Geochemistry and isotope chemistry of CaNaCl brines in Silurian strata,Michigan Basin,U.S.A.

Formation waters from Silurian-aged reefs in the northern and southern trends of lower Michigan were collected and analyzed for major, minor and isotope compositions. The results were combined with an analysis of an exceptionally concentrated (TDS 640 g/l) Silurian brine reported by Case in 1945 to determine the origin and possible evolutionary pathways for the chemical and isotope components of the brines. The waters are extremely concentrated(TDS> 450g/l) CaNaCl brines. Bromide values support that they originated from seawater concentrated into the MgSO₄ and possibly the KCl salt facies. The brines have, however, evolved considerably from an expected seawater composition and now contain a dominant CaCl composition. Dolomitization appears to have been very important in the brine evolution, but this process cannot explain all the Ca present in these brines. Four scenarios may explain the enrichment in Ca: (1) halite dissolution accompanied by the exchange of Na for Ca; (2) reactions involving aluminosilicate minerals, carbonates and halite; (3) an input of CaCl₂ solutions derived from altered MgCl₂ fluids released during the metamorphism of carnallite into sylvite; and (4) a pre-existing enrichment of CaCl in the Early Paleozoic seawater that filled the basin. All four are possible, but the favored explanation involves the diagenesis of the Salina A-1 potash salts. The isotope composition of the waters is consistent with evaporated seawater, perhaps enriched by exchange with carbonates or by the input of hydration water from evaporite minerals. The isotopic evolution, however, is equivocal but the brine composition does not indicate they have been diluted with meteoric water. This implies the waters have remained isolated from surface-controlled hydrological systems.     

Geochemistry of Brines from Salt Ore Deposits in Western Tarim Basin

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

Chlorine stable isotope distribution of Michigan Basin formation waters

The Cl isotope ratio, mass³⁷Cl/³⁵Cl, was measured on 22 formation waters from Mississippian, Devonian, Silurian, Ordovician and Cambrian strata in the Michigan Basin. Because of its resistance to fractionation, the ratio was used to find evidence of mixing of formation waters within the Michigan Basin and between the Canadian Shield and the basin. The δ³⁷Cl composition of waters decreased from +0.05 to −0.55 (per mil difference from SMOC, precision of 0.16) with age of the strata among Devonian, Silurian, Ordovician and Cambrian samples from the basin margin. Mississippian samples from the middle of the basin were isotopically heaviest at +0.1. Ordovician samples, also from mid-basin, were isotopically lightest at −1.2. On plots of δ³⁷ Cl vs Cl/Br and δ³⁷ Cl vs⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr samples at the basin margin trend toward enrichment in³⁵Cl and⁸⁷Sr and increasing Cl/Br suggesting interformational mixing of the waters. On a δ³⁷ ClCl/Br plot, three samples not on this trend and tending toward high Cl/Br may reflect evaporite dissolution. Canadian Shield Waters were plotted with Michigan Basin waters on the graphs of δ³⁷ Cl vs Ca/Cl and δ³⁷ Cl vs K/Cl. On both plots data fall along linear trends of³⁵Cl depletion with Ca/Cl increase and with K/Cl decrease. Ordovician waters from the middle of the basin and shield waters are end members on the plots. The results suggest that despite water-rock interactions, δ³⁷ Cl data may be useful in studies of mixing relations in formation waters.     

Origin of brines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland) inferred from stable isotope and chemical data

Brines in the Miocene formations of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin have isotopic composition close to SMOW, which identifies them as the connate marine water. However, controversies exist on the origin of brines in the Carboniferous formations. Isotopic and hydrochemical data exclude any relationship to marine water and enrichment by evaporation. The most common brine which occurs at great depths can be identified as the oldest infiltration in a very hot climate (δ¹⁸O ⋟ −2‰, δD ⋟ −20‰, Cl⁻ content 34 to 140 g/L). This brine is free of SO₄²⁻ and U, and rich in Ba²⁺ and²²⁶Ra. Its salinity is probably related to the leaching of evaporites and intensive weathering of rocks during the Rotliegendes.Other brines are difficult to identify because their isotopic contents are within the range of mixing between the oldest brine and the Quaternary waters (δ¹⁸O ⋟ 10‰, δD ⋟ 70‰). Isotopic and hydrochemical data allow identification of several occurrences of brine formed by meteoric water of a warm Tertiary climate, after the last marine transgression in the Tortonian. That brine is rich in SO₄²⁻ and contains moderate contents of²²⁶Ra and U. Its salinity is thought to result from leaching of Miocene evaporites. Two other identified types of brines can be related to some infiltration periods before the last marine transgression. The sources in salinity of these 2 types remain unknown. Mining activity results in a common occurrence of mixed brines. When the Quaternary component dominates, its identification is easy from the isotopic composition, whereas the end brine component can ususally be identified by chosen ion ratios and the presence or lack of sulphates.     

