Chert spheroids of the Monterey Formation,California (USA): early‐diagenetic structures of bedded siliceous deposits

Chert spheroids are distinctive, early‐diagenetic features that occur in bedded siliceous deposits spanning the Phanerozoic. These features are distinct in structure and genesis from similar, concentrically banded ‘wood‐grain’ or ‘onion‐skin’ chert nodules from carbonate successions. In the Miocene Monterey Formation of California (USA), chert spheroids are irregular, concentrically banded nodules, which formed by a unique version of brittle differential compaction that results from the contrasting physical properties of chert and diatomite. During shortening, there is brittle fracture of diatomite around, and horizontally away from, the convex surface of strain‐resistant chert nodules. Unlike most older siliceous deposits, the Monterey Formation still preserves all stages of silica diagenesis, thus retaining textural, mineralogical and geochemical features key to unravelling the origin of chert spheroids and other enigmatic chert structures. Chert spheroids found in opal‐A diatomite form individual nodules composed of alternating bands of impure opal‐CT chert and pure opal‐CT or chalcedony. With increased burial diagenesis, surrounding diatomite transforms to bedded porcelanite or chert, and spheroids no longer form discrete nodules, yet still display characteristic concentric bands of pure and impure microcrystalline quartz and chalcedony. Petrographic observations show that the purer silica bands are composed of void‐filling cement that precipitated in curved dilational fractures, and do not reflect geochemical growth‐banding in the manner of Liesegang phenomena invoked to explain concentrically banded chert nodules in limestone. Chertification of bedded siliceous sediment can occur more shallowly (< 100 m) and rapidly (< 1 Myr) than the bulk silica phase transitions forming porcelanite or siliceous shale in the Monterey Formation and other hemipelagic/pelagic siliceous deposits. Early diagenesis is indicated by physical properties, deformational style and oxygen‐isotopic composition of chert spheroids. Early‐formed cherts formed by pore‐filling impregnation of the purest primary diatomaceous beds, along permeable fractures and in calcareous–siliceous strata.     

准噶尔盆地西北缘石炭—二叠系火山岩裂缝中方解石脉成因

准噶尔盆地西北缘石炭—二叠系火山岩裂缝十分发育, 普遍充填方解石矿物。通过对钻井岩心裂缝类型划分、 方解石脉原生流体包裹体均一温度测试、 方解石地球化学数据测试与分析, 揭示了方解石脉成因。结果表明, 石炭—二叠系火山岩中的裂缝主要包括风化裂缝、 构造裂缝、 成岩裂缝和溶蚀裂缝。裂缝中方解石的原生流体包裹体均一温度分布为40℃～150℃, 变化范围较大, 具有低温、 高温及混合流体特征。方解石的碳、 氧同位素表明, 方解石的形成与大气淡水和埋藏流体有关, 锶同位素和锰元素进一步证实, 埋藏流体为深部热液流体或埋藏流体溶蚀了火山物质。准噶尔盆地西北缘石炭—二叠系火山岩受逆冲推覆构造和风化淋滤作用双重影响, 构造裂缝和风化裂缝彼此连通并沟通了深部热液与大气淡水。在火山岩裂缝中形成了兼具大气淡水与深部热液流体特征的方解石充填物。     

Genetic Mechanism of Dolomitization in Fengcheng Formation in the Wu‐Xia area of Junggar Basin,China

