Comment on “Formation of abnormally high density H2S fluid in sedimentary basins” by Liu et al., 2025
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 Table 1 Published temperature estimates for the Ediacaran Doushantuo (DST) Formation based on various analytical approaches. Sources are listed in chronological order: 1) Bristow et al. (2011); 2) Loyd et al. (2015); 3) Wang et al. (2017); 4) Zhou et al. (2017); 5) Shi et al. (2023); 6) Liu et al. (2025). MDAC, methane-derived authigenic calcite. |
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Comment
Liu et al. (2025)
Liu, Y., Wang, X., Song, Y., Shi, H., Chou, I-M., Zhou, C. (2025) Formation of abnormally high density H2S fluid in sedimentary basins. Geochemical Perspectives Letters 34, 43–49. https://doi.org/10.7185/geochemlet.2512
recently reported high density H2S in fluid inclusions from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation, South China. Based on this novel finding, they proposed: (i) widespread Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) lead-zinc ore deposits within the Doushantuo Formation, (ii) a “calcite purification model” to explain the presence of H2S-rich fluid inclusions, and (iii) a hydrothermal origin for methane-derived authigenic calcite (MDAC) nodules.While the results presented in this study are intriguing and potentially significant, the proposed conceptual model appears inconsistent with several key geological observations. This comment is intended to encourage further discussion and clarification of the issues outlined below.
MVT Lead-Zinc Ore Deposits. The authors interpret the presence of H2S-rich fluid inclusions and MDAC nodules in the context of extensive MVT lead-zinc ore deposits within the Doushantuo Formation (Liu et al., 2025
Liu, Y., Wang, X., Song, Y., Shi, H., Chou, I-M., Zhou, C. (2025) Formation of abnormally high density H2S fluid in sedimentary basins. Geochemical Perspectives Letters 34, 43–49. https://doi.org/10.7185/geochemlet.2512
). However, despite decades of intensive investigation (Ader et al., 2009Ader, M., Macouin, M., Trindade, R.I.F., Hadrien, M.-H., Yang, Z., Sun, Z., Besse, J. (2009) A multilayered water column in the Ediacaran Yangtze platform? Insights from carbonate and organic matter paired δ13C. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 288, 213–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2009.09.024
; Li et al., 2010Li, C., Love, G.D., Lyons, T.W., Fike, D.A., Sessions, A.L., Chu, X. (2010) A Stratified Redox Model for the Ediacaran Ocean. Science 328, 80–83. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1182369
; Jiang et al., 2011Jiang, G., Shi, X., Zhang, S., Wang, Y., Xiao, S. (2011) Stratigraphy and paleogeography of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation (ca. 635–551 Ma) in South China. Gondwana Research 19, 831–849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2011.01.006
; Macouin et al., 2012Macouin, M., Ader, M., Moreau, M.-G., Poitou, C., Yang, Z., Sun, Z. (2012) Deciphering the impact of diagenesis overprint on negative δ13C excursions using rock magnetism: Case study of Ediacaran carbonates, Yangjiaping section, South China. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 351–352, 281–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2012.06.057
; Cui et al., 2016Cui, H., Xiao, S., Zhou, C., Peng, Y., Kaufman, A.J., Plummer, R.E. (2016) Phosphogenesis associated with the Shuram Excursion: Petrographic and geochemical observations from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation of South China. Sedimentary Geology 341, 134–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2016.05.008
, 2017Cui, H., Kaufman, A.J., Xiao, S., Zhou, C., Liu, X.-M. (2017) Was the Ediacaran Shuram Excursion a globally synchronized early diagenetic event? Insights from methane-derived authigenic carbonates in the uppermost Doushantuo Formation, South China. Chemical Geology 450, 59–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.12.010
