Origin and significance of the Toolebuc gamma‐ray anomaly in parts of the Eromanga Basin

The Toolebuc Formation, which is a potentially important source of oil shale in the Eromanga Basin of NW Qld, exhibits a marked gamma‐ray response that has long beeen used as a stratigraphic marker. At Julia Creek, a large area of the Formation contains low‐grade oil shale that is accessible to mining. Detailed investigation, by gamma‐ray spectrometry and neutron activation analysis, of drill core samples from this deposit and from the type section of the Toolebuc Formation at Boulia (BMR Boulia 3A stratigraphic drill hole) show that the Toolebuc gamma‐ray anomaly in the northern Eromanga Basin is due to the presence of uranium. Analyses for organic carbon and phosphorus show that the uranium is associated primarily with organic matter in the oil shales and with phosphatic skeletal fish debris in the accompanying coquinites.

Drill core samples from Tibooburra, N.S.W. were also analysed (BMR Urisino‐1 stratigraphic drill hole) to investigate whether the gamma‐ray anomalies observed in the Bulloo Embayment on the southern margin of the Eromanga Basin (possibly correlative with the Toolebuc Formation) might also be indicative of oil shale. The results show that the much weaker anomaly at this locality is due principally to potassium and reflects the presence of an argillaceous siltstone within glauconitic sandstones.     

羌塘盆地沃若山地区上三叠统土门格拉组烃源岩沉积环境分析

岩石学、沉积相、元素地球化学的综合分析结果表明,羌塘盆地沃若山地区上三叠统土门格拉组(T_3t)地层为三角洲沉积;整体富含水解性元素、Fe族元素以及上部砂岩Fe元素富集(高Fe/Mn比值)的特征表明古水体环境为较浅的河口-滨岸环境;CIA值(63.8~79)、ICV值(0.52~1.4)和Ga/Rb-K2O/Al2O3关系图解分析结果显示当时为风化强度中等、较温暖的半干旱—半湿润气候;Sr/Ba比值全部小于1(0.09~0.27),表明沉积水体为盐度较低的陆相淡水;根据V、U、Mo的含量比值,判断其为氧化-弱氧化的富氧水体环境。较为温湿的气候有利于生物的繁殖,但氧化-弱氧化的环境不利于有机质的富集,限制了该地区烃源岩发育:土门格拉组烃源岩的TOC含量为0.76%~1.46%(均值为1.04%),属中等品质的烃源岩。     

南大巴山上奥陶统五峰组—下志留统龙马溪组泥岩元素地球化学特征

元素地球化学在沉积环境判别中发挥重要的作用,尤其是沉积物形成时的氧化-还原环境和底层水体状况.本文对南大巴山上奥陶统五峰组—下志留统龙马溪组泥岩开展了元素地球化学分析,结果表明:临湘组Al2 O3含量高于五峰组,五峰组—龙马溪组向上逐渐增加,TiO2和Al2 O3具有相似的特征,二者与TOC呈负相关;氧化-还原敏感元素...     

Significance of the Toolebuc gamma ray anomaly in the search for and evaluation of oil shale in the Eromanga Basin

Chemical and radiometric analyses have been made on core samples from 15 drill holes intersecting the Toolebuc Formation at Julia Creek. The holes are located in the vicinity of the St Elmo Structure and include intersections of a potentially economic oil shale deposit west of this structure as well as non‐economic mixed coquinite/shale intersections to the east. The gamma ray activity of the formation is due largely to uranium in the shales. Wire‐line gamma ray logs, available for eight of these holes, reflect the distribution of organic carbon. Despite this, there is poor correlation between uranium and organic carbon in the oil shales as a result of remobilization of uranium from organic matter into phosphate during diagenesis. In consequence wire‐line gamma ray logs have no potential for evaluating oil yield. Density, on the other hand, is a good indicator of oil potential. On a hole by hole basis, the correlation between uranium and organic carbon in the formation ranges from 0.22 west of the St Elmo Structure (the potential oil shale resource) to 0.95 east of the structure. This reflects a systematic change in sedimentology from oil shale that is thick and well separated from coquinite (low correlation) to laterally equivalent but finely interbedded coquinite and shale (high correlations). Such trends could be used in exploratory drilling to indicate favourable areas elsewhere in the Toolebuc Formation.     

