Depositional theme of a marginal marine evaporite

We have reconstructed the depositional environment of the gypsum-carbonate-shale sequence that comprises the Upper Permian Bellerophon Formation of the southeastern Alps in northern Italy. This formation, which reaches a maximum thickness of 600 m, is roughly divided into two facies: (a) a lower dolomite-gypsum facies, and (2) an upper micritic-skeletal limestone facies. It directly overlies, with transitional contact, a thick red-bed sequence (alluvial fanglomerates, fluviatile sandstones and flood-plain siltstones) and is sharply overlain by Lower Triassic calcarenites (oolites, grapestones, pellets, flat-pebble conglomerates). The lower evaporite facies rocks are found in well-defined cycles, each of which, from bottom to top, consists of (A) thin-bedded, worm-burrowed, vuggy ‘earthy’ micritic dolomite, (B) massive to poorly laminated dark grey to black sandy dolomite carrying isolated gypsum nodules, (C) layered (thin-bedded) nodular gypsum (commonly with ‘enterolithic’ folds) with fragmented partings of dolomite, and (D) massive ‘chicken-wire’ nodular gypsum. At Passo di Valles, just east of Predazzo, and 50 km from the basin margin, we measured forty-six consecutive complete cycles, with an average thickness of 3 m per cycle. We interpret the cyclic sequence as having been deposited in a prograding shallow lagoon—sabkha complex. The worm-burrowed ‘earthy’ dolomite mud accumulated in a shallow hypersaline subtidal lagoon. The black sandy dolomite was an ‘intertidal’ sand-flat devoid of algal mats and constantly churned by burrowers (likely crustaceans). As the shoreline prograded lagoonward evaporative concentration of the groundwater induced diagenetic growth of anhydrite nodules (now gypsum) within the porous sandy dolomite. The layered nodular and ‘chicken-wire’ gypsum of the cycle cap is an extreme product of such displacive intra-sediment growth of anhydrite (now gypsum) above the water table of a completely exposed sabkha, such as is found in the Persian Gulf today. We have observed the same cyclically arranged lithologies in two other evaporite sequences in Italy: the Triassic Raibl Formation of the Southern Alps and the Upper Triassic Burano Formation of the central Apennines. We suggest that this mode of deposition is likely a very common one for at least the early stages of marine evaporite accumulation.     

Sedimentary facies and diagenetic features of the Early Cretaceous Fahliyan Formation in the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt,Iran

The Early Cretaceous Fahliyan Formation (middle part of the Khami Group), is one of the important reservoir rocks in the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt. The Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt is located on the boundary between the Arabian and Eurasian lithospheric plates and formed from collision between Eurasia and advancing Arabia during the Cenozoic. In this study area, the Fahliyan Formation with a thickness of 325 m, consists of carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite). This formation overlies the Late Jurassic Surmeh Formation unconformably and underlies the Early Cretaceous Gadvan Formation conformably at Gadvan Anticline. The formation was investigated by a detailed petrographic analysis to clarify the depositional facies, sedimentary environments and diagenetic features in the Gadvan Anticline. Petrographic studies led to recognition of the 12 microfacies that were deposited in four facies belts: tidal flat, lagoon, and shoal in inner ramp and shallow open marine in mid-ramp environments. The absence of turbidite deposits, reefal facies, and gradual facies changes show that the Fahliyan Formation was deposited on a carbonate ramp. Calcareous algae and benthic foraminifera are abundant in the shallow marine carbonates of the Fahliyan Formation. The diagenetic settings favored productioning a variety of features which include cements from early to late marine cements, micritization, dolomitization, compaction features, dissolution fabric, and pores. The diagenetic sequence can be roughly divided into three stages: (1) eugenic stage: marine diagenetic environment, (2) mesogenic stage: burial environment, and (3) telogenic stage: meteoric diagenetic environment.     

