Evaporation Stage of Paleo-saline Lake in the Sichuan Basin, China: Insight from Fluid inclusions in Halite

Sichuan Basin is one of the most important marine–salt forming basins in China. The Simian and Triassic have a large number of evaporites. The Triassic strata have found a large amount of polyhalite and potassium-rich brine. However, no soluble potassium salt deposit were found. In this study, the halite in well Changping 3 which is located at the eastern part of the Sichuan basin was studied using the characteristics, hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of the fluid inclusion in halite to reconstruct the paleoenvironment. The salt rocks in well Changping 3 can be divided into two types: grey salt rock and orange salt rock. The result shows that the isotopic composition of the halite fluid inclusion is distinct from the global precipitation line reflecting that the salt formation process is under strong evaporation conditions and the climate is extremely dry. At the same time, compared with the hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of brine in the Sichuan Basin and the hydrous isotope composition of the inclusions in the salt inclusions of other areas in China, it is shown that the evaporation depth of the ancient seawater in the Sichuan Basin was high and reached the precipitation of potassium and magnesium stage.     

川中雷口坡组膏盐岩成因及对储层的影响

通过岩心观察、薄片鉴定、成岩孔隙演化与埋藏史关系研究等手段,分析了川中雷口坡组膏盐岩微相的成因及其演化,并从沉积相、成岩过程、构造作用三个方面论述了膏盐岩对川中雷口坡组储层的控制与影响。研究表明,川中雷口坡组膏盐岩形成于受限陆表海的潮坪环境,其微相分为潮上带的膏盐池、潮间带的膏盐湖和局限潮下带的膏盐盆;其成因可分为潮上带浓卤水在低洼处汇聚成因或潮间潮下带表层浓卤水下沉置换成因;其分布与海平面升降导致的膏盐岩沉积中心迁移有关,同时与点滩的分布也有一定联系。膏盐岩的形成以及同生—准同生期溶蚀、表生期溶蚀垮塌、中—深埋藏期的硫酸盐热化学还原反应产生的埋藏溶蚀等作用对川中雷口坡组中上部储层的形成控制有重要贡献。此外,膏盐岩的底辟作用和构造运动产生的裂缝、断层,对烃源的运移、气藏的重新分布起着一定的促进作用。     

A model to estimate the depositional brine depths of ancient halite rocks: Implications for ancient subaqueous evaporite depositional environments

A model is derived which allows a more general approach to the interpretation of bromine profiles in halite rocks than is possible with the models of Kuhn or Holser. Allowing for an open system, with influx and reflux, reduces the depth of brine necessary to generate a given salt deposit. Even very small and regular bromine gradients, which historically have been interpreted as the result of deposition from deep brine bodies, can be generated in an open system from brine no more than a few tens of metres deep. The bromine gradient produced from a given depth of brine is strongly dependent on the composition and amount of influx, but less so on the composition of brine already in the basin. A Zechstein profile is analysed which in a closed basin would require brine 2665 m deep. It can equally be modelled by influx of normal seawater which fully replenishes a basin no more than 140 m deep. A somewhat irregular profile from the Paradox Basin, instead of requiring a basin 100–400 m deep, can be modelled as being produced by deposition from brines only 10 m deep. Reflux in both cases can only be a few per cent of influx at a maximum.     

Desalting of sodium and potassium chlorides at the final stages of halogenesis: Evidence from the Gremyachinsk potash deposit in the Caspian basin

The study of “productive” intervals of the Gremyachinsk potash deposit showed that the precipitation of potassic and potassic–magnesium salts was accompanied by large-scale desalting of sodium chloride owing to the interaction of concentrated solutions from the given part of the saliferous basin with diluted solutions. The constant influx of diluted brine was characterized by the high content of sodium chloride, which led to the large-scale precipitation of halite as lenses, crusts, and accumulations of random morphology. Based on the ultramicrochemical analysis of the composition of brine inclusions in halites of different stages of densification, it is suggested that this process was accompanied by the growth of K ion concentrations in the brine and the subsequent desalting of potassium chloride in the carnallite stage brine with the formation of rocks of the carnallite–sylvinite paragenesis.     

