Characterization of the Sündikendağı deposit of moganite-rich,blue chalcedony nodules,Mayıslar–Sarıcakaya (Eskişehir), Turkey

Blue chalcedony nodules have been mined from the Sündikendağı deposit in the Mayıslar–Sarıcakaya (Eskişehir) region of north-central Turkey since ancient times; however, no modern geological study of this deposit has yet been published. Although ancient and current mining production have both taken place in an area of complex geology, our study and analyses of the deposit suggests a simple model of sedimentary deposition for its origin. The repeated episodes of tectonic activity, accompanied by brittle deformation, metamorphism, and hydrothermal activity, which characterize this part of the Anatolian Peninsula with its complex junction of tectonic plates, appear to have had little influence on the blue chalcedony nodules that make the deposit valuable other than perhaps to influence their trace-element composition.The physical nature of the nodules as revealed by polarized-light microscopy and XRD—they are composed only of fibrous length-fast quartz (chalcedony) and fibrous length-slow quartz (moganite), but contain neither platy opal-CT nor opal-C—is consistent with a sedimentary origin as are their overall shape and strata-bound occurrence in a sandstone (arkose).The relatively high concentrations of some trace elements in the nodules revealed by ICP-AES, suggest involvement of hydrothermal fluids during the direct epigenetic formation of chalcedony concretions during diagenesis of the enclosing sandstone or by alteration of diagenetic concretions of another composition. Sources could include upwardly moving hydrothermal fluids entering the sedimentary basin from underlying older Sarıcakaya intrusive rocks or sea-floor hydrothermal vents in the vicinity during diagenesis in the Palaeocene and Eocene (65–37.8 Ma) periods.Oxygen isotope analyses (SMOW) (using EA-IRMS) of both the blue chalcedony nodules (δ¹⁸O = + 28.2‰ to + 30.8‰) and the enclosing sandstone (δ¹⁸O = + 11.3‰ to + 13.2‰) suggest that the nodules formed during diagenesis at a low temperature of around 55 °C, although they are encased in sandstone whose grains came from rocks that formed at significantly higher temperature, perhaps above 100 °C.The unbanded Sündikendağı chalcedony nodules are similar in occurrence to the banded Fairburn agates of South Dakota, USA and the Dryhead agates of Montana, USA, which formed in Palaeozoic limestones, except that the blue chalcedony is hosted in sandstone. Other sedimentary agates are generally believed to have formed by the alteration of diagenetic concretions from the outside, inward. No other agates or chalcedonies hosted in sandstone are known for comparison with this deposit. Thus, the deposit appears to be unique. It is possible that the Sündikendağı unbanded blue chalcedony formed as epigenetic concretions during diagenesis of the sandstone—a mechanism previously shown for large crystals of other minerals found in sandstones.     

福建马坑铁（钼）矿床矽卡岩矿物学特征及分带研究

马坑大型铁(钼)矿赋存于莒舟-大洋花岗岩体外接触带黄龙组(C2h)灰岩和林地组(C1l)碎屑岩层间构造破碎带中,铁矿与矽卡岩密切共生,但矿床成因尚存在争议。本文就马坑铁矿矽卡岩进行了矿物学特征研究。电子探针分析结果表明:该矿矽卡岩矿物组合主要为辉石、石榴子石和钙蔷薇辉石,退化蚀变岩矿物组合为角闪石、绿帘石、绿泥石、石英等。单斜辉石以透辉石和钙铁辉石为主,仅存在少量锰钙辉石;似辉石为钙蔷薇辉石和蔷薇辉石;石榴子石端元成分以钙铁榴石为主,钙铝榴石少量;角闪石属于钙角闪石,矿物学特征表明它们形成于相对较氧化的条件下。马坑铁矿的矽卡岩是由热流体沿灰岩与碎屑岩之间层间构造破碎带交代形成的,铁矿石大部分产于矽卡岩内,磁铁矿多稍晚于矽卡岩,不仅广泛交代矽卡岩,而且还直接交代灰岩、砂岩等围岩,呈交代结构;主矿体下盘常出现厚层石英岩,碎屑岩也出现了明显的交代,矽卡岩分带现象普遍,与典型矽卡岩矿床特征一致。结合矿床地质特征,马坑铁矿矿床类型应为层控矽卡岩型矿床。     

