Coal geology and coal quality of the Miocene Mugla basin, southwestern Anatolia, Turkey

This work focuses on the relationship between the coal geology and coal quality of the Miocene Mugla basin, Southwestern Anatolia, Turkey. To this end, detailed petrographical, mineralogical and geochemical studies were performed on composite profile samples from the nine coal fields in the Mugla basin (Alatepe, Bagyaka, Bayir, Çakiralan, Ekizköy, Eskihisar, Hüsamlar, Sekköy and Tinaz coal fields). The Mugla lignite is a high ash (from 16 to 56%) and sulphur (from 2.1 to 5.7%) lignite which is petrographically characterised by a high huminite content, mainly gelinite macerals. The mineral matter of the studied lignite samples is made up mainly of clay minerals and quartz, with the exception of the Sekköy and Ekizköy lignites, in which calcite is the dominant mineral phase with minor amounts of quartz, clay minerals, pyrite and gypsum and traces of aragonite. Syngenetic opal is also frequently identified in these samples. The differentiation of these two types of lignite with specific mineralogical patterns is attributed to the contemporaneous development of peatlands with a high detrital input, dominated by the quartz and clay mineral setting, and peatlands with low detrital supply and a dominant carbonate-rich lacustrine environment. The higher water table of the latter allowed the precipitation of micritic carbonates and the development of lakes with abundant mollusc fauna. This differentiation is also evidenced by the geochemical data. Thus, the Sekköy, Ekizköy, Hüsamlar, Bayir and Alatepe lignites are characterised by relatively low Al and Fe contents (<1.4%) and high sulphur contents (4.2 to 5.7%). In addition Sekköy and Ekizköy show relatively high contents of Ca (6.3–7.1% compared to 1.6–3.8% in the other lignites). All the lignite samples studied are characterised by relatively high Mo and U contents when compared with the worldwide averages of trace elements in coal. Relatively high alkaline syngenetic conditions of the peat-forming environment of the Mugla coal are deduced from the following mineralogical, petrographical and geochemical evidence: (a) the precipitation of syngenetic opal (dissolution of quartz and re-precipitation as opal) and calcite; (b) minor and very early syngenetic sulphide precipitation (only framboidal and euhedral pyrite); (c) high bacterial activity, typical of high pH conditions, inferred from low preservation of tissue structures; (d) preservation of aragonite gastropod shells; and (e) the anomalous enrichment of U, Mo and W. A key result of the study of Mugla limnic coals (at least of the Sekköy and Ekizköy coal fields) is that a major influence was exerted on the early diagenetic evolution of the coal by the hydrochemistry of the lacustrine waters. This hydrochemistry was largely linked to the lithology of the surrounding source rock areas although the final evolutionary trend of the solute composition in the lake waters, characterized by very high carbonate and sulphate contents, was largely enhanced by the endorheic river drainage system and the arid–semiarid paleoclimatic situation under which organic matter accumulation took place.     

Fluid-pressure controlled soft-bed deformation sequence beneath the surging Breiðamerkurjökull (Iceland, Little Ice Age)

The general subject of this paper is subglacial deformation beneath Breiðamerkurjökull, a surging Icelandic glacier. More specifically it discusses the evolution and the role of fluid pressure on the behaviour of subglacial sediments during deformation. During Little Ice Age maximum, the two outcrops studied, North Jökulsarlon (N-Jk) and Brennhola-Alda (BA), were located at 2550 m and 550 m respectively from the front of the Breiðamerkurjökull. Sedimentological analysis at the forefield of the glacier shows thick, coarse glaciofluvial deposits interbedded with thin, fine-grained shallow lacustrine/swamp deposits, overlain by a deformed till unit at N-Jk. BA outcrop shows fine-grained shallow lacustrine/swamp deposits overlain by a deformed till unit. The sequence of deformation events from one outcrop to the other is similar. First, major thrust planes, which were rooted in shallow lacustrine/swamp deposits developed by glacially induced simple shear. Next, the thrusts were folded, indicating the deformation of hydroplastic sediment assisted by moderate fluid pressure. Then clastic dyke swarms crosscut the sedimentary succession, proving that fluid overpressure caused hydrofracturing associated with fluidisation. Finally, as water escaped from the glacier bed, fluid pressure dropped, and normal faulting occurred in brittle-state subglacial sediments. Fluid-pressure variations are related to glacier dynamics. They control the deformation sequence by modifying subglacial rheological behaviour and the nature of the subglacial tectonism.     

