川东三叠系飞仙关组碳酸盐岩的阴极发光特征与成岩作用

四川盆地东部三叠系飞仙关组是近年来我国发现的重要天然气储层, 高孔隙度、高渗透率的碳酸盐储层都分布于白云岩地层中, 因而碳酸盐的成岩作用, 尤其是白云岩化作用和白云岩的成因为石油地质学家和沉积学家高度关注.对四川盆地东部罗家寨构造三叠系飞仙关组42个碳酸盐岩样品进行了阴极发光分析, 结合与之有关的Mn、Fe、Mg元素分析和岩石学研究, 讨论了包括白云岩化作用在内的碳酸盐岩成岩过程中可能的成岩流体性质及来源.四川盆地东部三叠系飞仙关组碳酸盐岩普遍具有很弱的阴极发光性, 这与其很低的Mn、Fe含量有关, 说明沉积期后非海相流体对飞仙关组碳酸盐岩的影响非常有限, 海源流体在成岩过程中发挥了主导作用; 不同石灰岩类型和不同白云岩类型仍然具有不同的阴极发光性, 成岩组分含量越高的碳酸盐岩, 或者说与沉积期后流体(主要是孔隙流体) 关系越密切的碳酸盐岩的阴极发光强度越低, 说明随着埋藏成岩作用的进行, 四川盆地东部三叠系碳酸盐岩孔隙流体受海源流体的影响是逐渐增强的; 阴极发光分析结果表明, 作为四川盆地东部主要储集岩的结晶白云岩形成机制与埋藏过程中的深循环流体有关, 这种深循环流体没有或很少穿越铝硅酸盐地层, 但穿越了三叠系内部的某些海相地层, 这些海相地层可能是广泛存在于四川盆地三叠系的蒸发盐地层, 由蒸发盐成岩过程提供的海源流体参与了结晶白云岩的白云岩化作用.      

土库曼斯坦萨曼杰佩气田卡洛夫-牛津阶碳酸盐岩沉积-成岩系统

以土库曼斯坦阿姆河盆地萨曼杰佩气田主力油、气产层卡洛夫-牛津阶碳酸盐岩为例,根据沉积相、成岩作用方式、成岩演化序列和相对应的地质作用产物特征,综合研究Fe、Mn、Sr微量元素,C、O、Sr稳定同位素,流体包裹体和阴极发光等地球化学特征反映的成岩环境和成岩流体性质。按"水文体制"将卡洛夫-牛津阶划分为不同成岩阶段的海水-淡水、压实卤水和深循环温压水3个成岩系统,认为沉积-成岩系统与储层在时空上具有良好的耦合关系,可归结为:台地边缘生物礁和浅滩相控制了储层的区域分布;早成岩阶段淡水系统溶蚀作用和压实卤水成岩系统的浅埋藏白云岩化作用是形成储层的基础;中成岩阶段的温压水成岩系统埋藏溶蚀作用、中-深埋藏白云石化作用和构造破裂作用扩大了储层规模,提高了储层质量,对优质储层发育贡献最大。     

四川盆地开江-梁平台棚东侧长兴组礁白云岩沉积-成岩-成藏系统

长兴组礁白云岩是川东北地区最重要的天然气储层类型之一。通过对开江-梁平台棚东侧长兴组礁白云岩岩石组构、成岩演化序列、铁锰锶微量元素、碳氧锶稳定同位素、流体包裹体、油气性质及来源综合研究,认为古地貌格局控制了开江-梁平台棚东侧不同类型台缘生物礁的展布,古海平面的"升降"控制了生物礁形态及规模,台缘礁坪/礁盖滩微相及部分毗邻发育的骨架礁相带控制了优质储层发育位置和空间展布规律;可将长兴组白云岩划分为准同生白云岩和埋藏白云岩两种成因类型,优质的礁、滩相白云岩储层仅与多期次埋藏白云石化作用有关,推测成岩流体主要来源于封存地层中的早-中三叠世蒸发岩溶解产生的具低Mn含量、较低Fe含量、高Sr含量、较高δ~(13)C值、较高~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr比值特点的高盐度埋藏循环海源孔隙水,并有长兴期同生卤水和深部有机酸热液混入;按水文体制,将长兴组白云岩成岩系统划分为4类,分别为海源同生卤水、封存卤水、混源热卤水和深源混合热卤水成岩系统,认为混源热卤水成岩系统埋藏白云石化和溶蚀作用是提高储层质量的关键;论证了开江-梁平台棚东侧长兴组存在同一流体输导体系控制的埋藏白云石化作用与油气充注成藏的统一"成岩-成藏"系统,揭示了长兴组白云岩沉积-成岩-成藏耦合关系,为该地区下一步天然气勘探目标优选提供地质依据。     

