The role of the late Cimmerian unconformity for the distribution of kaolinite in the Gullfaks Field, northern North Sea

A study of the Middle Jurassic Rannoch Formation in the Gullfaks Field shows that there is no relationship between the content and distribution of kaolinite and location relative to the late Cimmerian unconformity. From petrographic data most of the kaolinite is interpreted to be detrital, and only traces of authigenic kaolinite are observed. Mass-balance calculations are used to provide guidelines as to the likelihood of kaolinite being formed and preserved in sandstones under the unconformity. The result of the calculations shows that the propagation rate of the dissolution front in the sandstones was probably on average slower than the erosion rates during the formation of the late Cimmerian unconformity. Hence, transformation of significant amounts of feldspar and mica to kaolinite probably did not take place within the sandstones which at present underlie the unconformity in the Gullfaks Field. Periods of exposure during formation of unconformities may thus be less effective causes of kaolinitization in sandstones than has been assumed.     

Experimental authigenesis of phyllosilicates from feldspathic sands

Hydrothermal experiments with primary detrital components of feldspathic sands (orthoclase, albite, quartz, and calcite) were conducted to simulate possible diagenetic changes in geosynclinal sedimentary accumulations and the geothermal reservoir of the Imperial Valley area, California. Phyllosilicate and zeolite mineralization was produced at 200°C and 1 Kb Ph₂o and at 300°C and 1 and 3 Kb Ph₂o. Scanning electron microscope examination of the detrital grains shows the development of authigenic minerals and solution features. Phyllosilicate development occurred as dense surface coatings on orthoclase crystals in concentrated brines and as scattered grain clusters in dilute brines. Cation concentration is considered to be a controlling factor in phyllosilicate formation and growth. During formation the phyllosilicate crystals appear to utilize the surficial feldspar lattice structure as a preferred growth site. Electron diffraction studies indicate the crystals are a 1 Md mica similar to illite. Initial phyllosilicate formation occurs principally on orthoclase in systems containing this mineral, but is disseminated on other mineral surfaces in systems without orthoclase. This experimental development of authigenetic illite via the destruction of potassium feldspar may offer a potential mechanism to help explain the resulting mineralogy of diagenetic processes occurring in natural sediments such as in feldspathic sands and argillaceous sediments.     

Petrography and provenance of the Early Permian Fluvial Warchha Sandstone,Salt Range,Pakistan

The Warchha Sandstone of the Salt Range of Pakistan is a continental succession that accumulated as part of a meandering, fluvial system during Early Permian times. Several fining-upward depositional cycles are developed, each of which is composed of conglomerate, cross-bedded sandstone and, in their upper parts, bioturbated siltstone and claystone units with distinctive desiccation cracks and carbonate concretions. Clast lithologies are mainly of plutonic and low-grade metamorphic origin, with an additional minor sedimentary component. Textural properties of the sandstone are fine- to coarse-grained, poorly to moderately sorted, sub-angular to sub-rounded, and with generally loose packing. Based on modal analyses, the sandstone is dominantly a feldspathoquartzose (arkose to sub-arkose). Detrital constituents are mainly composed of monocrystalline quartz, feldspars (more K-feldspar than plagioclase) and various types of lithic clasts. XRD and SEM studies indicate that kaolinite is the dominant clay mineral and that it occurs as both allogenic and authigenic forms. However, illite, illite-smectite mixed layer, smectite and chlorite are also recognised in both pores and fractures. Much of the kaolinite was likely derived by the severe chemical weathering of previously deposited basement rocks under the influence of a hot and humid climate. Transported residual clays deposited as part of the matrix of the Warchha Sandstone show coherent links with the sandstone petrofacies, thereby indicating the same likely origin. Illite, smectite and chlorite mainly occur as detrital minerals and as alteration products of weathered acidic igneous and metamorphic rocks. Based primarily on fabric relationship, the sequence of cement formation in the Warchha Sandstone is clay (generally kaolinite), iron oxide, calcareous and siliceous material, before iron-rich illite and occasional mixed layer smectite–illite and rare chlorite. Both petrographic analysis and field characteristics of the sandstone indicate that the source areas were characterised by uplift of a moderate to high relief continental block that was weathered under the influence of hot and humid climatic conditions. The rocks weathered from the source areas included primary granites and gneisses, together with metamorphic basement rocks and minor amounts of sedimentary rocks. Regional palaeogeographic reconstructions indicate that much of the Warchha Sandstone detritus was derived from the Aravalli and Malani ranges and surrounding areas of the Indian Craton to the south and southeast, before being transported to and deposited within the Salt Range region under the influence of a semi-arid to arid climatic regime.     

