Sedimentation processes in a short residence-time intermontane lake, Kamloops Lake, British Columbia

Kamloops Lake in central British Columbia is a deep, intermontane lake fed by the strong and seasonally variable flows of the Thompson River. Considerations of lake-river interaction, supported by physical and geological evidence, suggest that sediment transport and deposition within the lake is controlled by three interdependent but distinct processes: delta progradation at the lake-river confluence which results in delta topset and foresee bedding; sediment density surges originating along the delta face which result in turbidite sequences lakeward from the base of the delta; and dispersal by the interflowing river plume which, due to Coriolis effects, results in a higher sedimentation rate and greater fraction of coarser material along the right-hand side (Northern Hemisphere) of the lake in the direction of flow.     

河控三角洲前缘沉积体系定量研究--以鄱阳湖三角洲为例

通过现代三角洲沉积的卫星照片可以获取并分析水下分流河道与河口坝的定量数据及其平面分布规律,丰富与完善储层地质知识库。以鄱阳湖三角洲为主要为研究对象,结合Wax Lake Delta现代沉积的卫星照片,对典型的朵状河控三角洲前缘水下分流河道与河口坝的平面分布特征及其相互关系进行定性及定量研究。结果表明水下分流河道的分叉角度近50 °,向湖盆方向宽度变窄（宽度降低0.72倍）、数量变多,呈发散叶脉状;单一的河口坝呈三角状和狭长心滩状,其中三角状河口坝发育在三角洲前缘下部,狭长心滩状河口坝位于三角洲前缘中上部,并且河口坝长度与宽度之间存在较好的线性关系。研究结果可以有效指导相似地下储层的精细微相研究。     

Fluvial, inertia-dominated deltaic deposition in the Namurian (Carboniferous) of northern England

The Namurian (Upper Carboniferous) Scar House Beds of Yorkshire, northern England, are an example of a fluvial-dominated deltaic sequence that cannot be adequately described using existing classification schemes for deltas. For substantial periods of the Scar House delta history, inertial processes and hyperpycnal mixing prevailed in the river mouth area due to repeated, frequent flooding in the distributary system. This generated voluminous density currents which deposited their sandy loads in successively stacked lobes beyond the river mouth bar in the prodelta area. The position of a lobe was directly controlled by the position of an active river mouth. Only during periods of low discharge in the distributary system did homo- and hypopycnal mixing take place. In these periods, frictional and buoyant forces operated, and sand was deposited from tractional sheet flow on the mouth bar while mudstone was laid down in the otherwise density-current-dominated prodelta. Because of the dominantly hyperpycnal mixing mode, the river effluent experienced a low lateral spread causing an elongate delta lobe to form that in geometry can be compared with some recent and ancient ‘bar finger’ sands. Important differences exist in terms of dominant depositional processes however. Most other ‘bar finger’ sands were controlled by a hypopycnal mixing mode and buoyant forces (e.g. South Pass, Mississippi), while the Scar House delta was controlled by hyperpycnal mixing and inertial forces. This study shows that similar sand-body geometries can be generated from different river mouth processes. In the future, particularly in the field of hydrocarbon exploration, there may be a need to classify deltas both in terms of geometry and dominant river mouth processes. In that respect, the Scar House Beds represent a fluvial, inertia-dominated elongate delta.     

Anatomy, hydrodynamics and depositional setting of a Westphalian C lacustrine delta complex, West Midlands, England

Studies, spanning a 3 year period, of Westphalian C strata exposed in an active quarry have enabled three dimensional reconstruction of a lacustrine delta complex. The sequence exhibits a complex history of lake infilling by sediment introduced by intermittent high energy, low sinuosity distributary channel flows. Deposition in the small 0.2 km² lake prior to delta formation was dominated by organic matter and typified rheotrophic swamp conditions. Large lycopods colonized the swamp floor. The lake was filled by a prograding delta which comprised six horizontally and vertically stacked delta lobes. The presence of lycopods aided sediment accumulation. Fluctuations in river discharge and consequent lake level rise and fall exerted a fundamental control on delta progradation and aggradation. Flooding during low lake levels first produced erosion on the existing lobe followed by a lake level rise which created accommodation for aggradation of a new delta lobe. Further lobe erosion and low stand lobe formation occurred during lake level fall. The area's proximity to alluvial fans resulted in hyperconcentrated flood flow within the distributary channels. The occurrence upon in-channel surfaces of plant colonization, including lycopods, testifies to the ephemeral nature of the flow. The lacustrine delta complex formed at the front of a terminal alluvial fan. Northward progradation of the alluvial fan was achieved by the capture and infilling of lakes by northerly flowing distributary channels.     

