Cretaceous sedimentary basins in Sichuan,SW China: Restoration of tectonic and depositional environments

This study documents sediment infill features and their responses to the tectonic evolution of the Sichuan Basin and adjacent areas. The data include a comparison of field outcrops, well drillings, inter-well correlations, seismic data, isopach maps, and the spatial evolution of sedimentary facies. We divided the evolutionary history of the Sichuan Cretaceous Basin into three stages based on the following tectonic subsidence curves: the early Early Cretaceous (145–125 Ma), late Early Cretaceous to early Late Cretaceous (125–89.8 Ma), and late Late Cretaceous (89.8–66 Ma). The basin underwent NW–SE compression with northwestward shortening in the early Early Cretaceous and was dominated by alluvial fans and fluviolacustrine sedimentary systems. The central and northern areas of the Sichuan Basin were rapidly uplifted during the late Early Cretaceous to early Late Cretaceous with southwestward tilting, which resulted in the formation of a depression, exhibited southwestward compression, and was characterized by aeolian desert and fluviolacustrine deposits. The tectonic framework is controlled by the inherited basement structure and the formation of NE mountains, which not only affected the clastic supply of the sedimentary basin but also blocked warm-wet currents from the southeast, which changed the climatic conditions in the late Late Cretaceous. The formation and evolution of Cretaceous sedimentary basins are closely related to synchronous subtle far-field tectonism and changes in climate and drainage systems. According to the analysis of the migration of the Cretaceous sedimentation centers, different basin structures formed during different periods, including periods of peripheral mountain asynchronous thrusting and regional differential uplift. Thus, the Sichuan Cretaceous sedimentary basin is recognized as a superimposed foreland basin.     

扬子北缘黄陵地区晚中生代盆地演化及其构造意义

扬子北缘黄陵地区古构造应力场于晚中生代经历发生了重大转变,是扬子板块与华北板块在三叠纪碰撞造山之后陆内构造变形的体现。由黄陵背斜周缘晚中生代盆地充填记录所反映出这一变革的起始时间为中侏罗世晚期。早侏罗世—中侏罗世早期,盆地内沉积了以桐竹园组为代表的河流—湖泊相岩层,由沉积碎屑成分和古水流统计所得出的物源区为北部的秦岭地区,黄陵背斜上部可能也接受了碎屑沉积;中侏罗世晚期—晚侏罗世,沉积中心发生了改变,表现为仅仅在黄陵背斜西侧的秭归盆地内有所保存,沉积环境以曲流河到辫状河流和三角洲为主,物源区则局限于黄陵背斜;早白垩世初期,周坪盆地和宜昌盆地为沉积中心,近缘冲积扇和辫状河流体系占据主体,物源区依然为黄陵地区,两盆地在黄陵背斜南缘可能相连,黄陵背斜上部的原下侏罗统被剥蚀;早白垩世晚期—晚白垩世,远安盆地逐渐发育,盆地西缘为冲积扇—辫状河流体系,中、 东部则以曲流河—湖泊沉积环境为主体,并间有干旱沙漠环境。原型盆地再造结果显示,早侏罗世—中侏罗世早期盆地展布具有近东西向特点,古地貌总体呈现出北部为山脉、 南部为盆地的格局;中侏罗世晚期以来,盆地呈近南北向,黄陵背斜逐渐形成山脉,盆地位于其东西两侧。两期盆地沉积特征反映了扬子北缘古构造应力场由近南北向转变为近东西向的过程。     

Zircon Trace Element Constraints on U-Pb Dating: A Case Study of the Huayuangong A-type Granite in the Lower Yangtze Region,Eastern China