A new Early–Middle Weichselian palaeoenvironmental record from a lacustrine sequence at Svirkanciai,Lithuania

The Middle Weichselian (OIS 4‐3) and the transition from Early to Middle Weichselian are the most problematic and disputed time intervals of the Late Pleistocene with regard to the palaeogeography of the Fennoscandian glaciations. The number of sites with sediments of Middle Weichselian age in the Baltic region is very limited. An extensive area (77 km²) of lacustrine sediments (sand, clay, silt with humus and interlayers of peat), under the relief‐forming Upper Weichselian till, was discovered in the vicinity of the Venta settlement, northwestern Lithuania, and named the Venta Palaeolacustrine Basin. The Svirkanciai outcrop (56°18′05″N, 22°53′00″E) (15 m in height) of this palaeobasin is composed of two sediment complexes of different genesis and age. The lower part consists of silt and very fine‐grained sand of lacustrine origin. According to palynological data, the lacustrine sediments accumulated under boreo‐arctic climatic conditions. The pollen records suggest that local vegetation was sparse forest with open areas. An Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) date of the lacustrine sand yielded an age of >79±6 ka, which indicates that lacustrine conditions may have occurred during part of the Early Weichselian Odderade Interstadial (Jonionys 2). However, the palynological data from Svirkanciai suggest a Middle Weichselian age, possibly correlating with the Oerel Interstadial (Jonionys 3) 55 ka ago. No traces of early Middle Weichselian Schalkholz (Nemunas 2a) stadial glacial advance have been found in the Venta sections. This also suggests a Middle Weichselian age for the Svirkanciai lacustrine sediments.     

Chemico-petrographic studies of some lignite core samples from Kalol oilfield,Cambay Basin,Gujarat, Western India

The Kalol oilfield in the Cambay graben, Gujarat. western India, is known to contain thick seams of lignite in the Kalol Formation (Middle Eocene), overlying the oil-bearing Cambay Black Shale (Lower Eocene), at depths between 1110 m and 1500 m. The Kalol Formation occurs in the northern portion of the Cambay Basin as a wedge-shaped sequence of regressive and transgressive marine environments, the lignite being confined to the former phase.Chemically, the Kalol lignite is characteristically low in moisture (4.45–4.64%), quite low in ash (1.67-10.82%) and high in volatiles (43.56–55.25%). C is 72.39–77.18%, H is 4.47–5.93%, N is 1.16–1.58%, O is 15.73–18.62%, and S is 0.32–0.86%. According to Seyler's classification, the Kalol lignite can be classified as belonging to rank (a) lower than lignitous, (b) perlignitous, (c) ortholignitous, (d) metalignitous, and (e) bituminous. According to North American (ASTM) classification, utilising data on volatiles and R_{m oil}, the lignite belongs to lignite, sub-bituminous C and low volatile bituminous rank.Petrographically, the Kalol lignite is composed of huminite (50–81%), liptinite (1–16%), and inertinite (6–32%). Inertinite comprises mainly sclerotinite as plectenchyma, fusinite being absent. Exsudatinite is quite common. On the basis of microlithotype, the lignite comprises textile (1–13%), detrite (19–69%), liptitextite (1–10%), liptidetrite (4–16%), inertidetrite (1–25%), detrinertite (3–21%), and inertite (5–26%), with shale (5–12%). R_{m oil} varies from 0.30 to 0.40. The bituminous coal sample is high in shaly matter (53%) and composed of vitrinite (16%) and sclerotinite (29%), the former showing R_m 1.80.These studies indicate that the chemical and petrographic constitution of the lignite is favourable for underground gasification.     