The distribution and source of organic matter in reservoir sediments

The bottom sediments of two reservoirs, one with significant river sediment input and one without, were analyzed for organic matter content. Lake Texoma sediments average 1.0% organic carbon, of which 0.26% organic carbon is deposited by the river sediments of the Red and Washita River deltas. In Fort Gibson reservoir, where there is minimal river sediment input, the organic carbon averages 1.2% and is deposited with a strong correlation to water depth (+0.9). There is a significant difference between the C/N ratio of Lake Texoma sediments (11.5) and Fort Gibson sediments (9.6). The higher C/N ratio is suggested to be a result of the larger input of terrestrial plant debris (with a high original C/N ratio) by the rivers draining into Lake Texoma and the relatively high resistance of the lignin material in the plant debris to decomposition in the reservoir sediments.     

鄂尔多斯盆地西南缘泾河油田长7-长8古流向及 沉积相分析

对泾河油田三维地震前积反射、钻井取芯砂岩轻重矿物分离测试和砂体剖面结构对比,并结合前人研究结果认为,泾河油田长8-长7砂岩碎屑主要来自于西南部陇西古陆,部分来自于南部秦岭物源,不受北东物源影响。结合物源、岩芯特征和测井相分析结果认为,泾河油田整个长8₁自下而上是河流-三角洲-半深湖的水进沉积过程,发育3条北东向和1条南北向河道。长8₁2为滨浅湖相-三角洲-河流相沉积,发育（水下）分流河道砂岩;长8₁1储层为浅湖-半深湖背景中水进三角洲水下分流河道砂岩。长7₂为浊积砂岩储层,发育9个北东向浊积水道。     

The hyperpycnite problem

Sedimentologic, oceanographic, and hydraulic engineering publications on hyperpycnal flows claim that(1) river flows transform into turbidity currents at plunge points near the shoreline,(2) hyperpycnal flows have the power to erode the seafloor and cause submarine canyons, and,(3) hyperpycnal flows are efficient in transporting sand across the shelf and can deliver sediments into the deep sea for developing submarine fans. Importantly, these claims do have economic implications for the petroleum industry for predicting sandy reservoirs in deep-water petroleum exploration. However, these claims are based strictly on experimental or theoretical basis, without the supporting empirical data from modern depositional systems. Therefore, the primary purpose of this article is to rigorously evaluate the merits of these claims.A global evaluation of density plumes, based on 26 case studies(e.g., Yellow River, Yangtze River, Copper River,Hugli River(Ganges), Guadalquivir River, Rio de la Plata Estuary, Zambezi River, among others); suggests a complex variability in nature. Real-world examples show that density plumes(1) occur in six different environments(i.e., marine,lacustrine, estuarine, lagoon, bay, and reef);(2) are composed of six different compositional materials(e.g., siliciclastic,calciclastic, planktonic, etc.);(3) derive material from 11 different sources(e.g., river flood, tidal estuary, subglacial, etc.);(4) are subjected to 15 different external controls(e.g., tidal shear fronts, ocean currents, cyclones, tsunamis, etc.); and,(5) exhibit 24 configurations(e.g., lobate, coalescing, linear, swirly, U-Turn, anastomosing, etc.).Major problem areas are:(1) There are at least 16 types of hyperpycnal flows(e.g., density flow, underflow, high-density hyperpycnal plume, high-turbid mass flow, tide-modulated hyperpycnal flow, cyclone-induced hyperpycnal turbidity current, multi-layer hyperpycnal flows, etc.), without an underpinning principle of fluid dynamics.(2) The basic tenet that river currents transform into turbidity currents at plunge points near the shoreline is based on an experiment that used fresh tap water as a standing body. In attempting to understand all density plumes, such an experimental result is inapplicable to marine waters(sea or ocean) with a higher density due to salt content.(3) Published velocity measurements from the Yellow River mouth, a classic area, are of tidal currents, not of hyperpycnal flows. Importantly, the presence of tidal shear front at the Yellow River mouth limits seaward transport of sediments.(4) Despite its popularity, the hyperpycnite facies model has not been validated by laboratory experiments or by real-world empirical field data from modern settings.(5) The presence of an erosional surface within a single hyperpycnite depositional unit is antithetical to the basic principles of stratigraphy.(6) The hypothetical model of "extrabasinal turbidites", deposited by river-flood triggered hyperpycnal flows,is untenable. This is because high-density turbidity currents, which serve as the conceptual basis for the model, have never been documented in the world's oceans.(7) Although plant remains are considered a criterion for recognizing hyperpycnites, the "Type 1" shelf-incising canyons having heads with connection to a major river or estuarine system could serve as a conduit for transporting plant remains by other processes, such as tidal currents.(8) Genuine hyperpycnal flows are feeble and muddy by nature, and they are confined to the inner shelf in modern settings.(9) Distinguishing criteria of ancient hyperpycnites from turbidites or contourites are muddled.(10) After 65 years of research since Bates(AAPG Bulletin 37: 2119-2162, 1953), our understanding of hyperpycnal flows and their deposits is still incomplete and without clarity.     

