Characteristics and distribution of clay minerals and their effects on reservoir quality: Huagang Formation in the Xihu Sag,East China Sea Basin

Abstract

The characteristics and distribution of clay minerals and their effects on reservoir quality in the Huagang sandstones in the Xihu Sag, East China Sea Basin were studied by using X-ray diffraction, casting thin-sections, scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, fluid inclusion analysis, constant-rate mercury injection and nuclear magnetic resonance. Clay minerals consist of kaolinite, chlorite, illite and illite–smectite mixed layer (I/S); kaolinite forms from dissolved feldspars, chlorite occurs as clay coatings that are transformed from clay precursors owing to the flocculation of suspended detrital clays or the crystallisation of pore fluids, and illite forms from the illitisation of detrital smectite, authigenic kaolinite and K-feldspars. Clay distribution is controlled by sedimentary environments, burial history and lithologies. Typical reservoirs in the western sub-sag are thin and developed in braided river facies at relatively shallow burial depths with clays dominated by kaolinite. However, typical reservoirs in the central inversion tectonic zone are thicker and developed in a braided delta front facies at deeper burial depths with clays mainly consisting of chlorite, illite and I/S. High-quality reservoirs are characterised by coarse granularity, high quartz content and low clay content with widespread development of chlorite coatings that inhibit quartz cements at low temperatures. At higher temperatures, the high-quality reservoirs develop more pores providing growth space for quartz cements and result in the coexistence of chlorite coatings and quartz cements. The high-quality reservoirs are controlled by their lithological characteristics rather than chlorite coatings. Illite and I/S clays create severe damage to reservoirs by reducing the size and connectivity of pore-throats.     

临夏盆地晚渐新世沉积物中坡缕石的发现及其环境气候意义

为揭示临夏盆地晚渐新世沉积物的矿物组成对环境气候的指示意义, 利用X射线衍射和扫描电子显微分析方法, 对临夏盆地晚渐新世的沉积物的矿物组成以及坡缕石的矿物学特征进行了深入的研究.结果表明, 沉积物中的坡缕石主要为自生成因, 极少量具有碎屑成因.自生成因的坡缕石呈细长丝状的形态特征, 往往沿片状的伊/蒙混层粘土矿物颗粒的边缘交代、生长;碎屑成因的坡缕石呈平直细纤维状的, 以单颗粒形式产出, 与细小的粘土矿物颗粒混杂, 或叠合在片状粘土矿物颗粒的表面.在临夏盆地晚渐新世沉积物中, 下段岩层中的粘土矿物组合为伊利石、伊/蒙混层粘土和高岭石;中段岩层的为伊利石、伊/蒙混层粘土;而上段岩层则为伊利石、伊/蒙混层粘土和绿泥石, 反映在盆地形成之后, 气候演化经历从湿润→冷干的变化过程.而沉积物中坡缕石的含量自下而上逐渐增多, 其分布特征与粘土矿物组合所反映的气候环境变化趋势相吻合.伊利石和伊/蒙混层粘土普遍存在于临夏盆地晚渐新世沉积物中, 伊利石、伊/蒙混层粘土和高岭石的共存表明这些粘土矿物具有不同的来源.坡缕石是干旱、半干旱地区泥灰岩风化以及风成沙漠尘土沉积物的特征矿物, 临夏盆地晚渐新世的沉积物中碎屑成因坡缕石的发现, 表明自~9Ma以来便出现风成黄土的沉积.      