塔中-巴麦地区下古生界不同结构类型白云岩元素地球化学特征

在岩芯观察、薄片分析、阴极发光分析、全岩微量元素测试以及微组构电子探针分析的基础上,对塔里木盆地塔中-巴麦地区下古生界不同结构类型的基质白云岩和缝洞充填白云石的成因进行了详细研究。结果表明,泥-粉晶白云岩具有较高的Sr、Na含量和低的Fe、Mn含量,结合其多与蒸发岩相伴生的特征认为,该类白云岩主要形成于蒸发海水成岩环境中。颗粒白云岩的Na、Fe、Mn含量与泥粉晶白云岩相似,说明两者形成环境相近,但其Sr含量较低,可能与微生物作用有关。晶粒白云岩中具有平直晶面结构的细晶、自形白云岩和细晶、半自形白云岩的Sr、Na含量相对较低,而Fe、Mn含量略有升高,表明其形成于成岩温度相对较低的浅埋藏阶段;而具有非平直晶面特征的中-粗晶、他形白云岩的Sr、Na含量最低,Fe、Mn含量增加,但Fe-Mn相关性较差,且明显低于其他地区典型深埋藏白云岩的Fe、Mn含量,因此认为其形成环境为温度逐步升高的中埋藏阶段。鞍形白云石充填物Sr含量较低、Fe、Mn、Ba和Zn含量明显增高,反映深部热液活动影响,但由于流体来源不同和后期构造活动存在差异,不同地区鞍形白云石充填物的形成机制各异。     

羌塘盆地南坳陷古油藏带中侏罗统布曲组白云岩元素地球化学特征及意义

在前期详细岩石学分类的基础上,研究南羌塘坳陷布曲组碳酸盐岩微量元素地球化学特征及意义。结果表明:(1)布曲组碳酸盐岩具有较低的微量元素含量,与班公湖-怒江洋盆海水快速入侵及炎热、半潮湿-半干旱条件下缺少地表径流补偿陆源物质有关;(2)Na元素和K元素指示布曲组保留先驱灰岩原始组构的白云岩和不保留先驱灰岩原始组构的晶粒白云岩的初始流体为同期蒸发海水,岩石中Sr元素的含量受方解石和白云石的相对含量控制;(3)经历不彻底白云石化作用的过渡性岩类(RD5-1)是在中-深埋藏阶段中-晚期不彻底交代先驱灰岩形成,细-中晶、自形-半自形白云石充填物由微-粉晶白云岩在浅埋藏阶段末期重结晶形成;(4)鞍形白云石的形成有外来高温流体参与,流体成因具大气淡水参与、流经碎屑岩地层深循环流体特征。新生代(78~64Ma)构造热事件是形成高温流体的热源,部分基质白云岩受到构造热事件的高温改造。     

川东邻水-渝北地区石炭系黄龙组白云岩成因

以岩石结构分析为基础,结合Sr同位素和Sr含量等资料,对川东邻水-渝北地区石炭系黄龙组广泛发育的白云岩成因进行了研究,从中识别出准同生期白云岩、成岩期埋藏白云岩、表生期淡水白云石和晚成岩期热液白云石等成因类型.其中具备储集意义的仅为成岩期交代成因的埋藏白云岩,其岩性主要为颗粒白云岩和晶粒白云岩.综合不同成因类型的白云岩Sr同位素和Sr含量地球化学特征,将白云石化过程划分为准同生期,早成岩期、中成岩期,古表生期和再埋藏晚成岩期五个成岩阶段.各阶段的白云岩(或白云石)在结构上有不同特征,其Sr同位素和Sr含量地球化学特征亦有显著差别.反映研究区白云化流体不仅来自同时期禁的海源地层水,而且受到古表生期岩溶过程中的淡水和再埋藏晚期热液的影响.根据岩石学特征和各种地化指标,结合研究区古地理背景,建立了黄龙组准同生、埋藏、淡水、热液白云岩(或白云石)化模式.     