河南吴城天然碱矿床地质特征及戍因探讨

吴城碱矿是世界罕见的古代天然碱矿床之一,属于典型的陆相碳酸盐型盐湖沉积。矿床赋存于一个早第三纪断陷盆地中,该盆地发育了厚约2400余米的陆相碎屑—蒸发岩。天然碱距地表650—900余米,呈多层状产出,下部为天然碱矿层,上部则为含岩盐天然碱层。矿床盐类矿物组合以天然碱为主,次为石盐、重碳酸钠盐。共生矿物有磷钠钙石、氯碳钠镁石,未见通常在碳酸盐湖中出现的硫酸盐矿物——芒硝。     

思茅盆地石盐矿物的原位元素含量特征对成矿模式的启示

思茅盆地江城含盐带勐野井地区在“二层楼”钾盐成矿理论的指导下,逐步在侏罗系钾盐资源调查中取得重要成果,但盆地内其他含盐带研究程度薄弱。本文以整董含盐带的磨黑L2井勐野井组(K₁m)盐岩样品为研究对象,通过显微镜观察、扫描电镜能谱分析、石盐矿物元素含量电子探针微区原位测试方法的建立,精细研究了样品岩相学、石盐矿物学及元素含量特征。同时,测试了江城含盐带勐野井地区MK-1井花开左组(J₂h)石盐样品。对比研究两个井样品中石盐矿物微量元素K和Br含量及10³Br/Cl值(质量分数比)特征,结合研究区地质演化,取得以下认识。L2井K₁m(含)泥砾盐岩中石盐矿物发育两类产状:一类是胶结碎屑颗粒的主体石盐,具塑性流变特征;另一类是析出在碎屑中被盐类或黏土矿物碎屑包裹的石盐,两类包裹体特征指示均属次生成因。电子探针测得L2井K₁m的主体石盐、碎屑包裹和勐野井MK-1井J₂h含钾盐层石盐的K含量分别为≤0.09%、≤0.18%和≤0.13%,Br含量分别为≤60×10^-6、70×10^-6~410×10^-6和70×10^-6~500×10^-6,10³Br/Cl值分别为≤0.10、0.12~0.71和0.12~0.85,主体石盐显著低于后二者,处于陆源或海陆混合源石盐阶段或重结晶石盐阶段,而后二者数值接近,大多处在海源石盐阶段,小部分处在海源母液结晶钾石盐阶段和光卤石阶段。推断磨黑L2井碎屑包裹的石盐属深部古盐体刺穿贯入的证据,可能的成矿模式为深部中侏罗统海相古盐体受盐底辟作用迁移到浅层下白垩统勐野井组后,部分被盆地内侧向迁移来的中侏罗世残留海水、盆地周缘汇入的陆源水以及深部热液的共同溶蚀淋滤和混染改造形成新的卤水,部分以固体古石盐砾保留下来,在早白垩世晚期新母液卤水蒸发成盐过程中被形成的盐类和陆源碎屑矿物包裹,后期在母液结晶的主体石盐胶结下沉积成岩和成矿。以上认识完善了“二层楼”成矿理论在整董含盐带的勘探实践。     

