Decoupled δ~(13)C_(carb) and δ~(13)C_(org) records at Triassic–Jurassic boundary interval in eastern Tethys:Environmental implications for spatially different global response

Although δ~(13)C data(either δ~(13)C_(carb) or δ~(13)C_(org)) of many Triassic–Jurassic(T-J) sections have been acquired,pairedδ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org)from continuous T-J carbonate sections,especially in eastern Tethys,have been scarcely reported.This study presents paired and decoupled δ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org)data from a continuous T-J carbonate section in Wadi Naqab.The T-J Wadi Naqab carbonate section,located in United Arab Emirates,Middle East,represents tropical and shallow marine sedimentation in eastern Tethys.At the T-J boundary interval,an initial carbon isotope excursion(CIE) is observed with different magnitude of isotope excursion and timing inδ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org),while subsequently a positive CIE is only distinct in δ~(13)C_(carb).Based on petrological,carbon isotope,Rock-Eval and elemental analyses,the δ~(13)C_(carb)is thought to record marine inorganic carbon,and the δ~(13)C_(org) to record terrigenous organic carbon.Therefore,the paired δ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org)herein potentially document simultaneous changes in T-J atmospheric and marine settings of eastern Tethys.Their decoupled behavior may likely be caused by different changes or evolution of carbon pool between marine and atmospheric settings.The initial CIE present in both δ~(13)C_(carb)and δ~(13)C_(org)may indicate influence of isotopically light carbon release related to CAMP activity in both atmospheric and marine settings.The following positive CIE only in δ~(13)C_(carb)suggests relatively steady carbon isotope composition in atmosphere,but enhanced burial of isotopically light carbon in marine settings.Furthermore,the T-J carbonates in the studied section were possibly deposited in normal and oxic shallow marine conditions.Global correlation based on the Wadi Naqab section and other T-J sections suggests spatially different T-J environmental parameters:in eastern Tethys and western Panthalassa,oxic condition,lacking organic-rich sediment,weaker ocean acidification and less influence of isotopically light carbon are more prevalent;in western Tethys and eastern Panthalassa,oxygen-depleted condition,black shales,stronger acidification and heavier influence of isotopically light carbon are more prevalent.These differences may be related to spatial distance from the CAMP or to different paleogeography.     

Carbon Isotope Stratigraphy of the Cambrian System in the Eastern Tarim Basin, China

The ultra-deep Cambrian System in the Tarim Basin is an important field for petroleum exploration, while fine division of the Cambrian strata remains controversial. In recent years, carbon isotope stratigraphy of the Cambrian System has been established and widely used. Here, we report an integrated profile of carbonate and organic carbon isotopic values (δ13Ccarb and δ13Corg) from cuttings of the Tadong2 Well in the eastern Tarim Basin. Three carbon isotope anomalies of BACE, ROECE and SPICE were recognized on the δ13Ccarb profile. Three apogees and a nadir on the δ13Corg profile and the onset of ROECE on the δ13Ccarb profile were suggested as boundaries of the present four series of the Cambrian System. Suggested boundaries are easily identifiable on the gamma logging profile and is consistent with the previous division scheme, based on biostratigraphic evidence in outcrop sections. Abnormal carbon cycle perturbations and organic carbon burials during the BACE and SPICE events might be related to the reduction and expansion of a huge dissolved organic carbon reservoir in the deep ocean of the ancient Tarim Basin.     

The Original Organism Assemblages and Kerogen Carbon Isotopic Compositions of the Early Paleozoic Source Rocks in the Tarim Basin, China

Original organisms are the biological precursors of organic matter in source rocks. Original organisms in source rocks are informative for oil-source rock correlation and hydrocarbon potential evaluation, especially for source rocks which have high-over level of thermal maturity. Systematic identification of original organism assemblages of the Lower Paleozoic potential source rocks and detailed carbon isotopic composition of kerogen analyses were conducted for four outcrop sections in the Tarim basin. Results indicated that the original organism assemblages of the lower part of the Lower Cambrian were composed mainly of benthic algae, whereas those of the Upper Cambrian and the Ordovician were characterized by planktonic algae. Kerogen carbon isotopic data demonstrated that the δ13Ckerogen values of source rocks dominated by benthic algae are lower than ?34‰, whereas the δ13Ckerogen values of source rocks dominated by planktonic algae are higher than ?30‰ in general. We tentatively suggested that the carbon species those are utilized by algae and the carbon isotopic fractionation during photosynthesis are the major controls for the δ13Ckerogen values in the Lower Paleozoic source rocks in the Tarim basin. Correlating the δ13C values of oils exploited in the Tarim basin, the original organism assemblages, and δ13Ckerogen values of source rocks, it implied that the Lower Paleozoic oils exploited in the Tarim basin should be sourced from the source rocks with original organism assemblages dominated by planktonic algae, and the hydrocarbon sourced from the Cambrian benthic algae should be of great exploration potential in future. Original organism assemblages in source rocks can provide important clues for oil-source rocks correlation, especially for the source rocks with high thermal maturity.     

