Early and pervasive dolomitization by near-normal marine fluids: New lessons from an Eocene evaporative setting in Qatar

The upper Palaeocene–lower Eocene Umm er Radhuma Formation in the subsurface of Qatar is dominated by subtidal carbonate depositional packages overlain by bedded evaporites. In Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, peritidal carbonate depositional sequences with intercalated evaporites and carbonates in Umm er Radhuma have been previously interpreted to have been dolomitized via downward reflux of hypersaline brines. Here, textural, mineralogical and geochemical data from three research cores in Qatar are presented which, in contrast, are more consistent with dolomitization by near-normal marine fluids. Petrographic relationships support a paragenetic sequence whereby dolomitization occurred prior to the formation of all other diagenetic mineral phases, including chert, pyrite, palygorskite, gypsum, calcite and chalcedony, which suggests that dolomitization occurred very early. The dolomites occur as finely crystalline mimetic dolomites, relatively coarse planar-e dolomites, and coarser nonplanar dolomites, all of which are near-stoichiometric (50.3 mol% MgCO₃) and well-ordered (0.73). The dolomite stable isotope values (range −2.5‰ to +1‰; mean δ¹⁸O = −0.52‰) and trace element concentrations (Sr = 40 to 150 ppm and Na = 100 to 600 ppm) are compatible with dolomitization by near-normal seawater or mesohaline fluids. Comparisons between δ¹⁸O values from Umm er Radhuma dolomite and the overlying Rus Formation gypsum further suggest that dolomitization did not occur in fluids related to Rus evaporites. This study provides an example of early dolomitization of evaporite-related carbonates by near-normal seawater rather than by refluxing hypersaline brines from overlying bedded evaporites. Further, it adds to recent work suggesting that dolomitization by near-normal marine fluids in evaporite-associated settings may be more widespread than previously recognized.     

Carbonate and silicate biomineralization in a hypersaline microbial mat (Mesaieed sabkha,Qatar): Roles of bacteria,extracellular polymeric substances and viruses

In a modern peritidal microbial mat from Qatar, both biomediated carbonates and Mg‐rich clay minerals (palygorskite) were identified. The mat, ca 5 cm thick, shows a clear lamination reflecting different microbial communities. The initial precipitates within the top millimetres of the mat are composed of Ca–Mg–Si–Al–S amorphous nanoparticles (few tens of nanometres) that replace the ultrastructure of extracellular polymeric substances. The extracellular polymeric substances are enriched in the same cations and act as a substrate for mineral nucleation. Successively, crystallites of palygorskite fibres associated with carbonate nanocrystals develop, commonly surrounding bacterial bodies. Micron‐sized crystals of low‐Mg calcite are the most common precipitates, together with subordinate aragonite, very high‐Mg calcite/dolomite and ankerite. Pyrite nanocrystals and framboids are present in the deeper layers of the mat. Calcite crystallites form conical structures, circular to triangular/hexagonal in cross‐section, evolving to crystals with rhombohedral terminations; some crystallite bundles develop into dumb‐bell and stellate forms. Spheroidal organo‐mineral structures are also common within the mat. Nanospheres, a few tens of nanometres in diameter, occur attached to coccoid bacteria and within their cells; these are interpreted as permineralized viruses and could be significant as nuclei for crystallite‐crystal precipitation. Microspheres, 1 to 10 μm in diameter, result from intracellular permineralization within bacteria or the mineralization of the bacteria themselves. Carbonates and clay minerals are commonly aggregated to form peloids, tens of microns in size, surrounded by residual organic matter. Magnesium silicate and carbonate precipitation are likely to have been driven by pH – saturation index – redox changes within the mat, related to microenvironmental chemical changes induced by the microbes – extracellular polymeric substances – viruses and their degradation.     

