Fault-related carbonate breccia dykes in the La Chilca area,Eastern Precordillera,San Juan,Argentina

Carbonate fault breccia dykes in the Cerro La Chilca area, Eastern Precordillera, west-central Argentina, provide clues on the probable mechanism of both fault movement and dyke injection.Breccia dykes intrude Upper Carboniferous sedimentary rocks and Triassic La Flecha Trachyte Formation. The timing of breccia dyke emplacement is constrained by cross cutting relationships with the uppermost Triassic unit and conformable contacts with the Early Miocene sedimentary rocks. This study supports a tectonic-hydrothermal origin for these breccia dykes; fragmentation and subsequent hydraulic injection of fluidized breccia are the more important processes in the breccia dyke development.Brecciation can be triggered by seismic activity which acts as a catalyst. The escape of fluidized material can be attributed to hydrostatic pressure and the direction of movement of the material establishes the direction of least pressure.Previous studies have shown that cross-strike structures have had an important role in the evolution of this Andean segment since at least Triassic times. These structures represent pre-existing crustal fabrics that could have controlled the emplacement of the dykes. The dykes, which are composed mostly of carbonate fault breccia, were injected upward along WNW fractures.     

First Late Ordovician Paleomagnetic Pole for the Cuyania (Precordillera) Terrane of Western Argentina: a Microcontinent or a Laurentian Plateau

Time and tectonic processes involved in docking of the Argentine Precordillera (Cuyania terrane) against SW Gondwana has been a matter of much debate. A paleomagnetic study on the Early Caradoc Pavón Formation, exposed in the San Rafael block, province of Mendoza, Argentina, is presented. After detailed thermal and alternating field demagnetizations two geologically significant magnetic components were defined. A widespread post-tectonic component (A) is present in most sites of the Pavón Formation, with dual polarities, and is coincident with the characteristic remanence isolated from a Permo-Triassic rhyolitic dome intruding the sediments. Its pole position (83.7°S, 271.0°E, dp = 6.8°, dm = 9.0° N = 11 sites) falls on the Late Permian-Early Triassic South American reference poles suggesting that this component was acquired during the Choiyoi magmatic phase. A second component (B) also shows dual polarities and a positive fold test suggesting a primary origin. Unblocking temperatures and rock magnetic experiments indicate that B is carried either by hematite or magnetite at different sites. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility results suggest a depositional fabric and no remanence distortion due to deformation or compaction. A paleomagnetic pole computed from this remanence (PV) falls on 3.6°N, 346.4°E (dp = 2.9°, dm = 4.6° n = 22 samples). It indicates a paleolatitude around 26°S for deposition of Pavón sediments and constrains the paleogeographic evolution of Cuyania during the Ordovician, which was still at subtropical latitudes by the Early Caradoc. PV is consistent with the Laurentian Late Ordovician reference pole if Cuyania remains attached to SE Laurentia for the Early Caradoc, while it shows a significant cw rotation with no paleolatitude anomaly respect to the Gondwana reference pole when kept in its present position in SW South America. These comparisons are interpreted in three possible alternatives for the paleogeographic and tectonic setting of Cuyania in the Late Ordovician.     

Ordovician collision of the Argentine Precordillera with Gondwana, independent of Laurentian Taconic orogeny