江西41 4含钽、铌钠长石化花岗岩风化壳中三水铝石的发现及其成因研究

The Wucheng trona deposit, one of the rare ancient trona deposits in the world, is genetically of typical terrestrial facies carbonate sediments of brine lake. Contained in an Eogene block basin composed of terrigenous clastic-evaporite rocks some 2400 m in thickness, it occurs 650 to over 900 m beneath the earth's surface in the form of multilayers, the lower part being pure trona beds while the upper part consisting of trona beds interbedded with halite streaks. Saline minerals are trona and to a much less amount, halite and nahcalite, associated with such minerals as shortite and northupite. Mirabilite, a rather common mineral in the carbonate salt lake, has not yet been found here. The unusually developed sedimentary cyclothem of the host rock, predo-minantly argillaceous dolomite- kuchersite- (halite-bearing) trona, makes up a most striking feature of this deposit, and the trona bed lies invariably on the kuchersite-dolomite facies. Although belonging to one of the minerogenetic series of saline deposit, the trona deposit, instead of being simply a product of the evaporation of brine, has its specific mineral-forming conditions and sedimentation mechanism. Trona is a typical product of the terrestrial facies carbonate lake. lts formation, therefore, requires the persistent supply of large quantities of Na-rich carbonate type water which, being actually surface water or ground water circulating through the metamorphic and igneous rocks at the periphery of the basin, constitutes an indispensable factor in the sedimentation of trona by its concentration and evaporation. Besides, the coicentration of CO_{8<.sub>^-2 and HCO8^- in the solution is related to the partial pressure of CO2. Only when sufficient CO2 is unceasingly supplied can nahcalite and trona be precipitated. CO2, in turn, depends on the presence of large amounts of organism for its formation. These factors are prerequisites for the precipitation of the trona deposit, making it distinctly different from other saline deposits. Other formation conditions of the Wucheng trona deposit, such as the existence of a closed basin controlled by tectonics, the alternate arid and semiarid climates, are quite analogous to those of other saline deposits. Some controversial problems concerning this kind of deposit are also put for ward in this paper for further investigation, including the feasibility of taking the abundance of sulfate minerals as a criterion of distinguishing ancient tronas from recent ones, the influence of material resources and climate conditions upon the variation of ore types, and the origin of the highly-concentrated sodium brine in areas adjacent to the Wucheng deposit.}     

陕北奥陶纪盐盆的区域成矿地质条件分析

本文以鄂尔多斯盆地陕北奥陶纪岩盐为主要研究对象,在深入分析以往岩盐的成因机制和充分利用前人的研究资料基础上,从区域古气候、古地理、古构造和岩相古地理方面综合分析认为,奥陶纪时期,陕北盐盆能够发育巨厚岩盐,并且岩盐沉积时的卤水达到钾石盐至光卤石的阶段,是由有利于成盐的干旱古气候条件,有利于蒸发岩发育的半封闭的区域构造、地质条件,以及区域上有利于氯化物盐类迁移富集的预备盆地发育的区域岩相古地理条件共同作用的结果。     

Geochemical Evolution of Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA

The Great Salt Lake (GSL) of Utah, USA, is the largest saline lake in North America, and its brines are some of the most concentrated anywhere in the world. The lake occupies a closed basin system whose chemistry reflects solute inputs from the weathering of a diverse suite of rocks in its drainage basin. GSL is the remnant of a much larger lacustrine body, Lake Bonneville, and it has a long history of carbonate deposition. Inflow to the lake is from three major rivers that drain mountain ranges to the east and empty into the southern arm of the lake, from precipitation directly on the lake, and from minor groundwater inflow. Outflow is by evaporation. The greatest solute inputs are from calcium bicarbonate river waters mixed with sodium chloride-type springs and groundwaters. Prior to 1930 the lake concentration inversely tracked lake volume, which reflected climatic variation in the drainage, but since then salt precipitation and re-solution, primarily halite and mirabilite, have periodically modified lake-brine chemistry through density stratification and compositional differentiation. In addition, construction of a railway causeway has restricted circulation, nearly isolating the northern from the southern part of the lake, leading to halite precipitation in the north. These and other conditions have created brine differentiation, mixing, and fractional precipitation of salts as major factors in solute evolution. Pore fluids and diagenetic reactions have been identified as important sources and especially sinks for CaCO₃, Mg, and K in the lake, depending on the concentration gradient and clays.     

湖北潜江凹陷古近系深层富钾卤水成因及演化

地下深层富钾卤水是非常重要的钾盐资源,目前很少从区域尺度系统研究沉积盆地中富钾卤水水化学特征及成因.对潜江凹陷深层富钾卤水进行了主、微量元素分析.研究区卤水矿化度为125.70～347.00 g/L,K含量为0.32～6.83 g/L;富集Li、B、I、Na、Cl,亏损Mg、Br,Ca、SO4有富集也有亏损.储层岩石矿...     