The dolomitic rocks of the Fengcheng Formation are considered to be formed under special geologic conditions, and are significant hydrocarbon reservoir rocks in the Wu-Xia area in the Junggar Basin. Analyses of petrologic characteristics and stable isotope composition indicate that the dolomitizing host rock is volcanic and the dolomitizing fluids probably consists of brine from shore-shallow lakes with great evaporation and salinity in the Fengcheng Formation, which have formed under arid climatic conditions, as well as residual Mg-rich seawater from the underlying Jiamuhe Formation and Carboniferous. Dust tuff in the area has significant plagioclase content. Anorthite and labradorite hydrolysis by CO2 can be coupled with calcite precipitation. Late Mg-rich brine percolated and replaced calcite formed in the early time, which lead to precipitate dolostones with different occurrences, such as graniphyric, random bedded or lumpy. The diagenetic dolostones with different occurrences resulting from particular formation conditions occurred in different tectonic settings. The dolomitizing fluid has been driven by the thermal convection flow generated by volcanic eruptions. At the same time, the overthrusts of the Wu-Xia growth fault?have speeded up the flow of deep Mg-rich water upwards, and induced the water to quickly?penetrate and horizontally migrate in the strata. Fracture is the major and the most important reservoir space in dolomitic reservoir of the Fengcheng Formation. Fracture and fault plays a decisive role in controlling the formation of dolostone and the distribution of favorable reservoirs. The deliverability of oil and gas is determined by the development and match relations of dissolved pores and fractures to a certain degree.     

Eocene Basins on the SE Tibetan Plateau: Markers of Minor Offset along the Xuelongshan–Diancangshan–Ailaoshan Structural System

The offset of geological bodies provides robust evidence of displacement along a fault or ductile shear zone. The amount of displacement along the Xuelongshan–Diancangshan–Ailaoshan structural system, southeastern Tibetan Plateau, is uncertain because of the lack of offset geological markers. This NNW–SSE-trending system is developed in three isolated metamorphic complexes and interjacent nonmetamorphosed rocks. They are expected to record similar post-Eocene strain, although their structural patterns should be distinct. Geological mapping in the area between the Xuelongshan and Diancangshan metamorphic complexes has revealed a small Eocene basin, the Madeng Basin, located to the west of the structural system. The sedimentary and volcanic successions of the Madeng Basin are comparable to those of the Jianchuan Basin, which is located to the east of the structural system. Zircon U–Pb geochronological and bulk geochemical data demonstrate that the volcanic rocks of both basins formed during 37–34 Ma and share the same geochemical features. These data suggest that the Madeng and Jianchuan basins previously constituted a single basin, with the distribution of high-K volcanic rocks in the basins defining an ENE–WSW-trending volcanic belt that shows a limited dextral offset of ≤20 km across the Xuelongshan–Diancangshan–Ailaoshan structural system. Therefore, the northern segment of the structural system records no evidence of large-scale lateral movement/displacement. The results suggest that the Indochina block, which is bounded by the Xuelongshan–Diancangshan–Ailaoshan structural system to the east and the Sagaing Fault to the west, has not extruded southward as a whole but rather has been deformed by pervasive crustal shortening.     

Microbial biomineralization processes forming modern Ca:Mg carbonate stromatolites

Modern Ca:Mg carbonate stromatolites form in association with the microbial mat in the hypersaline coastal lagoon, Lagoa Vermelha (Brazil). The stromatolites, although showing diversified fabrics characterized by thin or crude lamination and/or thrombolitic clotting, exhibit a pervasive peloidal microfabric. The peloidal texture consists of dark, micritic aggregates of very high‐Mg calcite and/or Ca dolomite formed by an iso‐oriented assemblage of sub‐micron trigonal polyhedrons and organic matter. Limpid acicular crystals of aragonite arranged in spherulites surround these aggregates. Unlike the aragonite crystals, organic matter is present consistently in the dark, micritic carbonate comprising the peloids. This organic matter is observed as sub‐micron flat and filamentous mucus‐like structures inside the interspaces of the high‐Mg calcite and Ca dolomite crystals and is interpreted as the remains of degraded extracellular polymeric substances. Moreover, many fossilized bacterial cells are associated strictly with both carbonate phases. These cells consist mainly of 0·2 to 4 μm in diameter, sub‐spherical, rod‐like and filamentous forms, isolated or in colony‐like clusters. The co‐existence of fossil extracellular polymeric substances and bacterial bodies, associated with the polyhedrons of Ca:Mg carbonate, implies that the organic matter and microbial metabolism played a fundamental role in the precipitation of the minerals that form the peloids. By contrast, the lack of extracellular polymeric substances in the aragonitic phase indicates an additional precipitation mechanism. The complex processes that induce mineral precipitation in the modern Lagoa Vermelha microbial mat appear to be recorded in the studied lithified stromatolites. Sub‐micron polyhedral crystal formation of high‐Mg calcite and/or Ca dolomite results from the coalescence of carbonate nanoglobules around degraded organic matter nuclei. Sub‐micron polyhedral crystals aggregate to form larger ovoidal crystals that constitute peloids. Subsequent precipitation of aragonitic spherulites around peloids occurs as micro‐environmental water conditions around the peloids change.     