Geochemical Characteristics of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Sichuan Basin, China and its Significance for Hydrocarbon Accumulation

The alternative development of coal-bearing hydrocarbon source rocks and low-porosity and low-permeability tight sandstone reservoirs of the Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin is favorable for near-source hydrocarbon accumulation. The natural gas composition of the Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin is dominated by hydrocarbon gases, of which the methane content is80.16%-98.67%. Typically, the C_2~+ content is larger than 5% in main wet gas. The dry gas is mainly distributed in the western and northern regions of the basin. The non-hydrocarbon gases mainly contain nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and helium, with a total content of 2%. The carbon isotope ranges of methane and its homologues in natural gas are: δ~(13)C_1 of-43.8‰ to-29.6‰, δ~(13)C_2 of-35.4‰ to-21.5‰, δ~(13)C_3 of-27.6‰ to-19.8‰,and δ~(13)C_4 of-27.7‰ to-18.8‰. δ~(13)C_3δ~(13)C_4 occurs in some natural gas with a low evolution degree; such gas is mainly coal-related gas from humic-type source rocks of the Xujiahe Formation. As for the natural gas, δ~2 H_(CH4) values ranged from-195‰ to-161‰,δ~2 H_(C2H6) values ranged from-154‰ to-120‰, and δ~2 H_(C3H8) values ranged from-151‰ to-108‰. The dry coefficient,δ~(13)C and δ~2 H_(CH4) are all positively correlated with the maturity of source rocks. The higher the maturity of source rocks is, the larger the natural gas dry coefficient is and the larger the δ~(13)C and δ~2 H_(CH_4) values are, indicative of the characteristic of near-source accumulation. The δ~2 H_(C2H6) value of natural gas is influenced by paleosalinity to a relatively large extent; the higher the paleosalinity is, the larger the δ~2 H_(C2H6) value is. The Pr/Ph value of the condensate oil ranged from 1.60 to 3.43, illustrating light oxidization-light reduction and partial-oxidization characteristics of the depositional environment of coal-bearing source rocks of the Xujiahe Formation. The natural gas light hydrocarbon(C_5-C_7) from the Xujiahe Formation presented two characteristics: the first was the relatively high aromatic hydrocarbon content(19%-32.1%), which reveals the characteristic of natural gas with humic substances of high-maturity; the second was the low content of aromatic hydrocarbon(0.4%-9.3%),reflecting water-washing during the accumulation of the natural gas. The reported research outcomes indicate a potential mechanism for natural gas accumulation in the Xujiahe Formation, which will further guide natural gas exploration in this region.     

Comprehensive diag”nostic review of the (13)~C-enriched crude oils exemplified by TD2∈ and TZ62S in Tarim Basin,NW China

The crude oils typically from the CambrianLower Ordovician source rocks of Tarim Basin, NW"China, such as TD2 and TZ62S, are13C-enriched with the stable carbon isotopic ratios(VPDB) approaching-28 %.In this paper, the main research viewpoints on this issue are summarized, and combined with results from organic and inorganic carbon isotope stratum curves of the outcrop at the Ya’erdang Mountain in Tarim Basin. In addition, more alternative interpretations are discussed. On one hand, the inverse fractionation features of stable carbon and hydrogen isotopes of these crude oils may imply their protogenous nature. On the other hand, the anisotropy of source rocks and contribution from older stratum source rocks need verifying as well. For the sake of the final resolution of this issue, some further study topics are recommended.     

