Thalassinoides Ichnofabrics of Lower Cambrian Longwangmiao Formation (Stage 4, Toyonian) on the Yangtze Platform, South China: Improving Paleoenvironmental Interpretations
Corresponding Author
Ruifeng TANG
Institute of Sedimentary Geology, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059 China
State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059 China
Exploration Division of PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company, Chengdu, 610041 China
Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorJizhi ZHANG
Exploration Division of PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company, Chengdu, 610041 China
Search for more papers by this authorYao DU
Exploration Division of PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company, Chengdu, 610041 China
State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, 610500 China
School of Geoscience and Technology, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, 610500 China
Search for more papers by this authorSiying WEN
Exploration Division of PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company, Chengdu, 610041 China
Search for more papers by this authorBo ZHONG
Exploration Division of PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company, Chengdu, 610041 China
Search for more papers by this authorHuachuan JIANG
Institute of Sedimentary Geology, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059 China
State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059 China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Ruifeng TANG
Institute of Sedimentary Geology, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059 China
State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059 China
Exploration Division of PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company, Chengdu, 610041 China
Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorJizhi ZHANG
Exploration Division of PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company, Chengdu, 610041 China
Search for more papers by this authorYao DU
Exploration Division of PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company, Chengdu, 610041 China
State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, 610500 China
School of Geoscience and Technology, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, 610500 China
Search for more papers by this authorSiying WEN
Exploration Division of PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company, Chengdu, 610041 China
Search for more papers by this authorBo ZHONG
Exploration Division of PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company, Chengdu, 610041 China
Search for more papers by this authorHuachuan JIANG
Institute of Sedimentary Geology, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059 China
State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059 China
Search for more papers by this authorAbout the first and corresponding author:
TANG Ruifeng, male, born in 1995 in Nanchong, Sichuan Province; master's in geology; graduated from Southwest Petroleum University; Ph.D. of geology, Chengdu University of Technology; assistant engineer of the Exploration Division of PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company; he is now interested in the study on sedimentology and paleobiology. E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract
An analysis of Thalassinoides ichnofabrics in the Cambrian Stage 4 Longwangmiao Formation from six sections near Chonqing in the Middle and Upper Yangtze Block of South China was conducted to promote the understanding of the paleoenvironment of this period. Thalassinoides ichnofabrics are divided into three types according to their morphology, bioturbation index, abundance and related parameters: banded, mottled and grid. The completeness of the ichnofabrics gradually increases from banded to grid, the scale of the burrows expands, and the structure transitions from two-dimensional to three-dimensional. Malacostracans, phyllocarids and enteropneusts are the most likely burrowers. The findings reveal that frequent changes in paleoenvironmental conditions are the dominant factors for generating the various Thalassinoides ichnofabrics. The changes in depositional rate, substrate properties and nutrient levels affect the behavior and building patterns of the burrowers, thus leading to the diversity of Thalassinoides ichnofabrics. In the lower Longwangmiao Formation beds, many incomplete Thalassinoides burrow systems were built in the substrates with terrigenous detrital minerals, revealing significant environmental pressure on the burrowers. Later, the Thalassinoides burrows went into complete three-dimensional boxworks. At the end of the stage, bioturbation almost disappeared, which indicates that burrowers were finding it difficult to survive in the harsh environment.
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