MVT型矿床中闪锌矿结晶的Liesegang环带模拟

在六方晶系方解石被闪锌矿所交代的假设基础上, 用反应扩散方程建立了六方晶系CNN动力学模拟系统, 模拟了闪锌矿的Liesegang环带结构和矿物晶体中结晶颗粒半径分布.结果表明随着交代作用自外向内的减弱, 闪锌矿矿化强度逐渐减弱, 闪锌矿Fe/Zn比呈振荡变化形成Liesegang环带结构, 并且闪锌矿结晶颗粒半径逐渐减小, 最大结晶颗粒半径与边界的距离服从幂律分布(分形).      

Tremolite–calcite veins in the footwall of the Simplon Fault,Antigorio Valley,Lepontine Alps (Italy)

The lowermost units of the nappe pile of the Lepontine Alps crop out in the Antigorio valley in the footwall of the Simplon Fault. The whole orthogneiss section of the Antigorio Unit is exposed on both sides of the valley, sandwiched between the Mesozoic metasedimentary sequences of the Baceno unit below and the Tèggiolo unit above. The petrography and mineral composition of tremolite–calcite veins occurring in dolomite marble in both metasedimentary sequences were investigated. Tremolite–calcite (with lesser talc and minor phlogopite) veins have rhythmic banded texture. Banding is due to cyclic differences in modal abundances and fabric of tremolite and calcite. These veins are very similar to those occurring in dolomite rafts within the Bergell granite and it is inferred that they formed by the same “fracture-reaction-seal” mechanism. Veins formed by reaction of a silica-rich aqueous fluid with the host dolomite marble along fractures. According to thermo-barometric calculations, based on electron microprobe analyses, reaction occurred at temperatures between 450 and 490°C and minimum pressure of 2–3 kbar. Such temperature conditions occurred in this footwall region of the Simplon Fault Zone around 15 Ma, during exhumation and cooling of the nappe pile and a transition to brittle behaviour. Aqueous, silica-rich fluids concentrated along fractures, forming tremolite–calcite veins in the dolomite marbles and quartz veins in the orthogneiss.     

Diagenesis of early Permian high‐latitude limestones,Lower Parmeener Supergroup,Tasmania

The Darlington (Sakmarian) and Berriedale (Artinskian) Limestones are neritic deposits that accumulated in high‐latitude environments along the south‐eastern margin of Pangea in what is now Tasmania. These rocks underwent a series of diagenetic processes that began in the marine palaeoenvironment, continued during rapid burial and were profoundly modified by alteration associated with the intrusion of Mesozoic igneous rocks. Marine diagenesis was important but contradictory; although dissolution took place, there was also coeval precipitation of fibrous calcite cement, phosphate and glauconite, as well as calcitization of aragonite shells. These processes are interpreted as having been promoted by mixing of shelf and upwelling deep ocean waters and enabled by microbial degradation of organic matter. In contrast to warm‐water carbonates where meteoric diagenesis is important, the Darlington and Berriedale Limestones were largely unaffected by meteoric diagenesis. Only minor dissolution and local cementation took place in this diagenetic environment, although mechanical compaction was ubiquitous. Correlation with burial history curves indicates that chemical compaction became important as burial depths exceeded 150 m, promoting precipitation of extensive ferroan calcite. This effect resulted from burial by rapidly deposited, overlying, thick, late Permian and Triassic terrestrial sediments. This diagenetic pathway was, however, complicated by the subsequent intrusion of massive Mesozoic diabases and associated silicifying diagenetic fluids. Finally, fractures most probably connected with Cretaceous uplift were filled with late‐stage non‐ferroan calcite cement. This study suggests that both carbonate dissolution and precipitation occur in high‐latitude marine palaeoenvironments and, therefore, the cold‐water diagenetic realm is not always destructive in terms of diagenesis. Furthermore, it appears that for the early Permian of southern Pangea at least, there was no real difference in the diagenetic pathways taken by cool‐water and cold‐water carbonates.     

