Organic carbon cycling and black shale deposition: an Earth System Science perspective

Earth has a prolonged history characterized by substantial cycling of matter and energy between multiple spheres. The production of organic carbon can be traced back to as early as similar to 4.0 Ga, but the frequency and scale of organic-rich shales have varied markedly over geological time. In this paper, we discuss the organic carbon cycle and the development of black shale from the perspective of Earth System Science. We propose that black shale depositions are the results of interactions among lithospheric evolution, orbital forcing, weathering, photosynthesis and degradation. Black shales can record Earth's oxygenation process, provide petroleum and metallic mineral resources and reveal information about the driver, direction and magnitude of climate change. Future research on black shales should be expanded to encompass a more extensive and more multidimensional perspective. Black shale depositions are valuable archives of interactions between different geological forcings.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the organic carbon cycle and the development of black shale from the perspective of Earth System Science. It proposes that black shale depositions are the result of interactions among various factors and can provide valuable information about Earth's oxygenation process and resources. Future research should adopt a more extensive perspective.