Origins of authigenic minerals and their impacts on reservoir quality of tight sandstones: Upper Triassic Chang-7 Member,Yanchang Formation,Ordos Basin,China

Reservoir quality is critical for sweet-spot evaluation in tight sandstone plays, but few studies have focused on the origin of authigenic minerals in tight sandstones and their impact on reservoir quality. This study integrates petrographic analysis, carbon and oxygen isotopic data and mercury injection capillary pressure data of the Upper Triassic Chang-7 tight sand reservoir samples in the Ordos Basin, China to understand the origin of authigenic minerals and the impact of authigenic minerals on reservoir quality. Carbonate minerals, including calcite, ferroan calcite and dolomite, and kaolinite, are the major authigenic minerals in the Chang-7 sandstone. They were derived from the chemical diagenetic alteration of detrital feldspar and biotite, with the involvement of ions that are believed to be primarily from the connate water in interstitial pore space of the interbedded mudstones. Meteoric water and organic fluids from hydrocarbon generation may also have been involved in the alteration processes of the minerals in the Chang-7 tight sandstone. The origin of kaolinite indicates that the porosity was increased by dissolution of detrital grains, offsetting the porosity loss from burial compaction. Authigenic minerals appear to have a weak correlation with pore structure, suggesting that the pore structure of the Chang-7 tight sandstone is not only controlled by major authigenic minerals but also affected by other geological factors.     

油气储层自生伊利石的分离提纯及其K-Ar同位素测年技术研究

油气注入史研究对于指导油气勘探具有非常重要的意义。油气储层自生伊利石K Ar同位素测年可以为油气注入时间的研究提供科学依据。文中对油气储层自生伊利石分离提纯及其K Ar同位素测年技术进行了系统介绍。对碎屑含钾矿物杂质对自生伊利石K Ar同位素年龄的影响进行了深入研究 ,建立了一套完整的数据处理技术并提出了“校正年龄”的概念。     

Organic petrology, mineralogy and depositional environment of the Kipra lignite seam, Maritza-West basin, Bulgaria

The aim of the present study is to provide additional information about the properties and depositional environment of the Kipra lignite seam, which was deposited during the regressive stage of development of the Maritza-West basin. Petrographical and mineralogical data, along with ash yields and sulphur contents of 24 samples from a seam profile, have been used to study the vertical variation of the depositional settings during peat accumulation and subsequent coalification.The Kipra lignite is characterized by high ash yields and sulphur contents. It formed in a rheotrophic, low-lying mire with alkaline pH value. Vegetation with low preservation potential dominated within the palaeomire. During peat formation, frequent changes of the water level controlled the depositional environment. During the deposition of units 1 and 2, high water energy caused the transportation of high amounts of inorganic material into the mire, resulting in the formation of weakly gelified mineral-rich lignite. The organic matter from units 3 and 4 is characterized by enhanced gelification, which probably reflects the decreasing energy of the system. Good positive correlation between sulphur contents and the GI values was established in units 4, indicating that the gelification of the tissues was probably mainly controlled by the bacterial activity. In contrast, the gelification of the samples from unit 3 of the Kipra seam was probably governed by the redox conditions. The organic matter deposited under relatively wet conditions, in which the thermal and oxidative destruction of the tissues, was limited.A variety of major, minor and accessory minerals are present in Maritza-West lignite. The mineral composition is dominated mainly by pyrite, gypsum and calcite, and to a lesser extent limonite, quartz, kaolinite, montmorillonite, illite, chlorite and plagioclase. Jarosite, hematite, halloysite, mica, K-feldspar, aragonite, siderite, and dolomite were also determined in very low concentrations. These minerals formed syngenetically and epigenetically. The syngenetic stage is characterized mainly by the formation of pyrite, carbonates, silicates and sulphates, whereas the Fe-oxyhydroxides, partially the carbonates and almost all silicates are of detrital origin. During the epigenetic stage, carbonates, sulphates, clay minerals, pyrite, and Fe-oxyhydroxides were formed. Alteration products like gypsum, jarosite, limonite, chlorite, kaolinite, illite, mica, and calcite were generated due to the transformation of detrital and authigenic minerals.     

