The genesis and environmental significance of red and black sedimentary interlayers in coral reef of well Nanyong 2

The results of paleogeomagnetics and geochemistry of the coral reef in well Nanyong 2 of Nansha Islands showed that the bottom of the black sedimentary interlayer corresponds to the conversion boundary line between Brunhes Postive Polarity and Matuyama Reversed Polarity (B/M) and the cold/warm (19/20) climatic conversion bounds on δ¹⁸O curve, 0.78 Ma ago; and the red sedimentary interlayer corresponds to the Reunion I polarity excursion (reversion) of the geomagnetic field, 2.01–2.04 Ma ago. Comparing with the normal light-coloured coral reef rock, the magnetic susceptibility (χ), residual magnetization intensity (Mr) and the content of MnO and Fe₂O₃ of the black sedimentary layer appeared obviously positive abnormity. The magnetic susceptibility (χ), residual magnetization intensity (Mr) and the content of Fe₂O₃ of the red sedimentary layer also appeared positive abnormity. Combining with the analyzing results of paleontology, we hold that this pair of special and typical sedimentary interlayers was relative to the sudden change of paleoclimate, i.e. the global climatic change and its incidental polarity reversal of the geomagnetic field directly affected the living environment of the paleontological species as well as the dispersion and enrichment of some chemical elements, especially the elements sensitive to redox such as Fe and Mn. For example, the elements Fe and Mn concentrated in the glacial period would be largely oxidized and diluted when the climate warmed up suddenly, and the originally oxidized high valence Fe would be condensed again when the climate cooled suddenly. This is possibly one of the important reasons of appearing and disappearing of the red and black sedimentary events of coral reef in well Nanyong 2.