川东北巴中—通南巴地区须家河组致密砂岩储层裂缝发育特征及控制因素

以岩芯及野外观察、分析测试、测井等资料为基础,分析了川东北巴中—通南巴地区致密砂岩储层裂缝的类型及成因,结合裂缝充填矿物包裹体分析,厘定裂缝形成期次。在此基础上,探讨了岩性组合、岩层厚度、断层、褶皱变形强度对裂缝发育的控制作用。研究表明:研究区须家河组裂缝具有多成因、多期次、差异分布的特点。主要发育构造裂缝,且主要分布于致密砂岩储层中,可划分为3期:燕山中期(中侏罗世)的NNW和NWW向共轭构造缝,被细粒方解石充填;燕山晚期(白垩纪)的NE向断层、褶皱伴生高角度缝,被粗粒方解石或石英充填;喜马拉雅期(古近纪)的NW和近SN向断层伴生缝,被粗粒方解石半充填或未充填。成岩裂缝和超压裂缝的成因与黏土矿物失水收缩及烃源岩大量生烃引起的流体增压有关,主要形成时间为晚侏罗世—早白垩世。裂缝发育的差异性主要受控于岩性组合、地层厚度、断层及褶皱变形强度,单层厚度小、距断层距离近、褶皱变形强度大的中、细砂岩储层,裂缝最为发育。     

The formation of iron hydroxide coatings in an Emscher Marl: inverse reactive transport modeling of reactive surface area

The possible effects of iron oxide coatings on the reactive surface area of calcite in column experiments have been studied and then modeled numerically. A column with six compartments separated by teflon filters was packed with Emscher Marl (essentially calcite). The marl was initially mixed with corundum as an internal standard. Hydrochloric acid with pH 3 was percolated through the column for a given period, after which the mineralogical changes were quantified by X-ray diffraction ex-situ. Then, the column compartments were re-filled and again percolated with HCl. This procedure was repeated five times. The losses and gains of calcite in the column compartments provided the data basis for modeling the entire experiment with the reactive transport code TOUGHREACT using a kinetic rate law. The experimental results showed that during the first period, loss of calcite in the first compartment is about 50 % less than that determined from the theoretical analysis. This showed the entrance of acid into the higher compartments through preferential flow paths (wormholes) which was observed at the boundary between sample and cell wall. This pattern could also be verified by the relatively high Peclet and low Damköhler numbers, showing a strongly advection-dominant system. Apart from calcite dissolution, structural Fe²⁺ released from calcite oxidized and formed iron hydroxide (FeOOH) coatings along preferential fluid pathways. Despite specific assumptions such as using pure calcite in the model, a comparison between modeling results and lab observations is instructive. The simulated calcite change patterns in the most compartments are consistent with the experiments. Some discrepancies are noted in the last compartment, which may bring the attention to a need for model improvements.     

Test Investigation on Liquefied Deformation Structure in Saturated Lime-Mud Composites Triggered by Strong Earthquakes