Mineralogy, geochemistry, and reserve estimation of the Euphrates limestone for Portland cement industry at Al-Najaf area, South Iraq

This study deals with the mineralogical and geochemistry of the Euphrates Formation (Lower Miocene) in Bahr Al-Najaf area in order to assess the lithofacies of the Euphrates Formation for Portland cement manufacturing. Petrographic and mineralogical studies were carried out on 210 core samples, collected from 21 boreholes, and showed that calcite is the dominant mineral with few amounts of quartz, gypsum, feldspar, and a rare amount of dolomite. Clay mineral suites (palygorskite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, and illite) formed about 5% from the total mineral composition. Palygorskite precipitated directly in alkali shallow water rich with Si and Mg ions. Chemical weathering of feldspar under acidic conditions participated in formation of Kaolinite. Geochemistry showed that there is no high variation in chemical constituents with depth, and the average of CaO (51.5), MgO (0.83), SO₃ (0.54), SiO₂ (4.3), Fe₂O₃ (0.45), Al₂O₃ (0.93), L.O.I (40.7), Na₂O₃ (0.08), K₂O (0.14), and Cl^- (0.1) qualified the lithofacies of Euphrates Formation to be raw materials suitable for manufacturing the Portland cement. Triangle Block method is applied to estimate the reserve on square area (2?×?2 km²) which is computed to be 63 million tons of medium-tough limestone as potential probable reserve.     

Facies, depositional environment and diagenetic processes of the early Mid-Miocene Jeribe Formation, Central and Southern Iraq

The Jeribe Formation (Early Middle Miocene) in the central and southern Iraq consists mainly of shallow marine carbonates. Many microfacies have been identified: mudstone, wackestone, packstone, and grainstone with seven submicrofacies. Four major depositional cycles were determined. Microfacies developments and their distribution are controlled by cyclicity and relative sea level fluctuations. The Allochems in the Jeribe Limestone Formation are dominated by bioclasts. Peloids, ooids, and intraclasts are less abundant. The fossils are represented by benthonic forams and very rare planktonic forams. Calcite and dolomite are the predominant mineral components of Jeribe Formation. The carbonates of Jeribe have been affected by a variety of diagenetic processes such as compaction, dissolution, cementation, neomorphism, dolomitization, anhydritization, and silicification. By using the lithofacies association concepts, the depositional model of the Jeribe Formation environment was built. The Jeribe was deposited in open to restricted platforms which indicated lagoonal environment with warm and restricted-open circulation and the lower part (in well Hemrin-2) was deposited in foreslope environment.     

Saddle-Dolomite-Bearing Fracture Fillings and Records of Hot Brine Activity in the Jialingjiang Formation, Libixia Section, Hechuan Area of Chongqing City

Most vein minerals deposited in fractures of the Jialingjiang Formation from Libixia section,Hechan area include a large amount of saddle dolomite and accompanying celestite,calcite and fluorite.This study analyzed the nature,source,evolution of the fluids by plane-light petrography,fluid-inclusion methods,cathodoluminescence images,and stable isotopic compositions.The homogenization temperatures of two-phase aqueous fluid inclusions in dolomite range between100 and 270℃.Combined with theδ~(18)O data,it is suggested that the fluid responsible for the precipitation of fracture fillings haveδ~(18)O values between 10‰and 18‰(relative to SMOW).The saddle dolomite and the accompanying minerals were the result of activity of dense brines at elevated temperatures.Moreover,analysis shows that the fluid was derived from a mixture of marine-derived brine and deeper circulating flow.This fluid was enriched in Sr during diagenesis and formed celestite in fracture and for regional mineralization.Dissolution of saddle dolomite was attributed to the cooling of Mg/Ca-decreased fluids,which may relate to a leaching of gypsum to celestite in surrounding carbonates.     

