Geochemical characteristics of pyrolysis gas from epimetamorphic rocks in the northern basement of Songliao Basin,Northeast China

The Xushen gas field,located in the north of Songliao Basin,is a potential giant gas area for China in the future.Its proved reserves have exceeded 1000×10 8 m 3 by the end of 2005.But,the origin of natural gases from the deep strata is still in debating.Epimetamorphic rocks as a potential gas source are widely spreading in the northern basement of Songliao Basin.According to pyrolysis experiments for these rocks in the semi-confined system,gas production and geochemistry of alkane gases are discussed in this paper.The Carboniferous-Permian epimetamorphic rocks were heated from 300℃to 550℃,with temperature interval of 50℃.The gas production was quantified and measured for chemical and carbon isotopic compositions.Results show thatδ13C 1 is less than?20‰,carbon isotope trend of alkane gas isδ13C 1 <δ13C 2 <δ13C 3 orδ13C 1 <δ13C 2 >δ13C 3 ,these features suggest that the gas would be coal-type gas at high-over maturity,not be inorganic gas with reversal trend of gaseous alkanes (δ13C 1 >δ13C 2 >δ13C 3 ).These characteristics of carbon isotopes are similar with the natural gas from the basin basement,but disagree with gas from the Xingcheng reservoir.Thus,the mixing gases from the pyrolysis gas with coal-typed gases at high-over maturity or oil-typed gases do not cause the reversal trend of carbon isotopes.The gas generation intensity for epimetamorphic rocks is 3.0×10 8 ―23.8×10 8 m 3 /km 2 ,corresponding to Ro from 2.0%to 3.5%for organic matter.     

Petroleum geological dynamics of Lower Paleozoic in the Ordos Basin, northwest China

Taking the hydrocarbon source rocks of Ordovician, Lower Paleozoic in the Ordos Basin as the main research object, the characteristics of petroleum geological dynamics about geohistory, geothermal history, hydrocarbon generation history and hydrocarbon expulsion history were studied by using the methods of basin numerical modeling dynamically and pool-forming dynamics. It is shown that the Ordovician strata had entirely undergone five stages of initial deposition, uplift and erosion, rapid subsidence, alternating uplift and subsidence, and differential uplift and erosion; that under the background of lower heat flow on the whole, the paleoheat flow of Ordovician strata in the basin could be divided into two large stages of relatively high heat flow values period before Cretaceous deposition and relatively low ones after it; that the thermal evolution of organic matters in the hydrocarbon source rocks of Ordovician had entered into high mature-postmature stage on the whole and the intensity of gas generated was greater than that of oil generated, the hydrocarbon being mainly natural gas; and that the curves of the intensity of oil and gas expulsion at each time unit showed the feature of multi-peak-type, the accumulative intensity of gas expulsion was greater than that of oil expulsion. Thus natural gas exploration potential is good.     

Geochemical characteristics and origin of gases from the Upper,Lower Paleozoic and the Mesozoic reservoirs in the Ordos Basin,China

The Ordos Basin,the second largest sedimentary basin in China,contains the broad distribution of natural gas types.So far,several giant gas fields have been discovered in the Upper and Lower Paleozoic in this basin,each having over 1000×10 8 m 3 of proven gas reserves,and several gas pools have also been discovered in the Mesozoic.This paper collected the data of natural gases and elucidated the geochemical characteristics of gases from different reservoirs,and then discussed their origin.For hydrocarbons preserved in the Upper Paleozoic,the elevatedδ13C values of methane,ethane and propane indicate that the gases would be mainly coal-formed gases;the singular reversal in the stable carbon isotopes of gaseous alkanes suggests the mixed gases from humic sources with different maturity.In the Lower Paleozoic,theδ13C 1 values are mostly similar with those in the Upper Paleozoic,but theδ13C 2 andδ13C 3 values are slightly lighter,suggesting that the gases would be mixing of coal-type gases as a main member and oil-type gases.There are multiple reversals in carbon isotopes for gaseous alkanes,especially abnormal reversal for methane and ethane(i.e.δ13C 1 >δ13C 2 ),inferring that gases would be mixed between high-mature coal-formed gases and oil-type gases.In the Mesozoic,the δ13Cvalues for gaseous alkanes are enriched in 12C,indicating that the gases are mainly derived from sapropelic sources;the carbon isotopic reversal for propane and butane in the Mesozoic is caused by microbial oxidation and mixing of gases from sapropelic sources with different maturity.In contrast to the Upper Paleozoic gases,the Mesozoic gases are characterized by heavier carbon isotopes of iso-butane than normal butane,which may be caused by gases generated from different kerogen types. Finally,according toδ13C 1 -Ro relationship and extremely low total organic carbon contents,the Low Paleozoic gases would not be generated from the Ordovician source as a main gas source,bycontrast, the Upper Paleozoic source as a main gas source is contributed to the Lower Paleozoic gases.     