库车坳陷白垩系深层致密砂岩储层溶蚀作用实验模拟研究

库车坳陷前陆区白垩系发育特低物性、强非均质性和高稳产砂岩储层,溶蚀作用显著,但成因机制尚不是很明确。利用高温高压热模拟实验还原了目的层在成岩演化过程中1种表生流体和2种埋藏流体环境下溶蚀作用差异,揭示了成岩矿物演化过程及储集空间结构变化特征。结果表明,表生成岩期大气淡水淋滤弱酸性流体环境（CO₂饱和溶液,pCO₂=1 MPa）溶蚀作用最为显著,长石类矿物发生明显溶蚀,石英和黏土矿物相对难溶,Na+、Ca2+和K+等离子析出明显,Si4+和Al3+析出较少,样品表面沉淀出较多的疑似多边形石英和铝硅酸类矿物;成岩晚期油气充注酸性流体环境（乙酸溶液,2 mL/L）溶蚀作用其次,易于溶解白云石、石膏和长石类矿物,Ca2+、Mg2+、Na+和Si4+等离子析出明显,样品表面无沉淀;成岩早-中期碱性流体环境（NaHCO₃溶液,pH=7.46、HCO₃-=0.6 mol/L）溶蚀作用相对较弱,石英、长石和部分黏土矿物均发生了不同程度的溶蚀,且随着温度、压力的增加,溶蚀作用程度增加。综合分析表明:表生流体是研究区砂岩储层溶蚀孔隙发育的关键因素,其次为有机酸和碱性埋藏流体。这一认识能够丰富致密砂岩储层孔隙成岩演化理论,为下一步寻找规模储层发育区和气田有效开发提供理论支撑。     

Textural evidences for dissolution of silica-rich rocks of the Ypresian phosphatic series,Gafsa-Metlaoui basin,southwestern Tunisia: implication of biogenic silica supply on genesis of fibrous clays

The present work aimed to determine the mineralogical composition of Ypresian series and to clarify the influence of the dissolution of siliceous frustules on the genesis of fibrous clay minerals. The specimens sampled from CPG trench are mainly constituted of silica-rich rocks at Mides area located at the western part of Gafsa-Metlaoui basin. The samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to determine texture of constituents. The data obtained indicate that the bulk rock samples are mainly made up of opal CT and clay minerals. The latter consists of palygorskite-sepiolite minerals associated with smectite and few amount of illite. The trend of mineralogical composition indicates that fibrous clay minerals are more concentrated at the upper part. SEM observations indicated that palygorskite mineral appears as thread-like facies, which surround foliated texture of smectite in the lower part of the Mides section, although with the low Mg activity confirmed by the absence of dolomite. But, at the upper part of the Mides section, SEM observations revealed the occurrence of siliceous frustules, which have numerous dissolved areas and replacement of carbonate tests by silica. The dissolution saturated the depositional environment with silica which is required for the formation of palygorskite and sepiolite minerals, in addition to high Mg activity confirmed by the presence of dolomite in the bulk rock, which is required basically for the formation of sepiolite. Although the genesis mode of palygorskite and sepiolite is similar with very little difference, the genesis of sepiolite needs a high alkalinity than the formation of palygorskite.     

Occurrence of palygorskite and sepiolite in upper Paleocene–middle Eocene marine deep sediments of the Lagonegro Basin (Southern Apennines—Italy): Paleoenvironmental and provenance inferences