A strontium, oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition of brines, Michigan and appalachian basins, Ontario and Michigan

⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of brine from samples from the Michigan and Appalachian Basins, in Ontario and Michigan, covering the stratigraphic interval from the Cambrian to Mississippian, vary from 0.708 to 0.711. With the exception of the salt units of the Salina Formation (Silurian), most values are greater than seawater for the time in question, indicating water-rock interaction. The sources of the radiogenic Sr has not been identified. All samples plot below the GMWL in δ¹⁸O−δ²H space, with the Cambrian and Ordovician samples closest to the line. Mixing of brines meteoric and glacial (Pleistocene) water is indicated in some cases. The more concentrated brines from each stratigraphic unit show a very narrow spread in values. All the Ordovician brines show a narrow range over a 200 km area for Sr, O and H isotopes, indicating extensive lateral migration of the fluids.Strontium in the brine has not equilibrated isotopically with its host rock. In some cases the late-stage minerals saddle dolomite, calcite and anhydrite have the same ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios as the brine, indicating that they precipitated from the brine in isotopic equilibrium.     

Geochemistry of modern seawater and brines from salt pans: Main components and bromine distribution

Seawater at different stages of evaporation from the salt works of Seovlje near Portoro (Yugoslavia) was analyzed geochemically. The seawater there passes through 20 stages of concentration until the first halite crystallizes. All important parameters were determined at all stages: concentrations of Cl, SO₄, Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Br, temperature, pH, Eh, oxygen content and titration alkalinity. With increasing evaporation calcium carbonate crystallizes first followed by calcium sulphate as gypsum and after these halite. All three components crystallize from supersaturated solutions. The pH of the initial seawater is 8.32; it falls abruptly to 6.65 when the first calcium carbonate precipitates. Eh in the original seawater is +393 mv; negative values were found in the halite crystallization pans, which contain an anaerobic mud as a reducing agent. The oxygen content of the solution decreases parallel to the drop in Eh. In the pans in which NaCl crystallizes Eh is zero. Apparently the mud also adsorbs K, as can be inferred from a change in the Mg/K ratio.The bromine partition between crystallizing halite and the brine in the salt pans of Seovlje is discussed with regard to some genetic problems of marine salt deposits. In the conditions in the salt pans the bromine partition coefficient at the beginning of NaCl crystallization from seawater—expressed as b=wt.-% Br (mineral)/wt.-% Br (solution)—is 0.12 to 0.14 or—expressed as D=Br/Cl(mineral)/Br/Cl(solution)—0.030 to 0.034 at temperatures between 33° C and 42° C. The conclusion is that a Br content of about 60 to 75 ppm is to be expected for the first halite that crystallizes from evaporating seawater.     

Geochemistry and modification of oilfield brines in surface pits in Northern Kuwait

