Weathering characteristics of the Lower Paleozoic black shale in northwestern Guizhou Province,south China

The northwestern Guizhou in the Yangtze Craton of south China has a tremendous potential of shale gas resource. In this paper, we present results from major and trace elements, total organic carbon, mineralogical composition analysis and petrophysical parameters to characterise shale weathering features. Further, the differences of black shale between underground and outcrops have also been presented to examine the changes of black shale after weathering. Our results show that the trace elements of shale have varying degrees of loss in the weathering leaching process, both in Niutitang shale and Longmaxi shale, the loss of B, V, Ni, Cu, Zn and Ba is obvious, but the element migration quantity in the former is greater than in the latter. Decomposition of minerals such as pyrite, feldspar and calcite result in the leaching of Na, Ca, Mg and Fe. The loss rate of total organic carbon (TOC) in black shales ranges from 18% to 70% with an average of 43%; moreover, the loss of organic carbon in samples with high TOC content is larger than in those samples with low TOC content. Results following the testing of porosity and permeability show that porosity increases significantly after weathering but permeability changes little. Furthermore, the increment of porosity is greater in the Niutitang shale (with more sulphide minerals) than in the Longmaxi shale, suggesting that the oxidation of sulphide minerals may have led to the formation of an acidic environment, causing the other minerals in the black shale to weather more quickly, thus resulting in increased porosity. The content of clay minerals in the core samples is slightly lesser than the outcrop samples, but the TOC content in the core samples is greater and has a larger specific surface area. This suggest that the TOC content played a decisive role on the specific surface area of shale. In addition, changes in the black shale caused by the weathering process mainly depend on the mineral composition and the TOC content in shale. In this study, we try to establish relations between outcrop samples and core samples, in order to better understand the underground characteristics of shale reservoir.     

Distribution and geochemical significance of trace elements in shale rocks and their residual kerogens

There is a dearth of information about the distribution of trace elements in kerogen from shale rocks despite several reports on trace element composition in many shale samples. In this study, trace elements in shale rocks and their residual kerogens were determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. The results from this study show redox-sensitive elements relatively concentrated in the kerogens as compared to the shales. This may be primarily due to the adsorption and complexation ability of kerogen, which enables enrichment in Ni, Co, Cu, and Zn. For the rare earth elements (REEs), distinct distribution characteristics were observed for shales dominated by terrigenous minerals and their kerogen counterparts. However, shales with less input of terrigenous minerals showed similar REE distribution patterns to their residual kerogen. It is speculated that the distribution patterns of the REEs in shales and kerogens may be source-related.     

白云岩风化剖面元素地球化学特征:对黔中九架炉组“三稀金属”富集机制的启示

黔中早石炭世九架炉组铝土矿含矿岩系富集Ti、Li、Sc、V、Ga、Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf、Th和稀土(REEs)等"三稀金属",具有成为独立矿床或伴生资源的潜力。这些元素大部分与九架炉组共有同一母岩,且富集程度受母岩的成分和风化作用控制。本研究选取九架炉组母岩乌当娄山关群白云岩和纳雍牛蹄塘组泥质白云岩的现代风化剖面为研究对象,研究元素在风化作用过程中的迁移特征及分布规律,进而为九架炉组微量元素的富集机制提供启示。研究获得以下认识:1)依据剖面结构、ZrHf、Nb-Ta、Y-Ho二元图特征及REE配分曲线和Eu/Eu*值的相似性表明研究区土层主要来源于基底或母岩的风化; 2)白云岩风化成土过程中Si、Fe、Cr、As、Sb、Ti、Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf、Th、REEs等元素化学性质相对稳定,富集程度较高,而Ca、Mg、Na、K、Sr、P、Mo、Cd等元素化学性质活泼,容易淋失亏损; 3)纳雍剖面REEs~(3+)和Ca~(2+)半径差与REEs富集系数相关性良好,表明碳酸盐岩风化过程中,含钙矿物磷灰石是稀土元素分配的重要控制因素; 4)九架炉组的母岩也是Ti、Li、Sc、V、Ga、Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf、Th等微量元素的主要物质来源,母岩风化过程中,这些微量元素首先在副矿物、黏土矿物、铝矿物及磷灰石等矿物相中初步富集,之后随风化碎屑物一起沉积形成微量元素超常富集地层; 5)纳雍剖面地表和地下水提供了部分P、Be、Zn、Sb、Pb、Y及REEs来源,指示水体迁入作用也是九架炉组REEs富集的重要原因。研究表明黔中九架炉组微量元素的来源较复杂,风化-沉积过程中,化学性质稳定的元素残留在风化碎屑物中并被搬运-沉积在负地形中,而化学性质活泼的元素首先被带入水体,在沉积-成岩过程中特定条件下发生二次富集作用(例如次生矿物的形成及吸附)形成微量元素富集的地层。     

