Middle and late pleistocene biostratigraphy and paleoclimate of an open-pit coal mine Schoningen Germany

In the Schoningen open-pit lignite mine (Northeastern Lower Saxony, Germany), Tertiary strata are unconformably overlain by Quaternary sediments and soils of Middle and Late Pleistocene and Holocene age. The complex Pleistocene sequence contains a number of interglacial and interstadial deposits and soils and is of scientific importance for Late Middle Pleistocene stratigraphy of Central Europe and because of archeological evidence of early human occupation by Home erectus. There is evidence of four interglacials younger than the third-last glaciation (Elsterian). The classical Holsteinian is followed by the newly discovered biostratigraphic unit Reinsdorf, an interglacial complex which contains archeological horizons with wooden artifacts. Based on paleoecological fauna and flora data, the lithological setting and preliminary age determinations, the Reinsdorf Interglacial likely correlates with marine isotope stage 9 and the Holsteinian with stage 11.     

The newly-developed Cambrian biostratigraphic succession and chronostratigraphic scheme for South China

Biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy are common means of subdividing rock strata. The biostratigraphic succession and chronostratigraphic scheme are regarded as the basis for the subdivision and correlation of regional and global stratigraphic units. This paper reviews research on the biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy carried out in the Jiangnan Slope Belt, South China since 1978, and, in particular, the biostratigraphic succession and chronostratigraphic scheme developed in the last decade. The updated biostratigraphic succession of South China includes 36 biozones, the base of each of which is defined by the first appearance of a single taxon （index fossil）, and a poorly fossiliferous interzone. The updated chronostratigraphic scheme of South China comprises 4 series and 10 stages, embracing 3 global chronostratigraphic units, the Guzhangian Stage, Furongian Series, and Paibian Stage, and 2 GSSPs, all of which are erected in northwestern Hunan and 2 International Tie Points recognized in sections also in northwestern Hunan and each was accepted by the International Subcommission on Cambrian Stratigraphy for defining the base of the global stage. The biostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic systems are recognized as Chinese standards both domestically and worldwide. Future research is suggested for improving the two sets of stratigraphic standards.     

层序生物地层学

化石在地层中的分布及保存情况与在层序中的部位及关键界面密切相关，高分辨率的生物地层学研究是正确划分、对比层序的关键。生物地层学和层序地层学的密切结合，产生了地层学的一门新的分支学科——层序生物地层学，在国际范围内，尚属起步阶段。也将成为中国研究者们关注的热点。