Oilfield brines (produced water) are produced as a waste product daily at the gathering centers (GCs) in Kuwait oilfields. The geochemical evolution of the water produced at the GC (fresh brine) to stagnant pit water (evaporate) has been investigated in the northern fields of Kuwait, and a model is presented showing time-dependent variations. Kuwait oilfield brines are globally similar to others in other large sedimentary basins (USA, Canada), but modifications have occurred due to seawater injection practices performed episodically during the oil extraction process. Brine water chemistry changes from generally average brine chemistry (based on cations and anions) to saturated mixture of seawater, oilfield brine, and anthropogenic chemical pollutants. The objective of this study was to harmonize the database of brine waters in terms of regional identity by comparison with oilfield brines elsewhere, identify water–rock interaction, and statistically treat daily recordings from the pits in order to identify injection peaks and troughs. Laboratory analysis of major and minor cations and anions from the Rawdatayn samples gave the following concentration ranges in parts per million (ppm): (Na⁺, 11,698–203,977), (Ca²⁺, 2,216–98,514), (Mg²⁺, 1,602–28,885), (K⁺, 1,528–16,573), (Sr²⁺, 70–502), (Ba²⁺, 0.01–18.04), (Fe²⁺, 0.01–8.93), (Li⁺, 0.09–6.48), (Si²⁺, 0.00–13.18), (B³⁺, 0.05–37.45), (SO ₄ ²⁺ , 330–3100). For the Sabriyah oilfield samples, the major and minor cations and anions concentration ranges in ppm are: (Na⁺, 9,807–274,947), (Ca²⁺, 2,555–77,992), (Mg²⁺, 1,415–28,183), (K⁺, 764–19,201), (Sr²⁺, 77.84–641), (Ba²⁺, 0.15–6.76), (Fe²⁺, 0.016–38.88), (Li⁺, 0.05–6.83), (Si²⁺, 0.0195–16.84), (B³⁺, 7.17–55.33), (SO ₄ ²⁺ , 44,812–135,264). The stable isotopic analysis of five samples indicates normal trends in oxygen and hydrogen isotopes that classify the waters as “connate” which follow an evaporation trend. Carbon isotopic signatures are normal for hydrocarbon fields and average out around GC15, δ¹⁸O‰?=?1.4, δD‰?=??10, δ¹³C‰?=??3.6; while for GC23, δ¹⁸O‰?=?2.3, δD‰?=??4, δ¹³C‰?=??2.5; for GC25, δ¹⁸O‰?=??2.0, δD‰?=??14, δ¹³C‰?=??4.6; for pit1, δ¹⁸O‰?=?2.3, δD‰?=??5, δ¹³C‰?=??18.3; and for pit 2, δ¹⁸O‰?=?2.5, δD‰?=??4, δ¹³C‰?=??17.8. Carbon isotope average values for all brine samples from the GCs is?=??56 which falls within normal hydrocarbon formation water category. Data spikes coincide with injection periods at the following times (A: May–Jun, 2006), (B: Sep–Oct, 2006), (C: Jan–Feb, 2007), (D: Mar, 2007), (E: May–Jun, 2007), (F: Feb, 2006), (G: Mar–Apr, 2006) and, subsequently the decay to “normal” brine occurs over a period of several weeks. The database was large enough to apply a principal component statistical analysis (PCA). PCA and geo-statistical techniques reveal several distinct population groups. The main chemical groups in the data are as follows: plateau, spike groups, and pit evaporation group. The spike periods correlate closely with seawater injection periods (Jan–Feb, Mar–Apr, May–Jun, and Sep–Oct). The pit chemistry reveals exceptionally high evaporation processes coinciding with summer peak temperature. PCA results show distinct groupings centered around the major elements reminiscent of other oilfields, but with the added evaporation trend strongly enhanced.     

柴达木盆地西部卤水特征及成因探讨

柴达木盆地自中生代末-新生代初以来,四周山体不断抬升,形成"高山深盆"的沉积环境,为盆地带来了大量盐类物质,再加上新近纪干旱封闭的气候环境,使得其西部沉积了广阔而厚层的岩盐.在对柴达木盆地西部新近系、第四系地层出露盐矿点实地考察的过程中,采集、分析了18件卤水样品的水化学组成.结果表明,卤水矿化度高,油田卤水富B3 、Li 、Sr2 和Br-等有益组分,其前缘第四纪形成的盐湖也有大量K 资源分布.通过离子含量及水化学特征系数,查明了卤水的水化学类型主要为氯化物型和硫酸镁亚型,地表浅层卤水富Mg2 、SO24-贫Ca2 ,而油田卤水富Ca2 ,贫Mg2 、SO24-.反映了油田卤水具有深部CaCl2型水体的特征,这种富Ca2 的卤水可能与白云岩化作用使卤水中的Ca2 增加而Mg2 减少,以及硫酸盐的还原作用使SO24-减少有关;地表浅层卤水接近青海湖湖水蒸发线,说明盆地卤水主要是由大气降水汇聚蒸发形成.通过卤水氢氧同位素的分析,发现卤水明显偏离于大气降水线,发生了明显的"氧同位素正漂移"现象,且卤水演化趋势线和当地大气降水线的交点与周围山体前缘的盐泉水的氢氧同位素值相近,地表浅层卤水主要分布在大气降水线附近,而油田卤水集中分布在变质水的范围内.说明地表浅层卤水主要是由大气降水汇聚而形成的;而深部油田卤水推测基本上来源于冰雪融水或雨水补给,这些冰雪融水或雨水沿着断裂带下渗,在迁移的途中发生了变质作用和深部地热水体掺杂作用,形成了深部油田卤水.     

