The Pre-Sturtian negative δ13C excursion of the Dajiangbian formation deposited on the western margin of Cathaysia Block in South China

Abstract

The Dajiangbian Formation in South China is a siliciclastic-dominated sedimentary succession with low-grade metamorphism deposited on the western margin of the Cathaysia Block, and is capped by a glaciogenic diamictite (the Sizhoushan Formation). The Sizhoushan glaciogenic strata can be attributed to the Jiangkou glacial (Sturtian glacial) episode as they share stratigraphic and lithological similarities with Jiangkou strata in South China. Some carbonate, chert and shale units throughout the upper part of the Dajiangbian Formation were sampled for carbonate carbon isotope (δ13Ccarb) and organic carbon isotope (δ13Corg) analyses. A range of geochemical indices including oxygen isotopes (δ18O) and Mn/Sr (Fe/Sr) ratios suggest that primary carbon isotope values were preserved in the upper Dajiangbian Formation. The upper Dajiangbian Formation shows δ13Ccarb of -0.1‰, upward decreasing towards to -5.4‰. We suggest that the negative δ13C excursion beneath the Sizhoushan diamictite is correlative with the Pre-Sturtian Islay δ13Ccarb anomaly and allows correlation with the global Neoproterozoic isotope stratigraphy. We find that carbonate and organic carbon isotope data of the upper Dajiangbian Formation are coupled, consistent with the δ13Ccarb-δ13Corg pattern observed on multiple continents.