The Argentine Precordillera, a rifted fragment of Laurentian crust and sedimentary cover, collided with Gondwana in Middle Ordovician time; the time of collision (Ocloyic orogeny) is similar to that of the Taconic orogeny of eastern Laurentia. Three hypotheses have been proposed to explain Ordovician docking of the Precordillera with western Gondwana: (A) the Precordillera microcontinent was rifted from Laurentia in Cambrian time and, following solitary drift, collided with Gondwana, independent of the Laurentian Taconic orogeny; (B) a continent–continent collision of Laurentia with Gondwana, producing a continuous Taconic–Ocloyic orogenic belt, was followed by rifting that left the Precordillera attached to Gondwana; and (C) the Precordillera at the tip of a distal plateau on greatly stretched Laurentian crust collided with Gondwana and subsequently separated from Laurentia.Contrasts in several aspects of Taconic and Ocloyic orogenic history provide for discrimination between the microcontinent and continent–continent-collision hypotheses. Stratigraphic gradients and lithologic assemblages within the synorogenic clastic wedges are incompatible with a single continuous orogenic belt, which, in palinspastic location, places the thin, fine-grained southern fringe of the Taconic clastic wedge adjacent to the thickest and coarsest part of the Ocloyic clastic wedge. Separate temporal and spatial distribution patterns of volcanic ash (bentonite) beds in Laurentia and the Precordillera indicate originally separate dispersal systems. Late Ordovician Hirnantian Gondwanan glacial deposits in the Precordillera indicate substantial latitudinal separation from Laurentia. Post-collision faults with large vertical separation in the Precordillera have no coeval counterparts on the Laurentian foreland. These contrasts indicate originally separate (not initially continuous, and subsequently dismembered) orogenic belts, favoring the microcontinent hypothesis and eliminating the continent–continent-collision hypothesis.Initial Taconic tectonic loading near the southern corner of the Alabama promontory of Laurentia and the lack of post-Taconic extension there are inconsistent with the tectonic history required by the plateau hypothesis, but are consistent with the tectonic history required by the microcontinent hypothesis. Paleobiogeography, distribution of bentonite beds, and the Hirnantian glacial deposits, all indicate wide separation (Iapetus Ocean) between the Precordillera and southern Laurentia at the time of the Ocloyic and Taconic orogenies, further favoring the microcontinent hypothesis.     

塔河油田奥陶系油藏的储层特征和成因机理探讨

本文通过岩心、录井、测井、测试资料的综合研究，在塔河油田奥陶系碳酸盐岩剖面上识别出5类性质有别的储层（洞穴型、风化裂隙型、构造裂隙型、滩相颗粒灰岩溶蚀孔隙型、地表残积带裂隙-孔隙型），阐述了各类储层的储集性能及发育分布特征，并对碳酸盐岩古岩溶作用机制及岩溶洞穴型的发育控制因素进行了探讨。指出在不整合面下0～250m的深度内，区域性发育3套洞穴型储层，洞穴型储层的发育是油气高产、稳产的关键，风化裂隙型储层主要集中在海西早期不整合侵蚀面附近及洞穴层上下；构造裂隙型储层发育分布具有普遍性，海西早期构造裂隙发育状况与洞穴层发育状况之间有着良好的匹配关系，滩相颗粒灰岩溶蚀孔隙性储层具有相控和层控的特征，主要发育在塔河油田南平台-间房组上部（礁）滩相储集体中，岩溶洞穴层发育主要受岩溶地貌及裂缝发育程度控制，岩溶缓坡（特别是其上的丘丛）与阿克库勒凸起轴部的叠合部位是岩溶最发育的地区。     

塔里木盆地塔中—古城地区奥陶系碳酸盐岩台地边缘相特征及演化

塔里木盆地塔中—古城地区奥陶系碳酸盐岩台缘带的存在早已被证实,但由于地层深度大、钻井少、地震资料品质有限且经历多次构造运动,导致台缘带的空间展布、位置迁移等都尚无确凿定论。综合分析钻测井、地震剖面、岩心等资料,按时间顺序将研究区奥陶系台缘相带的发育分为3个阶段:下奥陶统蓬莱坝组有明显的镶边型台缘发育,近南北走向,整体呈"S"型展布;中下奥陶统鹰山组的台缘带与蓬莱坝组的展布范围大体相似,但在古隆1井处呈现反"S"型分布,镶边型和缓坡型都存在,相带变窄,略向台地内部收缩;上奥陶统恰尔巴克组—良里塔格组时期存在塔中南、北两个台缘相带,北坡台缘为缓坡型,南坡宽度略大且坡度变陡,为镶边型。奥陶纪台缘带的平面迁移整体呈现从南北向近"S"型逐渐变为开口向西的"V"型的特点;早中奥陶世台地边缘相带开始向盆地内部迁移,台地边缘—斜坡带也主要呈退积-加积式发育。奥陶纪晚期,海平面大幅下降,地层遭到严重剥蚀,残余的台缘带分布明显缩小。大规模迅速海退之后,晚奥陶世的新一轮海进导致台地边缘相带向台地高部位逐步退缩。     