A mineralogical and geochemical study of clay lithologies and a biostratigraphic analysis of the carbonates from the deep-sea Lagonegro Basin (Southern Apennines—Italy) have been carried out to deduce in general the provenance of clay sediments and their paleoenvironmental conditions and particular to recognize the signature of the Paleocene–Eocene climatic global warming. The analysed succession comprising a wide stratigraphic interval of the Sannio Unit, spanning between Albian to the upper Oligocene–lower Miocene, is exposed near Accettura and Stigliano villages. Eighteen clay samples were analysed by XRD, XRF, SEM, TG-DTA. Their age was framed by biostratigraphic analyses carried out on carbonate sediments. Mineral assemblage of the clay sediments includes quartz, carbonates (calcite and dolomite), feldspars (plagioclase and k-feldspars), hematite, randomly illite/smectite mixed layers with a low illite percentage, kaolinite, discrete illite–muscovite, chlorite, palygorskite and sepiolite. The low illite percentage in randomly illite/smectite mixed layers indicates low diagenetic conditions for the studied successions. These features are unique for the Cretaceous–Tertiary successions of the Lagonegro domain and are particularly significant for the preservation of the native mineralogical assemblage useful to determine the provenance and paleoenvironmental conditions of the clayey sediments. Palygorskite and sepiolite are concentrated in the upper Paleocene–middle Eocene stratigraphic interval and particularly in the upper part of the early Eocene—lower part of the middle Eocene (biozone of Blow P 9–12). Clay sediments rich in palygorskite and sepiolite show a higher P₂O₅ amount and a lower kaolinite percentage, compatible with warm and arid climatic conditions typical of the global warming event well recorded in the southern tethyan margin. Likely palygorskite and sepiolite formed in lagoonal environment in nearby carbonate platform margins and then they were transported into the Lagonegro Basin as indicated by the well developed habitus of palygorskite. During the Paleogene the Lagonegro Basin and the nearby carbonate platforms represented a key sector the southern paleodomains of the Tethys. The discovery of these minerals gives a contribution to the reconstruction paleoenvironmental conditions of the Tethian paleo-margin during the early–middle Eocene.     

Microtextural Characteristics and Origin of Dolomites in the Tepearasi Formation, SW of Beysehir-Konya, Turkey

The Tepearasi Formation of the autochthonous Geyikdagi Group in the Central Tauride Belt, SE of Beysehir, is Dogger in age and consists dominantly of massive limestones and greyish dolomites occurring within the middle to upper sections. The total thickness of the dolomitic levels ranges from 100-300 m and laterally extends 500-700 m. Three types of dolomite were distinguished through petrographic analyses: homogeneous, mottled (saddle-crystalline) and joint-filling dolomite, which were interpreted to have formed in two different stages, early diagenetic and late diagenetic. The homogeneous dolomite of the early diagenetic stage is light-coloured and monotonous-textured and shows the form of a dolosparite mosaic. The mottled dolomite formed in the late diagenetic stage is light- to dark-coloured and coarsely granular idiomorphic. The other type of late diagenetic dolomite, described as the joint-filling type, presents a crystal growth pattern from the joint walls towards the centre of the joint space. I     

江苏白土山坡缕石粘土矿性能及其应用研究

白土山坡缕石粘土矿床集中赋存于上第三系上新统桂五组。可划分出坡缕石粘土、白云石坡缕石粘土、混合粘土、蒙脱石粘土、海泡石粘土、方解石坡缕石粘土 6种自然类型。其中产于Ⅲ号矿层的坡缕粘土矿质量较好 ,具较高的应用价值。采用加入适量硅酸钠溶液的提纯流程 ,坡缕石矿石品位从30 .9%提高到 84.5 %。经研究坡缕石品位越高 ,导热系数越小 ;密度、含水量越大 ,导热系数越大。坡缕石在 6 5 0℃以下能保持晶体结构基本框架 ,仍具有较低导热系数。经多次试验 ,研制成功性能优良的Ⅲ号隔热保温涂料。     

酒西盆地碎屑岩胶结物的形成问题

酒西盆地下白垩统陆相碎屑岩胶结物的形成关系到油气储集的重要问题,富铁的洪积扇沉积体系和非富铁的河流一湖泊沉积体系形成两种不同的胶结物组合类型,平面上可分为三带胶结物:混合胶结带、铁镁胶结带和浓聚成岩带。盆地边缘带是以铁、泥、钙为主的混合胶结物,中间为以碳酸铁镁矿物的白云石、铁白云石为主的胶结物,盆中带形成胶结物的浓聚成岩层,事实证明过渡的铁镁胶结带是最富于聚集油气的地带。本文还在纵向上探讨了泥质粘土矿物和碳酸盐胶结物的成岩变化。     

Distribution of Palygorskite in the Lingtai Profile of Chinese Loess Plateau: Its Paleoclimatic Implications

