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Platform-scale variability of Aeronian (early Silurian) δ13Ccarb excursions in the South China Block and its implications

Yu S, Chen Z, Kershaw S, Na L, Wang S, Liu S, Wang Y, Wang Y, Mao Y, Deng X, Li Q (2026)

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Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Book Volume: 698

Article Number: 113962

DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2026.113962

Abstract

The early and late Aeronian carbon isotope excursions (CIEs) are important chemostratigraphic markers for regional and global correlation of the lower Silurian carbonate successions. Although both excursions have been recognized in the South China Block (SCB), their spatial heterogeneity and underlying controls remain insufficiently constrained. Here, new carbon isotope (δ¹³Ccarb) and conodont data from the Tunping, Dongkala, and Yangshishan sections are used to investigate the variations of these Aeronian CIEs in the SCB. The early Aeronian CIE was identified at Dongkala and Yangshishan, and the late Aeronian CIE was identified at Tunping and Dongkala. Furthermore, a minor positive excursion was recognized together with the virgianid brachiopod coquinas and biostratigraphically diagnostic conodonts Ozarkodina obesa and Ozarkodina wangzhunia at Dongkala. Regional correlation of Aeronian carbon isotope records indicates that the maximum values of the early Aeronian CIE were relatively stable (~2.4–2.7 ‰) across the platform, whereas those of the late Aeronian CIE show a pronounced basinward decline, from 3.5 to 3.8 ‰ in the platform-interior settings to 2.6 ‰ at the platform-margin. This contrast is interpreted to reflect differences in water mass circulation related to the development of platform-margin reefs. During the late Aeronian, widespread reefs along the platform margin are here interpreted to have restricted water mass circulation between the platform-interior and the open ocean, enhancing residence time of surface water with high δ¹³Ccarb values in the platform-interior settings. In contrast, the absence of reef barriers during the early Aeronian is interpreted to have allowed more effective water mass mixing, producing a more homogeneous δ¹³Ccarb signature across the basin. These results highlight the critical role of local palaeoenvironmental factors, specifically carbonate platform morphology and water circulation, in modulating the stratigraphic expression of global carbon cycle perturbations.

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How to cite

APA:

Yu, S., Chen, Z., Kershaw, S., Na, L., Wang, S., Liu, S.,... Li, Q. (2026). Platform-scale variability of Aeronian (early Silurian) δ13Ccarb excursions in the South China Block and its implications. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2026.113962

MLA:

Yu, Shenyang, et al. "Platform-scale variability of Aeronian (early Silurian) δ13Ccarb excursions in the South China Block and its implications." Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 698 (2026).

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