Depositional processes of the Zhushadong and Mantou formations (Early to Middle Cambrian), Shandong Province,China: roles of archipelago and mixed carbonate–siliciclastic sedimentation on cycle genesis during initial flooding of the North China Platform

To understand the depositional processes and environmental changes during the initial flooding of the North China Platform, this study focuses on the Lower to Middle Cambrian Zhushadong and Mantou formations in Shandong Province, China. The succession in the Jinan and Laiwu areas comprises mixed carbonate and siliciclastic deposits composed of limestone, dolostone, stromatolite, thrombolite, purple and grey mudstone, and sandstone. A detailed sedimentary facies analysis of seven well‐exposed sections suggests that five facies associations are the result of an intercalation of carbonate and siliciclastic depositional environments, including local alluvial fans, shallowing‐upward carbonate–siliciclastic peritidal cycles, oolite dominant shoals, shoreface and lagoonal environments. These facies associations successively show a transition from an initially inundated tide‐dominated carbonate platform to a wave‐dominated shallow marine environment. In particular, the peritidal sediments were deposited during a large number of depositional cycles. These sediments consist of lime mudstone, dolomite, stromatolite and purple and grey mudstones. These shallowing‐upward cycles generally resulted from carbonate production in response to an increase of accommodation during rising sea‐level. The carbonate production was, however, interrupted by frequent siliciclastic input from the adjacent emergent archipelago. The depositional cycles thus formed under the influence of both autogenetic changes, including sediment supply from the archipelago, and allogenic control of relative sea‐level rise in the carbonate factory. A low‐relief archipelago with an active tidal regime allowed the development of tide‐dominated siliciclastic and carbonate environments on the vast platform. Siliciclastic input to these tidal environments terminated when most of the archipelago became submerged due to a rapid rise in sea‐level. This study provides insights on how a vast Cambrian carbonate platform maintained synchronous sedimentation under a tidal regime, forming distinct cycles of mixed carbonates and siliciclastics as the system kept up with rising relative sea‐level during the early stage of basin development in the North China Platform.     

Expanding the spectrum of shallow‐marine,mixed carbonate–siliciclastic systems: Processes,facies distribution and depositional controls of a siliciclastic‐dominated example

Most of the present knowledge of shallow‐marine, mixed carbonate–siliciclastic systems relies on examples from the carbonate‐dominated end of the carbonate–siliciclastic spectrum. This contribution provides a detailed reconstruction of a siliciclastic‐dominated mixed system (Pilmatué Member of the Agrio Formation, Neuquén Basin, Argentina) that explores the variability of depositional models and resulting stratigraphic units within these systems. The Pilmatué Member regressive system comprises a storm‐dominated, shoreface to basinal setting with three subparallel zones: a distal mixed zone, a middle siliciclastic zone and a proximal mixed zone. In the latter, a significant proportion of ooids and bioclasts were mixed with terrigenous sediment, supplied mostly via along‐shore currents. Storm‐generated flows were the primary processes exporting fine sand and mud to the middle zone, but were ineffective to remove coarser sediment. The distal zone received low volumes of siliciclastic mud, which mixed with planktonic‐derived carbonate material. Successive events of shoreline progradation and retrogradation of the Pilmatué system generated up to 17 parasequences, which are bounded by shell beds associated with transgressive surfaces. The facies distribution and resulting genetic units of this siliciclastic‐dominated mixed system are markedly different to the ones observed in present and ancient carbonate‐dominated mixed systems, but they show strong similarities with the products of storm‐dominated, pure siliciclastic shoreface–shelf systems. Basin‐scale depositional controls, such as arid climatic conditions and shallow epeiric seas might aid in the development of mixed systems across the full spectrum (i.e. from carbonate‐dominated to siliciclastic‐dominated end members), but the interplay of processes supplying sand to the system, as well as processes transporting sediment across the marine environment, are key controls in shaping the tridimensional facies distribution and the genetic units of siliciclastic‐dominated mixed systems. Thus, the identification of different combinations of basin‐scale factors and depositional processes is key for a better prediction of conventional and unconventional reservoirs within mixed, carbonate–siliciclastic successions worldwide.     

