Geochemistry of the dysaerobic sedimentary environments of the Qixia Formation in Badong,Hubei

The geochemistry of sediments and/or rocks in the oxygen-deficient environments is commonly an important indicator for the interpretation of palaeoredox conditions. The analyses of twelve moderately laminated limestone and argillaceous limestone samples col-lected from the Lower Permian Qixia Formation of the Shuibuya section in Badong,Hubei, integrated with their sedimentary and palaeoecological characteristics,have confirmed that the carbonate successions in the study area were accumulated in a dysaerobic environment. In addition,it is suggested that most geochemical indices for the interpretation of palaeore-dox conditions inferred from ancient mudstones, for example, U/Th, Ni/Co, V/(V + Ni) and Ce/La except V/Cr,are also valid for the imterpretation of argillaceous limestones.