显示：（1）淤地坝沉积土壤总碳含量和土壤有机碳含量变化范围分别为12.80-14.76 g/kg和1.34-3.53 g/kg;沟道沉积土壤总碳含量和土壤有机碳含量变化范围分别为13.61-17.86 g/kg和1.52-5.04 g/kg。（2）淤地坝土壤总碳含量在土壤深度0-100 cm和350-500 cm区间波动较为平缓,100-350 cm波动较大;沟道0-200 cm土壤层总碳含量沉积变化较大,而200-390 cm土壤层变化平缓。淤地坝和沟道沉积土壤有机碳含量随土壤深度增加呈现降低趋势。（3）淤地坝有机碳同位素变化范围为-23.96‰——22.09‰,整体上呈现表层土偏正,并随土壤深度增加而呈现偏负的趋势;沟道沉积土壤有机碳同位素变化范围为-27.04‰——24.58‰,随土壤随深度增加呈现偏正的趋势。（4）羊圈沟坝地表层土壤有机碳多来源于灌木（占96.80%）,沟道表层土壤有机碳则多来自于灌木和草地（分别占62.05%、32.4%）。     

渤海辽东湾海域表层沉积物有机质特征、来源及环境评价分析

为探究渤海辽东湾海域有机质的分布特征及其输入源,2014年8月于辽东湾采集了沉积物表层样品,并检测了有机质的生物地球化学指标:总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)以及碳、氮同位素。结果表明:辽东湾表层沉积物样品的TOC变化范围为0.23%—1.76%,平均值为0.72%;TN的变化范围为0.02%—0.09%,平均值为0.04%。有机碳同位素值在-23.89‰—-21.82‰,平均值为-22.34‰;氮同位素的值处于5.27‰—9.68‰之间,平均值为7.43‰。粒度对碳、氮同位素值的影响不大,人为因素会对碳、氮同位素的检测结果造成影响。有机污染评价显示辽东湾的西南部及东北部海域受到一定程度的生态污染。依据经典的二元计算模式,辽东湾海源有机质贡献比例范围为51.77%—86.31%,平均值为77.66%。因此辽东湾海域的有机质输入源主要为海源有机质,陆生有机质来源主要是陆生C3植物。研究结果对于渤海陆海统筹的生态保护修复与区域污染防治提供一定的科学依据,为打响渤海攻坚战提供有力的数据参考。     

长江三峡地区上震旦统稳定同位素异常及地层意义

三峡地区广泛发育的上震旦统,及下伏的南沱组和古城组冰碛层,有良好的生物地层控制及全球对比意义。新秭归城附近的雾河剖面,自南沱组顶部到水井沱组下部出露有利于化学地层学研究的一系列碳酸盐岩沉积,对这一剖面的碳,氧,锶同位素研究发现：1）碳,锶和氧同位素在陡山沱组顶部到灯影组底部存在明显异常;2）碳同位素在寒武系-前寒武系界线附近有负异常;3）碳同位素和锶同位素在剖面上的演化具有全球对比意义;4）陡山沱组顶部到灯影组底部的碳,锶同位素异常,与可能存在末远古纪的冰期,即所谓的“后Marinoan冰期”有关。     

