鄂西地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组页岩元素地球化学特征及沉积古环境恢复

目前关于牛蹄塘组页岩沉积古环境及其对有机质富集影响的认识尚显不足。为此,基于总有机碳（TOC）含量测定、XRD矿物组分分析、沉积地球化学分析等方法,以鄂西地区X井和Y井牛蹄塘组页岩为研究对象,揭示了页岩的沉积古环境,并探究了其对页岩有机质富集的影响。研究结果表明牛蹄塘组牛二段下部为富有机质层段,石英含量最高。牛一段页岩的Ca、P富集显著,牛二段以及牛三段页岩的Ca、Fe富集显著,其中牛二段页岩中的氧化还原敏感元素Mo、U富集程度最高。牛蹄塘组页岩无明显的Eu异常,轻稀土元素（LREE）比重稀土元素（HREE）更加富集。硅质页岩沉积于高的古生产力、较低的碎屑输入以及缺氧的底水环境;钙质页岩沉积于较高的古生产力、相对较低的碎屑输入以及贫氧—氧化的底水环境;而黏土质页岩和硅质—黏土质页岩沉积于较低的古生产力、较高的碎屑输入以及氧化的底水环境。此外,Ba_bio、Si_bio、U/Th、C_org/P_tot、Al、Ti/Al等古环境指标在垂向上的变化表明牛蹄塘组从沉积的早期到晚期,水深逐渐变浅,水动力条件变强,沉积底水的氧含量逐渐增加,表层水体的古生产力逐渐降低。缺氧的底水条件是控制牛蹄塘组富有机质页岩发育的关键因素。     

松辽盆地北部白垩纪青山口组黑色页岩元素地球化学特征及沉积古环境恢复

对松辽盆地北部青山口组118块页岩样品进行有机碳和元素地球化学测试,运用一系列判别古气候、古盐度、古生产力和古氧化还原条件的地化指标,恢复青山口组黑色页岩的沉积环境,探讨富有机质页岩成因机制。青山口组沉积期为温暖半湿润亚热带气候,古气温>15℃,水体为陆相微咸水—半咸水环境,盐度5‰~10‰。青山口组底部发育厚度约30 m的富有机质页岩,TOC最高达到9.39%,自下而上有机碳含量逐渐变低。富有机质页岩Cu、Ni、Mo和Zn含量高,发育大量胶磷矿、藻席,表明青山口组早期湖盆生产力达到峰值,为有机质富集提供物质基础。U元素含量以及V/(V+Ni)、V/Sc比值较高,表明青山口组早期水体为强还原环境,为富有机质页岩保存提供有利条件。中-晚期随着湖盆收缩、水体变浅,还原环境遭到破坏,有机碳含量降低。TOC与古生产力及氧化还原指标呈正相关关系,表明有机质含量的变化主要受控于湖盆生产力和氧化还原环境。古海侵事件带来丰富营养物质,极大提高了湖盆生产力,保证有机质大量供应;同时海侵造成盐度分层,使底部水体的强还原环境不受破坏,促进了有机质的保存。松辽盆地青山口组在白垩纪全球缺氧事件影响下形成了面积约5×10^-3km;的黑色页岩,是页岩油勘探的重要目标。     

广东三水盆地古近系(土布)心组地球化学特征及其所指示的氧化还原条件

古近系心组红岗段是广东三水盆地的主要生油层,以一套黑—灰黑色页岩沉积为主,其富含有机质、纹层理发育良好的岩层与相对贫有机质、含微体生物化石的微扰动层交替出现。根据纹层状页岩与生物扰动页岩的C-S-Fe关系以及对氧化还原条件敏感的痕量元素(Mo、U、V、Co、Ni、Pb和Cu)地球化学记录,对这两种不同岩相的地球化学特征及其所反映的水体氧化还原条件进行了分析。纹层状页岩的TOC、S含量和DOPT值均较高,TOC-S、TOC-DOPT显示较弱的相关性;而生物扰动页岩的TOC、S含量和DOPT值相对较低,TOC-S、TOC-DOPT相关性显著。痕量元素在两种岩相中的分布也有差别,各元素在纹层状页岩中的丰度均高于生物扰动页岩,尤其是Mo和U具有较高的丰度水平、且在不同岩相中显示明显差别。黑色页岩中的C-S-Fe关系和痕量元素(特别是Mo和U)分布反映了心组红岗段沉积时期湖盆水体的氧化还原条件变化。生物扰动页岩沉积期间,底部水体主要为氧化环境,间歇性出现贫氧条件,硫酸盐还原作用发生于沉积物/水界面及其以下沉积物中。纹层状页岩形成于缺氧的底部水体条件下,水体和沉积物中均可含H2S,为有机质保存以及对氧化还原条件敏感的痕量元素的富集提供了有利条件。     

