Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Discussion on geobiology, biogeology and geobiofacies

  • Published:
Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Here we first discuss the definition of and the difference between geobiology and biogeology following a brief introduction of recent geobiology research in China. Geobiology is defined as an interdisciplinary study of life sciences and earth sciences, and biogeology as an interdisciplinary study of biology and geology. Scope of the term geobiology covers that of the term biogeology. Branch interdisciplines of both are listed. We then propose the term geobiofacies, defined as the facies of a geologic body embodying the whole process of interaction between organisms and environments. Differences among geobiofacies, biofacies, and organic facies are discussed. Main parameters defining a geobiofacies include habitat type, biotic composition and productivity, paleo-oxygenation regimes, and early diagenesis phases. Each of them is discussed in detail, and a semi-quantitative assessment of the biogeofacies of source rocks is proposed based on these parameters. A two-fold terminology for geobiofacies is recommended, namely, the biological and environmental aspects of biota and the redox conditions during life-burial-diagenesis process

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Jiang Y, Zhao S C, Sun C Q. Earth-life coupled System-Dynamics of biota and environment control (in Chinese with English abstract). Adv Earth Sci, 2001, 16(6): 877–884

    Google Scholar 

  2. Zhao S C. Coupling System of Geo-Biosphere: The key to understand environmental change and life origin (in Chinese). China Bas Sci, 2001, (9): 52–57

  3. Liu Y. The National Science Foundation on strategical development in paleontology during 2000–2010 and paleontology research in China (in Chinese). Bull Nat Nat Sci Found China, 2006, (6): 347–351

  4. Yin H F. Biogeology (in Chinese with English abstract). Adv Earth Sci, 1994, 9(6): 79–82

    Google Scholar 

  5. Yin H F, Yang F Q, Xie S C, et al. Biogeology (in Chinese). Wuhan: Science and Technology Press of Hubei, 2004. 263

    Google Scholar 

  6. Xu G R, Wang Y B, Gong S Y, et al. Synergetic evolution of organisms and environment (in Chinese). Wuhan: China University of Geosciences Press, 2005. 293

    Google Scholar 

  7. Xie S C, Gong Y M, Tong J N, et al. Advancement from paleontology to geobiology (in Chinese with English abstract). Chin Sci Bull, 2006, 51(19): 2327–2336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Xie S C, ed. Special issue on geobiology and marine hydrocarbon source rocks (in Chinese with English abstract). Earth Sci J China Univ Geosci, 2007, 32(6): 727–878

    Google Scholar 

  9. Xie S C, ed. Special Issue: Geobiology and hydrocarbon source rocks. Front Earth Sci China, 2007, 1(4): 389–513

  10. Rong J Y, Fang Z J, eds. Mass Extinction and Recovery: Evidences from the Palaeozoic and Triassic of South China, Vol. I–II (in Chinese). Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China Press, 2004. 1087

    Google Scholar 

  11. Rong J Y, Somerville I D. Origins and radiations in the biota of China, Part I. Geol J, 2006, 41(3–4): 255–464

    Google Scholar 

  12. Rong J Y, Somerville I D. Origins and radiations in the biota of China, Part II. Geol J, 2007, 42(3–4): 225–454

    Google Scholar 

  13. Olszewski T. Geobiology: A golden opportunity and a call to action. Palaios, 2001, 16(6): 1–2

    Google Scholar 

  14. Noffke N. Geobiology—A holistic scientific discipline. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol, 2005, 219: 1–3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Neuendorf K K, Nehl J P, Jackson J A, eds. Glossary of Geology (5th edition). Alexandria: American Geological Institute, 2005. 779

    Google Scholar 

  16. Goodwin D. Geobiology, Biogeology, and the colleague across the Hall. Palaios, 2006, 21(1): 1–2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Strahler A N. Physical Geology. New York: Harper & Row Publisher, 1981. 612

    Google Scholar 

  18. Banfield J F, Marshall C R. Genomics and the geosciences. Science, 2000, 287: 605–606

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Neff J, Hedin L. Building a home for the biogeosciences: Challenges for understanding terrestrial ecosystems. EOS, 2002, 83: 15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Lieberman B S. Geobiology and paleobiogeography: Tracking the coevolution of the Earth and its biota. Paleogeogr Paleoclimatol Paleoecol, 2005, 219: 23–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Croizat L. Space, Time and Form, the Biological Synthesis. Caracas: Author, 1964. 881

    Google Scholar 

  22. Lovelock J E. Gaia, a New Look at Life on Earth. London: Oxford University Press, 1979. 178

    Google Scholar 

  23. Zhou Z H, Luo Y M, Dong Y S, et al. Brief discussions on some scientific problems of the researches on earth environments and life process in China. Chin Sci Bull, 2005, 50(2): 195–200

