Regional Distribution and Prospects of Potash in China

China was formed by amalgamation of several small continental blocks (cratons), micro, blocks and orogenic belts in different paleoclimatic settings. It may be correlated with other continental blocks but has its own specific characteristics; therefore the tectonic environments of China’s marine and continental saline basins and salt, and potash, forming environment have some specific characteristics: multiple phases of salt formation, difference in salt, forming ages, migration and concentration of salt, forming processes and diversity of component materials, as well as small sizes of marine saline basins and great changes of saline basins in the late stage and occurrence of abundant liquid mineral resources. The nature of the tectonic basement exerted a key controlling effect on the formation of potash basins. The stable tectonic region was favorable for potash concentration in a quasi, stable region, and quasi, and the quasi-stable region was favorable for salt concentration and potash formation in a local stable tectonic region. Most China’s major ancient saline basins occur in “quasi, cratons (continental block)”; especially all the marine saline basins occur in continental blocks with the Precambrian basement. These regions are the key ones for potash search. Most relatively large, scale soluble salt deposits are developed in relatively stable continental nuclei. According to the characteristics of the tectonic domains where China’s salt, forming basins are located, the North China, Yangtze and Tarim, Qaidam salt minerogenetic domains and the northern Qiangtang, western Yunnan salt minerogenetic belt may be distinguished. Their salt and potash prospects will be discussed separately.     

Sr Isotope Geochemistry and Depositional Setting of Carbonate in Ordovician,Ordos Basin,China

正China is in severe shortage of potash reserves,and the best way for breakthrough is to make potash exploration in marine salt basins.Erdos basin is so far the only Ordovician potash basin in the world.The Erdos basin is located west     

Differences on Condition and Mechanism of Potash Deposited in O2 m5-6 Subsection of Northern Shaanxi Salt Basin

正The Northern Shaanxi salt basin locates in the east of the Ordos basin.In this area,the thick layer salt sediment exists in the Majiagou Formation of Ordovician.Especial in the sixth subsection of the Majiagou fifth member,it     

Sedimentary Environments of Cambrian–Ordovician Source Rocks and Ultra-deep Petroleum Accumulation in the Tarim Basin

The Tarim Basin is the only petroliferous basin enriched with marine oil and gas in China. It is presently also the deepest basin for petroleum exploration and development in the world. There are two main sets of marine Source Rocks (SRs) in the Tarim Basin, namely the high over-mature Cambrian–Lower Ordovician (∈–O1) and the moderately mature Middle–Upper Ordovician (O2–3). The characteristic biomarkers of SRs and oils indicate that the main origin of the marine petroleum is a mixed source of ∈–O1 and O2–3 SRs. With increasing burial, the hydrocarbon contribution of the ∈–O1 SRs gradually increases. Accompanied by the superposition of multi-stage hydrocarbon-generation of the SRs and various secondary alteration processes, the emergence and abnormal enrichment of terpenoids, thiophene and trimethylaryl isoprenoid in deep reservoirs indicate a complex genesis of various deep oils and gases. Through the analysis of the biofacies and sedimentary environments of the ∈–O1 and O2–3 SRs, it is shown that the lower Paleozoic high-quality SRs in the Tarim Basin were mainly deposited in a passive continental margin and the gentle slope of the platform, deep-water shelf and slope facies, which has exhibited a good response to the local tectonic-sedimentary environment. The slope of the paleo-uplift is the mutual area for the development of carbonate reservoirs and the deposition of marine SRs, which would be favorable for the accumulation of petroleum. Due to the characteristics of low ground temperature, the latest rapid and deep burial does not cause massive oil-cracking in the paleo-uplift and slope area. Therefore, it is speculated that the marine reservoirs in the slope of the Tabei Uplift are likely to be a favorable area for deep petroleum exploration, while the oil-cracking gas would be a potential reserve around the west margin of the Manjiaer Depression. Hydrocarbons were generated from various unit SRs, mainly migrating along the lateral unconformities or reservoirs and the vertical faults. They eventually brought up three major types of exploration fields: middle and lower Cambrian salt-related assemblages, dolomite inner reservoirs and Middle and Lower Ordovician oil-bearing karst, which would become the most favorable target of marine ultra-deep exploration in the Tarim Basin.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987114000292