敦煌盆地五墩凹陷中间沟组下段泥页岩地球化学特征及沉积模式

分析泥页岩形成的沉积环境对页岩气储层评价和甜点区优选具有重要意义。为深入探讨敦煌盆地五墩凹陷中间沟组下段富有机质泥页岩的形成环境和有机质聚集机制,以DY1井为研究对象,开展了总有机碳(TOC)含量、显微组成、碳同位素、主量元素、微量元素和稀土元素等测试。结果表明,五墩凹陷中间沟组下段岩性为灰黑色炭质泥页岩、粉砂质泥页岩夹薄煤层等,泥页岩具有较高的TOC含量,质量分数介于0.53%～25.25%,均值为8.18%,成熟度Rran介于0.74%～1.21%。Mo含量、P/Ti值和有机质显微组成表明,中间沟组下段沉积水体具有较低的初级生产力,高丰度有机质主要来自于陆源高等植物,反映了研究区浅水三角洲–半深湖环境下泥页岩的古生产力不是有机质聚集的关键控制因素;V/(V+Ni)、Ce_anom、Th/U和U_EF-Mo_EF协变模式等揭示中间沟组下段泥页岩形成于缺氧环境;Sr/Cu、Rb/Sr和气候指数C等指标反映了温暖–半干旱的古气候条件;Sr/Ba、Ba/Ga、Ca/(Fe+Ca)和Al₂O₃     

湘中涟源凹陷上泥盆统佘田桥组页岩地球化学特征及有机质富集机理

上泥盆统佘田桥组是湘中地区页岩气勘探的重要层系之一.为了探讨湘中地区涟源凹陷上泥盆统佘田桥组黑色泥页岩有机质富集机理,系统采集了区内湘新地3井佘田桥组20个泥页岩岩心样品,开展有机碳含量、主量元素、微量元素以及稀土元素等地球化学特征测试,分析佘田桥组页岩的古盐度、古气候、古氧化还原条件和古生产力等古沉积环境.结果表明:佘田桥组底部层段有机碳含量较高（1.28%~2.68%）,平均值为1.69%.页岩主要成分为SiO₂（50.27%）、Al₂O₃（13.66%）、CaO（11.55%）.微量元素Rb、Sr和Zr富集而Co、Mo、Sc和Hf亏损.Sr/Ba、化学蚀变指数（CIA）、Th/U、V/Sc、V/Cr、δU比值表明佘田桥组富有机质页岩段沉积环境为淡水-半咸水、干旱的贫氧-次富氧环境,贫有机质页岩段为咸水、干旱-半干旱的富氧环境.结合区域层序地层特征,综合对比佘田桥组有机碳含量（TOC）与古氧化还原条件、古生产力条件的相关性,揭示出涟源凹陷佘田桥组富有机质页岩段有机质富集的主控因素为古氧化还原环境,而贫有机质页岩段有机质主要来源于陆源供给.      

上扬子西南缘下志留统细粒沉积岩有机质富集机理研究 ——以盐津牛寨剖面为例

利用化学元素行为特征的差异性,以总有机碳(TOC)、主量元素和微量元素的含量或比值判别四川盆地西南缘盐津牛寨剖面下志留统龙马溪组细粒沉积岩形成时的初级生产力、氧化还原条件、陆源供应的输入和盆地水体滞留程度等环境特征,并对比川南沉降中心(长宁剖面)和南川非沉降中心(南川剖面)龙马溪组的古环境参数,综合探讨了早志留世上扬子...     

四川盆地东部五峰组—龙马溪组黑色页岩有机质富集规律探讨

奥陶—志留交替时期是地球历史时期中的关键时期,该时期华南地区沉积的五峰组—龙马溪组黑色页岩是现阶段我国页岩气勘探的重点层位,多套斑脱岩存在于黑色页岩内,指示该时期研究区经历过多期连续的火山活动.本文选取了四川盆地东部华地1井和武隆黄莺乡五峰组—龙马溪组剖面,以黑色页岩和斑脱岩为研究对象,通过野外考察、元素地球化学等分析...     