富县探区上三叠统延长组成岩作用及孔隙结构特征

根据薄片观察、扫描电镜及X—衍射资料的详细分析,富县探区延长组成岩作用已经普遍进入晚成岩A期,主要成岩作用有压实—压溶、胶结充填和溶解作用。压实—压溶及胶结充填作用是导致砂岩孔隙丧失的主要原因。其中碳酸盐、粘土矿物胶结物和石英、长石加大是造成砂岩物性降低的主要原因,碎屑颗粒周围形成的绿泥石衬边阻止了部分石英、长石次生加大及碳酸盐胶结物的沉淀,使部分原生粒间孔隙得以保存。晚期成岩阶段有机质分解形成的酸性流体及表生成岩作用阶段的大气降水使得碎屑部分碎屑长石和早期的浊沸石胶结物溶解是形成次生孔隙的主要原因。浊沸石胶结物主要发育在长3油层组,其原因是该层位长石碎屑含量高,并在成岩过程中蚀变形成浊沸石。高岭石在上部长2、长3油层组含量高,可能是印支期大气淡水淋滤对长石溶蚀并发生了高岭石化。孔隙类型以残余粒间孔和长石溶孔为主,划分出小孔细喉、小孔微细喉、小孔微喉、微细孔微细喉和微细孔微喉型五类孔喉结构,其中最后一种为无效储层。     

鄂尔多斯盆地东部太原组碎屑岩中自生伊利石形成机制及其对储层形成的影响

鄂尔多斯盆地东部太原组砂岩骨架颗粒中几乎没有碎屑长石,残余的微量长石(在岩石中的平均含量为0.4%.低于X射线衍射检测限)主要为钾长石,同时具有较低的自生高岭石含量(1.02%)、很低的自生石英含量和同期火山物质含量,以及较高的自生伊利石含量(1.22%),这表明太原组的自生伊利石主要是在相对高温的深埋藏封闭条件下,通过钾长石溶解反应:钾长石+H~++H_2O→高岭石+硅质+K~+和高岭石伊利石化反应:高岭石+K~+→伊利石+H~++H_2O或其加和反应:钾长石+高岭石→硅质+伊利石+H_2O形成,后者通过消耗钾离子而克服钾长石溶解的动力学屏障,是前者的重要驱动反应,并向流体输出氢离子,因此对次生孔隙的形成、尤其是在相对深埋藏的成岩过程中与钾长石溶解有关的次生孔隙的形成具有显著的积极作用.     