Geochemistry of petroporphyrins in oil-generating formations in North China

With oil-generating formations in the Dongying basin as the objective of study, this paper deals with the relations among petroporphyrins, lithology, oxidation-reduction conditions, maturation and conversion of organic matter, and burial depth. It is considered that the content of petroporphyrins in the oil-generating formations depends on the quantity and nature of organic matter, sediment ary environment and burial depth. There is a porphyrin-rich interval at 2,200–2,700 m with the corresponding geothermal temperature ranging from 93° to 119°C. It is also an oil-accumulating zone. Nickel in the crude or in the nucleus of petroporphyrin is accumulated during the process of oil generation. Nickel-porphyrin abundance in the oil-generating formations has a negative correlation with the content of nickel. Evaluation of the oil-generating formations has been made on the bosis of petroporphyrin data.     

湘桂地区泥盆系硅质岩稀土元素地球化学及沉积环境

对湘桂地区泥盆系钦防海槽和南丹－河池台盆及灵山－衡阳台盆中发育的硅质岩的稀土元素地球化学分析,给出这些硅质岩为深水盆地沉积环境产物的解释,其成因类型既包括了正常沉积硅质岩,也有部分为原生热水沉积硅质岩,为证实丹治台盆及灵衡垮台 盆形成为线性走滑作用所致提供了新的证据。     

Early Devonian volcanics of southeastern Gorny Altai: Geochemistry,isotope (Sr,Nd, and O) composition,and petrogenesis (Aksai complex)

Geological, geochemical, and isotope (Sr, Nd, and O) parameters of Early Devonian (405 Ma) volcanics of southeastern Gorny Altai (Aksai and Kalguty volcanotectonic structures) are discussed. The studied igneous rock association comprises magnesian andesitoids, Nb-enriched andesite basalts, and A-type peraluminous silicic rocks (dacites, rhyolites, granites, and leucogranites). Magnesian andesitoids (mg# > 50) are characterized by a predominance of Na among alkalies (K₂O/Na₂O ≈ 0.1-0.7), medium contents of TiO₂ (~ 0.8-1.3 wt.%) and Al₂O₃ (~ 12-15 wt.%), enrichment in Cr (up to 216 ppm), and low Sr/Y ratios (4-15). The Nb-enriched (Nb = 10-17 ppm) andesite basalts have high contents of TiO₂ (1.7-2.7 wt.%) and P₂O₅ (0.4-1.4 wt.%). The A-type granitoids are characterized by high contents of K(K₂O/Na₂O ≤ 60) and alumina (ASI ≤ 2.9) and depletion in Ba, Sr, P, and Ti. The magnesian andesitoids and Nb-enriched andesite basalts are products of melts generated in the metasomatized lithospheric mantle; silicic magmas were formed through the melting of Cambrian-Ordovician metaturbidites of the Gorny Altai Group and, partly, Early-Middle Cambrian island-arc metabasites. The above rock association might have resulted from a plume impact on the lithospheric substrates of the continental paleomargin during the evolution of the Altai-Sayan rift system.     

Comparison of Michigan Basin crude oils

Michigan Basin oils from the Ordovician Trenton, Silurian Niagaran, and Devonian Dundee formations have been geochemically compared by GC, GC-MS, and carbon isotope mass spectrometry. One oil from each formation was selected for detailed analysis which included measurement of individual n-alkane δ¹³C values. The Ordovician and Devonian oils are strikingly similar to one another, yet clearly different from the Silurian oil. This pattern is unexpected because Ordovician and Devonian reservoirs are physically separated by the Silurian strata. From time-temperature considerations, the Devonian oil probably was formed in older strata and has migrated to its present location. Our analyses suggest a common source for the Devonian and Ordovician oils.     