川东北地区飞仙关组白云岩成岩作用与系统划分

通过对川东北地区下三叠统飞仙关组白云岩的结构-成因分类、成岩作用方式、成岩演化序列和铁、锰、锶微量元素,碳、氧、锶稳定同位素地球化学特征的综合研究,从盆地大尺度的成岩作用组合特征出发,按“水文体制”将飞仙关组白云岩划分为4个成岩系统:(1)准同生阶段孔隙卤水成岩系统;(2)早-中成岩阶段地层压实热卤水成岩系统;(3)晚成岩阶段混合热卤水成岩系统;(4)构造隆升阶段油田热卤水成岩系统.各阶段成岩系统白云化流体性质和来源具有一定的亲缘性和继承性发展演化特点,但水－岩相互作用过程、成岩方式、产物和组合特征各不相同,与储层发育密切相关的成岩方式主要是各成岩系统中的多期次埋藏白云化和溶蚀作用.根据各成岩系统中成岩作用与储层在时间-空间上的耦合与匹配关系,可将优质白云岩储层和油气藏控制因素归结为3点:(1)早-中成岩阶段埋藏白云化为储层发育基础;(2)晚成岩阶段埋藏白云化扩大,提高了储层分布范围与质量;(3)构造隆升阶段破裂、TSR和溶蚀作用是形成飞仙关组高效气藏的关键.      

碳酸盐岩中方解石胶结物的阴极发光环带与微量元素构成的关系——以塔河油田奥陶系碳酸盐岩为例

对塔河油田奥陶系碳酸盐岩中方解石胶结物的阴极发光性和微量元素构成研究发现,一些与大气水成岩环境有关的方解石胶结物显示出亮、暗相间阴极发光环带,微量元素含量与阴极发光环带之间具有良好的对应关系,亮带具有较高的Mn、Fe含量,暗带则具有较高的Sr、Na含量,显示方解石胶结过程中大气水作用强度的变化。这些碳酸盐矿物的阴极发光环带受元素构成变化控制,并反映成岩流体中元素含量的变化和/或结晶速率的变化,这在一定程度上与大气水环境相对开放的成岩条件有关。相对晚期的环带发光较亮,并具有较高的Mn和较低的Sr、Na含量,显示与加里东—海西期构造运动有关的古岩溶过程中大气水作用逐渐加强的总体成岩趋势。     

鄂尔多斯盆地南部奥陶系马六段白云岩特征及形成机制研究

鄂尔多斯盆地马六段在盆地大部分地区被剥蚀,仅在盆地周缘地区分布,因此,有关该盆地马六段白云岩成因研究较少。本文通过对马六段白云岩岩石学特征、阴极发光特征、微量元素特征以及碳氧同位素地球化学特征进行分析,对鄂尔多斯盆地南部马六段白云岩特征及形成机制进行了研究。研究结果表明,盆地南部马六段白云岩主要由细—中晶白云岩组成,白云石具"雾心亮边"结构,阴极发光呈暗红色光。微量元素总体上具有较低的Fe、Mn值,平均值分别为447×10~(-6)和62×10~(-6),较高的K、Na值,平均值分别为517×10-6和252×10~(-6),以及中等含量的Sr元素值,平均值为155×10~(-6)。δ~(13)C值平均为-0.617‰,δ~(18)O值平均为-7.6‰,以上特征均反映出海源流体特征。白云石的"雾心"和"亮边"结构中微量元素含量相差不大,认为是在相同成岩环境的不同成岩阶段形成,其中"雾心"形成于浅埋藏环境的渗透回流白云石化作用,而"亮边"是在深埋藏环境下对早期白云石的调整和加强。     

羌塘盆地半岛湖地区上侏罗—下白垩统礁灰岩地球化学特征和成岩流体性质

半岛湖地区生物礁以发育灰岩为主,包括以造礁生物为主的骨架岩和非礁碳酸盐岩,针对生物礁相碳酸盐岩的显微组构分析和阴极发光分析,测得不同点礁各类礁相碳酸盐岩的常微量元素和碳、氧同位素组成,分别为:35件样品Mn,Sr,Fe元素平均质量分数为129×10-6,270×10-6和1 320×10-6,具有较低的Mn含量、较高的Sr含量、Fe含量,表明在成岩过程中海源流体发挥了主导作用,同时遭受了不同程度的大气淡水成岩流体的影响;碳同位素值变化不大且都为正值,变化区间为1.4‰~3.5‰,平均值为2.61‰;氧同位素值变化区间为-7.4‰~-2.7‰,平均值为-5.25‰,古海水盐度指数Z值变化较小,为126.6~132.7,平均值为130.5。结果表明,成岩流体盐度较高,溶蚀孔洞较为发育的颗粒灰岩和礁灰岩具有相对更低的δ18 O值,晚侏罗—早白垩世时期,羌塘盆地北部大量有机碳被高速埋藏是导致半岛湖地区礁相碳酸盐岩碳同位素值普遍偏高的首要原因。     

