Since the West Pingdingshan Section in Chaohu was proposed as the candidate of the Global Stratotype Section and Point of the Induan-Olenekian boundary in 2003, the Lower Triassic of Chaohu has been extensively studied. Based on the studies on the Lower Triassic of Chaohu, （1） a continuous conodont zonation is established, which has become an important reference for Lower Triassic stratigraphic correlation over the world; （2） the First Appearance Datum of conodont Neospathodus waageni was suggested and has been basically accepted as the primary marker to define the InduanOienekian boundary; （3） a characteristic Lower Triassic excursion of carbon isotopes was brought to light and has been proven to be not only an excellent index for the stratigraphic correlation but also a unique indication for the perturbation of ecological environments in the aftermath of the end-Permian mass extinction; （4） a magnetostratigraphic sequence is constituted with a certain biostratigraphic control in the low-latitude region and it presents an important correlation to the Boreal sequence; （5） a cyclostratigraphic study provides an alternative method to constrain the age of the chronostratigraphic units; and （6） a scheme of the Olenekian subdivision is recently suggested to define the boundary between the Smithian and Spathian Substages. In addition, Chaohu is also the type locality of the Chaohuan Stage, the upper stage of the Lower Triassic in the China Chronostratigraphic System.Thus, the Lower Triassic of Chaohu is not only a classic sequence in South China, but also a key reference sequence to the investigation of the corresponding stratigraphy and geological events over the world. The recent achievements are viewed here for an overall understanding of the sequence. Then the current situation of the Induan-Olenekian and Smithian-Spathian boundaries is discussed to provide a reference for later works.
The West Pingdingshan Section in Chaohu, Anhui Province, has been extensively studied in recent years and become one of the classic Lower Triassic sequences well-clarified in multiple stratigraphies. Also it is an important section that defines the Smithian-Spathian (S-S) boundary within the Olenekian Stage. The S-S boundary strata at the section are restudied in high-resolution conodont biostratigraphy and carbon isotopes. The refined S-S boundary defined by the FAD of conodont Neospathodus pingdingshanensis is at 30 cm above the base of Bed 52, corresponding to a rapid diversification of conodonts. A sharp positive shift of δ13Ccarb curve co-occurs at the S-S boundary and it can be used as a key reference to define the boundary. The defined S-S boundary position and carbon isotopes curve can be well correlated globally.
High-resolution microanalysis was performed on conodonts collected from the Huanghuachang section in the Yichang area using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). This region is regarded as a standard section for the division and correlation of the Ordovician system in southern China. The results show that the values of (La/Yb)N and (La/Sm)N decrease, while the values of δCe increase as seawater deepens and energy decreases. As the sedimentary environment changes from shallow-water carbonate platform to platform margin to open continental shelf to shelf basin, rare earth element distribution curves gradually transform from a right inclined pattern to a flat pattern to a left inclined pattern and a hat-shaped pattern. The present work proves that the values and distributive patterns of rare earth elements in conodonts correspond with the sedimentary environment, and therefore provide reliable evidence for the application of rare earth element concentrations of biogenic phosphates such as conodonts for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.
We studied the clay rocks around the Permian-Triassic boundary at the Daxiakou （大峡口） Section in Xingshan （兴山）, Hubei （湖北） Province, China. All clay rocks are predominated by illitemontmorillonite （I/M） mixed-layer minerals, and high-temperature hexagonal bipyramid （HB） quartz and pyrite are contained in different abundances. Clay microspheres are even found in some beds. The results show that volcanic activity was very frequent in this area or in the neighboring areas during the Permian-Triassic transition though the intensity of eruption and the position of the eruption center might have varied during the period. The frequent volcanic activity should be at least one of the leading events to cause the momentous turnover of biota and the ecosystem during the great Permian-Triassic transition.