A wave‐dominated,tide‐modulated model for the Lower Ordovician of the Anti‐Atlas,Morocco

Hybrid depositional systems are created by the interaction of two or more hydrodynamic processes that control facies distribution and their characteristics in terms of sedimentary structures and depositional geometry. The interaction of wave and tide both in the geological sedimentary record and modern environments has been rarely described in the literature. Mixed coastal environments are identified by the evidence of wave and tidal structures and are well identified in nearshore environments, while their recognition in lower shoreface–offshore environments lacks direct information from modern settings. Detailed field analyses of 10 stratigraphic sections of the Lower Ordovician succession (Fezouata and Zini formations; Anti‐Atlas, Morocco) have allowed the definition of 14 facies, all grouped in four facies zones belonging to a storm‐dominated, wave‐dominated sedimentary siliciclastic system characterized by symmetrical ripples of various scales. Peculiar sedimentary organization and sedimentary structures are observed: (i) cyclical changes in size of sedimentary structures under fair‐weather or storm‐weather conditions; (ii) decimetre‐deep erosional surfaces in swaley cross‐stratifications; (iii) deep internal erosion within storm deposits; (iv) discontinuous sandstone layers in most depositional environments, and common deposition of sandstones with a limited lateral extension, interpreted to indicate that deposition at all scales (metric to kilometric) is discontinuous; (v) combined flow–oscillation ripples showing aggrading–prograding internal structures alternating with purely aggrading wave ripples; and (vi) foreshore environments characterized by alternating phases of deposition of parallel stratifications, small‐scale and large‐scale ripples and tens of metres‐wide reactivation surfaces. These characteristics of deposition suggest that wave intensity during storm‐weather or fair‐weather conditions was continuously modulated by another controlling factor of the sedimentation: the tide. However, tidal structures are not recognized, because they were probably not preserved due to dominant action of storms and waves. A model of deposition is provided for this wave‐dominated, tide‐modulated sedimentary system recording proximal offshore to intertidal–foreshore environments, but lacking diagnostic tidal structures.     

藏北龙木错东部三岔口地区下奥陶统与泥盆系的不整合界面

在北羌塘三岔口一带采获丰富的腕足类：汉伯矮正形贝及比较种Nanorthis cf.hamburgensis（Walcott）。建立了早奥陶世岩石地层单位——三岔口组,是羌塘地区目前有化石控制的最低层位。中、晚泥盆世拉竹龙组与下伏志留系、奥陶系不整合接触关系的进一步确定,证明了羌北-昌都板块与扬子板块的亲缘性,为羌北-昌都板块属性的确定提供了重要证据。     

藏北龙木错东部三岔口地区下奥陶统与泥盆系的不整合界面

在北羌塘三岔口一带采获丰富的腕足类:汉伯矮正形贝及比较种Nanorthiscf.hamburgensis(Walcott)。建立了早奥陶世岩石地层单位——三岔口组,是羌塘地区目前有化石控制的最低层位。中、晚泥盆世拉竹龙组与下伏志留系、奥陶系不整合接触关系的进一步确定,证明了羌北-昌都板块与扬子板块的亲缘性,为羌北-昌都板块属性的确定提供了重要证据。     

塔里木盆地塔河油田奥陶系大型油气藏形成条件

塔河油田位于塔里木盆地北部沙雅隆起阿克库勒凸起的西南部，它是在长期发育的阿克加勒鼻状古隆起基础上形成的下奥陶统盐碉岩溶－缝洞型大型油气田。受区域构造－沉积背景控制，塔河地区下奥陶统属于碳酸盐岩开阔台地环境，一直处于继续性隆起状况，是油气运聚的长期指向区，并经历了多欠的构造运动。岩溶作用和成岩作用的叠加改造，形成了具强烈非均质性的岩溶－缝洞型储层，油气主要赋存于距风化壳不整合面200m范围内的岩溶缝洞系统中。勘探成果表明，长期发育的继承性古隆、丰富的多油源供给、强烈非均质性的岩溶－缝洞型储层及优良的储盖配置、多层次和多类型圈闭的广泛发育、以及由岩溶缝洞－断裂－不整合面组成的疏导体系，是形成塔河大型油气田的重要条件。     

