A millimeter-scale insight into formation mechanism of lacustrine black shale in tephra deposition background

Abstract To reveal the role of tephra in the deposition of black shale during periods of volcanic activity, we performed lithostratigraphic and geochemical analyses on 14 horizontally sliced samples drilled from a 2-cm-thick black shale interval in the lower Ch7 Member of the Upper Triassic Yanchang...

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Main Authors: Senhu Lin, Lianhua Hou, Xia Luo, Yiwen Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2022-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-15715-4
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author Senhu Lin
Lianhua Hou
Xia Luo
Yiwen Wu
author_facet Senhu Lin
Lianhua Hou
Xia Luo
Yiwen Wu
author_sort Senhu Lin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract To reveal the role of tephra in the deposition of black shale during periods of volcanic activity, we performed lithostratigraphic and geochemical analyses on 14 horizontally sliced samples drilled from a 2-cm-thick black shale interval in the lower Ch7 Member of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation, southern Ordos Basin. Results indicate that fewer plankton is preserved during tephra deposition than during periods of volcanic quiescence. With the decrease of volcanic activities and tephra deposition, the abundance of redox-sensitive trace elements (RSTEs) and biolimiting elements increases, while terrigenous elements gradually decrease, resulting in the improvement of organic matter (OM) preservation. Paleoenvironmental proxies suggest that the climate during the Late Triassic was generally warm and humid. However, subsequent intense volcanic eruptions may have caused climatic cooling that affected the water column, resulting in enhanced salinity, primary production, water stratification, and bottom water anoxia, leading to enhanced organic carbon production and preservation. Primary productivity and redox conditions controlled the accumulation of organic carbon. Although physical and chemical reactions relating to the deposition of tephra into water are short-lived, climate change induced by volcanic eruptions is the critical cause of black shale formation.
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spelling doaj.art-79791774429541d5a5ee272f0aa2d1a92022-12-22T03:39:46ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222022-07-0112111210.1038/s41598-022-15715-4A millimeter-scale insight into formation mechanism of lacustrine black shale in tephra deposition backgroundSenhu Lin0Lianhua Hou1Xia Luo2Yiwen Wu3Department of Oil and Gas Geology, Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChinaCentral Laboratory of Geological Science, Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChinaDepartment of Oil and Gas Geology, Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChinaSchool of Energy Resource, China University of GeosciencesAbstract To reveal the role of tephra in the deposition of black shale during periods of volcanic activity, we performed lithostratigraphic and geochemical analyses on 14 horizontally sliced samples drilled from a 2-cm-thick black shale interval in the lower Ch7 Member of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation, southern Ordos Basin. Results indicate that fewer plankton is preserved during tephra deposition than during periods of volcanic quiescence. With the decrease of volcanic activities and tephra deposition, the abundance of redox-sensitive trace elements (RSTEs) and biolimiting elements increases, while terrigenous elements gradually decrease, resulting in the improvement of organic matter (OM) preservation. Paleoenvironmental proxies suggest that the climate during the Late Triassic was generally warm and humid. However, subsequent intense volcanic eruptions may have caused climatic cooling that affected the water column, resulting in enhanced salinity, primary production, water stratification, and bottom water anoxia, leading to enhanced organic carbon production and preservation. Primary productivity and redox conditions controlled the accumulation of organic carbon. Although physical and chemical reactions relating to the deposition of tephra into water are short-lived, climate change induced by volcanic eruptions is the critical cause of black shale formation.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-15715-4
spellingShingle Senhu Lin
Lianhua Hou
Xia Luo
Yiwen Wu
A millimeter-scale insight into formation mechanism of lacustrine black shale in tephra deposition background
Scientific Reports
title A millimeter-scale insight into formation mechanism of lacustrine black shale in tephra deposition background
title_full A millimeter-scale insight into formation mechanism of lacustrine black shale in tephra deposition background
title_fullStr A millimeter-scale insight into formation mechanism of lacustrine black shale in tephra deposition background
title_full_unstemmed A millimeter-scale insight into formation mechanism of lacustrine black shale in tephra deposition background
title_short A millimeter-scale insight into formation mechanism of lacustrine black shale in tephra deposition background
title_sort millimeter scale insight into formation mechanism of lacustrine black shale in tephra deposition background
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-15715-4
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