Silicon isotope fractionation in bamboo and its significance to the biogeochemical cycle of silicon

A systematic investigation on silica contents and silicon isotope compositions of bamboos was undertaken. Seven bamboo plants and related soils were collected from seven locations in China. The roots, stem, branch and leaves for each plant were sampled and their silica contents and silicon isotope compositions were determined. The silica contents and silicon isotope compositions of bulk and water-soluble fraction of soils were also measured. The silica contents of studied bamboo organs vary from 0.30% to 9.95%. Within bamboo plant the silica contents show an increasing trend from stem, through branch, to leaves. In bamboo roots the silica is exclusively in the endodermis cells, but in stem, branch and leaves, the silica is accumulated mainly in epidermal cells. The silicon isotope compositions of bamboos exhibit significant variation, from −2.3‰ to 1.8‰, and large and systematic silicon isotope fractionation was observed within each bamboo. The δ³⁰Si values decrease from roots to stem, but then increase from stem, through branch, to leaves. The ranges of δ³⁰Si values within each bamboo vary from 1.0‰ to 3.3‰. Considering the total range of silicon isotope composition in terrestrial samples is only 7‰, the observed silicon isotope variation in single bamboo is significant and remarkable. This kind of silicon isotope variation might be caused by isotope fractionation in a Rayleigh process when SiO₂ precipitated in stem, branches and leaves gradually from plant fluid. In this process the Si isotope fractionation factor between dissolved Si and precipitated Si in bamboo (α_pre-sol) is estimated to be 0.9981. However, other factors should be considered to explain the decrease of δ³⁰Si value from roots to stem, including larger ratio of dissolved H₄SiO₄ to precipitated SiO₂ in roots than in stem. There is a positive correlation between the δ³⁰Si values of water-soluble fractions in soils and those of bulk bamboos, indicating that the dissolved silicon in pore water and phytoliths in soil is the direct sources of silicon taken up by bamboo roots. A biochemical silicon isotope fractionation exists in process of silicon uptake by bamboo roots. Its silicon isotope fractionation factor (α_bam-wa) is estimated to be 0.9988. Considering the distribution patterns of SiO₂ contents and δ³⁰Si values among different bamboo organs, evapotranspiration may be the driving force for an upward flow of a silicon-bearing fluid and silica precipitation. Passive silicon uptake and transportation may be important for bamboo, although the role of active uptake of silicic acid by roots may not be neglected. The samples with relatively high δ³⁰Si values all grew in soils showing high content of organic materials. In contrast, the samples with relatively low δ³⁰Si values all grew in soil showing low content of organic materials. The silicon isotope composition of bamboo may reflect the local soil type and growth conditions. Our study suggests that bamboos may play an important role in global silicon cycle.     

Experimental investigation on thermochemical sulfate reduction by H2S initiation

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is known to catalyze thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) by hydrocarbons (HC), but the reaction mechanism remains unclear. To understand the mechanism of this catalytic reaction, a series of isothermal gold-tube hydrous pyrolysis experiments were conducted at 330 °C for 24 h under a constant confining pressure of 24.1 MPa. The reactants used were saturated HC (sulfur-free) and CaSO₄ in the presence of variable H₂S partial pressures at three different pH conditions. The experimental results showed that the in-situ pH of the aqueous solution (herein, in-situ pH refers to the calculated pH of aqueous solution under the experimental conditions) can significantly affect the rate of the TSR reaction. A substantial increase in the TSR reaction rate was recorded with a decrease in the in-situ pH value of the aqueous solution involved. A positive correlation between the rate of TSR and the initial partial pressure of H₂S occurred under acidic conditions (at pH ∼3-3.5). However, sulfate reduction at pH ∼5.0 was undetectable even at high initial H₂S concentrations. To investigate whether the reaction of H₂S_(aq) and occurs at pH ∼3, an additional series of isothermal hydrous pyrolysis experiments was conducted with CaSO₄ and variable H₂S partial pressures in the absence of HC at the same experimental temperature and pressure conditions. CaSO₄ reduction was not measurable in the absence of paraffin even with high H₂S pressure and acidic conditions. These experimental observations indicate that the formation of organosulfur intermediates from H₂S reacting with hydrocarbons may play a significant role in sulfate reduction under our experimental conditions rather than the formation of elemental sulfur from H₂S reacting with sulfate as has been suggested previously (Toland W. G. (1960) Oxidation of organic compounds with aqueous sulphate. J. Am. Chem. Soc.82, 1911-1916).Quantification of labile organosulfur compounds (LSC), such as thiols and sulfides, was performed on the products of the reaction of H₂S and HC from a series of gold-tube non-isothermal hydrous pyrolysis experiments conducted at about pH 3 from 300 to 370 °C and a 0.1-°C/h heating rate. Incorporation of sulfur into HC resulted in an appreciable amount of thiol and sulfide formation. The rate of LSC formation positively correlated with the initial H₂S pressure. Thus, we propose that the LSC produced from H₂S reaction with HC are most likely the reactive intermediates for H₂S initiation of sulfate reduction. We further propose a three-step reaction scheme of sulfate reduction by HC under reservoir conditions, and discuss the geological implications of our experimental findings with regard to the effect of formation water and oil chemistry, in particular LSC content.     