, 2022Cui, H., Kaufman, A.J., Xiao, S., Zhou, C., Zhu, M., Cao, M., Loyd, S., Crockford, P., Liu, X.-M., Goderis, S., Wang, W., Guan, C. (2022) Dynamic interplay of biogeochemical C, S, and Ba cycles in response to the Shuram oxygenation event. Journal of the Geological Society 179, jgs2021-081. https://doi.org/10.1144/jgs2021-081
; Shi et al., 2022Shi, H., Ouyang, Q., Zhou, C., Xiao, S., Chen, Z., Guan, C. (2022) Integrated study of the Doushantuo Formation in northwestern Hunan Province: Implications for Ediacaran chemostratigraphy and biostratigraphy in South China. Precambrian Research 377, 106699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2022.106699
), no enrichment of lead-zinc minerals—such as galena, sphalerite, pyrite, or chalcopyrite—has been documented at the studied Yangjiaping, Zhongling, Caojunba, and Nanbeizhan sections. In the absence of direct geological evidence for lead-zinc mineralisation at these locations, the claim of widespread MVT lead-zinc ore deposits is perhaps misleading.Calcite Purification Model. The authors propose a “calcite purification model” to explain the association between MDAC and H2S-rich fluid inclusions. In this model, the progressive precipitation of authigenic calcite consumes the alkalinity generated by thermogenic sulfate reduction (TSR), thereby driving diagenetic fluids increasingly enriched, and eventually saturated, in H2S (Liu et al., 2025
Liu, Y., Wang, X., Song, Y., Shi, H., Chou, I-M., Zhou, C. (2025) Formation of abnormally high density H2S fluid in sedimentary basins. Geochemical Perspectives Letters 34, 43–49. https://doi.org/10.7185/geochemlet.2512
).It is important to note that the process described above is not self-sustaining. H2S-rich fluids are stable only under highly acidic conditions, which would promote rapid dissolution of calcite, rather than being continuously enriched by calcite precipitation. In other words, the formation of authigenic calcite cannot progressively enrich diagenetic fluids in H2S, as a pH equilibrium would eventually be reached due to the concurrent dissolution of carbonates—including both MDAC and the dolostone host rock in the case of Doushantuo—in such acidic conditions. Therefore, to form large scale MVT deposits, the source of sulfide must be external; otherwise, internal generation of sulfide (e.g., TSR) within the host carbonates would be neutralised by carbonate dissolution, which buffers acidity.
Additionally, the authors’ calcite purification model also appears inconsistent with published petrographic observations. In this model, authigenic calcite precipitates prior to quartz mineralisation during nodule growth, with quartz forming in the centre of the nodules (see Fig. 4 in Liu et al., 2025
Liu, Y., Wang, X., Song, Y., Shi, H., Chou, I-M., Zhou, C. (2025) Formation of abnormally high density H2S fluid in sedimentary basins. Geochemical Perspectives Letters 34, 43–49. https://doi.org/10.7185/geochemlet.2512
). However, previous studies have shown that the MDAC nodules in the upper Doushantuo Formation are typically lined by a thin quartz rim, with quartz crystals growing centripetally inward (Cui et al., 2016Cui, H., Xiao, S., Zhou, C., Peng, Y., Kaufman, A.J., Plummer, R.E. (2016) Phosphogenesis associated with the Shuram Excursion: Petrographic and geochemical observations from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation of South China. Sedimentary Geology 341, 134–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2016.05.008
, 2017Cui, H., Kaufman, A.J., Xiao, S., Zhou, C., Liu, X.-M. (2017) Was the Ediacaran Shuram Excursion a globally synchronized early diagenetic event? Insights from methane-derived authigenic carbonates in the uppermost Doushantuo Formation, South China. Chemical Geology 450, 59–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.12.010
; Shi et al., 2022Shi, H., Ouyang, Q., Zhou, C., Xiao, S., Chen, Z., Guan, C. (2022) Integrated study of the Doushantuo Formation in northwestern Hunan Province: Implications for Ediacaran chemostratigraphy and biostratigraphy in South China. Precambrian Research 377, 106699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2022.106699