Elemental geochemistry of the early Jurassic black shales in the Qiangtang Basin,eastern Tethys: constraints for palaeoenvironment conditions

The early Jurassic black shales are the most important source rocks in the Qiangtang Basin, Tibet. These black shales may provide a useful example for understanding the sedimentary conditions during the early Jurassic in the eastern Tethys. Thirty‐two black‐shale samples were collected from the Qiangtang Basin to reconstruct the depositional environments during the early Jurassic in the eastern Tethys. The palaeoclimate index Σ(Fe + Mn + Cr + Ni + V + Co)/Σ(Ca + Mg + Sr + Ba + K + Na) varies between 0.58 and 1.14, together with low Sr/Ba (0.20–0.60) and Sr/Cu (1.68–7.88) ratios, indicating a warm humid to semi‐humid climatic condition during black‐shale deposition. The early Jurassic black shales exhibit slight Ce anomalies (0.89–0.94) and Mn enrichment (EF = 1.2), suggesting a slightly oxic depositional environment. The conditions of the sedimentary water system during black‐shale deposition were apparently brackish as evidenced by middle B/Ga (3.96–5.73) and Th/U (3.96–6.51) ratios. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

沉积环境对页岩中有机质富集的约束

记录了蜀南地区五峰组—龙马溪组岩石学和地球化学资料,以恢复古环境和探讨有机质富集机理。研究表明,蜀南地区五峰组—龙马溪组主要发育硅质页岩、粉砂质页岩、黏土质页岩和含介壳灰质泥岩/泥质灰岩。五峰组平均TOC为3.36%,龙马溪组下部TOC最高,平均为3.99%,中上部TOC偏低,平均为1.22%。古生产力指示元素（Ba_生物、Cu/Al、Ni/Al、Si_过量）表明,在奥陶—志留转折期的大部分时间（除赫南特期）,蜀南海域表层水中具有较高的初级生产力。陆源输入指示元素（Al、Zr、Zr/Al）表明,五峰期陆源输入中等且变化较大,龙马溪早期为持续低值,但在中后沉积期逐渐增多。氧化还原敏感微量元素（Mo/Al、U/Al、V/Al）及Mo-TOC的相关性表明,五峰期海洋发育强受限的缺氧—静水环境,龙马溪早期水体保持缺氧—静水条件,但受限程度减弱,中后期海洋演化为氧化环境。晚奥陶世,蜀南海域发育有利的缺氧—静水环境和高古生产力,但较多的陆源输入一定程度上削弱了有机质富集。早志留世,海平面升降引起多个环境参数协同变化,使连续沉积的页岩地层中有机质富集程度存在显著差异。     

Jurassic Black Shales Facies from Qiangtang Basin (Northern Tibet):Rare Earth and Trace Elements for Paleoceanographic Implications

The Biluo Co and Amdo 114 station, northern Tibet, cropping out the Early Toarcian and Middle-Late Tithonian (Jurassic) organic-rich black shales, have been a focus to petroleum geologists in discussing their oil-producing potential. This paper first reports the trace elements and rare earth elements to discuss the paleoenvironments, redox conditions and sedimentary mechanisms of those black shales. Both sections exhibit variation in trace element abundances with concentrations <0.1 ppm to 760 ppm, mostly enriched in V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Ba and U. Element ratios of Ni/Co, V/Cr, U/Th and V/(V+Ni) plus U were used to identify redox conditions. The shale-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns are characterized by the flat-shale type with instable Ce anomalies and very weekly positive Eu anomalies. Positive Ceanom values are significant with values varying between –0.064 and 0.029 in Biluo Co, which may be interpreted as release of REE and input of riverine terrestrial matter with rich Ce (resulting in pH change) during the anoxic conditions. In the middle parts of Amdo 114 station, distinct negative Ceanom values are observed (?0.238 to ?0.111) and associated surface water warming were interpreted as being related to a major sea level rise. In contrast, the formation of the black shales in the lower and upper part of the studied succession took place during a cooler (Ceanom values >–0.10), lower surface water productivity, and lower sea-level stage. Thus, we emphasize the role of different factors that control the formation of local and regional black shales. The most important factors are sea-level fluctuations and increasing productivity.     

黔北下寒武统黑色岩系的沉积环境与地球化学响应

下寒武统黑色岩系在我国华北、华南及塔里木盆地等广泛发育,但富有机质泥页岩的分布特征及其控制因素未有定论.本文对黔北地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组(及同时期地层)不同沉积相带典型剖面中的富有机质泥页岩及其上下层位进行了地球化学分析,识别出寒武纪早期不同沉积相带氧化还原环境的明显差异.台内凹陷相主要岩性为黑色页岩,底部为不等厚的薄层...     