Isotopic systematics of He,Ar, S,Cu, Ni,Re, Os,Pb, U,Sm, Nd,Rb, Sr,Lu, and Hf in the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits

This paper reports the first results of a study of 11 isotope systems (³He/⁴He, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar, ³⁴S/³²S, ⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu, ⁶²Ni/⁶⁰Ni, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, ^206–208Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, Hf–Nd, U–Pb, and Re–Os) in the rocks and ores of the Cu–Ni–PGE deposits of the Norilsk ore district. Almost all the results were obtained at the Center of Isotopic Research of the Karpinskii All-Russia Research Institute of Geology. The use of a number of independent genetic isotopic signatures and comprehensive isotopic knowledge provided a methodic basis for the interpretation of approximately 5000 isotopic analyses of various elements. The presence of materials from two sources, crust and mantle, was detected in the composition of the rocks and ores. The contribution of the crustal source is especially significant in the paleofluids (gas–liquid microinclusions) of the ore-forming medium. Crustal solutions were probably a transport medium during ore formation. Air argon is dominant in the ores, which indicates a connection between the paleofluids and the atmosphere. This suggests intense groundwater circulation during the crystallization of ore minerals. The age of the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits was determined. The stage of orebody formation is restricted to a narrow age interval of 250 ± 10 Ma. An isotopic criterion was proposed for the ore-bearing potential of mafic intrusions in the Norilsk–Taimyr region. It includes several interrelated isotopic ratios of various elements: He, Ar, S, and others.     

高压微波消解法测定醋酸纤维过滤器采集的微尘粒子中的砷镉钴铬铜铁锰镍铅钒锌

最新的流行病学研究表明,空气中较高浓度的悬浮细颗粒可能对人类的健康有不利的影响。根据该项研究显示,由于心脏病、慢性呼吸问题和肺功能指标恶化而导致死亡率的升高与细尘粒子有关。这些研究结果已经促使欧盟于1999年4月出台了限制空气中二氧化硫、二氧化氮、氧化氮、铅和颗粒物含量的法案(1999/30/EC),对各项指标包括对可吸入PM10颗粒的浓度提出了新的限制性指标。PM10颗粒是指可以通过预分级器分离采集的气体动力学直径小于10μm的细颗粒。目前研究的兴趣重点逐步偏向PM2.5这些更细微颗粒物,PM2.5这种颗粒物对健康有明显的不利影响。在欧盟指令2008/50/EC中,对PM10和PM2.5都提     

Wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric determination of Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites

Komatiites are mantle-derived ultramafic volcanic rocks. Komatiites have been discovered in several States of India, notably in Karnataka. Studies on the distribution of trace-elements in the komatiites of India are very few. This paper proposes a simple, accurate, precise, rapid, and non-destructive wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometric technique for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites, and discusses the accuracy, precision, limits of detection, x-ray spectral-line interferences, inter-element effects, speed, advantages, and limitations of the technique. The accuracy of the technique is excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th and very good (within 4%) for Y. The precision is also excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th. The limits of detection are: 1 ppm for Sc and V; 2 ppm for Cr, Co, and Ni; 3 ppm for Cu, Zn, Rb, and Sr; 4 ppm for Y and Zr; 6 ppm for Nb; 10 ppm for Ba; 13 ppm for Pb; and 14 ppm for Th. The time taken for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in a batch of 24 samples of komatiites, for a replication of four analyses per sample, by one operator, using a manual WDXRF spectrometer, is only 60 hours.     

Mercury,arsenic, antimony,and selenium contents of sediment from the Kuskokwim River,Bethel, Alaska,USA

The Kuskokwim River at Bethel, Alaska, drains a major mercury-antimony metallogenic province in its upper reaches and tributaries. Bethel (population 4000) is situated on the Kuskokwim floodplain and also draws its water supply from wells located in river-deposited sediment. A boring through overbank and floodplain sediment has provided material to establish a baseline datum for sediment-hosted heavy metals. Mercury (total), arsenic, antimony, and selenium contents were determined; aluminum was also determined and used as normalizing factor. The contents of the heavy metals were relatively constant with depth and do not reflect any potential enrichment from upstream contaminant sources.     

