///The Lower Cambrian black rock series in northwestern Hunan Province, rich in V-Ni-Mo polymetal elements, are an important part of Lower Cambrian black rock series in South China. This paper aimed at the study of trace elements in this rock series. In the studied area some elements, including Ni, Cd, Mo, Sb, V, Zn, W, Ba, are heavily enriched. The high content of Sb and Ba and high U/Th in the black rock series reflects hydrothermal sedimentary environment.The high content of Mo and high V/(V+Ni), V/Cr, Ni/Co and δU indicate an anoxic sedimentary environment for these rocks. The REE patterns, Ce and Eu anomalies, La/Yb-Ce/La and La/Yb-ΣREE diagrams suggest that V-Ni-Mo deposit was formed in an anoxic sedimentary environment together with hydrothermal sedimentary processes. All the trace element geochemical characteristics of the black rock series indicate that the V-Ni-Mo deposit from Lower Cambrian black rock series in northwestern Hunan Province was deposited in an anoxic sea environment. The seafloor hydrothermal activity provides the source for the abundant metallic elements.