舌状三角洲和鸟足状三角洲形成及演变的沉积模拟实验

本实验是在美国科罗拉多州立大学地球资源系的一个长6m?宽4.5m?高0.8m的水槽内进行的?实验中保持流量?含沙量?粒度级配等参数不变,仅改变湖平面高程?实验分三个阶段进行,即:Ⅰ.湖平面固定;Ⅱ.湖平面由高逐渐降低;Ⅲ.湖平面由低逐渐升高?本文着重提出入湖斜坡区的坡度控制着舌状三角洲?鸟足状三角洲的形成?演变;对舌状三角洲的成因提出新的观点;用三角洲沙体的宽厚比值作为识别舌状三角洲和鸟足状三角洲的另一个重要标志,这对于从事石油天然气勘探是很有意义的?     

Sedimentary dynamics and evolutionary history of a Late Carboniferous Gondwanic lake in north-western Argentina

Lacustrine deposits are well represented in the lower part of the Late Carboniferous Agua Colorada Formation in the north-west Sierra de Narváez, Catamarca Province, Argentina. Lake Narváez was one of the several water bodies formed in the region immediately after the Gondwana glaciation. The lacustrine transport system has been divided into three distinct zones: delta, shallow lake and deep lake. Delta progradation proceeded from the ESE. Coarse-grained delta plain and turbidite delta front deposits suggest that the delta was formed close to the headwaters (‘short-headed stream delta’type). During periods of high discharge, river mouths acted as bypass zones and fine and very fine sands were transported further into the lake by underflow currents. The clastic material supplied by the deltaic system was partially reworked by wave action. Sands accumulated in unstable conditions at the upper delta front as a consequence of delta progradation. As a result of the addition of clastics in the steep delta front, turbidity currents were formed, spreading their load along the lower delta slope. Deep lacustrine deposits are typically stacked, forming two different kinds of progradational turbidite lobe sequences. Type I lobes were formed in a basinal setting and were probably detached from their feeder systems as a result of sediment-bypassing in a shallow lake during periods of low lake level. These turbidite lobes are replaced upwards by type II lobes, which were formed on the delta slope during periods of lake level rise that allowed the onset of delta progradation. The presence of highly deformed sandstone bodies suggests rapid depositional rates in a high slope setting, whereas the occurrence of hummocky cross-stratified sandstones indicates wave reworking of the sands initially emplaced by turbidity currents. Therefore, the inner part of type II lobes was formed above storm wave base. The depositional history of Lake Narváez can be traced through four evolutionary stages: lake transgression, formation of type I lobes, formation of type II lobes and delta progradation. Tectonic activity was probably important at the early stage of lake evolution, but the subsequent depositional history was mainly controlled by fluctuations of lake level.     