华南下扬子区下奥陶统仑山组:岩石学、地层学和古地理学*

华南地区下奥陶统仑山组为奥陶系最底部的岩石地层单位之一,其以大套白云岩为主要特征,广泛分布于下扬子区。通过对安徽池州洪家剖面仑山组的系统分析,并结合下扬子区多个相关剖面的资料,进一步确定仑山组岩性为白云岩、灰质白云岩和白云质灰岩,夹有部分亮晶颗粒灰岩和亮泥晶颗粒灰岩。整体上以亮晶生屑灰岩或泥晶生屑灰岩的出现作为仑山组顶界,在下扬子区内部、北部及东南部地区以白云质灰岩或灰质白云岩出现为其底界,而在下扬子区西南部大部分地区则以白云岩化出现为其底界。整个仑山组所含生物化石种类和数量较少,自下而上可建立5个牙形石带,分别是Monocostatus sevierensis带、Acanthodus lineatus-A. costatus带、Scolopodus? pseudoplanus带、Glyptoconus quadraplicatus带和Paltodus deltifer-Tripodus proteus带,推测其时代为早奥陶世特马豆克早期。仑山组主要形成于浅潮下带至深潮下带环境中,其地层总厚度和其中的白云岩厚度受到古地理因素的控制。通过岩石学特征分析,推断仑山组白云岩主要为准同生条件下的多种白云岩化作用叠加中等埋藏条件下的白云岩化形成。     

新疆塔河油田下奥陶统碳酸盐岩储层成因类型与评价

塔河油田油气主要产自下奥陶统碳酸盐岩地层中,储渗空间和储层类型研究对油田的勘探开发有重要意义。笔者通过岩芯及铸体薄片的详细观察,结合钻井资料和测井曲线,对下奥陶统碳酸盐岩的储渗空间特征进行了成因类型划分,并在储渗空间发育分布状况、物性和油气测试资料分析的基础上,对各成因类型储层的储集性进行了评价。研究表明,大型洞穴发育比较普遍,相应的洞穴型储层是区内下奥陶统最主要的储层类型,是储集性能好、油气高产的首要目标,其次是构造裂隙型储层。     

塔里木盆地走滑带碳酸盐岩断裂相特征及其与油气关系

通过露头与井下资料的综合分析,塔里木盆地奥陶系碳酸盐岩走滑断裂带断裂相具有多样性,根据内部构造发育程度可以分为断层核发育、断层核欠发育两类。露头走滑带断层核部以裂缝带、透镜体、滑动面等断裂相发育为特征,断裂边缘的破碎带发育裂缝带、变形带。裂缝带主要分布在断层核附近50m的破碎带内,裂缝多开启,渗流性好。断裂核部透镜体发育,在破碎带也有分布,破碎角砾组合的透镜体多致密。滑动面具有平直截切型、渐变条带型等两种类型,多为开启的半充填活动面。变形带多为方解石与碎裂岩充填,破碎带局部部位裂缝与溶蚀作用较发育。利用地震剖面、构造图、相干图等资料可以判识塔里木盆地内部奥陶系碳酸盐岩走滑断裂相的特征及其发育程度,沿走滑断裂带走向上断裂相具有分段性与差异性,根据渗流性可以定性区分高渗透相、致密相区。沿断裂带高渗透相区是碳酸盐岩缝洞体储层发育的有利部位。断裂相的横向变化造成油气分布的区段性,形成高渗透相输导模式、致密相遮挡模式等两类成藏模式。走滑断裂带碳酸盐岩断裂相的特征及其控藏作用对油气勘探开发储层建模具有重要意义。     

Carbonate platform growth influenced by contemporaneous basaltic intrusion (Albian of Larrano, Spain)