渤中凹陷CFD18-2油田高岭石胶结作用及其对储层物性的影响

为探究成岩作用过程中所形成的次生黏土矿物对储层物性的影响,借助偏光显微镜及扫描电镜的镜下分析,并结合储层物性等数据,对渤中凹陷附近沙垒田凸起东南部CFD18-2油田东三段高岭石的特征、类型、成因及其对储层物性的影响进行了研究。研究结果表明：1）研究区高岭石为有机酸溶蚀长石形成的自生高岭石,呈现典型的"手风琴状"及"蠕虫状",常充填于粒间孔、长石次生溶孔及碳酸盐胶结物溶孔中并形成良好的晶间孔隙。2）研究区主要发育两期高岭石,第一期主要充填于早期碳酸盐胶结物溶孔中,呈微小"蠕虫状";第二期充填于铁方解石与铁白云石胶结物溶孔中,部分高岭石具碱性溶蚀特征,且第二期高岭石与晚期伊利石共生。3）研究区东三段储层具备一定的渗流能力,使长石溶蚀形成的"副产物"被流体带走;但在破坏性成岩作用下,储层渗流能力会逐渐变差,最终使得"副产物"堆积于孔隙,降低储层物性。4）高岭石及同期硅质胶结物对储层物性的影响是一把"双刃剑",当高岭石及硅质的体积分数低于6.81%时,长石溶蚀有利于改善储层物性;当高岭石及硅质的体积分数高于6.81%时,则不利于储层物性的改善。     

Fluvial architecture and diagenesis of the Mt Eclipse Sandstone,northern Ngalia Basin,Australia

The Upper Devonian to Carboniferous Mt Eclipse Sandstone is a basin-wide host to uranium mineralisation in the Ngalia Basin, NT. The fluvial depositional architecture and diagenesis of the Mt Eclipse Sandstone at the Bigrlyi uranium deposit on the northern margin of the basin are deduced from hyperspectral mineral results captured from 200 drill holes, combined with core and outcrop observations across a ~10 km strike length. The succession hosting the uranium mineralisation is interpreted to be deposited in the lower parts of a mature alluvial fan system with low slope angle and dominated by immature, kaolinised, medium-grained subarkosic sandstones and patchy calcite cement. This study reveals the fluvial channel sequence is estimated to be 3 km wide, 100–200 m thick and sourced from the north. This multidisciplinary study also uncovers the complex interaction and codependencies between fluvial/groundwater activity, evaporation, oxidation, fluctuating pH and detrital mineralogy controlling early diagenetic processes in the alluvial fan sediments. Carbon isotope data identify calcite cements as groundwater calcrete, while strontium isotope data suggest limited prolonged water–rock interaction prior and during calcite cementation. The petrographic data reveal the importance of early calcite cement occluding all pore space and preserving detrital minerals from later diagenetic processes. The hyperspectral results highlight the intermittent distribution of the calcite cement and the commonly repetitive mineralogical zonation throughout the 200 drill holes, including the inverse spatial correlation between kaolinite ± goethite ± gypsum vs white mica ± hematite dominated zones. X-ray diffraction and the hyperspectral data reveal the scarcity of early diagenetic clay minerals such as montmorillonite. This paper is the first to report on a systematic mineralogical and sedimentological study for the Mt Eclipse Sandstone. By focusing on the diagenesis and fluvial architecture of this stratigraphic unit, a framework to support exploration for sediment-hosted uranium deposits is established.     

鄂尔多斯盆地东胜砂岩型高岭土矿特征及成因机制

东胜砂岩型高岭土矿床位于鄂尔多斯盆地东北部,含矿层为延安组。经薄片鉴定、扫描电镜、X-衍射、全岩主要元素分析（XRF）以及稀土元素地球化学分析,对矿层白色砂岩与红色原岩的岩石地球化学特征进行了对比。结果表明,原岩为基质被铁质浸染的以碎屑片状高岭石和伊利石为主的红色砂岩,而矿层则为褪色的以粒度粗细不一的高岭石胶结为主的白色砂岩。矿层砂岩的分布与盆地北部油苗位置具有很好的对应关系。综合区域地质特征、岩石学、岩石化学以及天然气运散的信息,认为砂岩型高岭土矿层的形成是由于研究区以南气田中的上古生界天然气向北运移散失过程中,将红色原岩中的氧化铁胶结物还原成易于运移的Fe²⁺,从而使其褪色变白;同时酸性流体使长石溶蚀形成高岭石,后期的风化淋滤作用使砂岩中的高岭石含量进一步提高,进而形成目前较大规模的高岭土矿床。     