塔里木柯坪地层区中-上奥陶统萨尔干组碳酸盐岩微相和古地理

塔里木板块西北柯坪地层区中-上奥陶统萨尔干组的分布和相变受控于当时西浅东深的海底深度差异。萨尔干组的厚度10米左右,为富含有机物的黑色页岩并夹少量灰岩薄层或透镜体。位于研究区西南的伽师西克尔剖面缺失大部分奥陶纪地层,上奥陶统铁热克阿瓦提组碎屑岩不整合于下-中奥陶统鹰山组灰岩之上,中-晚奥陶世的大部分时段属于暴露海面的剥蚀区;北部乌什的亚科瑞克剖面无萨尔干组岩性单元,为红色居多且粒度偏粗的碎屑岩夹白云岩薄层,属于近岸带碎屑岩为主的沉积区。西克尔向东北延伸150km至柯坪羊吉坎亦无萨尔干组,与萨尔干组同期沉积的地层在此表现为大湾沟组上部浅海灰岩的相变,且与上奥陶统桑比阶坎岭组偏深水相的红色薄层含泥瘤状灰岩之间呈整合接触;由西向东出露于柯坪苏巴什沟、柯坪大湾沟、阿克苏四石厂3个剖面的萨尔干组黑色泥页岩指示典型的滞流盆地相,而夹含于萨尔干组下部和上部的薄层灰岩之微相特征差异甚为显著,表现为该组下部可见数层密集砂屑颗粒形成泥粒状灰岩或颗粒灰岩,可解释为西部相邻的浅海碳酸盐岩台地区灰岩经重力流搬运后的再沉积;而该组上部含生屑泥状灰岩则属滞流盆地相区类似于黑色页岩环境的正常沉积。从羊吉坎灰岩台地到苏巴什沟滞流盆地相之间距离仅20余千米,坡度偏大是导致重力流形成的主要原因。     

Origin, sequence stratigraphy and depositional environment of an upper Ordovician (Hirnantian) deglacial black shale, Jordan

The upper Ordovician succession of Jordan was located 60°S, less than 100 km from the Hirnantian ice sheet margin. New graptolite dates indicate glaciation ended in Jordan in the late Hirnantian (persculptus Biozone). The succession records two glacial advances within the Ammar Formation and the subsequent deglaciations. Organic-rich black shales (Batra Formation) form part of the final deglacial transgressive succession that in-filled an existing low stand glacial continental shelf topography. The base of the black shale is coincident with the maximum flooding surface. During transgression, interfluves and sub-basin margins were breached and black shale deposition expanded rapidly across the region. The top of the black shales coincides with peak highstand. The “expanding puddle model” (sensu Wignall) for black shale deposition, adapted for the peri-glacial setting, provides the best explanation for this sequence of events.

We propose a hypothesis in which anoxic conditions were initiated beneath the halocline in a salinity stratified water column; a fresher surface layer resulted from ice meltwater generated during early deglaciation. During the initial stages of marine incursion, nutrients in the monimolimnion were isolated from the euphotic zone by the halocline. Increasing total organic carbon (TOC) and δ¹³C_org up section indicates the organic carbon content of the shales was controlled mainly by increasing bioproductivity in the mixolimnion (the Strakhov model). Mixolimnion nutrient levels were sustained by a continual and increasing supply of meltwater-derived nutrients, modulated by obliquity changes in high latitude insolation. Anoxia was sustained over tens to hundreds of thousands of years. The formation of black shales on the north Gondwana shelf was little different to those observed in modern black shale environments, suggesting that it was the nature of the Ordovician seas that pre-disposed them to anoxia.     

峡东地区埃迪卡拉系陡山沱组疑源类生物地层序列

峡东地区埃迪卡拉系陡山沱组自下而上可分4个岩性段:第1段为1.5-5m具帐篷和板裂构造的"盖帽白云岩";第2段是90-120m白云质灰岩夹黑色页岩,富含燧石结核;第3段为40-70m的白云岩夹燧石层和燧石结核;第4段10-20m为黑色碳质页岩夹碳酸盐岩透镜体.根据对该区九龙湾、王丰岗、田家园子、九曲脑、晓峰河、樟村坪等多条陡山沱组剖面的重新调查,确认第2和第3段分别含有不同的疑源类组合,二者被之间出现的δ13C负漂移(EN2)所分隔.下组合以Tianzhushania和高分异的具刺疑源类出现为特征.上组合与下组合的区别是:(1)Tianzhushania绝迹;(2)出现大量表面光滑,介于90-150μm的球状膜壳;(3)高分异的具刺疑源类既包括下伏上延的种类,又含有首次出现的新类型;(4)还出现可能为单细胞原生动物的微化石;(5)管状化石震旦圆圆茎(Sinocyclocylicus guizhouensis)首现.     

