A gravel lobe deposit in the prodelta of the Doumsan fan delta (Miocene), SE Korea

The Doumsan fan-delta system in the Pohang Basin (Miocene), SE Korea comprises tripartite components of Gilbert-type topset, foreset, and bottomset environments with an extended prodelta in the deeper part (a few hundred metres deep). The present study documents sedimentologic features and origin of a gravel body (here interpreted as a gravel lobe) formed in the prodelta region of the Doumsan fan delta. The gravel lobe lies on sandy mud deposits and is capped by a thick massive sand bed. It extends for more than 1.5 km with a height of up to 30 m and shows a narrow tongue-like geometry. Eight sedimentary facies have been distinguished to describe characteristic features of the gravel lobe and the associated deposits. Of these, three types of gravelly sedimentary facies are important with regard to volumetric contribution and depositional processes: (1) crudely stratified pebble-grade conglomerate; (2) disorganized, clast-rich pebble(-to-cobble)-grade conglomerate; and (3) matrix-rich, bimodal cobble-grade conglomerate. The former two types dominate the central part of the lobe where they are not accompanied by sand beds, whereas the latter, as subordinate units, is prevalent in the fringe which otherwise is dominated by thick sandy mud deposits. The stacked successions of crudely stratified pebble-grade conglomerate are representative of the active aggradational phases of the gravel lobe, whereas the occurrence of channels within the lobe reflects that the gravel lobe prograded under the influence of subaqueous channel systems. The gravel lobe resulted from catastrophic disturbance (slumping) on the foreset region that further caused the development of channel systems, promoting efficient transport of gravelly sediments. This type of deposit may represent an important additional category of low-efficiency subaqueous fans.     

障壁岛—潟湖沉积特征及模式:以美国普拉姆岛上更新统—全新统为例*

普拉姆岛(Plum island)是美国东北部缅因湾最大的障壁海岸,岛内向陆一侧为新英格兰地区最大潟湖和沼泽区,它们是晚第四纪末次冰期冰川作用和冰后期海岸作用的沉积响应。通过普拉姆岛研究区上更新统—全新统160个钻孔描述,识别出8种沉积物: 泥炭、冰川黏土、黏土、粉砂、细砂、中粗砂、砾、坠石。根据沉积物类型及其组合特征,结合沉积环境,共划分出8种沉积微相: 障壁沙丘、滨岸沙、水下临滨沙、河道、潮汐水道、潟湖、潮坪、沼泽。研究区在晚第四纪末次冰盛期(MIS2)被劳伦斯蒂德冰盖(Laurentide Ice Sheet)覆盖,发育冰川地貌,冰川泥覆盖在基岩之上,形成底层沉积; 冰后期(MIS1),冰盖消融,海平面发生变化,在冰川地貌鼓丘附近形成沙坝,最终沉积演化为障壁岛—潟湖环境,潟湖通过潮汐水道与广海相连通。     

Holocene cool‐water carbonate and terrigenous sediments from southern Spencer Gulf,South Australia

Holocene sediments from southern Spencer Gulf are cool‐water carbonate‐rich gravels and sands, dominated by molluscs and Bryozoa. Five sedimentary fades are recognized: (i) molluscan gravel; (ii) branching coralline‐algal gravel, associated with shallow partially protected environments; (iii) molluscan‐biyozoan sand; (iv) mixed bioclastic sand, representative of the deeper central region of the lower gulf; and (v) bryozoan gravel, an isolated fades developed in a semi‐protected micro‐environment. The southern gulf is characterized by complex oceanographic conditions together with variations in water depth and substrate. The sediments share the characteristics of both the southern shelf and upper Spencer Gulf. Grain‐size distribution and sedimentary facies are controlled by a combination of all the above processes. Past sea level fluctuations are recognized from sea floor strand‐line deposits. The relic component of the palimpsest sediments has eroded from the Pleistocene aeolianite dunes. The sediments, therefore, reflect both the modern marine and past environments.     