Chert and its sodium-silicate precursors in sodium-carbonate lakes of East Africa

Chert has formed from two sodium-silicate minerals, magadiite (NaSi₇,O₁₃(OH)₃·3H₂O) and kenyaite (NaSi₁₁O_20.5(OH)₄·3H₂O), in uppermost Pleistocene deposits of lakes Magadi and Natron in Kenya and Tanzania. The chert consists of finely crystalline quartz and characteristically forms nodules of irregular shape with white coatings having reticulate surface patterns. Similar nodules are widespread in lower and middle Pleistocene lacustrine deposits in the vicinity of Lake Magadi, Lake Natron, and Olduvai Gorge. Although magadiite and kenyaite are absent in the lower and middle Pleistocene deposits, the chert in these beds probably formed from a sodium-silicate precursor. All of the chert-bearing sediments were deposited in saline, alkaline lakes rich in dissolved sodium carbonate-bicarbonate.Magadiite (and chert) may form either thin, widespread deposits or localized masses which may be cross-cutting. Thin, widespread layers of magadiite have been precipitated by mixing of silica-rich brine with fresh water in a chemically stratified lake; localized masses may have been formed by interaction of brine with fresher water entering the floor or margin of the lake. Magadiite and kenyaite can alter to chert in contact with sodium-carbonate brine and possibly by leaching with relatively fresh water over a period of 20,000 years or less.The siliceous zeolites clinoptilolite and erionite predominate in trachyte tuffs associated with magadiite and chert; less-siliceous phillipsite predominates in trachyte tuffs of chert-free sequences.     

Hydrocarbon migration characteristics of the Lower Cretaceous in the Erlian Basin

The paper systematically analyzes the hydrocarbon migration characteristics of the Lower Cretaceous in the Erlian Basin, based on the geochemical data of mudstone and sandstone in the main hydrocarbon-generating sags. (1) The source rocks in K1ba and K1bt1 are estimated to be the mature ones, their hydrocarbon expulsion ratio can reach 32%-72%. The Type-I sags in oil windows possess good hydrocarbon generation and expulsion conditions, where commercial reservoirs can be formed. (2) According to the curves of the mudstone compaction and evolution of clay minerals, the rapid compaction stage of mudstones is the right time of hydrocarbon expulsion, i.e., primary migration. (3) The timing between hydrocarbon generation and expulsion is mainly related to the accordance of the oil window and the rapid compaction stage of mudstones in the hydrocarbon generation sags of Type-I. That forms the most matching relation between hydrocarbon generation and migration. (4) The faults and unconformities are the important paths for the secondary hydrocarbon migration. Especially, the unconformity between K1ba and K1bt1 has a favorable condition for oil accumulation, where the traps of all types are the main exploration targets. (5) Hydrocarbon migration effect, in the Uliastai sag, is most significant; that in the Saihan Tal and Anan sags comes next, and that in the Bayandanan and Jargalangt sags is worst.     

西昌盆地白果湾组致密砂岩油气形成关键指标评价与有利区优选

综合钻井、大量实测剖面、样品测试分析和区域地质资料,对西昌盆地白果湾组烃源岩生烃强度、镜质体反射率、砂岩储层物性等关键指标进行了系统评价.西昌盆地上三叠统白果湾组主要油气储层类型为中-粗砂岩,有利层段主要发育在白果湾组一段、三段和四段,砂岩具有中孔低渗、区域分布广、厚度大等特征,ZD-1井揭示砂岩含油气性好.西昌盆地白...     

