Source potential and palynofacies of Late Jurassic “Lemeš facies”, Croatia

Laminated limestone and calcareous shale outcrop samples from the Late Jurassic “Leme?” facies (Croatia) were investigated to characterize their organic facies and palynofacies and their hydrocarbon generative potential. The results indicate that the organic rich sediments of “Leme?” facies were deposited within a relatively shallow marine environment at low redox potential, characterized as an oxygen depleted depositional setting with stratified bottom waters of the carbonate platform (Adriatic Carbonate Platform). The organic rich samples contain a high portion of lipid rich amorphous kerogen of algal/phytoplankton origin, enriched by bacterial biomass. Most of the analyzed samples have total organic carbon contents (TOC) greater than 3%, Rock-Eval S2 >20 mg HC/g rock, yielding Hydrogen Index (HI) values ranging from 509–602 mg HC/g TOC. According to these results, the analyzed samples have very good to excellent oil generative potential. Relatively high sulfur content suggests that the kerogen is best described as Type II-S. Biomarker maturity parameters, as well as the fluorescence of the isolated kerogen, show that the organic matter is at early to peak oil thermal maturity. The observed level of thermal maturity indicates that these samples were once buried to depths of ～5.5–5.8 km before being uplifted in the late Tertiary. The surface outcrops of the “Leme?” facies suggest that these strata have significant source potential and are the likely source of oil in the Croatian External Dinarides.     

Depositional environment of a Kimmeridgian carbonate 'black band' (Akkuyu Formation, south-western Turkey)

The Upper Jurassic Akkuyu Formation of south-western Turkey consists of pale-coloured carbonate facies, but includes a peculiar ‘black band’ at its base. In order to characterize the depositional environment of this level, a sedimentological, organic and inorganic geochemical study was performed on 30 samples. Three units are distinguished. Unit 1 consists of black marlstones, very rich in organic carbon (22–30%) with HI (hydrogen index) values around 600. The organic matter is an amorphous homogeneous material even at nanoscopic scale. This unit is also characterized by a very high concentration of V ( >1000 p.p.m.) and a δ¹³C_org value around ?26·5‰. Unit 2 shows thin-bedded black limestones with chert layers. Its organic content varies from 2% to 6%. As in unit 1, the HI values are uniformly high (600), and gas chromatography shows a high quantity of hopanes. The V concentration is also high (≈400 p.p.m.). The unit has a high Sr/Ca ratio, an organic carbon isotopic ratio close to ?28·7‰ and diffuse, nanoscopically amorphous organic material that is closely associated with pyrite. Unit 3 corresponds to the white limestones overlying the ‘black band’. This calcitic facies is almost devoid of organic carbon (<0·1%). The δ¹³C_org values are similar to those of unit 1 (?25·5‰ to ?26‰). Deposition occurred in a basinal environment surrounded by a carbonate platform. Primary productivity was high but not exceptional; terrestrial organic inputs were scarce. Bottom waters were probably euxinic during the deposition of unit 1. The presence of both hopane-rich and sulphur-rich nanoscopically amorphous organic matter may be the result of strong sulphate-reducing bacterial activity. Coupled with low amounts of iron, this led to intense vulcanization of the organic matter and thus good preservation. With the onset of unit 2 deposition, environmental conditions became less extreme, perhaps because of cooler water temperatures. Finally, the depositional conditions became oxic, leading to the accumulation of pale-coloured organic-poor limestones of unit 3.     

REE and trace element patterns from organic-rich rocks of the Ediacaran–Cambrian transitional interval

It has been established that important changes in the marine environment and the biosphere occurred during the Cambrian. However, the relationships between the so-called “Cambrian Explosion” and the concomitant environmental changes are not yet fully understood. This study presents new geochemical data from the black shale successions from different facies belts of the Yangtze Platform in South China. Variations in the concentrations of REE and trace elements (varying Ce/Ce*, Th/U, V/Sc, and V/Cr ratios) in kerogen as well as in bulk rocks from different depositional environments along a transect from platform to basin indicate two oxidation events, which led to the oxygenation of the water column in shallow-marine environments and euxinic conditions (weak correlation between TOC, V, U, and Mo) in the deeper sea. During the first oxidation event in the late Terreneuvian, anoxic conditions in bottom waters rapidly changed to euxinic conditions. Subsequently, the second oxidation event during the early Epoch 2 of the Cambrian led to oxic–suboxic conditions in deeper seawater.     