Alluvial fan–lacustrine association in the fault tip end of a half-graben, northern Triassic Cuyo basin, western Argentina

The Triassic deposits of Cerro Puntudo in the San Juan province of western Argentina constitute the northernmost exposures of the northern portion of the nonmarine Cuyo rift basin, also known as the Las Peñas-Tamberías half-graben. The local column, with an exposed thickness of approximately 400 m, consists of abundant basal and topmost coarse alluvial fan conglomerates and breccias (facies associations I and II) and a relatively thin (approximately 50 m) intervening sequence of marginal, shallow lacustrine deposits characterized by stromatolitic (domal) limestones, tuffaceous mudstones, and fine-grained sandstones (facies association III). Subaerial exposure in the lacustrine deposits is evidenced by desiccation cracks and brecciation. A very thin (0–6 m), laterally, discontinuous succession of lacustrine deposits with similar characteristics is interbedded with the basal conglomerates. Laterally, this lacustrine interval was eroded by overlying conglomerates. The basal conglomerates commonly show crude normal grading, faint cross-bedding, and b-axis clast imbrication. The predominance of coarse deposits and paleocurrents from NW to SE, indicative of an axial flow pattern, suggest that these exposures correspond to the northern end of the Cuyo basin, which is characterized by a shallow, alluvial fan-encased, carbonate-rich lake margin. This lacustrine interval can be correlated with the thicker lacustrine section exposed to the south at Quebrada del Tigre and Ciénaga Larga along the border fault margin of a nonmarine half-graben. The correlation with these sections suggests that the Cerro Puntudo lacustrine deposits are the shallowest equivalent of more profundal, organic-rich lacustrine sediments exposed in the deepest segment of the border fault margin. These thickness and facies variations are the result of differential subsidence along the border fault margin between the low accommodation, fault tip end represented by the Cerro Puntudo section and the high accommodation, central segment located to the south.     

黄河源区第四纪地质研究的新进展

通过对黄河源区的钻孔、自然露头的研究, 建立了黄河源区的第四纪地层层序。第四纪地层可划分为下更新统、中更新统、上更新统和全新统。下更新统为河湖相沉积; 中更新统主要有湖积物、冰碛物和冰水沉积物; 上更新统主要有湖积物、冰碛物、冰水沉积物、洪积物和河流沉积物; 全新统主要由河流沉积物、洪积物和湖积物构成。黄河源区的冰期可划分为3期, 即末次冰期、倒数第二次冰期、倒数第三次冰期, 末次冰期又可分为2个冰阶。黄河源区的湖泊演化可划分为早更新世、中更新世和晚更新世—全新世3个阶段: 早更新世的湖泊范围小; 中更新世的湖泊范围明显扩大, 在位置上也较早更新世的湖泊南移; 晚更新世的湖泊经历了两次的扩张—收缩变化, 到了全新世, 除现今还发育的几个湖泊外, 大多数地区的湖水已退出, 基本上转变为河流环境。在晚更新世末期到全新世初期, 封闭黄河源区的多石峡被切开, 湖水外泄, 现今的黄河形成了, 同时发生了袭夺长江水系的水流。     

柴北缘中侏罗统湖相泥页岩储层矿物组成与脆性特征

运用X射线衍射技术,对柴北缘中侏罗统46块岩心泥页岩样品和15块露头泥页岩样品进行了定性和定量分析。结果表明研究区泥页岩矿物成分中黏土矿物含量最高,介于33%~79.7%之间,平均54.3%;其次为石英,含量介于14.5%~57.8%之间,平均35.4%;碳酸盐矿物含量较少,总量一般介于0~13%之间,个别样品大于15%,露头样品与岩心样品矿物成分有差别。黏土矿物组合特征反映出研究区进入中成岩阶段,对应有机质演化的成熟阶段,具有适宜页岩油气形成的成熟度条件。扫描电镜显示,研究区泥页岩发育3种孔隙类型。与海相页岩相比,柴北缘中侏罗统泥页岩黏土矿物含量高但敏感性矿物含量低,石英、长石等脆性矿物含量偏低但达到湖相泥页岩开发标准,脆性指数平均为42.6%,整体上具有较好的脆性和可压性,有利于该区湖相页岩的压裂改造。     

昭通盆地茨营组沉积演化及聚煤规律研究

昭通盆地是云南省重要的褐煤产地。为了对区内褐煤资源进行客观评价,以野外地质调查和钻探成果为基础,通过对盆地的沉积相展布和区域地质背景分析,系统研究了盆地形成、演化过程和聚煤规律。研究结果表明:①盆地新近系茨营组广泛发育冲积扇-扇三角洲沉积体系、泥炭沼泽沉积体系和湖泊沉积体系;上新世早期盆地主体发育扇三角洲-半深湖-深湖沉积体系;上新世晚期发育泥炭沼泽-半深湖沉积体系;更新世早期发育半深湖-深湖沉积体系。②盆地经历了快速断陷期(上新世早期)、稳定坳陷期(上新世晚期)和稳定扩张期(更新世早期),形成了可采煤层M1、M2、M3,其中M1、M2煤层形成于湖平面相对上升泥炭沼泽,是盆地内分布最广泛的可采煤层,煤层M3主要分布于海子向斜。     