Palaeoenvironmental significance of the clay mineral composition of Olduvai basin deposits,northern Tanzania

Quaternary deposits in the southeastern part of the Olduvai basin, northern Tanzania, consist of lake margin deposits, followed by a series of fluvial sediments. The clay mineral fraction of the lake margin deposits (Bed I and lower part of Bed II) is composed of smectite and subordinate illite. All smectite is largely dioctahedral and shows indications for a limited degree of irregular interstratification by illite. In the overlying fluvial deposits (Beds II–IV), illite is the most abundant clay mineral. Smectite only occurs in lower parts of the fluvial deposits (up to the middle of Bed III), where it generally shows a high degree of irregular interstratification. Differences in clay mineral composition between the lake margin deposits and the fluvial deposits record differences in sediment source area and degree of alteration. Dioctahedral smectite in the lake margin deposits and the oldest fluvial deposits is derived from a region with volcanic material extending to the east and south of the basin, which also supplies a certain amount of illite. Illite in the fluvial deposits of Bed IV originates from an area with a metamorphic bedrock to the west and north. Alteration of detrital clay minerals resulted in Mg-enrichment of dioctahedral smectite in part of the lake margin deposits and partial illitization of smectite in the older fluvial deposits. Formation of clay minerals during diagenesis or soil development is not documented by analysis of the total clay fraction.     

苏北盆地粘土矿物转化模式与古地温

以苏北盆地为例,系统研究了火成岩发育区粘土矿物组合特征及其控制因素;建立了粘土矿物转化模式;根据粘土矿物成岩演化特点,进行古地温分析。研究表明,苏北地区粘土矿物的分布主要受埋藏成岩作用、岩浆侵入、母质来源三种因素的影响,发育四种类型的粘土矿物组合和三种粘土矿物转化模式;火山碎屑岩母岩区和基性岩浆侵入区具有特殊的粘土矿物组合和成岩演化模式,前者以富含蒙皂石矿物为特点;后者出现高岭石与伊/蒙有序间层矿物共生组合,并具有不连续的演化序列;苏北盆地短有序I/S矿物出现于镜质组反射率 0.5 %～ 0.5 5 %的深度,伊/蒙间层矿物转变成伊利石在镜质组反射率 0.75 %～ 0.8%,可以用于热成熟度和古地温的估算;而蒙皂石消失的界面则不具有指标意义     

重庆涪陵二龙口剖面P—T界线附近黏土矿物特征及其古环境意义

在二叠系—三叠系界线附近地层中,利用大气暴露面上沉积物恢复古环境的研究至今尚未展开.四川盆地东部涪陵地区的二龙口剖面在二叠纪末位于扬子碳酸盐岩台地内,为礁后开阔台地相,在上二叠统—下三叠统界线附近沉积了较为完整的海相碳酸盐岩.该地层从下到上可分为1～31层.其中,上二叠统长兴组(1～6层)顶面为侵蚀不整合面,下伏于厚3～10cm(平均厚度约5cm)的古风化壳(7层).相较于1～6层,飞仙关组7～19层中碳酸盐矿物含量降低,黏土矿物含量增高.而20～31层以泥晶灰岩为主,偶尔伴有薄层黏土岩夹层.二叠系—三叠系界线位于19～20层之间.岩石学和矿物学特征显示,风化壳以黏土矿物为主,主要为规则伊蒙混层(I/S)和少量伊利石.在扬子台地范围内不同的沉积相带中,该黏土矿物组合具有较好的地层可对比性,说明研究区长兴组之上风化壳中黏土矿物形成的主控因素可能是区域性的,如火山活动带来的外源沉积.结合其下伏围岩(1～6层)岩石学和稳定同位素组成均缺乏淡水改造特征,可以判断该风化壳形成于加积模式而非改造模式.值得注意的是,此种黏土矿物以规则伊蒙混层和伊利石为主的组合方式,与二叠纪末出现的碱性、高温、缺氧的沉积环境一致.自7层向上,黏土矿物中伊蒙混层相对含量逐渐降低,且混层比逐渐减小,而伊利石、绿泥石、绿蒙混层相对含量逐渐增加,则与逐渐加剧的碱性-高温-缺氧的极端沉积环境有关.因此,二叠系—三叠系界线附近黏土矿物对扬子台地二叠纪末古环境突变有较好的记录能力.     

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.     