白果园黑色岩系型银（钒）矿床沉积古环境与银（钒）初始富集

白果园银（钒）矿产于震旦系陡山沱组黑色色岩系中。矿床的地球化学和有机地球化学研究表明，黑色页岩含丰富以低等海生生物为主的腐泥型有机质，黑色页岩形成于局限的滞留海盆。     

The concentration of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions by particulate algal matter

Experimental studies of the reactions of Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) in aqueous solutions with organic matter derived from fresh samples of the green filamentous algae Ulothrix spp. and the green unicellular algae Chlamydomonas spp. and Chlorella vulgaris show that, under suitable conditions, a significant proportion of the metals is removed from solution by sorption onto the particulate organic matter of the algal suspension.The metal sorption is strongly suppressed by H⁺ but is only marginally influenced by the proportion of whole cells in the suspension and by complexing of metals in solution by the soluble organic matter. The presence of relatively small amounts of the cations Na⁺ and Mg²⁺ in solution reduces the sorption of Zn(II) to near zero, but Pb(II) and Cu(II) sorption occurs to an appreciable extent even in strong brines. This may be a means for the selective precipitation of Pb(II) from brines rich in Pb(II) and Zn(II).Metal “saturation” values indicate that particulate algal matter of the type used in these experiments could sorb sufficient quantities of metal to form an ore deposit if a weight of organic matter of similar order of magnitude to that of the inorganic sediments in the deposits was available. However, the metal sorption is an equilibrium reaction, and the experimentally determined “enrichment factors” suggest that the “saturation” values could be approached only in solutions whose metal contents were initially at least two orders of magnitude above those of normal seawater.     

加水热模拟中深湖与煤系泥岩地化特征比较

通过深湖泥岩和煤系泥岩的加水热模拟研究认为,在热模拟实验过程中,深湖泥岩和煤系泥岩显示不同特征,并且其演化有差别。深湖泥岩利于液态原油的生成,并且转化率高于煤系泥岩。深湖泥岩残余可溶有机质饱和烃含量高于煤系泥岩,非烃含量则低于煤系泥岩。深湖泥岩胶质 /沥青质和饱芳比均随温度升高而降低,而煤系泥岩的胶质 /沥青质随温度升高有增加趋势,其饱芳比的变化则不大或有降低趋势。深湖泥岩的T_max难以指示演化阶段,其干酪根碳同位素值明显轻于煤系泥岩,它们的值均随温度的升高而变重。     

Variations in organic geochemistry and lithology of a carbonate sequence deposited in a backplatform basin (Triassic, Hungary)

The variations in the organic matter quantity and quality were studied with respect to the mineral composition of the carbonate sequences accumulated on a gentle slope (Zl-1 well) and at the toe of the slope (Rzt-1 well) located between a Late Triassic carbonate platform and a backplatform basin. Parallel variations observed in mineral composition and organic geochemical features of the successions appeared to be controlled by the change in climate and by sea-level fluctuations. The repetitive sea-level changes resulted in a variation in the carbonate-rich basin facies and in the mineralogically heterogenous slope and toe-of-slope ones. According to Rock Eval pyrolysis, organic petrography and carbon isotope ratios, the immature organic matter is of predominantly marine origin and composed of mainly liptinites in both of the studied boreholes. The results of the GC and GC/MS analyses of the saturated hydrocarbon fractions of bitumens together with the composition of kerogen pyrolysates reveal a predominant algal input with a minor variable bacterial and subordinate terrestrial contribution for the Rzt-1 borehole. In the Zl-1 borehole a significantly higher proportion of the bacterial biomass contributed to the organic precursors. The δ¹³C values and the composition of the kerogen pyrolysates together with the results of the maceral analysis and GC data suggest a relatively higher, but moderate, higher plant derived contribution in the slope facies and at the top of the toe-of-slope facies. The elementary composition of kerogens and Rock Eval data display type II-S kerogen in the basin and the slope facies, and type I-II-S one in the toe-of-slope facies. Variations in the hydrogen content of the organic matter mainly reflect variations in the preservation conditions and in primary productivity. The presence of the 2,6,10,15,19-pentamethyleicosane and the extremely low pristane/phytane ratios indicate a relatively high methanogenic bacterial activity and strongly anoxic depositional conditions in the Rzt-1 well, especially in two most organic-rich toe-of-slope facies.     