Early cambrian carbon isotope stratigraphy in the tarim basin and a correlation with the yangtze platform

Carbon isotope chemostratigraphy has been used worldwide for stratigraphic correlation.In this study,δ13Ccarb values are estimated for the Early Cambrian Sugaitebulake section in the Tarim Basin,Xinjiang Autonomous Region,China.As a result,one positive and two negative carbon isotope excursions in the studied section were iden-tified.The δ13Ccarb values reached the maximum negative excursion(N1:-12.39‰) at the basal of the Yuertusi For-mation,and then increased to P1.After P1,δ13Ccarb values sharply decreased to about-7.06‰(N2) in the studied section.The pattern of δ13Ccarb in the Early Cambrian is comparable to the synchronous records of other sections,such as the Laolin section,the Xiaotan section and the Anjiahe section of the Yangtze Platform.It is concluded that the Early Cambrian Yuertusi Formation from the Tarim Basin is within the Nemakit-Daldynian stage,and the lower strata of the Yuertusi Formation may belong to the Zhujiaqing Formation(Meishucun Formation) of the Yangtze Platform.The Ediacaran/Cambrian boundary of the Tarim Block should be located in cherts and phosphorites suc-cessions at the basal of the Yuertusi Formation.The δ13Ccarb negative excursion N1 is just across the PC/C boundary,and may be related to certain biomass extinction due to anoxic sedimentary environment,transgression and/or the oceanic overturn.The second δ13Ccarb negative excursion N2 may account for the sea-level falling in the Early Cam-brian.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987114000917

Important ecological changes of the Earth(oxidization of the atmosphere and the ocean) increase in nutrient supply due to the break-up of the super continent(Rodinia) and the appearance of multi-cellular organisms(macroscopic algae and metazoan) took place in the Ediacaran period,priming the Cambrian explosion.The strong perturbations in carbon cycles in the ocean are recorded as excursions in carbonate and organic carbon isotope ratio(δ~(13)C_(carb) and δ~(13)C_(org)) from the Ediacaran through early Cambrian periods.The Ediacaran-early Cambrian sediment records of δ~(13)C_(carb) and δ~(13)C_(org),obtained from the drill-core samples in Three Gorges in South China,are compared with the results of numerical simulation of a simple one-zone model of the carbon cycle of the ocean,which has two reservoirs(i.e.,dissolved organic carbon(DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon(DIC).The fluxes from the reservoirs are assumed to be proportional to the mass of the carbon reservoirs.We constructed a model,referred to here as the Best Fit Model(BFM),which reproduce δ~(13)C_(carb) and δ~(13)C_(org) records in the Ediacaran-early Cambrian period noted above.BFM reveals that the Shuram excursion is related to three major changes in the carbon cycle or the global ecological system of the Earth:(1) an increase in the coefficient of remineralization by a factor of ca.100,possibly corresponding to a change in the dominant metabolism from anaerobic respiration to aerobic respiration,(2) an increase of carbon fractionation index from 25‰ to 33‰,possibly corresponding to the change in the primary producer from rock-living cyanobacteria to free-living macro algae,and(3) an increase in the coefficient of the organic carbon burial by a factor of ca.100,possibly corresponding to the onset of a biological pump driven by the flourishing metazoan and zooplankton.The former two changes took place at the start of the Shuram excursion,while the third occurred at the end of the Shuram excursion.The other two excursions are explained by the tentative decrease in primary production due to cold periods,which correspond to the Gaskiers(ca.580 Ma) and Bikonor(ca.542 Ma) glaciations.     

Origin of natural gases and their differences between the eastern and western parts of central Tarim Basin

The origin of natural gases in central Tarim Basin is very complicated and there has been no definite conclusion in this aspect. Based on the results of systematic research on their composition and carbon isotopic characteristics, natural gases in central Tarim Basin are composed mainly of hydrocarbon gas, Ordovician natural gas with the characteristics of crude oil-cracking gas, and Carboniferous natural gas not only originating from kerogen cracking, but also from oil cracking. There are significant differences in composition and carbon isotope of natural gases between the eastern and western areas. The causes for the differences in geochemical characteristics of natural gases are presented as follows: different thermal evolution degrees of organic matter. Natural gases in the western region may have generated from the Middle- Upper Ordovician source rocks, and natural gases in the eatern region may be derived from the Cambrian source rocks, which entered into high to over mature stages; the gases migrated from west to east and caused the different compositional and carbon isotopic characteristics of natural gases; difference in the strength of thermal sulfate reduction between the eastern and western parts, with the reduction in the eastern part being stronger than that in the western part.     