大凌河河口地区中更新世晚期以来沉积环境演化

大凌河河口地区LZK06孔40m以浅岩心的沉积学、古生物学和年代学等综合研究以及该地区LZK02- 04钻孔资料,揭示了研究区中更新世晚期以来经历了两次海侵- 海退旋回,依次形成了中更新世晚期湖相/河流相 SymbolnB@ 晚更新世海相- 湖相/河流相 SymbolnB@ 全新世海相- 河流相地层。全新世早中期由于物源供给很少,研究区处于长达约10ka的饥饿滞留相沉积环境,平均沉积速率仅约0. 02~0. 05cm/a。全新世晚期约1500a cal BP以来,由于人类活动导致水土流失,河流输砂量增加,研究区开始了快速加积过程,平均沉积速率约0. 9~1. 2cm/a,下辽河平原被快速充填,开始成陆。与全球海面变化时空分布特征的对比,推断辽东湾的第II海相层发育于MIS 5- MIS 3早期,第I海相层发育于MIS 1阶段高海面时期。晚更新世以来频繁的海面升降是辽东湾泥质海岸带地层和环境演化的主要控制因素。     

Sediment yield in the Patuxent River (Md.) undergoing urbanization, 1968–1969

Water discharge from the Patuxent River into its estuary was near-average (95%) during the water year 1968–1969 although precipitation was only 79% of the average. Suspended-sediment discharge into the estuary, however, was more then double the normal yield (344 metric tons/km² compared to 143 metric tons/km²). These increases in runoff and suspended-sediment yields, despite decreased precipitation, must be attributed to urbanization of the drainage basin.The maximum measured suspended-sediment concentrations in the rural Middle Patuxent basin (Piedmont Province) increased only 40-fold during an increase from “average” to high water runoff (15 mg/l to 600 mg/l). In the portion of the Little Patuxent River basin undergoing urbanization (Piedmont portion), stream concentrations increased by over two orders of magnitude (20 mg/l to 2400 mg/l) as a result of heavy rainfall. The area undergoing urbanization of the Little Patuxent yielded more than twice as much suspended sediment per unit area as the rural Middle Patuxent (620 metric tons/km² versus 290 metric tons/km²). This increase also is interpreted to be the direct result of erosion of soils denuded or disturbed during urban construction.Using the Middle Patuxent as a “standard” for normal erosion rates in rural areas, construction sites contributed about 82% of the suspended sediment discharged by the Patuxent River into its estuary even though such sites represented only 23% of the drainage basin.     

Glacial extent and catastrophic meltwater events during the deglaciation of Southern Iceland

Reconstruction of the paleoenvironment of South Iceland based on lithofacies and chronological studies of the Búdi morainal complex, lacustrine deposits at Ófærugil and a sediment core from Lake Hestvatn, South Iceland, revealed evidence for repeated catastrophic flood (jökulhlaup) activities during the late Younger Dryas (YD) and the early Preboreal (PB) chronozones. During this time, thin and lobate outlet glaciers from the retreating Iceland Ice Cap extended from major valleys and calved into the paleobay of southern lowlands of Iceland where relative sea level was at least 70 m higher than today. A number of ice-marginal lakes formed during the stepwise retreat of the South Iceland ice sheet at the transition of the YD and PB. Primary geomorphic and sedimentologic impact of the jökulhlaups was erosion of multiple channels downstream from the most prominent moraines in South Iceland and through the coastal sediment, accompanied by net aggradation of chaotically stratified sand and silt lenses. At the ice-distal environment, these floods accumulated in the form of recurrent turbidity currents. Volcanic eruptions, supplemented by a catastrophic release of the ice-marginal lakes, are postulated as the main triggers for the jökulhlaup activity. The jökulhlaup events evidenced in this study and subsequent break-up of the partly marine-based glacier may have contributed to the ice-rafting events found in the North Atlantic paleoenvironmental record.     