The Silurian of Gotland (Sweden): facies interpretation based on stable isotopes in brachiopod shells

The Silurian of Gotland, Sweden, consists of 440 m of carbonate deposits. Repeatedly, uniform sequences of micritic limestones and marls are interrupted by complex-structured reefs and by adjacent platform sediments. Generally, the alteration of facies is interpreted as the result of sea-level fluctuations caused by a gradual regression with superimposed minor transgressive pulses. The purpose of this study is a facies interpretation based on both field observations and stable isotope measurements of brachiopod shells. Approximately 700 samples from stratigraphically arranged localities in different facies areas have been investigated. The carbon and oxygen isotopes show principally parallel curves and a close relationship to the stratigraphic sequence. Lower values occur in periods dominated by deposition of marly sequences. Higher values are observed in periods dominated by reefs and extended carbonate platforms. The oxygen isotope ratios are interpreted to reflect paleosalinity changes due to varying freshwater input, rather than to paleotemperature. Carbon isotope ratios are believed to have been connected to global changes in the burial of organic carbon in black shales during periods of euxinic deep water conditions. Consequently, the facies succession on Gotland results from global paleoclimatic conditions. Changes in terrigenous input due to different rates of weathering and freshwater runoff, rather than sea-level fluctuations, control the carbonate formation of the Silurian on Gotland.     

Sources,sinks and distribution of organic carbon in the St. Lawrence Estuary,Canada

Carbon isotope ratio analysis of particulate, planktonic, and sedimentary organic carbon and dissolved inorganic carbon has been used to study the sources and sinks of the organic carbon in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. Particulate organic carbon (POC) isotope ratios in the upper St. Lawrence Estuary are uniform and indistinguishable from those of POC in the St. Lawrence River and of planktonic organic carbon in both areas. The abundance of freshwater diatoms in the upper Estuary suggests that upper Estuary POC is predominantly “fresh” organic matter of riverborne origin. Upper Estuary POC is isotopically different from POC in the lower St. Lawrence Estuary and Gaspé regions, but is not different from POC from the surface waters of the open Gulf of St. Lawrence. The isotopic composition of planktonic organic carbon mirrors that of the POC, indicating that the POC in the lower Estuary and Gulf is also “fresh” organic matter. Since the lower Estuary POC forms an isotopic barrier between the upper Estuary POC and the Gulf of St. Lawrence POC, there appears to be little mixing of POC between these three reservoirs. Therefore POC in the lower Estuary and Gulf is most likely both produced and deposited (or degraded) in situ.An examination of carbon isotope ratio differences between the planktonic and dissolved inorganic carbon reservoirs shows that this difference varies significantly and somewhat unpredictably between sectors of the study area. Interpretation of environmental carbon isotope data on the basis of an assumed, constant fractionation factor may be subject to large errors. Direct measurement of both reservoirs is obviously preferable.     

Natural organic matter and its implications in uranium mineralization

Uranium is so intimately associated with carbonaceous matter in marine black shales and some sands tone-type uranium deposits that it is said to be “fixed” by organic matter. But different kinds of organic matter are not of equal importance in the geochemistry of uranium. The nature and origin of organic matter in uranium deposits and its role in the transport and concentration of uranium are different from place to place. The reason why uranium is closely associated with certain types of organic matter (for example, humus or bitumen) is described in this paper from geochemical viewpoint. Many uranium deposits and uranium occurrences have been found both at home and abroad. The distribution and existing forms of uranium in these deposits, and the concentration of uranium and element association in the ore are directly or indirectly related to organic matter. This paper is intended to discuss the types of natural organic matter and the mechanism of uranium transport and enrichment by organic matter, on the basis of author’s research work in conjunction with previous data.     