Three‐dimensional modelling and sequence stratigraphy of a carbonate ramp‐to‐shelf transition,Permian Upper San Andres Formation

This study highlights three‐dimensional variability of stratigraphic geometries in the ramp crest to basin of mixed carbonate–siliciclastic clinoforms in the Permian San Andres Formation. Standard field techniques and mapping using ground‐based lidar reveal a high degree of architectural complexity in channellized, scoured and mounded outer ramp stratigraphy. Development of these features was a function of location along the ramp profile and fluctuations in relative sea‐level. Deposition of coarse‐grained and fine‐grained turbidites in the distal outer ramp occurred through dilute and high‐density turbidity flows and was the result of highstand carbonate shedding within individual cycles. In this setting, high‐frequency cycles of relative sea‐level are interpreted on the basis of turbidite frequency, lateral extent and composition. Submarine siliciclastic sediment bypass during lowstand cycles resulted in variable degrees of siliciclastic preservation. Abundant siliciclastic material is preserved in the basin and distal outer ramp as point‐sourced lowstand wedges and line‐sourced early transgressive blankets. In mounded topography of the outer ramp, siliciclastic preservation is minimal to absent, and rare incised channels offer the best opportunity for recognition of a sequence boundary. Growth of mounded topography in the outer ramp began with scouring, followed by a combination of bioherm construction, fusulinid mound construction and isopachous draping. Intermound areas were then filled with sediment and continued mound growth was prevented by an accommodation limit. Mound growth was independent of high‐frequency cycles in relative sea‐level but was dependent on available accommodation dictated by low‐frequency cyclicity. Low‐angle ramp clinoforms with mounded topography in the outer ramp developed during the transgressive part of a composite sequence. Mound growth terminated as the ramp transformed into a shelf with oblique clinoform geometries during the highstand of the composite sequence. This example represents a ramp‐to‐shelf transition that is the result of forcing by relative sea‐level fluctuations rather than ecologic or tectonic controls.     

Investigating the preservation of orbital forcing in peritidal carbonates

Metre‐scale cycles in ancient peritidal carbonate facies have long been thought to represent the product of shallow water carbonate accumulation under orbitally controlled sea‐level oscillations. The theory remains somewhat controversial, however, and a contrasting view is that these cycles are the product of intrinsic, and perhaps random, processes. Owing to this debate, it is important to understand the conditions that do, or do not, favour the preservation of orbital forcing, and the precise stratigraphic expression of that forcing. In this work, a one‐dimensional forward model of carbonate accumulation is used to test the ability of orbitally paced sea‐level changes to reconstruct cyclicities and cycle stacking patterns observed in greenhouse peritidal carbonate successions. Importantly, the modelling specifically tests insolation‐based sea‐level curves that probably best reflect the pattern and amplitude of sea‐level change in the absence of large‐scale glacioeustasy. This study found that such sea‐level histories can generate precession and eccentricity water depth/facies cycles in models, as well as eccentricity‐modulated cycles in precession cycle thicknesses (bundles). Nevertheless, preservation of orbital forcing is highly sensitive to carbonate production rates and amplitudes of sea‐level change, and the conditions best suited to preserving orbital cycles in facies/water depth are different to those best suited to preserving eccentricity‐scale bundling. In addition, it can be demonstrated that the preservation of orbital forcing is commonly associated with both stratigraphic incompleteness (missing cycles) and complex cycle thickness distributions (for example, exponential), with corresponding implications for the use of peritidal carbonate successions to build accurate astronomical timescales.     

雪峰古陆边缘上石炭统陆源碎屑和碳酸盐混合沉积

湖南沅陵雪峰古陆边缘上石炭统主要包括下列岩相类型 :冲积扇砂砾岩相、前滨海滩砂岩相、浅滩碳酸盐相及混积岩相、潮下碳酸盐岩相及滩后局限碳酸盐岩相。通过沉积相分析和古岩溶面的确定 ,在该区上石炭统中共划分出 13个海侵海退旋回及 5个三级层序。对上石炭统中发育的混积岩也进行了讨论。     