The Origin of Paleokarst in the Huanglong Formation of the Eastern Sichuan Basin: Evidence from δ13C, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr

Karst rocks from the Huanglong Formation exposed at the margin of the Eastern Sichuan Basin can be divided into four types:slightly corroded, moderately corroded porous, intensely corroded brecciated and intensely corroded and replaced secondary calcic karstic rocks. The carbon, oxygen and strontium isotope compositions of the various karst rocks are analyzed systematically and compared to rocks without karst corrosion. The results indicate that(1) the Huanglong Formation in the eastern Sichuan Basin was a restricted bay supplied and controlled by freshwater in which mudmicrite and mud-dolomicrite exhibit low δ13C and δ18O values and high 87Sr/86 Sr ratios;(2) all types of karstic rocks in the paleokarst reservoirs of the Huanglong Formation in the research area are affected by atmospheric freshwater with the δ13C and δ18O values and 87Sr/86 Sr ratios in the original formation approaching those of atmospheric freshwater, which reflects ancient hydrological conditions, fluid properties, isotopic source and the fractionation effect;(3) the intensely corroded and replaced secondary limestone is affected by a variety of diagenetic fluids, often reflected by δ13C and δ18O values, while the 87Sr/86 Sr ratios exhibit the strong degree of the corrosion;(4) after comparing the 87Sr/86 Sr ratios of each type of karst rock, the diagenetic fluids are determined to be mainly atmospheric freshwater, and depending on the strength of corrosion, and the low 87Sr/86 Sr ratio fluids in the layer will participate in the karst process. The carbon, oxygen, and strontium isotopes of different karstic reservoirs can provide meaningful geochemical information for forecasting and evaluating the development and distribution rules of the Huanglong Formation at the margin of the eastern Sichuan Basin in time and space.     

Effects of Deep Fluids on Hydrocarbon Generation and Accumulation in Chinese Petroliferous Basins

Deep fluids in a petroliferous basin generally come from the deep crust or mantle beneath the basin basement, and they transport deep substances(gases and aqueous solutions) as well as heat to sedimentary strata through deep faults. These deep fluids not only lead to large-scale accumulations of CO_2, CH_4, H_2, He and other gases, but also significantly impact hydrocarbon generation and accumulation through organic-inorganic interactions. With the development of deep faults and magmatic-volcanic activities in different periods, most Chinese petroliferous basins have experienced strong impacts associated with deep fluid activity. In the Songliao, Bohai Bay, Northern Jiangsu, Sanshui, Yinggehai and Pearl Mouth Basins in China, a series of CO_2 reservoirs have been discovered. The CO_2 content is up to 99%, with δ~(13)C_(CO2) values ranging from-4.1‰ to-0.37‰ and ~3He/~4He ratios of up to 5.5 Ra. The abiogenic hydrocarbon gas reservoirs with commercial reserves, such as the Changde, Wanjinta, Zhaozhou, and Chaoyanggou reservoirs, are mainly distributed in the Xujiaweizi faulted depression of the Songliao Basin. The δ~(13)CCH4 values of the abiogenic alkane gases are generally -30‰ and exhibit an inverse carbon isotope sequence of δ~(13)C_(CH4)δ~(13)C_(C2H6)δ~(13)C_(C3H8)δ~(13)C_(C4H10). According to laboratory experiments, introducing external H_2 can improve the rate of hydrocarbon generation by up to 147% through the kerogen hydrogenation process. During the migration from deep to shallow depth, CO_2 can significantly alter reservoir rocks. In clastic reservoirs, feldspar is easily altered by CO_2-rich fluids, leading to the formation of dawsonite, a typical mineral in high CO_2 partial pressure environments, as well as the creation of secondary porosity. In carbonate reservoirs, CO_2-rich fluids predominately cause dissolution or precipitation of carbonate minerals. The minerals, e.g., calcite and dolomite, show some typical features, such as higher homogenization temperatures than the burial temperature, relatively high concentrations of Fe and Mn, positive Eu anomalies, depletion of 18 O and enrichment of radiogenic ~(87)Sr. Due to CO_2-rich fluids, the development of high-quality carbonate reservoirs is extended to deep strata. For example, the Well TS1 in the northern Tarim Basin revealed a high-quality Cambrian dolomite reservoir with a porosity of 9.1% at 8408 m, and the Well ZS1 C in the central Tarim Basin revealed a large petroleum reserve in a Cambrian dolomite reservoir at ~6900 m. During the upward migration from deep to shallow basin strata, large volumes of supercritical CO_2 may extract petroleum components from hydrocarbon source rocks or deep reservoirs and facilitate their migration to shallow reservoirs, where the petroleum accumulates with the CO_2. Many reservoirs containing both supercritical CO_2 and petroleum have been discovered in the Songliao, Bohaiwan, Northern Jiangsu, Pearl River Mouth and Yinggehai Basins. The components of the petroleum trapped with CO_2 are dominated by low molecular weight saturated hydrocarbons.     