), suggesting that quartz likely formed before or concurrently with MDAC. Similar petrographic patterns have also been observed elsewhere (see Xiao et al., 2010Xiao, S., Schiffbauer, J.D., McFadden, K.A., Hunter, J. (2010) Petrographic and SIMS pyrite sulfur isotope analyses of Ediacaran chert nodules: Implications for microbial processes in pyrite rim formation, silicification, and exceptional fossil preservation. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 297, 481–495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2010.07.001
; Wang et al., 2020Wang, Z., Chen, C., Wang, J., Suess, E., Chen, X., Ma, X., Wang, G., Xiao, S. (2020) Wide but not ubiquitous distribution of glendonite in the Doushantuo Formation, South China: Implications for Ediacaran climate. Precambrian Research 338, 105586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2019.105586
). We suggest that any conceptual model for these authigenic features should align with the existing petrographic observations.Complex Diagenetic and Burial Histories. The homogenisation temperatures of fluid inclusions measured by Liu et al. (2025)
Liu, Y., Wang, X., Song, Y., Shi, H., Chou, I-M., Zhou, C. (2025) Formation of abnormally high density H2S fluid in sedimentary basins. Geochemical Perspectives Letters 34, 43–49. https://doi.org/10.7185/geochemlet.2512
are not totally unexpected, as similar or even higher values have been reported using various methods (Table 1). Notably, a burial temperature of ∼241 °C has been estimated for the South China region (Wang et al., 2017Wang, Z., Wang, J., Kouketsu, Y., Bodnar, R.J., Gill, B.C., Xiao, S. (2017) Raman geothermometry of carbonaceous material in the basal Ediacaran Doushantuo cap dolostone: The thermal history of extremely negative δ13C signatures in the aftermath of the terminal Cryogenian snowball Earth glaciation. Precambrian Research 298, 174–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2017.06.013
). While each geothermometer carries its own assumptions and uncertainties, the collective implication is clear: the Ediacaran strata in South China have undergone a complex history of diagenesis and deep burial.Table 1 Published temperature estimates for the Ediacaran Doushantuo (DST) Formation based on various analytical approaches. Sources are listed in chronological order: 1) Bristow et al. (2011)
Bristow, T.F., Bonifacie, M., Derkowski, A., Eiler, J.M., Grotzinger, J.P. (2011) A hydrothermal origin for isotopically anomalous cap dolostone cements from south China. Nature 474, 68–71. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10096
; 2) Loyd et al. (2015)Loyd, S.J., Corsetti, F.A., Eagle, R.A., Hagadorn, J.W., Shen, Y., Zhang, X., Bonifacie, M., Tripati, A.K. (2015) Evolution of Neoproterozoic Wonoka–Shuram Anomaly-aged carbonates: Evidence from clumped isotope paleothermometry. Precambrian Research 264, 179–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2015.04.010
; 3) Wang et al. (2017)Wang, Z., Wang, J., Kouketsu, Y., Bodnar, R.J., Gill, B.C., Xiao, S. (2017) Raman geothermometry of carbonaceous material in the basal Ediacaran Doushantuo cap dolostone: The thermal history of extremely negative δ13C signatures in the aftermath of the terminal Cryogenian snowball Earth glaciation. Precambrian Research 298, 174–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2017.06.013
; 4) Zhou et al. (2017)Zhou, G., Luo, T., Zhou, M., Xing, L., Gan, T. (2017) A ubiquitous hydrothermal episode recorded in the sheet-crack cements of a Marinoan cap dolostone of South China: Implication for the origin of the extremely 13C-depleted calcite cement. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 134, 63–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2016.11.007
; 5) Shi et al. (2023)Shi, H., Sun, Y., Ouyang, Q., Guan, C., Wang, W., Chen, Z., Zhou, C. (2023) U-Pb age of highly 13C-depleted calcite from the basal Ediacaran cap carbonate in Yichang, Hubei Province. Journal of Stratigraphy 47, 1–16 (in Chinese with an English abstract). https://doi.org/10.19839/j.cnki.dcxzz.2023.0005