A preliminary study on the enrichment mechanism and occurrence of hazardous trace elements in the Tertiary lignite from the Shenbei coalfield, China

The Cr and Ni contents are high in the Eocene lignite of the Shenbei coalfield, which is a small intracontinental basin located in Liaoning Province, China. In this paper, we studied the distribution, origin and occurrence of Cr, Ni and other hazardous trace elements in the Shenbei lignite on the basis of coal petrology, and geochemistry of the lignite and combustion products. The following conclusions on the Shenbei lignite can be drawn: (1) The dominant maceral group in the Shenbei coal is huminite (humodetrinite), accounting for 96%–99% of the total maceral. Inertinite content is less than 1%. Liptinite content (sporinite and cutinite) is 0.2–1.6%. Common minerals in the Shenbei lignite include clay minerals (kaolinite), pyrite and quartz, and calcite and siderite. Chromite is not present in the lignite. (2) Potentially hazardous trace elements such as Co (22 μg/g), Cr (79 μg/g), Cu (63 μg/g), Zn (93 μg/g), V (88 μg/g) and Ni (75 μg/g) are strongly enriched in the Shenbei lignite compared with average concentration of trace elements in the Chinese coal and worldwide lignite. These elements are mainly associated with fulvic acid (FA) and/or coal organic macromolecular compounds in most of the studied lignite samples, indicating an organic association and enrichment of these elements in the Shenbei lignite. (3) Unusually high trace elements contents in the Shenbei lignite are derived mainly from the olivine basalt (country rock of coal basin) that consists of 52.7% plagioclase, 17.8% pyroxene, 14% olivine and 15.5% Ti–Fe oxide minerals. These olivine basalts have higher Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn contents than other types of rock and worldwide basalts do. (4) Fly ash of the Shenbei lignite, with 90% 1–50 μm amorphous particles and 8% 1–10 μm cenosphere, has high contents of Zn (23,707 μg/g), Be (12 μg/g), Sr (1574 μg/g), Pb (486 μg/g) and Cr (349 μg/g). In particular, the ferruginous micro-cenoshperes contain 1–12.79% Zn. Fine bottom ash (<0.031mm) of the Shenbei lignite has higher contents for most of the elements with the exception of Mo, Sn and Zn. Therefore, the potentially environmental and health impact of the fly ash and fine bottom ash should constitute a major concern.     

第四纪洞庭盆地沅江凹陷东缘鹿角地区构造—沉积演化研究

沅江凹陷为第四纪洞庭盆地东部的一个次级凹陷。通过地表地质调查和钻孔资料,在沅江凹陷东缘北部鹿角地区第四纪构造、沉积及地貌特征研究基础上,探讨并提出其构造-沉积演化过程：早更新世早期洪湖-湘阴断裂和荣家湾断裂相继活动,断裂以西地区断陷沉降并沉积,以东地区则构造抬升而遭受风化剥蚀。早更新世末期凹陷区东部构造反转抬升并遭受侵蚀。中更新世早期和中期凹陷区断陷沉降并接受沉积。中更新世晚期研究区整体抬升而遭受剥蚀。晚更新世西部主凹陷区在稳定或弱沉降并形成泥质沉积,东部间歇性抬升。在上述中更新世晚期开始的构造抬升的同时,研究区东部产生了自东向西、自南向北的构造掀斜。全新世构造总体稳定,西部洞庭湖区形成湖冲积。区域上,第四纪洞庭盆地构造性质经历了早期断陷到晚期坳陷的转变。     

广东东莞地区中侏罗统塘厦组凝灰质沉积物的元素地球化学特征及构造背景

东莞地区中侏罗统塘厦组为富含凝灰质的湖泊沉积。对样品进行全岩分析和ICP-MS微量元素分析,并计算Sr/Ba、B/Ga和Ca/Mg比值,其比值变化与古盐度变化成正相关,特征显示塘厦组为咸水湖泊沉积,由下至上古盐度逐渐降低,水体深度也逐渐变浅。对样品进行ICP-MS稀土元素分析,计算各样品δCe值和(La/Yb)_N比值,δCe值介于0.83 ~ 1.31之间,(La/Yb)_N值均明显大于1或小于1,其特征反映湖泊沉积物沉积速率较低,只在塘厦组底部和上部出现相对高的沉积。元素P和Sr/Cu值反映其富集与迁移,受到气候的控制。元素P平均值在0.205×10^-2; Sr/Cu平均值大于4.0×10^-6,在中晚期出现最低值1.42×10^-6,这是塘厦组以干热气候为主,中晚期出现了短暂温湿气候所造成的。塘厦组为干热气候下缓慢沉积的咸水湖泊沉积。Zr-Th、La-Th-Sc判别图解、稀土元素特征及区域构造分析,显示中侏罗世东莞地区构造背景为活动大陆边缘的弧后盆地。受伸展作用影响,本区发育弧后裂谷型湖盆。泥岩La/Yb-∑REE源岩判别图解显示,源岩为玄武岩、花岗岩和沉积岩。     