Sources and preservation of organic matter in the Cretaceous Toolebuc Formation, eastern Australia

The organic matter-rich Toolebuc Formation of eastern Australia was deposited in a Lower Cretaceous epicontinental sea. Parameters from biological marker studies indicate that the organic matter is immature to marginally mature for hydrocarbon generation. The occurrence of abundant coccoliths and the distribution of alkane biomarkers suggest that the organic matter (Type II) is largely of planktonic origin and only in the southeastern part of the depositional area can a terrestrial influence be discerned. Variations in kerogen composition can be attributed to the extent of the oxidation of the source materials and the degree of incorporation of sulphur. The atomic H/C ratios (c. 1.1) are remarkably constant for most of the Toolebuc Formation. Atomic O/C ratios vary from 0.1 and 0.4 and can be related both to depth and paleogeographic position. Kerogen sulphur contents range up to 7%, and the highest values occur in the most carbonate-rich sediments. Total sulphur (inorganic + organic) to carbon ratios in the sediments vary from 1 to <0.2 and are a function of paleogeographic position and lithology. Most of the sulphur in the sediments is in the form of pyrite, but the proportion of sulphur in organic form increases as the total sulphur content decreases. The evidence for oxidation of the organic matter and incorporation of sulphur into it during deposition suggests that bituminite, which is the dominant organic maceral in the Toolebuc Formation, was formed from an organic gel derived by decay of predominantly algal material. These data support a modified gyttja model (Kauffman, 1981) for the deposition of organic matter in the Toolebuc Formation.     

黔北下寒武统黑色岩系的沉积环境与地球化学响应

下寒武统黑色岩系在我国华北、华南及塔里木盆地等广泛发育,但富有机质泥页岩的分布特征及其控制因素未有定论。本文对黔北地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组(及同时期地层)不同沉积相带典型剖面中的富有机质泥页岩及其上下层位进行了地球化学分析,识别出寒武纪早期不同沉积相带氧化还原环境的明显差异。台内凹陷相主要岩性为黑色页岩,底部为不等厚的薄层磷块岩和硅质岩或硅磷质结核,沉积的黑色页岩厚度大,有机质丰度高,V、Ni、Mo、U等微量元素显著富集,反映了贫氧-缺氧环境,以及短暂动态的硫化环境,Mo/TOC反映了其为局限盆地特征;上斜坡相为贫氧到氧化的沉积环境,但更多地是表现为氧化的沉积环境,其中牛蹄塘期存在局部的硫化环境,沉积的黑色页岩厚度小,但有机质丰度最高,V、Ni、Mo、U等微量元素的富集程度较低;盆地相为黑色硅质岩与富有机质的黑色硅质页岩间互沉积,同期沉积厚度较小,有机质丰度相对较低,V和U的富集程度大于台内凹陷相,而Ni和Mo的富集程度则低于台内凹陷相,指示了缺氧环境,期间伴随有贫氧和短暂的氧化环境存在,且可能存在局部的硫化环境,Mo/TOC反映了中等的局限程度。总的来说,黔北下寒武统黑色岩系的有机质丰度...     

