A geochemical investigation of crude oils and source rocks from Biyang Basin, China

China has a number of petroliferous lacustrine sedimentary basins of varying salinity and age (mainly Eocene). A geochemical investigation has been undertaken on several oils and source rocks from the Eocene lacustrine Biyang Basin. The distributions of n-alkanes, isoprenoids, steranes, and terpanes have been studied and used to characterize the sedimentary environment of deposition, maturity, biodegradation and undertake possible correlations. The ratios of C₃₀-hopane/gammacerane, 4-methyl-steranes/regular steranes, steranes/hopanes, C₂₁ tricyclic/C₃₀ hopane are proposed to be indicative of the depositional environment whereas ß-carotane appears to be a source related indicator. The geochemical data obtained in this study suggest that the major source rocks in the Biyang Basin were deposited in a saline/hypersaline depositional environment.     

An assessment of paleodepositional environment and maturity of organic matter in sediments of the Setap Shale and Belait formations in West Sabah,East Malaysia by organic geochemical methods

The black shale samples collected from two Neogene formations in the Klias Peninsula area, West Sabah, have been assessed and characterized in details by gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and a variety of organic geochemical parameters. The aims of this study are to describe the characteristics of organic matter of these sediments in terms of source/type of the organic matter, assess its thermal maturity and paleoenvironment of deposition, based primarily on biomarker distributions. The results of both formations do not reveal significant differences within the rock extracts. The gas chromatograms of the saturated hydrocarbon fractions of the Setap Shale and the Belait formations displayed monomodal n-alkane distributions and nearly identical regular sterane compositions with a predominance of C₂₇ regular steranes. These are consistent with open marine depositional environments dominated by marine biological matter. Another related feature of these rock extracts is the presence of a high relative abundance of gammacerane, indicating anoxic marine hypersaline source depositional environment. The relatively high abundance of common land plant-derived biomarkers, such as bicadinanes and oleananes, is a clear indication of a major terrigenous input to the source of the extractable organic matter. The predominance of oleanane biomarkers in both formations is indicative of angiospermis input and Tertiary source rocks. The high C₂₉/C₃₀ hopane ratios, moderate development of C₃₃–C₃₅ hopanes, high abundance of tricyclic terpanes and a slight predominance of C₂₇ regular sterane over C₂₈ and C₂₉ steranes are characteristic features tending to suggest a significant marine influence on these source rocks, thereby suggesting a mixed source input. The 22S/(22S+22R)C₃₂ hopane ratio has reached equilibrium, and this is supported by the high maturity level as indicated by the 22S/22SC_31–33 extended hopane ratios and 20S/(20S+20R)C₂₉ regular steranes ratios.     

Geochemical characteristics of Tertiary saline lacustrine oils in the Western Qaidam Basin,northwest China

Based on the systematic analyses of light hydrocarbon, saturate, aromatic fractions and C isotopes of over 40 oil samples along with related Tertiary source rocks collected from the western Qaidam basin, the geochemical characteristics of the Tertiary saline lacustrine oils in this region was investigated. The oils are characterized by bimodal n-alkane distributions with odd-to-even (C₁₁–C₁₇) and even-to-odd (C₁₈–C₂₈) predominance, low Pr/Ph (mostly lower than 0.6), high concentration of gammacerane, C₃₅ hopane and methylated MTTCs, reflecting the high salinity and anoxic setting typical of a saline lacustrine depositional environment. Mango’s K₁ values in the saline oils are highly variable (0.99–1.63), and could be associated with the facies-dependent parameters such as Pr/Ph and gammacerane indexes. Compared with other Tertiary oils, the studied Tertiary saline oils are marked by enhanced C₂₈ sterane abundance (30% or more of C₂₇–C₂₉ homologues), possibly derived from halophilic algae. It is noted that the geochemical parameters of the oils in various oilfields exhibit regular spatial changes, which are consistent with the depositional phase variations of the source rocks. The oils have uncommon heavy C isotopic ratios (−24‰ to −26‰) and a flat shape of the individual n-alkane isotope profile, and show isotopic characteristics similar to marine organic matter. The appearance of oleanane and high 24/(24 + 27)-norcholestane ratios (0.57–0.87) in the saline oils and source rocks confirm a Tertiary organic source.     