Geology and Isotope Geochemistry of the Yinchanggou-Qiluogou Pb-Zn Deposit, Sichuan Province, Southwest China

The Yinchanggou-Qiluogou Pb-Zn deposit,located in the western Yangtze Block,southwest China,is hosted by the Upper Sinian Dengying Formation dolostone.Ore bodies occur in the Qiluogou anticline and the NS-and NNW-trending faults.Sulfide ores mainly consist of sphalerite,pyrite,galena and calcite,with subordinate dolomite and quartz.Seventeen ore bodies have been discovered to date and they have a combined 1.0 million tons of sulfide ores with average grades of 2.27wt%Zn and 6.89wt%Pb.The δD_(H2O-SMOW) and δ~(18)O_(H2O-SMOW) values of fluid inclusions in quartz and calcite samples range from-68.9‰ to-48.7‰ and 7.3‰ to 15.9‰,respectively,suggesting that H_2O in the hydrothermal fluids sourced from metamorphic water.Calcite samples have δ~(13)C_(PDB) values ranging from-6.2‰ to-4.1‰ and δ~(18)O_(SMOW) values ranging from 15.1‰ to 17.4‰,indicating C and O in the hydrothermal fluids likely derived from a mixed source of metamorphic fluids and the host carbonates.The δ~(34)S_(CDT) values of sulfide minerals range from 5.5‰ to 20.3‰,suggesting that thermal chemical reduction of sulfate minerals in evaporates were the most probable source of S in the hydrothermal fluids.The ~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb and ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb ratios of sulfide minerals fall in the range of 18.11 to 18.40,15.66 to 15.76 and 38.25 to 38.88,respectively.The Pb isotopic data of the studied deposit plot near the upper crust Pb evolution curve and overlap with the age-corrected Proterozoic basement rocks and the Upper Sinian Dengying Formation hosting dolostone.This indicates that the Pb originated from a mixed source of the basement metamorphic rocks and the ore-hosting carbonate rocks.The ore geology and C-H-O-S-Pb isotopic data suggest that the YinchanggouQiluogou deposit is an unusual carbonate-hosted,strata-bound and epigenetic deposit that derived ore-forming materials from a mixed source of the underlying Porterozoic basements and the Sinian hosting carbonates.     

Carbon and sulfur isotopic compositions of Early Cambrian black shales,NW Hunan,China: Implications for the Paleoceanographic sedimentary environment

In order to better understand the paleoceanographic sedimentary environment of the Lower Cambrian black shales extensively distributed in South China, outcropped along the present southern margin of the Yangtze Platform with a width of ca. 200-400 km and a length of more than 1500 km, we present new paired δ13C data on carbonates (δ13Ccarb) and associated organic carbon (δ13Corg) and δ34Spy data on sedimentary pyrite in black shales from three sections (Ganziping, Shancha and Xiaohekou) located in NW Hunan, China. In these sections, a total of 82 Lower Cambrian black shale samples have δ13Ccarb values ranging from -4.0‰ to 1.7‰ with an average value of -2.1‰, and δ13Corg values between -34.9‰ and -28.8‰, averaging -31.9‰. The ?34Spy values of 16 separated sedi-mentary pyrite samples from the black shales vary between +10.2‰ and +28.7‰ with an average value of +19.5‰, presenting a small isotope fractionation between seawater sulfate and sedimentary sulfide. The model calculation based on credible data from the paired analyses for δ13Ccarb and δ13Corg of 11 black shale samples shows a high CO2 concentration in the Early Cambrian atmosphere, about 20 times higher than pre-industrial revolution values, consis-tent with previous global predictions. The small sulfur isotope fractionation between seawater sulfate and sedimen-tary sulfide in black shales, only 15.5‰ on average, implies a low sulfate level in the Early Cambrian seawater around 1 mmol. In combination with a high degree of pyritization (DOP) in the black shales, it is suggested that sul-fidic deep-ocean water could have lingered up to the earliest Cambrian in this area. The black shale deposition is envisaged in a stratified marine basin, with a surface euphotic and oxygenated water layer and sulfidic deeper water, controlled by a continental margin rift.     

