A new magnetostratigraphic framework for the Lower Miocene (Burdigalian/Ottnangian, Karpatian) in the North Alpine Foreland Basin

Oligocene–Miocene chronostratigraphic correlations within the Paratethys domain are still highly controversial. This study focuses on the late Early Miocene of the Swiss and S-German Molasse Basin (Late Burdigalian, Ottnangian–Karpatian). Previous studies have published different chronologies for this time interval that is represented by the biostratigraphically well constrained Upper Marine Molasse (OMM, lower and middle Ottnangian), Upper Brackish Molasse (OBM, Grimmelfingen and Kirchberg Formations, middle and upper Ottnangian to lower Karpatian, MN 4a–MN 4b) and Upper Freshwater Molasse (OSM, Karpatian–Badenian, MN 5). Here, we suggest a new chronostratigraphic framework, based on integrated magneto-litho-biostratigraphic studies on four sections and three boreholes. Our data indicate that the OBM comprises chrons 5D.1r and 5Dn (Grimmelfingen Fm), chron 5Cr (lower Kirchberg Fm) and the oldest part of chron 5Cn.3n (upper Kirchberg Fm). The OSM begins during chron 5Cn.3n, continues through 5Cn, and includes a long reversed segment that can be correlated to chron 5Br. The OMM-OSM transition was completed at 16.0 Ma in the Swiss Molasse Basin, while the OBM-OSM changeover ended at 16.6 Ma in the S-German Molasse Basin. As the lower Kirchberg Fm represents a facies of the Ottnangian, our data suggest that the Ottnangian–Karpatian boundary in the Molasse Basin is approximately at 16.8 Ma, close to the 5Cr–5Cn.3n magnetic reversal, and thus 0.4 Myr younger than the inferred age of 17.2 Ma used in recent Paratethys time scales. Notably, this would not be problematic for the Paratethys stratigraphy, because chron 5Cr is mainly represented by a sedimentation gap in the Central Paratethys. We also realise, however, that additional data is still required to definitely solve the age debate concerning this intriguing time interval in the North Alpine Foreland Basin. We dedicate this work to our dear friend and colleague Jean-Pierre Berger (8 July 1956–18 January 2012).     

The position of the Rupelian/Chattian boundary in the southern Upper Rhine Graben based on new records of microfossils

This study analyses the regressive phase of the marine Froidefontaine Subgroup and the subsequent fluvio-lacustrine Niederroedern formation in the southern Upper Rhine Graben during the Late Rupelian and the position of the Rupelian/Chattian boundary. The study is based on the sedimentary record and several microfossil groups from two boreholes, with a focus on new records of fish otoliths, Bolboforma and Charophyta. The biostratigraphic evaluation of these groups provides evidence for a position of the Rupelian/Chattian boundary within the upper Niederroedern Formation. This is contrary to the results from a previous sedimentological approach, which places the boundary at the base of the Niederroedern Formation. The fish fauna indicates a biogeographic relation to southern France, the Molasse Basin of Switzerland and southern Germany.     

Occurrence of Middle Miocene Fossil Cyprinid Fish in the Northern Qaidam Basin and its Paleoenvironmental Implications

With a thick sequence of early Eocene to Pleistocene terrestrial records, the Qaidam Basin on the northern Tibetan Plateau provides an important sedimentary archive for understanding the paleoenvironmental evolution of the northeast Tibetan Plateau. In this study, specimens of fossil fish remains are collected from the late Middle Miocene (Serravallian, ~12Ma) of the middle member of the Shang Youshashan Formation, Dahonggou (DHG) section, in the northern Qaidam Basin. Based on a systematic study of these materials, the remains have assigned to Cyprinidae, with typical pharyngeal teeth and dorsal fin spines with serrations on the posterior edge. Our discovery improves understanding of the cyprinid fish distribution characteristics in the Qaidam Basin during the Cenozoic. Co-occurrences of terrestrial brackish ostracod species Cyprideis and long chain alkenonesin the layer indicate that the studied cyprinid fish lived in a generally large brackish to saline water body during the late middle Miocene (Serravallian), when the climate of Qaidam Basin was still not sufficiently dry to form an extreme saline water lake.     