Three identical model boxes were made from transparent plexiglass and angle iron. Using the method of sinking water and according to the sedimentary rhythm of saturated calcium carbonate(lime-mud) intercalated with cohesive soil,calcites with particle sizes diameters of ≤ 5 μm,10–15 μm and 23–30 μm as well as cohesive soil were sunk alternatively in water of three boxes to build three test models,each of which has a specific size of calcite. Pore water pressure gauges were buried in lime-mud layers at different depths in each model,and connected with a computer system to collect pore water pressures. By means of soil tests,physical property parameters and plasticity indices(Ip) were obtained for various grain-sized saturated lime-muds. The lime-muds with Ip ranging from 6.3 to 8.5(lower than 10) are similar to liquid saturated silt in the physical nature,indicating that saturated silt can be liquefied once induced by a strong earthquake. One model cart was pushed quickly along the length direction of the model so that its rigid wheels collided violently with the stone stair,thus generating an artificial earthquake with seismic wave magnitude greater than VI degree. When unidirectional cyclic seismic load of horizontal compression-tension-shear was imposed on the soil layers in the model,enough great pore water pressure has been accumulated within pores of lime-mud,resulting in liquefaction of lime-mud layers. Meanwhile,micro-fractures formed in each soil layer provided channels for liquefaction dewatering,resulting in formation of macroscopic liquefaction deformation,such as liquefied lime-mud volcanoes,liquefied diapir structures,vein-like liquefied structures and liquefied curls,etc. Splendid liquefied lime-mud eruption lasted for two to three hours,which is similar to the sand volcano eruption induced by strong earthquake. However,under the same artificial seismic conditions,development of macroscopic liquefied structures in three experimental models varied in shape,depth and quantity,indicating that excess pore water pressure ratios at initial liquefaction stage and complete liquefaction varied with depth. With size increasing of calcite particle in lime-mud,liquefied depth and deformation extent increase accordingly. The simulation test verifies for the first time that strong earthquakes may cause violent liquefaction of saturated lime-mud composed of micron-size calcite particles,uncovering the puzzled issue whether seafloor lime-mud can be liquefied under strong earthquake. This study not only provides the latest simulation data for explaining the earthquake-induced liquefied deformations of saturated lime-mud and seismic sedimentary events,but also is of great significance for analysis of foundation stability in marine engineering built on the soft calcium carbonate layers in neritic environment.     

Introducing dolomite seams: hybrid compaction–solution bands in dolomitic limestones

Bedding‐parallel dolomite seams occur in a clay‐poor carbonate succession of the Apennines. The seams are composed of a high concentration of dolomite crystals compared to the hosting dolomitic limestone. SEM images document microcracking, and in many cases even crushing and fragmentation, of dolomite crystals and accumulation of non‐carbonate insoluble material both along micro‐stylolites within the seams and around dolomite crystals of the seams. We interpret the seams as hybrid structures between pressure‐solution seams and compaction bands, which formed during burial. The euhedral dolomite crystals scattered in the micritic matrix represent the insoluble residue produced by the progressive dissolution of calcite. As calcite dissolution proceeds, the concentration of dolomite crystals increases, eventually resulting in a dolomite seam in which locally a dolomite crystal‐supported texture is attained. At this stage, the dolomite crystals within the seam start to collide, crush and fragment, so that the dolomite seam behaves like a compaction band.     

海拉尔盆地苏德尔特构造带布达特群裂缝发育期次研究

近年来,在大庆油田外围盆地油气勘探中新发现了海拉尔盆地苏德尔特构造带布达特群碎屑岩潜山油藏,其油气储集空间以构造裂缝为主,裂缝的形成、发育与演化是油气富集的重要因素。在岩心裂缝观察、构造演化历史以及热演化历史分析基础上,通过对裂缝充填方解石的稳定同位素测定和包裹体测定以及岩石声发射实验,对裂缝形成的主要期次及其特征进行了研究。研究认为,布达特群裂缝具有多期性和继承性的发育特点,主要存在3个破裂期：第一期裂缝与南屯末-大磨拐河组沉积时期的构造运动有关,缝内以石英充填为主,石英的形成温度介于72～76℃,并见有烃类包裹体,但其成熟度较低;第二期裂缝是在伊敏时期区域伸展作用下形成的,裂缝以方解石和微-细晶石英充填为主,其形成温度介于117～154℃,该期烃类成熟度明显增强;第三期裂缝是在伊敏末期强烈的抬升作用下形成的,裂缝内充填了微-细晶方解石和石英,其形成温度介于89～110℃,烃类成熟度减弱。     

Carbonate deposition in a fluvial tufa system: processes and products (Corvino Valley – southern Italy)