中国煤层气技术可采资源潜力

煤层气原地资源量和技术可采资源量的计算结果,可为国家制定煤层气开发战略提供决策依据,也可为煤层气开发的相关部门或单位提供参考依据,对推动我国煤层气产业发展具有重要意义。通过对我国褐煤分布区的煤层气资源量的计算,弥补了我国长期缺少褐煤煤层气资源量的缺陷,使我国煤层气资源量数据更加完整,我国陆上煤层埋深2 000 m以浅的煤层气原地资源量为32.86×1012m3,其中,褐煤主要分布区为1.40×1012m3,非褐煤地区为31.46×1012m3。利用已建立的煤层气技术可采资源量评价方法体系,并基于目前的开发技术,对我国煤层气技术可采资源量进行计算,结果为13.90×1012m3,占原地资源量的42%。      

THE CENOZOIC GEORECORDS IN THE NORTHWEST OF YUNNAN AND THE EVOLUTION OF QING—ZANG PLATEAU

THE CENOZOIC GEORECORDS IN THE NORTHWEST OF YUNNAN AND THE EVOLUTION OF QING—ZANG PLATEAU     

Middle Jurassic continental biota and paleolandscape in the Dubinino locality (Sharypovo area,Krasnoyarsk krai)

On the basis of the lithological-facies analysis, it was established that deposits of the Upper Itat Subformation, comprising the Dubinino locality of the Middle Jurassic flora and insects (Sharypovo district, Krasnoyarsk krai), accumulated in alluvial and lacustrine and, to a lesser extent, floodplain environments (floodplain and alluvial fan facies). The occurrence of remains of insects, macroremains of flora, spores, and pollen allowed us to make a paleoreconstruction of an area with a strongly dissected relief: continental fresh-water reservoir (lake) with varying degree of overflow, surrounded by hills covered with gymnospermous and ginkgo forests.     

Re‐interpretation of the Meikirch pollen record,Swiss Alpine Foreland,and implications for Middle Pleistocene chronostratigraphy

The Meikirch drilling site in the Swiss Midlands north of Bern is re‐interpreted using a combination of sedimentological logging, pollen analyses and luminescence dating. The sedimentary sequence comprises about 70 m of lacustrine deposits, overlain by about 39 m of coarse glacial outwash interpreted to represent at least two independent ice advances. Pollen analyses of the apparently complete limnic sequence reveal a basal late glacial period followed by three warm phases that are interrupted by two stadial periods (Meikirch complex). The warm periods were previously correlated with the Holsteinian and Eemian Interglacials. According to luminescence dating, and with consideration of evidence for Middle Pleistocene climate patterns at other central European sites, a correlation of the Meikirch complex with marine isotope stage (MIS) 7 is now proposed. If this correlation is correct, it implies the presence of three intervals with interglacial character during MIS 7. However, the late Middle Pleistocene vegetational features of the Meikirch complex show significant differences when compared with the pollen record from the Velay region, central France. Possible explanations for this discrepancy are distinct Middle Pleistocene patterns of atmospheric circulation over central Europe and a different distribution of vegetation refugia compared to the Eemian Interglacial and the Holocene. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coal resources of the Sonda coal field, Sindh Province, Pakistan