Palygorskite is a typical indicator mineral of the arid and strong evaporation environment. Distribution of palygorskite in loess-red clay sequences may act as an important indicator for reconstruction of the paleoenvironment and paleoclimate. In this paper, field emission scanning electron microscope and high-resolution transmission electron microscope observations on the red clay-loess-paleosol of the Renjiapo profile at Lingtai, Gansu Province indicate that palygorskite occurs widely in red clay sequences formed before 3.6 Ma, but no occurrence has been found in eolian sediments since 3.2 Ma. Micromorphological features and microstructure of palygorskite show that it is an autogenic mineral formed during pedogenesis, and transformed from iilite-montmorilionite under the pore water action. In the Lingtai profile, the disappearance horizon of palygorskite is consistent with those of increasing magnetic susceptibility, dust flux and depositional rate. The distribution of palygorskite in the profile indicates that the interval of around 3.6 Ma was an important transformation period of the East Asian paleomonsoon, when changes took place in the East Asia paleoclimate pattern, i.e. a high-frequency strong fluctuation alternative evolution of the environment. Therefore, palygorskite is a key indicator mineral of the East Asian paleomonsoon evolution of that time.     

川西南中二叠统中粗晶白云石流体来源分析

四川盆地西南地区中二叠统地层在埋藏过程中发生了较高程度的白云岩化。通过野外剖面观察和详细的薄片岩石学研究,在中二叠统白云岩储层中识别出了四种类型的白云石（包括三种基质交代白云石和一种白云石胶结物）:1）粉晶白云石,宏观上主要呈层状发育,晶粒小于50 μm,平直镜面半自形晶-非平直晶面它形晶;2）细晶白云石,晶粒大小为50~250 μm,平直晶面半自形晶-自形晶;3）中粗晶白云石,宏观上可见溶蚀孔洞和裂缝发育,其中充填白色的白云石胶结物、方解石胶结物等,晶粒大小为250 μm~2 mm,非平直晶面它形晶;4）白云石胶结物,以胶结物的形式在裂缝和溶蚀孔洞中发育,晶粒大小变化较大,具有明显的波状消光。利用不同矿物之间的接触和切割关系,结合阴极发光和扫描电镜等手段,确定了几种白云石和相关成岩矿物的形成时序,确立四川盆地西南地区中二叠统白云岩的成岩演化序列。即从成岩早期到晚期,依次形成（或发生成岩作用）了粉晶白云石、早期溶蚀作用、细晶白云石、中粗晶白云石、水力压裂缝、白云石胶结物、石英、方解石脉、缝合线、晚期溶蚀和沥青充填。通过地球化学和包裹体分析,发现中粗晶白云石和白云石胶结物具有相似的地球化学特征,即明显偏负的氧同位素、大于同期海水的Sr同位素,成岩流体具有较高的温度和盐度,表明其成岩流体具有典型的热液性质。原始灰岩和早期白云岩经热液改造,重结晶为中粗晶白云石,并在裂缝和溶蚀孔洞中沉淀鞍形白云石胶结物。     

Disseminated ‘jigsaw piece’ dolomite in Upper Jurassic shelf sandstones,Central North Sea: an example of cement growth during bioturbation?