湖南西北部黑色岩系中的贵金属矿化

湖南西北部寒武系下统木昌组黑色岩系中蕴藏着丰富的镍钼钒多金属矿床及其伴生的贵金属矿化。可划分为２类岩性序列，分别赋存着镍钼－金银矿化和钒－银矿化。有机成矿作用对该类矿床（化）的形成起了主导作用。本区具有潜在的贵金属矿化的找矿前景     

Biogeochemical Records at Shangsi Section, Northeast Sichuan in China： The Permian Paleoproductivity Proxies

The marine primary producers assimilate the atmospheric CO2 to form the organic carbon in surface water. The organic carbon then settles down through the water column and is removed from the oceans by final preservation in sediments in the form of petroleum or nature gases. The reconstruction of paleoproductlvity will thus improve our understanding of the biological processes in the formation of fossil energy resource and help to locate new sites for future exploration. In this study, biorelated elements P, Cd, Al, Ba, as well as redox sensitive element Mo, were analyzed in the 448 rock samples collected from Permian strata at the Shangsi (上寺) Section, Guangyuan (广元), Northeast Sichuan (四川) in China. On the basis of the Ti content, the nondetrital contents of P, Ca, and Al, denoted as Pxs, Cdxs, and Alxs, were calculated and found to coincide with the TOC content throughout the whole section, with some enrichment intervals being found in the middle part of Chihsia Formation, topmost Maokou (茅口) Formation, and Dalong (大隆) Formation. This suggests that the biorelated elements could be used as proxies for the paleoproductivity here in this section. Baxs, a paleoproductivity indicator widely used in the paleoceanography, shows insignificant correlation with TOC, Pxs, Cdxs, and Alxs, probably arising from the loss of biological barium in anoxic conditions. Compiled with the data of TOC content and Pxs Cdxs, and Alxs, three episodes of enhanced paleoproductivity were identified in Permian strata including the middle part of Chihsla Formation, topmost Maokou Formation, and Dalong Formation.     

海州式磷矿床地质特征及其成矿模式

海州式磷矿成矿物质有多种来源。磷元素在地壳发展过程中，随着磷矿成矿作用不同阶段物化条件等改变而变化，将成矿划分为沉积、变质及改造三阶段。中元古代早期海州群锦屏组，肥东群双山 ，宿松群柳坪组和虎踏石组及红安群七角山组下段为其“源”，磷块岩形成后，由于变质、混合岩化交代和风化淋滤作用，使磷质活化，在一定的空间富集成矿。     

Evidence of bottom-redox conditions during oceanic anoxic event 2 (OAE2) in Wadi Bazina,Northern Tunisia (Southern Tethyan margin)

Detailed chemostratigraphy across the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary in northern Tunisia points to several prevailing paleoceanographic conditions during the deposition of organic-rich beds of Bahloul Formation. The sedimentological study shows that there is no correlation between color and CaCO₃ content because both dark and light-colored intervals of Bahloul Formation are carbonate-rich. Stable isotope analysis displays a positive carbon isotope excursion characterized by four significant peaks (I to IV) which are ranging from 3.2 to 3.5‰. These peaks represent episodes of elevated rates of organic carbon burial during the C/T oceanic anoxic event (C/T boundary OAE2). The Cenomanian-Turonian boundary could be situated between the third isotopic peak and the filament event. The total organic carbon (TOC) measurements show values ranging from 0.28 to 6.19% with average value of 3.5%. This indicates that the Bahloul Formation shale is a very good oil source rock. The Hydrogen Index (HI) values range from 359 to 698 mg HC/g TOC. The T _max values range from 390 to 438 °C. Binary diagrams HI vs. T _max indicate a type II with values falling within the immature organic-matter range. The concentrations major elements reveal low values of Ti and K. The correlation between Al and Ti and K shows a significant correlation pointing to homogeneous provenance. Primary productivity indicators (Cu, Ba, and Ni) record its association with organic matter. Redox-sensitive elements such as U, V, and Mo and the high values of V/(V + Ni) ratio indicate a strongly reducing environment which led to the better preservation of the organic matter.     

