Abstract
Thirty samples from a limestone stratum across the Pemian-Triassic (P-Tr) boundary layer in China were analyzed for 30 elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis, wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence and ICP-MS, and also for mineral compositions with a powder X-ray diffractometer. The depth profile was found to indicate a sudden change of elemental and mineral compositions across the P-Tr boundary. Also the profile showed severa peaks in elemental concentrations in the lower Permian layered samples as well as in the overlying Triassic strata, which are associated with the change of mineral compositions. Elemental profiles were found to be classified into 4 groups and to give some insights in the geochemical records. Ir is far less abundant (0.1 ppt) compared with that of the K-T boundaries (10 ppb), and the Ir/Co ratio is outside the K-T and Cl chondrite trends. This change of elementary profile is suggestive of the internal causes rather than the external ones such as an asteroid impact for the mass extinction at the P-Tr boundary.
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Miyamoto, Y., Sakamoto, K. & Mingqing, W. Neutron activation analysis of Permian-Triassic boundary layer samples at the Selong Site in China. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 216, 183–190 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02033776
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02033776