Weathering of the New Albany Shale, Kentucky: II. Redistribution of minor and trace elements

During weathering, elements enriched in black shale are dispersed in the environment by aqueous and mechanical transport. Here a unique evaluation of the differential release, transport, and fate of Fe and 15 trace elements during progressive weathering of the Devonian New Albany Shale in Kentucky is presented. Results of chemical analyses along a weathering profile (unweathered through progressively weathered shale to soil) describe the chemically distinct pathways of the trace elements and the rate that elements are transferred into the broader, local environment. Trace elements enriched in the unweathered shale are in massive or framboidal pyrite, minor sphalerite, CuS and NiS phases, organic matter and clay minerals. These phases are subject to varying degrees and rates of alteration along the profile. Cadmium, Co, Mn, Ni, and Zn are removed from weathered shale during sulfide-mineral oxidation and transported primarily in aqueous solution. The aqueous fluxes for these trace elements range from 0.1 g/ha/a (Cd) to 44 g/ha/a (Mn). When hydrologic and climatic conditions are favorable, solutions seep to surface exposures, evaporate, and form Fe-sulfate efflorescent salts rich in these elements. Elements that remain dissolved in the low pH (<4) streams and groundwater draining New Albany Shale watersheds become fixed by reactions that increase pH. Neutralization of the weathering solution in local streams results in elements being adsorbed and precipitated onto sediment surfaces, resulting in trace element anomalies.Other elements are strongly adsorbed or structurally bound to solid phases during weathering. Copper and U initially are concentrated in weathering solutions, but become fixed to modern plant litter in soil formed on New Albany Shale. Molybdenum, Pb, Sb, and Se are released from sulfide minerals and organic matter by oxidation and accumulate in Fe-oxyhydroxide clay coatings that concentrate in surface soil during illuviation. Chromium, Ti, and V are strongly correlated with clay abundance and considered to be in the structure of illitic clay. Illite undergoes minimal alteration during weathering and is concentrated during illuvial processes. Arsenic concentration increases across the weathering profile and is associated with the succession of secondary Fe(III) minerals that form with progressive weathering. Detrital fluxes of particle-bound trace elements range from 0.1 g/ha/a (Sb) to 8 g/ha/a (Mo). Although many of the elements are concentrated in the stream sediments, changes in pH and redox conditions along the sediment transport path could facilitate their release for aqueous transport.     

Geochemistry of trace and rare earth elements during weathering of black shale profiles in Northeast Chongqing,Southwestern China: Their mobilization,redistribution, and fractionation

In this study, the mobilization, redistribution, and fractionation of trace and rare earth elements (REE) during chemical weathering in mid-ridge (A), near mountaintop (B), and valley (C) profiles (weak, weak to moderate, and moderate to intense chemical weathering stage, respectively), are characterized. Among the trace elements, U and V were depleted in the regolith in all three profiles, Sr, Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf displayed slight gains or losses, and Th, Rb, Cs, and Sc remained immobile. Mn, Ba, Zn, Cu, and Cr were enriched at the regolith in profiles A and B, but depleted in profile C. Mn, Pb, and Co were also depleted in the saprock and fractured shale zones in profiles A and B and enriched in profile C. REEs were enriched in the regolith and depleted at the saprock zone in profiles A and B and depleted along profile C. Mobility of trace and REEs increased with increasing weathering intensity. Normalized REE patterns based on the parent shale revealed light REE (LREE) enrichment, middle REE (MREE), and heavy REE (HREE) depletion patterns. LREEs were less mobile compared with MREEs and HREEs, and this differentiation increased with increasing weathering degree. Positive Ce anomalies were higher in profile C than in profiles A and B. The Ce fractionated from other REE showed that Ce changed from trivalent to tetravalent (as CeO₂) under oxidizing conditions. Minimal REE fractionation was observed in the saprock zone in profiles A and B. In contrast, more intense weathering in profile C resulted in preferential retention of LREE (especially Ce), leading to considerable LREE/MREE and LREE/HREE fractionation. (La/Yb)_N and (La/Sm)_N ratios displayed maximum values in the saprock zone within low pH values. Findings demonstrate that acidic solutions can mobilize REEs and result in leaching of REEs out of the highly acidic portions of the saprock material and transport downward into fractured shale. The overall behavior of elements in the three profiles suggests that solution pH, as well as the presence of primary and secondary minerals, play important roles in the mobilization and redistribution of trace elements and REEs during black shale chemical weathering.     