Paratacamite from Gypsum Veins in Sandstones of the Kuqa Basin,Xinjiang, China: Implications for a New Epigenetic Cu Enrichment Mechanism

The Kuqa Basin filled with Paleogene evaporite series is located in the northeast of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, China. It is famous for sandstone‐hosted Cu deposits formed by synsedimentary processes. However, our recent studies reveal that there has been another Cu mineralization mechanism in this basin. Field investigations show that there is a close relationship among faults, salt domes, and brine. Cu deposits are mainly located in two east–west‐trending anticlinal belts in the basin, adjacent to salt domes in the belts. Cu minerals in gypsum veins of the Jidike and Kangcun formations have been investigated by SEM, EDS, and X‐ray diffraction methods. The occurrence of paratacamite in gypsum veins has been reported to coexist with glauberite and halite in the joint planes of sandstones. In addition, it occurs accompanying residual crystal salt encrustation in limestone fractures, or in sandstones in dendritic form. These features indicate that the surface‐Cu enrichment in the Kuqa Basin might have originated from Cu‐bearing brine in the underlying evaporite units, which migrated upward along fractures. In addition, the presence of H₂S in the east–west fault belt in the Kuqa Basin, and the discovery of surface sulfur, calcium carbonate, and covellite, suggest thermochemical sulfate reduction near salt domes in the deeper parts of the rock units. This process resulted in the generation of reduced brine and provided a favorable environment for Cu enrichment. Therefore, the surface‐Cu mineralization near salt domes is interpreted to be the result of Cu‐bearing brine migrating upward to the surface along faults (or joints) following the intrusion of deep salt domes. The geological evidence indicates the presence of reducing brine and Cu‐bearing brine near the salt dome in the deeper rocks of the Kuqa Basin, thus making the intrusive contact zone of the salt dome a favorable site for the epigenetic enrichment of Cu. Our study demonstrates that Cu enrichment in the Kuqa Basin resulted not only from synsedimentary deposition but also through epigenetic enrichment associated with salt dome intrusion and brine‐rich fluids.     

东营凹陷沙四段盐湖的深水成因模式

东营凹陷下第三系沙四段广泛发育的蒸发岩类与暗色泥、页岩和深水浊积砂体呈现明显韵律层,为厚度达千米的盐湖沉积。通过分析了该地区蒸发岩地层的沉积特征和沉积条件,认为东营凹陷沙四段蒸发岩类的物质基础是深层卤水 深部古老地层中的盐类物质是其盐源 凹陷中北部的同沉积深大断裂是沟通凹陷与地壳深部盐类物质的通道。在此基础上提出东营凹陷沙四段盐湖的深水成因模式,可与东非裂谷基伍湖和东濮凹陷下第三系深水成因盐湖对比。     

An explanation for the varves of the Castile evaporites (Upper Permian), Texas and New Mexico, USA

Abstract Extraordinary sequences of conspicuous, pervasive and laterally persistent varves characterize the Castile evaporites. They occur as singlets (calcite laminae), couplets (calcite laminae interstratified with anhydrite laminae), thick couplets (calcite laminae interstratified with thin anhydrite beds) and triplets (calcite and anhydrite laminae interstratified with thin halite beds). The varves accumulated in a deep (initially ≈ 550 m), persistently stratified, saline lake surrounded by an extinct reef. The lake had formed when the reef grew across a channel between an embayment and the ocean. Although located virtually on the palaeo-equator, the lake experienced negligible meteoric influx and extreme seasonality. During the season of high relative humidity, more marine groundwater entered the lake through the permeable reef barrier than exited as reflux and, secondarily, as evaporation. Consequently, the lake level rose by up to several metres to sea level. The ‘refreshening’ decreased salinity and replenished dissolved CO₂– the critical nutrient limiting growth of indigenous phytoplankton. Algae proliferated, pH increased and CaCO₃ precipitated. It mixed with organic matter to form a thin, dark lamina. During the season of low relative humidity, tens of cubic kilometres of water evaporated from and, secondarily, leaked out through the surrounding reef. More water exited than entered, brine level fell below sea level, and salinity of the upper brine layer increased. Gypsum usually precipitated and rained onto the basin floor forming a couplet; infrequently, halite also precipitated forming a triplet. Every few thousand years, for <50 to several hundred years, the lake became unstratified during the dry season, and wind-induced overturn allowed a layer of gypsum crystals up to ≈ 2 cm high to precipitate on the basin floor. Each layer, now thin beds of anhydrite nodules and anhydrite pseudomorphs after gypsum, and an underlying lamina of CaCO₃ and admixed organic matter formed a thick couplet. The different varve types recur with a period of 1800–3000 years reflecting climatic changes on a millennial time scale.     