Characteristics of a Shallow River Plume: Observations from the Saco River Coastal Observing System

Interest in the coastal dynamics of river plumes has mainly focused on large rivers, but plumes from the more numerous smaller rivers have important local consequences and may, in aggregate, be significant contributors to coastal circulation. We studied the dynamics of the plume from the Saco River in Saco Bay, Gulf of Maine, over a 3-year period. The transport and salinity in the region are governed by river discharge, tides, winds, and interaction with the Western Maine Coastal Current. The dynamics of the flow field vary with location within the plume and discharge. The far-field dynamics of the Saco River plume are dominated by inertial processes (hence qualifying it as a small-scale river plume), during times of low discharge, with low salinity water present both up and downstream of the river mouth, but are dominated by rotational processes during times of high discharge (thus qualifying it as a large-scale river plume), with buoyant water primarily advected downshelf. Near-field dynamics are governed by weak, subcritical flow during low discharge but strongly inertial, supercritical flow during high discharge. Offshore movement of the plume is not governed by Ekman dynamics but is instead a result of discharge, wind-induced vertical mixing, and the geography of the coastline and adjacent islands.     

Hyperpycnal plume formation from riverine outflows with small sediment concentrations

A series of laboratory experiments has been conducted in order to elucidate the sediment-induced mixing processes accompanying riverine outflows; specifically, the discharge of a warm, fresh, particle-laden fluid over a relatively dense, cool brine. In a parameter regime analogous to recently acquired field measurements, hypopycnal (surface) plumes were subject to a convective instability driven by some combination of heat diffusing out of the warm, fresh, sediment-laden plume and particle settling within it. Convection was robust in the presence or absence of intense turbulence, at sediment concentrations as low as 1 kg m⁻³, and took the form of millimetre-scale, sediment-laden fingers descending from the base of the surface plume. A consequence of the convective instability of the original hypopycnal plume is the generation of a hyperpycnal (bottom-riding) flow. The experiments presented here indicate that natural river outflows may thus generate hyperpycnal plumes when sediment concentrations are 40 times less than those required to render the outflow heavy relative to the oceanic ambient. The resulting hyperpycnal plumes may play an important role in transporting substantial quantities of sediment to the continental slope and beyond.     

Sedimentation in a deep glacier-fed lake—Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

ABSTRACT Surface sediments, cores and seismic reflection profiling delineate sedimentary environments and processes of sedimentation in Lake Tekapo. Sedimentation is dominated by the Godley River which forms an extensive delta in the northern third of the lake. Delta growth accounts for 55% of annual sediment deposition. In winter sandy muds are deposited at the top of the delta slope, where they may move under gravity as a surficial slide. Oversteepening of the upper slope also generates deep seated failures. The entire 20 km² of delta slope is subjected to rotational slumping which episodically reworks large volumes of sediment. Down the delta slope sedimentation rates decrease, surface sediments get finer and varves become better developed.
In the lake basin sediments are parallel bedded varves, which contain typical winter-summer annual cycles as well as minor, non-annual flood varves. Annual varve thickness and semi-annual varve frequency are determined by variations in the discharge of the Godley River. Sedimentation in the basin accounts for 40% of the budget and sedimentation rates decrease with distance from the delta, except at the distal end of the basin, where turbid underflows are stopped by the rising lake floor. Beyond the basin, sedimentation rates decrease abruptly. Coriolis deflection of inflowing river water increases sedimentation rates down the eastern shore. The remaining 5% of the sediment is deposited on the lateral slopes and shoulders where sediments form a thin muddy veneer over basement, which occasionally slumps to the basin floor.     

Numerical simulation of the influence of a Red River flood on circulation and contaminant dispersion in Lake Winnipeg

The Red River valley experienced one of the worst floods in 1997 because of above average snow accumulation, a blizzard during the snowmelt period and high soil moisture conditions. A three-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling system is used to study the impact of the flood on the circulation and contaminant dispersion in Lake Winnipeg. To assess the model performance, we first simulate the circulation and temperature distribution of the lake in 2007 and compare the model results with the observations made in the lake during this period. The model showed considerable skill in reproducing the thermal structure, currents and water levels. The accuracy of these simulations suggests that the model is capable of describing flow and transport of material required for detailed water quality simulations during the flood. During the flood event, Red River plume movement is primarily controlled by the wind-driven currents. The winds from the north confined the plume to a small area near the river mouth.     