广西某地花岗岩风化壳中稀土元素特征与iREE矿床成矿机制

为了解风化壳中离子交换相稀土元素的特征,对广西某地花岗岩风化壳剖面样品进行了X射线衍射及主量、稀土元素地球化学特征的研究.剖面自上而下可划分为腐殖土层(A₁)、亚粘土层(A₂)、网纹状风化层(B₁)和全风化层(B₂);自A₁至B₂,粘土矿物的含量和化学风化蚀变指数快速降低;与母岩相比A₁、A₂、B₁中全相Ce、Nd和HREE相对富集,B₂中全相稀土与母岩特征相似,所有样品的离子交换相HREE亏损,Y相对富集;离子交换相轻、重稀土一起富集在B₂中.据此推测,花岗岩中褐帘石、榍石等易风化的稀土矿物为离子交换相稀土提供了主要的物源,锆石、磷钇矿等难风化的稀土矿物的残留及表生稀土矿物的形成使全相HREE相对富集;离子交换相轻、重稀土元素的分馏程度随风化程度的增加而变化.      

黑色页岩的资源功能和环境效应

利用ICP—MS等分析技术对典型黑色页岩的微量元素及P、S等组分进行了分析,探讨了黑色页岩的化学特征、风化机制和微量元素富集特征,阐明了黑色页岩的资源功能和环境效应。结果表明,黑色页岩不但富含多种矿产资源,产有大型、超大型多金属矿床,而且可用作复合化肥以改良土壤。同时,黑色页岩因风化分解释放CO2、产生酸性矿排水、释出重金属元素等而可能对环境产生严重影响,引起环境问题。开发利用黑色页岩不但要充分认识其资源功能特征,拓宽其应用途径,而且要特别注意其可能引发的环境问题。     

渝东北黑色页岩元素迁移特征及化学风化程度

黑色页岩是富含有机质和硫化矿物的特殊沉积岩,但人们对其风化过程的元素活动性及矿物风化机制关注较少.为探讨不同地形位置的黑色页岩化学风化过程,采集了渝东北城口某山脊 (A)、近山顶 (B) 和沟谷 (C) 的下寒武统水井沱组黑色页岩风化剖面岩样,利用XRD、XRF和化学分析手段对采集样品的矿物成分、主量元素进行测定分析.元素和矿物的质量迁移系数 (τ) 和质量迁移通量 (M_{j, flux}) 的计算结果表明,黑色页岩风化过程中Ca、Mg和Na元素具有明显的贫化现象,近地表处存在Al元素的富集现象;矿物成分方面,黄铁矿和有机质氧化后形成的酸性水环境,造成方解石、白云石、斜长石等不稳定矿物溶解,并生成含水石膏、铁质氧化物、黏土矿物等次生矿物.不同赋存位置的黑色页岩风化程度有所差异,Na/K-CIA、K/Ca*-Al/Na、A-CN-K和A-CNK-FM图解显示:A剖面处于脱Ca过程的初级风化阶段,B剖面处于脱Ca、Na初期的初等-中等风化阶段,C剖面已发生脱Ca、Na过程,并伴随脱Si作用的中等-强烈风化阶段,结合不同风化指数 (如:CIA、CIW、PIA、MWPI等),得出各剖面的化学风化强弱程度依次为C＞B＞A.      