Evidence for photic‐zone euxinia in the Early Albian Santana Formation (Araripe Basin,NE Brazil)

Organic matter from two black shale units in the Santana Formation, Araripe Basin, NE Brazil, has been studied to investigate the palaeoenvironmental conditions prevailing during formation of this famous fossil lagerstätte. Optical and organic geochemical analyses indicate a predominantly autochthonous source with very limited terrestrial input. Molecular fossils of green sulphur bacteria show that the water column was stratified with euxinic conditions reaching up into the photic zone. Thus, mass‐mortality events of fish may be explained by intrusion of sulphide‐containing waters. The low quantity of material derived from land plants in this interior marine setting is interpreted to reflect a consequence of enhanced marine productivity, resulting in dilution of the continental signal. Different depositional scenarios are proposed to explain our findings including (1) coastal erosion and nutrient leaching during a transgressive event, (2) intrusion of euxinic waters during an early Albian OAE or (3) an estuarine circulation pattern associated with thermohaline stratification.     

Algal crusts, autochthonous and clastic gypsum in a cannibalistic evaporite basin: a case history from the Messinian of Northern Apennines

The Messinian Vena del Gesso Basin in the Northern Apennines is filled by very thick (up to 35 m) beds of coarse crystalline gypsum (selenite) associated with thinner carbonate and shaly (euxinic) intercalations. The conventional Usiglio model of salt fractionation does not apply to this evaporitic sequence for the following reasons: carbonate which underlies gypsum is not evaporitic but algal in origin; most gypsum did not precipitate from surface brines but at and below a sediment-water interface occupied by algal mats; a significant portion (10–80%) of gypsum beds is composed of redeposited selenite which was removed from the margins and transported toward the centre of the basin by slope-controlled currents and gravity flows (debris flows). We call this process cannibalistic because of its intraformational character (connected with evaporative fall of water level) and volumetric importance. A recurrent vertical pattern of six main facies (euxinic to gypsum fanglo-merates) is interpreted as a bathymetric, regressive cycle controlled by both sedi-mentological and tectonic-eustatic factors. The inferred environmental setting is a residual turbidite trough (Marnoso-arenacea) evolving abruptly toward lagoonal conditions and filled up to sea level by evaporitic and mechanical (mostly fluvial) processes. Repeated inundations of restricted-marine water started the depositional cycle thirteen or fourteen times.     

Biogeochemistry and microfossils of the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous,Anabar Bay,Laptev Sea

A detailed analysis of organic matter from the Oxfordian-Lower Valanginian interval of the Nordvik section (Anabar Bay) allows the definition of three geochemical horizons (terpane, diasterene, and hopane), which are characterized by specific geochemical compounds and their ratios. These horizons are correlated with several stages in the evolution of microfossils associated with ecological and geochemical changes in sea paleobasin. Our study shows a good correlation among the variation in many geochemical parameters, the composition of microfossil assemblages, and the transgressive-regressive phases of the paleobasin evolution. Moderately shallow-water facies was reconstructed using micropaleontological, palynological, and lithological data from the upper and lower parts of the section, where the terpane and hopane horizons were identified. Both horizons are characterized by a general dominance of hopanes over other polycyclic biomarkers, the presence of compounds with the biological configuration and organic matter of mixed terrestrial-marine origin, the presence of benzohopanes and retene, an indicator of the conifer resins. This is also reflected in the composition of palynological assemblages, which are dominated by terrestrial palynomorphs, with rare conifer pollen grains. Relatively deep-water facies were identified in the middle part of the section (diasterene horizon). A distinctive geochemical feature of this interval is high relative abundances of diasterenes and 4-methyldiasterenes. The lower subhorizon is characterized by the highest values of the pristane/n-C₁₇ ratio and relatively light δ¹³C values of noncarbonate carbon. The aromatic fractions have anomalously high concentrations of methyltrimethyltridecylchromans (MTTCs), which are interpreted to be derived mostly from chlorophyll of prasinophytes. The terpenoid distribution is marked by the presence of neohop-13(18)-enes, which probably originated from the activity of methanotrophic bacteria. The above geochemical parameters indicate high photic zone productivity (which is confirmed by the composition of palynological assemblages with abundant dinocysts and prasinophytes) that favored the accumulation of organic matter in dysaerobic conditions, which periodically occurred in the bottom of paleobasin. The alternation of dysaerobic and low-oxic bottom water conditions is easily reconstructed from the analysis of microbenthic communities. The analysis of biogeochemical, micropaleontological, paleontological, and palynological data on the Upper Volgian-lowermost Berriasian organic-rich shales revealed a very good source rock potential for this part of the section, as indicated by relatively high concentrations of organic matter of mixed bacterial-algal genesis and stagnant conditions during deposition and diagenesis. However, this potential was not realized because of the extremely “mild” thermobaric conditions that existed within the Mesozoic strata of the present-day Anabar Bay. At the same time, our results and analysis of the available data allow an optimistic assessment of the hydrocarbon potential of Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous deposits on the Laptev Sea shelf.     