For magmatic rocks, it is often found that zircon 206 Pb/238 U and 207 Pb/235 U ratios continuously plot on the concordia line with a relatively large age span for the same sample, which gives rise to large dating errors or even unrealistic dating results. As the trace element concentrations of zircon can reflect its equilibrated magma characteristics, they can be used to determine whether all the analytical spots on the zircons selected to calculate the weighted mean age are cogenetic and formed in a single magma chamber. This work utilizes the results of zircon trace element concentrations and U-Pb isotopic analyses to explore the screening of reasonable U-Pb ages, which can be used to determine a more accurate intrusion crystallization age. The late Mesozoic Huayuangong granitic pluton complex, which is located in the Lower Yangtze region, eastern China, was selected for a case study. The Huayuangong pluton comprises the central intrusion and the marginal intrusion. Two samples from the marginal intrusion yielded consistent zircon weighted mean 206 Pb/238 U ages of 124.6 ± 2.0 Ma and 125.9 ± 1.6 Ma. These analytical spots also exhibit Zr/Hf and Th/U ratios concordant with the evolution of a single magma, from which the dated zircons crystallized. However, for the central intrusion, the analytical spots on zircons from two samples all show a continuous distribution on the concordia line with a relatively large age span. For each sample from the central intrusion, the zircon Zr/Hf ratios do not conform to a single magma evolutionary trend, but rather can be divided into two groups. We propose that zircon Zr/Hf ratios can provide a new constraint on U-Pb zircon dating and zircon Th/U ratios can also be used as a supplementary indicator to constrain zircon dating and determine the origins of the zircons and whether magma mixing has occurred. By screening zircon analytical spots using these two indicators, the two samples from the central intrusion of the Huayuangong pluton produce results of 122.8 ± 4.3 Ma and 122.9 ± 2.2 Ma, which are consistent with the field observations that the central intrusion is slightly younger than the marginal intrusion.     

造山带沉积盆地构造原型恢复

沉积盆地是造山带中最为重要的构造单元之一,其中分布有丰富的矿产资源.这些盆地的构造原型恢复可为造山带的构造演化、板块构造重建和区域找矿提供重要依据.盆地充填物的组成(包括矿床)、时代、物源区及充填序列是进行造山带古沉积盆地构造原型恢复的基础.通过沉积相、砂岩/砾岩碎屑组成、碎屑时代、构造环境、碎屑重矿物、细碎屑岩的地球化学组成、古水流、生物组合等方面对盆地充填物形成的沉积环境、沉积物源区、形成时代和盆地基底属性进行综合研究,借助对现代沉积盆地的研究结果和沉积盆地的构造分类原则,恢复造山带内古沉积盆地的构造原型.     

A constitutive and numerical model for mechanical compaction in sedimentary basins

The aim of the paper is to provide new elements concerning the constitutive behavior of sedimentary rocks and the numerical aspects for basin simulators. A comprehensive model for mechanical compaction of sedimentary basins is developed within finite poroplasticity setting. Particular concern is paid to the effects of large porosity changes on the poromechanical properties of the sediment material. A simplified micromechanics-based approach is used to account for the stiffness increase and hardening induced by large plastic strains.A key challenge for numerical assessment of sedimentary basin evolution is to integrate multiple coupled processes in the context of open material systems. To this end, a numerical approach inspired from the ‘deactivation/reactivation’ method used for the simulation of excavation process and lining placement in tunnel engineering, has been developed. Periods of sediments accretion are simulated by progressive activation of the gravity forces within a fictitious closed system. Fundamental components of the constitutive model developed before (hydromechanical coupling, dependence of poroelastic properties on large plasticity, impact of irreversible porosity changes on the hardening rule, evolution of permeability with porosity) are included into our finite element code.Illustrative examples of basin simulation are performed in the one-dimensional case. Various aspects of the constitutive model are investigated. Their influence on the corresponding basin response is analyzed in terms of compaction law, porosity and fluid pressure profiles.     