雪峰古陆边缘上石炭统陆源碎屑和碳酸盐混合沉积

湖南沅陵雪峰古陆边缘上石炭统主要包括下列岩相类型 :冲积扇砂砾岩相、前滨海滩砂岩相、浅滩碳酸盐相及混积岩相、潮下碳酸盐岩相及滩后局限碳酸盐岩相。通过沉积相分析和古岩溶面的确定 ,在该区上石炭统中共划分出 13个海侵海退旋回及 5个三级层序。对上石炭统中发育的混积岩也进行了讨论。     

Shallow lacustrine carbonate microfacies document orbitally paced lake-level history in the Miocene Teruel Basin (North-East Spain)

Results are presented of a detailed carbonate petrographic study of an Upper Miocene lacustrine mixed carbonate–siliciclastic succession in the Teruel Basin (Spain) with the aim of constraining lake‐level variability at different stratigraphic scales. Regular alternations of red to green mudstone and lacustrine limestone, termed the ‘basic cycle’, reflect lake‐level variations at the metre‐scale. In an earlier study, the basic cycle was shown to be controlled by the climatic precession cycle. Petrographic analysis made it possible to distinguish two main carbonate microfacies groups characteristic of very shallow transient and shallow permanent lake environments, respectively. In addition to the basic cyclicity, the microfacies analysis reveals lake‐level variations on a larger scale. As a consequence, the astronomical forcing hypothesis of the cyclicity in the Cascante section is explored further. A climate modelling study of orbital extremes indicates that high lake levels could relate to enhanced net winter precipitation and runoff during precession minima, consistent with Mediterranean geological data. Using this phase relationship, an astronomical tuning of the cycles is established starting from astronomical ages of magnetic reversal boundaries. Subsequently, successive basic cycles are correlated to precession minima. The tuning reveals an identical number of basic cycles in the Cascante section as precession‐related sapropel cycles in the deep marine succession at Monte dei Corvi (Italy), corroborating the precessional control of the basic cycles at Cascante. Lake‐level highstands in the large‐scale cycle identified by the microfacies analysis relate to maxima in both the ca 100 and 405 kyr eccentricity cycles, again consistent with Mediterranean geological data. Subtraction of the identified astronomically related (lake‐level) variations from the palaeoenvironmental record at Cascante indicates a shift to deeper and more permanent lacustrine environments in the upper half of the section. The cause of this shift remains unclear, but it may be linked to tectonics, non‐astronomical climate, long‐period astronomical cycles or autogenic processes.     

Lithofacies and cyclicity of Mohilla evaporite basins on the rifted margin of the Levant in the Late Triassic,Makhtesh Ramon,southern Israel

Marine‐connected basins with evaporites occur beneath most extensional continental margins that originated at low‐latitudes and often are of major economic significance. Cyclicity in the evaporite lithofacies reflects the degree of restriction of the basin, overprinted by sea‐level changes, and caused by structural movements in the barrier region, whether by fault‐block rotation, footwall uplift or hanging wall subsidence, in both extensional and compressional basins. The Upper Triassic evaporites of the Ramon section in southern Israel model cyclic sedimentation in such environments. The Mohilla Formation is a carbonate–evaporate–siliciclastic succession of Carnian age that fills a chain of basins extending along the Levant margin from southern Israel to Jordan and Syria. The basins developed in half‐grabens adjacent to normal faults that formed during a period of regional extension. Evaporites of this formation are well‐exposed in outcrops at Makhtesh Ramon, the southernmost of these basins. The M2 Member of the Mohilla Formation is composed of 42 sub‐metre cycles of alternating dolostone, gypsum and calcareous shales. Field and microfacies analysis showed these cycles to conform mostly to restricted shallow and marginal marine environments, spatially limited by the uplifted shoulders of the half‐graben systems. A total of 10 facies types belonging to six depositional environments have been identified. From stacking patterns and analysis of bed to bed change, cycles can be categorized into three groupings: (i) low frequency exposure to exposure cycles that developed under eustatic or climate control; (ii) high frequency deepening/shallowing‐upward cycles, characterized by gradual transitions due to short‐term sea‐level or runoff‐event oscillations possibly referable to orbital forcing; and (iii) high frequency shallowing‐upward cycles, characterized by abrupt transitions, attributable to sporadic tectonic events affecting accommodation space or barrier effectiveness. The way facies and cycling of the sedimentary environments was deciphered in the Mohilla evaporite basin can be used to unravel the genesis of many other evaporite basins with barriers of tectonic origin.     