Depositional environments and facies of the Late Triassic Abu Ruweis Formation, Jordan

The Abu Ruweis Formation is composed of carbonates, evaporites, and mudstones, with some locally developed pelletic, oolitic and stromatolitic limestones. The lateral persistence of bedding, the purity of the evaporite rocks, the alternating arrangement of marine carbonates and evaporites indicates periodic deposition in subaqueous conditions (salina). Petrographic investigations, X-ray diffraction analysis as well as chemical analysis have shown that the outcropping evaporite beds are mainly composed of secondary gypsum, with rare anhydrite relics. Five microfacies of gypsum were recognized according to their fabrics: porphyroblastic and granoblastic gypsum showing polarization texture, gypsum pseudomorph after anhydrite laths, and satin spar gypsum. The textures they display indicate a hydration origin of precursor anhydrite, which is in turn rehydrated from primary gypsum. Some of these anhydrites were formed as a result of replacement processes of the carbonate sediments associated with the evaporites, as evidenced from the textural relationships of the carbonate and sulfate minerals. The O¹⁸ content ranges from 1.45 to 8.38% PDB and the C¹³ content ranges from −1.52 to 4.73% PDB. Trace elements analysis has shown that the Abu Ruweis dolomites are rich in strontium (up to 600 ppm), and sodium (up to 835 ppm). The isotope composition and trace elements content, as well as the petrographic characteristics point to a penecontemporaneous hypersaline dolomitization origin for the Abu Ruweis dolomites. The evaporites were deposited during a regressive lowstand systems tract, whereas the carbonates were deposited under shallow water marine conditions during a highstand systems tract. The Abu Ruweis succession represents a relatively stable arid climate within a rapidly subsiding basin. Restricted conditions were provided by the development of beach barriers.     

Palaeokarst-influenced depositional and diagenetic patterns in Upper Permian carbonates and evaporites, Karstryggen area, central East Greenland

The Karstryggen area of eastern Greenland represents the western edge of sedimentation in the Jameson Land Basin, an arm of the northern Zechstein seaway. Upper Permian strata of this area were deposited as two major sequences. The first marine incursion transgressed largely peneplaned Lower Permian strata and deposited thin, paralic conglomerates, sandstones and shales (the Huledal Formation) followed by a thick package of carbonates and evaporites (the Karstryggen Formation). Although the Karstryggen Formation represents the transgressive maximum of this sequence, it contains only marginal or restricted marine strata, including micritic, stromatolitic and peloidal carbonates and thick, but localized, bedded gypsum deposits. These lithofacies indicate that relatively arid climates prevailed in this basin, as in most of the Zechstein region. A major regression, associated with a change to a more humid climate, terminated Karstryggen sedimentation. Pre-existing evaporites and carbonates underwent diagenetic alteration, including widespread calcitization and dissolution of gypsum. More importantly, topographic relief in excess of 120 m was generated by fluvial drainage systems and karstic sinkholes. A second marine incursion, accompanied by a return to a semi-arid climate, drowned this high relief topography, producing a complex sequence of strata (the Wegener Halvø Formation) in which sedimentation was greatly influenced by the rugged underlying terrain. Marine cemented algal-molluscan grainstones draped pre-existing palaeotopography during the initial stages of flooding. Continued drowning led to differential sedimentation on ‘highs’ and in ‘lows’. Oolitic and bryozoan-brachiopod grainstones formed as shoals on the crests of most prominences, whereas shales, conglomeratic debris flows, evaporites, or oolitic turbidites were deposited in the lows. More restricted sedimentation took place in the westernmost areas which lay closest to the mainland shoreline and were situated to the west of a palaeotopographic ridge. There, oolitic, stromatolitic and evaporitic strata were deposited under hypersaline conditions indicative of a return to more arid climatic conditions. Three subcycles mark smaller scale relative changes of sea level that occurred during deposition of the Wegener Halvø Formation; they are delimited by regional surfaces with moderate relief (5–20 m) developed during subaerial exposure. Widespread diagenetic changes, including leaching of aragonitic grains, dissolution/collapse brecciation of evaporites and meteoric calcite cementation, occurred in association with these smaller scale sequence boundaries, again reflecting climatic oscillations. Relative sea level fluctuations, coupled with regional climate changes, played a dominant role in determining both depositional and diagenetic relations in these strata. These features undoubtedly extend into subsurface parts of this basin as well as into yet unexplored areas of the northern Zechstein Basin and Barents Shelf, and may have economic significance for the localization of hydrocarbons.     