Geochemistry,Paleoenvironment and Mechanism of Organic-Matter Enrichment in the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation Shale in the Sichuan Basin,China

To investigate the mechanism of the organic-matter enrichment in the Lower Longmaxi Formation shale, the geochemistry and total organic carbon(TOC) of the Longmaxi Formation black shales in the Jiaoshiba, Zhaotong, and Weiyuan areas of the Sichuan Basin were analyzed. Paleoproductivity proxy parameters(Babio, Siex, and Ni/Al), clastic influx proxies(TiO_2 and Ti/Al), redox indices(V/Cr, Ni/Co, V/(V+Ni), and U/Th), and hydrothermal indicators(Fe, Mn,and Y concentrations; Fe/Ti ratio and a Ni-Zn-Co diagram) were employed to decipher the paleoenvironment of the Lower Longmaxi Formation shales. TiO_2 and Ti/Al indicated low terrigenous detrital influx in all three areas. However, Babio, Siex,and Ni/Al indicated high productivity in the Jiaoshiba area. V/Cr, Ni/Co, and U/Th indicated higher oxygen content with larger fluctuations in the Zhaotong and Weiyuan areas. Fe, Mn, and Y concentrations and the Fe/Ti ratio implied greater active hydrothermal activity in the Weiyuan area. These heterogeneities were considered to be closely related to the paleoenvironment and paleogeography, and the large basement faults that developed during the Chuanzhong paleo-uplift could have provided vents for deep-hydrothermal-fluid upwelling. The redox indices(V/Cr, Ni/Co, and U/Th) and a paleoproductivity proxy(Ni/Al) displayed a significant correlation with the TOC, suggesting that both excellent preservation conditions and high paleoproductivity were the controlling factors for the enrichment of organic matter in the Longmaxi Formation shale. There was no obvious correlation between the clastic influx proxy(Ti/Al) and the TOC due to the extremely low supply of terrigenous debris. The hydrothermal indicator(Fe/Ti) was negatively correlated with the TOC in the Weiyuan area, indicating that hydrothermal activity may have played a negative role in the accumulation of organic matter. This study suggests that the enrichment of organic matter in the Longmaxi Formation marine shale varied according to the paleogeography and sedimentary environment.     

断陷和坳陷盆地富有机质泥岩测试参数及研究意义

以松辽盆地和桦甸盆地为例,对盆地中富有机质泥岩进行系统测试。分析表明,富有机质泥岩中含油率和TOC、气体损失率呈明显的正相关; 而与半焦、密度呈负相关; 与全水的相关性不明显。结合相关研究表明,松辽盆地富有机质泥岩中有机质主要来自湖泊自身生产物,沉积速率较慢,且成岩作用相对较强,此盆地油页岩适合低温干馏炼油,因干馏后半焦中残留有机质较少,适合烧砖、制作水泥等。桦甸盆地油页岩有机质为湖泊生物和陆源有机质共同来源,沉积速率相对较快,成岩作用较弱,此盆地油页岩适合低温干馏炼油,干馏后半焦中残留有机质较多,适合发电和烧砖等,损失气体可以回收进行瓦斯发电。     

Tectonic and climate control of oil shale deposition in the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation (Songliao Basin, NE China)

Oil shales were deposited in the Songliao Basin (NE China) during the Upper Cretaceous period, representing excellent hydrocarbon source rocks. High organic matter (OM) contents, a predominance of type-I kerogen, and a low maturity of OM in the oil shales are indicated by bulk geochemical parameters and biomarker data. A major contribution of aquatic organisms and minor inputs from terrigenous land plants to OM input are indicated by n-alkane distribution patterns, composition of steroids, and organic macerals. Strongly reducing bottom water conditions during the deposition of the oil shale sequences are indicated by low pristane/phytane ratios, high C₁₄-aryl-isoprenoid contents, homohopane distribution patterns, and high V/Ni ratios. Enhanced salinity stratification with mesosaline and alkaline bottom waters during deposition of the oil shales are indicated by high gammacerane index values, low MTTC ratios, high β-carotene contents, low TOC/S ratios, and high Sr/Ba ratios. The stratified water column with anoxic conditions in the bottom water enhanced preservation of OM. Moderate input of detrital minerals during the deposition of the oil shale sequences is reflected by titanium concentrations. In this study, environmental conditions in the paleo-lake leading to OM accumulation in the sediments are related to sequence stratigraphy governed by climate and tectonics. The first Member of the Qingshankou Formation (K₂qn₁) in the Songliao Basin, containing the oil shale sequence, encompasses a third-order sequence that can be divided into three system tracts (transgressive system tract—TST, highstand system tract—HST, and regressive system tract—RST). Enrichment of OM changed from low values during TST-I to high-moderate values during TST-II/III and HST-I/II. Low OM enrichment occurs during RST-I and RST-II. Therefore, the highest enrichment of OM in the sediments is related to stages of mid-late TST and early HST.     