Aeromagnetic anomaly zonation of the Ordos Basin and adjacent areas was obtained by processing highprecision and large-scale aeromagnetic anomalies with an approach of reduction to the pole upward continuation.Comparative study on aeromagnetic and seismic tomography suggests that aeromagnetic anomalies in this area are influenced by both the magnetic property of the rock and the burial depth of the Precambrian crystalline basement.Basement depth might be the fundamental control factor for aeromagnetic anomalies because the positive and negative anomalies on the reduction to the poleupward-continuation anomaly maps roughly coincide with the uplifts and depressions of the crystalline basement in the basin.The results,together with the latest understanding of basement faults,SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating of metamorphic rock and granite,drilling data,detrital zircon ages,and gravity data interpretation,suggest that the Ordos block is not an entirety of Archean.     

Sedimentary Conditions of Evaporites in the Late Jurassic Xiali Formation, Qiangtang Basin: Evidence from Geochemistry Records

The Qiangtang Basin (QB), located in the central Tibetan Plateau, is a Jurassic marine basin and one of the most important prospective salt resource belts in China. In recent decades, many outcrops of gypsiferous?bed have been found in the Jurassic marine strata in the basin. Salt springs with abnormally high sodium (Na+) contents had been identified in the Late Jurassic Xiali Formation (Fm.) in the basin in the last years. However, to date, no potash or halite deposits have been identified in the QB. Gypsum outcrops and salt springs are very important?signs in the investigation of halite and potash deposits. Therefore, the Xiali Fm. is?a potentially valuable layer to evaluate for the possible presence of halite and potash deposits in the basin. However,?few studies?have explored the formation?conditions of evaporites in the unit. Here, we present detailed geochemical records from the Yanshiping section related to the study of the formation?conditions of evaporites in the Xiali Fm. of the QB. Climate proxies based on the obviously increased anion concentrations of SO42? and Cl? and the significant correlation?coefficients of Ca2+-SO42? (R = 0.985) and Na+-Cl? (R = 0.8974) reveal that the upper member of the Xiali Fm. (the upper Xiali Fm.) formed under an arid climate and evolved into the sulfate phase or early chloride phase. Provenance proxies based on the obviously increased K+ and Na+ ion concentrations and the significant correlation?coefficient of Na+-Cl? (R = 0.8974) suggest that the upper Xiali Fm. featured optimal provenance conditions for the possible formation of halite deposits. The regression and the semi-closed tidal?flat environment in the upper Xiali Fm. were favorable for the formation of potash and halite deposits. The low Mg2+ /Ca2+ values (mean value = 1.82) and significant Na+-Cl? correlation?coefficient (R = 0.8974) also suggest that the upper Xiali Fm. is the layer most likely to contain potential halite deposits. In addition, the macroscopic correlations of tectonism, provenance, paleoclimate, saliferous strata and sedimentary?environment between the QB and the adjoining Amu Darya Basin in Central Asia reveal that the two basins shared similar geologic settings that were favorable for the formation of evaporites during the Late Jurassic. Therefore, the upper Xiali Fm. is a valuable layer to explore for halite deposit and may be potentially valuable in the future exploration for potash deposits in the QB.     

