冷泉是当今科学界研究的前沿和热点之一。对冷泉研究的进展进行了综述,着重对冷泉渗漏过程中沉积的冷泉碳酸盐岩进行了较为深入的分析,如形成机理,形态特征,矿物成分,结构构造,稳定碳、氧、硫同位素组成,稀土元素特征以及冷泉生物群落等;认为具有极负碳同位素值和独特组构的冷泉碳酸盐岩是研究冷泉的主要手段之一;初步探讨了海底水合物分解冷泉渗漏与温室气候、碳循环、大洋缺氧事件(OAE)和生物灭绝之间的关系。
Cold seep is the research frontier and hotspot in the modern science.The paper elucidated the new advances of researches on cold seep,analysed intensively cold seep carbonates formed in the progress of cold seep deposition,including formation mechanism,field occurrences,mineralogy,structures and constructions,characteristics of stable carbon-oxygen and sulphur isotope compositions,rare earth elements and faunal assemblages.It is proposed that cold seep carbonates with remarkably negative carbon isotopes and distinctive sedimentary features are the main carriers of studying cold seep.Besides,this paper preliminarily discussed the palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental significance for methane seepage related to gas-hydrate decomposition in cold seep system,such as the connection with"greenhouse climate",carbon cycle,oceanic anoxic event(OAE)and mass extinction.