The organic-rich Upper Ordovician sediments (Wufeng and Guanyinqiao Formations) on the Yangtze
platform are considered to be one of the main source rocks. Here we present geochemical proxies,
including redox indicator (S/C ratios and sulfur isotopes) and productivity indices (TOC, Mo and Ba
contents), from Nanbazi section in North Guizhou province, South China, in order to investigate the
mechanism of organic matter accumulation. The geochemical data suggest a stagnant and anoxic
environment predominated the Yangtze Sea during the Wufeng period, whereas ventilated and
oxygenated marine conditions pervaded the Yangtze Sea during the Guanyinqiao period. Variations in
the concentration of TOC, Mo and Ba indicate that higher organic carbon export in the Wufeng intervals
than those in the Guanyinqiao intervals. These variations in redox and productivity during the late
Ordovician were associated with different mechanisms and forcing processes. The abrupt change from
anoxic to oxygenated condition at the beginning of the Guanyinqiao was concomitant with the global
glacial period, likely resulted from the glacio-eustatic sea-level fall and subsequent circulation of cold,
dense oxygenated waters upon the shelf seabed. The productivity variations were related to the change