Abstract Carbonate platform growth in active tectonic settings may be strongly influenced by the structural evolution of the basin, including volcanic activity. In this paper, the sedimentary–tectonic evolution of the Duranguesado carbonate platform (Larrano) in northern Spain is described, and an evolutionary depositional model is presented. The Albian Duranguesado carbonate platform deposits are dominated by rudist and coral limestones with small intervening argillaceous limestone-filled troughs (10–30 m deep). The platform succession is divided into two parts. The lower platform deposits were intruded by volcanics and tilted before the deposition of the upper platform succession. A volcanic vent plug filling an upward-flaring pipe occurs in the lower carbonate platform succession. The timing of intrusion is well constrained to the early Albian. Tectonic extension and active deep-seated strike-slip faults induced magma ascent at a fault intersection. Sedimentological analysis of these areas indicates that, before volcanic intrusion, they acted as weakened zones of extension, and were slightly more subsident basinal areas. These sites contain anomalous accumulations of siliceous sponge spicule deposits, linked to the release of hydrothermal fluids on the sea floor. After the phase of intrusion, tilting and erosion of the platform and its associated volcanic products occurred. As the intrusion cooled, the platform downwarped, leading to the formation of an overlying perched capping basin bordered by carbonate platforms. Over the volcanic plug, carbonate mounds grew on local palaeohighs. The presence of strike-slip and magma emplacement in the Duranguesado platform is related to movements between the Iberian and European lithospheric plates, which were accommodated by rotation and lateral movement of the crust along wrench faults.     

Structure and evolution of a Messinian mixed carbonate‐siliciclastic platform: the role of evaporites (Sorbas Basin,South‐east Spain)

The Sorbas Member is a late Messinian complex sedimentary system that formed immediately following deposition of the Messinian evaporites in the Sorbas Basin (South‐east Spain). This work describes the sequence architecture and facies organization of a continuous kilometre long, alluvial fan to open platform transect near the village of Cariatiz in the north‐east of the basin. The post‐evaporitic Cariatiz platform was a mixed carbonate‐siliciclastic system composed of four intermediate‐frequency, fifth‐order depositional sequences (Depositional Sequences 1 to 4) arranged in an overall prograding trend. The intense fracturing and brecciation of these deposits is attributed to the deformation and dissolution of an evaporite body measuring several tens of metres in thickness. The four sequences display significant spatial–temporal variability in both architecture and facies distribution, with two main phases: (i) Depositional Sequences 1 and 2 are ooid and oobioclastic dominated, and show normal marine faunas; and (ii) Depositional Sequences 3 and 4 show a higher siliciclastic contribution and are microbialite dominated. These important changes are interpreted as modifications of the primary controlling factors. Following an initial 70 m drowning, possibly linked to increased oceanic input, Depositional Sequences 1 to 3 were controlled mainly by eustatic variations and inherited topography; their progradation destabilized the evaporite body near the end of the Depositional Sequence 2 period. During the second phase, Depositional Sequences 3 and 4 recorded a progressive restriction of the Sorbas Basin related to a 30 to 40 m fall in water level that was driven mainly by regional factors. These regional factors were dissolution and gravity‐induced deformation of the evaporites and correlative evaporative fluid circulation associated with the contrasted arid/humid regional climate that, respectively, controlled sequence geometry and fluctuating water salinity which caused a microbialite bloom.     