松宗古湖——藏东南帕隆藏布江末次盛冰期 发育的一个冰川堰塞湖*

青藏高原东南部帕隆藏布江松宗地区晚更新世期间发生了一次可以识别的支谷冰川阻江形成冰川堰塞湖——松宗古湖的事件。松宗滑坡处的湖相沉积剖面厚度≥88m,其中厚达18.33m并具湖相沉积代表性的连续粉质粘土层底部和顶部的光释光年龄分别为22.5±3.3kaB.P.和16.1±1.7kaB.P. , 属末次盛冰期。松宗滑坡处河谷两侧冰碛台地与湖相沉积的接触关系和空间特征指示该湖相沉积与末次盛冰期董曲支谷冰川阻塞帕隆藏布江有关。湖相地层的剖面沉积特征揭示出这个冰川堰塞湖可能贯穿于整个末次盛冰期,但整个帕隆藏布并没有形成统一的山谷冰川。     

近海断陷盆地古近纪煤系沉积控煤作用与成煤模式——以山东黄县盆地为例

我国海域区煤型油气资源量丰富,然而海域煤型烃源岩的研究程度却相对较低,严重制约了海域区煤型油气资源勘探。选取与海域区煤盆地成煤时代基本一致、地质条件相似、研究程度高的近海断陷含煤盆地——黄县盆地为例,开展沉积控煤作用与成煤模式研究。在充分吸取前人研究成果的基础上,精细重建了成煤期的古地理格局、演化及其沉积控煤作用。结果表明：(1)黄县盆地古近纪煤系主要发育冲积扇、扇三角洲、辫状河三角洲和湖泊沉积,可以识别出2个三级层序。煤层主要发育在湖扩张体系域时期的辫状河三角洲、滨浅湖环境。(2)综合恢复了涵盖古近系整个成煤过程的层序I湖扩张体系域和高水位体系域、层序II低水位体系域和湖扩张体系域的层序-古地理格局,并分析其沉积演化特征与沉积控煤作用;煤层主要发育在低水位体系域晚期-湖扩张体系域早期,湖平面缓慢上升的辫状河三角洲前部湖沼环境,并逐步向辫状河三角洲扩展;其次,煤层发育在湖扩张体系域的中晚期,湖平面频繁变浅-变深的湖沼-浅湖沉积环境。(3)建立了古近纪近海断陷盆地2种典型的沉积成煤模式。一是滨浅湖湖沼-辫状河三角洲成煤模式,主要发育在低水位体系域晚期-湖扩张体系域早期湖水平面缓慢抬升的过...     

柴达木盆地西部新生界陆相湖盆碳酸盐岩沉积环境与沉积模式*

利用野外露头、岩心、测井录井和分析化验资料,对柴达木盆地西部(简称“柴西地区”)新生界干柴沟组湖相碳酸盐岩进行了研究,划分了其沉积微相类型,研究了其分布规律,分析其形成环境和控制因素,并建立了相应沉积模式。该区湖相碳酸盐岩在垂向上与碎屑岩频繁互层,湖相碳酸盐岩包括颗粒灰岩、藻灰岩、泥晶灰岩和混积岩4大类11种,划分出了灰泥坪、颗粒滩、藻丘(礁)、浅湖湾以及(半)深湖泥灰岩相等5种沉积微相。通过分析不同碳酸盐岩及其微相时空展布特征,认为其发育主要受控于湖盆构造运动、湖平面变化、陆源碎屑注入、古气候与古水介质条件、古地貌与古水深环境,并在此基础上建立了柴西湖相碳酸盐岩的沉积模式。研究认为柴达木盆地西部干柴沟组沉积时期,湖盆为典型咸化湖盆,构造活动相对稳定,湖平面上升达到峰值。碳酸盐岩主要发育在湖侵期,高频湖平面变化形成了碳酸盐岩与碎屑岩频繁互层。在枯水期,盆地坡折处发育碎屑岩滩坝或三角洲前缘沉积;在湖侵期,盆地坡折处发育了鲕粒滩及藻灰岩,盆地洼陷区发育泥灰岩或灰质泥岩。     