Mobilization and re-distribution of major and trace elements during extreme weathering of basalt in Hainan Island, South China

Major, trace and organic elements of a laterite profile developed on Neogene basalts in northern Hainan Island, South China were reported in this paper, the aim of which was to investigate element mobilization and re-distribution during extreme weathering. The results indicate that most of the elements have been mobilized and transferred downwards along the profile by aqueous solution. Organic matter (OM) can significantly improve the transport of insoluble elements. Among all the elements, Th is the least mobile. As for the general conservative elements during incipient chemical weathering, such as Fe, Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb and Ta, the removals are up to 20-40% in the upper profile. However, these elements behave as conservatively as Th in the lower profile. In the middle profile, oxic environment occurs, accompanied with significant OM decomposition. The Mn and Ce transferred downward are readily oxidized into insoluble Mn(IV) and Ce(IV) and precipitate in the oxic front. Important OM decomposition decreases the capacity of transfer of insoluble elements in aqueous solution. Consequently, Al significantly precipitates in the oxic front, and REEs, with the exception of Ce, precipitate largely in the OM-depleted layers. Co and U are also concentrated in the oxic front in association with Mn and Ce, respectively. However, Cr shows a negative correlation with Mn because its response to redox condition changes is reversed from that of Mn. Mn oxides/hydroxides, Fe oxides/hydroxides and secondary phosphate minerals other than clay minerals are potential hosts for REEs except for Ce in the profile; REEs with high concentrations in the profile seem closely associated with Mn oxides/hydroxides. Remarkable, highly correlated, Ce and Gd anomalies are observed in the profile. Ce anomalies are caused by Ce precipitation in the oxic environment and successive decomposition of organic matter. Gd anomalies are likely to have resulted from lower stability constants of Gd-OM complexes compared to those of neighboring REEs. The overall elemental behaviors in this profile suggest that organic matter plays a very important role in the mobilization and re-distribution of the elements during extreme weathering.     

Weathering of the New Albany Shale, Kentucky, USA: I. Weathering zones defined by mineralogy and major-element composition

Comprehensive understanding of chemical and mineralogical changes induced by weathering is valuable information when considering the supply of nutrients and toxic elements from rocks. Here minerals that release and fix major elements during progressive weathering of a bed of Devonian New Albany Shale in eastern Kentucky are documented. Samples were collected from unweathered core (parent shale) and across an outcrop excavated into a hillside 40 year prior to sampling. Quantitative X-ray diffraction mineralogical data record progressive shale alteration across the outcrop. Mineral compositional changes reflect subtle alteration processes such as incongruent dissolution and cation exchange. Altered primary minerals include K-feldspars, plagioclase, calcite, pyrite, and chlorite. Secondary minerals include jarosite, gypsum, goethite, amorphous Fe(III) oxides and Fe(II)-Al sulfate salt (efflorescence). The mineralogy in weathered shale defines four weathered intervals on the outcrop—Zones A–C and soil. Alteration of the weakly weathered shale (Zone A) is attributed to the 40-a exposure of the shale. In this zone, pyrite oxidization produces acid that dissolves calcite and attacks chlorite, forming gypsum, jarosite, and minor efflorescent salt. The pre-excavation, active weathering front (Zone B) is where complete pyrite oxidation and alteration of feldspar and organic matter result in increased permeability. Acidic weathering solutions seep through the permeable shale and evaporate on the surface forming abundant efflorescent salt, jarosite and minor goethite. Intensely weathered shale (Zone C) is depleted in feldspars, chlorite, gypsum, jarosite and efflorescent salts, but has retained much of its primary quartz, illite and illite–smectite. Goethite and amorphous FE(III) oxides increase due to hydrolysis of jarosite. Enhanced permeability in this zone is due to a 14% loss of the original mass in parent shale. Denudation rates suggest that characteristics of Zone C were acquired over 1 Ma. Compositional differences between soil and Zone C are largely attributed to illuvial processes, formation of additional Fe(III) oxides and incorporation of modern organic matter.     