Crude-oil hydrocarbon composition characteristics and oil viscosity prediction in the northern Songliao Basin

Crude oil hydrocarbon composition characteristics and oil viscosity prediction are important bases in petroleum exploration.A total of 54 oil/heavy-oil samples and 17 oil sands were analyzed and quantified using both comprehensive 2D gas chromatography(GC×GC)and comprehensive 2D gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry(GC×GC/TOFMS).The results show that crude oil in the West slope is mainly heavy oil and its hydrocarbon composition is characterized overall by paraffinsmono-aromaticsnaphthenesnon-hydrocarbonsdi-aromaticstri-aromaticstetra-aromatics.Aromatics are most abundant and non-hydrocarbons are least abundant,whilst content differences among paraffins,naphthenes,aromatics,and non-hydrocarbons are less than 15%.There are two types of heavy oil,secondary type and mixing type.Biodegradation is the main formation mechanism of heavy oil.Biodegradation levels cover light biodegradation,moderate biodegradation,and severe biodegradation.With increasing biodegradation,paraffin content decreases while contents of aromatics and nonhydrocarbons increase.In contrast,naphthene content increases first and then decreases with increasing biodegradation.In severe biodegradation stage,naphthenes decrease more quickly than aromatics and non-hydrocarbons.This provides a new method for studying oil/heavy-oil biodegradation mechanism and biodegradation resistance of different hydrocarbons at different biodegradation stages.In the Longhupao-Daan terrace and Qijia-Gulong depression,most crude oil is conventional oil.Its composition is dominated by paraffins with the lowest content of aromatics.In some casual oil wells from the Longhupao-Daan terrace,crude oil from Saertu oil reservoirs is moderately biodegraded whereas crude oil from Putaohua oil reservoir is lightly biodegraded.Chemical parameters using saturate hydrocarbons and aromatics are usually not suitable for determining organic type and thermal maturity of biodegraded oil,especially of moderately or severely biodegraded oil,whilst Ts/(Ts+Tm)ratio can be used to determine thermal maturity of both conventional crude oil and heavy oil.     

Late Cretaceous palynology and paleoclimate change:Evidence from the SK1(South) core,Songliao Basin,NE China

Cretaceous climate was warmer than today.The Songliao Basin contains one of the most important Late Cretaceous non-marine deposits in China for the research of the paleoenvironment and paleoclimate.This research is based on core samples from the SK1(S)borehole.The strata sampled are the upper part of the Quantou Formation to member 2 of the Nenjiang Formation,where spores,pollen,dinoflagellates,and other microfossils are abundantly preserved.Based on analysis of the spores and pollen fossils from the core samples,the following six fossil assemblage zones have been recognized in ascending order:The Cicatricosisporites-Cyathidites-Pinuspollenites,Schizaeoisporites-Cyathidites-Classopollis,Cyathidites-Schizaeoisporites,Schizaeoisporites-Cyathidites-Proteacidites,Proteacidites-Cyathidites-Dictyotriletes,and the Lythraites-Callistipollenites-Schizaeoisporites zones.The six fossil zones range from the late Cenomanian to early Campanian.The Late Cretaceous dinoflagellate cysts in the Songliao Basin are of high abundance and low diversity.Specific phytoplankton types reflect salinity changes of the Songliao Lake.Paleoecology of the dinoflagellates suggests that sediments of members 2 and 3 of the Yaojia Formation(K2y2+3)were deposited in a freshwater environment,whereas members 2 and 3 of the Qingshankou Formation(K2q2+3)and members 1 and 2 of the Nenjiang Formation(K2n1+2)were deposited in freshwater to brackish water environments.Combined with the paleoecology of dinoflagellates and the palynomorph biozones,valuable information of the paleoclimate was provided.The quantitative analyses of spores and pollen fossils,such as vegetation type,climate type,and humidity type,diversity and dominance,indicate a relatively sub-humid,mid-subtropical paleoclimate,with slight climatic fluctuation and/or temporal change.     