Geochemical characteristics of saturate hydrocarbons in crude oils and source rocks of the Qaidam, Tarim, Tupran basins, NW China

Based on the systematic analyses of fifteen typical crude oils and ten typical potential source rocks col-lected from the Qaidam,Tarim and Turpan basins,Northwest China,the geochemical characteristics of the oils and source rocks were investigated and oil-source rock correlations undertaken.The oils and source rocks deposited in saline lacustrine environment from the western Qaidam Basin were characterized by n-alkanes with even car-bon-number preference in the C20-C28 range,low pristane/phytane(Pr/Ph) ratios(less than 0.5),and high abundances of C27 steranes,gammacerane and C35 hopanes.The oils and source rocks deposited in marine environment from the Tarim Basin were characterized by n-alkanes with even carbon-number preference in the C14-C18 range,relatively low Pr/Ph ratios(near to 1),high abundance of C28 steranes,and relatively high gammacerane.In contrast,the oils and source rocks deposited in terrigenous bog environment from the Turpan Basin were characterized by relatively high Pr/Ph ratios(oil samples greater than 6) high abundance of C29 steranes,and relatively low gammacerane and C31-35 hopanes.The higher amounts of C37 and C38 n-alkanes of source rocks from the western Qaidam Basin and the Tarim Basin suggest an origin of these alkanes from functionalized C37 and C38 n-alkadienes and alkenones in prymnesiophytes living in lacustrine and marine environments.Oil-source rock correlations suggest oils in the west-ern Qaidam Basin were derived from the Oligocene Lower Ganchaigou Formation(E3),oils in the Tabei and Tazhong uplifts from the Tarim Basin have a genetic relationship with the Middle-Upper Ordovician source beds.Oils in the Turpan Basin generally fall into two genetic types.Most oils in the Taibei depression from the Turpan Basin were derived from the Lower-Middle Jurassic coal measures,but the fewer oils in this region are a mixed source derived from the Lower-Middle Jurassic coal measure and the Upper Permian source rocks.     

Relationship Between Gas Carbon Isotope and Maturity in the Craton Basin,Tarim Basin

Carbon isotopes of natural gases are controlled not only by source and mature effect,but also by accumulating (leakage and mixing)effect.The gases,distributed in the three paleo-uplifts,Tazhong,Tabei and Bachu in the Tarim Basin,are generated mainly from Cambrian and Lower Ordovician hydrocarbon-source rocks.Being under good preservation conditions,gas pools in the Tzahong region experienced a long accumulation period.rsulting in a successive gas accumulation region in this region.The gas carbon isotope values are more negative than those in other regions because of the strong accumulating effect.The tabei and Mazhatage regions have poor preservation conditions,the gas pools are formed in a short accumulation period,and the gas carbon isotope values are more positive.This is called the transiftion-stage gas accumulation region.Because of involvement of low mature gas.even biogenic gas from UpperMiddle Ordovician,some gas in ordovician reservoirs on the northern slope of the Tazhong uplift is characterized by much more negative δ13C1,The δ13C2-δ13C1 value is an effective index to measure the gas maturity of the main body in a gas pool,Combining δ13C2-δ13C1 with δ13c1 and δ13C2,the effects described above can be explained very well,results of our study show that the gas maturity for the Mazhatage region is the highest in the craton basin.followed by tabei,Gases in the Tazhong area are high-over mature gases though the gas carbon isotope values are highly negative.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987115000250

Oil and gas exploration in carbonate rocks was extremely successful in recent years in the Ordovician in Tarim Basin.NW China.Here,we investigate the carbonate reservoirs in the Bachu area of the Tarim Basin through petrological and geochemical studies combined with oil and gas exploration data.Geochemical analysis included the major,trace,and rare earth elements;fluid inclusion thermometry;clay mineral characterization;and carbon and oxygen isotopes of the carbonate rocks.Homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions of Well He-3 in the Bachu area indicate three groups,60-80 ℃,90-130 ℃,and 140-170 ℃,and suggest that the carbonate rocks experienced modification due to heating events.The porosity in the reservoir is defined by fractures and secondary pores,and there is a notable increase in the porosity of the carbonate reservoirs in proximity to magmatic intrusion,particularly approximately 8-10 m from the intrusive rocks.The development of secondary pores was controlled by lithofacies and corrosion by various fluids.We identify supercritical fluids with high density(138.12-143.97 mg/cm~3) in the Bachu area.The negative correlations of δ~(13)C(-2.76‰ to-0.97‰) and δ~(18)O(-7.91‰ to-5.07‰) suggest that the carbonate rocks in the study area were modified by high-salinity hydrothermal fluid.The formation of clay minerals,such as illite and montmorillonite,caused a decrease in porosity.Our study demonstrates the effect of magmatic intrusions in modifying the reservoir characteristics of carbonate rocks and has important implications for oil and gas exploration.     