Pregnanes as molecular indicators for depositional environments of sediments and petroleum source rocks

Steroids with unconventional side chains have increasingly been applied as diagnostic markers for geological source and age assessments. However, one of the most distinctive characteristics, the abnormal abundance of pregnane and homopregnane in ancient sediments and petroleum, remains unresolved. Higher pregnane and homopregnane, as well as C₂₃–C₂₆ 20-n-alkylpregnanes, relative to the regular steranes were observed in samples collected from different petroleum basins in China. These included Precambrian marine carbonate-derived petroleum (NW Sichuan Basin), Lower Paleozoic marine marl derived crude oils (Tarim Basin), and Eocene hypersaline lacustrine carbonate source rocks and associated petroleum (Bohai Bay Basin). However, all of the samples have many common biomarker characteristics, such as pristane/phytane ratios < 1, low amounts of diasteranes and high C₂₉/C₃₀ hopane (∼0.6–1), C₃₅/C₃₄ hopane (mostly ⩾ 1) and dibenzothiophene/phenanthrene (DBT/PHEN, mostly 0.5–1) ratios revealing a contribution from anoxic carbonate/marl source rocks deposited in restricted, clastic-starved settings. We suggest that 5α,l4β,l7β-pregnane and homopregnane, as well as their higher C₂₃–C₂₆ homologues, are geological products derived from steroids bound to the kerogen by a sulfurized side chain. Carbon or carbonate minerals are considered to be natural catalysts for this cracking reaction via preferential cleavage of the bond between C-20 and C-22. Similar distributions occur in the short chain analogues of 4-methylsterane, triaromatic steroid and methyltriaromatic steroid hydrocarbons, providing circumstantial evidence for this proposal. The ratio of pregnane and homopregnane to the total regular steranes and the ratio of C₂₇ diasteranes to cholestanes can be sensitive indicators of sedimentary environments and facies. In general, high diasteranes and low pregnanes (with homologues) indicate an oxic water column or significant input of terrigenous organic matter in clay rich source rocks and some organic lean carbonate rocks. Low diasteranes with high pregnanes implies restricted, sulfur rich conditions, typical of anoxic carbonate source rocks. Furthermore, the two ratios may be useful to assess the variation of mineralogy and openness of source rock depositional settings.     

扬子板块北缘下志留统龙马溪组重晶石结核特征及其成因机制分析

在扬子板块北缘城口明中剖面及巫溪徐家坝剖面下志留统龙马溪组底部的硅质岩、泥岩中发现椭球状重晶石结核。其矿物组成主要为重晶石颗粒与作为"基质"的黄铁矿、粘土矿物和石英。通过重晶石岩石学、矿物学及锶同位素分析表明,重晶石结核形成于早期成岩阶段松软沉积物的孔隙水中。上升洋流带来丰富的营养及富钡物质,表层海水的高初始生产力促使生物繁盛,海水中的钡通过生物作用富集形成生物钡,生物钡(bio-barite)在埋藏过程中的硫酸盐耗竭区(sulfate depleted zones)通过硫酸盐细菌作用(BSR)溶解被激活提供了钡的来源。围岩岩性(黑色泥岩和硅质泥岩)表明重晶石结核形成于缺氧的环境中。上述研究对深入理解早志留世时期扬子板块北缘古海洋环境有一定的启示作用。     

Environmental control of carbon isotope variations in Pennsylvania black-shale sequences, Midcontinent, U.S.A.