Morphology and internal structure of sand shoals and sandbanks off the Dorset coast, English Channel

The morphology and internal structure of sand shoals and sandbanks around a coastal headland (Portland Bill, southern UK) are described on the basis of sidescan sonar and high-resolution seismic data sets. Morphological and architectural evidence, combined with the spatial distribution and nature of the bedrock surface, indicates that the evolution of these deposits, especially the sandbanks, may not only be hydrodynamically controlled but also morphologically controlled. The internal structure of the sand shoals reveals a simple pattern of clinoforms dipping in the same direction as their steeper profile. In contrast, the internal structure of the sandbanks reveals that their lower seismic units consist of a sedimentary core interpreted as the remains of a lowstand deposit or an early stage of the bank development under different prevailing hydrodynamic conditions. The present morphology of the sandbanks is represented by upper seismic units characterized by large-scale sandwave foresets dipping at 6–8°. The nature and morphology of the bedrock surface may also influence the development of sandbanks in some cases. For example, to the west of Portland Bill, the morphology of the bedrock surface (basal reflector) restricts the development of the Portland Bank. This information may explain the asymmetric evolution of sandbanks around Portland Bill.     

江北砾岩碳酸钙胶结特征及物质来源研究

江北砾岩是河流砾石层在地表胶结形成的沉积岩,其胶结物性质及来源问题长期以来倍受人们关注,但研究不深且存在明显争议。本文对岩石薄片和基岩、风化土壤、河成潮土、地下水、河岸滴水、河水、砂砾岩基质的化学成分进行了深入研究。化学分析结果表明,江北砾岩基质CaO含量高达30% , 沿岸出露基岩、土壤CaO 含量达10%左右,是河成砂土的3～ 10倍多,地下水、河岸滴水的Ca2+含量分别达116mg / L、160mg /L; HCO-3 分别为412mg /L、436mg /L,约为河水的3倍。与此同时,大量砂、砾岩薄片观察也表明,江北砾岩胶结物中含有大量的方解石。据此,我们认为江北砾岩胶结物可能主要来源于川江沿岸广泛分布的中生代基岩及其风化壳。      

鄂尔多斯盆地南部直罗—店头地区侏罗系直罗组沉积特征及铀成矿*

鄂尔多斯盆地南部中侏罗统直罗组下段砂岩中已发现店头砂岩型铀矿床及多个铀矿点,但对于盆地南部直罗组沉积相研究较为薄弱,制约了砂岩型铀矿的进一步找矿工作。通过剖面实测、岩心编录,结合石油、煤炭、核工业地质钻孔资料,对鄂尔多斯盆地南部直罗—店头地区直罗组沉积特征进行精细刻画。在此基础上,探讨了沉积相与铀成矿的关系及下一步找矿方向。结果显示,直罗组下段砂体厚度30~65 m、砂地比在0.6~0.75之间,为砂质辫状河沉积。直罗组上段早期砂体厚度10~38 m、砂地比值在0.15~0.45之间,为曲流河沉积;直罗组上段沉积晚期研究区位于湖盆中心所在位置,为滨浅湖沉积。沉积环境、沉积相、辫状河河道交汇部位、砂体厚度、沉积物粒度及泥岩夹层对铀成矿具有重要控制作用。直罗组下段辫状河河道交汇或分叉部位应作为勘查重点,心滩亚相的含炭屑、黄铁矿砂质碎屑岩可作为铀矿化的找矿标志。     

Sedimentary characteristics of the Jurassic Zhiluo Formation and uranium deposits in Zhiluo-Diantou area,southern Ordos Basin