Approximately 4.7 billion t of original coal resources, ranging from lignite A to subbituminous C in rank, are estimated to be present in the Sonda coal field. These resources occur in 10 coal zones in the Bara Formation of Paleocene age. The Bara Formation does not out crop in the area covered by this report. Thin discontinuous coal beds also occur in the Sonhari Member of the Laki Formation, of Paleocene and Eocene age, but they are unimportant as a resource of the Sonda coal field.The coal resource assessment was based on 56 exploratory drill holes that were completed in the Sonda field between April 1986 and February 1988. The Sonda coal field is split into two, roughly equal, areas by the southwestward flowing Indus River, a major barrier to the logistics of communications between the two halves. As a result the two halves, called the Sonda East and Sonda West areas, were evaluated at different times by slightlydifferent techniques; but, because the geology is consistent between the two areas, the results of both evaluations have been summarized in this report. The resource estimates for the Sonda East area, approximately 1,700 million t, were based on the thickest coal bed in each zone at each drill hole. This method gives a conservative estimate of the total amount of coal in the Sonda East area. The resource estimates for the Sonda West area, approximately 3,000 million t, were based on cumulative coal bed thicknesses within each coal zone, resulting in a more liberal estimate. In both cases, minimum parameters for qualifying coal were a thickness of 30 cm or greater and no more than 50% ash; partings thicker than 1 cm were excluded. The three most important coal zones in the Sonda field are the Inayatabad, the Middle Sonda and the Lower Sonda. Together, these three coal zones contain 50% of the total resources. Isopachs were constructed for the thickest coal beds in these three coal zones and indicate large variations in thickness over relatively small distances. Coal beds in the Sonda coal field were difficult to correlate because of poor core recovery in some intervals and abrupt lateral thinning and thickening. Most coal zones are separated by 5–10 m of interburden, although in some places the interburden between zones is over 100 m thick. More closely spaced drill holes should clarify and significantly improve coal zone correlations in the Bara Formation.Coal resources in the Sonda coal field were calculated for three reliability categories; measured, indicated, and inferred. The most reliable estimates are those for the measured category. Measured coal resources are approximately 91 million t, or about 2% of the total resource; indicated resources are 681 million t, or about 14% of the total; and inferred resources, the least reliable resource category, are 3,931 million t, or 84% of the total resources. The distribution of resources by reliability category is due to the relatively wide spacing (approximately 5 km) between core holes.Analyses of 90 coal samples, on an as-received basis, indicate average ash and sulfur contents of 13.7% and 3.6%, respectively, and a range in rank from lignite A to subbituminous C. Calorific values for these samples range from 6,000 to 8,000 Btu/lb (1 Btu = 1055J; 1 lb = 4536 kg).     

Late Miocene nonmarine sedimentation and formation of magnesites in the Acıgöl Basin, southwestern Anatolia, Turkey

The Late Miocene lacustrine Acıgöl Basin, SW Turkey, formed as an orogen-top, extensional half-graben, with the subaqueous accommodation controlled by the lake level and the bulk accommodation provided by active subsidence along a WSW-trending normal fault at the basin's southern margin. The basin-fill sedimentary succession consists of terminal alluvial-fan facies overlain by ephemeral lake-margin facies and perennial lake facies, with widespread fluvial facies at the top. The distal alluvial-fan facies include massive to stratified sandstones and massive mudstones with intervening nodular dolostones and incipient pedogenic horizons. The lake-margin facies are micritic magnesites passing laterally into peloidal, irregularly laminated magnesites towards the palaeolake margin and overlain by marlstones and dolostones, all with abundant evidence of episodic subaerial exposure (desiccation cracks, pedogenic features, and tepee structures). The perennial lake facies are micritic magnesites passing upwards into clayey dolostones and dolomitic or clayey marlstones. The fluvial facies capping the succession include planar cross-stratified conglomerates (channel-fill deposits), planar parallel-stratified, planar cross-stratified and rippled cross-laminated sandstones (crevasse-fill and crevasse splay deposits), and assemblages of mudstones intercalated with thin sandstone beds (overbank floodplain deposits).The sedimentological, mineralogical and geochemical data reveal large variations in the basin's hydrological regime, including short-term oscillations and bulk rise of the lake level, periodical changes in the Mg/Ca ratio and terrigenous mud supply, and a negative covariance of δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C fluctuations. The composition of terrigenous sediment and the chemistry of water supplied to the lake were controlled by the weathering, chemical leaching and erosion of the ultramafic–dolomitic bedrock in the catchment area. The bedrock yielded Mg-rich carbonate solutions that caused the deposition of Mg-carbonates in the lake.Despite short-term lake-level fluctuations, the lake's net water budget remained positive. It is suggested that the region's present-day climate and Mg-rich alkaline lakes can serve as an analogue for the climatic and hydrological conditions in the Late Miocene Acıgöl Basin.