东营凹陷牛38井沙河街组烃源岩生排烃评价

东营凹陷牛38井沙河街组三段烃源岩从沙三下亚段向沙三中-上亚段为一从高水位深湖相向低水位前三角洲相发展的沉积旋回,该沉积环境控制从下向上发育不同类型的有机质。相应地,该段烃源岩品质从下向上变差,其中沙三中亚段上部及沙三中亚段中部烃源岩产烃能力小,沙三下亚段烃源岩整体品质好,局部存在优质烃源岩。其优劣性体现了在该段烃源岩中,Ⅰ型干酪根具有高的生产力,而Ⅲ型、Ⅱ₂型干酪根生烃潜力很低,基本为无效有机质。计算结果显示不同数据点的烃源岩单位质量原始生烃潜量可相差3个数量级,体现了烃源岩存在强烈的非均质性。有机碳的非均质性分布为其提供了物质基础,而湖盆的旋回式沉积及湖平面的波动性变化是其内在原因。同时,本文也提供一种计算生排烃量的新方法,结果表明该方法较为有效可行。     

CRUSTAL GRANITOIDS

Eocene organic-rich sediments are widespread in the Amasya region of north-central Turkey and have been studied in outcrop. Detailed data from thick Eocene sediments (Derealan Formation) made it possible to construct an organic-facies framework using different zonations.

Organic matter is composed predominantly of autochthonous algal and amorphous material, with a minor contribution of allochthonous terrestrial material. Kerogen in the deposits is primarily Type I, as indicated by organic petrographic observations and Rock-Eval data. Total organic-carbon content (TOC) of this deposit decreases from over 54% in limestone and shale to less than 2% in the other deposits of the Derealan Formation. Tmax values vary between 441 ° and 456° C, confirming the increase in maturation trends indicated by vitrinite reflectance data.

Both organic petrographic and geochemical maturation parameters place the Eocene sediments of the Northern Gumushacikoy (Amasya) region within the B organic facies. According to the organic-carbon/sedimentation-rate relationship, the preservation of matter took place under anoxic conditions.     

Organic geochemical study of sequences overlying coal seams; example from the Mansfield Formation (Lower Pennsylvanian), Indiana

Roof successions above two coal seams from the Mansfield Formation (Lower Pennsylvanian) in the Indiana portion of the Illinois Basin have been studied with regard to sedimentary structures, organic petrology and organic geochemistry. The succession above the Blue Creek Member of the Mansfield Formation is typical of the lithologies covering low-sulphur coals (< 1%) in the area studied, whereas the succession above the unnamed Mansfield coal is typical of high-sulphur coals (>2.%). The transgressive-regressive packages above both seams reflect the periodic inundation of coastal mires by tidal flats and creeks as inferred from bioturbation and sedimentary structures such as tidal rhythmites and clay-draped ripple bedforms. Geochemistry and petrology of organic facies above the Blue Creek coal suggest that tidal flats formed inland in fresh-water environments. These overlying fresh water sediments prevented saline waters from invading the peat, contributing to low-sulphur content in the coal. Above the unnamed coal, trace fossils and geochemical and petrological characteristics of organic facies suggest more unrestricted seaward depositional environment. The absence of saline or typically marine biomarkers above this coal is interpreted as evidence of very short periods of marine transgression, as there was not enough time for establishment of the precursor organisms for marine biomarkers. However, sufficient time passed to raise SO₄²⁻ concentration in pore waters, resulting in the formation of authigenic pyrite and sulphur incorparation into organic matter.     

Characteristics and Evaluation of the High-Quality Source Rocks of Cretaceous Continental Shale Oil in Tonghua Basin,China

The presence of shale oil in the Cretaceous Hengtongshan Formation in the Tonghua Basin, drilled by the well TD-01, has been discussed in this geological investigation for the first time. To evaluate the high-quality source rocks of Cretaceous continental shale oil, the distribution characteristics and the evolution of the ancient environment, samples of shale were systematically analyzed in terms of sedimentary facies, organic geochemistry, and organic carbon isotopic composition. The results demonstrate that a TOC value of 1.5% represents the lower-limit TOC value of the high-quality source rocks. Source rocks have an aggregate thickness of 211 m and contain abundant organic matter, with TOC values of 2.69% on average and a maximum value over 5.44%. The original hydrocarbon-generative potential value(S_1+S_2) is between 0.18 mg/g and 6.13 mg/g, and the Ro is between 0.97% and 1.40%. The thermal maturation of the source rocks is relatively mature to highly mature. The δ¹³C value range is between -34.75‰ and -26.53‰. The ratio of saturated hydrocarbons to aromatic hydrocarbons is 1.55 to 5.24, with an average of 2.85, which is greater than 1.6. The organic types are mainly type Ⅱ_1, followed by type Ⅰ. The organic carbon source was C_3 plants and hydrophytes. The paleoclimate of the Hengtongshan Formation can be characterized as hot and dry to humid, and these conditions were conducive to the development of high-quality source rocks. A favorable paleoenvironment and abundant organic carbon sources provide a solid hydrocarbon generation base for the formation and accumulation of oil and gas in the shale of the Tonghua Basin.     