Tectonically controlled sedimentation: impact on sediment supply and basin evolution of the Kashafrud Formation (Middle Jurassic,Kopeh-Dagh Basin,northeast Iran)

The Kashafrud Formation was deposited in the extensional Kopeh-Dagh Basin during the Late Bajocian to Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) and is potentially the most important siliciclastic unit from NE Iran for petroleum geology. This extensional setting allowed the accumulation of about 1,700 m of siliciclastic sediments during a limited period of time (Upper Bajocian–Bathonian). Here, we present a detailed facies analysis combined with magnetic susceptibility (MS) results focusing on the exceptional record of the Pol-e-Gazi section in the southeastern part of the basin. MS is classically interpreted as related to the amount of detrital input. The amount of these detrital inputs and then the MS being classically influenced by sea-level changes, climate changes and tectonic activity. Facies analysis reveals that the studied rocks were deposited in shallow marine, slope to pro-delta settings. A major transgressive–regressive cycle is recorded in this formation, including fluvial-dominated delta to turbiditic pro-delta settings (transgressive phase), followed by siliciclastic to mixed siliciclastic and carbonate shoreface rocks (regressive phase). During the transgressive phase, hyperpycnal currents were feeding the basin. These hyperpycnal currents are interpreted as related to important tectonic variations, in relation to significant uplift of the hinterland during opening of the basin. This tectonic activity was responsible for stronger erosion, providing a higher amount of siliciclastic input into the basin, leading to a high MS signal. During the regressive phase, the tectonic activity strongly decreased. Furthermore, the depositional setting changed to a wave- to tide-dominated, mixed carbonate–siliciclastic setting. Because of the absence of strong tectonic variations, bulk MS was controlled by other factors such as sea-level and climatic changes. Fluctuations in carbonate production, possibly related to sea-level variations, influenced the MS of the siliciclastic/carbonate cycles. Carbonate intervals are characterized by a strong decrease of MS values indicates a gradual reduction of detrital influx. Therefore, the intensity of tectonic movement is thought to be the dominant factor in controlling sediment supply, changes in accommodation space and modes of deposition throughout the Middle Jurassic sedimentary succession in the Pol-e-Gazi section and possibly in the Kopeh-Dagh Basin in general.     

High-resolution cyclostratigraphic analysis from magnetic susceptibility in a Lower Kimmeridgian (Upper Jurassic) marl–limestone succession (La Méouge,Vocontian Basin,France)

High-resolution magnetic susceptibility (MS) analysis was carried out on a Lower Kimmeridgian alternating marl–limestone succession of pelagic origin that crops out at La Méouge (Vocontian Basin, southeastern France). The aim of the study was to characterize the strong, dm-scale sedimentary cyclicity of the succession at a very high resolution, and to analyze the cycles for evidence of astronomical forcing. From marl to limestone, MS varies progressively and closely tracks the highest frequency cyclicity corresponding to the basic marl–limestone couplets. Long-term wavelength cycling modulates the high-frequency cyclicity (couplets), and appears to be controlled by clay content. Spectral analysis of the MS record reveals the presence of the complete suite of orbital frequencies in the precession, obliquity, and eccentricity (95–128 ka and 405 ka) bands with very high amplitude of the precession index cycles originating from dm-scale couplets. 405 ka-eccentricity cycles are very pronounced in the MS maxima of the marl members of the couplets, suggesting eccentricity-driven detrital input to the basin. 405 ka-orbital tuning of the MS maxima further sharpens all of the orbital frequencies present in the succession. These results are similar to those of previous studies at La Méouge that used carbonate content observed in field. Our results are also in accordance with cyclostratigraphic studies in Spain and Canada that report dominant precession index forcing. By contrast, in the Kimmeridge Clay (Dorset, UK), obliquity forcing dominates cyclic sedimentation, with weaker influence from the precession index. Ammonite zone duration estimates are made by counting the interpreted precession cycles, and provide an ultra-high resolution assessment of geologic time. In sum, this study demonstrates the power of the MS as a proxy in characterizing the high-resolution cyclostratigraphy of Mesozoic sections, particularly in alternating marl–limestone successions, and for high-resolution correlation and astronomical calibration of the geologic time scale.     