Discovery of an abnormally high-δ34S barite deposit and a new understanding of global sulfur isotope variation during geological history

The evolution of the global sulfur isotope curve was plotted based on the δ34S values of evaporates resultant from oceanic evaporation. In the long period of geological history the δ34S values showed obvious peaks for three times during the process of ancient oceans’ sulfur isotope evolution, namely the Early Cambrian (+30‰), the Late Devonian (+25‰) and the Permian-Triassic transition interval (+17‰), but the causes of the abnormal rise of sulfur isotopic values during the geological period are still in question. In this paper, 18 samples collected from a large Devonian barite deposit from Zhenning County were analyzed to determine their δ34S values, revealing that the 18 samples have very high δ34S values (δ34S=41.88‰-+68.39‰), with an average close to 56.30‰, which are higher than the isotopic values of contemporary sulfates (+17‰- +25‰). A comparative analysis was conducted of the emerging of high δ34S barite deposits (from Cambrian and Devonian) and the δ34S variation curves of the ancient oceans. The results indicate that the time when the obvious peaks of δ34S values appeared and the time of massive sedimentation of high δ34S barite deposits are very close to each other, which, in our opinion, is not a coincidence. There may exist some correlations between the sulfur isotope evolution of ancient oceans during the diverse periods of geological history and the massive sedimentation of high δ34S barite deposits. Therefore, it is inferred that perhaps it was the massive sedimentation of high δ34S barites that caused the sharp rise of δ34S values in a short period of time.     

Distribution Features of the Nanhua‐Sinian Rifts and their Significance to Hydrocarbon Accumulation in the Tarim Basin

On the basis of reprocessing 34 new two-dimensional spliced long sections(20,191 km) in the Tarim Basin, the deep structure features of the Tarim Basin were analyzed through interpreting 30,451 km of two-dimensional seismic data and compiling basic maps. Seismic interpretation and geological analysis conclude that the Nanhua-Sinian strata are a set of rift-depression depositional systems according to their tectonic and depositional features. The rift valley formed in the Nanhua Period, and the transformation became weaker during the late Sinian Period, which eventually turned into depression. From bottom to top, the deposited strata include mafic igneous, tillite, mudstone, and dolomite. Three major depocenters developed inside this basin during the rift stage and are distributed in the eastern Tarim Basin, the Awati area, and the southwestern Tarim Basin. Among them, the rift in the eastern Tarim Basin strikes in the near east-west direction on the plane and coincides with the aeromagnetic anomaly belt. This represents a strong magnetic zone formed by upwelling basic volcanic rock along high, steep normal faults of the Nanhua Period. Controlled by the tectonic background, two types of sedimentary systems were developed in the rift stage and depression stage, showing two types of sequence features in the Sinian depositional stage. The Nanhua System appears as a wedge-shaped formation, with its bottom in unconformable contact with the base. The rifting event has a strong influence on the current tectonic units in the Tarim Basin, and affects the distribution of source rock in the Yuertus Formation and reservoir beds in the Xiaoerbulake Formation in Lower Cambrian, as well as the gypseous cap rock in Middle Cambrian. The distribution features of the rifts have important and realistic significance for determining the direction of oil and gas exploration in the deep strata of the Tarim Basin. Comprehensive analysis suggests that the Tazhong region is the most favorable zone, and the Kalpin-Bachu region is the optimal potential zone for exploring sub-salt oil and gas in deep Cambrian strata.     