Geochemistry of Miocene lacustrine sediments from the Sokolov Coal Basin (Czech Republic)

Sediments of the upper part of the Sokolov Formation of the Sokolov Brown Coal Basin consist mostly of brown lacustrine clays and claystones enriched in organic matter (2–18% TOC). The lower portion of the stratigraphic profile is formed mostly by kaolinite–illite clays and claystones, while the montmorillonite content increases in the upper portion. The change in the lithology of sediments is caused by the gradual erosion of the weathering crust in the source areas of the clastic material. Inversion of the weathering profile during erosion is manifested geochemically in a decrease in the Al₂O₃/Na₂O ratio and an increase in the SiO₂/Al₂O₃, Na₂O/K₂O and K₂O/TiO₂ ratios from the base to the top of the studied part of the Sokolov Formation. The amounts of trace elements (La, Ce, Nb, Zr, Cr, V, Sn) also decrease in the same direction. On the other hand, the amounts of Rb and Sr increase. The organic matter of the upper part of the Sokolov Formation consists primarily of Types I and II kerogen. Only near the base of the studied part of the formation, i.e., in the coal stringer, kerogen of Type III prevails. The extremely low degree of thermal maturity permits determination of the source of the organic matter and characterization of its accumulation environment. The organic material in the sediments is predominantly of algae origin. Relatively high amount of pentacyclic triterpanes of the hopane series indicates either the occurrence of cyanobacteria as primary producers or bacterial reworking during sedimentation and diagenesis. Organic matter accumulated under the conditions of a fresh-water lake or lake with slightly elevated salinity, in a dysoxic aqueous environment. The alternation of organic carbon-rich layers with layers low in organic matter is explained in terms of changes in the degree of dysoxia of the aqueous environment and a variation in the intensity of oxidation and mineralization of the organic material.     

藏北安多晚侏罗世古环境、古气候与地球化学元素关系研究

藏北安多地区毗邻羌塘盆地南界,属于藏北地层分区。研究区沙木罗组地层为一套稳定的浅海相碎屑岩和碳酸盐岩建造,依次发育风化壳沉积,潮坪相沉积以及混合台地相沉积,有大量生物礁产出。本文通过对沙木罗组地层中采集到的18件样品进行常量、微量元素及碳氧同位素测试,结合沉积相分析,旨在探索本区晚侏罗世古海平面升降、氧化还原条件以及古气候的演化规律。研究发现,Ni、Sr、Cu、V、Cr、Ni/Co及δ~(13)C等变化能反映氧化还原环境的变化,而Mn、Na、Sr/Cu、P、Ti及δ~(18)O和Z值的波动能指示古气候的变化。研究结果表明:研究区的古环境演化共经历了3个阶段:(1)风化壳阶段的强氧化环境;(2)潮坪阶段的半氧化半还原环境;(3)台地区与三期生物礁建造相对应的3次氧化与还原环境转换。古气候演化也经历了3个阶段:(1)风化壳区的干旱气候;(2)潮坪区的半干旱半湿润气候;(3)台地区3次干湿气候的频繁转换,分别与本区的3个造礁期相对应。     

Multiple Sources of Metals of Mineralization in Lower Cambrian Black Shales of South China: Evidence from Geochemical and Petrographic Study

