Abstract
AbstractExtensive phosphorite deposition is observed in the Neoproterozoic after a prolonged hiatus during most of the Mesoproterozoic era. This event is thought to represent an important record of major palaeoenvironmental, palaeoceanographic and biotic changes that shaped Neoproterozoic ecosystems, suggesting close relationships between phosphogenesis and the preservation of key Ediacaran biotas. However, high‐grade Ediacaran phosphorite deposits are relatively uncommon, diminishing the opportunity to test current phosphate mineralization–deposition models and their implications for Neoproterozoic research. In this scenario, widespread Ediacaran phosphorite–dolomite–shale successions of the Bocaina Formation (Corumbá Group – Central Brazil) are poorly explored in international literature. Nevertheless, recent advances in phosphate exploration gave access to continuous drill core sections and freshly opened mine pits, revealing an unprecedented record of complex phosphatic successions featuring the occurrence of Ediacaran microfossils assigned to the Doushantuo–Pertatataka assemblages. This work seeks to constrain main lithofacies, sequence stratigraphy and depositional settings from these phosphatic successions in order to analyse the sedimentary evolution of the unit under the current Neoproterozoic phosphorite research framework. These results indicate that the Bocaina Formation records secular sustained phosphate deposition. These deposits are related to unprecedented, microbialite reef rim phosphorites deposited during a lower accretionary rimmed platform stage, followed by the deposition of Doushantuo‐like, whole platform phosphorites associated with a later, drowned platform stage, therefore, reinforcing the evidence for the operation of strong allogeneic controls on phosphate mineralization–concentration. In addition, this study concludes that fossiliferous Ediacaran phosphatic deposits such as the Bocaina Formation are important to understanding Neoproterozoic phosphogenic events, because they may record the transition from a Precambrian to Phanerozoic‐like phosphogenesis associated with the instauration of the Ediacaran–Cambrian phosphatic taphonomic window. This evidence hints that the growing dataset from the Bocaina Formation may bring new, exciting perspectives for Neoproterozoic research as a whole.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.