Sedimentary facies analysis of the subsurface triassic and hydrocarbon potential in the United Arab Emirates

Summary The Triassic sediments in the subsurface of the United Arab Emirates has been divided into three formations (from bottom to top): Sudair, Jilh (Gulailah) and Minjur. The Sudair Formation consists of four lithofacies units composed mainly of limestones and minor dolomites interbedded with terrigenous shaley mudstones and anhydritic dolomitic limestones. These were deposited in shallow marine supratidal to subtidal settings. The Jilh (Gulailah) Formation has five lithofacies units dominated by anhydritic dolomitic limestone, fine terrigenoclastic sediments and bioclastic and intraclastic limestones. The formation was laid down under lagoonal to supratidal sabkha conditions with little normal marine influence. The Minjur Formation is composed of three lithofacies units characterized by argillaceous quartzitic sandstones, shales, mudstones, dolomitic and ferruginous limestones with thin coal seams. These facies represent deposition in prograding delta lobes, reflecting humid continental to marginal-marine conditions. Diagenesis plays a major role in the reservoir development in the Triassic sediments, the pores are occluded by dolomite and anhydrite. The grains are compacted, leached or cemented by marine cements. Porosity generally ranges from fair to poor with values from 6% to 9% in the carbonates and from 6% to 15% in the clastics. Interparticle and vuggy porosities are the main pore types. The porosity was controlled by diagenesis, depth of burial and lithology. No oil has been discovered so far in the Triassic sediments of the United Arab Emirates but pronounced gas shows have been reported from offshore fields. Western offshore United Arab Emirates is a promising area for potential hydrocarbon accumulations. The Triassic sediments have low to moderate source rock potential; the organic matter is mainly sapropelic kerogen, and the degree of thermal alteration ranges between mature to highly mature stages.     

High-resolution chemo- and biostratigraphic records of the Early Aptian oceanic anoxic event in Cantabria (N Spain): Palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatic implications

During the Early Aptian, major palaeoenvironmental changes occurred leading to an oceanic anoxic event (OAE 1a) and a perturbation of the global carbon cycle. New detailed litho-, bio-, and chemostratigraphic (TOC, δ¹³C_carb, δ¹³C_org) records of two superbly exposed and expanded Lower Aptian sections in Cantabria (La Florida and Cuchía) allow to recognize the expression of the OAE 1a in shallow shelf environments of northern Spain. The succession consists of shallow platform limestones that include a marly unit (Patrocinio Formation), the deposition of which occurred mostly at the onset of the OAE 1a (~ 120.5 Ma). This study presents a new integrated biostratigraphy based on ammonites, planktonic foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils and palynomorphs that allows an accurate age resolution of the succession. The marly unit records an abrupt negative δ¹³C excursion in both bulk organic matter (up to 5‰) and carbonate (up to 6‰, mean 3‰), as has been already observed at the onset of the OAE 1a in other Lower Aptian deposits worldwide. In detail, however, the negative excursion presents two minima in the studied sections. This negative spike is confidently attributed to the upper half of the Hayesites irregularis nannofossil Zone, to the upper part of the Blowiella blowi foraminiferal Zone, and to the middle–upper part of the Deshayesites weissi ammonite Zone. A third negative excursion occurs at the base of the Rhagodiscus angustus nannofossil Zone, which may be correlatable with the Dufrenoyia furcata ammonite Zone. This data set refines the age of the OAE 1a and reveals the existence of a stratigraphic gap in the westernmost margin of the Basque Cantabrian Basin that covers at least a portion of the upper part of the Early Aptian. Sedimentary facies and quantitative analysis of palynomorphs and nannofossils document significant environmental changes associated with the OAE 1a: compositional changes of neritic carbonates and calcareous nannofossils data indicate the occurrence of a biocalcification crisis inferred to have been related to CO₂-induced changes in seawater chemistry, and palynomorphs identify a thermal maximum followed by a cooling phase. The latter show a Classopollis maximum during the OAE 1a, which is followed by a decrease in Classopollis and an increase of bisaccate pollen after the event.     