Provenance and tectonic setting of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang formation shales in the Yangtze platform,South China: Implications for depositional setting of shales

Geochemical compositions of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation shales in the southeastern Yangtze Platform margin were investigated for provenance, tectonic setting, and depositional environment. The shale samples are characterized by higher abundances of large ion lithophile elements (Cs, Ba, and Pb), lower abundances of high field strength elements (Cr, Sc, and Co) and transition elements (Th, Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta) relative to average shale. North American shale composition (NASC) -normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns are observed, with negative Ce anomalies, negative Eu anomalies, and positive Y anomalies. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) varies from 68.67–74.93. Alkali and alkaline element contents and CIA values suggest that the source rocks have undergone moderate weathering. The index of compositional variability (ICV), Zr/Sc and Th/Sc ratios vary from 0.53 to 1.07, 5.31 to 8.18 and 0.52–1.02, respectively. ICV values and relationships between Zr/Sc and Th/Sc ratios indicate negligible sedimentary recycling. The Al₂O₃/TiO₂ (14–26) and TiO₂/Zr (56–77) ratios imply that the source rocks of the investigated shales had intermediate igneous compositions. However, Cr/V ratios and a La/Th–Hf discrimination diagram suggest that the intermediate compositional signal of the source rocks was derived from a mixture of 75% mafic and 25% felsic igneous rocks rather than intermediate igneous rocks. The major source was the Jiangnan continental island arc with bimodal igneous rocks, lying to the south of the study area, together with a contribution from granites and gneisses uplifted and eroded in the Yangtze Block. Discrimination of tectonic setting using major and trace elements indicates that the source rocks originated in a transitional setting from active continental to passive margin, consistent with the failed intracontinental rift model for the evolution of the South China plate. The Niutitang Formation shales were deposited in a rift basin setting under conditions of anoxic bottom water in a redox-stratified water column, with organic-rich shales prospective for shale-gas production being found in deep-water downslope and basin environments rather than the shallow-water shelf.     

沉积盆地形成的地球动力学机制及其分类

沉积盆地的形成主要与地球内部的热和物质的对流密切相关,它是沉积盆地形成和演化的原始动力。软流圈上涌高度,莫霍面或地幔羽的位置是地幔对流的具体的表现.根据地球内部流变学界限,岩石圈的性质和厚度,板内应力和沉积负荷可以将原始盆地划分为克拉通盆地。拉张盆地,挤压盆地和走滑盆地。     

沉积盆地波动过程分析方法在中国的应用

沉积盆地波动过程分析方法是一种较新的盆地分析方法。该方法以物理学中有关波的理论为基础，以波动的观点来分析地壳运动，从地层资料入手，通过恢复地层原始厚度，计算沉积速率，建立反映盆地沉积—剥蚀过程的波动方程。据此进行波动过程分析，借助方程的参数，得到波动周期；通过波动方程对时间积分，可以定量分析剥蚀量；对波动方程进行分析，得到波动过程。在综合分析的基础上，预测有利的油气聚集区和成藏旋回。此方法在国内的一些盆地已得到应用，并取得了较好的效果。     

Plate tectonic control on the formation and tectonic migration of Cenozoic basins in northern margin of the South China Sea

The tectonic evolution history of the South China Sea(SCS) is important for understanding the interaction between the Pacific Tectonic Domain and the Tethyan Tectonic Domain,as well as the regional tectonics and geodynamics during the multi-plate convergence in the Cenozoic.Several Cenozoic basins formed in the northern margin of the SCS,which preserve the sedimentary tectonic records of the opening of the SCS.Due to the spatial non-uniformity among different basins,a systematic study on the various basins in the northern margin of the SCS constituting the Northern Cenozoic Basin Group(NCBG) is essential.Here we present results from a detailed evaluation of the spatial-temporal migration of the boundary faults and primary unconformities to unravel the mechanism of formation of the NCBG.The NCBG is composed of the Beibu Gulf Basin(BBGB),Qiongdongnan Basin(QDNB),Pearl River Mouth Basin(PRMB) and Taixinan Basin(TXNB).Based on seismic profiles and gravity-magnetic anomalies,we confirm that the NE-striking onshore boundary faults propagated into the northern margin of the SCS.Combining the fault slip rate,fault combination and a comparison of the unconformities in different basins,we identify NE-striking rift composed of two-stage rifting events in the NCBG:an early-stage rifting(from the Paleocene to the Early Oligocene) and a late-stage rifting(from the Late Eocene to the beginning of the Miocene).Spatially only the late-stage faults occurs in the western part of the NCBG(the BBGB,the QDNB and the western PRMB),but the early-stage rifting is distributed in the whole NCBG.Temporally,the early-stage rifting can be subdivided into three phases which show an eastward migration,resulting in the same trend of the primary unconformities and peak faulting within the NCBG.The late-stage rifting is subdivided into two phases,which took place simultaneously in different basins.The first and second phase of the early-stage rifting is related to back-arc extension of the Pacific subduction retreat system.The third phase of the earlystage rifting resulted from the joint effect of slab-pull force due to southward subduction of the proto-SCS and the back-arc extension of the Pacific subduction retreat system.In addition,the first phase of the late-stage faulting corresponds with the combined effect of the post-collision extension along the Red River Fault and slab-pull force of the proto-SCS subduction.The second phase of the late-stage faulting fits well with the sinistral faulting of the Red River Fault in response to the Indochina Block escape tectonics and the slab-pull force of the proto-SCS.     