新疆三塘湖盆地芦草沟组油页岩特征及成矿背景

石头梅地区是新疆三塘湖盆地二叠系芦草沟组油页岩的主要分布区域,为了研究其油页岩特征和成矿背景,在岩心详细观察和系统取样的基础上,识别出油页岩7层,对油页岩开展了有机碳、岩石热解、灰分、挥发份、含油率、发热量、全硫、主量元素、微量元素测试分析.结果表明,三塘湖盆地石头梅地区芦草沟组油页岩主要发育于芦二段,为特低-低硫型、...     

Palaeoceanography of organic-rich rocks of the Loma Chumico Formation of Costa Rica, Late Cretaceous, eastern Pacific

The Late Cretaceous (late Cenomanian-Campanian) Loma Chumico Formation consists of laminated to massive bedded siliceous shales, cherts, ash fall tuffs/volcanic glass beds and volcaniclastic sandstones. The Loma Chumico Formation is at least 630 m thick (core data) in the Tempisque Basin, and can be subdivided in the subsurface into organic-rich and organic-lean (total organic carbon <1%) facies. Rock-Eval total organic carbon (TOC) data show that TOC in the organic-rich facies averages 15·5%, with values as high as 33%. Inorganic geochemical, petrological and sedimentological analyses indicate that all the lithologies of the Loma Chumico Formation were deposited in middle shelf to outer slope environments adjacent to an active subaerial island arc. The organic geochemistry and palaeontology of the Loma Chumico Formation help constrain the factors that controlled biological productivity in the region during the Late Cretaceous. Biomarkers, identified in organic-rich facies by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), show a high abundance of total steranes relative to hopanes in the Morote-1 core, indicating algal-dominated organic input. The hopane-to-sterane ratio of the extract from the Manzanillo-1 core indicates a relatively high bacterial component to the organic matter. Upwelling and extrusive volcanism were the most important factors that controlled nutrient supply (including silica flux) and biological productivity within the Loma Chumico Formation depositional system. Episodic radiolarian, dinoflagellate or diatom ‘blooms’, instigated by rapid infusions of volcanogenic silica, may have resulted in expansion of the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ), enhancing the preservation of organic matter. Productivity appears to have been uniform, even during deposition of the organic-lean facies. The findings of this study suggest that ocean-wide anoxia in the eastern Pacific was unlikely during the Late Cretaceous. High TOC contents of organic-rich radiolarites from central Caribbean Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) sites may be related to upwelling produced in the eastern Pacific by convergence of the easterly Trade Winds (Eastern Pacific Equatorial Upwelling Zone), or may be part of a more complex Pacific-Atlantic Ocean interaction. The end of deposition of organic-rich rocks began near the end of the latest Santonian-earliest Campanian in the central Caribbean and Costa Rica. Palaeoceanographic models suggest that improved circulation and ventilation of bottom waters due to early opening of the North Atlantic-South Atlantic seaway may explain this observation. This may represent the influx of a previously unrecognized source of colder, oxygenated intermediate/bottom water (proto-Antarctic Intermediate Water) into the Late Cretaceous central Atlantic and eastern Pacific oceans.     

Geochemical and petrographic characterization of organic matter in the Upper Jurassic Madbi shale succession (Masila Basin,Yemen): Origin,type and preservation

The Upper Jurassic Madbi Formation, located in the Masila Basin, eastern Yemen, represents the major source rock in this basin. Organic rich shales from two oilfields (Kharir and Wadi Taribah) were analysed to evaluate the type and origin of the organic matter and to determine the factors controlling its deposition. This study is based on geochemical analyses of whole rock (total organic carbon content, Rock-Eval pyrolysis and carbon isotope data) and petrographic analyses on organic matter (kerogen maceral composition and palynofacies) by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Organic petrographic composition of kerogen shows that the Madbi shale is characterized by high amounts of organic matter, consisting predominantly of yellow fluorescing amorphous organic matter and alginite of marine origin. Terrigenous organic materials such as vitrinite, spores and pollen are present in low quantities. The predominance of marine plankton, as indicated by visual kerogen analysis, is consistent with reported carbon isotopic values. It appears that the high amounts of organic matter in the Madbi shale succession might be mainly due to good preservation under suboxic–anoxic conditions. Consequently the Madbi shales possess very good petroleum generative potential, owing to high content of hydrogen rich Type II and I oil prone kerogen.     