Sedimentology of the Madumabisa Mudstone Formation (Late Permian), Lower Karoo Group,mid-Zambezi Valley Basin,southern Zambia

Sediments of the Upper Carboniferous to Lower Jurassic Karoo Supergroup (∼ 4.5 km thick) were deposited in the mid-Zambezi Valley Basin, southern Zambia. The Upper Palæozoic Lower Karoo Group in this area ends with a Late Permian sedimentary unit called the Madumabisa Mudstone Formation. The formation is 700 m thick and comprises four lithofacies grouped into two facies assemblages, collectively interpreted as lacustrine deposits. Sediments of a massive mudrock facies assemblage were deposited from suspension, probably from sediment-laden rivers entering a lake. Concretionary calcilutite beds probably mark the positions of palæosediment-water interfaces where calcite was precipitated. A laminated mudrock facies assemblage is attributed to lacustrine deposition from inflowing rivers at the lake margins and shallow parts of the lake. Repeated thickening-upward cycles are evidence of upward shallowing, interrupted by events of more abrupt deepening. Sandstone interbeds are interpreted as fluvial deposits laid down during low lake stands, with cross-lamination and asymmetrical ripples indicating current rather than wave deposition. A fossil assemblage of ostracods, bivalves, gastropods, fish scales, the alga Botryococcus sp. and fossil burrows is consistent with a lacustrine origin for the formation.     

兰州-民和盆地河口群层序地层格架特征及盆地演化

兰州-民和盆地河口群形成于早白垩世，其间充填了巨厚的陆源碎屑物，碎屑物的组合内容和方式反映了冲积扇相，扇三角洲相，湖泊相沉积体系占主导，盆地地层层序具有退积型。加积型，进积型叠置的变化旋回，显示了全韵律的特点。代表了构造旋回幕的产物。根据盆地的发展演化特征和层序界面的确定，初步建立了盆地的层序地层格架，同时阐述了盆地的演化过程。     

Glacier-dammed lake in Southeastern Tibetan Plateau during the Last Glacial Maximum

Lacustrine, alluvial terraces and sediments record at least one Holocene glacially dammed lake in Songzong Basin immediately upstream of the Purlung TsangpoRiver, a main tributary of the downstream of Yarlung Tsangpo River, at the northeastern syntaxis of the Himalaya. The lacustrine deposit is more than 88 meters thick at the SongzongLandslide. There is an 18.33 meters thick layer of lacustrine silt within the lacustrine terrace. The Optical Simulated Luminescence (OSL) ages at the bottom and top of the lacustrine silt layerare 22.5±3.3ka B.P., and 16.1±1.7ka B.P., respectively, which indicates that the lacustrine deposits were formed during the Last Glacial Maximum ranging from 25kaB.P. to 15kaB.P.The ancient shorelines and the lake erosion zone confirm the preexistence of Songzong Lake. There are also terraces formed by moraines in the Songzong Basin. The high and large moraineterrace seen near the mouth of the Dongqu Valley is very prominent. The special characteristics of thelacustrine sediment and the ancient lake line in the Songzong Basin indicate that the lacustrinesediments are related to the blocking of the Purlung Tsangpo River by a glacier from DongquValley during Last Glacial Maximum.     

准噶尔盆地玛湖凹陷百口泉组相对湖平面升降规律研究

准噶尔盆地三叠系百口泉组相对湖平面升降规律认识不清,制约了对百口泉组沉积体系分布与演化的分析。在高分辨率层序地层学理论指导下,综合钻井、测井等资料,采用传统定性分析与定量的测井小波变换分析相结合的方法,对准噶尔盆地玛湖凹陷斜坡区三叠系百口泉组进行高精度层序地层划分,将百口泉组定量划分为1个长期层序,4个中期层序,16个短期层序,126个超短期层序;对126个超短期层序进行Fisher图解的定量分析,结果显示百口泉组沉积时期湖平面升降总体表现出持续上升的特征,内部又可划分为多个次级湖平面升降旋回,百口泉组一段（T₁b₁）、百口泉组二段（T₁b₂）、百口泉组三段（T₁b₃）与三次湖平面持续上升过程相对应,百口泉组三段（T₁b₃）湖平面达到百口泉组时期的最大规模。通过对比前人研究成果和钻井地质信息,认为相对湖平面升降曲线具有很高的可信度。     

