The Pre-Sturtian negative δ¹³C excursion of the Dajiangbian formation deposited on the western margin of Cathaysia Block in South China

Abstract

The Dajiangbian Formation in South China is a siliciclastic-dominated sedimentary succession with low-grade metamorphism deposited on the western margin of the Cathaysia Block, and is capped by a glaciogenic diamictite (the Sizhoushan Formation). The Sizhoushan glaciogenic strata can be attributed to the Jiangkou glacial (Sturtian glacial) episode as they share stratigraphic and lithological similarities with Jiangkou strata in South China. Some carbonate, chert and shale units throughout the upper part of the Dajiangbian Formation were sampled for carbonate carbon isotope (δ¹³C_carb) and organic carbon isotope (δ¹³C_org) analyses. A range of geochemical indices including oxygen isotopes (δ¹⁸O) and Mn/Sr (Fe/Sr) ratios suggest that primary carbon isotope values were preserved in the upper Dajiangbian Formation. The upper Dajiangbian Formation shows δ¹³C_carb of -0.1‰, upward decreasing towards to -5.4‰. We suggest that the negative δ¹³C excursion beneath the Sizhoushan diamictite is correlative with the Pre-Sturtian Islay δ¹³C_carb anomaly and allows correlation with the global Neoproterozoic isotope stratigraphy. We find that carbonate and organic carbon isotope data of the upper Dajiangbian Formation are coupled, consistent with the δ¹³C_carb-δ¹³C_org pattern observed on multiple continents.

Keywords

Neoproterozoic / Cryogenian / carbon isotopes / Islay anomaly / Cathaysia Block

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