Oceanographic and eustatic control of carbonate platform evolution and sequence stratigraphy on the Cretaceous (Valanginian–Campanian) passive margin,northern Gulf of Mexico

An integrated sequence stratigraphic study based on outcrop, core and wireline log data documents the combined impact of Cretaceous eustacy and oceanic anoxic events on carbonate shelf morphology and facies distributions in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The diverse facies and abundant data of the Comanche platform serve as a nearly complete global reference section and provide a sensitive record of external processes affecting Cretaceous platform development. Regional cross‐sections across the shoreline to shelf‐margin profile provide a detailed record of mixed carbonate–siliciclastic strata for the Hauterivian to lower Campanian stages (ca 136 to 80 Ma). The study window on the slowly subsiding passive margin allows the stratigraphic response to external forcing mechanisms to be isolated from regional structural processes. Three second‐order supersequences comprised of eight composite sequences are recognized in the Valanginian–Barremian, the Aptian–Albian and the Cenomanian–Campanian. The Valanginian–Barremian supersequence transitioned from a siliciclastic ramp to carbonate rimmed shelf and is a product of glacial ice accumulation and melting, as well as variable rates of mid‐ocean ridge volcanism. The Aptian–Albian supersequence chronicles the drowning and recovery of the platform surrounding oceanic anoxic events 1a and 1b. The Cenomanian–Campanian supersequence similarly documents shelf drowning following oceanic anoxic event 1d, after which the platform evolved to a deep‐subtidal system consisting of anoxic/dysoxic shale and chalk in the time surrounding oceanic anoxic event 2. Each period of oceanic anoxia is associated with composite sequence maximum flooding, termination of carbonate shelf sedimentation and deposition of condensed shale units in distally steepened ramp profiles. Composite sequences unaffected by oceanic anoxic events consist of aggradational to progradational shelves with an abundance of grain‐dominated facies and shallow‐subtidal to intertidal environments. Because they are products of eustacy and global oceanographic processes, the three supersequences and most composite sequences defined in the south Texas passive margin are recognizable in other carbonate platforms and published eustatic sea‐level curves.     

The stratigraphic architecture and evolution of the Burdigalian carbonate—siliciclastic sedimentary systems of the Mut Basin,Turkey