Feldspar concentrations in lower Cambrian limestones of the Moroccan Atlas: Pyroclastic vs authigenic processes

Carbonate strata containing abundant euhedral feldspar, usually considered as authigenic, are characteristic of some lower Cambrian exposures in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco. Impure limestones are abundant in the Issendalenian Amouslek Formation of the western Anti-Atlas, and in the Banian Lemdad Formation of the southern High Atlas. Some of their limestone beds contain up to 40% acid insoluble residue, of which feldspar comprises as much as 65% in some samples, the remainder consisting of detrital and authigenic quartz, apatite, pyrite, and clay minerals. The host limestones are bioclastic tempestites, ooidal–oncoidal–bioclastic shoal complexes, archaeocyathan-microbial peri-reef settings (mainly flanks but not reef cores), and microbial reefs. A volcanic origin is adopted for the feldspars based on: (i) fluctuations in feldspar concentration paralleling bedding, but unrelated to host-facies (except for the aforementioned archaeocyathan-microbial reef cores that were controlled by turbidity); (ii) the local association with glassy fragments (with feldspars embedded in glass shards); and (iii) the scattered occurrence of gradational lithofacies from silty tuff to tuffitic limestone.The mineral and chemical composition of the host-rock and diagenetic fluids was the determining factor for the kind of feldspar preservation. Although the primary type of K–feldspar replacement is albitization, secondary albite subsequently suffered from illitization, chloritization, and/or replacement by calcite. A direct implication of this work is the possible geochronological dating of both volcanic eruptions and archaeocyath- and trilobite-bearing host-rocks based on radiometric analyses within unaltered K–feldspar pyroclasts extracted after etching.     

Detrital mode, mineralogy and geochemistry of the Sidi Aïch Formation (Early Cretaceous) in central and southwestern Tunisia: Implications for provenance, tectonic setting and paleoenvironment

The chemical and mineralogical composition of the Sidi Aïch Formation sandstones in central and southwestern Tunisia has been investigated in order to infer the provenance and tectonic setting, as well as to appraise the influence of weathering. The sixteen studied samples are mainly composed of quartz, feldspar, kaolinite and/or illite. Sidi Aïch sandstones are mainly arkosic, potassic feldspar-rich and immature. Much of the feldspar was transformed to kaolinite. Concerning the relation between sandstone detrital composition and their depositional setting, the Sidi Aïch Formation sandstone in the major studied localities, probably accumulated in relatively proximal small basins within the continental interior. However, for the Khanguet El Ouara study site, sandstones may have been deposited in a foreland basin which received recycled sediments from an adjacent orogenic belt.The source area may have included quartzose sedimentary rocks. The dominance of quartz and enrichment in immobile elements suggest that the depositional basins were associated with a passive margin. The petrography and geochemistry reflect a stable continental margin and sediments were derived from granitic and pegmatitic sources located in the southern parts of the Gafsa basin. High values for the chemical index of alteration (CIA) indicate that recycling processes might have been important. Particularly high CIA values in the Garet Hadid locality indicate more intense chemical alteration, either due to weathering processes or tectonic control.     

Complete 40Ar resetting in an ultracataclasite by reactivation of a fossil seismogenic fault along the subducting plate interface in the Mugi Mélange of the Shimanto accretionary complex,southwest Japan

We used the K–Ar ages of clay-sized mineral grains to investigate the timing of activity on the Minami-Awa Fault, which is a fossil seismogenic fault along a subducting plate interface separating the coherent strata of the Shimanto accretionary complex to the north from the tectonic mélange to the south. The K–Ar ages from the matrix shale of the mélange range from 85 to 48 Ma and decrease with decreasing amount of detrital mica, indicating that they record a mixture of authigenic illite related to burial diagenesis and detrital mica. In contrast, the K–Ar ages of an ultracataclasite within the fault core are significantly younger, ranging from 29 to 23 Ma, and are unrelated to grain size and amount of detrital mica. This indicates that s Ar diffused completely from the ultracataclasite between 29 and 23 Ma, which postdates the formation of authigenic illite by at least several million years. The diffusion of ⁴⁰Ar in the ultracataclasite was probably caused by frictional heating or high-temperature fluid migration that occurred when the fault was reactivated. The results indicate that seismogenic faults that separate tectonic mélange from coherent strata in accretionary complexes may slip, not only during accretion, but also long after accretion.     

