The Future of Sedimentology in China: A Review and Perspective of Sedimentary Geochemistry

Key words: 
• sedimentology /
• sedimentary geochemistry /
• major elements /
• trace elements /
• isotopes /
• biomarkers

Abstract: Sedimentary geochemistry is an important content and tool of sedimentary study, playing an essential role in understanding the evolution of Earth surface system and related resource-environment effects. With the increasing investments in scientific and technological researches, and the laboratory platform construction and technological advance in geochemical analysis, the studies of sedimentary geochemistry in China have stepped into a period of rapid development and gained increasing academic influences in the world. However, to narrow the gap with international leading countries and/or academic communities, sedimentary geochemistry studies in China should persistently aim to more high-quality outcomes and innovations, particularly in aspects of analytical technologies, methods and basic theories. Therefore, the Chinese sedimentological community should strengthen the overall planning and strategic arrangement for the development of sedimentary geochemistry:1) in term of tactics, strive for development and innovation in geochemical theory, method and technology; enhance high-resolution geochronological constraints on sedimentary and diagenetic process; promote the ability of accurate extraction and quantitative modeling for geochemical data; 2) in term of strategy, explore the evolution and distribution of geochemical proxies in greater geological space and time scale; intensify the applications of sedimentary geochemistry on critical scientific issues, such as the co-evolution of geological environment and life at critical transitions in Earth's history, and the formation and evolution of sedimentary ore deposits and fossil fuels. In this context, sedimentary geochemical studies in China are expected to further improve the academic achievement and influence in the world, realizing leapfrog development.