松辽盆地北部临江南地区扶余油层沉积相研究

利用研究区内精细岩芯观察,录井及测井等资料,从岩石特征、沉积构造、岩相组合和古生物等相标志入手,系统分析了松辽盆地临江南地区扶余油层沉积微相展布特征及沉积模式。研究揭示临江南地区扶余油层为曲流河-浅水三角洲沉积体系,主要发育的沉积微相类型有分流河道、决口扇、洪泛沉积、水下分流河道、水下决口扇、支流间湾、曲流河道、天然堤和河漫滩等。通过地震属性优选,结合单井和连井资料表明:纵向上,从FⅢ2到FⅡ1为一套三角洲平原亚相向曲流河相演化的进积沉积序列,在FⅡ1沉积后期,发生了全盆地范围的湖侵事件,导致从FⅠ3到FⅠ1为一套曲流河相向三角洲前缘亚相演化的退积沉积序列,并建立了临江南地区扶余油层的沉积模式。     

Depositional environments in an extensive tide-influenced delta plain, Middle Devonian Gauja Formation, Devonian Baltic Basin

The Middle Devonian Gauja Formation in the Devonian Baltic Basin preserves tide‐influenced delta plain and delta front deposits associated with a large southward prograding delta complex. The outcrops extend over 250 km from southern Estonia to southern Lithuania. The succession can be divided into 10 facies associations recording distributary channel belts that became progressively more tide influenced when traced southwards towards the palaeo‐shoreline, separated by muddy intra‐channel areas where deposition was characterized by crevasse splays, delta plain lakes, abandoned channel deposits and tidal gullies. Tidal currents influenced deposition over the entire delta plain, extending up to 250 km from the contemporary shoreline. Tidal facies on the upper delta plain differ from those on the lower delta plain and delta front. In the former case, deposition from river currents was only occasionally interrupted by tidal currents, e.g. during spring tides, resulting in mica and mudstone drapes, and distinctive graded cross‐stratification. The lower delta plain was dominated by tidal facies and tidal currents regularly influenced deposition. There was a change from progradation to aggradation from the lower to the upper part of the Gauja Formation coupled with a vertical decrease in tidal influence and a decrease in coarse‐grained sediment input. The Gauja Formation contrasts with established models for tide‐influenced deltas as the active delta plain was not restricted by topography. The shape of the delta plain, the predominant southward (basinward)‐directed palaeocurrents, and the thick sandstone succession, show that although tidal currents strongly influenced deposition at bed scale, rivers still controlled the overall morphology of the delta and the larger‐scale bedforms. In addition, there are no signs of wave influence, indicating very low wave energy in the basin. The widespread tidal influence in the Devonian Baltic Basin is explained by changes in the wider basin geometry and by local bathymetrical differences in the basin during progradation and aggradation of the delta plain, with changes in tidal efficiency accompanying the change in basin geometry produced by shoreline progradation.     

伊犁盆地南缘郎卡地区中侏罗统西山窑组沉积特征及演化

针对伊犁盆地郎卡地区中侏罗统西山窑组铀矿地质勘查中对沉积相研究存在的问题,以钻孔岩芯精细研究为基础,结合区域地质背景及测井、地震、粒度等分析资料进行沉积相标志、沉积相展布及沉积演化等进行综合研究.研究成果表明研究区西山窑组主要发育辫状河三角洲和湖泊2种沉积相.西山窑组下段沉积时期,研究区发育辫状河三角洲平原沉积,分流河...     