Late Cretaceous paleoenvironment and lake level fluctuation in the Songliao Basin,northeastern China

Study of Late Cretaceous lacustrine sedimentary strata in the eastern Songliao Basin, China revealed that the paleoclimate was relatively arid and hot during sedimentation of the upper Santonian of the Yaojia Formation, but became relatively humid and warm during deposition of the lower Campanian Nenjiang Formation. The upper Yaojia Formation was deposited in a freshwater lake environment, while the lower Nenjiang Formation was deposited in a slightly brackish to brackish environment. The average total organic carbon content in the upper Yaojia Formation is 0.15%, while the hydrogen index is 36 mg_HC/g_TOC, implying poor source rock for oil generation and the organic matter comprised of a mixture of woody and herbaceous organic matter. In contrast, the hydrogen index of oil shale and black shale of the lower Nenjiang Formation is 619 mg_HC/g_TOC, and total organic carbon content on average is 3.37%, indicating a mixed algae and herbaceous source of kerogen and an increase in aquatic bioproductivity. The black shale and oil shale have low Pristane/Phytane and C₂₉ 5α,14α,17α(H) ? stigmastane 20R/(20R + 20S) ratios, with maximum concentration of n‐alkanes at n‐C₂₃, implying an anoxic depositional environment with algae, bacteria and higher plants providing most of the organic matter. Relatively abundant gammacerane and a higher Sr/Ba ratio in the oil shales suggest the presence of brackish water and development of salinity stratification in the lake. During sedimentation of the upper Yaojia through the lower Nenjiang Formations, the level of Songliao lake increased and a deep‐lake environment was formed with bottom waters being oxygen depleted. Concomitantly, as the lake deepened bottom conditions were changing from oxic to anoxic, and the input of organic matter changed from predominantly higher plants to a mixture of bacteria, algae and higher plants providing favorable conditions for oil source rock accumulation.     

Carbon isotope characteristics,origin and distribution of the natural gases from the Tertiary salty lacustrine facies in the West Depression Region in the Qaidam Basin

Since the Meso-Cenozoic, controlled by paleoclimate, a series of fresh to brackish water basins and salt to semi-salt water basins were developed in wet climatic zones and in dry climate zones in China, respectively[1]. The geological and geochemical char…     

Sedimentary filling and sequence structure dominated by T-R cycles of the Nenjiang Formation in the Songliao Basin

The Nenjiang Formation in the Songliao Basin is a symmetrical sequence of progradation-retrogradation,and is formed in the transgression cycle and regression cycle(T-R cycles)of the base level of deposition.We analyzed the drilling,well logging,core data,and seismic profiles of basin level,and by using the sequence stratigraphy,identified one secondary sequence boundary,two third-order sequence boundaries,and eight fourth-order sequence boundaries in the Nenjiang Formation.These eleven sequence boundaries can be divided into structural unconformity,depositional unconformity,flooding surface,and forced regression surface.Therefore the Nenjiang Formation can be subdivided into one secondary sequence,three third-order sequences,and ten fourth-order sequences.We have restored the sedimentary filling evolution within the stratigraphic framework of fourth-order sequences in the Nenjiang Formation.The sedimentary period of the first member of the Nenjiang Formation was corresponded to the global transgression period,which is also the development period of transgression cycle(T cycle),when the lake basin had the largest scope and deepest sedimentary water,the SB07(the maximum flooding surface)was formed on the top of strata during this period;covering above the SB07,there developed a set of condensation layer-oil shale,which is distributed in the whole basin and is the important source bed and regional cover.Therefore,a retrogradation sequence was formed in the T cycle of the first member of the Nenjiang Formation,characterized by the retrograding delta at a low angle.The delta has a giant front,a small plain,and many underwater distributary channels.Meanwhile,large gravity flow channels and sublacustrine fans are developed in the front of the delta.During the depositional period of the second member of the Nenjiang Formation,the R cycle began to develop due to the compression of the pacific tectonic domain;the source direction rotated 90°along with the eastern uplifting of the basin,and formed a series of east-west prograded and forced retrogradations.The prograding delta at high angel was developed in the interior of the sequence;the delta had a small front,a giant plain,and fewer underwater distributary channels,with the collapse at the foreslope,forming a series of slump fans.The slump fans can be divided into three types:discrete type,superimposed type,and fluid type.We built a whole"triad model"of the slump fan.Pointed out that the sequence of forced retrogradation formed by R cycle is a good structural mark of basin optimization,and rejected the viewpoint of"transgression"in the Nenjiang Formation of the Songliao Basin.     