In a multi‐scale approach to the study of the organic and mineral components in an active barrage‐type tufa system of southern Italy, neo‐formed deposits, in both natural depositional sites and on inorganic substrates placed in the stream for this study, were observed and compared through one year of monitoring. Dams and lobes representing the basic morpho‐facies of the deposits are composed of two depositional facies: vacuolar tufa (a mixture of phytoclastic and framestone tufa) and stromatolitic tufa (phytoherm boundstone tufa). Three petrographic components comprise both facies: micrite and microsparite, often forming peloidal to aphanitc, laminar and dendrolitic fabrics, and sparite, which occurs as isolated to coalescent fan‐shaped crystals forming botryoids or continuous crusts. All fabrics occurring in all depositional facies are organized into layers with a more or less well‐developed cyclicity, which has its best expression in stromatolitic lamination. The precipitation of all types of calcite (with Mg 1·0 to 3·2 mole % and Sr 0·5 to 0·8 mole %) takes place more or less constantly during all seasons, in spite of the low saturation state of the water (the saturation index range is 0·75 to 0·89) within the active depositional zone; the latter extends for a few hundred microns through the external surface of the deposit. The active depositional zone has a particular micro‐morphology composed of porous micro‐columns (50 to 150 μm in size), separated by interstitial channels. Mineral precipitation occurs upon both external surfaces and within internal cavities of the micro‐columns, while further point sites of precipitation occur suspended within the masses of cyanobacterial tufts. Sub‐spherical mineral units, ‘nano‐spheres’ (10 to 20 nm in diameter) are the basic biotic neo‐precipitate; they commonly form by replacing non‐living degrading organic matter and at point sites along the external surface of living cyanobacterial sheaths. Nano‐spheres agglutinate to form first rod‐shaped aggregates (100 to 200 nm) which then evolve into triads of fibres or polyhedral structures. Successively, both triads and polyhedral solids coalesce to form larger calcite crystals (mainly tetrahedrons tens of microns in size) that represent the fundamental bricks for the construction of the micro‐columns in the active depositional zone. Precipitation is attributed to the presence of a widespread biofilm that occurs in the active depositional zone; this is composed of a heterogeneous community comprising epilithic and endolithic filamentous cyanobacteria, green algae, unicellular prokaryotes, actinobacteria and fungi, with a variable amount of extracellular polymeric substances. No precipitation takes place where the biofilm is absent, indicating that the biological activities of the biofilm are crucial, with its living organisms and non‐living organic matter. Basic aggregates of neo‐precipitates do not form in association with any one particular type of organic matter substrate, but appear to be related to the seasonal temperature variation: polyhedral micro‐crystals mainly precipitate in the colder season, short triads in the intermediate seasons, and long triads in the warmest conditions. These three basic crystal aggregates have a petrographic counterpart, respectively, in the spar, microspar and micrite.     

Mechanisms of fine extinction band development in vein quartz: new insights from correlative light and electron microscopy

Fine extinction bands (FEBs) (also known as deformation lamellae) visible with polarized light microscopy in quartz consist of a range of nanostructures, inferring different formation processes. Previous transmission electron microscopy studies have shown that most FEB nanostructures in naturally deformed quartz are elongated subgrains formed by recovery of dislocation slip bands. Here we show that three types of FEB nanostructure occur in naturally deformed vein quartz from the low-grade metamorphic High-Ardenne slate belt (Belgium). Prismatic oriented FEBs are defined by bands of dislocation walls. Dauphiné twin boundaries present along the FEB boundaries probably formed after FEB formation. In an example of two sub-rhombohedral oriented FEBs, developed as two sets in one grain, the finer FEB set consists of elongated subgrains, similar to FEBs described in previous transmission electron microscopy studies. The second wider FEB set consists of bands with different dislocation density and fluid-inclusion content. The wider FEB set is interpreted as bands with different plastic strain associated with the primary growth banding of the vein quartz grain. The nanometre-scale fluid inclusions are interpreted to have formed from structurally bounded hydroxyl groups that moreover facilitated formation of the elongate subgrains. Larger fluid inclusions aligned along FEBs are explained by fluid-inclusion redistribution along dislocation cores. The prismatic FEB nanostructure and the relation between FEBs and growth bands have not been recognized before, although related structures have been reported in experimentally deformed quartz.     