Speciation and weathering of selenium in upper cretaceous chalk and shale from South Dakota and Wyoming, USA

In geologic materials, petroleum, and the environment, selenium occurs in various oxidation states (VI, IV, 0, -II), mineralized forms, and organo-Se complexes. Each of these forms is characterized by specific chemical and biochemical properties that control the element’s solubility, toxicity, and environmental behavior. The organic rich chalks and shales of the Upper Cretaceous Niobrara Formation and the Pierre Shale in South Dakota and Wyoming are bentoniferous stratigraphic intervals characterized by anomalously high concentrations of naturally occurring Se. Numerous environmental problems have been associated with Se derived from these geological units, including the development of seleniferous soils and vegetation that are toxic to livestock and the contamination of drinking water supplies by Se mobilized in groundwater.This study describes a sequential extraction protocol followed by speciation treatments and quantitative analysis by Hydride Generation-Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. This protocol was utilized to investigate the geochemical forms and the oxidation states in which Se occurs in these geologic units. Organic Se and di-selenide minerals are the predominant forms of Se present in the chalks, shales, and bentonites, but distinctive variations in these forms were observed between different sample types. Chalks contain significantly greater proportions of Se in the form of di-selenide minerals (including Se associated with pyrite) than the shales where base-soluble, humic, organo-Se complexes are more prevalent. A comparison between unweathered samples collected from lithologic drill cores and weathered samples collected from outcrop suggest that the humic, organic-Se compounds in shale are formed during oxidative weathering and that Se oxidized by weathering is more likely to be retained by shale than by chalk. Selenium enrichment in bentonites is inferred to result from secondary processes including the adsorption of Se mobilized by groundwater from surrounding organic rich sediments to clay mineral and iron hydroxide surfaces, as well as microbial reduction of Se within the bentonitic intervals. Distinct differences are inferred for the biogeochemical pathways that affected sedimentary Se sequestration during periods of chalk accumulation compared to shale deposition in the Cretaceous seaway. Mineralogy of sediment and the nature of the organic matter associated with each of these rock types have important implications for the environmental chemistry and release of Se to the environment during weathering.     

Geochemistry of carboniferous shales of the Sardar Formation,east central Iran: Implication for provenance,paleoclimate and paleo-oxygenation conditions at a passive continental margin

The Sardar Formation (Carboniferous) has a lithological variation that is characterized by sandstone, shale and limestone members. Shales of the Sardar Formation from the east central Iran have been analyzed for major elements and a number of trace elements. The shales of Sardar Formation are rich in quartz minerals and clay minerals of the bulk minerals. Clay minerals of shales are composed of illite, kaolinite and slightly montmorillonite. SiO₂ versus K₂O/Na₂O diagram shows these shales plotted in the passive continental margin or cratonic field. Geochemical data suggest high acidic source rocks similar to granite and intermediate igneous rocks. CIA and ICV suggest semi-humid climatic conditions during depositions and indicate high chemical weathering in the source area. The geochemical parameters such as V/Cr, Ni/Co and Cu/Zn ratios indicate that these shales were deposited in oxic environment.     

蓟县下马岭组富菱铁矿地层的基本地质特征

天津蓟县铁岭子村附近新出露的下马岭组下部黑色岩系中富含菱铁矿,本文从野外产出特征、岩石学特征及常量元素特征等3个方面对这一富菱铁矿地层的基本地质特征进行了报道.该剖面地层主要以黑色页岩、粉砂质富铁层/菱铁矿结核层互层产出为特征,夹有少量粉砂岩.部分富铁层由于风化严重,野外露头以褐铁矿层出现.菱铁矿为地层中主要的铁矿物相,可以形成菱铁矿结核,显微镜下具泥晶或微晶结构;也可以与含量相当的石英粉砂一起,构成致密粉砂质富铁层;亦或呈颗粒状零星分布于黑色页岩、粉砂岩中;另外褐铁矿层中亦存在极少量的菱铁矿残余.地层的常量元素特征整体表现为富含SiO2、TFe及有机质,而贫MnO、CaO、MgO、P2O5及S元素,且除风化层位中的铁多呈三价外,其余多呈二价.总有机碳(TOC)含量由高到低依次为菱铁矿结核、粉砂质富铁层、黑色页岩、粉砂岩.TFe与Al2O3含量的相关性图解显示,在富铁地层中,二者呈现出很好的负相关关系,而在正常的黑色页岩和粉砂岩中,二者则呈现一定的正相关关系,表明富铁地层中的铁主要为海洋自身铁的化学沉积,而正常的黑色页岩和粉砂岩中的铁主要源自陆源碎屑.同时新鲜样品中FeO与TOC含量呈现出很好的正相关关系,表明菱铁矿的形成可能与有机质有关.     