Clay Mineralogy and its Paleoclimatic Significance of the OligoceneMiocene Sediments in the Gerze Basin,Tibet

This study collected the early Oligocene to middle Miocene sediments from the Gerze Basin of Tibet, and used X-Ray diffraction （XRD） and Scanning Electron Microscope （SEM） to discuss their clay mineralolgy, clay indices, better understand the clay mineralogy and its paleoclimatic significance. The results show that clay minerals of the Gerze Basin sediments are mainly composed of iilite and chlorite, with minor amounts of smectite and kaolinite, and their relative content varies along the section. Variations of relative contents and clay indices suggest that the Gerze Basin has experienced three-stage evolution of paleoclimate： I ） high ilUte and chlorite contents, with fluctuant smectite and low （I＋Ch）/（K＋S） ratio, indicative of a dominant seasonal arid climate from the early Oligoeene to late Oligocene; Ⅱ） higher illite and chlorite contents and larger （I＋Ch）/（K＋S） ratio but absence of kaolinite, indicating a colder and drier climate from the late Oligocene to early Miocene; Ⅲ） high iilite and chlorite contents with fluctuant （I＋Ch）/（K＋S） ratios and occasional occurrence of kaolinite, suggesting that the climate became warmer and more humid compared with that of stage Ⅱ in the mid-Miocene. These conclusions were also reinforced by the clay morphology, which suggests that physical weathering dominated in stage Ⅱ, while relatively strong chemical weathering was dominant in stages Ⅰ and Ⅲ Clay minerals of the sediments mainly consist of illite and chlorite, indicating that the source rock played a significant role in clay origin. It is inferred that global cooling and the enhancement of denudation and obstruction of northward moisture due to the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were responsible for the provenance of iUite and chlorite under weak chemical weathering. Though the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau reached a certain elevation by the mid-Miocene, yet the mid-Miocene widespread warming might have largely impacted the Gerze climate.     

Study of the Stacking Sequences of an Irregular Mixed—Layer Illite / Smectite (I / S) Clay Mineral1

Abstract There are two aspects in the study of irregular mixed—layer clay minerals: one is the kinds and ratios of their basic structural unit layers and the other is the junction probabilities of the unit layers. Irregular mixed—layer illite / smectite clay minerals (I / S) are widespread in nature. While studying the clay minerals from the Permian—Triassic (P / T) boundary bed, the authors found that I / S clay minerals are developed in all P / T boundary clay layers in areas from the northwest to southeast of China. Systematic mineralogical studies of the I / S clay minerals from Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan and Zhejiang were made by means of X—ray, infrared spectroscopic, electron microscopic and chemical analyses and a deepened study of the stacking sequences of their structural unit layers was conducted by the MacEwan one—dimentional direct Fourier transform. It was found that the stacking of the illite and smectite crystal layers along the c axis can be derived from Fibonacci sequences. Hence, the authors propose that such I / S clay minerals are possessed of two—dimentional crystal lattice and one—dimentional quasicrystal lattice.     

Influence de la diagenèse d''enfouissement sur l''homogénéisation isotopique K-Ar des illites: exemple du Jurassique-Crétacé du bassin d''Agadir, Maroc

The clay assemblages of the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous sediments of the Agadir Basin are affected by burial diagenesis. Apparent ages of these formations, from the K-Ar dating of fine grain size fractions (< 2 μm), decrease downward. This indicates an opening of the K-Ar isotopic system of detrital Hercynian minerals during burial. The extent of the isotopic rehomogenisation is more important in sandstones than in clayey marl facies. During burial diagenesis, a temperature of 165°C in clayey marl and 110°C in sandstone can be enough for isotopic rehomogenisation of fine-grained Hercynian illite. The migration of pore water seems to favour the diffusion of radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar in sandstones.     