下扬子区二叠纪主要岩石类型成因的地球化学信息

作者在全面了解陆相层序地层学研究现状的基础上,认为陆相层序及体系域发育仍受控于湖平面相对变化。构造、气候及沉积物供给的控制作用最终通过湖平面变化表现出来。而湖平面变化可分完整旋回与不完整旋回两种情况,进而提出了所形成的层序及体系域模式：在完整旋回中形成了湖泊充填、湖泊扩张、湖泛和湖泊萎缩四个体系域,对应层序为Ⅰ型层序;在不完整旋回中形成了湖泊充填、湖泊扩张、湖泛三个体系域,或者湖泊扩张、湖泛、湖泊萎缩三个体系域,对应层序为Ⅱ型层序。以松辽盆地西部斜坡实际工作为例,提出了中生代层序及体系域划分方案,较前人研究有新认识。     

华南下扬子区下奥陶统仑山组:岩石学、地层学和古地理学*

华南地区下奥陶统仑山组为奥陶系最底部的岩石地层单位之一,其以大套白云岩为主要特征,广泛分布于下扬子区。通过对安徽池州洪家剖面仑山组的系统分析,并结合下扬子区多个相关剖面的资料,进一步确定仑山组岩性为白云岩、灰质白云岩和白云质灰岩,夹有部分亮晶颗粒灰岩和亮泥晶颗粒灰岩。整体上以亮晶生屑灰岩或泥晶生屑灰岩的出现作为仑山组顶界,在下扬子区内部、北部及东南部地区以白云质灰岩或灰质白云岩出现为其底界,而在下扬子区西南部大部分地区则以白云岩化出现为其底界。整个仑山组所含生物化石种类和数量较少,自下而上可建立5个牙形石带,分别是Monocostatus sevierensis带、Acanthodus lineatus-A. costatus带、Scolopodus? pseudoplanus带、Glyptoconus quadraplicatus带和Paltodus deltifer-Tripodus proteus带,推测其时代为早奥陶世特马豆克早期。仑山组主要形成于浅潮下带至深潮下带环境中,其地层总厚度和其中的白云岩厚度受到古地理因素的控制。通过岩石学特征分析,推断仑山组白云岩主要为准同生条件下的多种白云岩化作用叠加中等埋藏条件下的白云岩化形成。     

Tectonic Characteristics, Evolution, and Significance of the Zhouwang Fault, Lower Yangtze Area, Eastern China

Fault geometry, kinematics, geophysics, the tectonic stress field and tectonic evolution of the Zhouwang fault in the southern Jiangnan tectonic transition zone of the Lower Yangtze region, eastern China are examined. Field observations show the fault is composed of a series of nearly E–W trending, N–S dipping faults, and four stages of tectonism (sinistral strike-slip, thrust nappe, normal fault, and dextral strike-slip) developed in turn. Geophysical data show that the fault trends almost linearly E–W along a flat, steep gravity gradient at shallow depth, with distinct gravity anomalies to the north and south and different in the north and south. Also, the deep part is characterized by northward dip and a gradual slowing down. Tectonic stress field analysis indicates that the fault experienced four tectonic movements: NNE–SSW compression, NNW–SSE compression, NEE–SWW extension, and E–W compression. Combined with regional tectonic background and previous research results, this indicates that: (1) the Zhouwang fault experienced sinistral strike-slip movement during the Indosinian Period (260–200 Ma); (2) thrust nappes developed during the early Yanshanian Period (163–145 Ma); (3) a normal fault occurred in the late Yanshanian Period (125–65 Ma); and (4) dextral strike-slip movement occurred in the Himalayan Period (ca. 50–37 Ma). The results reveal the tectonic evolution of the fault during Mesozoic deformation in the area, and also reveal the geological evolution and tectonic transformation of the Lower Yangtze region, which is key to our understanding of intracontinental deformation in eastern China.     