A reversal of the conventional carbon isotope relationship, “terrestrial-lighter-than-marine” organic matter, has been documented for two Pennsylvanian (Desmoinesian) cyclothemic sequence cores from the Midcontinent craton of the central United States. “Deep” water organic-rich phosphatic black shales contain a significant proportion of algal-derived marine organic matter (as indicated by organic petrography, Rock-Eval hydrogen index and ratios) and display the lightest δ¹³C-values (max −27.80‰ for kerogen) while shallower water, more oxic facies (e.g. fossiliferous shales and limestones) contain dominantly terrestrial organic matter and have heavier δ¹³C_kerogen-values (to −22.87‰ for a stratigraphically adjacent coal). δ¹³C-values for extract fractions were relatively homogeneous for the organic-rich black shales with the lightest fraction (often the aromatics) being only 1‰, or less, more negative than the kerogen. Differences between extract fractions and kerogens were much greater for oxic facies and coals (e.g. saturates nearly 5‰ lighter than the kerogen).A proposed depositional model for the black shales calls upon a large influx of nutrients and humic detritus to the marine environment from the laterally adjacent, extremely widespread Pennsylvanian (peat) swamps which were rapidly submerged by transgression of the epicontinental seas. In this setting marine organisms drew upon a CO₂-reservoir which was in a state of disequilibrium with the atmosphere, being affected by isotopically light “recycled-CO₂” derived from the decomposition of peaty material in the water column and possibly from the anoxic diagenesis of organic matter in the sediments.     

Lipid geochemistry in a sediment core from Ruoergai Marsh deposit (Eastern Qinghai-Tibet plateau, China)

Peats in a sediment core from Ruoergai bog, which has a cold and moist plateau climate with major source input from herbaceous plants, have been studied by GC–MS in order to understand the composition and diagenetic processes of lipids in this depositional environment. Long chain components (C₂₁–C₃₅) predominate in the n-alkanes, n-alk-1-enes, n-fatty acids, n-alkan-2-ones and n-alkanols with a maximum of C₃₁, C_27, C₂₂ or C_24, C₂₃ or C₂₅ and C₂₂, respectively. A herbaceous origin for these long chain compounds is suggested, and this is supported by their stable carbon isotopic compositions. Diterpenoid hydrocarbons with abietane, pimarane and kaurane skeletons, some of which have not been reported often in modern sediments, are prominent and are derived from higher plants. Several triterpenoid ketones and alcohols with oleanane or lupane skeletons, and a series of des-A-triterpenoid hydrocarbons which have not been reported often in modern sediments are also present, and are assigned to a higher plant source. Hopanoids, including their alkanes, alkenes, ketones, alcohols and esters, are abundant and of bacterial origin. Steroid ketones and alkanols are dominated by C₂₉ homologues. C₂₈ and C₂₉ steroids are derived mainly from higher plants, whereas the C₂₇ component is assigned to a microbial source. The presence of short-chain n-alkanes with no odd-even carbon predominance, bacterially derived fatty acids (C₁₄, C₁₅, iso- and unsaturated acids), n-alkan-2-ones, des-A-triterpenoid hydrocarbons, hopanoids and some steroid ketones indicate that intense microbial reworking of the organic matter has taken place in this depositional environment. The chemical and biochemical conversions of some cyclic alkenes to alkanes, such as tricyclic diterpenoids, tetracyclic terpenoids and steroid ketones, are also evident with depth. The dominance of C₂₀ components in the diterpenoid hydrocarbons may reflect an oxidizing or reducing depositional condition.     

Petrography and textural development of inorganic and biogenic lithotypes in a relict barite tufa deposit at Flybye Springs, NT, Canada

A relict mound of Holocene barite (BaSO₄) tufa underlies the Flybye Springs, a small, barium‐rich, cold sulphur spring system in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The tufa is composed of relatively pure barite with ≤0·34 wt% Ca²⁺ and ≤0·77 wt% Sr²⁺. The mound is made up of coated bubble, raft, undulatory sheet, stromatolitic, coated grain and detrital conglomerate barite tufa. Although previously unreported in barite, these lithotypes are akin to facies found in many carbonate spring deposits. Raft and ooid‐coated grain tufa was formed via ‘inorganic’ barite precipitation in spring water ponds and tributaries where rapid oxidation of sulphide to sulphate established barite supersaturation. Undulatory sheet tufa may have formed by the reaction of dissolved barium with sulphate derived from the oxidation of extracellular polysaccharide‐rich colloidal sulphur films floating in oxygenated, barite‐saturated spring water ponds. Coated bubble, oncoid‐coated grain and stromatolitic tufa with filamentous microfossils was formed in close association with sulphur‐tolerant microbes inhabiting dysoxic and oxygenated spring water tributaries and ponds. Adsorption of dissolved barium to microbial extracellular polysaccharide probably facilitated the development of these ‘biogenic’ lithotypes. Detrital conglomerate tufa was formed by barite cementation of microdetrital tufa, allochthonous lithoclasts and organic detritus, including caribou hair. Biogenic textures, organic artefacts and microfossils in the Flybye barite tufa have survived diagenetic aggradational recrystallization and precipitation of secondary cements, indicating the potential for palaeoecological information to be preserved in barite in the geological record. Similarities between the Flybye barite tufa and carbonate spring deposits demonstrate that analogous textures can develop in chemical sedimentary systems with distinct mineralogy, biology and physiochemistry.     

Biomarker distributions as indicators for the depositional environment of lacustrine sediments in the Valjevo-Mionica basin (Serbia)

In this study, the molecular composition and biomarker distribution of lacustrine sediments from Val-1 drillhole in the central zone of the western part of the Valjevo-Mionica basin were investigated at depth interval of 0–400 m. Former investigations have shown that the core material can be separated into six depth intervals based on bulk geochemical, mineralogical and sedimentological characteristics. Concerning the quality of organic matter, presence of specific minerals, and high salinity and anoxicity, or alkalinity, three zones are of highest interest, defined at depth intervals of 15–75 m (A), 75–200 m (B) and 360–400 m (F). The first aim of the study was to identify which biomarkers characterize these specific intervals. The second aim, addressing the transitions zones of these intervals, was to extend the changes in the characteristics of the organic substance, to reflect the changes of conditions in the depositional environment as well as to define biomarker parameters which are the most sensitive sedimentological indicators.The sediments from the hypersaline anoxic and alkaline environment show high contribution of algal precursor biomass, what is in accordance with the good quality of organic substances in the sediments from these zones. High squalane content and low content of regular isoprenoid C₂₅ are typical for hypersaline anoxic environment, whereas sediments from alkaline environment have high regular isoprenoid C₂₅ content.Transition to specific sedimentation zones is characterized by change in total organic matter content, and of both free and pyrolysis-derived, and change in hydrogen index value. In the biomarker distributions, more significant changes were detected in distributions of n-alkanes and isoprenoids, compared to polycyclic alkanes. The most intensive changes in alkane distribution are reflected in changes in n-C₁₇ content compared to n-C₂₇, and phytane compared to n-C₁₈. In addition, significant sensitivity was seen in ratios between squalane and n-alkane C₂₆ (hypersaline depositional environment), or isoprenoid C₂₅ and n-alkane C₂₂ for high alkalinity environment.This study showed that Sq/n-C₂₆ ratio can be used to assess the quality of organic substance in immature lacustrine sediments.     

上扬子区下寒武统海相页岩岩相类型及沉积模式

上扬子区下寒武统牛蹄塘组页岩是我国南方地区页岩气重要勘探层系之一。通过露头、岩心、薄片、实验测试等资料综合分析,识别了该套页岩岩相类型及相关沉积作用方式,在水体氧化还原条件演变规律分析基础上总结了其沉积演化模式。牛蹄塘组页岩共包含6类岩相：富有机质硅质页岩、含粉砂硅质页岩、粉砂质页岩、黏土质页岩、泥质钙质页岩及粉砂质钙质页岩,主要体现为5种沉积作用方式：砂质机械沉积、钙质化学沉积、硅质生物沉积、泥质絮凝沉积及底流改造沉积。从底到顶,该套页岩表现为一套水体变浅的进积型演化序列,水体还原程度减弱,有机质保存条件变差。牛蹄塘组下段沉积期,盆地相区和陆棚相区分别以硅质生物沉积和钙质化学沉积为主,主体岩相类型为硅质页岩和钙质页岩;上段沉积期,盆地相区和陆棚相区分别以泥质絮凝沉积和砂质机械沉积为主,主体岩相类型为黏土质页岩和粉砂质混合质页岩。提出的牛蹄塘组页岩岩相发育模式及沉积演化规律能为研究区优质页岩的分布预测及页岩气勘探选区评价提供理论依据。     

湘西震旦—寒武纪交替时期古海洋环境的恢复

前寒武纪至寒武纪的交替时期是地质史和生命史的重要转折。中国南方地区广泛发育了上震旦统、下寒武统的黑色岩系。文中运用沉积学和沉积地球化学的理论和方法对湘西黑色岩系的岩石类型、矿物组成、元素地球化学特征、干酪根的结构以及碳同位素的组成等方面进行了研究 ,讨论了黑色岩系的形成条件 ,恢复了震旦纪 /寒武纪地史转折期的古环境。研究认为 ,湘西地区在晚震旦世和早寒武世地史转折期的生物爆发和高有机质的产率是形成缺氧环境的重要因素之一。     

Hydrogeochemical exploration for barite, Ouachita Mountains, U.S.A.

Approximately 100 springs were sampled as part of a general geochemical survey in a 130 by 140 km multi-mineralized area of the Ouachita Mountains. The study area was subdivided into Area I and Area II based on differences in lithology and mineralization. Area I is composed primarily of the Paleozoic Stanley Shale and the Arkansas Novaculite Formation, and has considerable manganese (often present as psilomelane) and barite mineralization. The barite occurs primarily as replacement deposits in shale in Area I. Area II is composed of Paleozoic and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, and Quaternary alluvium. Mercury, antimony, strontium and barite mineralization is present. The barite mineralization occurs as cement in the Cretaceous sandstone and gravel in this area.The widely prevalent barite cement in Area II is reflected by higher median and upper range values of barium concentration and also higher median and threshold % BaSO₄ saturation values. The presence of barite as cement in the sediments of Area II tends to mask the detection of the barite deposits in this area. Approximately 83% of the sites within 1.7 km of known barite mineralization in Area I were characterized by anomalous barium concentration, and 67% within 3.4 km. Anomalous % BaSO₄ saturation values and Ba/Sr ratios produced success rates generally similar to those of anomalous barium concentrations. Anomalous strontium concentrations did not prove effective in detecting barite mineralization.     

Petroleum geochemistry of the Potwar Basin,Pakistan: II – Oil classification based on heterocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

In a previous study, oils in the Potwar Basin (Upper Indus) of Pakistan were correlated based on the dissimilarity of source and depositional environment of organic matter (OM) using biomarkers and bulk stable isotopes. This study is aimed at supporting the classification of Potwar Basin oils into three groups (A, B and C) using the distribution of alkylnaphthalenes, alkylphenanthrenes, alkyldibenzothiophenes, alkyldibenzofurans, alkylfluorenes, alkylbiphenyls, triaromatic steroids, methyl triaromatic steroids, retene, methyl retenes and cadalene. The higher relative abundance of specific methyl isomers of naphthalene and phenanthrene and the presence of diagnostic aromatic biomarkers clearly indicate the terrigenous and oxic depositional environment of OM for group A oil. Group B and C oils are of marine origin and the aforementioned heterocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HCs) differentiate them clearly into two different groups. The relative percentages of heterocyclic aromatic HCs reveal that the distribution of these compounds is controlled by the depositional environment of the OM. Sulfur-containing heterocyclic aromatic HCs are higher in crude oils generated from source rocks deposited in suboxic depositional environments, while oxygen-containing heterocyclic aromatic HCs in combination with alkylfluorenes are higher in marine oxic and deltaic oils. Biomarker and aromatic HC parameters do not indicate significant differences in the thermal maturity of Potwar Basin oils. Triaromatic and methyl triaromatic steroids support the division of Potwar Basin oils into the three groups and their relative abundances are related to source OM rather than thermal maturity. Significantly higher amounts of C₂₀ and C₂₁ triaromtic steroids and the presence or absence of long chain triaromatic steroids (C₂₅, C₂₆, C₂₇, and C₂₈) indicates that these compounds are probably formed from different biological precursors in each group. Different isomers of methyl substituted triaromatic steroids are present only for short chain compounds (C₂₀–C₂₂) and the origin of these compounds may be short chain methyl steranes from unknown biological precursors.     

川东南—黔北地区龙马溪组沉积环境及对烃源岩的影响

川东南—黔北地区下志留统龙马溪组发育富含有机质泥页岩,是华南地区海相地层中的优质烃源岩之一,且分布广泛,厚度大,是有利的页岩气勘探区。通过研究区30条野外露头剖面和12口钻井的资料分析,结合岩性、元素地球化学、测井地球物理及古生物等相标志研究,对川东南—黔北地区下志留统龙马溪组沉积环境、沉积演化及其对烃源岩的影响进行了研究,在川东南—黔北地区龙马溪组识别出泥质深水陆棚、泥质浅水陆棚、砂泥质浅水陆棚、砂质浅水陆棚、灰泥质浅水陆棚、灰质浅水陆棚、浊流沉积、台地边缘浅滩-生物礁浊流等8种沉积类型,其中泥质深水陆棚是龙马溪组烃源岩形成的主要沉积环境。通过对沉积环境的研究,认为龙马溪组底部缺氧的滞留环境和缓慢的沉积速率是龙马溪组优质烃源岩发育的主要因素。研究为区内页岩气勘探开发提供有力保障。     

Characteristics of biomarkers in source rocks of the Ganquan Formation in the Dahulishan region, Ejina Banner

Based on gas chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry techniques, the authors examined biomarker characteristics of the Ganquan Formation source rocks in the area of Dahulishan, Ejina, and analyzed the information and petroleum geological significance that were indicated by the source of organic matter, sedimentary environment and maturity and so on. Gas chromatography peak of saturated hydrocarbons from the Ganquan Formation source rocks showed "the former peak" of the single peak distribution, the main peak of carbon being C18 , indicating the main sources of organic matter with marine organic matter. Pr/Ph ranges from 0.3 to 0.6, indicating a strongly reducing sedimentary environment. Biomarker assemblages of the Ganquan Formation source rocks are abundant in tricyclic terpane with long side chains, with a high level of gammacerane, showing dominant distribution of C27 sterane. High contents of gammacerane in organic matter show organic facies of source rocks in the saltwater sedimentary environment. That average hopane/sterane ratio is 0.59, showing that algae have made more contributions to organic matter than bacteria. And the high level of C27 steranes shows that algae are the main source of hydrocarbon precursors. The Ganquan Formation’s methylphenanthrene index, which is an effective molecular parameter index to measure thermal evolution of organic matter, ranges from 0.35 to 0.50, and the conversion of vitrinite reflectance Rc from it is within the range of 2.00-2.09, indicating that the Ganquan Formation source rocks are in the over-mature stage of thermal evolution.     

Evidence for euphotic zone anoxia during the deposition of Aptian source rocks based on aryl isoprenoids in petroleum,Sergipe–Alagoas Basin,northeastern Brazil

Four crude oil samples from the Sergipe–Alagoas Basin, northeastern Brazil, were analyzed using full scan gas chromatography–quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC–qMS) for biomarkers, in order to correlate them using aromatic carotenoids thereby enhancing knowledge about the depositional environment of their source rocks. The geochemical parameters derived from saturated fractions of the oils show evidence of little or no biodegradation and similar thermal maturation (Ts/(Ts + Tm) for terpanes, C₂₉ αββ/(αββ + ααα), C₂₇, and C₂₉ 20S/(20S + 20R) for steranes). Low pristane/phytane ratios and the abundance of gammacerane and β-carotane are indicative of an anoxic and saline depositional environment for the source rocks. Moreover, we identified a large range of diagenetic and catagenetic products of the aromatic carotenoid isorenieratene, including C₄₀, C₃₃, and C₃₂ diaryl isoprenoids and aryl isoprenoid derivatives with short side chains and/or additional rings. These results indicate anoxia in the photic zone during the deposition of the source rocks.     