Black shales of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in southern China (Huangjiawan mine, Zunyi region, northern part of the Guizhou Province) host regionally distributed stratiform polymetallic Ni‐Mo‐platinum group elements (PGE)‐Au phosphate‐ and sulfide‐rich ores. These are confined to a ≥0.2‐m thick ore horizon composed of mineralized bodies of algal onkolites, phosphate nodules, and sulfide and shale clasts in a mineralized phosphate‐ and organic matter‐rich matrix. Compared to footwall and hanging wall shales, the ore bed is strongly enriched in Ni (up to 100‐fold), As (up to 97‐fold), Mo (up to 95‐fold), Sb (up to 67‐fold), Rh (up to 49‐fold), Cu (up to 37‐fold), Pd (up to 33‐fold), Ru (up to 24‐fold), Zn (up to 23‐fold), Pt (up to 21‐fold), Ir (up to 15‐fold), Co (up to 14‐fold), and Pb (up to 13‐fold). Even footwall and hanging wall black shales are significantly enriched by Mo (21‐fold) and Ni (12‐fold) but depleted in Cr in comparison to average Cambrian black shale. Organic matter is represented by separate accumulations dispersed in the rock matrix or as biotic bitumen droplets and veinlets in ore clasts. Similar organic carbon (C_org) values in an ore bed and enclosing footwall and hanging wall shales of little mineralization indicate that metal accumulation was not controlled only by biogenic productivity and organic matter accumulation rate. Evaporitic conditions during sedimentation of the basal part of the Niutitang Formation were documented by an occurrence of preserved Ni‐, V‐, Cr‐, and Cu‐enriched phosphate‐rich hardground with halite and anhydrite pseudomorphs on the paleosurface of the underlying Neoproterozoic carbonates. Neoproterozoic black shales of the Doushantuo Formation are characterized by increased metal concentrations. Comparison of metal abundances in both hardground and Doushantuo black shales indicate that black shales could have become a source of metal‐rich hardground during weathering. The polymetallic Ni‐Mo‐PGE sulfide‐rich ore bed is interpreted to represent a remnant of shallow‐water hardground horizon rich in metals, which originated in a sediment‐starved, semi‐restricted, seawater environment. During the Early Cambrian transgression an influx of fresh seawater and intensive evaporation, together with the hydrothermal enrichment of seawater in a semi‐restricted basin, resulted in the formation of dense metalliferous brines; co‐precipitation of metals together with phosphates and sulfides occurred at or above the oxic–anoxic sediment interface. Metal‐enriched hardground was disintegrated by the action of waves or bottom currents and deposited in a deeper part of the anoxic basin. Contemporaneously with the formation of a polymetallic Ni‐Mo‐PGE‐Au sulfide ore bed, economic sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX)‐type barite deposits were forming in a stratigraphically and geotectonically similar setting. The results of geochemical study at the Shang Gongtang SEDEX‐type Ba deposit indicate that concentrations of Ag, As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, Zn and other metals decrease from top of the barite body toward the hanging wall black shale. Lower Cambrian black shales of the Niutitang Formation above the barite body also display similar element abundances as Neoproterozoic black shales of the Doushantuo Formation, developed in the footwall of the barite body. But the geochemical composition of the sulfide layer is different from the Ni‐Mo ore bed, showing only elevated Pb, Cu, Ni and Mo values. It is suggested that hydrothermal brines at Shang Gongtang might have leached metals from footwall Neoproterozoic sequences and became, after mixing with normal seawater, an additional source of Ag, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sb, Zn, Ni, PGE, V and other metals.     

