Influences of marine floor hydrothermal activity on organic matter abundance in marine carbonate rocks — A case study of middle-upper Proterozoic in the northern part of North China

Abstract

Study indicates that the elements rich in marine floor hydrothermal fluids have a positive influence, not only on total organic carbon (TOC), but also on the abundance of SiO2 in some Middle-Upper Proterozoic strata. The TOC bears a better positive correlation with abundance of SiO2. By the correlation analysis between organic matter and sea-floor hot fluid characterized trace elements such as P, Cu, Zn, Ni, Ba, etc in marine carbonate rocks, we conclude that organic matter enrichment of carbonate rocks were related to marine floor hydrothermal activity in a part of layers. Some thin-layered cherts, which were thought to be the indicators of hydrothermal activity, frequently occurring in Gaoyuzhuang, Wumishan, Tieling and Xiamaling formation support our conclusion. With the increasing of trace elements in marine carbonate rocks, the TOC and Fe/Ti ratio is creasing. In contrast, the Al/(Al+Fe+Mn) ratio is usually decreasing.