燕山中段常州沟组砂岩岩石学、地球化学特征及地质意义

中元古代常州沟组是华北克拉通北缘燕山地区变质结晶基底上的第一套沉积盖层,不整合覆盖于新太古代各类片麻岩之上。为了解常州沟组时期的古环境、古气候及其物质来源、构造环境和盆地性质,在野外地质调查的基础上,对常州沟组砂岩进行了粒度分析和地球化学分析测试。岩石组合、沉积构造和粒度分析结果指示区内常州沟组沉积环境演化由下至上依次为冲积扇、辫状河和碎屑潮坪。常州沟组砂岩地球化学特征具有高SiO₂、Al₂O₃和K₂O,低TiO₂、Fe₂O₃、FeO、MgO含量的特点,成熟度较高,化学蚀变指数(CIA)介于52.00～73.23之间,化学风化作用指数(CIW)范围为93.04～98.68。由于岩石遭受钾交代作用影响,结合A-CN-K图解、Th/U-Th图解和古气候判别图综合分析,认为源区可能经历了较强的风化作用,古气候温暖、潮湿。Cr/Zr、Th/Sc、Ba/Sr、Rb/Sr值和La/Th-Hf图解指示常州沟组源区属性主要为上地壳环境,原岩成分以长英...     

Coupled accumulation characteristics of Carboniferous-Permian coal measure gases in the Northern Ordos Basin,China

The northern Ordos Basin provides a favorable geological environment for the accumulation and development of coal measure gases (CMG). The hydrocarbon generation potential and reservoir systems of the coal measures have been studied based on data from experimental tests and production and exploration wells, respectively. Further, the coupled accumulation characteristics were determined. The results show that the source rocks are characterized by favorable hydrocarbon generation potential, high thermal evolution (Ro%?=?1.3–2.3%), and mainly type III kerogen. Coals, typically aggregated organic matter, with a huge hydrocarbon generation potential (avg. 89.11 mg/g) and total organic content (TOC) (avg. 65.52%), are predominantly involved in gaseous hydrocarbon generation. Shales with good TOC contents (avg. 2.36%) and large cumulative thicknesses have an important role in gaseous hydrocarbon generation. Coal seams, shale layers, and sandstone layers occur as variably interbedded deposits, which form a favorable environment for CMG coupled accumulation. The porosity and permeability are ranked as follows: sandstone?>?coal?>?shale, with significant stress sensitivity and anisotropy. Two continuous gas generation peaks occurred in the Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous, with an abundant amount of coal-derived and thermogenic gas generation, respectively. Potential gas-bearing sandstone layers can be formed by gas migration via short distances from nearby coal seams and shale layers. Coupled accumulation of CMG occurred in three stages: (1) stacked and interbedded reservoirs formation stage; (2) gas generating and charging stage; and (3) coupled accumulation adjustment stage. Coalbed methane (CBM)–tight sandstone gas (TSG) assemblage is a favorable target for CMG accumulation and development.     

Diagenetic alunite in clastic sequences, Kuwait, Arabian Gulf

Diagenetic alunite occurs with calcrete, gypcrete and silcrete deposits in a Mio-Pleistocene clastic sequence at several locations in southern Kuwait, Arabian Gulf. Based on their physical properties and textural characteristics the alunite deposits were divided into (1) chalky quartzitic alunite, (2) chalky quartz-free alunite, (3) hard pink alunitic sandstone. The chalky alunite is composed mainly of hydronium-alunite (H₃O)Al₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆, while the hard pink alunite is composed solely of well developed potassium alunite KAl₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆. These minerals resulted from the action of sulphuric acid on clays and K-feldspars in the muddy sandstone and mudstone host sediments. The sulphuric acid is most probably produced by the oxidation of hydrogen sulphide that might have seeped in from the oil fields of this area. Four diagenetic stages are suggested for the genesis of the studied alunites: gypsification, sulphuratization, silicification and alunitization. In oil field areas, the occurrences of alunite would serve as an indicator for the presence at depth of hydrocarbons.     