Stratigraphic correlation and paleoenvironmental analysis of the hydrocarbon-bearing Early Miocene Euphrates and Jeribe formations in the Zagros folded-thrust belt

The Lower Miocene Euphrates and Jeribe formations are considered as the main targets of the Tertiary petroleum system in the western part of the Zagros Basin. The formations consist of carbonates with some evaporate intercalations of the Dhiban Formation. This study utilized data from a field investigation including newly described outcrop sections and newly discovered productive oil fields within the Kirkuk embayment zone of the Zagros fold and thrust belt such as Sarqala and Kurdamir wells. This work is the first to show a stratigraphic correlation and paleoenvironmental interpretation by investigating both well data and new outcrop data. Three depositional environments were identified, (1) an inner and outer ramp belts environment, (2) shoal environment, and (3) restricted lagoon environment. Within these 3 environments, 12 microfacies were identified, based on the distribution of fauna mainly benthonic foraminifera, rock textures, and sedimentary structures. The inferred shallow water depths and variable salinities in both the Euphrates Formation and Jeribe Formation carbonates are consistent with deposition on the inner ramp (restricted lagoon and shoal) environments. Those found in the Euphrates Formation constrained the depositional environment to the restricted lagoon and shoal environment, while the microfacies in the Jeribe Formation provided evidence for an inner ramp and middle to outer ramp belt environments. This study represents the first detailed research that focuses on the stratigraphic correlation and changes in carbonate facies with the main aim to provide a wider understanding of stratigraphy of these carbonate reservoirs throughout the northern part of Iraq.     

Petrological and geochemical interpretation of Triassic–Jurassic boundary sections from northern Iraq

Triassic–Jurassic sedimentary successions (Baluti and Sarki formations) in northern Iraq record a variety of environmental changes that may be related to global Triassic–Jurassic (Tr/J) boundary events. The diversity of some benthic fauna decreases through the transitional boundary beds. The coastal marine environment of the lower part of the Baluti Formation is followed by shallower tidal flat and supratidal marginal marine environments at the transitional boundary with the Jurassic‐age Sarki Formation. The alternating calcareous mudrocks and dolomitic limestones of the transitional succession are overlain by a succession of calcareous mudrocks and dolomicrites that form a dolocrete bed in the latest Triassic. The early Jurassic carbonates (lower part of Sarki Formation) were deposited in a shallow‐marine to lagoonal environment. Geochemical evidence supports this interpretation. TOC% increases towards the Tr/J boundary and the lower part of the Sarki Formation. This increase can be interpreted as resulting from the primary precipitation of dolocrete as palaeosol horizons. The variations in the oxygen isotope ratios mainly reflect the facies and diagenetic effects. Th/K ratio is generally constant and shows an increase in the calcareous mudrock beds of the upper part of the Baluti Formation, possibly related to the degradation of K‐bearing clay minerals. Low Th/U ratios are due to the depletion in thorium, typical of many marine carbonates rather than to an increase in authigenic uranium. This explanation is also corroborated by the presence of abundant fossils in some of the studied carbonates. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dolomitization,gypsum calcitization and silicification in carbonate–evaporite shallow lacustrine deposits

