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Paleoecology of Pennsylvanian phylloid algal buildups in south Guizhou, China

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Abstract

Pennsylvanian phylloid algal reefs are widespread and well exposed in south Guizhou, China. Here we report on reefs ranging from 2 to 8 m thickness and 30–50 m lateral extension. Algae, the main components, display a wide spectrum of growth forms, but are commonly cyathiform (cup-shaped) and leaf-like (undulate plates). The algal reef facies is dominated by boundstone. Algal thalli form a dense carpet whose framework pores are filled with marine cement and peloidal micrite. The peloidal matrix is dense, partly laminated or clotted with irregular surfaces and often gravity defying. Algal reefs in Guizhou differ from examples reported to date by the high biodiversity of organisms other than phylloids: e.g., the intergrowth of algae with corals (some of which are twice the size of algal thalli) and numerous large brachiopods. This contrasts to previous views that phylloid algal “meadows” dominated the actual seafloor, excluding other biota. Also, the pervasive marine cements (up to 50%) including botryoidal cement are noteworthy. Algal reefs developed at platform margins, a depositional environment similar to that of modern Halimeda mounds in Java, Australia and off Bahamas, and to that of time-equivalent examples reported from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Whereas nutrients appear decisive in the growth of Halimeda reefs, algal reefs reported herein seemingly grew under conditions of low nutrient levels. Overall, algal reefs in Guizhou challenge previous views on growth forms, diversity patterns, and depositional environments and add to the spectrum of these partly puzzling biogenic structures.

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Acknowledgements

We thankfully acknowledge the final support of the National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40572014) to Gong Enpu and the Swiss National Science Foundation (Project 200021-107505) to Elias Samankassou. We thank two anonymous journal reviewers for comments and A. Freiwald for editorial advice which improved the initial draft of the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Geology, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110004, China

    Gong Enpu, Guan Changqing, Zhang Yongli & Sun Baoliang

  2. Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 6, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland

    Elias Samankassou

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  1. Gong Enpu
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  2. Elias Samankassou
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Correspondence to Elias Samankassou.

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Enpu, G., Samankassou, E., Changqing, G. et al. Paleoecology of Pennsylvanian phylloid algal buildups in south Guizhou, China. Facies 53, 615–623 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10347-007-0122-4

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