丽江东部地区黑泥哨组铜矿成矿规律及潜力分析

丽江东部地区广泛分布的黑泥哨组(P3h)是区域上一个重要的含铜层位,在该地区大公山、铜厂河、宝坪等地均发现有工业铜矿床。该地层中发现的铜矿床具有两种类型:产于火山沉积夹层中的火山沉积-热液型铜矿及产于构造破碎带中的构造热液型铜矿。主要控矿因素为二叠纪晚期古地理环境、火山活动、成矿前构造及喜山期岩浆活动。本文通过分析这些控矿因素之间的关系,总结该区域内黑泥哨组铜矿化规律,为今后的找矿工作提出一些建议。     

Assessment on Redox Conditions and Organic Burial of Siliciferous Sediments at the Latest Permian Dalong Formation in Shangsi, Sichuan, South China

The redox sensitive elements, molybdenum (Mo) and uranium (U), in marine sediments from the latest Permian Dalong (大隆) Formation at the Shangsi (上寺) Section, Northeast Siehuan (四川), South China, were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine their response to a range of redox conditions, and to estimate the organic carbon burial rate. On the basis of the correlation between authigenic Mo abundance and organic carbon content in modern oceans, the organic carbon burial rates were calculated for the rocks at Dalong Formation, ranging from 0.48-125.83 mmol/(m2-d), which shows a larger range than the mineralization rate of organic carbon at the continental margins (1.6-4.23 mmol/(m2.d)). The Zr-normalized Mo and U abundances show large fluctuations in the entire section. The maxima of Zr-normalized Mo abundance and thus the maxima of the organic carbon burial rates were observed at the interval between the 155th and 156th beds (404-407 m above the base of Middle Permian). A decrease (the minimum) in U/Mo ratios is present in this interval. It is speculated that the oxygen-limited conditions and ultimately anoxia or euxinia may develop within this depth interval. In contrast, an enhanced enrichment of Zr-normallzed U abundance is found, in association with less enrichment in Zr-normnllzed Mo abundance in the interval from the I51st to 154th beds (395-404 m above the base of Middle Permian), inferring the dominance of a suboxic/anoxic depositional condition (denitrifying condition), or without free H2S. The presence of small quantities of dissolved oxygen may have caused the solubilization and loss of Mo from sediments. It is proposed that the multiple cycles of abrupt oxidation and reduction due to the upwelllng at this interval lead to the enhanced accumulation of authigenic U, but less enrichment of Mo. A decrease in the contents of U, Mo, and TOC is found above the 157th bed (407 m above the base of Middle Permian), in association with the enhanced U/Mo ratio, suggesting the overall oxic conditions at the end of the Dalong Formation.     

Geochemical Record of the Cenomanian–Turonian Anoxic Event in Tunisia: Is it Correlative and Isochronous to the Biotic Signal?

In Tunisia, five Bahloul spaced sections, Bargou, Jerisa, Guern Halfaya, Kherij and Gafsa were analyzed for biostratigraphy (foraminifera and radiolarians) and major and trace elements. This high-resolution biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic integrated analyses for the Late Cenomanian–Early Turonian Bahloul Formation provide new insight into the palaeoceanographic evolution of the southern Tethyan margin. Relative low abundance of related terrigenous Ti/Al and K/Al ratios and enrichment of some productivity proxies such as Ba, Cu, and Ni (organic matter related trace elements) suggests that the Bahloul, deposited during a relatively short period (0.5 Ma), was of relatively elevated primary productivity and minimal detrital input. While higher D* values concurrent with lower Ti/Al ratios are interpreted as caused by enhanced fluvial material contribution, due to more humid climate during the OAE-2. Enhanced humidity triggered probably fluvial influxes, resulted in a sluggish water circulation and consequent anoxic/euxinic conditions favoring the preservation of organic matter at the bottom. Enrichments in redox-sensitive trace metals U, V, and Mo in the Bahloul Formation deposits and redox indices, such as V/(V+Ni), U/Th, V/Cr, and Ni/Co, indicate that oxygen-restricted conditions prevailed during the Late Cenomanian to earliest Turonian times and correlate well with relative abundances of some foraminiferal and radiolarian paleo-environmental relevant indicators. High Baxs values and Uauth may indicate anoxic conditions at least at the water–sediment interface during the Bahloul Formation deposition and provide information about low to moderate sulfate-reduction reactions.