This paper describes and interprets the mineral and facies assemblages that occur in carbonate–evaporite shallow lacustrine deposits, considering the importance of the processes pathway (i.e. dolomitization, gypsum calcitization and silicification). The Palaeogene deposits of the Deza Formation (Almazán Basin, central‐northern Spain) are selected as a case study to determine the variety of physicochemical processes taking place in carbonate–evaporite shallow lakes and their resulting diagenetic features. Dolostones are the predominant lithology and are composed mainly of dolomite with variable amounts of secondary calcite (5 to 50%), which mainly mimic lenticular gypsum (pseudomorphs). Five morphological types of dolomite crystal were identified as follows: dolomite tubes, dolomite cylinders, rhombohedral dolomite, spheroidal and quasi‐rhombohedral dolomite, and cocoon‐shaped dolomite. The dolomite cylinders and tubes are interpreted as the dolomitized cells of a widespread microbial community. The sequence of diagenetic processes started with growth of microlenticular interstitial gypsum in a calcareous mud deposited on the playa margin mudflats, and that sometimes included microbial sediments. Immediately following growth of gypsum, dolomite replaced the original calcite (or possibly aragonite) muds, the microbial community and the gypsum. Partial or total replacement of gypsum by dolomite was related mainly to the biomineralization of endolithic microbial communities on gypsum crystals. Later calcitization took place under vadose, subaerial exposure conditions. The development of calcrete in distal alluvial settings favoured the release of silica and subsequent silicification on the playa margin mudflats. Stable isotope compositions of calcite range from ?9·02 to ?5·83‰ δ¹³C_PDB and ?7·10 to 1·22‰ δ¹⁸O_PDB; for the dolomite, these values vary from ?8·93 to ?3·96‰ δ¹³C_PDB and ?5·53 to 2·4‰ δ¹⁸O_PDB. Quartz from the cherts has δ¹⁸O_SMOW values ranging from 27·1 to 31·1‰. Wide variation and relatively high δ¹⁸O_SMOW values for dolomite indicate evaporitic and closed hydrological conditions; increased influx of meteoric waters reigned during the formation of secondary calcite spar.     

兰坪盆地古近系云龙组元素地球化学特征及其古环境的恢复

为了恢复兰坪盆地古近系云龙组的沉积环境，采用电感耦合等离子体质谱（ICP-MS）方法对兰坪盆地古近系云龙组的石膏、灰岩、膏泥、泥岩和砂岩共计13件样品进行微量元素分析。根据各岩性中微量元素的蛛网图和m（Cu）/m（Zn）、m（Sr）/m（Cu）和m（Sr）/m（Ba）比值特征及Sr元素含量等恢复沉积环境及古气候。结果表明:石膏、灰岩、膏泥、泥岩和砂岩均有富集Rb、Pb、Zr的特征；石膏和膏泥形成于干热海相咸水的贫氧弱还原环境；砂岩和泥岩形成于温湿陆相淡水的富氧氧化环境；灰岩形成于干热海相咸水的富氧氧化环境。据此建立研究区沉积环境演化模式，并将其划分为2个阶段，第一阶段为气候干热的弱还原海相咸水湖沉积，沉积出石膏、灰岩和膏泥；第二阶段为温暖湿润的富氧氧化环境，沉积出砂岩、泥岩。这种沉积环境变化与古近纪云龙期气候环境周期性变化密切相关，同时也为盆地的矿产资源勘探提供依据。      