浅水三角洲基本特征、形成条件及沉积模式：以渤海新近系为例

渤海海域新近系浅水三角洲是渤海重要的勘探开发储层类型,沉积于湖盆浪基面以上的滨浅湖中,以分流河道砂岩和水下分流河道砂岩为骨架砂体,前缘席状砂分布广泛,前三角洲沉积以浅湖相为主,垂向沉积层序不连续,不具有典型的吉尔伯特型三层式沉积结构为显著特征。浅水三角洲形成于稳定的坳陷湖盆环境,沉积物供给相对平衡的半干旱—半湿润的气候环境下。依据河口分流作用演化的不同,水体极浅时,三角洲进积易形成分流河道向湖泊的长驱直入,形成枝状的分流河道型浅水三角洲,分流河道和天然堤极为发育;水体相对较深时,分流河道会在河道分支处堆积河口坝或分流沙坝,并由水下分流河道砂体连接形成朵状前缘砂体,分流砂坝极为发育,河口坝外缘的席状化沉积物,包括天然堤、决口扇、溢岸不连续砂等都可成为连通储层。在连片的分流砂坝型三角洲,砂体连通性好、分布面积较大,多形成构造油气藏,包括断层油气藏和背斜油气藏;分流河道型三角洲由于砂体多孤立状,分布面积小、连通性差,易于发育岩性油气藏。

     

Fluvial responses to environmental perturbations in the Northern Mediterranean since the Last Glacial Maximum

The numerical model HydroTrend, that produces daily time series of water discharge and sediment load to the ocean, is applied to three Mediterranean drainage basins to: (i) simulate the water and sediment flux changes to sedimentary basins through time and (ii) determine the impact of potential forcing factors on sediment and water fluxes to sedimentary basins and how this impact varied through time. Climate (precipitation, temperature and glacier equilibrium line) and drainage basin (basin elevation, drainage area and reservoir) reconstructions of the Po, Rhône and Têt river basins over the last 21 000 Cal. years B.P. are used as input to the model.Simulated sediment fluxes at the river mouth for the Po, Rhône and Têt River systems during the late Pleistocene were considerably higher compared to Holocene pristine sediment flux, with a factor 3.5, 2.4 and 2.4 respectively. For the Po River system and the Rhône River, deglaciation in the late Pleistocene is the main factor, responsible for these higher sediment fluxes. Drainage basin area change due to sea-level rise is the main cause of decrease in sediment flux for the Têt River system and to a certain extent for the Po River system. Man-made reservoirs reduced sediment flux to the ocean for the Po, Rhône and Têt rivers over the last 3–6 decades with a factor of 1.3, 3.8 and 2.4 respectively.Fluvial responses to climate and basin variations are reflected in the peak flood discharge and sediment concentration curves, where present-day water peak flood curves for all three rivers are the highest in the last 21 000 Cal. years B.P. However, their associated sediment concentration curves show opposite results because of diminishing glacial area and the impact of reservoirs. The Têt River system has the ability to generate hyperpycnal plumes although the occurrence frequency changes over time. Prior to 15 500 Cal. years B.P. the river system area was extended due to the low sea level, causing a less favorable regime to generate hyperpycnal events. Presently sediment trapping due to man-made reservoirs alters the river ability to generate hyperpycnal events.     

松辽盆地肇州区块沙河子组层序格架特征及其对沉积和烃源岩的控制作用

以Vail经典层序地层学理论为指导,综合利用钻井岩心、地震、测井及地化分析测试等资料,通过地震反射特征分析、小波变换法、声波时差曲线和电阻率曲线交汇图法多种方法,将松辽盆地肇州地区下白垩统沙河子组整体划分为1个二级层序和由下至上的SQ1SQ4 4个三级层序。其中:这4个三级层序均具有二分结构,发育湖侵和湖退两个体系域;顶部的SQ4遭受严重剥蚀,在盆缘地带仅残留湖侵域。在层序地层单元划分和对比的基础上,结合研究区构造活动背景、物源供给情况等因素,认为研究区沙河子组主要发育西部扇三角洲、东部辫状河三角洲和湖泊相3种沉积相类型,而沉积体系演化主要受控于层序格架发育情况,表现为"格架控砂、继承演化、分源沉积、连片发育"的特征。在底部SQ1和顶部SQ4发育时期,盆小而水浅,西部扇三角洲和东部辫状河三角洲展布范围较小,扇体多呈朵叶体状分布,此时,泥岩含量低且有机质丰度差,优质烃源岩基本不发育;在SQ2和SQ3发育时期,湖盆持续水进造成盆阔而水深的沉积背景,加之物源供应充足,形成了扇体连片发育的特征,其中,水下分流河道作为前缘亚相中的主力砂体存在,而湖相暗色泥岩厚度大、品质好且有机质丰度高,在SQ2和SQ3最大湖泛面附近发育两套最优质的烃源岩。