吉林东部花岗岩区地下水化学成分及其对岩石风化作用的制约

在吉林东部花岗岩区地下水化学成分和化学类型研究的基础上,以Na作为参比元素,确定了花岗岩风化过程中22种主量元素和微量元素的相对活动顺序。花岗岩区地下水的地球化学类型属低矿化度(变化范围为69.51×10-6~386.49×10-6,平均值为199.48×10-6)的HCO3-Ca和HCO3-Na-Ca型。花岗岩风化过程中元素的活动性顺序(RM)从大到小依次为:B、Ca、Mo、Zn、Sr、Na、Mg、Cr、Cu、Ni、K、Co、Li、V、As、Ba、Si、Y、Fe、Ti、Al、Mn。风化产物中的粘土矿物主要为高岭土、蒙脱石,反映出本区花岗岩的风化淋滤程度较弱的特点。     

Tellurium,selenium and cobalt enrichment in Neoproterozoic black shales,Gwna Group,UK: Deep marine trace element enrichment during the Second Great Oxygenation Event

Black shales of the late Neoproterozoic Gwna Group (570–580 Ma), UK, contain enrichments of tellurium (Te), selenium (Se) and cobalt (Co) relative to average shale compositions. The Te and Co enrichments bear comparison with those of ferromanganese crusts in the modern deep ocean. Gwna Group deposition coincides with the Second Great Oxidation Event, which had a significant effect on trace element fixation globally. Selenium and Te concentrations within these black shales indicate increased continental weathering rates, high biological productivity and corresponding increases in atmospheric O₂ concentrations. Cobalt, nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As) enrichments in this succession are secondary mineralisation phases. Demand for many of the trace elements found enriched in the Gwna Group black shales make their mechanisms of accumulation, and variations through the geological record, important to understand, and suggests that new resources may be sought based on black shale protoliths from this period.     

Geochemistry of major and trace elements and Pb–Sr isotopes of a weathering profile developed on the Lower Cambrian black shales in central Hunan,China

This paper reports a geochemical study on the major and trace elements and Pb–Sr isotopes of a weathering profile developed in the Lower Cambrian black shales in central Hunan (China). Six weathering horizons were identified and sampled vertically throughout the profile. The chemical composition of the profile consists of variable concentrations of the major elements Fe₂O₃, FeO, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, and P₂O₅ and of less variable concentrations of SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, and K₂O. The chemical change caused by weathering is estimated by mass-balance calculations, and the results show that the element mobility is characterised by substantial loss of SiO₂, FeO, CaO, K₂O, Na₂O, LOI, Cr, V, Ba, Cs, Rb, Sr, U, and Th, and moderate loss of Al₂O₃, MgO, Fe₂O₃, Ni, Cu, Pb, Tl, Sn, Sc, Ge and REE (Y). The high field strength elements TiO₂, Sn, Sc, U, Ga, Ge, Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta were immobile during weathering. The chemical changes and the Pb–Sr isotopic data suggest that four types of chemical reactions occurred: the oxidation of sulphide minerals (e.g., pyrite) and organic carbon (OS), the dissolution of less resistant clinochlore-Ia, calcite, and P-bearing minerals (DL), the dissolution of detrital albite and microcline (DA), and the transformation of clay (TC) minerals (e.g., muscovite and illite–smectite). These chemical reactions then led to two stages of geochemical processes, an early stage of chemical differentiation and a later stage of chemical homogenisation. The chemical differentiation dominated by the OS, DL, and DA reactions, led to the leaching of mobile elements (e.g., MgO, Na₂O, K₂O, P₂O₅, Sr, and REE) and the redistribution of some less mobile elements (e.g., SiO₂ and Al₂O₃). In contrast, the chemical homogenisation, which was caused by TC reactions, led to the leaching of both mobile and less mobile elements from the system and ultimately transformed the weathered black shales into soil. Soils derived from black shales in South China might result from the above two geochemical processes.     