Geochemistry of Brines from Salt Ore Deposits in Western Tarim Basin

In the geological evolution of the Tarim Basin, many transgressions and relictions happened. So there have been plentiful sources of salt. Moreover, because of uttermost drought, a lot of salt has been deposited. It is possible to find potash salt in this area. In our fieldwork, we have found salt and brine in western Tarim Basin. Based on a geological survey and the characteristics of sedimentary facies and paleogeography, this paper deals with the geochemical parameters and discusses the possibility of formation of potash salt in terms of the chemical analyses of samples collected from western Tarim Basin. Results of brine analysis lead to some conclusions: most of these salt brines have eluviated from very thick halite beds, mainly chloridetype salt and this kind of halite does not reach the stage of potash deposition in all aspects; WKSL (Wukeshalu) occupies a noticeable place, and we should attach importance to this district because there have been some indicators of the occurrence of potash deposits as viewed from the contents of Br and K. Finally, low Br contents are recognized in the Tarim Basin as a result of salt aggradation, and this point of view has been proved by the results of this experiment and the data available. It cannot depend upon the index of Br to judge the evolution stage of halite. We must look for other facies of potash except marine facies.     

Sinian-Cambrian Tectonic Framework in the Tarim Basin and its Influences on the Paleogeography of the Early CambrianEI北大核心CSCD

Due to strong remodification and sparse trace remnants, tectonic restoration is critical for the reconstructing of the paleography and basin-prototype in the multiple-cycles superimposed basin, which is also fundamental for the hydrocarbon exploration of the deep marine carbonate in the Tarim Basin. This study presents the tectonic framework of the transition phase from the Sinian to the Cambrian Period and its constrains on the paleography of the Cambrian in the Tarim Basin based on comprehensive analysis of new geochronology data, seismic data and regional tectonic data. The results showed that (1) there is a large regional unconformity between the Cambrian and Precambrian, suggesting a discontinuous deposition from the Sinian to the Cambrian that is contrary to the major view; (2) a broad flattened paleotopography formed before Cambrian Period, which is favorable for the wide epicontinental sea environment and a gentle homoclinal ramp platform development in the early Cambrian, and the residual basement low relief uplifts that influence the microfacies differentiation in the carbonate platform; (3) the Cambrian carbonate platform has been involved much into the marginal orogenic belts, and the proto-platform is probably of 200 km out of the present basin in S-N direction; (4) there is a weak extensional setting in the Cambrian-Early Ordovician rather than a strong rifting setting with a large aulacogen into the platform, in which a inter-platform shallow depression and stable ramp platform developed in the Cambrian; (5) there is not troughs, but rather low relief uplifts developed in the Early Cambrian in the southwestern Tarim Basin, and lack of large uplifts along the carbonate platform margins; (6) it is showed a broad architecture of platform-wide slope-ocean basin from the inner Tarim plate to its margin in the Cambrian Period. Considering the basin prototype, the restoration of the tectono-paleography in the early Cambrian in the Tarim Basin is distinct from those of the previously proposed. We propose that a gentle pattern with “two platforms and one inter-depression” in E-W striking other than multiple small platform constrained in the basin, and further subdivision of the western platform with inner platform low uplift and sag in N-S striking, which is possibly inherited from the basement architecture. On the outer of the united platform, there is probably broad gentle slope for transition to ocean basin. We therefore argue that tectonic restoration is crucial for reconstruction of the paleogeography and basin prototype, especially for basins experienced multiphase of tectonic cycles. © 2018, Science Press. All right reserved.     

Genesis of Dolomite from Ma55–Ma510 Sub-members of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the Jingxi Area in the Ordos Basin

We clarified three stages of dolomitization and secondary changes by studying the petrology and geochemistry characteristics of dolomite from the Ma55–Ma510 sub-members of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the Jingxi area in the Ordos Basin: (1) Syngenetic microbial dolomitization is characterized by formation of dolomite with a mainly micrite structure and horse tooth-shape dolomite cements. (2) Seepage reflux dolomitization during the penecontemporaneous period superposed adjustment functions such as recrystallization and stabilization in the middle-deep burial stage, forming dolomites mainly consisting of micro crystal and powder crystal structure. (3) Powder dolomite, fine dolomite, and medium-coarse crystalline dolomite formed in pores and fractures in the middle-deep burial stage. The secondary concussive transgression-regression under a regressive background is an important condition for the occurrence of many stages of dolomitization in the study area. The basin was an occlusive epicontinental sea environment in the Ma5 member of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation sedimentary period. In the sediments, sulfate content was high, which is conducive to the preservation of microbial activity and microbial dolomitization. Micritic dolomite formed by microbial dolomitization provides good migration pathways for seepage reflux dolomitization. Affected by evaporation seawater with increased Mg/Ca ratio, seepage reflux dolomitization was widely developed and formed large-scale dolomite, and underwater uplifts and slopes are favorable areas for dolomite. In the middle-deep burial stage, dolomitizing fluid in the stratum recrystallized or stabilized the previous dolomite and formed a small amount of euhedral dolomite in the pores and fractures.     