Formation mechanism of in-situ volcanic reservoirs in eastern China:A case study from Xushen gasfield in Songliao Basin

A large number of in-situ volcanic reservoirs have been discovered from the Meso-Cenozoic rift basin group in eastern China.Based on drilling results in combination with geological and geophysical analysis,a case study from the Early Cretaceous Xujiaweizi fault-depression shows that the formation mechanism of in-situ volcanic reservoirs is characterized by"fault-controlled body,body-controlled facies,facies-controlled reservoir,and reservoir-controlled accumulation".In other words,deep faults control the volcanic eruption type,volcanic body,and gas reservoir distribution;the volcanic body determines the spatial distribution of volcanic facies and volcanic gas reservoir size;the volcanic facies control reservoir physical properties and effective thickness of gas formation;the volcanic reservoir properties control gas reservoir type and gas productivity.The result is useful to guiding the discovery of in-situ volcanic gas reservoirs in faulted basins in both theory and practice.     

松辽盆地白垩系营城组隐伏火山机构物理模型和地震识别

将火山机构分为火山口-近火山口相 (CNCF)、近源相 (PF)和远源相 (DF)三个相带.露头揭示这三个相带的倾角范围为：CNCF-40～70°,PF-25～45°,DF-20～35°.这三个相带的裂缝线密度为：CNCF-10～30条/m,PF-3～25条/m,DF-2～11条/m.这三个相带的相干值的关系为：CNCF相似文献   

松辽盆地嫩江组下部水体分层的有机地球化学证据

通过对松科1井样品的测试分析,在松辽盆地姚家组二、三段顶部至嫩江组二段底部地层中检测到了较高含量的伽马蜡烷,并据此确认了对应时期水体分层事件的存在.通过其与总有机碳(TOC)值和δ13Corg值剖面变化趋势比对发现,伽马蜡烷含量的高值与TOC高值和δ13Corg负值对应良好,表明水体分层在一定程度上促进了嫩江组沉积时期缺氧事件的发生,进而对有机质的保存起到了积极的作用.这种水体分层与当时的海侵事件密切相关.     

松辽盆地营城组火山机构相带地震-地质解译

将火山机构按距火山口远近划分为火山口-近火山口、近源和远源三个相带.营城组火山机构相带有6种地震相类型,分别是丘状、透镜状、穹状、池塘状、楔状和席状地震相.丘状、透镜状和穹状均见于火山机构中心相带,但所代表的优势岩相不同,分别与爆发相、喷溢相和侵出相对应.池塘状和楔状均为近源相带,但前者以喷溢相辫状熔岩流为主,而后者代表爆发相火山碎屑岩与喷溢相熔岩互层.席状地震相是以火山沉积相为特征的远源相带为主.火山机构中心相带岩性和岩相多变、地震相复杂,这是初始喷发条件、同生垮塌、后期断裂以及孔隙和流体综合作用的结果;该带是火山岩储层发育最有利的部位.     

Longitudinal distributions of two formation pathways of biogenic gases in continental deposits: A case study from Sebei 1 gas field in the Qaidam Basin, western China

The distribution of two formation pathways of biogenic methane, acetate fermentation and reduction of CO2, has been extensively studied. In general, CO2 reduction is the dominate pathway in marine envi- ronment where acetate is relatively depleted because of SRB consuming. While in terrestrial freshwater or brackish environment, acetate fermentation is initially significant, but decreases with increasing buried depth. In this paper, character of biogenic gases is profiled in the XS3-4 well of the Sebei 1 gas field in the Sanhu depression, Qaidam Basin. It indicates that those two pathways do not change strictly with increasing buried depth. CO2 reduction is important near the surface (between 50 m and 160 m), and at the mesozone (between 400 and 1650 m). While acetate fermentation is the primary pathway at two zones, from 160 to 400 m and from 1650 to 1700 m. δ 13C of methane generated in those two acetate fermentation zones varies greatly, owing to different sediment circumstances. At the sec- ond zone (160-400 m), δ 13C1 ranges from ?65‰ to ?30‰ (PDB), because the main deposit is mudstone and makes the circumstance confined. At the fourth zone of the well bottom (1650-1700 m), δ 13C1 is lighter than ?65‰ (PDB). Because the deposit is mainly composed of siltstone, it well connects with outer fertile groundwater and abundant nutrition has supplied into this open system. The high con- centration of acetate is a forceful proof. δ 13C of methane would not turn heavier during fermentation, owing to enough nutrition supply. In spite of multi-occurrence of acetate fermentation, the commercial gas accumulation is dominated by methane of CO2-reduction pathway. A certain content of alkene gases in the biogenic gases suggests that methanogensis is still active at present.     