苏北盆地黄桥地区富CO_2流体对二叠系龙潭组砂岩储层的改造与意义

富CO_2流体-砂岩相互作用是砂岩储层次生孔隙的重要形成机制。苏北黄桥地区作为中国重要的CO_2气产区,富CO_2流体对上二叠统龙潭组砂岩储层的改造问题备受关注。为揭示富CO_2流体的作用特征及其对储层的影响,对黄桥地区典型钻井开展了系统的岩心描述和岩矿鉴定,并进行了微区原位观测和相关地球化学分析。结果表明,在靠近CO_2流体活动强烈的断裂带部位(特别是断层上盘),砂岩中碳酸盐胶结物基本溶蚀殆尽,仅存少量交代成因菱铁矿,同时钾长石类碎屑溶蚀非常强烈,并伴随高岭石等矿物沉淀,以及石英次生加大,还发育片钠铝石等指示高浓度CO_2作用的特征矿物,形成与CO_2流体作用相关的特征矿物组合(片钠铝石+高岭石+次生石英+菱铁矿);而在远离断裂的部位,受CO_2流体影响较弱,溶蚀作用也较弱,有较多的次生方解石沉淀,形成了以方解石+菱铁矿为主的自生矿物组合。前者次生孔隙发育,后者则更加致密。据此提出了深源断裂主控下与富CO_2流体作用相关的储层发育模式,为油气勘探和开发提供了新的思路。     

Environmental and tectonic influences on the formation and distribution of carbonate nodules above the Springfield coal seam, southern Illinois Basin

Carbonate nodules have been encountered for many years in the southern Illinois Basin, in parts of southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and southwestern Kentucky. The nodules occur as oblate spheroids of calcium carbonate that are isolated in the shale immediate roof of coal mines. They are common in the Springfield coal seam, known as the No. 5 seam in Illinois, and as the No. 9 seam in western Kentucky. Several different mechanisms have been proposed for the formation of various semi-spherical objects in coal measure rocks. The distribution and association with rooted horizons suggest that carbonate nodules in black fossiliferous shale observed in the roof of a studied mine in the Springfield seam represent pedogenic carbonate paleosols, which formed in a caliche-favoring environment subsequent to Springfield mire deposition. This interpretation is supported by ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope ratios of 0.710893 ± 13 to 0.711035 ± 12, which indicate a freshwater rather than seawater source.Petrographic examination of rock textures and mineral grains indicates that nodules collected from two Illinois Basin coal mines are composed of subangular grains of fine-grained, crystalline microspar. Although the carbonate is not ferroan, iron hydroxide stains interstices between microspar grains. The rounded, commonly pinched boundaries of nodules truncate commonly imbricated microspar grains. In contrast, concentric growth patterns are not observed except as defined by secondary, subhedral to euhedral pyrite crystals that form a diffuse, concentric replacement zone around the nodule's outer rind. Polished slickensides, with well-developed radial slickenlines, are developed at highly compacted margins in black shale or mudstone that commonly encases the carbonate nodules.Of the 450 carbonate nodules documented at a study mine in the southern Illinois Basin, the long axes of 36% are preferentially aligned parallel to regional structures such as anticline axes and drag folds that are interpreted to have formed in response to compression during the Late Pennsylvanian-Permian Alleghanian orogeny. Mapping also suggests that clusters of carbonate nodules are spatially associated with the trends of low-angle drag folds in the immediate roof of the Springfield seam at the study mine. The preferential elongation and distribution with respect to tectonic structures suggest that regional compression influenced the shape and distribution of carbonate nodules, and that nodule lithification may have been approximately contemporaneous with regional deformation.     