扬子克拉通北缘中元古界神农架群沉积特征*

神农架群(约1400—1000 Ma)发育于扬子克拉通北缘鄂西北地区,自下而上发育有下亚群(大岩坪组、马槽园组、乱石沟组、大窝坑组和矿石山组)、中亚群(台子组、野马河组、温水河组和石槽河组)及上亚群(送子园组和瓦岗溪组)。每亚群均由相对较深水相碎屑岩和浅水碳酸盐岩组成。一系列岩石组合特征、宏微观沉积组构和沉积构造等表明,神农架群发育环潮坪相藻碳酸盐岩、浅海相碎屑岩、台缘浅滩颗粒碳酸盐岩和台缘斜坡砾屑碳酸盐岩等4类沉积组合,形成于远端变陡型缓坡型碳酸盐岩台地背景。环潮坪沉积分布最广,遍布于所有碳酸盐岩地层,不同类型叠层石发育,构成向上变浅沉积序列;进积作用强烈,干裂构造、蒸发岩等常见;沉积相带由浅潮下、潮坪及潮上带组成。浅海碎屑岩沉积组合主要见于台子组及大岩坪组,由砂岩、粉砂岩与泥岩组成,石英砂岩分选和磨圆较好,自生海绿石常见,平行层理、水平—波状层理发育,泥岩中自生黄铁矿发育,总体经历了滨岸浅滩—浅海陆棚—碎屑潮坪—局限台地等的高频变化。台缘浅滩颗粒碳酸盐岩以鲕粒白云岩、砾屑白云岩(及内碎屑白云岩)和斜歪锥、柱状叠层石为特征,主要见于乱石沟组、野马河组;大窝坑组及石槽河组以鲕粒和砂—砾屑白云岩及藻碎屑(团块或凝块石)为特征;大中型板状交错层理、递变—平行层理和冲刷—侵蚀构造普遍,表明浅潮下带强水动力条件环境。台缘斜坡砾屑碳酸盐岩发育在大岩坪组中上部及马槽园组,由滑塌堆积的透镜状、巨厚层状巨—粗—细砾岩和砂岩组成,砾岩成分以白云岩等为主,可见大型交错层理、波痕和侵蚀—冲刷等沉积构造。对神农架群沉积序列、沉积特征及沉积演化过程的研究,为扬子克拉通中元古代晚期的盆地演化与重建、沉积充填过程及地层—沉积对比研究提供了基础资料及依据。     

鄂尔多斯盆地马五5亚段沉积微相分布及演化

岩性及沉积环境的差异是鄂尔多斯盆地下奥陶统马家沟组马五5亚段储层非均质性的重要因素,根据岩石类型、沉积构造及颜色等特征及其与沉积微相的关系,研究区马五5亚段可分为盆缘坪和台内盆地两个亚相及缘内（膏）云质洼地、缘内云坪、缘内灰坪、缘内云灰-灰云坪、盆地（膏）云质洼地、灰云-云灰质盆地及灰质盆地等微相。沉积微相平面上表现为,马五52时期,鄂尔多斯盆地基底抬升,中央古隆起带露出水面;北部地区发育缘内云坪-云质洼地、缘内灰云-云灰坪和灰质盆地;西部地区为缘内云坪-云质洼地、缘内灰云-云灰坪;中部地区为灰质盆地,间夹云灰盆地及盆内云质洼地;马五51时期,北部地区主要发育缘内云坪-云质洼地;西部地区为缘内云坪-云质洼地;中部地区为灰质盆地及盆内云质洼地。盆缘坪和台内盆地的低洼处有利于发生同生期后回流渗透白云化作用,对生成较大规模的泥粉晶白云岩具有重要的意义。      

Sequence stratigraphic framework for mixed aeolian,peritidal and marine environments: Insights from the Pennsylvanian subtropical record of Western Pangaea

Due to difficulties in correlating aeolian deposits with coeval marine facies, sequence stratigraphic interpretations for arid coastal successions are debated and lack a unifying model. The Pennsylvanian record of northern Wyoming, USA, consisting of mixed siliciclastic–carbonate sequences deposited in arid, subtropical conditions, provides an ideal opportunity to study linkages between such environments. Detailed facies models and sequence stratigraphic frameworks were developed for the Ranchester Limestone Member (Amsden Formation) and Tensleep Formation by integrating data from 16 measured sections across the eastern side of the Bighorn Basin with new conodont biostratigraphic data. The basal Ranchester Limestone Member consists of dolomite interbedded with thin shale layers, interpreted to represent alternating deposition in shallow marine (fossiliferous dolomite) and supratidal (cherty dolomite) settings, interspersed with periods of exposure (pedogenically modified dolomites and shales). The upper Ranchester Limestone Member consists of purple shales, siltstones, dolomicrites and bimodally cross‐bedded sandstones in the northern part of the basin, interpreted as deposits of mixed siliciclastic–carbonate tidal flats. The Tensleep Formation is characterized by thick (3 to 15 m) aeolian sandstones interbedded with peritidal heteroliths and marine dolomites, indicating cycles of erg accumulation, preservation and flooding. Marine carbonates are unconformably overlain by peritidal deposits and/or aeolian sandstones interpreted as lowstand systems tract deposits. Marine transgression was often accompanied by the generation of sharp supersurfaces. Lags and peritidal heteroliths were deposited during early stages of transgression. Late transgressive systems tract fossiliferous carbonates overlie supersurfaces. Highstand systems tract deposits are lacking, either due to non‐deposition or post‐depositional erosion. The magnitude of inferred relative sea‐level fluctuations (>19 m), estimated by comparison with analogous modern settings, is similar to estimates from coeval palaeotropical records. This study demonstrates that sequence stratigraphic terminology can be extended to coastal ergs interacting with marine environments, and offers insights into the dynamics of subtropical environments.     