Roles of xenomelts,xenoliths, xenocrysts,xenovolatiles, residues,and skarns in the genesis,transport, and localization of magmatic Fe-Ni-Cu-PGE sulfides and chromite

Most sulfide-rich magmatic Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits form in dynamic magmatic systems by partial melting S-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren to weakly-mineralized immiscible Fe sulfide xenomelts into which Ni-Cu-Co-PGE partition from the magma. Some exceptionally-thick magmatic Cr deposits may form by partial melting oxide-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of the miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren Fe ± Ti oxide xenocrysts into which Cr-Mg-V ± Ti partition from the magma. The products of these processes are variably preserved as skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles, which play important to critical roles in ore genesis, transport, localization, and/or modification. Incorporation of barren xenoliths/autoliths may induce small amounts of sulfide/chromite to segregate, but incorporation of sulfide xenomelts or oxide xenocrysts with dynamic upgrading of metal tenors (PGE > Cu > Ni > Co and Cr > V > Ti, respectively) is required to make significant ore deposits. Silicate xenomelts are only rarely preserved, but will be variably depleted in chalcophile and ferrous metals. Less dense felsic xenoliths may aid upward sulfide transport by increasing the effective viscosity and decreasing the bulk density of the magma. Denser mafic or metamorphosed xenoliths may also increase the effective viscosity of the magma, but may aid downward sulfide transport by increasing the bulk density of the magma. Sulfide wets olivine, so olivine xenocrysts may act as filter beds to collect advected finely dispersed sulfide droplets, but other silicates and xenoliths may not be wetted by sulfides. Xenovolatiles may retard settling of – or in some cases float – dense sulfide droplets. Reactions of sulfide melts with felsic country rocks may generate Fe-rich skarns that may allow sulfide melts to fractionate to more extreme Cu-Ni-rich compositions. Xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles are more likely to be preserved in cooler basaltic magmas than in hotter komatiitic magmas, and are more likely to be preserved in less dynamic (less turbulent) systems/domain/phases than in more dynamic (more turbulent) systems/domains/phases. Massive to semi-massive Ni-Cu-PGE and Cr mineralization and xenoliths are often localized within footwall embayments, dilations/jogs in dikes, throats of magma conduits, and the horizontal segments of dike-chonolith and dike-sill complexes, which represent fluid dynamic traps for both ascending and descending sulfides/oxides. If skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and/or xenovolatiles are present, they provide important constraints on ore genesis and they are valuable exploration indicators, but they must be included in elemental and isotopic mass balance calculations.     

Regional distribution of Al,B, Ba,Ca, K,La, Mg,Mn, Na,P, Rb,Si, Sr,Th, U and Y in terrestrial moss within a 188,000 km2 area of the central Barents region: influence of geology,seaspray and human activity

Five hundred and ninety-eight samples of terrestrial moss (Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi) collected from a 188,000 km² area of the central Barents region (NE Norway, N Finland, NW Russia) were analysed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. Analytical results for Al, B, Ba, Ca, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Si, Sr, Th, U and Y concentrations are reported here. Graphical methods of data analysis, such as geochemical maps, cumulative frequency diagrams, boxplots and scatterplots, are used to interpret the origin of the patterns for these elements. None of the elements reported here are emitted in significant amounts from the smelting industry on the Kola Peninsula. Despite the conventional view that moss chemistry reflects atmospheric element input, the nature of the underlying mineral substrate (regolith or bedrock) is found to have a considerable influence on moss composition for several elements. This influence of the chemistry of the mineral substrate can take place in a variety of ways. (1) It can be completely natural, reflecting the ability of higher plants to take up elements from deep soil horizons and shed them with litterfall onto the surface. (2) It can result from naturally increased soil dust input where vegetation is scarce due to harsh climatic conditions for instance. Alternatively, substrate influence can be enhanced by human activity, such as open-cast mining, creation of ‘technogenic deserts’, or handling, transport and storage of ore and ore products, all of which magnify the natural elemental flux from bedrock to ground vegetation. Seaspray is another natural process affecting moss composition in the area (Mg, Na), and this is most visible in the Norwegian part of the study area. Presence or absence of some plant species, e.g., lichens, seems to influence moss chemistry. This is shown by the low concentrations of B or K in moss on the Finnish and Norwegian side of the (fenced) border with Russia, contrasting with high concentrations on the other side (intensive reindeer husbandry west of the border has selectively depleted the lichen population).     