方解石充填物对于深层古岩溶洞穴保存的独特意义--以塔河地区奥陶系为例

塔河油田奥陶系古岩溶洞穴埋藏深度之大在世界范围内罕见,但对其为何没有垮塌殆尽的原因却知之甚少。为了探究其保存机制,对比了Fort Worth盆地奥陶系深埋洞穴,发现大量缝、洞充填方解石是塔河地区洞穴中常见且特有的充填物。在统计和综合分析缝洞方解石充填物地球化学数据的基础上,以洞穴充填方解石成因类型为切入点,详细分析了构造运动背景、热液活动、油气充注、方解石的产状以及洞穴受力情况,通过与Fort Worth盆地深埋洞穴埋藏史的对比和分析,提出塔河地区深埋岩溶洞穴的一种保存机制。研究区岩溶洞穴方解石主要是长期浅埋阶段,以大气淡水成因为主,海水成因为辅形成,深埋过程还受到了溶蚀性流体（岩浆热液和有机酸）后期改造。方解石充填物增加了洞穴的抗压性,岩溶洞穴内部充填的方解石在埋藏过程中支撑了洞穴;岩溶洞穴顶部裂纹中充填的方解石还“愈合”了洞穴周边的裂纹,强化了洞穴的顶板,增加了洞穴整体的稳定性。充填的方解石在垮塌前占据了部分洞穴空间,在埋藏后,高温有机酸、CO₂、H₂S和岩浆热液沿着深大断裂等通道对奥陶系碳酸盐岩改造溶蚀作用明显,也对处于优势通道和良好储集性能的洞穴充填方解石进行了改造,恢复了部分洞穴空间。因而认为地表、近地表方解石充填过程是碳酸盐岩洞穴型储层的“保持性成岩作用”。     

Carbonatation processes at the El Berrocal natural analogue granitic system (Spain): inferences from mineralogical and stable isotope studies

The El Berrocal granite/U-bearing quartz vein system has been studied as a natural analogue of a high-level radioactive waste repository. The main objective is to understand the geochemical behaviour of natural radionuclides occurring under natural conditions. In this framework, the carbonatation processes have been studied from a mineralogical and isotopic ( and ) point of view, since carbonate anions are powerful complexing agents for U(VI) under both low-temperature hydrothermal and environmental conditions. The carbonatation processes in the system are identified by the presence of secondary ankerite, with minor calcite, scattered in the hydrothermally altered granite, and Mn calcite in fracture filling materials. The isotopic signatures of these carbonates lead us to conclude that ankerite and calcite from the former were formed at the end of the same hydrothermal process that altered the granite, at a temperature range of between 72° and 61°C for ankerite, and between 52° and 35°C for calcite. The effect of edaphic CO₂ on both carbonates, greater on calcite than on ankerite, is demonstrated. Calcites from fracture fillings are, at least, binary mixtures, in different proportions, of hydrothermal calcite, formed between 25° and <100°C, and supergenic calcite, formed at ≤25°C. According to their signatures, the effect of edaphic CO₂ in both calcites is also evident. It is assumed that: (i) hydrothermal calcite from fracture fillings and ankerite from the hydrothermally altered granite are the result of the same hydrothermal process, their chemical differences being due to the intensity of the water/rock interaction which was stronger in the altered granite than in the fractures; and (ii) all of these carbonatation processes are responsible for ancient and recent migration/retention of uranium observed in the hydrothermally altered granite and fracture fillings.     