四川盆地东北部下三叠统飞仙关组碳酸盐蒸发台地沉积相

四川盆地早三叠世飞仙关早期的环境基本上继承了晚二叠世长兴末期的格局。在川东北地区演化为碳酸盐蒸发台地。蒸发台地飞仙关组为一套含硫酸盐的富白云岩的蒸发潮坪沉积层系。下部为薄层的含石膏、硬石膏晶体、团块及肠状石膏层的泥晶灰岩、微晶白云岩组成的小潮差蒸发潮坪层序。中部为层状鲕粒白云岩、鲕粒灰岩的潮下鲕粒滩相与萨布哈环境的富层状膏岩的膏坪相、含石膏岩的膏云坪相组成的大潮差蒸发潮坪层序。上部为中薄层状富泥的含石膏质夹层的泥质泥晶灰岩、微晶白云岩组成的旋回性清楚的似蒸发潮坪层序。这三种层序的纵向组合在蒸发台地相区可以很好对比,尽管各层序厚度有明显变化。强烈白云石化的鲕粒白云岩是四川盆地飞仙关组大中型气藏的主要储层,依据鲕粒岩的相序特征可将其分为有障壁性质的台缘鲕粒坝和台内鲕粒滩两类。蒸发台地西缘的台缘鲕粒坝在飞仙关期基本稳定。东缘的台缘鲕粒坝在飞仙关中后期大幅度向盆地方向迁移。     

Tectonically driven dolomitization of Cambrian to Lower Ordovician carbonates of the Quruqtagh area,north‐eastern flank of Tarim Basin,north‐west China

Dolomites occur extensively in Cambrian to Lower Ordovician carbonates in the Tienshan orogen of the Quruqtagh area, north‐east Tarim Basin, where thick (up to 1 km), dark grey lenticular limestones of semi‐pelagic to pelagic origin are prominent. The dolomites generally occur as beige, anastomosed geobodies that cross‐cut well‐stratified limestones. Based on detailed field investigations and petrographic examination, three types of matrix dolomite are identified: fine crystalline planar‐e (Md1), fine to medium crystalline planar‐s (e) (Md2) and fine to coarse crystalline non‐planar‐a (Md3) dolomites. One type of cement dolomite, the non‐planar saddle dolomite (Cd), is also common. The preferential occurrence of Md1 along low‐amplitude stylolites points to a causal link to pressure dissolution by which minor Mg ions were probably released for replacive dolomitization during shallow burial compaction. Type Md2, Md3 and Cd dolomites, commonly co‐occurring within the fractured zones, have large overlaps in isotopic composition with that of host limestone, implying that dolomitizing fluids inherited their composition from remnant pore fluids or were buffered by the formation water of host limestones through water–rock interaction. However, the lower δ¹⁸O and higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of these dolomites also suggest more intense fluid–rock interaction at elevated temperature and inputs of Mg and radiogenic Sr from the host limestones with more argillaceous matter and possibly underlying Neoproterozoic siliciclastic strata. Secondary tensional faults and fractures within a compressional tectonic regime were probably important conduits through which higher‐temperature Mg‐rich fluids that had been expelled from depth were driven by enhanced tectonic compression and heating during block overthrusting, forming irregular networks of dolomitized bodies enclosed within the host limestones. This scenario probably took place during the Late Hercynian orogeny, as the Tarim block collided with Tienshan island arc system to the north and north‐east. Subsequent downward recharges of meteoric fluids into the dolomitizing aquifer probably terminated dolomitization as a result of final closure of the South Tienshan Ocean (or Palaeo‐Asian Ocean) and significant tectonic uplift of the Tienshan orogen. This study demonstrates the constructive role of notably tensional (or transtensional) faulting/fracturing in channelling fluids upward as a result of intense tectonic compression and heating along overthrust planes on the convergent plate margin; however, a relatively short‐lived, low fluid flux may have limited the dolomitization exclusively within the fractured/faulted limestones in the overthrust sheets.     