Unusual textural and chemical characteristics of disseminated dolomite in Upper Jurassic shelf sediments of the North Sea have provided the basis for a proposed new interpretation of early diagenetic dolomite authigenesis in highly bioturbated marine sandstones. The dolomite is present throughout the Franklin Sandstone Formation of the Franklin and Elgin Fields as discrete, non‐ferroan, generally unzoned, subhedral to highly anhedral ‘jigsaw piece’ crystals. These are of a similar size to the detrital silicate grains and typically account for ≈5% of the rock volume. The dolomite crystals are never seen to form polycrystalline aggregates or concretions, or ever to envelop the adjacent silicate grains. They are uniformly dispersed throughout the sandstones, irrespective of detrital grain size or clay content. Dolomite authigenesis predated all the other significant diagenetic events visible in thin section. The dolomite is overgrown by late diagenetic ankerite, and bulk samples display stable isotope compositions that lie on a mixing trend between these components. Extrapolation of this trend suggests that the dolomite has near‐marine δ¹⁸O values and low, positive δ¹³C values. The unusual textural and chemical characteristics of this dolomite can all be reconciled if it formed in the near‐surface zone of active bioturbation. Sea water provided a plentiful reservoir of Mg and a pore fluid of regionally consistent δ¹⁸O. Labile bioclastic debris (e.g. aragonite, Mg‐calcite) supplied isotopically positive carbon to the pore fluids during shallow‐burial dissolution. Such dissolution took place in response to the ambient ‘calcite sea’ conditions, but may have been catalysed by organic matter oxidation reactions. Bioturbation not only ensured that the dissolving carbonate was dispersed throughout the sandstones, but also prohibited coalescence of the dolomite crystals and consequent cementation of the grain framework. Continued exchange of Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ with the sea‐water reservoir maintained a sufficient Mg/Ca ratio for dolomite (rather than calcite) to form. Irregular crystal shapes resulted from dissolution, of both the dolomite and the enclosed fine calcitic shell debris, before ankerite precipitation during deep‐burial diagenesis.     

Application of graphic correlation technique on Paleocene–Early Eocene benthic foraminifera, Rub’ Al-Khali Basin and neighboring regions

The measured ranges of 60 benthic foraminiferal species of Umm er Radhuma Formation (UeR) (Paleocene–Early Eocene age) in five wells of Rub’ Al-Khali Basin, Saudi Arabia, and two surface sections (Wadi Mashib and Say’un), from Yemen, have been assembled by a graphic correlation technique into a composite standard section (CSS). This composite standard allows building a chronostratigraphic model subdividing UeR into 50 composite standard section time units. The adjustment of benthic foraminiferal ranges of the study area by a quantitative approach improved its resolution in correlation and enhances its potential in biozonation and dating. The analysis of graphic correlation technique reveals significant information regarding accumulation rate in the CSS and the individual sections. Generally, sediments of Paleocene–Early Eocene age in the study area are characterized by a low rate of accumulation. The Paleocene/Eocene boundary of Umm er Radhuma Formation is defined in the chronostratigraphic model to be at a composite standard section time units ?14.8. This boundary is projected into individual sections by the graphic correlation technique and allowed a precise correlation of these sections. A synchroneity analysis of composite standard section events is carried out and enabled testing of reliability of Umm er Radhuma Formation benthic foraminifera biozonation.     

苏皖交界地区坡缕石的矿物学特征

本文对苏皖交界地区内沉积成因的坡缕石及全椒热液成因的坡缕石进行了物性、形貌、化学成分和晶体化学特征及结构特征的研究。研究表明，研究区内坡缕石的矿物学特征与美国凹凸堡的坡缕石一致，而有别于全椒热液型坡缕石，此外，对坡缕石的吸附性能也进行了讨论。     

泥岩成岩矿物演化特征与成岩体系划分：以东营凹陷古近系为例

成岩过程中泥岩的成岩矿物会随成岩体系的改变而发生变化，因此有效地识别成岩矿物组合与划分成岩体系，对深刻 理解有机质生烃的差异性具有重要的意义。文章选取东营凹陷古近系不同层段埋深在1200~4500 m的泥岩，通过岩石薄片、 扫描电镜和X射线衍射等检测，有效地区分了外源输入的矿物（如石英）与成岩矿物（亮晶方解石和白云石）等显微特征的差 异，据此建立了定量估算泥岩中成岩转化的黏土矿物含量的方法：C陆源=（C/Q）沙一×Q样品和C成岩=CXRD-C陆源，其中C为黏土矿物含 量，Q为石英含量，更好地反映了泥岩成岩过程中黏土矿物的演化特征。在埋藏演化过程中泥岩中的成岩矿物和组合呈现出 两段性，3000 m以上黏土矿物和白云石的成岩转化较慢，形成了以伊蒙间层+高岭石的成岩矿物组合，推断其经历了酸性成岩 环境和开放成岩体系；3000 m以下黏土矿物和白云石的成岩转化过程加快，形成了以伊利石+绿泥石+白云石的成岩矿物组 合，推断其经历了碱性成岩环境和封闭成岩体系，充分展现了泥岩在深浅层成岩环境和体系的差异性。与前人研究东营凹陷 泥岩中由有机质生烃产生异常压力造成的开放/封闭体系界限基本吻合，表明泥岩中矿物埋藏演化经历的成岩体系与有机质 生烃形成的压力体系具有较好的响应关系，这对认识不同成岩体系下有机质的生烃过程和生烃机理的差异性具有重要的 意义。     

