Stromatoporoid growth forms and Devonian reef fabrics in the Upper Devonian Alexandra Reef System,Canada – Insight on the challenges of applying Devonian reef facies models

Existing facies models for Devonian reef systems can be divided into high‐energy and low‐energy types. A number of assumptions have been made in the development of these models and, in some cases, criteria that distinguish important aspects of the models are poorly defined. The Upper Devonian Alexandra Reef System contains a variety of reef fabrics from different depositional environments and is ideal for studying the range of environments in which stromatoporoids thrived and the facies from these different environments. A wide variety of stromatoporoid growth forms including laminar, tabular, anastamosing laminar and tabular, domal, bulbous, dendroid, expanding conical, concave‐up whorled‐laminar, concave‐up massive tabular and platy‐multicolumnar are present in the Alexandra Reef System. The whorled‐laminar and massive tabular concave‐up growth forms are virtually undocumented from other Devonian reefs but were common in the reef front of the Alexandra, where they thrived in a low‐energy environment around and below fair‐weather wave base. In contrast, high‐energy parts of the reef margin were dominated by bioclastic rubble deposits with narrow ribbon‐like discontinuous bodies of laminar stromatoporoid framestone. In the lagoon, laminar stromatoporoids formed steep‐sided sediment‐dominated bioherms in response to sea‐level rise and flooding. Relying mostly on the different reef facies in the Alexandra system, a new classification scheme for Devonian reef fabrics has been developed. Devonian reef fabrics can be classified as being: (i) sediment‐laden metazoan dominated; (ii) metazoan–microbial dominated (boundstone); (iii) metazoan dominated (framestone); or (iv) metazoan–marine cement dominated. Distinction of these fabrics carries important sedimentary and palaeoecological implications for reconstructing the depositional environment. With examples from the Alexandra Formation, it is demonstrated that reef facies accumulated in a range of depositional environments and that the simple observation of massive stromatoporoids with or without microbial deposits does not automatically imply a high‐energy reef margin, as otherwise portrayed in a number of the existing facies models for these systems.     

Strain partitioning into dry and wet zones and the formation of Ca-rich myrmekite in syntectonic syenites: A case for melt-assisted dissolution-replacement creep under granulite facies conditions

The formation of Ca-rich myrmekites is described in syntectonic syenites crystallized and progressively deformed under granulite facies conditions. The syenites are found in high- and low-strain zones where microstructure and mineral composition are compared. Heterogeneously distributed water-rich, late-magmatic liquids were responsible for strain partitioning into dry and wet high-strain zones at outcrop scale, where contrasting deformation mechanisms are reported. In dry high-strain zones K-feldspar and clinopyroxene are recrystallized under high-T conditions. In wet high-strain zones, the de-stabilization of clinopyroxene and pervasive replacement of relatively undeformed K-feldspar porphyroclasts by myrmekite and subordinate micrographic intergrowths indicate dissolution-replacement creep as the main deformation mechanism. The reworking of these intergrowths is observed and is considered to contribute significantly to the development of the mylonitic foliation and banding. A model is proposed for strain partitioning relating a positive feedback between myrmekite-forming reaction, continuous inflow of late-magmatic liquids and dissolution-replacement creep in the wet zone at the expenses of original mineralogy preserved in the dry zones. Melt-assisted dissolution-replacement creep in syntectonic environments under granulite-facies conditions may extend the field of operation of dissolution-replacement creep, changing significantly the rheology of the lower continental crust.     

湖南省沉积型锰矿地质环境及成矿作用

湖南省沉积型锰成矿时代跨度大,最早由早元古代板溪群马底驿期至早二叠世孤峰期。其中,早南华纪大塘坡期、中奥陶世烟溪期及中二叠世孤峰期为三个最主要成锰集中期,并且大体呈现出朝东南方向成矿时代变新的趋势。成锰沉积盆地是锰矿床就位的重要场所,相应的岩相古地理环境为锰成矿创造了有利条件,即相对缺氧的、滞流的安静环境。这种环境在诸多古地理环境中都可以形成,导致了锰成矿岩相古地理环境的多样性,如浅海陆棚相、次深海棚缘盆地相、次深海台缘斜坡相及陆表次深海海盆相。三个主要成锰期锰成矿作用具有统一性,成矿作用与地壳拉张、海侵事件、缺氧事件等区域性重大地质事件关联密切。     