Paleogene stratigraphy of Kutch,India: an update about progress in foraminiferal biostratigraphy

The Paleogene sections of Kutch are the reference for the regional chronostratigraphic units of India. The ages of these dominantly shallow marine carbonates are mainly based on larger benthic foraminifera (LBF). The taxonomic revisions of the LBF and the progressively refined shallow benthic zonations (SBZ) have necessitated the present study on updating the stratigraphy of the area. The sedimentation in Kutch commenced with the deposition of volcaniclastics in terrestrial environments in the Paleocene. The marine transgression in SBZ 5/6 deposited finer clastics and carbonates, designated as Naredi Formation, in early Eocene. There is no evidence of marine Paleocene in Kutch. A major hiatus spanning SBZ 12 to SBZ 16 was followed by the development of a carbonate platform and deposition of Harudi Formation – Fulra Limestone during the Bartonian, SBZ 17. The hiatus corresponds to a widespread stratigraphic break in Pakistan and India to Australia, referred as the ‘Lutetian Gap.’ The Maniyara Fort Formation is assigned to SBZ 22 B and SBZ 23, and its age is revised to Chattian. Climate played a major role in building up of the Paleogene stratigraphic succession of Kutch, the carbonates formed during the warming intervals and the stratigraphic gaps were in the intervening cooling periods.     

Using sedimentology to address the marine or continental origin of the Permian Hutchinson Salt Member of Kansas

The Permian Hutchinson Salt Member of the Wellington Formation of the Sumner Group of Kansas (USA) has multiple scientific and industrial uses. Although this member is highly utilized, there has not been a sedimentological study on these rocks in over 50 years, and no study has investigated the full thickness of this member. Past publications have inferred a marine origin as the depositional environment. Here, this marine interpretation is challenged. The goals of this study are to fully document sedimentological and stratigraphic characteristics of the Permian Hutchinson Salt Member in the Atomic Energy Commission Test Hole 2 core from Rice County, Kansas. This study documents colour, mineralogy, sedimentary textures, sedimentary structures, diagenetic features and stratigraphic contacts in core slab and thin sections. The Hutchinson Salt Member is composed of five lithologies: bedded halite, siliciclastic mudstone, displacive halite, bedded gypsum/anhydrite and displacive gypsum/anhydrite. These lithologies formed in shallow surface brines and mudflats that underwent periods of flooding, evapoconcentration and desiccation. Of note are the paucity of carbonates, lack of marine-diagnostic fossils, absence of characteristic marine minerals and lithofacies, and the stratigraphic context of the Hutchinson with associated continental deposits. The Hutchinson Salt Member was most likely deposited in an arid continental setting. This new interpretation offers a refined view of Pangaea during the middle Permian time.     

Isotope geochemistry, petrology and depositional environments of the diatomite-dominated Tripoli Formation (Lower Messinian), Sicily