; 6) Liu et al. (2025)Liu, Y., Wang, X., Song, Y., Shi, H., Chou, I-M., Zhou, C. (2025) Formation of abnormally high density H2S fluid in sedimentary basins. Geochemical Perspectives Letters 34, 43–49. https://doi.org/10.7185/geochemlet.2512
. MDAC, methane-derived authigenic calcite.| Methods | Published temperatures | Samples and position | Sources |
| Clumped isotope temperature | 86–156 °C | Dolomite veins* in basal DST | #1 |
| Clumped isotope temperature | 129–189 °C | White calcite spar in basal DST | #1 |
| Clumped isotope temperature | 275–476 °C | Black MDAC* in basal DST | #1 |
| Clumped isotope temperature | 34–164 °C | Carbonate matrix in upper DST | #2 |
| Raman spectroscopy | ∼200–300 °C | Carbonaceous materials in basal DST | #3 |
| Geothermal calculation | ∼241 °C | DST | #3 |
| Homogenisation temperatures of fluid inclusions | 160–220 °C | Quartz cements in basal DST | #4 |
| Clumped isotope temperature | 182–212 °C | MDAC in basal DST | #5 |
| Homogenisation temperatures of fluid inclusions | 138–160 °C | Calcite cements in upper DST | #6 |
| Homogenisation temperatures of fluid inclusions | 113–158 °C | Quartz cements in upper DST | #6 |
*See also Cui et al. (2024)Cui, H., Kitajima, K., Orland, I.J., Baele, J.-M., Denny, A., Spicuzza, M.J., Fournelle, J.H., Goderis, S., de Winter, N.J., Valley, J.W. (2024) Questioning the role of methane in the wake of a snowball Earth: Insights from isotopically anomalous cap dolostone cements with a complex diagenetic history. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 364, 195–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2023.11.002 for a critical reassessment of dolomite veins and MDAC cements within cap dolostones of the basal Doushantuo Formation.
Disentangling the influence of each individual process during deposition, diagenesis, and deep burial remains a challenging, yet critical, task when evaluating the veracity and significance of these sedimentary fabrics. On the one hand, the meticulous work of Liu et al. (2025)
Liu, Y., Wang, X., Song, Y., Shi, H., Chou, I-M., Zhou, C. (2025) Formation of abnormally high density H2S fluid in sedimentary basins. Geochemical Perspectives Letters 34, 43–49. https://doi.org/10.7185/geochemlet.2512
offers valuable new data and interpretations, and is therefore truly commendable; on the other hand, perhaps more work is warranted to fully understand these enigmatic textures and geochemical signatures.top
Acknowledgements
The author gratefully acknowledges support from Kansas State University and thanks editor Raúl Fonseca (Ruhr University Bochum) and the two anonymous reviewers for their efficient handling of this comment. Appreciation is also extended to Liu et al. (2025)
Liu, Y., Wang, X., Song, Y., Shi, H., Chou, I-M., Zhou, C. (2025) Formation of abnormally high density H2S fluid in sedimentary basins. Geochemical Perspectives Letters 34, 43–49. https://doi.org/10.7185/geochemlet.2512
for their willingness and openness in engaging in this scientific discussion.Editor: Raúl Fonseca
top
References
Ader, M., Macouin, M., Trindade, R.I.F., Hadrien, M.-H., Yang, Z., Sun, Z., Besse, J. (2009) A multilayered water column in the Ediacaran Yangtze platform? Insights from carbonate and organic matter paired δ13C. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 288, 213–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2009.09.024
Show in context However, despite decades of intensive investigation (Ader et al., 2009; Li et al., 2010; Jiang et al., 2011; Macouin et al., 2012; Cui et al., 2016, 2017, 2022; Shi et al., 2022), no enrichment of lead-zinc minerals—such as galena, sphalerite, pyrite, or chalcopyrite—has been documented at the studied Yangjiaping, Zhongling, Caojunba, and Nanbeizhan sections.
View in article
Bristow, T.F., Bonifacie, M., Derkowski, A., Eiler, J.M., Grotzinger, J.P. (2011) A hydrothermal origin for isotopically anomalous cap dolostone cements from south China. Nature 474, 68–71. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10096
Show in context Sources are listed in chronological order: 1) Bristow et al. (2011); 2) Loyd et al. (2015); 3) Wang et al. (2017); 4) Zhou et al. (2017); 5) Shi et al. (2023); 6) Liu et al. (2025).