泥岩成岩矿物演化特征与成岩体系划分:以东营凹陷古近系为例

成岩过程中泥岩的成岩矿物会随成岩体系的改变而发生变化,因此有效地识别成岩矿物组合与划分成岩体系,对深刻 理解有机质生烃的差异性具有重要的意义。文章选取东营凹陷古近系不同层段埋深在1200~4500 m的泥岩,通过岩石薄片、 扫描电镜和X射线衍射等检测,有效地区分了外源输入的矿物（如石英）与成岩矿物（亮晶方解石和白云石）等显微特征的差 异,据此建立了定量估算泥岩中成岩转化的黏土矿物含量的方法：C陆源=（C/Q）沙一×Q样品和C成岩=CXRD-C陆源,其中C为黏土矿物含 量,Q为石英含量,更好地反映了泥岩成岩过程中黏土矿物的演化特征。在埋藏演化过程中泥岩中的成岩矿物和组合呈现出 两段性,3000 m以上黏土矿物和白云石的成岩转化较慢,形成了以伊蒙间层+高岭石的成岩矿物组合,推断其经历了酸性成岩 环境和开放成岩体系;3000 m以下黏土矿物和白云石的成岩转化过程加快,形成了以伊利石+绿泥石+白云石的成岩矿物组 合,推断其经历了碱性成岩环境和封闭成岩体系,充分展现了泥岩在深浅层成岩环境和体系的差异性。与前人研究东营凹陷 泥岩中由有机质生烃产生异常压力造成的开放/封闭体系界限基本吻合,表明泥岩中矿物埋藏演化经历的成岩体系与有机质 生烃形成的压力体系具有较好的响应关系,这对认识不同成岩体系下有机质的生烃过程和生烃机理的差异性具有重要的 意义。     

Experimental Study of Dissolution‐Alteration of Amphibole in a Hydrothermal Environment

Amphibole is a rock-forming mineral widely existing on the earth. It is easily dissolved and altered during the later stage of diagenesis and mineralization, and often forms chloritization, which is an important indicator for prospecting. To explore amphibole's dissolution process and alteration mechanism, dissolution experiments were carried out under acidic conditions using pargasite-rich amphibole as raw material, and the effects of temperature, p H, and experiment duration on amphibole alteration were investigated. Experimental samples and products were analyzed using X-ray diffractometer, field emission scanning electron microscope, electron probe micro analyzer, and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that many pores and erosion edges are produced after amphibole dissolution, and there is a clear interface between the dissolved residual portion and the parent. The dissolved residual portion remains in the amphibole phase, but as the temperature and time increase, the intensity of the diffraction peak of the phase in the product decreases, and the peak position shifts to a small angle. Many clay minerals such as chlorite and griffithite formed on the amphibole surface. In an environment with strong acidity(p H=3), the amount of chamosite increases with temperature(180°C→210°C→240°C), whereas clinochlore is only increased in a 150–210°C environment. Griffithite growth was observed in the acidic(p H=6) and low temperature(180°C) environments. Based on this analysis, large radius Cl– enters the amphibole lattice or cracks to promote dissolution. The Al-poor and Ca-and Fe-rich regions between the edge and core of the amphibole are caused by dynamic equilibrium in amphibole dissolution and alteration process, which is an essential indicator for the beginning of amphibole dissolution-alteration. Diffusion and the coupled dissolution-reprecipitation mechanism accomplishes the process of dissolution and alteration to form clay minerals. The energy of the system determined by temperature and p H is the key to controlling the rate of growth and nucleation of clay minerals. High temperature and strong acidity will dissolve more iron from amphibole, which is conducive to chlorite growth. Compared to chlorite, griffithite is more sensitive to temperature. Griffithite attaches on the amphibole surface with a star-like in a weak acid and low-temperature environment. The results of this study can provide a mineralogical basis for the analysis of hydrothermal alteration processes and the division of alteration zones.     

