Quantitative analysis methods of source-to-sink systems in deep-time and their progress

Abstract

Significane The analysis of source-to-sink system is a comprehensive study of tectonic geology, sedimentology, and sequence stratigraphy. Because of its integral, dynamic, and semiquantitative-quantitative characteristics, it has attracted widespread attention. Progress This review first introduces the key issues of the deep-time source-to-sink systems (pre-Quaternary systems), which include the quantitative characterization of sediment mass balance and the control of the transport process on the sediment. Due to the lack of stratigraphic records and the difficulty in obtaining parameters, the research is still challenging.Second, it reviews the quantitation methods of deep-time source-to-sink systems that can be classified into three categories, namely, geochronology, uniformitarianism, and sedimentology. By obtaining information such as geomorphological parameters, hydraulic parameters, erosion rates, and sediment flux, various methods establish the quantitative relationships between "sources" and "sinks" and then rebuild the sedimentary basin infilling history. This article introduces the principles and related parameters of different methods and then compares the advantages and limitations to provide a reference for future research. It is believed that geochronology is widely used, and the core lies in provenance analysis. The key to uniformitarianism is the analogy of geological background and the selection of geological parameters. The sedimentology is controlled by multiple variables, and the tectonic-climate background and research scale need to be considered comprehensively. Conclusions and Prospects Finally, this review states the development of quantitative analysis of deep-time source-to-sink systems. Under the guidance of the important idea of "the present is the key to the past", the research needs to focus on the provenance systems, sediment routing systems, sediment dispersal, and redistributive process, and coupling relationship between various parameters. Research also needs to pay attention to quantitative analysis at multiple timescales and multidisciplinary dynamic analysis. Compared with continental margin source-to-sink systems, continental lacustrine source-to-sink system patterns and prediction models need to be further improved.

Keywords

• source-to-sink system
• deep-time
• quantitative analysis
• mass balance
• sediment flux