Diantou uranium deposits and multiple uranium mineralization sites have been discovered in the sandstones in the lower member of the Jurassic Zhiluo Formation in the southern Ordos Basin. However, the study on the sedimentary facies of the Zhiluo Formation, which restricts the prospecting work of sandstone-type uranium deposits. Based on the outcrop measurements and drilling core cataloging, and combined with the geological drilling data of petroleum, coal, and nuclear industry, we have elaborated the sedimentary characteristics of the Zhiluo Formation in the Fuxian area. We have also combined uranium source, structure, post-alteration and other factors to explore the relationship between sedimentary faces and uranium metallogenic conditions in the study area. The study found that in the lower member of the Jurassic Zhiluo Formation, the thickness of the sand body is 30-65 m and sand ratio is 0.6-0.75. It is gravel and sandy braided river deposit. In the upper member of the Jurassic Zhiluo Formation, the thickness of the sand body is 10-38 m, and the sand ratio is 0.15-0.45 and is a meandering river deposit. The study area is located at the center of the lake basin and sedimentary facies is coastal shallow lacustrine in the upper member of the Jurassic Zhiluo Formation. Sedimentary environment, sedimentary facies, the intersection of braided river channels, sand body thickness, sediment particle size and mudstone interlayer play an important role in controlling uranium mineralization. The exploration of uranium deposits in the northern part of the deposit should focus on the intersection or bifurcation of the braided river channel in the lower part of the Zhiluo Formation. The charcoal- and pyrite-bearing sandstone of channel bar can be used as a prospecting indicator for uranium mineralization.     

关于新疆乌恰盆地中新生代砂岩型铅锌铜铀层次成矿问题浅析

回顾乌恰构造拉分盆地的地史发展与构造演化,厘定出白垩纪-新近纪碎屑岩沉积盆地;建立起层次性砂岩型铅锌铜铀矿成矿系列,划分出白垩世早期河流边滩相沉积铜银矿、早-中期平原三角洲相沉积铀矿、晚白垩世早-中期海相-亚陆相沉积铅锌矿及新近纪早中期残留湖相沉积铜银矿和上部层中钼铀矿五个含矿层位,指出海侵前和海退后是陆相砂岩型铜银铀矿的成矿环境,而海相建造系列的亚陆相沉积建造是铅锌赋存的古地理条件;并从大地构造背景、古地理演化环境、控矿构造性状、物源及其他有关成矿因素进行粗浅的综合与讨论。     

黄河三角洲胜利Ⅰ号心滩的研究

黄河三角洲发育了大量心滩,胜利Ⅰ号心滩是典型的代表。胜利Ⅰ号心滩位于黄河胜利大桥北侧,长1200余ｍ,最宽处120ｍ左右,呈纺锤形,中间高,两端和两侧低,纵、横向上均呈透镜状。中部和前端被多条水道切割成数段。通过研究,获得了如下认识:①胜利心滩具有两种截然不同的沉积单元:一种是一般的心滩,另一种是沙泥（砾）丘和水洼、水道等组成的沉积单元;②心滩进一步可以分为（一般的）心滩、水洼、水道和风成沉积单元,不同的沉积单元具有不同的特点;③胜利Ⅰ号心滩上爬升层理非常发育;④以细碎屑沉积为主,细砂、粉砂是主体。     

Gravelly flood deposits of Irvine Creek, Ontario, Canada

In May 1974 a powerful flood flushed the Grand River basin, Ontario. The effects on the bedload were drastic in a narrow (30 m) and deep (40 m) rock walled and floored gorge near Elora, Ontario. Along Irvine Creek, the tributary occupying the gorge, the gravel cover was reworked in several types of bars, predominantly transverse and point bars. The bars formed very rapidly in response to essentially steady, non-uniform flow that developed during a brief period of high flood. Superimposed on major bars are several minor sedimentary features such as coarse transverse ribs, chute channels and bars, longitudinal ribs, imbrication clusters, backsets with well developed imbrication, that were formed under very high stream discharge. Structures like imbrication clusters, transverse ribs and small riffle bars require a ‘live bed’ situation to form, and they develop when stones come to a stop either because they cluster during transport, or because keystone effects occur along shallow channels. In Irvine Creek, very few sedimentary features were formed during waning and low flood stages: only some shadow deposits and a few Ostler lenses. The few fines that were available were lost downstream or filled in lower parts of gravel beds. This study confirms that in streams that experience strong seasonal fluctuations in discharge, bedforms that develop during high floods have a high probability of preservation. In gravelly deposits, foreset structures and plane beds are most commonly preserved, although they may be difficult to recognize in old deposits, which may appear massive, particularly if the gravel has been infilled with finer pebbles and sand. In the case of Irvine Creek, all deposits are organized, and lateral and vertical variations in textures, particularly imbrication and packing, are very useful in the recognition of sedimentary structures.     