西藏伦坡拉盆地晚始新世—早渐新世黏土矿物特征及古气候意义

始新世—渐新世是新生代气候从“温室”向“冰室”转变的重要节点，也是青藏高原及邻区气候格局发生重大变革的关键时期。为了重建高原中部腹地始新世—渐新世的古气候演变特征，探讨古气候变化的控制因素，利用X射线衍射分析对高原中部伦坡拉盆地382道班剖面的黏土矿物特征进行了综合研究，结果显示，伦坡拉盆地在始新世—渐新世牛堡组二段沉积的黏土矿物主要以伊利石为主，伊/蒙混层次之，高岭石与绿泥石含量极少，蒙脱石仅出现在极少样品中。黏土矿物类型及组合特征指示伦坡拉盆地在该时期整体处于寒冷干旱的气候条件，但在长周期趋势下伊利石相对含量逐渐减少，伊/蒙混层逐渐增多，显示出青藏高原中部地区的气候系统在晚始新世—早渐新世时期存在向更加湿润的气候条件转变，这种气候系统的改变可能与南亚季风在晚始新世的演化所带来的更多水汽条件和青藏高原中部中央分水岭的形成有关，但在始新世与渐新世之交，伊利石含量陡然增多，而伊/蒙混层含量则减少，且两者频繁波动，这反映了该盆地在EOT时期受到全球降温的影响。     

Climatic and sea‐level control of Jurassic (Pliensbachian) clay mineral sedimentation in the Cardigan Bay Basin,Llanbedr (Mochras Farm) borehole,Wales

Early Jurassic climate is characterized by alternating cold and warm periods highlighted by studies based notably on oxygen isotopes measured on belemnite guards and other marine invertebrate shells. These climatic changes include changes in the hydrological cycle, and consequently weathering and runoff conditions. In order to clarify the erosion and weathering conditions during the Pliensbachian, this study determined the mineralogical composition of the clay fraction of 132 samples taken from the entire stage drilled in the Llanbedr (Mochras Farm) borehole (Cardigan Bay Basin). The clay mineral assemblages are composed of various proportions of chlorite, illite, illite/smectite mixed‐layers (R1 I–S), smectite and kaolinite, with possibly occasional traces of berthierine. The occurrence of abundant smectite indicates that the maximum burial temperature never exceeded 70°C. Consequently, clay minerals are considered mainly detrital, and their fluctuations likely reflect environmental changes. The variations in the proportions of smectite and kaolinite are opposite to each other. Kaolinite is particularly abundant at the base of the jamesoni Zone, in part coinciding with the δ¹³C negative excursion corresponding to the Sinemurian/Pliensbachian Boundary Event, and through the davoei Zone, whilst smectite is abundant in the upper part of jamesoni and base of ibex zones and through the subnodosus/gibbosus subzones of the margaritatus Zone. The kaolinite‐rich intervals reflect an intensification of hydrolysis and an acceleration of the hydrological cycle, while the smectite‐rich intervals indicate a more arid climate. The spinatum Zone is characterized by a distinct clay assemblage with abundant primary minerals, R1 I–S, kaolinite reworked from previously deposited sediments or from Palaeozoic rocks, and probably berthierine originating from contemporaneous ironstone‐generating environments of shallower waters. This mineralogical change by the end of the Pliensbachian likely reflects a transition from a dominant chemical weathering to a deeper physical erosion of the continent, probably related to a significant sea‐level fall consistent with a glacio‐eustatic origin.     

Illite-smectite Mixed-layer Minerals in the Alteration Volcanic Ashes under Submarine Environment

The clay mineralogy of the clay intervals interbedded with siliceous mudstones across the Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB) in Pengda, Guiyang, Guizhou province, was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The clay mineral assemblages of the sediments are mainly I/S clays and minor smectite, kaolinite, and illite as reveled by XRD analyses. The peak-shape parameters BB1 and BB2 of I/S clays of the representative clay bed PL-01 are 4.7° and 4.4°, and the peak position of the low angle reflection is at 6.8° 2θ (13.6 ), suggesting that the I/S clays has a IS type of ordering. However, the presence of multi-order reflections and their intensities are different from those of completely ordered 1∶1 mixed-layer I/S clay rectorite, indicating that I/S clays of the Pengda section have partially ordered IS structures. HRTEM observations show that most of the I/S clays exhibit an IS stacking ordering. However, in some areas within a IS particle, smectite layer is observed in doublets, triplets, and quartets, which are interstratified by various amounts of illite layers, suggesting the presence of other irregular stacking in addition to the major 1∶1 IS ordered stacking. Transformation of smectite layer into illite layers is also observed in the I/S clays, suggesting that the Pengda I/S clays are derived from smectite illitization, in good agreement with the clay mineral assemblage. The I/S clays of the Pengda section contain up to 45% to 95% smectite layer, the notably higher contents of smectite layer relative to those of other PTB stratigraphic sets in south China can be attributed to difference in alteration and smectite illitization processes due to different sedimentary environments.     