Late quaternary sediments in Lake Zürich,Switzerland

Lake Zürich occupies a glacially overdeepened perialpine trough in the northern Middlelands of Switzerland. A total of 154.4 m of Quaternary sediments and 47.3 m of Tertiary Molasse bedrock has been cored from the deepest part of the lake, some 10 km south of the city of Zürich. Some 16.8 m of gravels and sands directly overlying the bedrock include basal till and probably earliest subglacial fluvial and lacustrine deposits. These are overlain by 98.6 m of fine-grained, glacial-aged sediments comprising completely deformed proglacial and/or subglacial lacustrine muds, separated by four basal mud tills. The lack of interglacial sediments, fossils, and other datable material, and the presence of severe sediment deformation and unknown amounts of erosion prevent the establishment of an exact chronostratigraphy for sediments older than the upper mud till. Above it some 8.6 m of lacustrine muds were deposited, folded, faulted, and tilted during the final opening of the lake at about 17,500–17,000 years ago. Superimposed are 30.4 m of final Würm and post-glacial sediments comprising (from oldest): cyclic proglacial mud, thick-bedded and laminated mud, a complex transition zone, laminated carbonate, laminated marl, and diatom-calcite varves. These sediments reflect changing catchment and lacustrine conditions including: glacial proximity, catchment stability, lake inflow characteristics, thermal structure, chemistry, and bed stability. Average sedimentation rates ranged from 11 cm yr⁻¹ immediately after glacier withdrawal, to as low as 0.4 mm yr⁻¹ as the environment stabilized. The lack of coarse outwash deposits separating the fine-grained glaciolacustrine sediments from a corresponding underlying basal till suggests that deglaciation of the deep northern basin of Lake Zürich was by stagnation-zone retreat rather than by retreat of an active ice-front.     

柴西缘阿尔金山前下侏罗统层序地层与岩相古地理研究

柴西缘阿尔金山前侏罗系与柴北缘侏罗系具有相似的沉积背景,发育较好的泥页岩层段,具有一定的页岩气资源潜力。通过对野外露头与钻孔岩芯沉积特征的研究,建立了柴西缘阿尔金山前下侏罗统小煤沟组层序地层格架,恢复了基于三级层序的岩相古地理,并对沉积演化特征进行分析。小煤沟组岩性主要为泥岩、页岩、粉砂岩、砂岩、砾岩,发育湖泊、扇三角洲和辫状河沉积体系,包含半深湖、滨浅湖、湖湾、扇三角洲平原、扇三角洲前缘、河床、泛滥平原等沉积相。根据区域不整合面、河流下切谷冲刷面等层序界面,将小煤沟组划分为3个三级层序,每个层序内均发育一定厚度的泥页岩段。在单剖面和对比剖面沉积相分析的基础上,以三级层序为作图单元,利用单因素分析多因素综合作图法恢复了研究区古地理面貌。小煤沟组整体呈现北部半深湖、滨浅湖,南部以及东北部扇三角洲、河流的古地理格局,地势具有东南高西北低的特点,此时阿尔金山尚未隆升,物源主要来自于南部的柴达木盆地腹部隆起以及东北部的古阿拉巴什套山,盆地沉积中心主要为清水沟以及小西沟东北地区,发育厚度巨大的泥页岩段,为侏罗系页岩气勘探的有利地区。     

Sedimentology and isotope geochemistry of lacustrine carbonates of the Oligocene Campins Basin, north-east Spain