Tsunamis versus storm deposits from Thailand

Along the Andaman (west) coast of Thailand, the 2004 tsunami depositional features associated with the 2004 tsunami were used to describe the characteristics of tsunamis in a place far away from the effect of both recent and ancient storms. The current challenge is that a lack of precise sedimentological characteristics have been described that will differentiate tsunami deposits from storm deposits. Here, in sedimentological senses, we reviewed the imprints of the sedimentological characteristics of the 2004 tsunami and older deposits and then compared them with storm deposits, as analyzed from the deposits found along the eastern (Gulf of Thailand; GOT) coast of Thailand. We discuss the hydraulic conditions of the 2004 tsunami and its predecessors, on the Andaman coast, and compare them to storm flows found on the coast of the GOT. Similar to an extensive tsunami inflow deposit, a storm flow overwash has very similar sedimentary structures. Well-preserved sedimentary structures recognized in sand sheets from both tsunami and storms include single and multiple normal gradings, reverse grading, parallel, incline and foreset lamina, rip-up clasts, and mud drapes. All these sedimentary structures verify the similarity of tsunami and storm inflow behavior as both types of high-energy flow start to scour the beach zone. Antidunes are likely to be the only unique internal sedimentary structures observed in the 2004 tsunami deposit. Rip-up clasts are rare within storm deposits compared to tsunami deposits. We found that the deposition during the outflow from both tsunami and storms was rarely preserved, suggesting that it does not persist for very long in the geological record.     

Bed forms and stratification types of modern gravel meander lobes, Nueces River, Texas

All major streams draining the southwestern flank of the Edwards Plateau in south-central Texas transport large volumes of gravel and sandy muddy gravel and are developing meander lobe sequences consisting predominantly of coarse gravel. The largest of these streams, the Nueces River, has a sinuosity index of 1.3 and an average stream surface slope of 1.8 m/km in the study area. Stream discharge is variable and has ranged from no flow to more than 17,000 m³/s. Mean clast b-axis length for the ten largest clasts at thirteen sample sites ranged from 2.5 to 10.8 cm. Velocities of 2.7-4.4 m/s 1 m above the stream bed are required to transport these clasts. Stream velocities of these magnitudes occur about once in 8 years when discharge of the Nueces River exceeds 3300 m³/s. Mean grain size of Nueces River alluvium ranges from 1.2 to 3.4 cm. At a flow depth of 1 m, sediment of this size has a critical erosion velocity of 1.8-3 m/s. Velocities of this magnitude occur about once in two years when discharge exceeds 340 m³/s. Under these conditions flow is subcritical, with critical shear stresses on depositional surfaces ranging from 6.4 to 12.7 kg/m². Gravel clasts are imbricated and channel bed forms are predominantly transverse gravel bars with slip faces ranging up to 2 m high and wavelengths in excess of 100 m. Stratification includes graded planar crossbeds and horizontal beds. Lower lateral accretion face sediments are also predominantly transverse bars; upper lateral accretion face deposits occur as longitudinal gravel ridges deposited in the lee of vegetation and, less commonly, as chute bars. Near the upper limit of meander lobes where vegetation is heavy, mud and muddy sand occur as overbank deposits; in these deposits sedimentary structures other than desiccation cracks are rare. Sedimentary sequences in gravel meander lobe systems deposited by low sinuosity streams are graded or non-graded horizontal beds and planar cross-beds overlain by mud and muddy sand interbedded with horizontally bedded gravels. Sequences may be several metres thick, but probably do not exceed 8-10 m in thickness. These deposits in turn are overlain by overbank deposits of mud and muddy sand. Similar sedimentary sequences occur in the extensive Quaternary terraces that parallel the Nueces River.     