贵州喀斯特地区典型土壤有机碳垂直分布特征及其同位素组成

以贵州喀斯特地区两种主要土壤类型(石灰土和黄壤)为研究对象,通过测定土壤pH值、土壤有机碳(SOC)含量和植物优势种、枯枝落叶、土壤有机质的稳定同位素(δ13Csoc值)组成,探讨了该地区石灰土和黄壤剖面SOC垂直分布特征和δ13Csoc值组成差异。结果表明,与黄壤相比,石灰土剖面的SOC含量较高,石灰土剖面和黄壤剖面SOC含量变化范围分别在3.6～69.8和2.4～51.2g·kg-1。黄壤和黄色石灰土剖面SOC主要集中在0～20cm深度内,而黑色石灰土剖面从0～60cm逐步减少。黑色石灰土和黄壤剖面δ13Csoc值变化范围分别在-22.9‰～-21.5‰和-25.6‰～-22.4‰,前者较后者变化小。从剖面表土向下,黄壤剖面δ13Csoc值均出现逐步增加的趋势,而石灰土剖面δ13Csoc值从剖面表土向下出现上升-降低-不变的变化趋势。黄色石灰土剖面δ13Csoc值变幅较大,变化范围为-23.7‰～-18.2‰。在枯枝落叶转化为表层土壤有机质的过程中,石灰土剖面δ13Csoc值变幅高于黄壤。其中,黄壤剖面δ13Csoc值升高了2.6‰～3.0‰,石灰土剖面δ13Csoc值升高了5.5‰～6.3‰。上述结果揭示了SOC含量及其δ13C值随深度变化的差异,反映植物残体的输入及其在土壤中分解累积特征,有助于揭示SOC循环过程及规律和了解剖面土壤成土过程。     

Lithostratigraphic analysis of a new stromatolite–thrombolite reef from across the rise of atmospheric oxygen in the Paleoproterozoic Turee Creek Group,Western Australia

This study describes a previously undocumented dolomitic stromatolite–thrombolite reef complex deposited within the upper part (Kazput Formation) of the c. 2.4–2.3 Ga Turee Creek Group, Western Australia, across the rise of atmospheric oxygen. Confused by some as representing a faulted slice of the younger c. 1.8 Ga Duck Creek Dolomite, this study describes the setting and lithostratigraphy of the 350‐m‐thick complex and shows how it differs from its near neighbour. The Kazput reef complex is preserved along 15 km of continuous exposure on the east limb of a faulted, north‐west‐plunging syncline and consists of 5 recognisable facies associations (A–E), which form two part regressions and one transgression. The oldest facies association (A) is characterised by thinly bedded dololutite–dolarenite, with local domical stromatolites. Association B consists of interbedded columnar and stratiform stromatolites deposited under relatively shallow‐water conditions. Association C comprises tightly packed columnar and club‐shaped stromatolites deposited under continuously deepening conditions. Clotted (thrombolite‐like) microbialite, in units up to 40 m thick, dominates Association D, whereas Association E contains bedded dololutite and dolarenite, and some thinly bedded ironstone, shale and black chert units. Carbon and oxygen isotope stratigraphy reveals a narrow range in both δ¹³C_carb values, from ?0.22 to 0.97‰ (VPDB: average = 0.68‰), and δ¹⁸O values, from ?14.8 to ?10.3‰ (VPDB), within the range of elevated fluid temperatures, likely reflecting some isotopic exchange. The Kazput Formation stromatolite–thrombolite reef complex contains features of younger Paleoproterozoic carbonate reefs, yet is 300–500 Ma older than previously described Proterozoic examples worldwide. Significantly, the microbial fabrics are clearly distinct from Archean stromatolitic marine carbonate reefs by way of containing the first appearance of clotted microbialite and large columnar stromatolites with complex branching arrangements. Such structures denote a more complex morphological expression of growth than previously recorded in the geological record and may link to the rise of atmospheric oxygen.     