Origin and evolution of major salts in the Darling pans,Western Cape,South Africa

Sediment and water samples from 12 saline pans on the semi-arid west coast of South Africa were analysed to determine the origin of salts and geochemical evolution of water in the pans. Pans in the area can be subdivided into large, gypsiferous coastal pans with 79–150 g/kg total dissolved salt (TDS), small inland brackish to saline (2–64 g/kg TDS) pans and small inland brine (168-531 g/kg TDS) pans that have a layer of black sulphidic mud below a halite crust. The salinity of coastal pan waters varies with the seasonal influx of dilute runoff and dissolution of relict Pleistocene marine evaporite deposits. In contrast, inland pans are local topographic depressions, bordered on the north by downslope lunette dunes, where solutes are concentrated by evaporation of runoff, throughflow and groundwater seepage. The composition of runoff and seepage inflow waters is determined by modification of coastal rainfall by weathering, calcite precipitation and ion exchange reactions in the predominantly granitic catchment soils. Evaporation of pan waters leads to precipitation of calcite, Mg–calcite, dolomite, gypsum and halite in a distinct stratigraphic succession in pan sediments. Bicarbonate limits carbonate precipitation, Ca limits gypsum precipitation and Na limits halite precipitation. Dolomitisation of calcite is enhanced by the high Mg/Ca ratio of brine pan waters. Brine pan waters evolve seasonally from Na–Cl dominated brines in the wet winter months to Mg–Cl dominated brines in the dry summer months, when 5–20 cm thick halite crusts cover pan surfaces. Pan formation was probably initiated during a drier climate period in the early Holocene. More recent replacement of natural vegetation by cultivated land may have accelerated salt accumulation in the pans.     

老挝甘蒙省钾镁盐矿床含矿段的矿物学和地球化学特征及成因

老挝甘蒙省钾镁盐矿床位于呵叻盆地的东隅,本文以该矿床ZK318钻孔的含矿段———下盐层为研究对象,对其开展了系统的矿物学和地球化学特征研究。结果表明,矿石矿物以石盐、钾石盐和光卤石为主,含少量方硼石和硬石膏。根据矿物与主量元素的分布特征,将下盐层分为5个次层,由下至上顺序为:盐岩层(石盐为主)→钾盐岩层(钾石盐为主)→光卤石岩层(光卤石为主)→薄盐岩层(石盐为主)→钾盐岩层(钾石盐为主)。微量元素Br值均大于200×10-6,表明卤水来源于海水;由盐岩层→钾盐岩层→光卤石岩层,B含量呈现出逐渐升高的趋势,表明B含量与卤水盐度呈线性关系。但顶部钾盐岩层的B含量高达890×10-6,与少量方硼石的存在相吻合,指示成矿卤水除了海水外,还有深部热液的贡献。按照卤化物卤水蒸发浓缩的顺序,光卤石是该卤水浓缩的最后阶段,但在光卤石沉积之后,又晶出一薄层石盐,表明曾经历过一次短暂的淡水补给。上、下两层钾石盐具有基本相同的Br含量,分别为1 790×10-6和1 792×10-6,且均直接沉积在石盐之上,故为原生钾石盐,而非光卤石的次生淋滤产物。认为甘蒙省钾镁盐矿床为海源陆相沉积,海水和深部热液是成钾物质的主要来源,钻孔中出露的两层钾石盐均为原生沉积。     