The non-marine Campins Basin developed in the Oligocene, during a period of early rifting of the Catalan Coastal Ranges. Lacustrine deposits, interbedded between two alluvial units, comprise shallow and deep lacustrine facies. The lower, shallow lacustrine facies are made up of microbialite buildups and thin limestone beds. In the studied area, these facies are overlain by deep lacustrine facies which consist of alternations of several, metre-thick carbonate- and mudstone-dominated intervals. In addition to calcite, which is characteristic of the shallow lacustrine facies, aragonite and abundant dolomite are present in the deep lacustrine facies. This mineralogical change in the sequence reflects an overall increase in the Mg/Ca ratio of the lake waters. The deep lacustrine sequences are interpreted as having formed in a hydrologically closed basin that was subject to changes in the Mg/Ca ratio of the water, probably related to variations in the evaporation/precipitation rate. The sedimentological, mineralogical and isotopic characteristics of the Campins Basin dolomites suggest that, in general, they are primary in origin. The stable isotope data show an approximate covariance between δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O in the lower shallow lacustrine carbonates (calcite) which suggests that they formed during the onset of closure of the lake. The δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values of the deep lacustrine carbonates display three different clusters that are roughly related to the carbonate mineralogy. Normalisation with respect to calcite of the isotopic compositions of dolomite and aragonite from the deep lacustrine carbonates allows the integration of all these isotope values into one covariant trend. The sequential appearance of different carbonate minerals and the isotopic covariant trend may indicate an overall evaporative concentration of the lake waters. The change in slope of the covariant trend for the isotope values between the shallow and the deep lacustrine carbonates might reflect the change in the waterbody morphology recorded in the basin fill sequence.     

Biostratigraphy and sedimentology of the Fluviatile Untere Serie (Early and Middle Miocene) in the central part of the North Alpine Foreland Basin: implications for palaeoenvironment and climate

The Early to Middle Miocene Fluviatile Untere Serie lithostratigraphic unit of the Upper Freshwater Molasse (UFM) in the North Alpine Foreland Basin (NAFB) crops out in a 40 m long section at Untereichen-Altenstadt (central part of the NAFB). This section yields a unique superposition of two vertebrate assemblages belonging to different biostratigraphic units: early part OSM C + D (Karpatian) and OSM E (Early Badenian). Detailed taxonomic analyses reveal different diversity patterns in the two assemblages. Nine small mammal and six ectothermic vertebrate taxa occur in the older level UA 540 m, while 20 small mammal and 23 ectothermic vertebrate taxa are recorded for the younger level UA 565 m. From the latter locality comes a small-sized representative of the biostratigraphically significant Megacricetodon lappi lineage. This evolutionary level has not been documented previously for the eastern part of the NAFB. Bioclimatic analysis combined with lithofacies and architectural element analysis indicates that significant changes in the fluvial sedimentation style, surface-water runoff and tectonics occurred between the Early Karpatian and Early Badenian. A meandering fluvial system (marly unit) is erosively overlain by sandy braided river deposits (sandy unit). Overbank deposits of the marly unit revealed that the older vertebrate fossil assemblage (UA 540 m) is deposited in an animal burrow that was presumably produced by owls. Both reptilian and mammalian taxa are indicative of a relatively open environment and dry, probably semi-arid climate. Conversely, vertebrates from the sandy unit (UA 565 m), which are accumulated in channel fill deposits, suggest closed as well as open habitats with a subtropical humid climate and mean annual rainfall of about 1,000 mm. According to the sequence stratigraphic analysis the marly unit is interpreted as a highstand-system-tract of the TB 2.2 global 3rd order sequence. The new results add support to the hypothesis that the erosional unconformity between both sedimentary units spanning the Karpatian-Badenian transition corresponds to the pre-Riesian hiatus, which has been interpreted as part of the Styrian Tectonic Phase, and was previously identified only in the eastern and northeastern part of the NAFB. The biostratigraphic data further indicate that this hiatus lasted longer in the eastern than in the central part of the basin.     