Oxygen and Hydrogen Isotopes of Waters in the Ordos Basin,China: Implications for Recharge of Groundwater in the North of Cretaceous Groundwater Basin

Hundreds of precipitation samples collected from meteorological stations in the Ordos Basin from January 1988 to December 2005 were used to set up a local meteoric water line and to calculate weighted average isotopic compositions of modern precipitation. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopes, with averages of ?7.8‰ and ?53.0‰ for δ18O and δD, respectively, are depleted in winter and rich in spring, and gradually decrease in summer and fall, illustrating that the seasonal effect is considerable. They also show that the isotopic difference between south portion and north portion of the Ordos Basin are not obvious, and the isotope in the middle portion is normally depleted. The isotope compositions of 32 samples collected from shallow groundwater (less than a depth of 150 m) in desert plateau range from ?10.6‰ to ?6.0‰ with an average of ?8.4‰ for δ18O and from ?85‰ to ?46‰ with an average of ?63‰ for δD. Most of them are identical with modern precipitation. The isotope compositions of 22 middle and deep groundwaters (greater than a depth of 275 m) fall in ranges from ?11.6‰ to ?8.8‰ with an average of ?10.2‰ for δ18O and from ?89‰ to ?63‰ with an average of ?76‰ for δD. The average values are significantly less than those of modern precipitation, illustrating that the middle and deep groundwaters were recharged at comparatively lower air temperatures. Primary analysis of 14C shows that the recharge of the middle and deep groundwaters started at late Pleistocene. The isotopes of 13 lake water samples collected from eight lakes define a local evaporation trend, with a relatively flat slope of 3.77, and show that the lake waters were mainly fed by modern precipitation and shallow groundwater.     

Geochemical Tracing of Ore-forming Material Sources of Carlin-type Gold Deposits in the Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi Triangle Area --A Case Study of the Application of the Combined Silicon Isotopes Geochemistry and Siliceous Cathodoluminescence Analysis

This paper deals with characteristics of silicon isotope compositions and siliceous cathodolumines-cence of host rocks, ores and hydrothermal silicified quartz of the Carlin-type ore deposits in the Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi triangle area. The study shows that primary silicified quartz is nonluminescent but quartz in host rocks andsecondary silicified quartz are luminescent by the action of cathode rays. Correspondingly, silicon isotope composi-tions of host rocks, ores and hydrothermal quartz veins are clearly distinguished. In strata from the Middle Triassic tothe "Dachang" host bed, δ~(30)Si of the host rocks ranges from 0.0‰-0.3‰, while that of primary ore-forming silici-fied fluids from -0.1‰ to -0.4‰, in the Upper Permian and Lower Carboniferous strata and Indosinian diabasehost beds, δ~(30)Si of the host rocks is from -0.1‰ to -0.2‰ and that of the primary silicified quartz veins from 0.3‰-0.5‰. This pattern demonstrates the following geochemical mineralization process: primary ore-forming sili-ceous fluids migrated upwards quickly along the main passages of deep-seated faults from mantle to crust and en-tered secondary faults where gold deposits were eventually formed as a result of permeation and replacement of thesiliceous ore-forming fluids into different ore-bearing strata. This gives important evidence for the fact that ore-forming fluids of this type of gold deposits were mainly derived from upper mantle differentiation and shows goodprospects for deep gold deposits and geochemical background for large and superlarge gold deposits.     

Carbon Isotope Features of the Sugetbrak Section in the Aksu?Wushi Area, Northwest China: Implications for the Precambrian/Cambrian Stratigraphic Correlations

The upper Qigeblaq Formation （Fm） dolostones and the Yurtus Fm phosphatic cherts, black shales, limestones, and dolostones are widely distributed in the Precambrian/Cambrian transitional succession of the Aksu-Wushi area. Negative δ13C excursion above the Yurtus Fm/ Qigeblaq Fm boundary was determined in this study. The pronounced negative carbon isotope excursion occurs in the phosphatic chert layers at the bottom of the Cambrian Yurtus Fm, below which the first appearance of the Asteridium- Heh＇osphaeridium-Comasphaeridium （AHC） acritarch assemblage zone. The δ13C curve of the lower part of the Yurtus Fm in the Aksu-Wushi area was found to be correlated with the early Cambrian δ13C curves of the Zhujiaqing Fm （Daibu Member）, the lower part of the Yanjiahe Fm on the Yangtze Platform in China, the lower Tal Fm in India, the Sukharikha Fm in Siberia, and the upper part of the Tsagaan Oloom Fm in Mongolia through biostigraphy. The lower part of the Yurtus Fm in the Tarim Basin is at the Nemakit-Daldynian stage, and the Precambrian/Cambrian boundary of the Aksu-Wushi area may be located in the phosphatic chert unit which just below the first appearance AHC acritarch assemblage zone. The negative δ13C excursion （N1） across the Precambrian/Cambrian boundary in the studied section may have resulted from oceanic overturning and sea level rise.