The types and geological implications of the banded stratification in deep-water sedimentary environments

The banded beddings are well developed in the deep-water sedimentary environments such as in the Proterozoic and Cambrian strata in the transitional areas to the south of the Yangtze River. They may be classified into three common types: mm-scale, cm-scale and banded rhythmites, and often associated with: (1) the couples of the gravity deposits; (2) deformational stratifications, and (3) pelagic organisms. These beddings as the low-energy products may appear in both siliciclastic rocks and marls in the anoxic environments including outer shelf, bathyal and abyssal environments and may be interpreted as the good indicators of deep-water environments.