Mineral characteristics and their geological significance of black shales in southeastern Ordos Basin by X-ray diffraction analysis

X-ray diffraction analysis of black shale of Upper Triassic Member Chang 7 of the Yanchang Formation in southeastern Ordos Basin showed that black shales were deposited in brackish, strongly reducing, semi-deep-deep lacustrine facies, and mainly composed of quartz, feldspar, carbonate （dolomite）, clay minerals （illite and il- lite/smectite） and a certain amount of pyrite. The mineral composition characteristics of this set of black shales are similar to those of highly productive shale gas in North America, for example shallow burial, low clay mineral and abundant brittle mineral, so the strata are conducive to the development of cracks and fractures. Thus, this area is favorable for shale oil/gas exploration and development.     

皖南赣北地区早、中奥陶世含笔石黑色岩系地层地球化学的研究

<正> 地层地球化学是研究地球物质元素组成在地层中元素富存形式及其演化,即地层中物质元素组成的时空规律(侯德封,1959)。元素在地层中的分布和演变反映了自然条件和沉积环境的变化历史,元素的共生组合揭示岩石的成因和形成条件,所以地层地球化学是地层研究中的一个重要内容。同时,地层地球化学研究对于进一步揭示生物群兴衰、演替绝灭的历史,及其与环境介质变化之间的关系也有着十分重要的意义。 皖南赣北地区早、中奥陶世宁国组和胡乐组含笔石黑色岩系发育较好,地层出露完整,笔石化石丰富,笔石带序列齐全,生物地层研究较为详细(许杰,1934;陈旭等,1964;钱     

黔北下寒武统黑色岩系的沉积环境与地球化学响应

下寒武统黑色岩系在我国华北、华南及塔里木盆地等广泛发育,但富有机质泥页岩的分布特征及其控制因素未有定论。本文对黔北地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组(及同时期地层)不同沉积相带典型剖面中的富有机质泥页岩及其上下层位进行了地球化学分析,识别出寒武纪早期不同沉积相带氧化还原环境的明显差异。台内凹陷相主要岩性为黑色页岩,底部为不等厚的薄层磷块岩和硅质岩或硅磷质结核,沉积的黑色页岩厚度大,有机质丰度高,V、Ni、Mo、U等微量元素显著富集,反映了贫氧-缺氧环境,以及短暂动态的硫化环境,Mo/TOC反映了其为局限盆地特征;上斜坡相为贫氧到氧化的沉积环境,但更多地是表现为氧化的沉积环境,其中牛蹄塘期存在局部的硫化环境,沉积的黑色页岩厚度小,但有机质丰度最高,V、Ni、Mo、U等微量元素的富集程度较低;盆地相为黑色硅质岩与富有机质的黑色硅质页岩间互沉积,同期沉积厚度较小,有机质丰度相对较低,V和U的富集程度大于台内凹陷相,而Ni和Mo的富集程度则低于台内凹陷相,指示了缺氧环境,期间伴随有贫氧和短暂的氧化环境存在,且可能存在局部的硫化环境,Mo/TOC反映了中等的局限程度。总的来说,黔北下寒武统黑色岩系的有机质丰度、厚度以及微量元素富集程度等特征主要受控于不同的氧化还原环境。     

Provenance and weathering history of the maastrichtian shale member of the Patti Formation,southern Bida Basin,Nigeria

The present study is focused on the geochemical characterization and provenance of the shale member of the Maastrichtian Patti Formation which is well represented at the centre of the southern Bida Basin in Nigeria. The major element composition of the studied shales and clays compare favourably with the reference shales, however, the trace elements vary slightly. Application of binary plot of TiO₂ versus Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃/TiO₂ ratios of the studied shale samples show mixed mafic to felsic igneous sources. The chemical composition (plot of SiO₂ versus Log (K₂O/Na₂O) indicates active to passive continental margin province, however, a minor derivation from recycled provenance is probable. Intense chemical weathering based on the high values of Chemical Index Alteration (CIA), Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW) and Zr values obtained from the shale and clay samples a warm humid condition is suggested. The high values also probably suggest predominance of clay minerals and low feldspar. This is supported by the XRD (X-Ray Diffractometer) data which indicates predominance of kaolinite in the samples.