Inversion of two-phase extensional basin systems during subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate in the SW Korean Peninsula:Implication for the Mesozoic “Laramide-style” orogeny along East Asian continental margin

During subduction, continental margins experience shortening along with inversion of extensional sedimentary basins. Here we explore a tectonic scenario for the inversion of two-phase extensional basin systems, where the Early-Middle Jurassic intra-arc volcano-sedimentary Oseosan Volcanic Complex was developed on top of the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic post-collisional sequences, namely the Chungnam Basin. The basin shortening was accommodated mostly by contractional faults and related folds. In the basement, regional high-angle reverse faults as well as low-angle thrusts accommodate the overall shortening, and are compatible with those preserved in the cover. This suggests that their spatial and temporal development is strongly dependent on the initial basin geometry and inherited structures.Changes in transport direction observed along the basement-sedimentary cover interface is a characteristic structural feature, reflecting sequential kinematic evolution during basin inversion. Propagation of basement faults also enhanced shortening of the overlying sedimentary cover sequences. We constrain timing of the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous(ca. 158-110 Ma) inversion from altered K-feldspar 40 Ar/39 Ar ages in stacked thrust sheets and K-Ar illite ages of fault gouges, along with previously reported geochronological data from the area. This "non-magmatic phase" of the Daebo Orogeny is contemporaneous with the timing of magmatic quiescence across the Korean Peninsula. We propose the role of flat/low-angle subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate for the development of the "Laramide-style" basement-involved orogenic event along East Asian continental margin.     

鄂尔多斯盆地奥陶系层序地层格架

通过大量露头、钻井与地震层序地层学综合分析,建立了全盆地奥陶系层序地层格架。研究提出了“碳酸盐岩层序地层划分与对比五要素”分析方法。应用该分析方法在奥陶系识别出3个二级层序界面、6个三级层序界面,将奥陶系划分为2个二级层序和8个三级层序。盆地不同构造环境形成不同的层序地层格架:在盆地西部窄大陆边缘北部奥陶系发育层序 Osq3-层序Osq7五套地层,持续时间从早奥陶世弗洛阶到晚奥陶世桑比阶末,南部发育层序Osq1-层序Osq7七套地层,持续时间从早奥陶世特马道克阶到晚奥陶世桑比阶末,总体上西部地层西厚东薄,南北向条带状展布,向伊盟隆起-庆阳古隆起上超覆尖灭;在盆地南部宽大陆边缘奥陶系发育盆地所发现的8个层序,持续时间从早奥陶世弗洛阶到晚奥陶世凯特阶早期,地层南厚北薄,向庆阳古隆起上超覆尖灭;在盆地中东部台内洼陷奥陶系仅发育层序Osq3-层序Osq5 TST,以盆地东部洼陷东侧最厚向伊盟隆起-庆阳古隆起上超覆尖灭;盆地北部伊盟古隆起、西南部庆阳古隆起主体一直处于隆起剥蚀状态,二者的鞍部仅发育Osq4 TST层序,表明盆地西部的祁连海槽与盆地东部的华北海在中奥陶世晚期有过短暂连通。     

鄂尔多斯盆地下奥陶统马家沟组障壁潟湖沉积相模式及有利储层分布规律

依据鄂尔多斯盆地古构造古地理背景、古水动力以及古气候条件,结合单井沉积相分析建立了马家沟组障壁潟湖沉积相模式,该模式分三个阶段即与海侵期相对应的以灰岩沉积为主的障壁潟湖沉积阶段(阶段Ⅰ)、与海退相对应的以灰岩夹蒸发岩沉积为主的障壁咸化潟湖沉积阶段(阶段Ⅱ)和与低海平面期对应的以膏岩盐沉积为主的障壁膏盐湖沉积阶段(阶段Ⅲ...     

