Characterization of Iron Grains near the P/T Boundary in the Meishan Section of China

• Published in: Acta geologica Sinica (Beijing) Vol. 80; no. 1; pp. 46 - 51
• Main Authors: Hou'an, CAI, Handong, LIANG, Jun, ZHANG, Chunping, LUO
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2006
• Subjects: goethite; iron grain; Meishan section; P/T boundary; P/T边界; pyrite; 针铁矿; 黄铁矿
• ISSN: 1000-9515; 1755-6724
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-6724.2006.tb00794.x

The Meishan section of China has been confirmed as the ＂Global Stratotype Section and Point＂ of the P/T boundary. In the section, the authors found several types of iron grains, including pyrite, pure iron grains and goethite. From the research of macro minerals, it is easy to find that the grains rich in iron appear from the bottom of the event layer of the section. In other words, it is probably residue of the geochemical catastrophe of that time. Therefore, it is important to trace the source of these iron grains and their relationships, which probably provides evidence for volcanic eruption or impact-volcanoes and has directive significance to the crisis during the P/T transitional period. Through the study of the characterization and relationships of these iron grains, the authors make a preliminary discussion on the P/T mass extinction.