西秦岭温泉斑岩型钼矿床地质特征及成因浅析

温泉钼矿位于甘肃省武山县温泉乡陈家大湾,大地构造位置属北秦岭加里东褶皱带西段,是2000年后发现并正在勘查的斑岩型钼矿床.含矿的温泉岩体为中浅成侵入杂岩体,从海西期到燕山期有四期10次侵入.主体相为印支期侵入的似斑状黑云母二长花岗岩,燕山期早期的花岗斑岩穿插于主体相中,花岗斑岩与矿化密切相关,矿(化)体产出于燕山期花岗斑岩和附近的围岩中.地袁矿化呈脉状零星分散、不连续,品位低.共圈出矿(化)体40条,在地表下20～50m深处矿化连成一体,构成面型矿化.已经控制矿体范围近0.3km2,南北长近800m,东西实际控制宽400m,控制厚度最大445m,最小37m.钼矿体主要由充填于各向原生节理、裂隙中的相互平行或网状含钼石英细脉组成,矿石矿物组合简单,围岩蚀变较弱.成矿物质来源于岩浆,成矿流体主要来源于岩浆混入了大气降水和地下水,Re-Os同位素模式年龄214±7.1Ma,属斑岩型钼矿床.     

河南省栾川县罗村钼矿成矿特征及找矿

通过对河南省栾川县罗村钼矿区域地质背景、矿床地质特征与南泥湖、三道庄及东沟超大型钼矿的综合对比、分析、研究,总结归纳了矿区NWW构造形迹、小岩体与钼矿成矿关系、围岩对成矿的控制作用、围岩蚀变与成矿的关系、地球化学异常与钼矿床的关系等成矿特征.根据罗村钼矿的成矿特征,初步指出今后的找矿方向.     

库车坳陷东部山前带古近系不同体系域内扇三角洲沉积砂体的对比研究

通过对塔里木盆地库车坳陷南天山山前带克孜勒努尔沟与依奇克里克野外露头沉积相的精细研究,结合山前带大量地震剖面分析与迪那201井、东秋5井等多口钻井测井相和岩心精细描述,将古近系库姆格列木群划分为2个层序。层序2低位域以冲积扇沉积为主,自湖侵体系域始,研究区广泛发育退积与进积型扇三角洲沉积。库姆格列木群层序2湖侵体系域内扇三角洲平原砂体以正韵律沉积为主,砂砾岩占地层厚度的(68.4～87)%;扇三角洲前缘砂体正、反韵律均有分布,砂砾岩占地层的百分比有所降低,为(55.2～77)%。高位体系域内主要发育以反韵律砂体为主的扇三角洲前缘沉积。古近系苏维依组只发育一个层序,其低位体系域的砂体为扇三角洲平原与前缘的分流河道砂体,湖侵体系域内扇三角洲前缘砂体正、反韵律均发育,高位体系域内主要发育扇三角洲前缘沉积,以反韵律砂体为主,正韵律砂体相对较少。对比苏维依组不同体系域内砂体储集性,湖侵域内砂体优于高位域内砂体。扇三角洲沉积体中有利储集砂体首选为湖侵体系域内的扇三角洲前缘水下分流河道和河口坝砂体,次之为低位域扇三角洲前缘(平原)分流河道砂体,最后是高位域内的河口坝及席状砂沉积砂体。特别要指出:低位体系域或者湖侵体系域底部发育的扇三角洲前缘(平原)分流河道砂体(底砂砾岩)被快速湖侵的较厚的暗色泥岩所覆盖,可形成较好储集场所。     

新疆库车新生代前陆褶皱冲断带的变形特征、时代和机制

库车前陆褶皱冲断带自北向南可分为基底冲断带、箱状背斜带、梳状背斜带和挠曲褶皱带,东西方向上可分为西段、中段和东段。本文分段叙述了各变形带的变形特征,指出东段箱状背斜带不发育,秋里塔格山脉(构造带)东延未进入东段,因而总体看自西向东变形强度减弱,地形上趋于夷平。该冲断带的形成经历了两次重大的冲断活动,分别发生在中新世和早(-中)更新世;相应地,该带可分为南、北两个"盆""山"亚系统,两者在地层记录、变形期次和变形机制上尚有若干差异。库车前陆褶皱冲断带的发育,除了受南天山的冲断和向南扩展引起的近南北向挤压应力场控制外,还受到基底断裂在新生代的活化和膏盐层底辟的制约,前者以近北西向的构造变换带及其共轭发育的近北东向断层最为重要,后者既控制了秋里塔格山脉的形成(主要受垂直的挤压应力场作用),也在库车前陆褶皱冲断带东西方向的变形分段中起了重要作用。文章还讨论了变形与地貌发育的关系和在油气勘探中的指导意义。     