This study describes the coeval development of the depositional environments in three areas across the Mut Basin (Southern Turkey) throughout the Late Burdigalian (early Miocene). Antecedent topography and rapid high-amplitude sea-level change are the main controlling factors on stratigraphic architecture and sediment type. Stratigraphic evidence is observed for two high-amplitude (100–150 m) sea-level cycles in the Late Burdigalian to Langhian. These cycles are interpreted to be eustatic in nature and driven by the long-term 400-Ka orbital eccentricity-cycle-changing ice volumes in the nascent Antarctic icecap. We propose that the Mut Basin is an exemplary case study area for guiding lithostratigraphic predictions in early Miocene shallow-marine carbonate and mixed environments elsewhere in the world.The Late Burdigalian in the Mut Basin was a time of relative tectonic quiescence, during which a complex relict basin topography was flooded by a rapid marine transgression. This area was chosen for study because it presents extraordinary large-scale 3D outcrops and a large diversity of depositional environments throughout the basin. Three study transects were constructed by combining stratal geometries and facies observations into a high-resolution sequence stratigraphic framework. 3346 m of section were logged, 400 thin sections were studied, and 145 biostratigraphic samples were analysed for nannoplankton dates (Bassant, P., 1999. The high-resolution stratigraphic architecture and evolution of the Burdigalian carbonate-siliciclastic sedimentary systems of the Mut Basin, Turkey. PhD Thesis. GeoFocus 3. University of Fribourg, 277 p.).The first transect (Alahan) is on the northwestern basin margin. Here, the siliciclastic input is high due to the presence of a river system. The siliciclastic depocentre migrates landwards during transgressions, creating an ecological window allowing carbonates to develop in the distal part of the delta. Carbonate production shuts down during the regression when siliciclastics return. The second transect (Pirinç) is also situated on the northern basin margin 12 km to the east of the Alahan section. It shows a complete platform-to-basin transition. An isolated carbonate platform complex develops during the initial flooding, which is drowned during a time of rapid sea-level rise and environmental stress, associated with prograding siliciclastics. The shelf margin then retrogrades forming large-scale clinoform geometries and progrades before a major sea-level fall provokes slumping collapse, followed by rebuilding of the shelf margin as sea level rises again. The third transect (Silifke) has a steep asymmetric Pre-Miocene valley-topography, forming a narrow strait, linking the Mut Basin to the Mediterranean. Strong tidal currents are generated in this strait area. Siliciclastic input is low and localised. Eighty metres of cross-bedded bioclastic sands are deposited in a tidal regime at the base. Subsequently, carbonate platforms backstep against the shallow-dipping northern flank, while platforms only develop on the steep southern flank when a firm wide shallow-marine substrate is provided by a bench on the footwall block. The energy of the environment decreases with increased flooding of the strait area.Third-order sequences and higher-order parasequences have been identified in each transect and correlated between transects. Correlations were made using biostratigraphic data and high-resolution sequence stratigraphy in combination with the construction of the relative sea-level curve for each site. The third-order highstands are stacked in a proximal position and separated by exposure surfaces, while the lowstands, deposited in a distal setting, are separated by deep-marine (offshore or subphotic) deposits. The parasequences produce dominantly aggradational and progradational geometries with transgressive ravinement surfaces and exposure surfaces developing at times. Reconstruction of the depositional profile shows that the third-order sequences are driven by relative sea-level oscillations of 100–150 m, and that these may be attributed to 400-Ka orbital eccentricity cycles. The parasequences are driven by eustatic 20–30 m sea-level oscillations, which may be attributed to the 100-Ka orbital eccentricity cycles.The isolated carbonate build-ups in the Pirinç and Alahan transects develop at the same time as bioclastic tidal deposits in the Silifke area during the transgression of sequence 1. This is caused by a difference in hydrodynamic regime: a direct result of basin morphology funneling tidal currents in the Silifke area. We also demonstrate how during the highstands a siliciclastic delta system progrades in the Alahan area, while only 12 km to the east, a fringing carbonate platform develops, showing how siliciclastic input can have a very localised effect on carbonate environments.The exceptional quality of the outcrops with its variety of environments and its location at the Tethyan margin make this site a good candidate for a reference model for Burdigalian reef and platform architectures.     

Carbonate platform growth and cyclicity at a terminal Proterozoic passive margin, Infra Krol Formation and Krol Group, Lesser Himalaya, India

Abstract The Infra Krol Formation and overlying Krol Group constitute a thick (< 2 km), carbonate-rich succession of terminal Proterozoic age that crops out in a series of doubly plunging synclines in the Lesser Himalaya of northern India. The rocks include 18 carbonate and siliciclastic facies, which are grouped into eight facies associations: (1) deep subtidal; (2) shallow subtidal; (3) sand shoal; (4) peritidal carbonate complex; (5) lagoonal; (6) peritidal siliciclastic–carbonate; (7) incised valley fill; and (8) karstic fill. The stromatolite-rich, peritidal complex appears to have occupied a location seaward of a broad lagoon, an arrangement reminiscent of many Phanerozoic and Proterozoic platforms. Growth of this complex was accretionary to progradational, in response to changes in siliciclastic influx from the south-eastern side of the lagoon. Metre-scale cycles tend to be laterally discontinuous, and are interpreted as mainly autogenic. Variations in the number of both sets of cycles and component metre-scale cycles across the platform may result from differential subsidence of the interpreted passive margin. Apparently non-cyclic intervals with shallow-water features may indicate facies migration that was limited compared with the dimensions of facies belts. Correlation of these facies associations in a sequence stratigraphic framework suggests that the Infra Krol Formation and Krol Group represent a north- to north-west-facing platform with a morphology that evolved from a siliciclastic ramp, to carbonate ramp, to peritidal rimmed shelf and, finally, to open shelf. This interpretation differs significantly from the published scheme of a basin centred on the Lesser Himalaya, with virtually the entire Infra Krol–Krol succession representing sedimentation in a persistent tidal-flat environment. This study provides a detailed Neoproterozoic depositional history of northern India from rift basin to passive margin, and predicts that genetically related Neoproterozoic deposits, if they are present in the High Himalaya, are composed mainly of slope/basinal facies characterized by fine-grained siliciclastic and detrital carbonate rocks, lithologically different from those of the Lesser Himalaya.     