New insights into the origin and migration of brines in deep Devonian aquifers, Alberta, Canada

Analysis of hydraulic heads and chemical compositions of Devonian formation waters in the west central part of the Alberta Basin, Canada, characterizes the origin of formation waters and migration of brines. The Devonian succession in the study area lies 2000–5000 m below the ground surface, and has an approximate total thickness of 1000 m and an average slope of 15 m/km. Four Devonian aquifers are present in the study area, which form two aquifer systems [i.e., a Middle–Upper Devonian aquifer system (MUDAS) consisting of the Elk Point and Woodbend–Beaverhill Lake aquifers, and an Upper Devonian aquifer system (UDAS) consisting of the Winterburn and Wabamun aquifers]. The Ireton is an effective aquitard between these two systems in the eastern parts of the study area. The entire Devonian succession is confined below by efficient aquitards of the underlying Cambrian shales and/or the Precambrian basement, and above by overlying Carboniferous shales of the Exshaw and Lower Banff Formations.The formation water chemistry shows that the Devonian succession contains two distinct brine types: a ‘heavy brine,’ located updip, defined approximately by TDS >200 g/l, and a ‘light brine’ with TDS <200 g/l. Hydraulic head distributions suggest that, presently, the ‘light brine’ attempts to flow updip, thereby pushing the ‘heavy brine’ ahead. The interface between the two brines is lobate and forms large-scale tongues that are due to channeled flow along high-permeability pathways. Geological and hydrogeochemical data suggest that the following processes determined the present composition of the ‘light’ and ‘heavy’ brines: original seawater, evaporation beyond gypsum but below halite saturation, dolomitization, clay dehydration, gypsum dewatering, thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR), and halite dissolution. The influx of meteoric (from the south) and metamorphic (from the west) waters can be recognized only in the ‘light brine.’ Albitization can be unequivocally identified only in the ‘heavy brine.’ The ‘heavy brine’ may be residual Middle Devonian evaporitic brine from the Williston Basin or the Elk Point Basin, or it may have originated from partial dissolution of thick, laterally extensive Middle Devonian evaporite deposits to the east of the study area. The ‘light brine’ most probably originated from dilution of ‘heavy brine’ in post-Laramide times.     

Thermal and mechanical evolution of the Michigan Basin

We examine the formation of the Michigan Basin in terms of elastic flexure of the lithosphere. The shape of the flexure accurately determines the flexural rigidity of the lithosphere and the lateral extent of the load responsible for the flexure. The amplitude of differential subsidence then gives the magnitude of the load. Gravity anomalies in the southern peninsula of Michigan further restrain the dimensions of the load. We propose a model for the formation of the Michigan Basin involving mantle diapirs. We suggest that the first stage in its evolution was diapiric penetration of the lithosphere by hot asthenospheric mantle rock to the vicinity of the Moho. The heating of the lower crust by these hot rocks caused the transformation of lower crust, meta-stable gabbroic rocks to eclogite. Initially the lighter mantle rocks nearly balanced the heavier eclogite. As the mantle rocks cooled by conduction, the basin subsided under the load of the eclogite. The thermal contraction mechanism is supported by evidence that the flexural rigidity of the lithosphere increases with time. This is the effect of thickening of the elastic lithosphere as cooling progresses.     

Geochemistry of Upper Devonian Hydrothermal Mammilated Chert Guangxi,Southwest China

The mammilated chert (MC) studied in this paper is a kind of silica-rich concretion (SiO₂ 93%) occurring in the Upper Devonian argillaceous silicolites (SiO₂≈88%) in Mugui, Guangxi. Impurity components in the MC are relatively low and show systematic variations as compared with the country rocks. Abundances of Mg, Si, Ti, Fe, Mn, U and Th are characteristically similar to those of recent and fossil hot-water sediments. Moreover, the MC is also characterized by low REE abundance, LREE > HREE, apparent negative Ce anomaly and moderate positive Eu anomaly. Oxygen isotope data show that the formation temperature of the MC is about 20 °C, higher than that of the host rock. The results of geochemical, geological and lithological studies suggest that the MC may have been formed through metasomatism, filling and crystallization beneath the sedimentary basin during the Devonian period.     

Changes of palaeoenvironmental conditions recorded in Late Devonian reef systems from the Canning Basin,Western Australia: A biomarker and stable isotope approach