华北克拉通西北缘中—晚奥陶世构造体制转换事件的新发现及对找钾的启示

鄂尔多斯盆地作为华北克拉通的一部分, 其研究历史已逾百年, 迄今分别在盆地基底、岩石地层、生物地层、年代地层、层序地层、岩相古地理、构造-沉积耦合关系和石油地质等方面积累了丰硕成果, 研究程度越来越高。同时, 鄂尔多斯盆地作为多种能源重地, 也日益受到工业界的重视。然而, 迄今为止一些基础地质问题仍然悬而未决, 制约了对鄂尔多斯盆地乃至整个华北克拉通的全面认识, 譬如: 鄂尔多斯盆地基底划分、组成、时代和基底顶面起伏特征不清楚, 早古生代鄂尔多斯盆地西缘的构造背景和盆地原型颇具争议, 盆地全区奥陶系地层对比尚未统一, 奥陶纪华北克拉通相对于东冈瓦纳超大陆的古地理配置缺乏足够的约束, 使之成为国际上颇受关注的研究热点。另外一个与海相钾盐找矿有关的科学问题是: 华北克拉通西部奥陶纪陕北盐盆地在中奥陶统马家沟组沉积了巨大规模的石盐, 但仅在马家沟组五段六亚段发现含钾显示和局部薄钾盐层, 迄今并未发现与石盐沉积规模相匹配的大型固体钾盐矿床, 为什么？除了陕北盐盆地及周缘其他次级凹陷可能还存在尚未发现的海相钾盐矿床以外, 是否当时有部分富钾卤水已迁移出陕北盐盆地？为了回答上述科学问题, 对华北克拉通西、南缘若干经典剖面开展了岩石学、地层学、地球化学、沉积学、地球物理学以及锆石年代学等方面的研究, 获得了一些新认识。     

鄂尔多斯盆地祁连海域奥陶纪岩相古地理特征及演化

根据鄂尔多斯盆地西部及南部奥陶纪露头勘察结果,尤其是中奥陶统平凉组页岩在盆地的西部及南部普遍存在,结合地表露头及盆内钻孔资料,系统分析研究了鄂尔多斯盆地祁连海域早古生代奥陶纪不同时期沉积环境特点,分析了各沉积期的岩相古地理特征。受中央古隆起形成和祁连海向东逐渐海侵影响,马家沟组一期到五期,地形坡度较缓,鄂尔多斯盆地古地理格局由祁连海向盆地内部分别发育开阔海台地、局限海台地到蒸发台地相沉积。马家沟组六期和平凉期以及其上的上奥陶统沉积时期,主要为开阔海台地、斜坡相和深水盆地相沉积,在台地向斜坡的转换部位发育一些生物碎屑灰岩及由珊瑚组成的生物礁滩相沉积,斜坡部位发育平凉组笔石页岩斜坡相沉积,构成了华北盆地边缘中—上奥陶统一套特殊的局部天然气勘探组合。鄂尔多斯祁连海域奥陶纪岩相古地理研究具有重要的地质意义和实际生产意义。     

鄂尔多斯盆地中、新生代后期改造

鄂尔多斯盆地周缘和内部在中、新生代都受到后期改造作用,周缘存在挤压逆冲推覆和拉张断陷等不同性质的构造改造作用。在盆地内部,后期改造过程中发育在盖层中的断裂具有很强的规律性,受到了基底断裂的控制。盆地中部东西向断裂带对盆地的构造特征具有分区性,南北构造特征有别,北部地区北东、北西、近东西向断裂均有发育,正断裂、逆断裂和由断裂控制的挠曲构造等有规律发育,在不同方向基底断裂交汇部位的盖层内断裂最发育。南部则主要发育北东方向断层。     