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.     

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.     

准噶尔盆地南缘新生界粘土矿物分布及影响因素

根据粘土矿物的相对含量研究了准噶尔盆地南缘新生界砂岩粘土矿物类型、组合特征及纵、横向分布规律及其主要影响因素。划分出无序伊/蒙混层型、部分有序伊/蒙混层型、伊利石+伊/蒙混层型、蒙皂石型以及含坡缕石型等5类粘土矿物组合。按照伊/蒙混层相对含量的变化,粘土矿物纵向上演化呈正常转化型(伊/蒙混层相对含量降低)、反向转化型(伊/蒙混层相对含量增加)和“S”型(伊/蒙混层相对含量呈曲线变化)3种形式。平面上,伊/蒙混层和伊利石这两类主要粘土矿物从湖盆的边缘向中心分别呈现减少和增多的趋势,湖盆边缘相带以无序伊/蒙混层型、蒙皂石型和含坡缕石型为主,湖盆中心则为部分有序伊/蒙混层型和伊利石+伊/蒙混层型组合等类型。上述分布规律的控制因素主要有沉积环境、构造运动及层序发育等。     

Clay mineralogy of Triassic sediments in southern Israel and Sinai

The clay mineral composition of Triassic sediments in the Negev and Sinai depends upon the environment of deposition. Kaolinite predominates in continental and epicontinental sediments. The mineralogical composition of the marine clays resembles that of corresponding samples from North Africa and Europe, which comprise various mixtures and interstratifications of illite, montmorillonite, vermiculite and chlorite. Evaporitic sediments are poor in clay minerals and those present are largely detrital. The results presented suggest that chlorite was formed diagenetically by prolonged percolation of seawater through pervious layers overlying impervious ones (hard beds).     

Environmental controls on clay mineralogy of an Early Jurassic mudrock (Blue Lias Formation,southern England)

We present a dataset including clay mineralogy, gamma-ray spectrometry, organic matter content and magnetic susceptibility of the Hettangian to lowest Sinemurian successions of Dorset and Somerset, southern UK (Blue Lias Formation, Bristol Channel and Wessex basins). In both areas, the clay assemblages comprise predominantly detrital illite, kaolinite and illite/smectite mixed layers. Clays probably originated from the erosion of the Hercynian massifs, the relative proportions of kaolinite and illite being modulated by arid-humid climatic fluctuations. The organic matter (OM) content (types II to IV) ranges up to 12% in both areas. A clear stratigraphical trend in clay mineral assemblages is apparent in Somerset, whereas in Dorset sharp contrasts between adjacent horizons and a greater dilution by carbonate mask the long-term evolution. Correlations between both areas based on similar vertical trends in clay mineral abundance support the suggestion of a hiatus within the angulata Zone of the Dorset succession. As expected, the kaolinite/illite ratio correlates with the Th/K ratio deduced from gamma-ray spectrometry. However, significant departures from the correlation occur in OM-rich intervals, suggesting that Th may be partly adsorbed on to OM particles. Surprisingly, high magnetic susceptibility correlates with abundant kaolinite, not with Fe-rich clays, indicating either that kaolinite is accompanied by a soil-inherited magnetisable phase (possibly iron oxide) or that illite-rich rocks are more strongly diluted by carbonate than are kaolinite-rich strata.     