Organic Geochemical and Petrographic Characteristics of the Coal Measure Source Rocks of Pinghu Formation in the Xihu Sag of the East China Sea Shelf Basin: Implications for Coal Measure Gas Potential

Coal measure source rocks, located in the Xihu Sag of the East China Sea Shelf Basin, were analyzed to define the hydrocarbon generation potential, organic geochemistry/petrology characteristics, and coal preservation conditions. The Pinghu source rocks in the Xihu Sag are mainly gas-prone accompany with condensate oil generation. The coals and shales of the Pinghu Formation are classified from "fair" to "excellent" source rocks with total organic carbon(TOC) contents ranging from 25.2% to 77.2% and 1.29% to 20.9%, respectively. The coals are richer in TOC and S1+S2 than the shales, indicating that the coals have more generation potential per unit mass. Moreover, the kerogen type of the organic matter consists of types Ⅱ-Ⅲ and Ⅲ, which the maturity Ro ranges from 0.59% to 0.83%. Petrographically, the coals and shales are dominated by vitrinite macerals(69.1%–96.8%) with minor proportions of liptinite(2.5%–17.55%) and inertinite(0.2%–6.2%). The correlation between maceral composition and S1+S2 indicates that the main contributor to the generation potential is vitrinite. Therefore, the coals and shales of the Pinghu Formation has good hydrocarbon generation potential, which provided a good foundation for coal measure gas accumulation. Furthermore, coal facies models indicates that the Pinghu coal was deposited in limno-telmatic environment under high water levels, with low tree density(mainly herbaceous) and with low-moderate nutrient supply. Fluctuating water levels and intermittent flooding during the deposition of peat resulted in the inter-layering of coal, shale and sandstone, which potentially providing favorable preservation conditions for coal measure gas.     

Organic Facies Characteristics of Quaternary Sediments,Gulf of Izmit,Marmara Sea,Turkey

The classification of organic facies from samples obtained by submarine drilling between Hersek Burnu and Kaba Burun in the Gulf of Izmit was determined using organic geochemistry methods. The host sediment is composed of pebbles, sand, silt, and clay, some of which are rich in organic matter. Results indicate an early diagenesis stage according to total organic carbon (0.11-1.78%) and vitrinite reflectance (0.12-0.32%) values. Rock-Eval pyrolysis data display hydrogen indices (HI) of 3 to 97 mg HC/g TOC and oxygen indices (OI) of 29 to 245 mg HC/g CO₂. Microscopic studies show that the dominant organic matter is oxic and terrestrial. These data demonstrate that the organic facies were developed in this environment. The CD facies reflects a mixture of source materials including terrestrial plant detritus, and reworked and fine-grained amorphous organic matter. The D facies consists of highly decomposed, reworked organic matter. These types of organic facies generally appear to be weakly sorted in marine and lake sediments.     

Evaluation of fractionation effects during the early stages of primary migration

A stepwise extraction technique, based on that of Beletskaya (1972), has been aplied to sedimentary rock samples of variable grain size and maturity from a Neogene sequence in the Pannonian Basin (S.E. Hungary). The resulting chloroform extracts, claimed by Beletskaya (1978) to sample “open” and mineralogically “closed” pores, have been analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Differences in the concentrations of the two extracts and the concentrations of their hydrocarbon fractions, and in the distributions of $\text{n}$-alkanes and steroid hydrocarbons suggest that either the “open” pores are impregnated with mature oil which has migrated from depth, or that movement of organic material from the “closed” to “open” pores occurs with considerable fractionation based on both polarity and molecular size. The implications of these differences for source rock-oil correlation studies are discussed and an assessment of mechanisms for primary migration is given.     