东营凹陷北部沙河街组四段深部储层多重成岩环境及演化模式

主要通过薄片鉴定、扫描电镜观察、包裹体分析、粘土矿物分析、镜质体反射率测试和岩心物性分析等手段,结合构造发育史和有机质热演化史等研究成果,以揭示东营凹陷北带古近系深部碎屑岩储层成岩环境及演化模式为目的展开研究工作。结果表明:东营凹陷北带古近系深部碎屑岩储层存在酸性、碱性和酸性碱性交替等多重成岩环境。酸性成岩环境以碳酸盐矿物溶解、长石溶解蚀变为高岭石并伴生石英次生加大等为标志,碱性成岩环境以石英质颗粒及其次生加大边溶解、长石次生加大和晚期碳酸盐矿物沉淀为标志。研究区古近系深部碎屑岩储层成岩环境由浅至深大致经历了碱性—酸性—酸性碱性交替(局部碱性较强)—碱性—弱碱性的演化过程,并建立了沙河街组四段的成岩演化和储层改造模式。     

库车坳陷大北地区下白垩统巴什基奇克组储层成因地质分挝

塔里木盆地库车坳陷大北地区白垩系巴什基奇克组储层以细一中粒岩屑砂岩为主夹少量长石岩屑砂岩,杂基为铁泥质和泥质(2%～10%).胶结物以方解石(3%～15%)为主.粘土矿物以伊利石、绿泥石和伊/蒙混层为主,不含高岭石,伊/蒙混层中的蒙皂石含量一般为(15～20)%;主要孔隙组合为残余原生粒问孔-溶蚀孔-微孔隙,占储集空间总量的(50～90)%,其次为构造缝-溶蚀孔,主要的孔隙类型为溶蚀孔和裂缝,总体属于低孔低渗-特低孔特低渗储层.综合分析认为:阶段性的前陆构造逆冲推覆作用对沉积旋回性、水体盐度变化及物源区距离变化的控制至关重要;构造活跃期扇三角洲前缘环境中形成的差分选中-粗砂岩、近源快速堆积造成的高岩屑含量、干旱成湖导致的高碳酸盐胶结和早成岩期相对深埋-后期持续快速深埋压实作用,是特低孔特低渗储层的主要成因;而较优质储层足构造平缓期辫状河三角洲前缘环境中形成的分选好的中-细砂岩、早期表生溶蚀及弱碳酸盐胶结作用、早期构造破裂的复合作用及其叠加效应的结果.     

The age of the Nantuo Formation and Nantuo glaciation in South China

A U–Pb sensitive high‐resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) age of 654.5 ± 3.8 Ma from an ash bed immediately below the Nantuo Formation in South China provides the lowest age constraint for the Nantuo glaciation, which has been correlated with the global ‘Marinoan’ glaciation. A U–Pb SHRIMP age of 636.3 ± 4.9 Ma from a fallout tuff within the basal layer of the Nantuo Formation, along with the existing age of 635.2 ± 0.6 Ma from its overlying Doushantuo cap carbonate, suggests that the traditionally defined Nantuo Formation may have been deposited in a short time period at the end of the Nantuo glaciation. In combination with available ages globally, the data support a relatively short duration and rapid termination of ‘Marinoan’ glaciations.     

西准噶尔克拉玛依蛇绿混杂岩中的石榴角闪岩

本文报道在准噶尔地区发现的石榴角闪岩,该岩石产在克拉玛依蛇绿混杂岩带的百口泉地区.石榴角闪岩主要由钙质角闪石、富钠斜长石和黝帘石组成,含少量钛铁矿、绿帘石、绿泥石、榍石、石榴石、普通辉石、金红石、磷灰石、钠长石、石英和锆石.石榴石中常包裹磷灰石、金红石、钛铁矿、石英和锆石.黝帘石 富钠斜长石组合中出现少量钙铝榴石残余.百口泉石榴角闪岩中石榴石的化学组成特征以及其中出现的金红石-钛铁矿-磷灰石-石英-锆石包体组合说明,该岩石不是异剥钙榴岩退变质的产物,而是榴辉岩退变的产物(辅助证据包括二辉橄榄岩中发育的辉石出溶结构和辉石塑性变形特征).百口泉石榴角闪岩至少记录了四个阶段:石榴石-单斜辉石-金红石-磷灰石-石英-锆石组成的阶段Ⅰ(可能为榴辉岩相),普通辉石-钛铁矿-磷灰石-角闪石组成的退变阶段Ⅱ,角闪石-斜长石-榍石-钛铁矿构成的阶段Ⅲ(角闪岩相),以及绿帘石-石英-绿泥石构成的绿片岩相变质阶段Ⅳ.尽管上述演化历史存在一些不确定性,石榴角闪岩的发现为深入研究西准噶尔地区古生代洋壳俯冲带的性质及其演化过程提供了新的物质基础.