Mineralization,Geochemistry and Zircon U‐Pb Ages of the Paodaoling Porphyry Gold Deposit in the Guichi Region,Lower Yangtze Metallogenic Belt,Eastern China

The newly discovered Paodaoling porphyry Au deposit from the Guichi region, Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt(LYRB), contains 35 tons of Au at an average grade of ~1.7 g/t. It is a porphyry ‘Au-only' deposit, as revealed by current exploration in the depths, mostly above-400 m, which is quite uncommon among coeval porphyry mineralization along the LYRB. Additionally, there are also Cu-Au bearing porphyries and barren alkaline granitoids in the Paodaoling district. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of the Cu-Au-bearing porphyries yield an age of 141–140 Ma, falling within the main magmatic stage of the LYRB, whereas the barren granites give an age of 125–120 Ma, coeval with the regional Atype granites. The Cu-Au-bearing porphyries are LILE-, LREE-enriched and HFSE-depleted, typical of arc magmatic affinities. The barren granites are HFSE-enriched, with lower LREE/HREE ratios and pronounced negative Eu anomalies. The Cu-Au-bearing porphyries in the Paodaoling district have high oxygen fugacities and high water content. Pyrite sulfur isotopes of the Paodaoling gold deposit indicate a magmatic-sedimentary mixed source for the ore-forming fluids. Based on the alteration and poly-metal zonation of the deepest exploration drill hole from the Paodaoling Au deposit, we propose that Cu ore bodies could lie at depth beneath the current Au ore bodies. The magmatism and associated Cu-Au mineralization of the Paodaoling district are likely to have formed in a subduction setting, during slab rollback of the paleo-Pacific plate.     

The Origin of Bedded Cherts of the Early Permian Gufeng Formation in the Lower Yangtze Area, Eastern China

Bedded cherts occurring in the Early Permian Gufeng Formation in the Lower Yangtze region, eastern China, are nearly 20-80 m in thickness and contain varying amounts of radiolarians and sponge spicules. There are three types of section for the Gufeng Formation: chert, carbonate and chert-carbonate mixing types. Bedded cherts mainly occur in the first and third types of section. The depocentres of silica are marked by some small (not larger than a few thousand square kilometres in area) rhombic or elliptic hollows and their formation was controlled by faults. Argillaceous volcanic rocks in cherts occur as numerous thin layers. Bedded cherts are characterized by higher Fe and lower Al contents, enrichment in such trace elements as As, Sb, Bi, Ga, Au, Ag and Cr, lower total REE abundance, negative Ce anomaly and varying degrees of HREE enrichment. These characteristics are important evidence for hydrothermal cherts. Minor amounts of substances of non-hydrothermal origin are mixed in the cherts. The tempera     

南大西洋西非岸盆地群构造、沉积演化对比

非洲西部海岸盆地群经历了裂谷期、同裂谷期和漂移期构造演化阶段,构造演化和沉积充填有一定的相似性,但是由于后期局部构造和差异沉积的影响,现今盆地发育的构造样式和沉积建造有一定区别,导致勘探效果有较大的差异.本文通过对比南大西洋赤道段转换型、中段含泥型、中段含盐型和南段火山型盆地的综合柱状图,加上对尼日尔三角洲盆地和下刚果...     