海拉尔盆地贝尔凹陷含片钠铝石沉凝灰岩的成岩作用

以海拉尔盆地贝尔凹陷大磨拐河组-伊敏组的含片钠铝石火山碎屑岩为研究对象,采用偏光显微镜、扫描电镜及配套能谱、茜素红 S染色、阴极发光和X 射线衍射分析等技术手段,对研究样品的岩石类型、自生矿物种类及共生序列进行了详细研究。贝尔凹陷发育片钠铝石的宿主岩石类型为沉凝灰岩,自生矿物以发育片钠铝石、铁白云石和菱铁矿三种碳酸盐矿物为主,片钠铝石含量高达25%。成岩共生序列为菱铁矿Ⅰ→高岭石、石英次生加大→片钠铝石→微晶石英→方解石→铁白云石→菱铁矿Ⅱ→沥青。不同于国内外其它地区发现片钠铝石的主要产状为充填孔隙,本区内发育的片钠铝石以交代长石、石英、岩屑颗粒和高岭石基质为赋存特征,表明沉凝灰岩中的长石、岩屑、高岭石基质可以为其提供金属离子物质来源,并在CO2参与下,与成岩流体反应生成片钠铝石。大量碳酸盐矿物（15-44%）的发育证明了火山碎屑岩具有较高的CO2矿物捕获能力。     

Conditions of kaolin illitization in the Permo-Triassic sandstones from the SE Iberian Ranges, Spain

Kaolin is a widespread authigenic clay mineral in the Permo-Triassic sandstones from the marginal areas of the SE Iberian Basin. However, relatively more extensive illitization of kaolin occurs in the SW basin margin compared with the slight occurrence in the NE margin. SEM analysis of sandstones reveals that illite replaced small kaolinite crystals while blocky dickite remained unaltered. Kaolin illitization is suggested to take place in relation to the maximum burial depth reached during Late Cretaceous post-rift stage. Vitrinite reflectance data denotes a maximum burial temperature of 118  °C and 144 °C in the NE basin margin and in the SW basin margin, respectively. Thus, the extent of illitization in the SW margin is attributed to the higher T_peak reached by the Permo-Triassic succession. Regarding the lack of K-feldspars observed in the sandstones and interbedded mudrocks, the source of K⁺ is mainly related to the alteration of detrital mica.     

Provenance of Palaeozoic sandstones from the Carnic Alps (Austria): petrographic and geochemical indicators

An integrated approach of petrographic analysis, whole rock geochemistry and microprobe analysis has been applied to obtain information on the geodynamic development and the provenance for Ordovician to Permian siliciclastic successions exposed within the Carnic Alps (Austria). Sandstone detrital mode and geochemical results refine previous geodynamic interpretations. Late Ordovician samples indicate a stable craton and recycled orogenic and, possible, extensional setting. The Early Carboniferous is interpreted to represent a compressional environment, followed by a Late Carboniferous molasse-type foreland basin, and a Permian extensional geodynamic setting. Contrasting geochemical patterns of post-Variscan and Permian sequences suggest a rift setting. Electron microprobe data of detrital white mica also indicate changes in the provenance. Compositional data reflect a shift from low- to medium-grade metamorphic (Ordovician) to high-grade metamorphic (Carboniferous) to low- to medium-grade metamorphic and plutonic source rocks (Permian). Additionally, our data show that various chemical discrimination diagrams do not include all possible ranges of sandstones, and that high contents of detrital mica and ultra-stable heavy minerals may cause misclassification. Consequently, we propose the use of multi-method approach for provenance studies, including the control of geochemical data by modal analysis and heavy mineral investigations.     