Application of quantitative grain fluorescence techniques to study subtle oil migration pathway of lithological reservoir

This paper analyzes the quantitative grain fluorescence (QGF) and quantitative grain fluorescence on extract (QGF-E) properties of 101 rock samples by using quantitative grain fluorescence techniques. The samples are collected from five wells in tight sandstone and thin siltstone in the third sector of the Shahejie Formation in the Niuzhuang sag of the Dongying depression. It was observed that both the tight sandstone and thin siltstone show relatively high fluorescence intensity of hydrocarbon, which suggests that they are possibly good subtle oil-migration pathways in the present or geological time. These thin subtle oil-migration pathways afford important clues for the researches on hydrocarbon accumulation in lithological reservoirs in the middle and lower of Es ₃ in deep sag zone, which has the hydrocarbon source from the upper of Es ₄ when there is no apparent fault playing oil migration conduits to connect lithologic traps and deep source rocks. This study shows good prospect of QGF techniques in discriminating oil migration pathways and paleo-oil zones. The results of this study may be of great significance to the researches on hydrocarbon accumulation mechanism of subtle reservoirs in the Dongying depression and other areas. __________ Translated from Acta Geologica Sinica, 2007, 81(2): 250–254 [译自: 地质学报]     

Sedimentology and seismic geomorphology of a lacustrine depositional system from the deep zone of the Gaoyou Sag,Subei Basin,eastern China

Sandstones of the Dainan Formation in the Gaoyou Sag of the Subei Basin are important hydrocarbon reservoirs. This paper studies the sedimentary facies and sandstone dispersal patterns in the Gaoyou Sag, based on the analysis of sedimentology and seismic geomorphology. The data used in this study include lithological data, wire-line-log data and three-dimensional (3D) seismic data. The target strata are the Eocene Daiyi Member (E₂d₁³, E₂d₁² and E₂d₁¹) and the lower Dai'er Member (E₂d₂⁵), which belong to three third-order sequences. Five types of depositional systems were identified in the Dainan Formation based on core observation and log-facies analysis. They are, respectively, delta, fan delta, sub-lacustrine fan, nearshore subaqueous fan and lacustrine system. Stratal slices from 3D seismic volumes have been used to map the sandstone dispersal patterns and to document the evolution of the depositional systems within these third-order sequences and associated systems tracts. In the low-stand systems tract and the high-stand systems tract, sandstones of delta, fan delta and nearshore subaqueous fan were well developed and can be delineated by stratal slices showing distinct progradation towards the deep lake centre. In the transgressive systems tract, sandstones are less common. Stratal slices indicate that the depositional environments of individual third-order sequences evolved from gravel-rich or sand-rich fans to lacustrine mudstones, and finally to mixed sandstone–mudstone fans. Sandstone dispersal patterns appear to be primarily controlled by syn-sedimentary faults, and generally sandstone thickness decreases with distance from the syn-sedimentary faults. Deltas and fan deltas have different characteristics in sand-body thickness because they have different sedimentary subfacies. The proposed geomorphology and sedimentary evolution of the lacustrine depositional system may aid in the prediction of potential reservoir distribution in the Gaoyou Sag.     

Controls on the accumulation of coal and on the development of anastomosed fluvial systems in the Cretaceous Dakota Formation of southern Utah