View in article
Cui, H., Xiao, S., Zhou, C., Peng, Y., Kaufman, A.J., Plummer, R.E. (2016) Phosphogenesis associated with the Shuram Excursion: Petrographic and geochemical observations from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation of South China. Sedimentary Geology 341, 134–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2016.05.008
Show in context However, despite decades of intensive investigation (Ader et al., 2009; Li et al., 2010; Jiang et al., 2011; Macouin et al., 2012; Cui et al., 2016, 2017, 2022; Shi et al., 2022), no enrichment of lead-zinc minerals—such as galena, sphalerite, pyrite, or chalcopyrite—has been documented at the studied Yangjiaping, Zhongling, Caojunba, and Nanbeizhan sections.
View in article
However, previous studies have shown that the MDAC nodules in the upper Doushantuo Formation are typically lined by a thin quartz rim, with quartz crystals growing centripetally inward (Cui et al., 2016, 2017; Shi et al., 2022), suggesting that quartz likely formed before or concurrently with MDAC.
View in article
Cui, H., Kaufman, A.J., Xiao, S., Zhou, C., Liu, X.-M. (2017) Was the Ediacaran Shuram Excursion a globally synchronized early diagenetic event? Insights from methane-derived authigenic carbonates in the uppermost Doushantuo Formation, South China. Chemical Geology 450, 59–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.12.010
Show in context However, despite decades of intensive investigation (Ader et al., 2009; Li et al., 2010; Jiang et al., 2011; Macouin et al., 2012; Cui et al., 2016, 2017, 2022; Shi et al., 2022), no enrichment of lead-zinc minerals—such as galena, sphalerite, pyrite, or chalcopyrite—has been documented at the studied Yangjiaping, Zhongling, Caojunba, and Nanbeizhan sections.
View in article
However, previous studies have shown that the MDAC nodules in the upper Doushantuo Formation are typically lined by a thin quartz rim, with quartz crystals growing centripetally inward (Cui et al., 2016, 2017; Shi et al., 2022), suggesting that quartz likely formed before or concurrently with MDAC.
View in article
Cui, H., Kaufman, A.J., Xiao, S., Zhou, C., Zhu, M., Cao, M., Loyd, S., Crockford, P., Liu, X.-M., Goderis, S., Wang, W., Guan, C. (2022) Dynamic interplay of biogeochemical C, S, and Ba cycles in response to the Shuram oxygenation event. Journal of the Geological Society 179, jgs2021-081. https://doi.org/10.1144/jgs2021-081
Show in context However, despite decades of intensive investigation (Ader et al., 2009; Li et al., 2010; Jiang et al., 2011; Macouin et al., 2012; Cui et al., 2016, 2017, 2022; Shi et al., 2022), no enrichment of lead-zinc minerals—such as galena, sphalerite, pyrite, or chalcopyrite—has been documented at the studied Yangjiaping, Zhongling, Caojunba, and Nanbeizhan sections.
View in article
Cui, H., Kitajima, K., Orland, I.J., Baele, J.-M., Denny, A., Spicuzza, M.J., Fournelle, J.H., Goderis, S., de Winter, N.J., Valley, J.W. (2024) Questioning the role of methane in the wake of a snowball Earth: Insights from isotopically anomalous cap dolostone cements with a complex diagenetic history. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 364, 195–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2023.11.002
Show in context See also Cui et al. (2024) for a critical reassessment of dolomite veins and MDAC cements within cap dolostones of the basal Doushantuo Formation.