Siliciclastic and volcaniclastic influences on equatorial carbonates: insights from the Neogene of Indonesia

ABSTRACT In active tectonic areas of humid equatorial regions, nearshore shallow‐water environments are commonly sites of near‐continuous siliciclastic influx and/or punctuated volcaniclastic input. Despite significant clastic influence, Neogene carbonates developed in SE Asia adjacent to major deltas or volcanic arcs, and are comparable with modern mixed carbonate–clastic deposits in the region. Research into delta‐front patch reefs from Borneo and fore‐arc carbonate platform development from Java is described and used to evaluate the effects of siliciclastic and volcaniclastic influx on regional carbonate sedimentation, local changes in carbonate‐producing biota and sequence development. Regional carbonate development in areas of high siliciclastic or volcaniclastic input was influenced by the presence of antecedent highs, changes in the amounts or rates of clastic input, delta lobe switching or variations in volcanic activity, energy regimes and relative sea‐level change. A variety of carbonate‐producing organisms, including larger benthic foraminifera, some corals, coralline algae, echinoderms and molluscs could tolerate near‐continuous siliciclastic or volcaniclastic influx approximately equal to their own production rates. These organisms adopted various ‘strategies’ for coping with clastic input, including a degree of mobility, morphologies adapted to unstable substrate inhabitation or shedding sediment, and shapes adapted to low light levels. Local carbonate production was also affected by energy regime, clastic grain sizes and associated nutrient input. Clastic input influenced the inhabitable depth range for photoautotrophs, the zonation of light‐dependent assemblages and the morphology and sequence development of mixed carbonate–clastic successions. This study provides data on the dynamic interactions between carbonate and non‐carbonate clastic sediments and, when combined with information from comparable modern environments, allows a better understanding of the effects of siliciclastic and volcaniclastic influx on carbonate production.     

碳酸盐与陆源碎屑混合沉积体系研究进展

广义的碳酸盐与陆源碎屑的混合沉积是指碳酸盐岩与陆源碎屑岩高频率交互沉积及岩石中碳酸盐组分与陆源碎屑组分的混合产出。本文综述了混合沉积体系的研究意义；评述了８０年代以来的国内外研究现状和成果，认为海平面变化是混合沉积的主要控制因素，其次有构造升降、物源供应、气候以及突出发性事件等因素；提出了混合沉积体系的研究应该以沉积相、微相分析为基础，并与沉积地球化学、阴极发光研究相结合。     

Sedimentology and facies analysis of Miocene mixed siliciclastic–carbonate deposits of the Dam Formation in Al Lidam area,eastern Saudi Arabia

The Burdigalian mixed siliciclastic–carbonate deposits of the Dam Formation are well-exposed in Al Lidam area, in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. They represent a shallow part of the Arabian plate continental margin. The Dam Formation is correlatable to the Miocene reservoirs in both Iran and Iraq. Therefore, studying the Dam Formation lithologic heterogeneity in a small distance with high resolution could help in further work related to pattern prediction of the Miocene reservoir properties. High-resolution sedimentological investigation was carried out through six outcrops. The facies parameters (lithology, sedimentary structures, main fossils, paleocurrent patterns and geometries of the sedimentary bodies) were described. The results revealed 15 lithofacies that have been further grouped into 7 lithofacies associations 5 of which are carbonates and include (1) interbedded dolostone and evaporates, (2) microbialite buildup, (3) ooid-dominated grainstones, (4) burrowed skeletal peloidal wackestone–packstone and (5) mollusc-dominated wackestone–packstone. The remaining two associations are of siliciclastics and include (6) intertidal siliciclastics and (7) wave-dominated siliciclastics. These lithofacies were interpreted to reflect deposition in a mixed siliciclastic–carbonate ramp system that includes subtidal, shoreface, intertidal, foreshore, supratidal and estuarine deposits in a shallowing-upward succession. Each one of these lithofacies association has distinct geometry and architecture pattern. Oolites and heterozoan lithofacies occur as sheets and show great continuity along the strike direction. Oolites pass laterally in the dip direction into more skeletal- and peloid-dominated zones, whereas heterozoan lithofacies stay continuous in the dip directions and change from siliciclastic to carbonate heterozones. In contrast, microbialite lithofacies lack continuous beds and occur as localised bioherms and biostroms. Channelised lithofacies are restricted laterally into isolated channel bodies and vertically in the contact boundary between siliciclastic and carbonate lithofacies, whereas the interbedded dolostone and evaporite lithofacies form distinct, relatively thick continuous layers. With continuous exposures in both strike (1.2 km) and dip (0.15 km) directions, the outcrops in the Al Lidam area provide unique opportunity to study the heterogeneity among lithofacies of the mixed siliciclastic–carbonate system of the Dam Formation. Such study may provide insights to predict occurrence and distribution of lithofacies bodies in their equivalent reservoirs which are important for reservoir characterisation.     