Multiple dolomitization events along the Pozalagua Fault (Pozalagua Quarry,Basque–Cantabrian Basin,Northern Spain)

The Pozalagua Quarry in the Basque–Cantabrian Basin of northern Spain exposes a unique set of fault‐associated dolomites that can be studied on a decametre scale. The dolomites developed along the Pozalagua Fault system in slope‐deposited limestones of Albian age. Following marine phreatic diagenesis, the limestones were subject to meteoric karst formation. The resulting cavities were filled either by angular limestone fragments in a black clay‐rich matrix, or by cave floor/pond (now dolomitized) sediments. The subsequent diagenetic history reflects repeated periods of fracturing, fluid expulsion, dissolution and cementation. Contrasting fluid pulses resulted in the formation of a network of hydrothermal karst and the subsequent development of coarse‐crystalline calcite cement, zebra dolomite, recrystallized coarse‐crystalline dolomite, elongated blue–grey coarse‐crystalline dolomite cement in the open fault and, finally, coarse‐crystalline saddle dolomite. Decimetre‐size reworked host‐rock fragments present in the latter two dolomite phases probably reflect roof collapse fragments of a cave system that developed along the Pozalagua Fault system. However, there are also metre‐scale host‐rock fragments that apparently ‘float’ in the coarse‐crystalline saddle dolomites, implying that either fragment assimilation was a widespread process or violent expulsion of fluids occurred along the Pozalagua Fault system. The presence of pre‐dolomite and post‐dolomite stylolites, parallel to bedding, supports a linkage between the diagenetic events and the Late Albian tectonism that affected the region.     

Facies Analysis, Sequence Stratigraphy and Diagenetic Studies of the Jurassic Carbonates of the Kohat Basin, Northwest Pakistan: Reservoir Implications

The present study deals with the depositional facies, diagenetic processes and sequence stratigraphy of the shallow marine carbonates of the Samana Suk Formation, Kohat Basin, in order to elucidate its reservoir quality. The Samana Suk Formation consists of thin to thick-bedded, oolitic, bioclastic, dolomitic and fractured limestone. Based on the integration of outcrop, petrographic and biofacies analyses, the unit is thought to have been deposited on a gentle homoclinal ramp in peritidal, lagoonal and carbonate shoal settings. Frequent variations in microfacies based sea-level curve have revealed seven Transgressive Systems Tracts (TSTs) and six Regressive Systems Tracts (RSTs). The unit has undergone various stages of diagenetic processes, including mechanical and chemical compaction, cementation, micritization, dissolution and dolomitization. The petrographic analyses show the evolution of porosity in various depositional and diagenetic phases. The fenestral porosity was mainly developed in peritidal carbonates during deposition, while the burial dissolution and diagenetic dolomitization have greatly enhanced the reservoir potential of the rock unit, as is further confirmed by the plug porosity and permeability analyses. The porosities and permeabilities were higher in shoal facies deposited in TSTs, as compared to lagoonal and peritidal facies, except for the dolomite in mudstone, deposited during RSTs. Hence good, moderate and poor reservoir potential is suggested for shoal, lagoonal and peritidal facies, respectively.     