Petrographic, mineralogy, and geochemistry of coals of Pabedana, Kerman Province, Central Iran

This paper discusses the result of the detailed investigations carried out on the coal characteristics, including coal petrography and its geochemistry of the Pabedana region. A total of 16 samples were collected from four coal seams d2, d4, d5, and d6 of the Pabedana underground mine which is located in the central part of the Central-East Iranian Microcontinent. These samples were reduced to four samples through composite sampling of each seam and were analyzed for their petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical compositions. Proximate analysis data of the Pabedana coals indicate no major variations in the moisture, ash, volatile matter, and fixed carbon contents in the coals of different seams. Based on sulfur content, the Pabedana coals may be classified as low-sulfur coals. The low-sulfur contents in the Pabedana coal and relatively low proportion of pyritic sulfur suggest a possible fresh water environment during the deposition of the peat of the Pabedana coal. X-ray diffraction and petrographic analyses indicate the presence of pyrite in coal samples. The Pabedana coals have been classified as a high volatile, bituminous coal in accordance with the vitrinite reflectance values (58.75–74.32 %) and other rank parameters (carbon, calorific value, and volatile matter content). The maceral analysis and reflectance study suggest that the coals in all the four seams are of good quality with low maceral matter association. Mineralogical investigations indicate that the inorganic fraction in the Pabedana coal samples is dominated by carbonates; thus, constituting the major inorganic fraction of the coal samples. Illite, kaolinite, muscovite, quartz, feldspar, apatite, and hematite occur as minor or trace phases. The variation in major elements content is relatively narrow between different coal seams. Elements Sc,, Zr, Ga, Ge, La, As, W, Ce, Sb, Nb, Th, Pb, Se, Tl, Bi, Hg, Re, Li, Zn, Mo, and Ba show varying negative correlation with ash yield. These elements possibly have an organic affinity and may be present as primary biological concentrations either with tissues in living condition and/or through sorption and formation of organometallic compounds.     

Sharp-based, tide-dominated deltas of the Sego Sandstone, Book Cliffs, Utah, USA

The lower part of the Cretaceous Sego Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale in east‐central Utah contains three 10‐ to 20‐m thick layers of tide‐deposited sandstone arranged in a forward‐ and then backward‐stepping stacking pattern. Each layer of tidal sandstone formed during an episode of shoreline regression and transgression, and offshore wave‐influenced marine deposits separating these layers formed after subsequent shoreline transgression and marine ravinement. Detailed facies architecture studies of these deposits suggest sandstone layers formed on broad tide‐influenced river deltas during a time of fluctuating relative sea‐level. Shale‐dominated offshore marine deposits gradually shoal and become more sandstone‐rich upward to the base of a tidal sandstone layer. The tidal sandstones have sharp erosional bases that formed as falling relative sea‐level allowed tides to scour offshore marine deposits. The tidal sandstones were deposited as ebb migrating tidal bars aggraded on delta fronts. Most delta top deposits were stripped during transgression. Where the distal edge of a deltaic sandstone is exposed, a sharp‐based stack of tidal bar deposits successively fines upward recording a landward shift in deposition after maximum lowstand. Where more proximal parts of a deltaic‐sandstone are exposed, a sharp‐based upward‐coarsening succession of late highstand tidal bar deposits is locally cut by fluvial valleys, or tide‐eroded estuaries, formed during relative sea‐level lowstand or early stages of a subsequent transgression. Estuary fills are highly variable, reflecting local depositional processes and variable rates of sediment supply along the coastline. Lateral juxtaposition of regressive deltaic deposits and incised transgressive estuarine fills produced marked facies changes in sandstone layers along strike. Estuarine fills cut into the forward‐stepped deltaic sandstone tend to be more deeply incised and richer in sandstone than those cut into the backward‐stepped deltaic sandstone. Tidal currents strongly influenced deposition during both forced regression and subsequent transgression of shorelines. This contrasts with sandstones in similar basinal settings elsewhere, which have been interpreted as tidally influenced only in transgressive parts of depositional successions.