Microbialite development in the Ediacaran Qigebrak Formation of the Tarim Basin, Northwest China: An examination of characteristics, distribution, and paleoceanographic reconstruction

Microbialite development in the Ediacaran Qigebrak Formation of the Tarim Basin, Northwest China: An examination of characteristics, distribution, and paleoceanographic reconstruction

Xudong Chen^1,2, Qilu Xu^1,2

• National Key Laboratory of Deep Oil and Gas, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China;
• School of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, 266580, China

 

The Upper Ediacaran Qigebrak Formation in the Tarim Basin of NW China preserves abundant and well-preserved microbialites with primary textures. These provide valuable insights into Precambrian sedimentology and paleoceanography. Our study focuses on elucidating the relationship between paleoceanic conditions and the development of these microbialites to understand their Precambrian origin.

A comprehensive analysis of Ediacaran outcrops in the northwestern Tarim Basin identified 12 distinct microbialite types, ranging from mafic (F1) to flat-laminated stromatolite (F12). These comprise F2 (micrite dolomite), F3 (granular dolomite), F4 (bonded sand debris dolomite), and spongiomicrobialite variants (F5-F7). Additionally, we observed F8 (fenestral tectonic thrombolites), F9 (micrite thrombolites), and diverse stromatolite dolomites (F10-F12). Their occurrence is spatially distributed: F1 and F2 in the nearshore supratidal low-energy zone; F3, F4, and F7 in granular beach and microbial mound zones; F5 and F8 in the environmental transition zone; F6 and F11 in the lower intertidal high-energy zone; F10 predominantly in the upper subtidal high-energy zone; and F9 and F12 in both upper intertidal and lower subtidal low-energy zones.The shale-normalized REE patterns of these microbialites exhibit weak negative Ce anomalies, weak positive Eu anomalies, and positive La anomalies, suggestive of suboxic seawater deposition. Their chemical signatures, characterized by low V, Ni, and Co concentrations, high Sr content, and Sr/Cu ratios exceeding 50, collectively indicate warm and arid paleoclimatic conditions. Compared to F9, F6, F10, and F11 show lower V/(V+Ni) values, higher Mg/Ca ratios, and stronger LREE and MREE deficits, suggesting formation in shallower, more dynamic, saline, and oxygenated waters.

Our findings offer fresh perspectives on the formation mechanisms of Precambrian microbial rocks and paleo-oceanic reconstruction.