Sedimentology of the Ediacaran barite-bearing cap dolostone from Gaolan, northern Three Gorges, South China

While Ediacaran cap dolostones research is a hot topic, detailed sedimentological analysis of barite-bearing cap dolostones remains scarce. Here, new data are presented from Xiangerwan in northern Three Gorges, South China, to illustrate the sedimentary characteristics, depositional environment and formation mechanism of the barite-bearing cap dolostone. In ascending order, the succession is divided into: (i) pebbly dolostone; (ii) dolostone with unusual sedimentary structures (for example, sheet cracks and tepee structures); and (iii) barite-bearing facies. The gravels of the pebbly dolostone record the slow relative sea-level rise during post-glacial transgression, with a local terrestrial influence. Sheet cracks and tepee structures represent water escape structures in the supratidal and upper intertidal zone, and gently wavy stromatolites in barite-bearing facies are deposits typical of the upper intertidal zone. In addition, primary radial length-slow dolomite cements were originally precipitated at the seafloor. In general, the cap dolostone was formed in a shallow-water ramp environment. The form and sedimentary characteristics of barites indicate a primary (syngenetic) origin and help to divide the barites into bladed (Type I) and needle-like (Type II) variants. With the ongoing melting of the Marinoan glacier and water density stratification, the cap dolostone was gradually precipitated, accompanied by exotic gravels input. The stratification persisted, and special sedimentary structures were widely developed. Phosphorus and barium ions were brought up from the deep basin by upwelling, indicated by the flourishing stromatolites and barite fan deposition. Above the sediment–water interface, the Type I barite first grew upward from substrates, then the Type II barite could grow either in the reverse ‘V-shape’ cavities between and within the Type I barite clusters, forming rhythm layers with bedded dolomite, or scattered in the laminae of stromatolites or surrounding dolomite. Finally, the formation of barite fans indicates the end of cap dolostone deposition and deeper water sedimentation.