A Reconstruction and Discussion of the Effect of Diagenetic Environment on Hydrocarbon Generation Based on Diagenetic Mineral Assemblage in Mudstone

Inorganic minerals in mudstone are composed of clay minerals,carbonate and detrital minerals.Detrital minerals(such as quartz and feldspar)are mainly original deposit.However,clay minerals(kaolinite,illite,and chlorite)and carbonate(calcite and dolomite)are mostly diagenetic minerals.Furthermore,conversion of the four kinds of clay minerals are common.The formation of clay minerals and carbonate is controlled by temperature,pressure,p H,Eh and type of cations during diagenesis.Therefore mineral assemblage can indicate the characteristics and change of diagenetic environment.In addition to inorganic minerals,there are also organic matter of different sources and chemical properties in mudstone.Traditionally,it is considered that evolution of organic matter is controlled by thermal effect.Now studies show that inorganic and organic matter can interact with each other and form clay-organic complexes.This suggest that attention should be paid to the influence of diagenetic mineral assemblage and diagenetic environment on the evolution of organic matter* Samples of mudstone from 1500-4500m of the Palaeogene in the Dongying Depression,China,were collected to investigate the changes of mudstone diagenetic environment.XRD,thin section and SEM were used to detect diagenetic minerals and assemblage characteristics.Results showed that content of detrital minerals,which are floating in mud matrix or preserved as silt laminae,is basically unchanged from shallow to deep strata.Clay minerals which are gathered as argillaceous matrix or preserved as argillaceous laminae have growth and decline relation to carbonate which mainly appear as micropoikilitic ferriferous calcite and ferriferous dolomite.All these characteristics indicate that detrital minerals are exogenetic,whereas carbonate is diagenetic minerals.Based on the SEM analysis of the clay minerals,it was found that smectite present honeycomb and reticulate structure,while illite present filiform and schistose structure and there are growth and decline relationship between them.Nevertheless,hexagonal tabular and stratified kaolinite has the highest content from 2400m to3300m.Rosette and stratified chlorite shows increase trend when the burial depth is deeper than 3300m.These characteristics indicated that clay minerals are diagenetic minerals and there are conversions among the four types.Therefore form shallow to deep,three diagenetic mineral assemblage zones can be divided based on the characteristics of carbonate and clay minerals in mudstone.Namely,smectite+illite/smectite zone in the depth of 2000-2500m;kaolinite+illite/smectite zone in the depth of 2500-3300m and illite+chlorite+carbonate zone below 3300m.Previous studies showed that kaolinite is stable under acidic conditions,while other clay minerals and carbonate are stable under alkaline conditions.Hence according to mineral assemblages feature,it was inferred that diagenetic environment of mudstonehasundergonethechangeof alkaline-acid-alkaline.For the organic matter with different chemical properties in mudstone,the hydrocarbon generation will be different in the acidic and alkaline diagenetic environment even if the conditions of temperature and pressure are the same.Therefore,for hydrocarbon generation we should not only focus on thermal effect,but also pay more attention to the differences of diagenetic environment which have great significance for the understanding of hydrocarbon generation,hydrocarbon expulsion and reservoir formation in mudstone.     

Classification and Diagenetic Characteristics of the Cretaceous Sandstones in the Southern Bredasdorp Basin,Offshore South Africa

A systematic petrographic and geochemical studies of 92 representative sandstone samples from exploration wells E-AH1, E-AJ1, E-BA1, E-BB1 and E-D3 in the southern part of the Bredasdorp Basin was undertaken to classify the sandstones as well as unravel the main diagenetic processes and their time relations. Petrographic study shows that the sandstones are largely subarkosic arenite and arkosic litharenite, which have underwent series of diagenetic processes as a result burial, rifting and subsequent uplift. The main diagenetic processes that have affected the reservoir properties of the sandstones are cementation by authigenic clay, carbonate and silica, growth of authigenic glauconite, dissolution of minerals and load compaction. The major diagenetic processes reducing the porosity are calcite cementation in the subarkosic arenite, and compaction and quartz cementation in arkosic litharenite. On the other hand, the formation of secondary porosity due to the partial to complete dissolution of early calcite cement, feldspars and minor grain fracturing has improved the reservoir property of the sandstone to some extent. The clay minerals in the sandstones commonly acts as pore choking cement, which reduces porosity. In general, there is no particular diagenetic process that exclusively controls the type or form of porosity evolution in the sandstones.