Incidence of obliquity and precession-forced Milankovitch cycles in the western Mediterranean: early Messinian sedimentation in the Sorbas Basin (Almería, southern Spain)

Spectral analysis of the Messinian Abad marls in the Cariatiz section (Sorbas Basin, south-eastern Spain) reveals three relevant orders of cyclicity. The most significant cycle is in the lowest frequency (average thickness of 365 cm, 4–5 cycles in the section). It is recorded in the composition of planktic foraminiferal assemblages indicative of surface-water temperature, planktic and benthic stable isotope signals, and carbonate proportions. The planktic assemblages, isotope values and carbonate proportions also record a middle-frequency cycle with an average of 177 cm (9–10 cycles in the section). The highest frequency cycle (average of 132 cm, 12–13 cycles in the section) is mainly reflected in siliciclastic and calcite proportions. Age constraints and cycle patterns suggest that the lowest frequency cycle was forced by orbital obliquity, whereas the two higher-frequency ones are related to precession. Obliquity seems to have controlled major changes in surface-water temperature in the Sorbas Basin during the early Messinian. Surface-water temperature was also affected by precession, with changes in weathering and run-off. Spectral analysis has also been applied to vertical shifts of reef facies throughout the progradation of the Cariatiz reef. This reef is coeval with the Cariatiz section. Vertical shifts of reef talus breccias point to the existence of 4–5 major cycles of sea-level change, whereas 7–9 higher-frequency cycles are reflected in the repeated occurrence of lowstand, non-reefal deposits. Correlation with the cycles observed at the Cariatiz section suggests that obliquity forced glacio-eustatic sea-level oscillations in the western Mediterranean during the Late Miocene.     

A link between global climate variability in the Pleistocene and variations in the Earth’s orbital parameters

The study demonstrates that the orbital climatic diagram (OCD) built on the basis of the simplified and general concepts of mechanisms for climatic response to orbital forcing can be a reasonable alternative to Milankovitch’s and his followers’ discrete insolation curves, which are widely used in paleoclimate interpretations. Comparison of the OCD and the oxygen isotope record LR04 indicates a fairly good match (considering the simplicity of the OCD construction and interpretation) in 0–1240 ka. The study discusses some discrepancies in the chronology and structure of the LR04 and OCD. It was shown that climate response may differ from that predicted by orbital insolation forcing on the basis of the generally accepted mechanisms causing transformation of orbital signals. It was shown that a shift from a dominant glacial periodicity of 41 to 100 k.y. (Middle Pleistocene transition) took place at ～1240 ka. Since then, the 100-k.y. eccentricity cycle has not been interrupted. Therefore, strictly speaking, the revised numbering of marine isotope stages (MIS) should be adopted for the interval of 1240-900 ka to reflect realistic 100-k.y. cycles instead of 41-k.y. cycles, similar to the interval of 900–100 ka.     

地球轨道旋回沉积节律研究进展——兼论轨道旋回的沉积学特征、年代学意义和研究方法

地球轨道旋回是古代沉积记录中常见的由地球轨道参数变动控制的沉积节律,它不仅自身表现显著的节律性,而且通过反馈体系强烈影响着沉积作用。同时,轨道旋回节律在不同的沉积背景下以不同的沉积特征显现和规则性叠加。地球轨道旋回赋有的规则频率变化特征又使其具有年代学意义和应用价值,它是天文地质学、地层学及沉积学研究的重点内容。根据国内外资料综述了这些方面的研究进展,并探讨了地球轨道旋回的研究方法。