Crustal reflection structure in the uplifting zone of Songliao Basin and disconnecting Moho interface

Songliao Basin is one of the most important bases for oil-gas resources of China. Therefore, the mecha-nism of petroleum occurrence and basin dynamics have been paid much attention to by geo-scientists all the time. With multi-phase tectonic movements en-dured by the basin, its tectonic pattern is very complex. Thereinto, three faults, that is, western Neijiang fault(NNE25), eastern Yilan-Yitong fault (NNE30) and Sunwu-Shuangliao fault, extend along south-north direction and cut Songliao…     

Tectono-thermal modeling of the Yinggehai Basin,South China Sea

Based on the observed data, the average value of surface heat flow in the Yinggehai Basin is calculated and it turns out to be 84.1 mW/m². The thermal evolution of the basin since the Cenozoic era has been attempted by tectono-thermal modeling. Three-phase extension made the basin become hotter and hotter, reaching its climax in paleo-temperature history since 5.2 Ma. And nowadays, the basin is in the heat flow decreasing period. During the Cenozoic era, the basement heat flow remained at 50–70 mW/m² all the time. This is related to the degree of each extension phase, stretching rate mode and also the limited basin scale. Modeling results also show that, the surface heat flow is controlled mainly by the basement heat flow, and less than 20% comes from radiogenic heat production in the sediments of the basin     

The components and carbon isotope of the gases in inclusions in reservoir layers of Upper Paleozoic gas pools in the Ordos Basin,China

The components and carbon isotope of gases in inclusions are one of the most important geochemical indexes for gas pools.The analysis results of the components and carbon isotope of gases from inclusions in reservoir layers of Upper Palaeozoic gas pools in the Ordos Basin show that most inclusions grown in reservoir sandstone are primary inclusions.There is only a little difference about the components and carbon isotope between the well gases and the secondary inclusions gases.This indicated that the epigenetic change of gas pools is little.This difference between the well gases and the secondary inclusions gases is caused by two reasons:(i)The well gases come from several disconnected sand bodies buried in a segment of depth,while the inclusion gases come from a point of depth.(ii)The secondary inclusions trapped the gases generated in the former stage of source rock gas generation,and the well gases are the mixed gases generated in all the stages.It is irresponsible to reconstruct the palaeo-temperature and palaeo-pressure under which the gas pool formed using carbon dioxide inclusions.     

松辽盆地北部深层火山岩剩磁特征与裂缝定向研究

系统的等温剩磁和热退磁分析表明,松辽盆地深层早白垩世火山岩具有特征剩磁和黏滞剩磁两组剩磁分量,载磁性矿物为磁铁矿.校正后的火山岩特征剩磁方向及古磁极位置与欧亚大陆的白垩纪古磁极位置,在95%置信区间内重叠,佐证了应用黏滞剩磁定向岩芯的方法是可行的.黏滞剩磁定向研究表明,研究区火山岩裂缝主要发育有北东向、北西向、近南北向和近东西向四组,其中北东向和北西向裂缝更占优势.古地磁定向成果与成像测井成果对比,显示出良好的定向效果.     