Although the Late Devonian extinctions were amongst the largest mass extinction events in the Phanerozoic, the causes, nature and timing of these events remain poorly restrained. In addition to the most pronounced biodiversity loss at the Frasnian–Famennian (F–F) boundary and the end Famennian, there were also less extensively studied extinction pulses in the Middle to Late Givetian and the Frasnian. Here we used a combination of palynological, elemental, molecular and stable isotope analyses to investigate a sedimentary record of reef-systems from this time period in the Canning Basin, Western Australia.The acquired data generally showed distinct variations between sediments from (i) the time around the Givetian–Frasnian (G–F) boundary and (ii) later in the Frasnian and indicated a distinct interval of biotic stress, particularly for reef-builders, in the older sediments. Alterations of pristane/phytane ratios, gammacerane indices, Chlorobi biomarkers, δD_kerogen and chroman ratios describe the change from a restricted marine palaeoenvironment with an anoxic/euxinic hypolimnion towards a presumably open marine setting with a vertically mixed oxic to suboxic water column. Simultaneous excursions in δ¹³C profiles of carbonates, organic matter (OM) and hydrocarbons in the older sediments reflect the stratification-induced enhancement of OM-recycling by sulfate reducing bacteria. Alterations in sterane distributions and elevated abundances of methyltrimethyltridecylchromans (MTTCs) and perylene indicate an increased terrigenous nutrient input via riverine influx, which would have promoted stratification, phytoplankton blooms and the development of lower water column anoxia.The detected palaeoenvironmental conditions around the G–F boundary may reflect a local or global extinction event. Our data furthermore suggest a contribution of the higher plant-expansion and photic zone euxinia to the Late Devonian extinctions, consistent with previous hypotheses. Furthermore, this work might contribute to the understanding of variations in Devonian reef margin and platform-top architecture, relevant for petroleum exploration and development in the global Devonian hydrocarbon resources.     

川滇黔桂地区泥盆系层序地层分析

根据层序关键界面、体系域叠置关系及内部构型特征,结合生物地层资料,右江盆地泥盆系可划分为17个三级层序,其中下统 7个、中统 5个、上统 5个,包括 9个Ⅰ型层序、8个Ⅱ型层序,代表17次三级相对海平面变化产物。在此基础上,对不同沉积背景的层序进行了对比,建立了相应的层序格架模型。结果表明,不同沉积相带的层序内部构型和成因格架存在一定的差异,但由于海平面变化这一共同因素的影响,它们仍可进行对比和追踪。     

Geochemistry of Early Devonian rocks of the Sakmara zone,South Urals

This paper reports first isotope–geochemical data on the Early Devonian magmatic rocks of the Chanchar potassic mafic volcanoplutonic complex of the Sakmara zone of the South Urals. The incompatible element distribution and ratios indicate that the rocks of the volcanic, subvolcanic, and intrusive facies are comagmatic and were derived from a common source. The low HFSE concentrations relative to MORB and relatively low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios suggest that primary melts were generated from a moderately depleted mantle. The LILE enrichment of the rocks indicates a flux of mantle fluid in the primary magma during its evolution.     

The North Devon Basin: a Devonian passive margin shelf succession

The North Devon Basin, situated in a more proximal passive margin regime than the rift basins to the south, is not constrained but its succession is thought to represent in large part the sediments debouched from a northerly hinterland. Rather than that immediate source being South Wales an original location of the basin well to the south-east and west of the Ardennes massif is considered probable, with its present position being attained by Carboniferous displacement along the Bristol Channel-Bray Fault. The basin's thick (6000 m) succession comprises terrestrial and marine deposits that form two major sedimentary cycles, which are apparently closely linked to rift basin formation to the south. The GCR sites span a relatively straightforward shelf succession that extends from the late Early Devonian to the Carboniferous. The sedimentology, palaeontology, and depositional environments of terrestrial and marine facies lithostratigraphical units are detailed, some sites providing the macrofossil assemblages important in the identification and definition by Sedgwick and Murchison of the Devonian System.     

Composition of brines in halite‐hosted fluid inclusions in the Upper Ordovician,Canning Basin,Western Australia: new data on seawater chemistry

Analyses of primary and early diagenetic fluid inclusions in the halite from the Late Ordovician Mallowa Salt, Canning Basin, Western Australia indicate a Ca‐rich composition and high concentration of parent brines in the basin which were close to sylvite and carnallite precipitation. The salt‐bearing series in the sampled interval was overheated up to 62 °C. The recorded differences in gas compositions result from the input of several gas sources including dispersed organic matter in the salt series and hydrocarbon deposits in the underlying rocks. The high concentration of the brines in fluid inclusions does not allow quantitative reconstruction of the chemical composition of Late Ordovician parent seawater. Using the information from Early Cambrian and Late Silurian basins as a proxy, however, the new data indicate that Late Ordovician seawater was undoubtedly Ca‐rich and, in comparison with modern seawater, had a similar K content, considerably lower Mg content (c. 30%), approximately three times the Ca content and one‐third the SO₄ content.