Integrated stratigraphy and 40Ar/39Ar chronology of the early to middle Miocene Upper Freshwater Molasse in western Bavaria (Germany)

A detailed integrated stratigraphic study (biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy) was carried out on five sections from the western part of the Bavarian Upper Freshwater Molasse of the North Alpine Foreland Basin (NAFB), greatly improving the chronostratigraphy of these sediments. The sections belong to the lithostratigraphic units Limnische Untere Serie (UL) and Fluviatile Untere Serie (UF) and contain 19 (mostly new) small-mammal bearing levels, significantly refining the local biostratigraphy. Radiometric ages obtained from glass shards from tuff horizons are used together with the biostratigraphic information for constructing and confirming the magnetostratigraphic correlation of the studied sections to the Astronomical Tuned Time Scale (ANTS04; Lourens et al. in Geologic Time Scale 2004, Cambridge University Press, 2004). This correlation implies that the UL lithostratigraphic unit corresponds to the latest Ottnangian and the Early Karpatian, whereas the UF corresponds to the Karpatian and the Early Badenian. This indicates that the Brackish- to Freshwater Molasse transition already occurred during the late Ottnangian. The pre-Riesian hiatus occurred in the latest Karpatian and lower Early Badenian in Eastern Bavaria and Bohemia and in the Late Karpatian and earliest Badenian in Western Bavaria. The geochemical and Ar–Ar data of volcanic ashes suggest that highly evolved silicic magmas from a single volcano or volcanic center, characterized by a uniform Nd isotopic composition, erupted repetitively over the course of at least 1.6 Myr. Three phases of eruptive activity were identified at 16.1 ± 0.2 Ma (Zahling-2), 15.6 ± 0.4 Ma (Krumbad), and 14.5 ± 0.2 Ma (Heilsberg, Hegau). The correlation of the local biostratigraphic zonation to the ANTS04 enables further the characterization of both the Ottnangian–Karpatian and Karpatian–Badenian boundaries in the NAFB by small-mammal biostratigraphy. According to these results the Ottnangian–Karpatian boundary is contemporaneous with the first appearance datum of Megacricetodon bavaricus (in the size of the type population) and the first common occurrence of Keramidomys thaleri, whereas Ligerimys florancei, Melissiodon dominans and Prodeinotherium aff. bavaricum have been already disappeared during the late Ottnangian. The Karpatian–Badenian boundary is characterized by a significant size increase of the large Megacricetodon lineage and possibly a (re-)immigration of Prodeinotherium bavaricum.     

准噶尔盆地东北缘中-下侏罗统层序地层与油气

通过对边缘露头、钻井和地震等资料的综合层序地层分析,划分出下八道湾、上八道湾、三工河和西山窑等4个层序以及湖退体系域(RST)、湖进体系域(TST)、高位体系域(HST)和冲积体系域(AST)等四种类型的9个体系域.层序形成主要受控于构造作用和湖水进退.RST中形成区域上广布的工业煤层;TST中的粗粒退积型辫状三角洲沉积体系中发育很好的储层.快速湖进形成的TST与构造长期稳定形成的HST反复叠置构成良好的生储盖组合.     

松辽盆地嫩江组大型陆相坳陷湖盆湖底水道的发现及其石油地质意义

松辽盆地属于大型陆相中生界含油气盆地,通过高分辨率三维地震资料分析,首次在中央坳陷区大庆长垣嫩江组一段湖相泥岩中发现了发育完整的大型湖底水道系统,该系统由3个主干水道和4个末梢分支水道构成,沿大庆长垣自北向南延伸,水道系统延伸最大直线距离71km,水道最大宽度600m。研究认为该水道系统可能为河流直接入湖而形成,电测解释和岩心观察表明水道砂体具有很好的含油气性。因此,这一水道系统的发现为在松辽盆地中央坳陷区广泛发育的湖相泥岩中寻找油气储层提供了一个新勘探领域,具有极其重要的石油地质意义。     

Sedimentological characteristics and facies of the evaporite-bearing Kirmir Formation (Neogene), Beypazari Basin, central Anatolia, Turkey