大巴山陆内造山带构造流体及其形成条件研究

构造脉体作为构造流体的宏观标志记录了与构造运动有关的流体来源、形成环境条件和动力学等信息。大巴山构造带是一个典型的陆内造山带,发育了代表构造前、同构造期和构造后3期构造流体的方解石脉(V1、V2和V3)。本文在对构造后伸展背景下形成的方解石脉(V3)野外产状、几何特征和围岩力学性质统计分析基础上,通过其形成古应力场恢复和同位素地球化学分析,研究V3脉体形成环境条件及其流体来源。结果表明,V3脉体走向以NE SW向为主,脉体倾角较陡,大多近于直立,其形成的主应力轴σ1,σ2和σ3方位分别为67°∠76°、200°∠13°和293°∠10°,形成时的应力场为NW SE向拉张。V3脉体形成时流体压力pf<σ2<σ1,流体超压Δsi在92～167 MPa,形成最大深度为1.8～7.2 km。δ13C δ18O反映V3方解石脉形成与围岩碳酸盐岩脱CO2作用有关,V3方解石脉流体包裹体水的δD δ18O同位素分析表明其为盆地内部变质建造水向浅部迁移并有浅部表生水的参与。结合大巴山前陆构造广泛存在的异常高压流体,认为大巴山前陆在晚白垩世-古近纪时期处于伸展构造背景下,原来封存在深部的异常高压流体超压Δsi突破围岩形成裂缝,并上升到浅部与表生流体混合沉淀形成了V3脉体。     

The diagenetic history of some septarian concretions from the Kimmeridge Clay, England

ABSTRACT
Large septarian concretions from the Kimmeridge Clay, up to 1.2 m in diameter, have centres comprising anhedral calcite microspar passing into margins of radiating fibrous calcite microspar, with a pyrite-rich zone at the transition. Septarian veins formed and were lined with brown calcite synchronously with fibrous matrix growth, with white calcite precipitated in septarian cavities after concretion growth ceased. Septarian veins, filled only with white calcite, formed later, at the same time as the outermost calcite microspar crystals were enlarged.
The concretions were buried in the Late Jurassic to about 130 m, and in the Late Cretaceous to about 550 m, with uplift between. Oxygen isotopes show that the concretion grew throughout the first burial, with septarian veins forming from about 30 m depth onwards. Later septarian veins formed between about 200 and 500 m during the second burial.
Carbon isotopes show that the compact inner matrix grew in the sulphate reduction zone, the end of which is marked by the pyrite-enriched zone. Dissolving shells, and possibly minor methanogenic carbonate, slowly diluted sulphate reduction-zone carbonate during deeper burial. During early concretion growth, Mg and Sr were depleted in the pore water. During later stages of the first burial, Mg, Sr, Mn and Fe all increased, especially after concretion growth ceased. During the second burial, Fe, Mn and Mg decreased as calcite precipitated, implying relatively closed systems for these elements.
Synchronous formation of septarian fractures and fibrous calcite matrix shows that the Kimmeridge Clay became overpressured during the later stages of both burials.     

Morphological instabilities in pattern formation by precipitation and crystallization processes

Morphological instabilities in periodic patterns occurring both in precipitation and crystallization processes (Liesegang rings and crystal zoning) are investigated and compared with similar patterns in geological samples (zebra rocks and mud bands in snow sediments). In classical Liesegang systems, undisturbed parallel or concentric precipitation bands are emanated from even or concentric diffusion sources in homogeneous diffusion matrices of gelatine or other gels. In the case of superposing diffusion sources, sources with undulatory curvatures or local diffusion barriers there may occur several types of instabilities within the sequence of regular patterns: (a) gaps within the bands forming radial alleys free of precipitate, (b) transition from broken bands to speckled patterns and (c) apparent branching of bands linked together by so-called anastomoses. Calculations with a competitive particle growth (CPG) model show that lateral instabilities in Liesegang bands (gaps and radial alleys of gaps) are the result of Ostwald ripening effects taking place after precipitation. Apparent branching of bands or formation of anastomoses can be simulated with a prenucleation model according to Ostwald's supersaturation theory. Similar irregularities can be observed in zebra rocks (e.g. banded siderite) whose bandings are commonly explained by sequential sedimentation processes. A very different mechanism is assumed to be responsible for the origin of mud bands in snow sediments. An initially homogeneous distribution of intrinsic mud in snow sediments can be arranged into parallel bands according to a crystal zoning mechanism which is based on repeated thawing and freezing of the snow sediment due to the daily alternation of sun and darkness.