Carbonaceous metalliferous sediments and oceanic anoxic events in the Earth's Phanerozoic history

The oceanic anoxic events (OAE) intermittently occurring in the Earth's Phanerozoic history left fingerprints in the geological record in the form of carbonaceous metalliferous sediments. The analysis of the available data on the S, Mo, Sr, Os, and Nd isotope compositions reveals that the role the volcanic factor was multiply higher during the accumulation of these sediments. The sediments maximally enriched in planktonogenic organic matter (up to 5% on average and up to 30% in separate layers) are widespread on continental margins and in adjacent onshore areas. On active margins, they are largely confined to the back parts of marginal seas, where they are characterized by lower organic matter concentrations (averaging approximately 2.5% and up to 10% in separated beds). The deposition of carbonaceous metalliferous sediments in the Phanerozoic associates with 16 oceanic anoxic events, which happened in different geodynamic settings with intensified ophiolitic, island-arc, and trappe volcanism. The underwater lava eruptions and hydrothermal solution discharges served as a triggering mechanism for the chemical, biological, sedimentological, and climatic processes that stimulated the development of anoxic environments in the ocean and the deposition of carbonaceous metalliferous sediments.