    Google Scholar 

  24. Xie S C, Yin H F, Xie X N, et al. On the geobiological evaluation of hydrocarbon source rocks. Front Earth Sci China, 2007, 1(4): 389–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Froelich P N, Klinkhammer G P, Bender M L, et al. Early oxidation of organic matter in pelagic sediments of the eastern equatorial Atlantic: Suboxic diagenesis. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1979, 43: 1075–1090

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Jones R W. Organic facies. In: Brooks J, Welte D H, eds. Advances in Petroleum Geochemistry. London: Academic Press, 1987. 1–90

    Google Scholar 

  27. Altunsoy M, Özçelik O. Organic facies characteristics of the Sivas Tertiary Basin (Turkey). J Petrol Sci Eng, 1998, 20: 73–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Guo D X, Hu M. Analysis of the sedimentary organic facies of continental basin. Geologic Conpus of Petroleum and Gas (2) (in Chinese). Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 1989. 191–199

    Google Scholar 

  29. Creaney S, Passey Q R. Recurring patterns of total organic carbon and source rock quality within a sequence stratigraphic framework. AAPG Bull, 1993, 77: 386–401

    Google Scholar 

  30. Tyson R V. Sequence stratigraphy in interpretation of facies variations in marine siliciclastic system: General principles and application to the onshore kimmeridge clay formation, UK. In: Hesselbo S, Pakkinson N, eds. Sequence Stratigraphy in British Geology. Geol Soc London Spec Publ, 1996. 108: 75–96

  31. Zhu C Y. Sedimentary organic facies studies of marine carbonate rocks and their use in petroleum resource evaluation (in Chinese with English abstract). J Chengdu Univ Technol, 2000, 19(1): 1–6

    Google Scholar 

  32. Li J W, Chen H D, Tian J C, et al. Sedimentary organic facies: Current research and applications (in Chinese). Sediment Geol Tethyan Geol, 2004, 2: 18–25

    Google Scholar 

  33. Qing J Z. The Hydrocarbon Source Rocks of China (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 2005. 618

    Google Scholar 

  34. Yin H F, Ding M H, Zhang K X, et al. Dongwuan-Indosinian (Late Permian-Middle Triassic) Ecotratigraphy of the Yangtze Region and Its Margins (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1995. 338

    Google Scholar 

  35. Boucot A J. Principles of Benthic Marine Palaeoecology. New York: Academic Press, 1981. 463

    Google Scholar 

  36. Xie S C, Lai X L, Huang X Y, et al. Principles, methodology and application of molecular stratigraphy (in Chinese with English abstract). J Stratigr, 2007, 31(3): 209–221

    Google Scholar 

  37. Breck W G. Redox levels in the sea. In: Goldberg E D, ed. The Sea: Ideas and Observations on Progress in the Study of the Seas. Vol 5, Marine Chemistry. New York: Wiley, 1974. 153–179

    Google Scholar 

  38. Davis J C. Minimal dissolved oxygen requirements of aquatic life with emphasis on Canadian species: A review. J Fish Res Board Canada, 1975, 32: 2295–2332

    Google Scholar 

  39. Tyson R V, Pearson T H. Modern and ancient continental shelf anoxia: An overview. In: Tyson R V, Pearson T H, eds. Modern and Ancient Continental Shelf Anoxia. Geol Soc London Spec Publ, 1991, 58: 1–24

  40. Meyers S R, Sageman B B, Lyons T W. Organic carbon burial rate and the molybdenum proxy: Theoretical framework and application to Cenomanian-Turonian oceanic anoxic event 2. Paleoceanography, 2005, 20: 2002–2020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Sanders D. Syndepositional dissolution of calcium carbonate in neritic carbonateenvironments: Geological recognition, processes, potential significance. J African Earth Sci, 2003, 36: 99–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Mozley P S, Burns S J. Oxygen and carbon isotopic composition of marine carbonate concretions: An overview. J Sediment Petrol, 1993, 61(3): 73–83

    Google Scholar 

  43. Huggett J M, Gale A S, Evans S. Carbonate concretions from the London Clay (Ypresian, Eocene) of Southern England and the exceptional preservation of wood-boring communities. J Geol Soc, 2000, 157: 187–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Kump L R, Arthur M A. Interpreting carbon isotope excursions: Carbonates and organic matter. Chem Geol, 1999, 161: 181–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    HongFu Yin, JiaXin Yan & GenMing Luo

  2. State Key Laboratory of Geological Process and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    ShuCheng Xie

  3. Wuxi Institute of Petroleum Geology, SINOPEC, Wuxi, 214151, China

    JianZhong Qing

Authors
  1. HongFu Yin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. ShuCheng Xie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. JianZhong Qing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. JiaXin Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. GenMing Luo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to HongFu Yin.

Additional information

Supported by NSFC Innovative Research Group Program (Grant No. 40621002), the SINOPEC Project (Grant No. G0800-06-ZS-319), and the “111” Project (Grant No. B08030)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yin, H., Xie, S., Qing, J. et al. Discussion on geobiology, biogeology and geobiofacies. Sci. China Ser. D-Earth Sci. 51, 1516–1524 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-008-0120-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-008-0120-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation