Helium and Argon Isotopic Composition of Cenozoic Alkali Basalts and Mantle-Derived Xenoliths from Kuandian, Liaoning Province, China

The noble gas isotopic composition and content data of 2 alkali basalts, 3 Iherzolite xenoliths and one clinopyroxene megacryst from the Kuandian region have confirmed the occurrence of a fractionation of noble gases during magmatism. Light noble gases such as He and Ne are high in mobility and appear to be incompatible as compared with heavy ones ( such as Kr and Xe). Therefore, light noble gases are abundant in volcanics, especially in the volcanics with bubbles; lherzolite xenoliths have relatively high heavy noble gases. The clinopyroxene megacryst has the lowest abundance of noble gases, probably due to its high P-T origin. Noble gas isotopic composition of the clinopyroxene megacryst reveals that the mantle source beneath the Kuandian area has an MORB-like reservoir with^3 He/^4He ratio of—10 Ra(Ra: atmospheric^3 He/^4He ratio) and^40 Ar/^36 Ar ratio of 345.6. The Iherzolite xenoliths possess moderate^3 He/^4He ratios of 2.59 -4.53 Ra, reflecting the loss of primary helium during rock deformation or metasomatism caused by enriched mantle fluids during the up-lifting. The alkali volcanics have very low^3 He/^4 He ratios(0.47—0.61 Ra),indicating a contribution of radiogenic^4 He, probably having resulted from crust contamination. Most of the samples have excess^21 Ne and^22 Ne as compared with atmospheric neon, but Kr and Xe isotopic compositions are indistinguishable from atmospheric values within uncertainties with only individual samples having excess^129Xe,^134Xeand^136 Xe.     

Isotope tracers for deep-seated fluids and noble gases

The role of He and Ar isotopes in tracing the source of ore fluids has aroused great attention of the broad masses of the geological researchers. On the basis of lots of test and measurement of He and Ar isotopes in sulfides from Au, Ag polymetallic ore deposits in northern China, statistics has been made on the published He and Ar isotope data from 27 gold deposits, 13 silver polymetallic ore deposits, 8 polymetallic ore deposits, 1 rare-earth deposit, 3 oceanic incrustations, 3 volcanic springs and their wall rocks and granites. The statistical results indicate that the 3 He/ 4 Ar (×10-6 ) values of the Au, Ag polymetallic ore deposits are within the range of 0.24 9.39, with an average of 3.34×10-6 ; the He/Ar values, 0.007 6.01,with an average of 2.37; the 40 Ar/ 36 Ar values, 265.75 2361, with an average of 699.0; the 4 He/ 40 Ar values, 0.0020 643.86, with an average of 5.85, the 3 He/ 4 Ar (×10-6 ) values of gneiss and granite surrounding the mining area, 0.001 1.79, with an average of 1.00×10-6 , reflecting great differences in source. Mantle-source He in 48 Au, Ag polymetallic ore deposits accounts for 4.55% 83.06%, averaging 29.91%. It falls near the mantle-source region which can be seen in the He isotopic concentration diagram and the 3 He/ 4 He(R/Ra) 40 Ar/ 36 Ar plot. Studies suggested that the ore-forming materials for endogenic Au, Ag polymetallic ore deposits should be derived from the deep interior of the Earth, and with the multi-stage evolution of mantle plumes the deep-seated ore fluids would be transported from the deep interior of the Earth to the shallow levels. During this process the mixing of crust/mantle-source fluids would inevitably occur, therefore, the value range always lies between the mantle and the crust.     

Origin of Natural Gas in Kekeya Field, Tarim Basin, China

This paper is mainly concentrated on the geochemical characteristics and origin of gas of Kekeya field in the Tarim basin, NW China. This study shows that Permian mudstone is the main source rock of oil and gas. Based on the carbon isotopes of C1--C4, the carbon isotope of gas in Kekeya field is a little heavier than that in the typical marine-derived gas. The relationship between carbon isotopes of methane and ethane is coincident with Faber equation of gas derived from organic matter Ⅰ/Ⅱ. The majority of gas maturity is estimated, based on the formula, at 1.8%-2.2% besides K2 and K18 wells. In addition, the gas derived from 0.9%-1.2% Ro source rocks may also bemixture. ^40Ar/^36Ar and ^3He/^4He ratios from the gas samples also support the mixing process. Moreover, the gas in this region is mainly generated from more mature source rocks although the low mature gas exists.     

The generation kinetics of natural gases in the Kela-2 gas field from the Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin, northwestern China

The Kela-2 gas field, found in the Kuqa Depression of the Tarim Basin, northwestern China, is a large-sized dry gas field (C1 /C1-5 =0.992 0.999) and characterized by ultra-high pressure (pressure factor up to 2.0 2.2). The pyrolysis experiment was carried out under isothermal gold-tube closed system, with samples collected from the Jurassic coal, Jurassic mudstone and Triassic mudstone in the Kuqa Depression. The result of gas yield showed that the Middle and Lower Jurassic source rocks have higher gas generation potential than the Triassic source rocks. The kinetic modeling of gas generation and methane carbon isotope fractionation suggested that the Kela-2 gases belong to the products of high-over mature stages and were mainly derived from the Middle and Lower Jurassic coal-bearing strata. The Triassic source rocks made a minor contribution to the Kela-2 gases. The Kela-2 gases chiefly generated from coal-bearing source rocks with R o values from 1.3% to 2.5%, and thus primarily accumulated after 5 Ma.     

Interactions between basalts and oil source rocks in rift basins： CO2 generation

Basalts interbedded with oil source rocks are discovered frequently in rift basins of eastern China, where CO2 is found in reservoirs around or within basalts, for example in the Binnan reservoir of the Dongying Depression. In the reservoirs, CO2 with heavy carbon isotopic composition (δ13C>-10‰ PDB) is in most cases accounts for 40% of the total gas reserve, and is believed to have resulted from degassing of basaltic magma from the mantle. In their investigations of the Binnan reservoir, the authors suggested that the CO2 would result from interactions between the source rocks and basalts. As the source rocks around basalts are rich in carbonate minerals, volcanic minerals, transition metals and organic matter, during their burial history some of the transition metals were catalyzed on the thermal degradation of organic matter into hydrocarbons and on the decomposition of carbonate minerals into CO2, which was reproduced in thermal simulations of the source rocks with the transition metals (Ni and Co). This kind of CO2 accounts for 55%-85% of the total gas reserve generated in the process of thermal simulation, and its δ13C values range from -11‰- -7.2‰ PDB, which are very similar to those of CO2 found in the Binnan reservoir. The co-generation of CO2 and hydrocarbon gases makes it possible their accumulation together in one trap. In other words, if the CO2 resulted directly from degassing of basaltic magma or was derived from the mantle, it could not be accumulated with hydrocarbon gases because it came into the basin much earlier than hydrocarbon generation and much earlier than trap formation. Therefore, the source rocks around basalts generated hydrocarbons and CO2 simultaneously through catalysis of Co and Ni transition metals, which is useful for the explanation of co-accumulation of hydrocarbon gases and CO2 in rift basins in eastern China.     

Granite is an Effective Helium Source Rock: Insights from the Helium Generation and Release Characteristics in Granites from the North Qinling Orogen,China

Global helium(He) shortage is a challenging problem; however, the types of helium source rock and the mechanisms of He generation and release therein remain still poorly understood. In this study, in order to evaluate the potential of granite as an effective helium source rock, we collected granitic samples from the North Qinling Orogen, Central China, in the south of the helium-rich Weihe Basin. The helium generation and release behaviors in granite were studied through analysis of U and Th concentrations, EMPA images, and He and Ar concentrations and isotopic ratios extracted by crushing and stepwise heating. The results indicate that Ar has a better retention and a lower mobility than He. 3 He/4 He ratios released by crushing and stepwise heating are 0.016–0.056 RA and 0.003–0.572 RA, respectively, where RA is the atmospheric 3 He/4 He of 1.4×10-6, reflecting a crustal and radiogenic source. Helium concentrations extracted by the two ways are 0.13–0.95 ucm3 STP/g and 7.82–115.62 ucm3 STP/g, respectively, suggesting that matrix-sited He accounts for more than 98% of total helium preserved in granite. In addition, the total generated He amounts in granites are calculated based on the measured U and Th concentrations in granitic samples. Dividing the preserved He quantities by the generated He amounts, it turned out that less than 10% of He produced since the formation of the granite is preserved in the rock over geological time, suggesting that more than 90% generated He can be transferred to the Weihe Basin. Temperature and fracture are the two critical factors controlling He release. Based on the relationship between He diffusivity of granites and temperature and the He closure temperatures of a variety of U-and Th-rich minerals(27–250°C), we estimate that He can be partially released out of granite at the depths 400 m and totally released at the depths 7800 m. Fractures provide effective transfer of free He from deep source rocks to shallow reservoirs. Finally, a model on granite as an effective helium source rock is established. We suggest exploring He resources in hydrocarbon basins with granitic basement(or adjacent to granite bodies), high geothermal field, and young active fractures.     

Geochemical Characteristics of Gases from the Wudalianchi Volcanic Area,Northeastern China

The origins of gases in springs, pools and wells from the Wudalianchi (WDLC) volcanic area are discussed based upon molecular and isotope compositions of the gases. Nine gas and water samples were collected from bubbles and water of the springs and pools in the WDLC volcanic area, Northeastern China, in August 1997. The molecular components were measured with a MAT-271 mass spectrometer (MS), helium isotope ratios with a VG-5400 MS, and (13C with a MAT-251 MS in the Lanzhou Institute of Geology. The gases are enriched in CO2 , and most of the CO2 concentrations are over 80% (V). The helium and methane concentrations have relatively wide ranges of 0.7 to 380×10-6 and 4 to 180×10-6, respectively. The 3He/4He ratios are between 1.05 Ra and 3.1 Ra (Ra = 1.4×10-6); the 4He/20Ne values are between 0.45 and 1011, larger than the atmospheric value (0.32). The (13C (PDB) values of carbon dioxide range from (9.6 to (4.2‰. These geochemical data demonstrate that the spring water is from aquifers at different depths, and that helium and carbon dioxide are derived from the mantle, and are contaminated by crust gases during deep fluid migration. Also, there are larger fluxes of deep-earth matter and energy in the WDLC volcanic area.     

Relationship Between Gas Carbon Isotope and Maturity in the Craton Basin,Tarim Basin

Carbon isotopes of natural gases are controlled not only by source and mature effect,but also by accumulating (leakage and mixing)effect.The gases,distributed in the three paleo-uplifts,Tazhong,Tabei and Bachu in the Tarim Basin,are generated mainly from Cambrian and Lower Ordovician hydrocarbon-source rocks.Being under good preservation conditions,gas pools in the Tzahong region experienced a long accumulation period.rsulting in a successive gas accumulation region in this region.The gas carbon isotope values are more negative than those in other regions because of the strong accumulating effect.The tabei and Mazhatage regions have poor preservation conditions,the gas pools are formed in a short accumulation period,and the gas carbon isotope values are more positive.This is called the transiftion-stage gas accumulation region.Because of involvement of low mature gas.even biogenic gas from UpperMiddle Ordovician,some gas in ordovician reservoirs on the northern slope of the Tazhong uplift is characterized by much more negative δ13C1,The δ13C2-δ13C1 value is an effective index to measure the gas maturity of the main body in a gas pool,Combining δ13C2-δ13C1 with δ13c1 and δ13C2,the effects described above can be explained very well,results of our study show that the gas maturity for the Mazhatage region is the highest in the craton basin.followed by tabei,Gases in the Tazhong area are high-over mature gases though the gas carbon isotope values are highly negative.     

Origin of natural gases and their differences between the eastern and western parts of central Tarim Basin

The origin of natural gases in central Tarim Basin is very complicated and there has been no definite conclusion in this aspect. Based on the results of systematic research on their composition and carbon isotopic characteristics, natural gases in central Tarim Basin are composed mainly of hydrocarbon gas, Ordovician natural gas with the characteristics of crude oil-cracking gas, and Carboniferous natural gas not only originating from kerogen cracking, but also from oil cracking. There are significant differences in composition and carbon isotope of natural gases between the eastern and western areas. The causes for the differences in geochemical characteristics of natural gases are presented as follows: different thermal evolution degrees of organic matter. Natural gases in the western region may have generated from the Middle- Upper Ordovician source rocks, and natural gases in the eatern region may be derived from the Cambrian source rocks, which entered into high to over mature stages; the gases migrated from west to east and caused the different compositional and carbon isotopic characteristics of natural gases; difference in the strength of thermal sulfate reduction between the eastern and western parts, with the reduction in the eastern part being stronger than that in the western part.     

Helium,Argon and Carbon Isotopic Compositions of Spring Gases in the Hainan Island,China

Chemical and isotopic compositions have been measured for N2-He-rich bubbling gases discharging from hot springs in the Hainan Island, Southern China. Observed 3He/4He ratios (0.1–1.3 RA) indicate the occurrence of a mantle component throughout the island, which has been highly diluted by a crustal radiogenic 4He component. The occurrence of mantle-derived helium is high in the northern island (12%–16% of total He) and gradually decreases towards southern coast (1%–3% of total He). Such a distribution pattern is most likely controlled by the Pleocene-Quaternary volcanic activities in the northern island and groundwater circulation along the deep major faults. The 40Ar/36Ar and N2/Ar ratios suggest that N2 and Ar of the hot spring gases are mostly meteoric. Although δ13C values of CO2 (–20‰ to –27‰) with low concentrations are consistent with the biogenic origin, the combination of 3He/4He and d13CCO2 suggests a two end-member mixing of mantle and crustal components with CO2/3He ratios of 2×109 and 8×1011, respectively. However, the low CO2/3He ratios (1–22×106) can not be ascribed in terms of the simple mixing but has to be explained by the addition of radiogenic 4He and loss of CO2 by calcite precipitation in the hydrothermal system, which is most likely controlled by the degree of gas-water-rock interaction.     

The Bulong Gold Deposit-a Quartz-Barite Vein Type Gold Deposit in Xinjiang:Geological Characteristics and S, He and Ar Isotopic Compositions

The Bulong gold deposit, located in the southwest Tianshan in China, occurs in the Upper Devonian finegrained clastic rocks. The gold orebodies are controlled by an gently inclined interlayer fractured zone. They are hosted only in quartz-barite veins though there are barite veins and quartz veins in the ore district. The δ34S values of pyrite in the ores range from 14.6‰ to 19.2‰ and those of barite from 35.0‰ to 39.6‰, indicating that the sulfur was derived from the strata. 3He/4He ratios of fluid inclusions in pyrite are 0.24-0.82 R/Ra, approximating to that of the crust. The 40Ar/39Ar ratios range from 338 to 471, slightly higher than that of the atmosphere. 40Ar /4He ratios of ore fluids range from 0.015 to 0.412 with a mean of 0.153. Helium and argon isotope compositions of fluid inclusions show that the ore fluids of the Bulong gold deposit were mainly derived from the crust.     

Geochemical Characteristics and Origin of Natural Gases in the Qaidam Basin, China

Sixty-five natural gas samples were collected from 19 oil-gasfields in the Qaidam basin, China. The chemical composition and carbon isotope values of the samples were measured, and the geochemical characteristics and origin of the natural gases were studied. The gases can be divided into biogenic gases, sapropelic oil-type gases, mixed type oil-type gases, coal-type gases and mixed gas. The δ13Ci values of the biogenic gases are very small and the C2+ contents of them are very low, ranging from -68.2‰ to -61.8‰ and 0.06% to 0.20% respectively. They have heavy δD and δ13Cco2> showing a CC>2 reduction pathway. They are distributed in the East depression region and derived from the Quaternary source rocks. The sapropelic oil-type gases have small δ13C2 values and high C2+ ranging from -36.6‰ to -28.6‰ and from 33.01% to 47.15% respectively. The mixed type oil-type gases have <5I3C2 values and C2+ contents varying from -28.6‰ to -24.8‰ and from 4.81% to 26.06% respectively. Both sapropelic oil-typ     

The origin and accumulation model of crude oils from oil reservoirs Chang 9 and Chang 10 in the Yanchang Formation of the Ordos Basin

In the lower parts of oil reservoirs Chang 9 and Chang 10 of the Yanchang Formation are oil-bearing layers newly found in oil exploration in the Ordos Basin.Based on GC,GC-MS analyses of saturated hydrocarbons from crude oils and source rocks,reservoir fluid inclusions and BasinMod,the origin of crude oils,accumulation period and accumulation models are discussed in combination with other petroleum geology data in this paper.The result shows that(1) there are two different types of crude oils in oil reservoir Chang 9 in the Longdong and Jiyuan regions:crude oils of typeⅠ(Well D86,Well A44,Well A75,Well B227,Well X62 and Well Z150) are mainly de-rived from the Chang 7 source rocks(including mudstones and shales) and distributed in the Jiyuan and Longdong regions;those of typeⅡ(Well Z14 and Well Y427),are distributed in the Longdong region,which are derived from the Chang 9 source rocks.Crude oils from oil reservoir Chang 10 in the Shanbei region are mainly derived from the Chang-9 source rocks;(2) there are two phases of hydrocarbon filling in oil reservoir Chang 9 in the Jiyuan and Longdong regions and oil reservoir Chang 10 in the Shanbei region:The first phase started at the early stage of J2z.The process of hydrocarbon filling was discontinuous in the Late Jurassic,because of the tectonic-thermal event in the Ordos Basin.The second phase was the main accumulation period,and hydrocarbons began to accumulate from the late stage of J2a to the middle-late of K1,mainly at the middle-late stage of K1;(3) there exist two types of accu-mulation models in oil reservoirs Chang 9 and Chang 10 of the Yanchang Formation:source rocks of the reservoirs in oil reservoir Chang 9 in the Jiyuan region and oil reservoir Chang 10 in the Shanbei region,the mixed type of reservoirs on the lateral side of source rocks and source rocks of the reservoirs in oil reservoir Chang 9 in the Long-dong region.     

The Origin of Paleokarst in the Huanglong Formation of the Eastern Sichuan Basin: Evidence from δ13C, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr

Karst rocks from the Huanglong Formation exposed at the margin of the Eastern Sichuan Basin can be divided into four types:slightly corroded, moderately corroded porous, intensely corroded brecciated and intensely corroded and replaced secondary calcic karstic rocks. The carbon, oxygen and strontium isotope compositions of the various karst rocks are analyzed systematically and compared to rocks without karst corrosion. The results indicate that(1) the Huanglong Formation in the eastern Sichuan Basin was a restricted bay supplied and controlled by freshwater in which mudmicrite and mud-dolomicrite exhibit low δ13C and δ18O values and high 87Sr/86 Sr ratios;(2) all types of karstic rocks in the paleokarst reservoirs of the Huanglong Formation in the research area are affected by atmospheric freshwater with the δ13C and δ18O values and 87Sr/86 Sr ratios in the original formation approaching those of atmospheric freshwater, which reflects ancient hydrological conditions, fluid properties, isotopic source and the fractionation effect;(3) the intensely corroded and replaced secondary limestone is affected by a variety of diagenetic fluids, often reflected by δ13C and δ18O values, while the 87Sr/86 Sr ratios exhibit the strong degree of the corrosion;(4) after comparing the 87Sr/86 Sr ratios of each type of karst rock, the diagenetic fluids are determined to be mainly atmospheric freshwater, and depending on the strength of corrosion, and the low 87Sr/86 Sr ratio fluids in the layer will participate in the karst process. The carbon, oxygen, and strontium isotopes of different karstic reservoirs can provide meaningful geochemical information for forecasting and evaluating the development and distribution rules of the Huanglong Formation at the margin of the eastern Sichuan Basin in time and space.     

Research Advances and Exploration Significance of Large-area Accumulation of Low and Medium Abundance Lithologic Reservoirs

In recent years, a series of large low and medium abundance oil and gas fields are discovered through exploration activities onshore China, which are commonly characterized by low porosity-permeability reservoirs, low oil/gas column height, multiple thin hydrocarbon layers, and distribution in overlapping and connection, and so on. The advantageous conditions for large-area accumulation of low-medium abundance hydrocarbon reservoirs include： （1） large （fan） delta sandbodies are developed in the hinterland of large flow-uncontrolled lake basins and they are alternated with source rocks extensively in a structure like ＂sandwiches＂; （2） effective hydrocarbon source kitchens are extensively distributed, offering maximum contact chances with various sandbodies and hydrocarbon source rocks; （3） oil and gas columns are low in height, hydrocarbon layers are mainly of normal-low pressure, and requirements for seal rock are low; （4） reservoirs have strong inheterogeneity and gas reservoirs are badly connected; （5） the hydrocarbon desorption and expulsion under uplifting and unloading environments cause widely distributed hydrocarbon source rocks of coal measures to form large-area reservoirs; （6） deep basin areas and synclinal areas possess reservoir-forming dynamics. The areas with great exploration potential include the Paleozoic and Mesozoic in the Ordos Basin, the Xujiahe Formation in Dachuanzhong in the Sichuan basin, deep basin areas in the Songliao basin etc. The core techniques of improving exploration efficiency consist of the sweetspot prediction technique that focuses on fine characterization of reservoirs, the hydrocarbon layer protecting and high-speed drilling technique, and the rework technique for enhancing productivity.     

Formation Laws of Inorganic Gas Pools in the Northern Jiangsu Basin

In the Northern Jiangsu basin there are high pure CO2 gas pools, low condensed oil-containing CO2 gas pools, high condensed oil-containing CO2 gas pools and He-containing natural gas pools, with the δ13Cco2 (PDB) values ranging from -2.87‰ to -6.50‰, 3He/4He 3.71×10-6 to 6.42×10-6, R/Ra 2.64 to 4.5, 40Ar/36Ar 705 to 734, belonging to typical mantle source inorganic gas pools which are related to young magmatic activity. The gas layers occur in two major reservoir-caprock systems, the terrestrial Meso-Cenozoic clastic rock system and the marine Meso-Palaeozoic carbonate rock-clastic rock system. Controlled by the difference in the scale of traps in the two reservoir-caprock systems, large and medium-scale inorganic gas pools are formed in the marine Meso-Palaeozoic Group and only small ones are formed in the terrestrial Meso-Cenozoic strata. Inorganic gas pools in this basin are distributed along the two deep lithospheric faults on the west and south boundaries of the basin. Gas pools are developed     

Origin and Source of Deep Natural Gas in Nanpu sag,Bohai Bay Basin,China

Natural gas exploration in Nanpu sag, Bohai Bay Basin, has achieved breakthroughs in recent years, and a number of natural gas and condensate wells with high yield have been found in several structures in the beach area. Daily gas production of single wells is up to 170,000 m3, and high-yield wells are mainly distributed in?the Nanpu No. 1 structural belt.?Studies have shown that these natural gases are mainly hydrocarbon gases, with methane content about 80% to 90% and ethane 6%-9%, so they are mainly wet gas; and non-hydrocarbons are at a low level.?Carbon isotopes of methane range from -42‰ to -36‰, and ethane from -28‰ to -26‰. Calculated maturity based on the relationship between δ13C and Ro of natural gas, the gases are equivalent to those generated from organic matter when Ro is 1.0%-1.7% (mainly 1.25%-1.32%). The natural gas is oil-type gas generated from the source rocks at mature to high mature stage, associated with condensate, so carbon isotopes of the gases are heavier. Natural gas in the Nanpu No.1 structural belt is mainly associated gas with condensate. The analysis of the origin and source of natural gas and condensate, combined with the monomer hydrocarbon carbon isotopes and biomarker, indicated that the main source rocks in the Nanpu No.1 structural belt were Es3 (the lower member of the Shahejie Formation), followed by Es1 (the upper member of the Shahejie Formation).?The high-mature hydrocarbons from source rocks in the deep sag mainly migrated through deep inherited faults into shallow traps and accumulated to form oil and gas pools. Therefore, there is a great potential for exploring gas in deep layers.     

Origin and Accumulation of Natural Gases in the Upper Paleozoic Strata of the Ordos Basin in Central China

The natural gases in the Upper Paleozoic strata of the Ordos basin are characterized by relatively heavy C isotope of gaseous alkanes with δ 13C1 and δ13C2 values ranging mainly from ?35‰ to ?30‰ and ?27‰ to ?22‰, respectively, high δ13C excursions (round 10) between ethane and methane and predominant methane in hydrocarbon gases with most C1/(C1-C5) ratios in excess of 0.95, suggesting an origin of coal-derived gas. The gases exhibit different carbon isotopic profiles for C1-C4 alkanes with those of the natural gases found in the Lower Paleozoic of this basin, and believed to be originated from Carboniferous-Permian coal measures. The occurrence of regionally pervasive gas accumulation is distinct in the gently southward-dipping Shanbei slope of the central basin. It is noted that molecular and isotopic composition changes of the gases in various gas reservoirs are associated with the thermal maturities of gas source rocks. The abundances and δ13C values of methane generally decline northwards and from the basin center to its margins, and the effects of hydrocarbon migration on compositional modification seem insignificant. However, C isotopes of autogenetic calcites in the vertical and lateral section of reservoirs show a regular variation, and are as a whole depleted upwards and towards basin margins. Combination with gas maturity gradient, the analysis could be considered to be a useful tool for gas migration.     

Helium and argon isotopic compositions of the Longquanzhan gold deposit in the Yishu fault zone and their geological implications

The Longquanzhan gold deposit hosted in granitic cataclasites with mylontization of the foot wall of the main Yishui-Tangtou fault. 3He/4He ratios in fluid inclusions range from 0. 14 to 0. 24 R/Ra,close to those of the crust-source helium. 40Ar/36Ar ratios were measured to be 289-1811, slightly higher than those of atmospheric argon. The results of analysis of helium and argon isotopes suggested that ore-forming fluids were derived chiefly from the crust. The δ18O values of fluid inclusions from vein quartz range from -1.78‰ to 4.07‰, and the δD values of the fluid inclusions vary between -74‰ and -77‰. The hydrogen and oxygen isotope data indicated that the ore-forming fluid for the Longquanzhan gold deposit had mixed with meteoric water in the process of mineralization. This is consistent with the conclusion from the helium and argon isotope data.     

Origin and Accumulation of Natural Gases in the Upper Paleozoic Strata of the Ordos Basin in Central China

The natural gases in the Upper Paleozoic strata of the Ordos basin are characterized by relatively heavy C isotope of gaseous alkanes with δ13C1 and δ13C2 values ranging mainly from-35‰ to -30‰ and-27‰ to-22‰,respectively,high δ13C excursions (round 10)between ethane and methane and predominant methane in hydrocarbon gases with most C1/(C1-C5)ratios in excess of 0.95, suggesting an origin of coal-derived gas.The gases exhibit different carbon isotopic profiles for C1.C4 alkanes with those of the natural gases found in the Lower Paleozoic of this basin.and believed to be originated from Carboniferous-Permian coal measures.The occurrence of regionally pervasive gas accumulation iS distinct in the gently southward-dipping Shanbei slope of the central basin.It is noted that molecular and isotopic composition changes of the gases in various gas reservoirs are associated With the thermal maturities of gas source rocks.The abundances and δ13C values of methane generally decline northwards and from the basin center to its margins.and the effects of hydrocarbon migration on compositional modification seem insignificant.However, C isotopes of autogenetic calcites in the vertical and lateral section of reservoirs show a regular variation,and are as a whole depleted upwards and towards basin margins.Combination with gas maturity gradient, the analysis could be considered to be a useful tool for gas migration.