Salt tectonics in pull-apart basins with application to the Dead Sea Basin

The Dead Sea Basin displays a broad range of salt-related structures that developed in a sinistral strike-slip tectonic environment: en échelon salt ridges, large salt diapirs, transverse oblique normal faults, salt walls and rollovers. Laboratory experiments are used to investigate the mechanics of salt tectonics in pull-apart systems. The results show that in an elongated pull-apart basin the basin fill, although decoupled from the underlying basement by a salt layer, remains frictionally coupled to the boundary. The basin fill, therefore, undergoes a strike-slip shear couple that simultaneously generates en échelon fold trains and oblique normal faults, trending mutually perpendicular. According to the orientation of basin boundaries, sedimentary cover deformation can be dominantly contractional or extensional, at the extremities of pull-apart basins forming either folds and thrusts or normal faults, respectively. These guidelines, applied to the analysis of the Dead Sea Basin, show that the various salt-related structures form a coherent set in the frame of a sinistral strike-slip shearing deformation of the sedimentary basin fill.     

鄂尔多斯盆地中部前石炭纪岩溶古地貌恢复

鄂尔多斯盆地中部以碳酸盐岩为主夹蒸发岩的奥陶系马家沟组,经130余百万年的风化剥蚀及淋滤作用,风化壳古岩溶发育。在认识研究古地质图的基础上,选取马家沟组五段四亚段一小层底部的凝灰岩为标志层,完成了盆地中部前石炭纪岩溶古地貌图。自西向东,研究区可划分为四个岩溶古地貌单元或区块:岩溶高地、岩溶台地(坪)、岩溶盆地、岩溶台地与岩溶沟槽相间区块。岩溶高地地层向西翘倾,岩溶剥蚀面自西向东地层由老到新呈有序分布,西北角有7口井的地层已剥蚀至马五41以下,最西缘陕56井残顶已为马五7地层。岩溶台地是现今马家沟组天然气的主产区,地势相对较低且平缓,并在多个小层发育岩溶溶洞建造岩。     

鄂尔多斯盆地与国外相似盆地对比及其中生界石油储量预测

选取3个国外克拉通盆地,即西西伯利亚盆地、巴黎盆地和伊利诺斯盆地,与鄂尔多斯盆地进行对比。鄂尔多斯盆地作为发育在坳拉谷基底之上的克拉通盆地,具有含丰富油气资源量的地质基础。鄂尔多斯盆地为中生代陆相沉积,其烃源岩的分布相对于整个盆地较为局限,圈闭类型较为复杂多样,除此之外的其他地质因素均比较相似。根据盆地对比估算得到鄂尔多斯盆地中生界的探明石油储量为17.21 x10⁸t据西西伯利亚盆地)、22.67 x10⁸t据巴黎盆地)和24. 40 x10⁸t (据伊利诺斯盆地),表明鄂尔多斯盆地中生界具有很大的资源潜力和勘探前景。     

鄂尔多斯盆地东部地区早奥陶世马家沟期沉积模式探讨

上奥陶统马家沟组为鄂尔多斯盆地东部最重要储集层,目前关于该区早奥陶世马家沟期沉积模式及岩相古地理存在较大争议.本次研究运用现代岩相古地理分析方法,以钻探成果资料与微量元素分析、镜下鉴定等分析化验资料为依据,重建了其沉积模式.指出马一、三、五亚期为海退期,盆地东部与外海隔离,气候干热,主要发育膏盐湖与含膏云坪的沉积组合;马二、四亚期为海侵期,发育开阔海、局限海与云灰坪沉积组合.并结合岩相古地理特征,以低海平面时期和高海平面时期分别建立鄂尔多斯盆地东部早奥陶世马家沟期沉积模式.