View in article
Jiang, G., Shi, X., Zhang, S., Wang, Y., Xiao, S. (2011) Stratigraphy and paleogeography of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation (ca. 635–551 Ma) in South China. Gondwana Research 19, 831–849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2011.01.006
Show in context However, despite decades of intensive investigation (Ader et al., 2009; Li et al., 2010; Jiang et al., 2011; Macouin et al., 2012; Cui et al., 2016, 2017, 2022; Shi et al., 2022), no enrichment of lead-zinc minerals—such as galena, sphalerite, pyrite, or chalcopyrite—has been documented at the studied Yangjiaping, Zhongling, Caojunba, and Nanbeizhan sections.
View in article
Li, C., Love, G.D., Lyons, T.W., Fike, D.A., Sessions, A.L., Chu, X. (2010) A Stratified Redox Model for the Ediacaran Ocean. Science 328, 80–83. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1182369
Show in context However, despite decades of intensive investigation (Ader et al., 2009; Li et al., 2010; Jiang et al., 2011; Macouin et al., 2012; Cui et al., 2016, 2017, 2022; Shi et al., 2022), no enrichment of lead-zinc minerals—such as galena, sphalerite, pyrite, or chalcopyrite—has been documented at the studied Yangjiaping, Zhongling, Caojunba, and Nanbeizhan sections.
View in article
Liu, Y., Wang, X., Song, Y., Shi, H., Chou, I-M., Zhou, C. (2025) Formation of abnormally high density H2S fluid in sedimentary basins. Geochemical Perspectives Letters 34, 43–49. https://doi.org/10.7185/geochemlet.2512
Show in context Liu et al. (2025) recently reported high density H2S in fluid inclusions from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation, South China.
View in article
The authors interpret the presence of H2S-rich fluid inclusions and MDAC nodules in the context of extensive MVT lead-zinc ore deposits within the Doushantuo Formation (Liu et al., 2025).
View in article
In this model, the progressive precipitation of authigenic calcite consumes the alkalinity generated by thermogenic sulfate reduction (TSR), thereby driving diagenetic fluids increasingly enriched, and eventually saturated, in H2S (Liu et al., 2025).
View in article
In this model, authigenic calcite precipitates prior to quartz mineralisation during nodule growth, with quartz forming in the centre of the nodules (see Fig. 4 in Liu et al., 2025).
View in article
The homogenisation temperatures of fluid inclusions measured by Liu et al. (2025) are not totally unexpected, as similar or even higher values have been reported using various methods (Table 1).
View in article
Sources are listed in chronological order: 1) Bristow et al. (2011); 2) Loyd et al. (2015); 3) Wang et al. (2017); 4) Zhou et al. (2017); 5) Shi et al. (2023); 6) Liu et al. (2025).
View in article
On the one hand, the meticulous work of Liu et al. (2025) offers valuable new data and interpretations, and is therefore truly commendable; on the other hand, perhaps more work is warranted to fully understand these enigmatic textures and geochemical signatures.
View in article
Appreciation is also extended to Liu et al. (2025) for their willingness and openness in engaging in this scientific discussion.
View in article
Loyd, S.J., Corsetti, F.A., Eagle, R.A., Hagadorn, J.W., Shen, Y., Zhang, X., Bonifacie, M., Tripati, A.K. (2015) Evolution of Neoproterozoic Wonoka–Shuram Anomaly-aged carbonates: Evidence from clumped isotope paleothermometry. Precambrian Research 264, 179–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2015.04.010
Show in context Sources are listed in chronological order: 1) Bristow et al. (2011); 2) Loyd et al. (2015); 3) Wang et al. (2017); 4) Zhou et al. (2017); 5) Shi et al. (2023); 6) Liu et al. (2025).
View in article
Macouin, M., Ader, M., Moreau, M.-G., Poitou, C., Yang, Z., Sun, Z. (2012) Deciphering the impact of diagenesis overprint on negative δ13C excursions using rock magnetism: Case study of Ediacaran carbonates, Yangjiaping section, South China. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 351–352, 281–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2012.06.057
Show in context However, despite decades of intensive investigation (Ader et al., 2009; Li et al., 2010; Jiang et al., 2011; Macouin et al., 2012; Cui et al., 2016, 2017, 2022; Shi et al., 2022), no enrichment of lead-zinc minerals—such as galena, sphalerite, pyrite, or chalcopyrite—has been documented at the studied Yangjiaping, Zhongling, Caojunba, and Nanbeizhan sections.