Alluvial strata of the Cretaceous Dakota Formation of southern Utah are part of a transgressive systems tract associated with a foreland basin developed adjacent to the Sevier orogenic belt. These strata contain valley fill deposits, anastomosed channel systems and widespread coals. The coals constitute a relatively minor part of the Dakota Formation in terms of sediment volume, but may represent a substantial amount of the time represented by the formation. The coals are separated by clastic units up to 20 m thick. The stratigraphically lowest clastic unit of the Dakota Formation lies above an unconformity cut into Jurassic rocks. Incised valleys associated with the unconformity are up to 12 m deep. Two discrete episodes of valley fill sedimentation are recognized, including a lower sandstone unit with conglomerate layers, and an upper, discontinuous, coal-bearing unit. After the valleys filled, the area became one of low relief where extensive mires formed. Peat accumulation was interrupted at least three times by deposition of clastic sediment derived from the west. The clastic units consist of sandstone, mudstone or heterolithic ribbon bodies, stacked tabular sandstones, and laminated mudstones, and contain minor coal beds less than 0·35 m thick. Ribbon bodies are 1–9 m thick and 15–160 m wide, have pronounced basal scours, and are filled with both lateral and vertical accretion deposits. An anastomosed channel complex is suggested by the large number of coeval channels of varying dimensions, the variation in the structure and grain size of channel fills, and the presence of abundant tabular sandstones interpreted as crevasse splays. Although some sandstone bodies have well developed lateral accretion surfaces, the overall ribbon geometry indicates that mature meandering streams were not well developed. This is in contrast to modern anastomosed systems, which are commonly thought to be a transitional morphology caused by avulsion of a meander belt to a new position on its floodplain. Rather than being a transitional channel pattern related to river avulsion, the anastomosed channels of the Dakota Formation may have formed part of a large inland delta that episodically invaded widespread mires. The mires developed during periods when clastic influx was reduced either by high rates of subsidence close to the thrust belt or by deflection of rivers by emergent thrusts.     

Kinetic fractionation of Fe isotopes during transport through a porous quartz-sand column

Sorption and desorption processes are an important part of biological and geochemical metallic isotope cycles. Here, we address the dynamic aspects of metallic isotopic fractionation in a theoretical and experimental study of Fe sorption and desorption during the transport of aqueous Fe(III) through a quartz-sand matrix. Transport equations describing the behavior of sorbing isotopic species in a water saturated homogeneous porous medium are presented; isotopic fractionation of the system (Δ_{sorbedmetal-soln}) being defined in terms of two parameters: (i) an equilibrium fractionation factor, α_e; and (ii) a kinetic sorption factor, α₁. These equations are applied in a numerical model that simulates the sorption-desorption of Fe isotopes during injection of a Fe(III) solution pulse into a quartz matrix at pH 0-2 and explores the effects of the kinetic and equilibrium parameters on the Fe-isotope evolution of porewater. The kinetic transport theory is applied to a series of experiments in which pulses of Na and Fe(III) chloride solutions were injected into a porous sand grain column. Fractionation factors of α_e = 1.0003 ± 0.0001 and α₁ = 0.9997 ± 0.0004 yielded the best fit between the transport model and the Fe concentration and δ⁵⁶Fe data. The equilibrium fractionation (Δ⁵⁶Fe_{sorbedFe-soln}) of 0.3‰ is comparable with values deduced for adsorption of metallic cations on iron and manganese oxide surfaces and suggests that sandstone aquifers will fractionate metallic isotopes during sorption-desorption reactions. The ability of the equilibrium fractionation factor to describe a natural system, however, depends on the proximity to equilibrium, which is determined by the relative time scales of mass transfer and chemical reaction; low fluid transport rates should produce a system that is less dependent on kinetic effects. The results of this study are applicable to Fe-isotope fractionation in clastic sediments formed in highly acidic conditions; such conditions may have existed on Mars where acidic oxidizing ground and surface waters may have been responsible for clastic sedimentation and metallic element transport.     