松科2井东孔营城组高放射性异常层测井响应特征及成因初探

松科2井东孔是松辽盆地科学钻探工程的主体钻孔,按照计划在全井段进行地球物理测井资料采集,为深部资源勘探及白垩纪古气候、古环境研究提供准确和全面的地球物理信息.在诸多测井方法中,自然伽马测井和自然伽马能谱测井能够测量地层的天然放射性强度和铀、钍、钾元素含量等参数,被有效地应用于放射性矿床勘查,尤其是铀资源的勘查与研究;电阻率、声波、密度和中子测井等常规测井和核磁共振成像、电阻率成像、元素俘获谱测井等特殊测井能够获取地层岩性和物性参数等信息,为铀矿勘查提供有力支持.本文利用松科2井东孔自然伽马测井资料来识别高放射性异常层;基于常规测井与特殊测井资料,结合前人的地质研究成果,分析放射性异常层的特征和成因.核测井曲线指示营城组存在两段高放射性异常层,深度分别为3096.8~3102.8 m（Ⅰ号层）、3168.3~3170.9 m（Ⅱ号层）.Ⅰ号层自然伽马值最高达360 API,铀含量范围20.5~29.3 ppm,综合测井和岩心资料判断该层为砾岩,具有铀成矿潜力;分析表明,构造条件和后生改造作用是影响Ⅰ号层铀富集的关键因素,推测断裂-火山活动和盆地抬升剥蚀为含铀地下水及油气运移至Ⅰ号层提供了通道,油气的后生还原作用最终导致了Ⅰ号异常层的铀富集.Ⅱ号层自然伽马值最高达250API,钍含量22.4~37.3 ppm,铀含量5.9~11.0 ppm,为集块熔岩及凝灰岩,高放射性异常可能是高钍含量的流纹质成分和粘土矿物对铀的吸附作用导致的.松科2井东孔营城组高放射性异常层具有埋藏深度深、铀含量高等特点,表明松辽盆地深部具有找铀矿前景.

     

Migration of growth axial surfaces and its implications for multiphase tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Zhangwu fault depression,southern Songliao Basin,NE China

The normal fault-bend folding theory uses active axial surfaces, inactive axial surfaces, and growth axial surfaces to describe the geometric relationship between faults and deformation of a hanging wall. The dip of a growth axial surface is related to the fault slip rate and the basin sedimentation rate: higher fault slip rates result in smaller dips of growth axial surfaces, whereas higher basin sedimentation rates produce larger dips of growth axial surfaces. Moreover, the growth axial surface will be a straight line if both the fault slip and sedimentation rates remain relatively unchanged, but will become curved if both rates are variable. Therefore, the characteristics of growth axial surfaces can provide clear information on the evolution of faulting and deposition. By studying the seismic profiles of the Zhangwu fault depression of the southern Songliao Basin, we show that the migration of growth axial surfaces and unconformities can be used as indicators of basin development. Multiphase tectonic activity will not only produce unconformities but also result in migration of growth axial surfaces or inactive axial surfaces. Therefore, the normal fault-bend folding theory, particularly with regard to the evolution of growth axial surfaces, can be applied to the interpretation of geometric and kinematic evolutions of half-grabens and the exploration of related tectono-sedimentary processes.     

Hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical control of groundwater salinity in an arid inland basin: Dunhuang Basin,northwestern China

High groundwater salinity has become a major concern in the arid alluvial plain of the Dunhuang Basin in northwestern China because it poses a significant challenge to water resource management. Isotopic and geochemical analyses were conducted on 55 water samples from springs, boreholes and surface water to identify potential sources of groundwater salinity and analyse the processes that control increasing salinity. The total dissolved solid (TDS) content in the groundwater ranged from 400 to 41 000 mg/l, and high TDS values were commonly associated with shallow water tables and flow‐through and discharge zones in unconfined aquifers. Various groundwater contributions from rainwater, agricultural irrigation, river water infiltration and lateral inflows from mountains were identified by major ions and δD and δ¹⁸O. In general, HCO₃^? and SO₄^2? were the dominant anions in groundwater with a salinity of <2500 mg/l, whereas Cl^? and SO₄^2? were the dominant anions in groundwater with a salinity of >2500 mg/l. The major ion concentrations indicated that mineral weathering, including carbonate and evaporite dissolution, primarily affected groundwater salinity in recharge areas. Evapotranspiration controlled the major ion concentration evolution and salinity distribution in the unconfined groundwaters in the flow‐through and discharge areas, although it had a limited effect on groundwater in the recharge areas and confined aquifers. Agricultural irrigation increased the water table and enhanced evapotranspiration in the oasis areas of the basin. TDS and Cl became more concentrated, but H and O isotopes were not enriched in the irrigation district, indicating that transpiration dominated the increasing salinity. For other places in the basin, as indicated by TDS, Cl, δD and δ¹⁸O characteristics, evaporation, transpiration and water–rock interactions dominated at different hydrogeological zones, depending on the plant coverage and hydrogeological conditions. Groundwater ages of ³H, and δD and δ¹⁸O compositions and distributions suggest that most of the groundwaters in Dunhuang Basin have a paleometeoric origin and experienced a long residence time. These results can contribute to groundwater management and future water allocation programmes in the Dunhuang Basin. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.