Fine-Grained Sedimentary Rocks: Sedimentary Processes, Diagenesis, Geochemistry and Their Relationship with Critical Geological Events

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Background

Fine-grained sedimentary rocks, commonly referred to as "shale" or "mudstone", constitute approximately two thirds of the sedimentary column on Earth, and are nonetheless the least understood sedimentary rock type. These fine-grained sedimentary rocks serve as sources, reservoirs, and seals of hydrocarbons; influence the flow of groundwater; and can be rich in trace metals. Especially, they record critical geological events, such as mass extinction events, anoxic events, transgressive events, extreme thermal events, etc., which serves as a window to understand the Earth's paleoclimate, paleoenvironment, and paleoecology.

Therefore, investigating the formation processes and developmental characteristics of fine-grained sedimentary rocks not only aids in understanding the climatic, environmental, and ecological changes in the Earth's critical periods, particularly in marine or lacustrine environments, but also facilitates the reconstruction of the evolutionary history of the Earth.

In this Research Topic, our focus is on the sedimentary processes and hydrodynamic mechanisms of shales and mudstones in different depositional settings. Additionally, diagenetic processes of these fine-grained rocks are another focal point of our attention. We also focus on the formation mechanisms of organic-rich shales, by reconstructing distinctive paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental conditions through the geochemical data recorded in these rocks, and interpreting the driving mechanisms behind climatic and environmental variations during critical geological periods.

This Research Topic encourages original research articles, perspectives, and reviews on the sedimentary processes and hydrodynamic mechanisms of shales and mudstones in different depositional settings. Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Diagenetic processes of these fine-grained rocks;
• The formation mechanisms of organic-rich shales, by reconstructing distinctive paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental conditions through the geochemical data recorded in these rocks;
• The driving mechanisms behind climatic and environmental variations during critical geological periods.

Keywords: shale, mudstone, paleoenvironment, paleoclimate, sequence stratigraphy, depositional settings

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