A thick sedimentary sequence comprising fluvial, lacustrine and volcano-sedimentary rocks is present in the Neogene Beypazari Basin, central Anatolia. These units display considerable lateral facies variation and interfinger with alkaline volcanic rocks along the north-eastern margin of the basin. The uppermost Miocene Kirmir Formation contains numerous evaporite horizons. The evaporite sequence is up to 250 m thick and may be divided into four lithofacies. In ascending stratigraphical order these are: (1) gypsiferous claystone facies, (2) thenardite-glauberite facies, (3) laminar gypsum facies and (4) crystalline gypsum facies. These facies interfinger with one another laterally along a section from the margins to central parts of the basin. The lithological and sedimentological features of the Kirmir Formation indicate fluvial, saline playa mudflat, hypersaline ephemeral playa lake and very shallow subaqueous playa lake depositional environments, which probably were influenced by alternating semi-arid and evaporative conditions.     

辽东苏子河盆地聂尔库组沉积相与沉积环境研究

辽东苏子河盆地是早白垩世形成的小型断陷盆地,盆地内发育了相对连续的陆相沉积,是研究白垩纪陆地环境及气候演化的理想地区。早白垩世晚期沉积的聂尔库组地层出露连续,沉积现象典型。通过分析聂尔库组沉积岩类型、沉积构造、古生物化石及垂向沉积序列,可识别出扇三角洲相和湖泊相,其中扇三角洲相包括扇三角洲平原亚相、扇三角洲前缘亚相和前扇三角洲亚相,湖泊相主要为滨浅湖泥砂沉积。研究表明,聂尔库组形成于断陷盆地边缘陡坡带,属于间歇性洪水控制的扇三角洲—湖泊沉积体系,经历了扇三角洲—湖泊—扇三角洲的沉积环境变化,代表了断陷湖盆由深陷扩张期—抬升收缩早期的沉积充填过程。根据沉积岩与沉积相特征,结合古生物、特殊沉积、黏土矿物及地球化学资料,认为早白垩世晚期辽东地区总体与当时全球"温室气候"的大背景相一致,处于高温干旱/潮湿的气候条件,但这种高温气候具有不均一性,存在气候波动。     

Climatic signals in lacustrine deposits of the Upper Yacoraite Formation,Western Argentina: Evidence from clay minerals,analcime, dolomite and fibrous calcite

Authigenic clays are an important control on reservoir quality in lacustrine carbonates but remain challenging to predict. Lacustrine depositional systems respond to climatic variations in rainfall, surface runoff and groundwater input, and evaporation, and result in rapid and frequent changes in lake volume; this is expressed through changing water depth and shoreline position. In the upper portion of the Early Palaeocene Yacoraite Formation of the Salta Basin in Argentina, extensive lacustrine deposits were deposited during the sag phase of rifting. Prior high-resolution stratigraphic studies have suggested that climatic factors control microbial carbonate sequences within a ‘balanced fill’ lake, with variation in the lake level having a major influence on facies association changes. This study characterizes the evolution of facies and mineralogy within the Yacoraite Formation, focusing on the distribution of clay minerals, making a link between the high, medium and low-frequency sequence stratigraphic cycles. The low-frequency transgressive hemicycle of the upper portion of the Yacoraite Formation is comprised of abundant siliciclastic facies, suggesting a wetter period. Microbialites occurring in this interval are coarse-grained and agglutinated. Detrital clay minerals such as illite and chlorite and associated siliciclastic sediments were input to the lake during high-frequency transgressive periods. During high-frequency regressive hemicycles, sedimentation was dominated by carbonate facies with Ca-rich dolomite and the authigenic clays are comprised of chlorite/smectite mixed-layers. By contrast, the low frequency regressive hemicycle records fine-grained agglutinated microbialite with horizons of fibrous calcite, more stoichiometric dolomite, barite and authigenic magnesian smectite. This indicates elevated ion concentrations in the lake under intense evaporation during an arid period. Understanding the conditions that are favourable for formation and preservation of authigenic clays within the lacustrine environment can improve understanding of reservoir quality in comparable economically important deposits.