下扬子巢湖地区下三叠统瘤状灰岩成因再探讨

巢湖地区下三叠统整体沉积于较深水环境,广泛发育瘤状灰岩。针对目前该瘤状灰岩成因机制认识争议较大的现 状,文中依据野外实地观测及室内宏观、微观的系统观察,结合沉积环境和成岩作用与瘤状灰岩形成的关系分析,对瘤状 灰岩的成因机制进行综合的探讨。研究表明瘤状灰岩的形成是沉积和成岩作用综合作用的产物,沉积时期不平整CCD界面 的周期性浮动是造成瘤状灰岩细颈化的基础,而CCD界面的周期性浮动可能与早三叠世气侯冷暖周期性变化以及海底底流 作用有关。后期基质泥岩中酸性孔隙水的溶蚀是造成瘤状灰岩细颈处折断的重要原因,压溶作用产生的局部应力场变动造 成瘤状灰岩瘤体杂乱状分布。而前人总结的3种瘤状灰岩,即顺层串珠型、断续型和杂乱型瘤状灰岩,是在沉积与成岩改 造作用逐渐加强条件下依次形成。     

东非海岸重点盆地渐新世构造事件—沉积体系耦合关系研究

本论文以东非海岸鲁伍马、坦桑尼亚及拉穆盆地为对象，利用钻井、测井及地震资料，揭示了渐新世构造事件—古地貌特征—沉积系统的耦合关系，服务研究区油气勘探选区。结果表明，（1）板块构造事件控制宏观地貌格局及沉积环境变化。随着印度—塞舌尔板块与非洲板块分离，印度洋逐渐扩张，海水南侵，沉积环境由陆相变为海相。由于Afar地幔柱作用及地层抬升等作用，东非海岸整体呈西高东低地貌格局；（2）洋中脊扩展及断层活动控制盆地隆坳格局及沉积体系宏观展布规律。研究区发育西部坳陷带、中部斜坡带及东部深海平原带，东部Davie东及Davie西断层构成Davie构造带。从西向东依次发育 4 大河流—三角洲—海底扇沉积体系；西部坳陷带以三角洲沉积为主，中部斜坡带发育海底扇，东部深海平原带以半深海—深海泥最为常见，沉积体系多发育在Davie构造带以西；（3）次级断层活动影响沉积体系的发育规模及分布。沉积体系多发育在西部坳陷带及中部斜坡带的凹陷中。因凹陷及次级断裂影响，鲁伍马盆地北部、坦桑尼亚盆地南部沉积体系呈北偏特征，而拉穆盆地具南偏趋势。     

Re-Os Dating of Pyrite From the Taocun Fe Deposit, Ningwu Basin, Lower Yangtze River Valley, Eastern China

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Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of the Paleogene sedimentary rocks from the North Jiangsu Basin,Eastern China: implications for provenance and tectonic setting

The petrography and geochemistry (major, trace, and rare earth elements) of clastic sedimentary rocks from the Paleogene Dainan Formation (E₂ d) in the North Jiangsu Basin, eastern China, are investigated to trace their provenance and to constrain their tectonic setting. The studied samples are characterized by LREE enrichment, flat HREE, and negative Eu anomaly similar to the upper continental crust composed chiefly of felsic components in the source area. Petrographic observation indicates that the sandstones contain predominant metamorphic and sedimentary clasts that were derived from peripheral recycled orogen and intrabasinal materials. The trace element ratios (Co/Th, La/Sc, La/Th, and Th/U) and the La-Th-Sc ternary plot further confirm that the sandstones are derived from granitic gneiss sources from recycled orogen and the intrabasinal mixed sedimentary provenance. The granitic gneiss source rocks may have derived from the Proterozoic granitic gneiss denuded in the eastern Dabie-Sulu orogen; and the intrabasinal provenance may come from the underlying strata during the Late Paleocene Wubao movement. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) and A-CN-K plot show that these source rocks may have experienced weak to medium chemical weathering. Analysis on tectonic setting of the source area suggests an active continental margin, which is intimate with tectonic feature of the Dabie-sulu orogen and the Yangtze block. In summary, we suggest that the North Jiangsu Basin is an ideal site for the study of the coupling between the uplift of the orogen and the subsidence of the foreland basin.