ABSTRACT The Tripoli Formation (Lower Messinian) in Sicily includes diatomites irregularly alternating with marl and carbonate beds and lies, stratigraphically, between the Tortonian pelagic marls and the evaporitic Calcare di base. The relationships between mineralogy, textural features and oxygen-carbon isotopic compositions of carbonate components point to a wide variability of depositional conditions and suggest that Tripoli sedimentation occurred in small basins characterized by periodic and marked restriction from the open sea.
The isotopic values of calcite and dolomite in the diatomites suggest an evolution from normal marine towards more restricted environments. Evaporating conditions are also indicated by the occurrence of anhydrite, length-slow chalcedonic quartz and moulds of gypsum. In a more advanced stage, the precipitation of heavy δ¹⁸0 dolomite in the interstitial pores of fossil-poor diatomites denotes an environment with highly evaporated water. Mixing of meteoric and marine waters, on the other hand, might have favoured the precipitation of a dolomite characterized by relatively low δ¹⁸0 and δ¹³C values.
The deposition of marl and carbonate beds alternating with or overlying the diatomites took place in an environment with highly evaporated marine waters on the basis of δl¹⁸O values of dolomite (up to + 9.10‰) and aragonite (up to + 5.83‰), occurrence of evaporitic minerals and lack of fossils. The presence at these levels of calcite with extremely negative δ¹³C values (down to - 38.40‰), filling gypsum moulds, suggests activity of sulphate-reducing bacteria. Some aragonitic marls, however, bear evidence of deposition in relatively normal marine conditions.     

Constraints on sedimentary ages of the Chuanlinggou Formation in the Ming Tombs,Beijing, North China Craton: LA-ICP-MS and SHRIMP U–Pb dating of detrital zircons

Detrital zircons in five sedimentary samples, MC1 to MC5, from the bottom of the Chuanlinggou Formation in the Ming Tombs District, Beijing, were dated with the LA-ICP-MS and SHRIMP U–Pb methods. Age spectra of the five samples show a major peak at 2500 Ma and a secondary peak at 2000 Ma, suggesting their provenances were mainly from the crystalline basement of the North China Craton and the Trans-North China Orogen. The youngest zircon has an age of 1673 ± 44 Ma, indicating that the Chuanlinggou Formation was deposited after this age. From sample MC4 to MC5, lithology changed from a clastic rock (fine-grained sandstone) to a carbonate rock (fine-grained dolomite), suggesting that the depositional basin became progressively deeper. The age spectrum of sample MC5 shows a major peak at 2500 Ma and a secondary peak at 2000 Ma. Sample MC4, which is stratigraphically lower than sample MC5, only had one peak at 2500 Ma. We conclude that there was a transgressive event when sediments represented by MC5 was deposited, and seawater carried ca. 2000 Ma clastic materials to the basin where the Chuanlinggou Formation was deposited, leading to the addition of ca. 2000 Ma detritus. Our research indicates that the source area for the sediments became more extensive with time. We conclude that the Chuanlinggou Formation in the Ming Tombs District was deposited in a low-energy mud flat sedimentary environment in the inter-supra tidal zone because it is mainly composed of silty mudstone and fine-grained sandstone with relatively simple sedimentary structures.     

塔里木盆地西南坳陷昆仑山前古近系卡拉塔尔组储层沉积特征及其预测评价

塔里木盆地西南缘沿西昆仑山前古近系卡拉塔尔组沉积巨厚的碳酸盐岩与碎屑岩混层,分布范围西至喀什、东至叶城县克里阳地区,有3次大规模的海侵海退,即3个沉积微旋回;沉积储层展布的划分以同由路克、和什拉甫为界,同由路克地区为海湾泻湖区,七美干至和什拉甫为台地至台地边缘的碳酸盐岩沉积区,和什拉甫至普司格为碳酸盐岩与碎屑岩混合沉积区;成岩环境有浅海海底成岩环境、潮坪成岩环境、大气淡水成岩环境和埋藏成岩环境;因成岩白云石化作用形成的细晶白云岩伴生的晶间孔隙与因混合白云石化作用形成的粉晶砂屑白云岩、泥晶粉晶腹足云灰岩被溶蚀产生的粒内孔隙和粒间孔隙皆为较好的储层类型;评价结果显示:喀什凹陷卡拉塔尔组碎屑岩储层大部分具有超低孔超低渗的特点,碳酸盐岩储层属于超低孔特低渗储层,叶城凹陷卡拉塔尔组为特低孔特低渗储层。