Salt Crystallization Sequences of Nonmarine Brine and Their Application for the Formation of Potassium Deposits

The salt assemblages precipitated during evaporation of concentrated brine collected from Gasikule Salt Lake (GSL) were studied to better understand the formation of potassium deposits in the Qaidam Basin. The study included isothermal evaporation at 25 °C in the laboratory and solar evaporation in the ponds at GSL field. Brines increased in density and became moderately acidic (pH?≈?5.30) while major ion geochemistry and precipitate mineralogy all showed broad agreement between both systems. Four salt assemblages were identified in the isothermal evaporation experiment: halite?→?halite?+?hexahydrite?→?halite?+?bischofite?+?carnallite?→?bischofite. Alternately, three salt assemblages were recognized in the solar evaporation: halite?→?halite?+?epsomite?+?carnallite?→?halite?+?carnallite?+?bischofite. The key difference in salt assemblages between the two systems is attributed to differences in relative humidity and temperature conditions. Although the GSL has deep spring inflow recharge, the high abundance of MgSO₄ salts demonstrates that the salt assemblages are similar to normal seawater evaporation. Thus, different proportions of deep spring inflow and river water could form both MgSO₄-deficient potassium evaporite and normal seawater potassium evaporites. Therefore, nonmarine water may form diverse potassium evaporite deposits in continental basins when the geological structure as well as hydrogeological and climatic conditions is appropriate.     

Hydrochemical Dynamic Characteristics and Evolution of Underground Brine in the Mahai Salt Lake of the Qaidam Basin Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The mineral rock salts present in the Mahai Salt Lake of the Qaidam basin exhibit high solubilities in water. In addition, the multicomponent underground brine exhibits a high salinity and is easily precipitated. In the natural state, brine transport in the brine layer is extremely slow, and the brine is in a relatively stable chemical equilibrium state with the rock salt media. However, during mining, both the seepage and the chemical fields fluctuate significantly, thereby disrupting the equilibrium and leading to variations in the chemical composition and dynamic characteristics of the brine. Therefore, we selected underground brine from the Mahai Salt Lake, collecting a total of 183 brine samples over three stages of mining (i.e., the early stage of underground brine extraction, the initial stage of mining, and the later stage of mining). Using a range of analytical techniques, the chemical dynamics of the underground brine water and its evolution were systematically studied. We found that evaporation and enrichment were the main mechanisms of underground brine evolution in the Mahai Salt Lake, with cation exchange and mineral dissolution/precipitation being key factors in determining the dynamic characteristics and evolution of the brine.     

Cambrian skeletal halite crystals and experimental analogues

A suite of unusual highly skeletal halite pseudomorphs is described from the lower Middle Cambrian rocks that crop out at Ardmore in the Georgina Basin, northern Australia. The pseudomorphs are preserved as both moulds and casts within a dark and light colour-banded chert. They are orientated parallel to bedding and represent halite crystal growth within a brine pool. Laterally equivalent rocks are characterized by sedimentary textures and structures indicative of periodic emergence and desiccation. Laboratory grown halite crystals are also described and compared with the pseudomorphs from Ardmore. Experimentally produced halite crystals formed from either: (1) brine solutions obtained as residues after organic matter extraction from phosphate rocks, or (2) solutions of NaCI and distilled water. Both pyramidal rafted hoppers and floor nucleated cuboids formed in solutions containing only NaCI and distilled water; whereas in the residue solutions, that contained humic acids, rafted pyramidal forms were absent and crystal nucleation was restricted to the floor of the evaporative dish. As brine depth decreased the halite precipitation rate increased and resulted in a suite of excrescent, highly skeletal crystals that formed as a result of brine evaporation to dryness. The variable crystal morphology depended upon both the brine depth and slope of the evaporative dish floor. Horizontally orientated chevron halite crystals formed where the evaporative dish was inclined and precipitation preferentially occurred on cube faces. Pagoda, reticulate ridge and dendritic forms represent an increasingly skeletal crystal suite characterized by the preferential precipitation of NaCI on cube edges and corners rather than faces. Using the experimentally grown crystals as analogues the pseudomorphs at Ardmore are interpreted as forming in very shallow brine pools that evaporated to dryness.     