海南岛北部海域海砂资源潜力评价

海南岛北部浅海海砂资源丰富,以砂砾质沉积为主,集中于琼州海峡东口潮流沙脊区、河口三角洲和沿岸水下岸坡等海域。本文通过对海南岛北部海域的地形地貌、地层、底质类型等方面的调查,分东、西两个区域研究了海砂资源的分布、范围、规模和类型等地质特征,并估算了海砂资源量,结合沉积环境,评价了各区域海砂的资源潜力。研究区海砂分布广泛,但东、西区特征和规模具有较大差异,西区海砂以砂质砾和泥质砂为主,厚度5~10 m;东区海砂以砂、砾质砂和砂质砾为主,厚度10~50 m,规模远超西区。研究区共圈定出9处资源潜力区,资源量为91.4亿m³,其余区域为远景区,其资源量为71.5亿m³。根据地形地貌、水动力和沉积环境等因素,研究区海砂可分为潮流沙脊堆积体系、河口水下三角洲堆积体系、岬湾海岸水下岸坡堆积体系和侵蚀残留体系几种类型。其中位于琼州海峡东口浅滩区的潮流沙脊堆积体系海砂连续分布面积达328 km²,平均厚度超过25 m,资源量83.9亿m³,最具潜力。     

Cluster analysis of marine sediments and waste deposits in New York bight

Cluster analysis of some chemical characteristics of marine sediments and associated waste deposits in the New York Bight reveals the existence of four cluster facies. Cluster facies I is the sediment containing dredged wastes from New York Harbor. Cluster facies II is the widespread sand and gravel deposit of the continental shelf. Cluster facies III is the finergrained material in the Hudson Channel and the material accumulated in the sewage sludge disposal area. Cluster facies IV is not easily identified; it may correspond to some relict sedimentary feature in the area. Editor's Note: Ali is now with the Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543; Gross is now with Chesapeake Bay Institute. The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218.     

川西高原砂金矿床形成规律

砂金富集规律可归纳为五条:(1)砂金比重大,体积小,一般下沉于砂砾层底部基岩之上,形成富矿带。(2)河流流速减缓处是砂金富集之场所,如河流内湾处;两河会流处;河谷由宽突变窄处;河谷由窄突变宽处。(3)河床起伏不平是砂金富集之主要条件。最理想的河床是软硬相间之岩层,如砂页岩互层,且走向横穿河谷,倾斜较陡,这样,便形成具有无数隔梁与隔槽的起伏不平的河床,砂金受阻,易于停积。(4)位于谷旁之古老河床沉积阶地是无水患的易采砂金矿床,不容忽视。(5)红黄杂色铁砂及石英碎屑常为砂金富集标志。     

Development of sediment–landform associations at cold glacier margins,Dry Valleys,Antarctica

The impact of modern cold glaciers on arid periglacial landscapes has received little attention compared with other glacial regimes, and there is a widely held assumption that cold glaciers are not effective geomorphological agents, despite recent studies to the contrary. This paper focuses on the processes operating at the margins of a number of glaciers in the Dry Valleys of Victoria Land, notably the Wright Lower Glacier. The glaciers are entraining primarily older drift deposits and highly weathered regolith which texturally are sandy gravels, as well as well‐sorted sands of fluvial origin. Despite basal temperatures of the order of ?16°C, frozen layers and blocks of sand and gravel are being incorporated into the base of the glaciers by folding and thrusting. The sedimentary products are ridges and aprons several metres high within which the principal lithofacies are sand, gravel, foliated glacier ice, lake ice and snow. These facies are glaciotectonized strongly. Draped over these landforms is a veneer of well‐sorted aeolian sand up to half a metre thick. Supraglacial streams flowing off the glaciers incise these landforms and the sediment is redeposited as alluvial fans, lake deltas and lake‐bottomset deposits. Overall the sediment/landform association differs markedly from those of other glacial regimes, with sand and gravel being the dominant facies, while the usual indicators of glacier working (such as facets and striations on clasts) are lacking. The preservation potential for these landforms on a thousand‐year time scale is high, as modification in this arid regime by slope processes and running water is limited. Sublimation of buried ice is so slow that ridge features are likely to remain ice‐cored almost indefinitely, modified only by wind transport and weathering.     