Albian oceanic anoxic events in northern Tunisia: Biostratigraphic and geochemical insights

Albian pelagic successions of the Nebeur area in northwestern Tunisia consist of radiolarian-bearing and organic-rich black shale beds, which represent the lower part of the Fahdene Formation. The carbonate content of the organic-rich beds ranges between 40 and 48%. Total organic carbon (TOC) analyses via Rock Eval pyrolysis yielded values ranging between 0.7 and 2.8% and a mixed marine/terrestrial origin. T_max values vary between 424 and 450 °C, indicative of submature to mature organic matter. High resolution planktic foraminiferal and radiolarian biostratigraphy suggest that the black shales beds span the mid- to late Albian, confined to the middle part of the Ticinella primula zone, upper Biticinella breggiensis zone and lower appeninica + buxtorfi zone. Episodes of organic-rich deposition in the “Tunisian Trough” are interpreted as being the sedimentary record of the global oceanic anoxic events OAE1b, c, and d respectively. Age-diagnostic radiolarian assemblages recovered from late Albian organic-rich black shales lie within the UA13–UA14 boundary biochronozones. The abundance of radiolarian and calcispheres (i.e. pithonella) within the black shales suggests high productivity periods and eutrophic conditions probably triggered by upwelling currents.     

Albian oceanic anoxic events in northern Tunisia: Biostratigraphic and geochemical insights

Albian pelagic successions of the Nebeur area in northwestern Tunisia consist of radiolarian-bearing and organic-rich black shale beds, which represent the lower part of the Fahdene Formation. The carbonate content of the organic-rich beds ranges between 40 and 48%. Total organic carbon (TOC) analyses via Rock Eval pyrolysis yielded values ranging between 0.7 and 2.8% and a mixed marine/terrestrial origin. T_max values vary between 424 and 450 °C, indicative of submature to mature organic matter. High resolution planktic foraminiferal and radiolarian biostratigraphy suggest that the black shales beds span the mid- to late Albian, confined to the middle part of the Ticinella primula zone, upper Biticinella breggiensis zone and lower appeninica + buxtorfi zone. Episodes of organic-rich deposition in the “Tunisian Trough” are interpreted as being the sedimentary record of the global oceanic anoxic events OAE1b, c, and d respectively. Age-diagnostic radiolarian assemblages recovered from late Albian organic-rich black shales lie within the UA13–UA14 boundary biochronozones. The abundance of radiolarian and calcispheres (i.e. pithonella) within the black shales suggests high productivity periods and eutrophic conditions probably triggered by upwelling currents.     

North Atlantic climatic events recorded in Aptian Naskapi Member cores,Scotian Basin

Early Aptian black laminated organic mudstones, including the Selli Level, are recognized over large areas of Tethys and western European basins. This interval was investigated in a 75 m-thick continuously cored section of varicoloured shale in the lower Naskapi Member from the Panuke B-90 well in the Scotian Basin, offshore eastern Canada. This study complements the palaeogeographic range of correlatable Selli black shales and provides information on their relationship to sea-level change and palaeoclimate. Total organic carbon (TOC) was measured on 127 discrete samples, chemical environmental proxies (Th/K, Mn/Ti, K/Ti, Th/Ti, V/Ti) were measured with a portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometer, and colour parameters L*a*b* were measured by spectrophotometer. Several black shale levels are recognized and correlated with similar shales in Europe between the Barremian–Aptian boundary and the Selli Level. The Th/K ratio proxy for hinterland humid or arid climate conditions shows no systematic variation with black shale levels. Several sea-level lowstands are inferred from condensed sandy intervals with some brackish water biota and tidal sedimentary structures. Black shale intervals are found in highstand intervals, with no systematic relationship to inferred transgressions. The formation of black shales is related to palaeoceanographic changes that may be driven by conditions remote from the Scotian Basin.