Mineral dating of mantle−derived CO2 charging and its application in the southern Songliao Basin,China

The timing of mantle−derived CO₂ charging in sedimentary basins is the basis for studying CO₂-sandstone interactions and CO₂-oil interactions. In general, the time of the volcanic eruption near the CO₂ gas reservoir is considered to be the time of mantle-derived CO₂ charging. However, this approach is not suitable for hydrocarbon-bearing basins that have experienced multiple volcanic events. In this paper, using dawsonite-bearing sandstones contained in an oil-bearing CO₂ gas and oil reservoir in the southern Songliao Basin as the object of the study on the basis of paragenetic sequence and fluid inclusions, we establish a mineral dating method for determining the time of mantle-derived CO₂ charging. In this method, the mineral used for dating is dawsonite, which is formed under a high CO₂ partial pressure and records the migration and aggregation of mantle-derived CO₂ in geologic history. By interpreting the dawsonite-bearing sandstone in the southern Songliao Basin, we find two hydrocarbon charges and one CO₂ charge and that the mantle-derived CO₂ charging occurred slightly later than or quasi-simultaneously with the second hydrocarbon filling. Combining the currently known time of hydrocarbon reservoir formation and the time of tectonic fracture development, we deduce that the mantle-derived CO₂ formed the dawsonite in the southern Songliao Basin at the end of the Cretaceous (end of the Mingshui period) and the beginning of the Paleogene.     

东营凹陷沙河街组砂岩储层砂泥岩界面对长石溶蚀的影响

深部碎屑岩储层的原生孔隙损失严重,深层油气藏能否形成的关键问题之一是盆地碎屑岩致密储层是否发育次生孔隙。作为砂岩骨架颗粒的长石发生溶蚀反应,是中深部碎屑岩储层次生孔隙形成的重要作用。选取东营凹陷中部地区中央断裂带和牛庄洼陷发育的湖相三角洲-浊积岩砂体为研究对象,运用光学显微镜(OM)、扫描电镜(SEM)、X粉晶衍射(XRD)以及电感耦合等离子体发射光谱仪(ICP-AES)等分析测试技术研究了砂泥岩界面处砂岩长石溶蚀、高岭石形成分布以及次生孔隙发育特征。研究结果表明,随着压实作用进行,泥岩中的有机质热演化以及伴随的蒙脱石伊利石化是中深部砂岩储集层酸性孔隙流体的主要来源。揭示出砂泥岩层序中泥岩成岩作用对于砂岩骨架颗粒长石溶蚀以及自生高岭石形成、分布具有重要影响。砂泥岩界面对长石溶蚀的控制作用与泥岩中有机质含量、成熟度等地球化学特征有关。对于研究区埋深大于3000m的浊积岩砂体,由于被有效烃源岩包裹,烃源岩压实排出的有机酸对长石溶蚀产物Al元素具有较强的络合作用,导致砂泥岩界面处长石溶蚀程度较高,而高岭石含量较低,形成的次生孔隙不会被高岭石饱和充填,提高了砂泥岩界面处储层的孔隙度和渗透率。而...     

Origin of spheroidal chert nodules, Drunka Formation (Lower Eocene), Egypt

Chert nodules of the Drunka Formation (Lower Eocene) are mostly spherical, have diameters from 40 to 120 cm, are quasi-uniformly spaced 2–3 m apart in the plane of bedding, have concentric internal structure and, except for rare small (<6 cm) solid chert nodules, are less than 85% chertified. Nodules formed after moderate alteration of limestone by meteoric water (δ¹⁸O_calcite = –4 to –8‰) at shallow (<100 m) burial depths; more extensive alteration of limestone (δ¹⁸O = –10 to –16‰) by meteoric water followed nodule growth. Chertification was by low-temperature meteoric water (δ¹⁸O_quartz = +18‰ in margins to +22‰ in nuclei) at shallow burial depths. Meteoric water may have invaded the Drunka Formation in association with shelf progradation during the Early Eocene, or during the development of a Middle Eocene unconformity. Replacement of carbonate mud by microcrystalline quartz was the dominant chertification process, but fossils were replaced in part by fine-grained equant megaquartz, quartzine and chalcedony; the last of these occurs in places as beekite. Opal A-secreting marine organisms are the inferred source of silica, but none are preserved. There is no compelling evidence of an opal-CT precursor, so quartz may have formed by direct precipitation. Self-organization processes of enigmatic character established the spacing pattern of the nodules and also the Liesegang-banded internal structure of the chert nodules. Nodules grew chiefly by diffusive supply of silica, although one locality has elongate nodules that grew when there was some porewater advection. Chertification patterns and δ¹⁸O values of both calcite and quartz indicate that nodule growth was complex and variable. Some nodules probably grew from the centre outwards. Many nodules, however, initially grew simultaneously across the entire nodule, but late-stage growth was predominantly at the outer margins or at selective internal sites.     

