WANCE: A possibly Volcanism-Induced Ediacaran Carbon Isotope Excursion

Abstract

Four carbonate carbon isotope (δ¹³C_carb) excursions are recognized in the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in South China, the genesis of which remains disputed. Whereas three of these δ¹³C_carb excursions possibly record secular biogeochemical variations, the other one, namely Weng’an negative carbonate carbon isotope excursion (WANCE) with an age of ca. 620 Ma occurs mainly within the northern Yangtze Platform. In this study, a SIMS U-Pb age of ca. 620 Ma was documented from continental rift volcanism within the adjacent South Qinling terrane. Its temporal overlap with WANCE suggests a possible causal link. Volcanism-induced seafloor uplift may have prompted DOC oxidation in surficial oxygenated oceans, inducing the occurrence of WANCE.

Keywords

Early Ediacaran / δ¹³C_carb excursion / magmatism / zircon / U-Pb ages

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