Barite in the ocean – occurrence,geochemistry and palaeoceanographic applications

The mineral barite (BaSO₄) can precipitate in a variety of oceanic settings: in the water column, on the sea floor and within marine sediments. The geological setting where barite forms ultimately determines the geochemistry of the precipitated mineral and its usefulness for various applications. Specifically, the isotopic and elemental composition of major and trace elements in barite carry information about the solution(s) from which it precipitated. Barite precipitated in the water column (marine or pelagic barite) can be used as a recorder of changes in sea water chemistry through time. Barite formed within sediments or at the sea floor from pore water fluids (diagenetic or cold seeps barite) can aid in understanding fluid flow and sedimentary redox processes, and barite formed in association with hydrothermal activity (hydrothermal barite) provides information about conditions of crust alteration around hydrothermal vents. The accumulation rate of marine barite in oxic‐pelagic sediments can also be used to reconstruct past changes in ocean productivity. Some key areas for future work on the occurrence and origin of barite include: fully characterizing the mechanisms of precipitation of marine barite in the water column; understanding the role and potential significance of bacteria in barite precipitation; quantifying parameters controlling barite preservation in sediments; determining the influence of diagenesis on barite geochemistry; and investigating the utility of additional trace components in barite.     

A quantitative reconstruction of organic matter and nutrient diagenesis in Mediterranean Sea sediments over the Holocene

A multicomponent diagenetic model was developed and applied to reconstruct the conditions under which the most recent sapropel, S1, was deposited in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Simulations demonstrate that bottom waters must have been anoxic and sulphidic during the formation of S1 and that organic matter deposition was approximately three times higher than at present. Nevertheless, most present day sediment and pore water profiles — with the exception of pyrite, iron oxyhydroxides, iron-bound phosphorus and phosphate — can be reproduced under a wide range of redox conditions during formation of S1 by varying the depositional flux of organic carbon. As a result, paleoredox indicators (e.g., C_org:S ratio, C_org:P_org ratio, trace metals) are needed when assessing the contribution of oxygen-depletion and enhanced primary production to the formation of organic-rich layers in the geological record. Furthermore, simulations show that the organic carbon concentration in sediments is a direct proxy for export production under anoxic bottom waters.The model is also used to examine the post-depositional alteration of the organic-rich layer focussing on nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic carbon dynamics. After sapropel formation, remineralisation is dominated by aerobic respiration at a rate that is inversely proportional to the time since bottom waters became oxic once again. A sensitivity analysis was undertaken to identify the most pertinent parameters in regulating the oxidation of sapropels, demonstrating that variations in sedimentation rate, depositional flux of organic carbon during sapropel formation, bottom water oxygen concentration, and porosity have the largest impact. Simulations reveal that sedimentary nutrient cycling was markedly different during the formation of S1, as well as after reoxygenation of bottom waters. Accumulation of organic nitrogen in sediments doubled during sapropel deposition, representing a significant nitrogen sink. Following reventilation of deep waters, N₂ production by denitrification was almost 12 times greater than present day values. Phosphorus cycling also exhibits a strong redox sensitivity. The benthic efflux of phosphate was up to 3.5 times higher during the formation of S1 than at present due to elevated depositional fluxes of organic matter coupled with enhanced remineralisation of organic phosphorus. Reoxygenation of bottom waters leads to a large phosphate pulse to the water column that declines rapidly with time due to rapid oxidation of organic material. The oxidation of pyrite at the redox front forms iron oxyhydroxides that bind phosphorus and, thus, attenuate the benthic phosphate efflux. These results underscore the contrasting effects of oxygen-depletion on sedimentary nitrogen and phosphorus cycling. The simulations also confirm that the current conceptual paradigm of sapropel formation and oxidation is valid and quantitatively coherent.     