柴达木盆地英西地区E32盐类矿物成因及油气地质意义

近年来,柴达木盆地英西地区渐新统E32获得了持续的重大勘探发现。基于岩心观察、系统的微观岩石学、矿物学以及地球化学分析,系统总结了柴达木盆地英西地区渐新统咸化湖盆中盐类矿物特征、成因及成藏作用：(1)英西地区渐新统E32 4种重要的盐类矿物包括石盐、硬石膏、钙芒硝以及天青石等,或聚集成为具有一定厚度的盐层,或以矿物颗粒形式赋存于基质碳酸盐岩中。上部的盐间油层组的盐层较厚,以石盐为主,下部的盐下油层组的盐层较薄,以石膏为主;(2)盐类矿物“低锰”的元素地球化学特征、与盐类矿物伴生的基质碳酸盐岩具有的“低温成因”的碳氧同位素地球化学特征、未见热液矿物发育的岩石学特征以及分布面积极广的平面展布特征均显示了盐类矿物为典型的咸化湖盆沉积型,而非热液卤水析出型;(3)“盐”在油气成藏过程中发挥着重要作用,包括盐类矿物对裂缝的充填和防止油气逸散的封堵作用、盐层因具有很高的毛管突破压力和塑性特征而具有良好的封盖作用、地层条件下促进白云岩次生孔隙发育的作用以及占据一定的储集空间的消极作用等。这一研究成果可为盐下湖相碳酸盐岩的油气勘探提供重要的指导作用。     

Modern sedimentation and hydrology in Lake Tyrrell,Victoria

Lake Tyrrell is a large ephemeral salt lake, the level of which is controlled by climate and groundwater. Up to a metre of water fills the basin during the wetter and cooler winter season, but evaporates during the summer, precipitating up to 10 cm of halite. Each year essentially the same pool of ions is redissolved by this annual freshening. The small percentage of gypsum precipated (< 2%) in the surface salt crust reflects the low calcium content of the brine which, in turn, is a function of the negligible net discharge of calcium from the groundwater system. The small influx of fine‐grained clastic sediment to the lake floor comes from surface runoff, wind, and reworking of older sediment from the shoreline.

The Lake Tyrrell basin lies in a setting in which three different groundwater types, identified by distinct salinities, interact with surface waters. A refluxing cycle that goes from discharging groundwater at the basin margin, to surface evaporation on the lake floor, to recharge through the floor of the lake, controls the major chemical characteristics of the basin. In this process, salts are leached downward from the lake floor to join a brine pool below the lake. This provides an outlet from the lake, especially under conditions that have been both drier and wetter than those of today. Enhanced discharge occurs under drier conditions, when the enclosing regional groundwater divide is lowered, whereas a rise in lake level increases the hydraulic head over that of the sub‐surface brine and promotes an increase in brine loss from the lake.

Sulphate‐reducing bacteria in a zone of black sulphide‐rich mud beneath the salt crust help prevent gypsum from being incorporated into the recent sedimentary record. However, below the upper 5 to 10 cm zone of bacterial activity, discoidal gypsum is being precipitated within the mud from the groundwater. These crystals have grown by displacing the mud and typically “float” in a clay matrix; in some zones, they form concentrations exceeding 50% of the sediment. The occasional laminae of more prismatic gypsum that occur within the upper metre of mud have crystallised from surface brines. The scarcity of these comparatively pure prismatic‐crystal concentrations probably is a function of unfavourable chemical conditions in the lake brine and of the role that sulphate‐reducing bacteria have played.