Science China Earth Sciences

, Volume 54, Issue 7, pp 1024–1033 | Cite as

A new paleoenvironmental index for anoxic events—Mo isotopes in black shales from Upper Yangtze marine sediments

  • Lian Zhou
  • Jie Su
  • JunHua Huang
  • JiaXing Yan
  • XiNong Xie
  • Shan Gao
  • MengNing Dai
  • Tonger
Research Paper
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

This paper investigates the high-solution of Mo isotopes and uses trace-element analyses for fresh and representative black shales and siliceous shales collected from the transition between the Late Ordovician and the Early Silurian at the Wangjiawan section in Yichang and the Late Permian Dalong Formation in the Shangsi Section of Sichuan. The applicability of different geochemical parameters used as paleo-oxygenation indices are also compared. The preliminary results show that V/(V+Ni), Uauth (auth U), V/Cr, Ceanom and U/Th have a scattered variation range, but most samples plot within the suboxic-anoxic fields. The suboxic-anoxic environment was dominant during the deposition and formation of the two anoxic facies. These redox indicators show little correspondence to the δ 98Mo values. The U/Mo ratio can be used as a potential proxy for the paleo-redox conditions due to the possibility that Mo is enriched relative to U at different redox gradients during early diagenesis. This evidence is more significant for the euxinicity condition and corresponds to positive δ 98Mo (>1.5‰) values with low U/Mo ratios. This evidence is likely related to the depositional conditions near the boundary between anoxic and euxinic environments, which are characterised by low bioturbation or water circulation. Other samples reveal a wide scatter of U/Mo ratios and δ 98Mo <1.5‰. These results are likely due to punctuated improvements in oxygenation with intense bioturbation or water circulation, which led to the redistribution of trace element.

Keywords

molybdenum isotopes proxy for paleo-redox conditions black shale Upper Yangtze 
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Copyright information

© Science China Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Lian Zhou
    • 1
  • Jie Su
    • 1
  • JunHua Huang
    • 1
  • JiaXing Yan
    • 2
  • XiNong Xie
    • 3
  • Shan Gao
    • 1
  • MengNing Dai
    • 4
  • Tonger
    • 5
  1. 1.State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral ResourcesChina University of GeosciencesWuhanChina
  2. 2.Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology of Ministry of EducationChina University of GeosciencesWuhanChina
  3. 3.Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources of Ministry of EducationChina University of GeosciencesWuhanChina
  4. 4.State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of GeologyNorthwest UniversityXi’anChina
  5. 5.Wuxi Institute of Petroleum GeologyChina Petroleum & Chemical CorporationWuxiChina

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