Geochemical characteristics of sandstones from Cretaceous Garudamangalam area of Ariyalur,Tamilnadu, India: Implications of provenance and tectonic setting

The Trichinopoly Group (later redesignated as Garudamangalam) has unconformable relationship with underlying Uttatur Group and is divided into lower Kulakanattam Formation and upper Anaipadi Formation. These calcareous sandstones are analysed major, trace and rare earth elements (REEs) to find out CIA, CIW, provenance and tectonic setting. The silica content of fossiliferous calcareous sandstone show wide variation ranging from 12.93 to 42.56%. Alumina content ranged from 3.49 to 8.47%. Higher values of Fe₂O₃ (2.29–22.02%) and low MgO content (0.75–2.44%) are observed in the Garudamangalam Formation. CaO (23.53–45.90) is high in these sandstones due to the presence of calcite as cementing material. Major element geochemistry of clastic rocks (Al₂O₃ vs. Na₂O) plot and trace elemental ratio (Th/U) reveal the moderate to intense weathering of the source rocks. The Cr/Zr ratio of clastic rocks reveal with an average of 1.74 suggesting of felsic provenance. In clastic rocks, high ratios of \(\sum \)LREE/\(\sum \)HREE, La/Sc, Th/Sc, Th/Co, La/Co and low ratios of Cr/Zr, and positive Eu anomaly ranges from (Eu/Eu* = 1.87–5.30) reveal felsic nature of the source rocks.     

Anatomy and evolution of a Lower Cretaceous alluvial plain: sedimentology and palaeosols in the upper Blairmore Group, south-western Alberta, Canada

The Lower Cretaceous (Albian) upper Blairmore Group is part of a thick clastic wedge that formed adjacent to the rising Cordillera in south-western Alberta. Regional transgressive intervals are superimposed on the overall regressive succession. Alluvial conglomerates, sandstones and mudstones were deposited in east-north-eastward draining fluvial systems, orientated transverse to the basin axis. Five facies associations have been identified: igneous pebble conglomerate, thick sandstone, interbedded lenticular sandstone and mudstone, thick mudstone with thin sandstone interlayers, and fossiliferous sandstone and mudstone. The facies associations are interpreted as gravelly fluvial channels, sandy fluvial channels, sand-dominated floodplains, mud-dominated floodplains, and marine shoreline deposits, respectively. Five types of palaeosols are recognized in the upper Blairmore Group based on lithology, the presence of pedogenic features (clay coatings, root traces, ferruginous nodules, slickensides, carbonate nodules) and degree of horizonization. The regional distribution of the various types of palaeosols enables a refinement of the palaeoenvironmental reconstruction permitting an assessment of the controls on floodplain evolution. In source-proximal areas, palaeosol development was inhibited by high rates of sedimentation. In source-distal locations, poor drainage resulting from high watertables, low topography and lower rates of sedimentation also inhibited palaeosol development. The best-developed palaeosols (containing Bt horizons) occur in intermediate alluvial plain positions (tectonic hinge zone) where the floodplains were most stable due to a balance between sedimentation, erosion and subsidence rates. Extrapolating from the upper Blairmore Group suggests that the tectonic hinge zone of continental foreland basins can be established by palaeosol analysis. At the hinge zone, soil development is controlled primarily by climate and tectonics and their effect on sediment supply, whereas closer to the palaeoshoreline, relative sea level fluctuations, resulting in poor drainage, may have a more significant influence.