相山矿田热液水云母化及其与铀矿化关系研究

相山铀矿田广泛发育热液水云母化,且水云母以伊利石、蒙皂石混层矿物居多。对典型矿床围岩、蚀变岩石和矿石中粘土组成的定量分析和化学成分分析表明：随着Ｕ元素的逐渐富集,粘土矿物存在蒙皂石→伊利石、蒙皂石混层矿物→伊利石的转化过程,而且这一转化过程在本区是一个动态的平衡过程,这一研究结果很好解释了相山矿田以群脉矿床的为主的特征;蚀变岩石中高蒙皂石含量的粘土矿物为后期富大矿起了富集Ｕ的作用。     

Near‐isochemical evolution of clay mineral assemblages in differentially buried volcaniclastic sediments,the Late Miocene Upper Red Formation,Iran

The Upper Red Formation (URF) comprises over 1–5 km of late Miocene siliciclastic sediments in the Central Iran Basin. The formation is dominated by volcaniclastic conglomerates and arenites. The prevailing arid conditions during most of the basin's history resulted in deposition of predominantly organic‐poor, red sediments with gypsum and zeolites. This investigation concentrates on the mineralogy and geochemistry of the URF in the southern and northern margins of the basin where the formation was buried to depths of 2.4 and 6.6 km, respectively. Fine fraction mineral separates from the southern margin consist of nearly pure smectite and zeolites at a depth of 400 m and smectite with minor quartz and calcite at 1800 m. Shallow samples (1350 m) from the northern section are rich in smectite, illite/smectite with some discrete illite and chlorite. This assemblage is progressively replaced by discrete illite and chlorite with increasing burial depth so that only these two minerals are found at depths greater than 4300 m. The initial alteration process involved replacement of glass and volcanic lithics by smectite and zeolites in both margins of the basin. Increased depth of burial in the northern margin resulted in the progressive isochemical alteration of smectite to discrete illite and chlorite. Diagenesis of clay assemblages occurred essentially in a closed system. Solute products of glass hydrolysis reactions were retained in highly alkaline, saline ground waters from which zeolites, carbonates and oxides precipitated as cements. It is unlikely that these sediments were ever significantly leached by meteoric waters or by organic acids generated during burial diagenesis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Factors controlling the mineralogy and geochemistry of the recent surface sediments of the Kalloni Gulf,Lesvos Island,Greece

Detailed chemical and mineralogical data are presented for 37 samples of surface sediments collected from the Kalloni gulf, (eastern half), Lesvos island, northern Greece. The sediments are largely carbonate-rich muds, though near the eastern and northern coast of the gulf higher proportions of biogenic and lithogenic sands and gravels occur. The main minerals are quartz, feldspar (andesine), clay minerals (montmorillonite, illite, Kaolinite) and the carbonate minerals (calcite, Mg-calcite, aragonite). The mathematical method of factor analysis was applied in order to explain the mineralogical and geochemical variations. These variations can be interpreted in terms of variations in provenance and depositional environment. Six factors were produced accounting for 83.6 % of the total data variance: (a) a Si-Al-Na-K-Ti-Rb-Ba-Y-Zr factor controlled by clays and detrital minerals such as feldspars and zircon opposed by a CaCO₂-Cu-Sc-Sr-La association (carbonate, minerals), (b) an organic carbon factor (C-Fe-Ce-Zn-Rb-Ni-Y-Nb), (c) a Fe-Mg-Cr-Ni factor representing control by peridotite, (d) a Ce-Nd-Fe-Ni-Zn-La factor controlled by silicate minerals, (e) a Al-Fe-Ti-P-V factor controlled by chlorite amphiboles or pyroxenes of volcanic or basaltic intrusions, (f) a Mn-Fe-Zn-factor controlled by iron-manganese oxides. Similarities in trace element composition among Kalloni gulf bottom sediments, and source lithologies indicate that the trace elements are derived from the adjacent landmasses. The AI/Ti ratio of the sediments is consistent with the terrigenous nature of sendimentation in the Kalloni gulf.