Brachiopods from the Cisuralian–Guadalupian of Darvaz,Tajikistan and implications for Permian stratigraphic correlations

In this paper, we describe the upper Cisuralian Safetdara and Gundara formations of the Darvaz mountains, North Pamir, which were part of the Kunlun Arc, developed along the active Eurasian margin. The Safetdara Formation comprises massive limestones (mainly cyanobacterial, Tubiphytes and Archaeolithoporella boundstones) alternating with well-bedded bioclastic and oncoidal limestones and an interval of recessive shales. The formation crops out above the Chelamchi Formation consisting of turbiditic siltstones and sandstones with bioclastic silty limestones yielding massive limestone olistoliths. The Gundara Formation consists of fine sandstones at the base, followed by well-bedded marly bioclastic, oncoidal and microbial limestones, bearing a rich silicified brachiopod fauna in life-position. Two new taxa have been identified in this association: the cemented coralliform Gundaria insolita n. gen. n. sp. and the pedicle attached Hemileurus politus n. sp. The inferred environmental setting is that of shoal deposits of warm, shallow, high energy, clear marine waters for the Safetdara Formation. The agglutinated microbial reefs to cluster reefs of the Gundara Formation were probably growing in a muddier, quieter and probably slightly deeper setting.The foraminifers of the Brevaxina Zone suggest a Bolorian age for the top of the Chelamchi Formation, the Safetdara Formation and the base of the Gundara Formation. Kungurian conodonts have been found in the lower part of the Safetdara Formation. The biostratigraphic data from the sedimentary succession of North Pamir, integrated with those already obtained from Southeast Pamir, allow to refine the correlations between the Tethyan regional scale and the International Time Scale. In particular, it seems now clear that the Bolorian and the lower part of the Kubergandian correlate to the Kungurian.     

Carbon isotopes and lipid biomarkers from organic‐rich facies of the Shuram Formation,Sultanate of Oman

The largest recorded carbon isotopic excursion in Earth history is observed globally in carbonate rocks of middle Ediacaran age. Known from the Sultanate of Oman as the ‘Shuram excursion’, this event records a dramatic, systematic shift in δ¹³C_carbonate values to ca. ?12‰. Attempts to explain the nature, magnitude and origin of this excursion include (i) a primary signal resulting from the protracted oxidation of a large dissolved organic carbon reservoir in seawater, release of methane from sediment‐hosted clathrates, or water column stratification; and (ii) a secondary signal from diagenetic processes. The compositions and isotope ratios of organic carbon phases during the excursion are critical to evaluating these ideas; however, previous work has focused on localities that are low in organic carbon, hindering straightforward interpretation of the observed time‐series trends. We report carbon isotope data from bulk organic carbon, extracted bitumen and kerogen, in addition to lipid biomarker data, from a subsurface well drilled on the eastern flank of the South Oman Salt Basin, Sultanate of Oman. This section captures Nafun Group strata through the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary in the Ara Group and includes an organic‐rich, deeper‐water facies of the Shuram Formation. Despite the high organic matter contents, the carbon isotopic compositions of carbonates – which record a negative δ¹³C isotope excursion similar in shape and magnitude to sections elsewhere in Oman – do not covary with those of organic phases (bulk TOC, bitumen and kerogen). Paired inorganic and organic δ¹³C data only display coupled behaviour during the latter part of the excursion's recovery. Furthermore, lipid biomarker data reveal that organic matter composition and source inputs varied stratigraphically, reflecting biological community shifts in non‐migrated, syngenetic organic matter deposited during this interval.