Hydrocarbon source potential and depositional environment of the Surma Group shales of Bengal basin,Bangladesh

Surma Group is the most important geological unit of Bengal basin, Bangladesh, because petroleum resources occur within this group. It is mainly composed of alternation of shale and sandstone and the shale fraction has long been considered as source rocks and the sandstone fraction as reservoir. These source and reservoir rocks have been studied by different authors by different approach but none of them adopted organic geochemistry and organic petrology as a means of study of source rock and their possible depositional environment. A total of thirty shale core samples have been collected from eight different gas fields to fulfill the short coming. The collected samples have been subjected to Source Rock Analysis (SRA) and/or Rock-Eval (RE) followed by pyrolysis gas chromatography (PyGC), gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS), elemental analysis (EA) and organic petrological study such as vitrinite reflectance measurement and maceral analysis. The analyzed organic matter extracted from the shales of Surma Group consists mainly of Type III along with some Type II kerogen. The studied shales are mostly organically lean (TOC ±1%) and the extracted organic matter is fair to moderate. Based on these results, the analyzed shales have been ranked as poor (mostly) to fair quality source rock. The organic matter of the analyzed shale samples is thermally immature to early mature for hydrocarbon generation considering their T_max and measured mean vitrinite reflectance values. The hopane 22S/(22S + 22R), moretane/hopane ratio and sterane parameters are also in good agreement with these thermal maturity assessments. The predominance of odd carbons over even carbons (most common) and/or even carbons over odd carbon numbered n-alkanes, moderate Pr/Ph ratio, low to high Tm/Ts ratio, comparative abundance of sterane C₂₉ (i.e., C₂₉ >C₂₇>C₂₈), Pr/nC₁₇ — Ph/nC₁₈ values, C/S ratio and dominance of vitrinite macerals group with the presence of liptinite macerals demonstrate that the organic matter has derived mainly from terrestrial inputs with an insignificant contribution from the marine sources. The condition of deposition alternates from oxic to anoxic.     

Geochemical characteristics of the lower part of Shayi Member in Lixian Slope,Raoyang Sag,Bohai Bay Basin,Northern China: Implications for organic matters origin,thermal maturity and depositional environment

The lower part of Shayi Member (Es1x Sub-Member) composed mainly of dark mudstones and shales is the dominant source rocks for the Lixian Slope. Based on organic petrology, organic and inorganic geochemistry analyses of several mudstone and shale samples selected from Es1x Sub-Member, this research provides an overview on type, origin and thermal maturity of organic matters, as well as depositional environment of Es1x Sub-Member. Kerogen microscopy observation shows that the macerals are dominated by sapropelinite with a significant mixture of vitrinite and inertinite, indicating that aquatic algal-bacterial organic matter inputs are dominate with a significant contribution of terrigenous organic matter inputs. This statement is supported by n-alkane patterns distribution characteristics, high (n-C₂₁ + n-C₂₂)/(n-C₂₈ + n-C₂₉) values (average = 1.77), the plot of high Ph/n-C₁₈ values (average = 4.15) versus low Pr/n-C₁₇ values (average = 1.13), and high proportion of C₂₇ sterane and C₂₉ sterane (average = 37.7 and 42.0%, respectively). In addition, the rather low Pr/Ph values (average = 0.38), high gammacerane index values (average = 0.30), high V/Ni and V/(V + Ni) values (average = 11.84 and 0.89, respectively), high Sr/Ba and Sr/Cu values (average = 8.54 and 108, respectively), indicative of a saline water condition and a anoxic depositional environment. The low C29 sterane ααα 20S/(20S + 20R), C₂₉ sterane αββ/(αββ + ααα), C₃₁ homohopane 22S/(22S + 22R), C₃₂ homohopane 22S/(22S + 22R), Ts/(Ts + Tm) values and relatively high moretane/hopane values show that the level of thermal maturity of organic matters in Es1x Sub-Member are low.