Metamorphic and Thermal History of a Fore-Arc Basin: the Fossil Bluff Group, Alexander Island, Antarctica

The Himalia Ridge Formation (Fossil Bluff Group), AlexanderIsland is a 2·2-km-thick sequence of Upper Jurassic–LowerCretaceous conglomerates, sandstones and mudstones, derivedfrom an andesitic volcanic arc and deposited in a fore-arc basin.The metamorphic and thermal history of the formation has beendetermined using authigenic mineral assemblages and vitrinitereflectance measurements. Metamorphic effects include compaction,pore-space reduction, cementation and dissolution and replacementof detrital grains by clay minerals (smectite, illite/smectite,corrensite and kaolinite), calcite, chlorite, laumontite, prehnite,pumpellyite, albite and mica, with less common quartz, haematite,pyrite and epidote. The authigenic mineral assemblages exhibita depth-dependence, and laumontite and calcite exhibit a strongantipathetic relationship. Detrital organic matter in the argillaceouslayers has vitrinite reflectance values (R_o) ranging from 2·3to 3·7%. This indicates considerable thermal maturation,with a systematic increase in reflectivity with increasing depth.There is good correlation of metamorphic mineral assemblageswith chlorite crystallinity and vitrinite reflectance values—allindicating temperatures in the range of 140 ± 20°Cat the top of the sequence to 250 ± 10°C at the baseof the sequence. The temperatures suggest a geothermal gradientof 36–64°C/km and a most likely gradient of 50°C/km.It is suggested that this higher-than-average gradient for afore-arc basin resulted either from rifting during basin formationor from a late-stage arc migration event. KEY WORDS: Antarctica; diagenesis; fore-arc basin; low-temperature metamorphism; vitrinite reflectance     

The effect of diagenesis on reservoir quality of Mamu Sandstone,Anambra basin,Nigeria

The petrography and powder diffraction analyses were integrated to study the effect of diagenesis on the reservoir quality of the Mamu Sandstone in areas around Enugu, southeastern Nigeria. The sands are moderately to well sorted, very fine to fine grained feldspathic arenite deposited in diverse environments of upper to lower shoreface and sub-environments of delta plain. Pressure solutions, authigenic clays and quartz and feldspar overgrowths are the main diagenetic features of the sandstones in the area. These diagenetic features result in mechanical and chemical compaction, alteration of framework grains and precipitation of dissolved grains. In varying degrees, coating of clasts and filling of pore-spaces by clay and heavy minerals reduced the pore throat diameter, which caused mild reduction of the porosity and permeability of sands. Despite these observed diagenetic effects, the Mamu sands still have the potential to serve as good hydrocarbons reservoir especially for gas.     

Dissolved Al in sediments and waters of the East China Sea: Implications for authigenic mineral formation

Numerous previous studies indicate that several different authigenic aluminosilicates form in the oceans. In this study we show, using dissolved Al distributions in sediments and waters from the nearshore regions of the East China Sea, that the process of aluminosilicate formation probably begins rapidly upon contact of detrital clays with seawater. Statistical analyses of dissolved Al-Si-H⁺ relations in surface sediments indicate that the minerals forming in East China Sea sediments low in dissolved Fe are dioctahedral chlorites with an average composition EX_0.91Mg_0.77Al_5.0Si_2.7O₁₀(OH)₈ (where EX = exchangeable + 1 cation). This composition is also consistent with dissolved Al and Si measurements as a function of salinity in turbid overlying waters. Results suggest a dissolution—reprecipitation mechanism for clay mineral reconstitution. This mechanism can help to explain why different authigenic clays are found in different areas of the oceans. In the East China Sea the total amount of authigenic clays present must constitute a very minor fraction of the bottom sediments. Thus, the formation of these minerals has a relatively small impact upon dissolved Si distributions. Clay mineral reconstitution in nearshore regions may provide a mechanism for buffering sediments and overlying waters with respect to pH, as the composition of minerals formed should be a direct function of the H⁺ activity in the surrounding environment.