Vn. Podkovyrov et al., CARBONATE CARBON ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION IN THE UPPER RIPHEAN STRATOTYPE, THE KARATAU GROUP, SOUTHERN URALS, Stratigraphy and geological correlation, 6(4), 1998, pp. 319-335
The Karatau Group of the Southern Urals furnishes an opportunity to re
veal the C-isotopic composition for the major part of the Upper Riphea
n in a single type succession comprising, according to radiometric and
paleontological evidence, both the lower and upper horizons of this u
nit (1000 +/- 50-650 +/- 20 Ma). In the studied sections, the group is
dominated by carbonate deposits, which in terms of cathodoluminescent
, geochemical and isotopic-geochemical data can be considered insignif
icantly altered and retaining the primary C-isotopic signature. Limest
ones of the lower Katav Subformation, lowermost in the carbonate succe
ssion of the group, show the descending trend of delta(13)C values fro
m 4.4 down to -0.8 parts per thousand PDB, whereas limestones of the u
pper Katav Subformation and the lower part of the overlying lower Inte
r Subformation demonstrate the ascending trend up to 3.9 parts per tho
usand with three positive excursions. The upper part of the lower Inte
r limestones is characterized by low positive values of delta(13)C and
the upper Inter limestones, by the low negative values. Limestones an
d dolomites of the overlying Min'yar Formation display the largest for
the Karatau Group range of delta(13)C variations from -2.2 to 5.9 par
ts per thousand with four peaks. The Uk Formation limestones, which te
rminate the Karatau carbonate succession, show again the low positive
values of delta(13)C. Variations of delta(13)C in the Karatau Group ar
e basically consistent with the general Upper Riphean trend. However,
contrary to other Upper Riphean sections, the Karatau Group is devoid
of long intervals characterized by high (>6 parts per thousand) values
and demonstrates much smaller delta(13)C range. These distinctions ma
y be due to significant stratigraphic hiatuses in the Karatau carbonat
e succession.