View in article
Shi, H., Ouyang, Q., Zhou, C., Xiao, S., Chen, Z., Guan, C. (2022) Integrated study of the Doushantuo Formation in northwestern Hunan Province: Implications for Ediacaran chemostratigraphy and biostratigraphy in South China. Precambrian Research 377, 106699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2022.106699
Show in context However, despite decades of intensive investigation (Ader et al., 2009; Li et al., 2010; Jiang et al., 2011; Macouin et al., 2012; Cui et al., 2016, 2017, 2022; Shi et al., 2022), no enrichment of lead-zinc minerals—such as galena, sphalerite, pyrite, or chalcopyrite—has been documented at the studied Yangjiaping, Zhongling, Caojunba, and Nanbeizhan sections.
View in article
However, previous studies have shown that the MDAC nodules in the upper Doushantuo Formation are typically lined by a thin quartz rim, with quartz crystals growing centripetally inward (Cui et al., 2016, 2017; Shi et al., 2022), suggesting that quartz likely formed before or concurrently with MDAC.
View in article
Shi, H., Sun, Y., Ouyang, Q., Guan, C., Wang, W., Chen, Z., Zhou, C. (2023) U-Pb age of highly 13C-depleted calcite from the basal Ediacaran cap carbonate in Yichang, Hubei Province. Journal of Stratigraphy 47, 1–16 (in Chinese with an English abstract). https://doi.org/10.19839/j.cnki.dcxzz.2023.0005
Show in context Sources are listed in chronological order: 1) Bristow et al. (2011); 2) Loyd et al. (2015); 3) Wang et al. (2017); 4) Zhou et al. (2017); 5) Shi et al. (2023); 6) Liu et al. (2025).
View in article
Wang, Z., Wang, J., Kouketsu, Y., Bodnar, R.J., Gill, B.C., Xiao, S. (2017) Raman geothermometry of carbonaceous material in the basal Ediacaran Doushantuo cap dolostone: The thermal history of extremely negative δ13C signatures in the aftermath of the terminal Cryogenian snowball Earth glaciation. Precambrian Research 298, 174–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2017.06.013
Show in context Notably, a burial temperature of ∼241 °C has been estimated for the South China region (Wang et al., 2017).
View in article
Sources are listed in chronological order: 1) Bristow et al. (2011); 2) Loyd et al. (2015); 3) Wang et al. (2017); 4) Zhou et al. (2017); 5) Shi et al. (2023); 6) Liu et al. (2025).
View in article
Wang, Z., Chen, C., Wang, J., Suess, E., Chen, X., Ma, X., Wang, G., Xiao, S. (2020) Wide but not ubiquitous distribution of glendonite in the Doushantuo Formation, South China: Implications for Ediacaran climate. Precambrian Research 338, 105586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2019.105586
Show in context Similar petrographic patterns have also been observed elsewhere (see Xiao et al., 2010; Wang et al., 2020).
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Xiao, S., Schiffbauer, J.D., McFadden, K.A., Hunter, J. (2010) Petrographic and SIMS pyrite sulfur isotope analyses of Ediacaran chert nodules: Implications for microbial processes in pyrite rim formation, silicification, and exceptional fossil preservation. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 297, 481–495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2010.07.001
Show in context Similar petrographic patterns have also been observed elsewhere (see Xiao et al., 2010; Wang et al., 2020).
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Zhou, G., Luo, T., Zhou, M., Xing, L., Gan, T. (2017) A ubiquitous hydrothermal episode recorded in the sheet-crack cements of a Marinoan cap dolostone of South China: Implication for the origin of the extremely 13C-depleted calcite cement. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 134, 63–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2016.11.007
Show in context Sources are listed in chronological order: 1) Bristow et al. (2011); 2) Loyd et al. (2015); 3) Wang et al. (2017); 4) Zhou et al. (2017); 5) Shi et al. (2023); 6) Liu et al. (2025).
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