辽中凹陷旅大16油田东三段层序地层及沉积充填

渤海湾盆地辽中凹陷旅大16油田东营组东三段是目前勘探开发的主力含油层系。综合三维地震资料、录井、测井及岩心资料,在井—震结合、层序地层学研究基础上,利用古地貌研究、岩心相、测井相、地震相和振幅属性切片分析,明确了东营组层序格架内沉积相类型、沉积展布特征及沉积演化规律。应用Vail的经典层序地层学理论,将东三段划分为一个三级层序,其中可识别出低位体系域、湖侵体系域和高位体系域。低位体系域沉积期,辽西低凸起大面积暴露遭受剥蚀,为研究区提供碎屑沉积物,发育近源的扇三角洲及重力流沉积体系。扇三角洲砂体以灰色中砂岩和细砂岩为主,河床滞留沉积、波状层理和生物扰动构造十分发育;高位体系域时期,辽西低凸起被淹没,供源能力减弱,研究区发育较远源的辫状河三角洲前缘沉积,且伴生重力流沉积。其中辫状河三角洲前缘水下分流河道砂体以细—中砂岩为主,见块状构造和楔状交错层理。重力流沉积体系主要为滑塌湖底扇及砂质碎屑流沉积,岩心观察可见细砂岩中发育滑塌变形构造,及漂浮状的砾石和泥岩撕裂屑。研究区沉积演化过程与地貌演化密切相关,且断裂体系对砂体展布具有控制作用,重力流沉积发育于断裂坡折前方。显然,明确沉积相类型、沉积展布特征及沉积演化规律,可为进一步油气勘探开发提供地质依据。     

烟台第一海水浴场沙源匮乏型海滩地貌和表层沉积物粒度特征

在烟台第一海水浴场,利用经纬仪进行2条海滩横剖面形态测量,并在不同地貌单元采集沉积物样品进行粒度分析。测量显示,该海滩仅有小规模沙坝和沟槽体系。后滨上有风成沉积,但滩肩和海岸沙丘发育均不明显。粒度分析结果表明,海滩沉积物以中砂、粗砂为主,杂以砾或细砂,比山东半岛其他海滩沉积物明显要粗。由陆向海沉积物呈带状分布,平均高潮线附近和沙坝迎水坡侵蚀作用均显著。因此认为缺乏沙源供应的基岩岬湾式海岸是导致沙滩地貌发育不典型、海滩侵蚀作用显著的主要原因。     

Shell gravel deposits on the Åland Islands, southwestern Finland, with special reference to the molluscan assemblages

Twenty-six shell gravel sites at elevations between 3 and 35 m a.s.l. were found on the Aland Islands. The faunal composition was determined on 14 of these locations and Mytilus edulis and Macoma balthica were found everywhere. Another common species was Hydrobia ulvae , while H. ventrosa , Littorina saxatilis and Cerastoderma glaucum were more sporadic. This species assemblage implies that the salinity of the area was about 10‰ when the animals lived there. The deposits on the N-NE hilltops generally have southerly to westerly aspects, while those of the south-central hilltops are easterly. On the basis of a 14 C-dated stratified deposit it is suggested that each deposit was formed during a relatively short period of time. As a hilltop emerged from the sea, glacial debris was flushed down. Shell-bearing molluscs colonized the bare rock surface and were flushed down and formed the shell gravel deposit as the shoreline displacement continued. At a later stage, as the more concave part of the hilltop was subject to wave action, erosion was weaker and the shell gravel deposit was covered by beach sand. Since the hills may be of different elevation, it is concluded that trying to date ancient shorelines from shell gravel deposits is not justified, as each deposit originates from the hill with which it is associated.     

Aggregate resources: Production and environmental constraints

Aggregates are produced from sand and gravel deposits or from bedrock sources. Production sites are numerous to minimize transport and are more and more in a competing land use position. Urbanization, while creating a market, also sterilizes deposits and pressures producers to relocate further from populated areas. Regulating and permitting quarries is an issue in regions with growing populations. This regulatory environment may cause exploitation schemes to evolve towards greater recycling, importing, and marine production, for example. These changes may be entirely attributable to increased environmental constraints on producing operations and not on conventional mining constraints such as overburden, ore grade, and costs of operation.