The formation environment and development modes of Cenozoic source rocks in the Qiongdongnan Basin

According to the drilling results,there are three sets of source rocks of the Cenozoic Group in the Qiongdongnan Basin,including the Yacheng Formation transitional facies mudstone,the Oligocene Lingshui Formation semi-enclosed marine facies mudstone,and the Miocene neritic-bathyal facies mudstone.The hydrocarbon generating conditions of the source rocks in the study area are mainly controlled by sedimentary environment and organic matter input.The abundance of organic matter in the Oligocene source rocks which were formed in a low-energy back shore environment is confined by organic matter input and hydrodynamic condition.The Miocene source rocks formed in the open marine environment lack terrestrial organic matter input,whose organic matter abundance is constrained by the primary production of the ocean and the preservation condition of organic matter.In addition,the redox conditions are also significant to the formation of source rocks in the study area.According to the differences in key factors controlling the development of source rocks in different time periods and structural belts revealed by drilling practice,three development patterns of source rocks have been put forward.The first one is the transitional facies model featuring a great deal of terrestrial organic matter and weakly hydrodynamic conditions which are apt to develop high effective source rocks in the Yacheng Formation.The second one is the semi-enclosed marine facies featuring abundant terrestrial organic matter,weakly hydrodynamic condition and fine preservation condition in the central depression zone,which are apt to form fine-quality source rocks in the Lingshui Formation.The third one is the marine facies model featuring strong hydrodynamics in the shore-shallow area of northern continental shelf and the lack of benthic algae which are against the development of source rocks.It can be predicted that the continental slope is the perfect place to form source rocks where adequate amounts of light favor the photosynthesis of plants,besides the fine preservation and weakly hydrodynamic conditions.In the deep sea area,although accompanied with weakly hydrodynamic conditions and a reduction environment,it is not suitable for the development of source rocks on account of less aquatic organisms causing low primary production.     

Origin and alteration of oils and oil seeps from the Sinú-San Jacinto Basin, Colombia

Liquid hydrocarbons have been detected in the subsurface as well as in the surface in the Sinú-San Jacinto Basin (northwestern Colombia). The origin of the oils has not been conclusively established especially in the southern part of the basin. The most likely source rocks in the basin are the Ciénaga de Oro Fm. of the Oligocene-Early Miocene and the Cansona Fm. of the Upper Cretaceous. In this study, oil samples, seeps and source rock extracts were analyzed by GC and GC/MS, and δ¹³C was determined to identify the source facies. The sulphur content and gravity data were also considered.Two organic facies were identified: one constituted by terrestrial organic matter deposited in siliciclastic sediments in marginal marine to deltaic environments and the other made up of marine organic matter deposited in marine costal shelf to pelagic environments. The oils from the former organic facies have low sulphur contents, whereas the oils from the latter facies have high sulphur levels. Correlation of the oil seeps from the former facies with the Ciénaga de Oro Fm. has not been clearly established. The oil seeps from the latter facies correlate well with the extracts from the source rocks of the Cansona Fm., deposited along the fold belt of San Jacinto (east side). The oil seeps are affected by moderate to severe biodegradation, whereas the oil from the only oil producing well in the Sinú Basin (Floresanto-6 well) has not undergone biodegradation.     

Basal (basic) moraines: Problem of the identification and principles of new classification

The existing concepts of moraine/till formation are discussed and the available factual data on this issue are analyzed. It is concluded that active glaciers from the transported mineral matter make up exclusively basal moraines on the river bed. The latter moraines, which are composed of material directly deposited from the glacier base on the substrate, represent glacial diamicts. It is believed that material in these deposits always acquire a semisolid-solid (“stiff”) state. We identified a new type of glacial deposits–“mitis” basal moraines, which include the recently defined low consolidated glacial diamicts. Consequently, basal moraines are divided into two facies associations: moraines with glaciodynamic structures (common “stiff” moraines) and “mitis” moraines (M-moraines). Deposits of these associations are formed in different thermal zones (areas) of the ice sheet bed. Moraines of the first facies association are formed in melt zones. Therefore, they are characterized by different lithologies and overconsolidation. The M-moraines formed on the thawed glacial bed are marked by massive structure and low (normal) consolidation. They are subdivided into the Barents Sea and Antarctic types.