鄂尔多斯盆地三道坎组混合沉积的生物扰动构造与古地理

首次在鄂尔多斯盆地西北缘桌子山地区下奥陶统三道坎组发现遗迹化石，其中绝大部分为无法鉴定遗迹属种的生物扰动构造。该组属碳酸盐岩与陆源碎屑岩互层的混合沉积，按岩性及韵律性将其分为5段，分析概括了生物扰动构造的分布、特征及形成的沉积环境。本组沉积期出现的古地理环境主要包括前滨沙滩及沙坝、云坪及含沙云坪、局限台地潮下低能、台地粒屑滩(介壳滩)和开阔台地潮下带。采用沉积学与实体化石及生物扰动构造半定量分析相结合的研究方法，阐述了各古地理单元的特征与各段沉积期的古地理环境，认为：本组沉积早期先后以含沙云坪环境、局限台地潮下低能环境为主，中、晚期则开阔台地潮下带环境频繁出现并时而占优势，反映了海平面上升的总体趋势；同时在海进的背景下，前滨沙滩、沙坝与云坪、含沙云坪或开阔台地潮下带等环境的交互出现，则反映了阿雷尼格中期本区是接近古陆的，随着相邻古陆的周期性抬升或海平面的周期性上升，出现了海陆争夺、频繁的海水进退的古地理变化，从而混合沉积发育。直形壳鹦鹉螺类化石产出状态的研究等表明三道坎组古流向是自北而南的。据岩性和古生物化石分析，本组沉积期气候干热，桌子山地区应归属早奥陶世华北亚热带干旱气候区。     

Integrated biostratigraphy and carbon isotope stratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian to Albian) Adriatic-Dinaridic carbonate platform deposits in Istria, Croatia

The Adriatic-Dinaridic carbonate platform (ADCP) was one of the largest and relatively well preserved Mesozoic platforms in the Mediterranean region (central Tethys). The peninsula Istria, in the northwestern part of the ADCP, is built up predominantly of shallow-water carbonates of the Middle Jurassic (Dogger) to Eocene age and, to a lesser extent, of Paleogene clastic deposits (flysch and calcareous breccia). This study focuses on a Lower Cretaceous (Barremian to Albian) succession of strata at five localities in western Istria. Stratigraphic determinations are based on identification of nine microfossil assemblages (benthic foraminifera and calcareous algae Dasycladales) and on using their taxa as index fossils. The age of strata with these microfossil assemblages, however, is questionable. Most of the age uncertainties are associated with a regional emersion, which occurred on the ADCP during the Aptian or close to the Aptian-Albian transition. It is unclear what portions of the Upper Aptian and/or Lower Albian are missing along this unconformity. A stable isotope study was conducted on homogenous micritic matrix samples in an attempt to resolve some of these uncertainties. Variations in carbon isotope compositions proved useful for stratigraphic correlation between the examined successions of strata, for improving their age determination, and for relating them to other coeval successions that span an important time interval of major oceanographic changes and carbon-cycle perturbations associated with the Early Aptian oceanic anoxic event (OAE 1a).     

Paleoecology of Early Ordovician Reefs in the Yichang Area, Hubei: a Correlation of Organic Reefs Between Early Ordovician and Jurassic

The Early Ordovician System is composed mainly of a series of carbonate platform deposits interbedded with shale and is especially characterized by a large number of organic reefs or buildups that occur widely in the research area. The reefs have different thicknesses ranging from 0.5 m to 11.5 m and lengths varying from 1 m to 130 m. The reef-building organisms include Archaeoscyphia, Recepthaculitids, Batostoma, Cyanobacteria and Pulchrilamina. Through the research of characteristics of the reef-bearing strata of the Early Ordovician in the Yichang area, four sorts of biofacies are recognized, which are (1) shelly biofacies: containing Tritoechia-Pelmatozans community and Tritoechia-Pomatotrema community; (2) reef biofacies: including the Batostoma, Calathium-Archaeoscyphia, Pelmatozoa-Batostoma, Archeoscyphia and Calathium-Cyanobacteria communities; (3) standing-water biofacies: including the Acanthograptus-Dendrogptus and Yichangopora communities; and (4) allochthonous biofacies: containing Nanorthis-Psilocephlina taphocoense community. The analysis of sea-level changes indicates that there are four cycles of sea-level changes during the period when reef-bearing strata were formed in this area, and the development of reefs is obviously controlled by the velocity of sea-level changes and the growth of accommodation space. The authors hold that reefs were mostly formed in the high sea level periods. Because of the development of several subordinate cycles during the sea-level rising, the reefs are characterized by great quantity, wide distribution, thin thickness and small scale, which are similar to that of Juassic reefs in northern Tibet. The research on the evolution of communities shows that succession and replacement are the main forms. The former is favorable to the development of reefs and the latter indicates the disappearance of reefs.