鄂尔多斯盆地晚三叠世延长期古湖盆生物相带划分及地质意义

鄂尔多斯盆地晚三叠世发育大型坳陷型湖盆。湖水的升降影响着湖盆水体面积的大小、深浅以及沉积体系发育分布,进而影响全盆地晚三叠延长统地层生储盖组合的发育特征。通过野外剖面、钻井岩芯中古生物化石的鉴定,结合古生物组合特征对鄂尔多斯盆地晚三叠世湖盆的古生物生态环境进行了恢复。确定鄂尔多斯晚三叠世湖盆是一个最大水深不超过60 m的浅水湖盆,属于温暖潮湿的淡水-半咸水环境。从湖岸到湖心,可以划分为预测古水深1～2 m的河流-沼泽生物相带;预测古水深3～15 m的滨岸-河口三角洲生物相带;预测古水深15～35 m的浅湖生物相带;预测古水深在35～60 m范围的半-深湖生物相带。这些生物相带的划分,为恢复鄂尔多斯盆地晚三叠世时期的岩相古地理奠定了基础,为盆地延长组沉积边界、盆地内沉积体系发育展布以及沉积相带的划分提供了坚实的地质依据,具有理论与实际意义。     

板桥-合水地区长63储层成岩相孔隙结构特征及优质储层分布

利用铸体薄片、扫描电镜、常规压汞、恒速压汞及相渗等资料,研究了板桥-合水地区长6₃储层成岩相类型及其微观孔隙结构特征,总结了不同成岩相的测井响应特征,确定了纵向及平面分布规律。结果表明优质成岩相的展布受沉积相、成岩作用与孔隙结构共同控制,尤其是喉道分布才是控制砂岩储层渗透性的主要因素。水云母胶结-残余粒间孔相和水云母胶结-长石溶蚀相储层主要分布于半深湖相重力流复合水道浊流沉积中,细-微细喉道发育,孔喉连通性好,渗流能力最好,油水呈相对均匀的渗流,孔隙内的油气极易通过喉道被开采出来;绿泥石胶结相、水云母胶结弱溶蚀相储层位于分支水道边缘,呈孤岛状分布,孔喉半径小但分布均匀,渗流能力中等-差;碳酸盐胶结相、碳酸盐+水云母胶结相储层主要发育在分支水道间,孔隙结构发育程度差,喉道细小且孔喉连通性差,富集于孔隙中的油气难以通过小喉道,采收率低。     

济阳坳陷古近系泥页岩成因相划分

系统岩心观察和高密度薄片鉴定等分析测试资料研究结果显示,济阳坳陷沙三下-沙四上泥页岩成分组成及构造类型主要受沉积作用控制,岩石结构特征主要受成岩作用控制。根据泥页岩中方解石成因及重结晶程度,结合岩石成分及构造特征,将济阳坳陷沙三下-沙四上泥页岩划分为沉积主控型、沉积-成岩双控型及成岩主控型三大成因相。沉积主控型分布最为广泛,岩相类型多样,构造特征反映成因环境;沉积-成岩双控型主要见于纹层状岩相,由泥质纹层与显晶粒状方解石纹层互层构成;成岩主控型以柱状、柱纤状方解石垂直层面呈脉状、透镜状产出为特征。成岩主控型和沉积-成岩双控型泥页岩与页岩油气关系密切,是重要的有利成因相类型。     

北祁连地区中寒武世岩相古地理研究

现今地处造山带的北祁连地区在中寒武世时期拉张的构造背景下海域进一步拓宽。通过对北祁连地区中寒武统地层野外调查及室内分析研究,在"构造控盆、盆控相"的思路控制下,以沉积岩性、结构-构造、古生物组合等为基础,在优势相原则的指导下,共划分出浅海陆棚相、半深海相、深海盆地相3种沉积相类型。结合前人的研究资料,编制北祁连地区中寒武世的沉积构造格架及沉积盆地类型图,分析其空间配置关系。在此基础上,采用造山带岩相古地理编图方法,恢复与重建研究区的古地理面貌,编制相应的古地理图。     

Origin of the Breno and Esino dolomites in the western Southern Alps (Italy): Implications for a volcanic influence

The Esino Limestone of the western Southern Alps represents a differentiated Ladinian-Lower Carnian (?) carbonate platform comprised of margin, slope and peritidal inner platform facies up to 1000 m thick. A major regional subaerial exposure event lead to coverage by another peritidal Lower Carnian carbonate platform (Breno Formation). Multiphase dolomitization affected the carbonate sediments. Petrographic examinations identified at least three main generations of dolomites (D1, D2, and D3) that occur as both replacement and fracture-filling cements. These phases have crystal-size ranges of 3–35 μm (dolomicrite D1), 40–600 μm (eu-to subhedral crystals D2), and 200 μm to 5 mm (cavity- and fracture-filling anhedral to subhedral saddle dolomite D3), respectively.The fabric retentive near-micritic grain size coupled with low mean Sr concentration (76 ± 37 ppm) and estimated δ¹⁸O of the parent dolomitizing fluids of D1 suggest formation in shallow burial setting at temperature ∼ 45–50 °C with possible contributions from volcanic-related fluids (basinal fluids circulated in volcaniclastics or related to volcanic activity), which is consistent with its abnormally high Fe (4438 ± 4393 ppm) and Mn (1219 ± 1418 ppm) contents. The larger crystal sizes, homogenization temperatures (D2, 108 ± 9 °C; D3, 111 ± 14 °C) of primary two-phase fluid inclusions, and calculated salinity estimates (D2, 23 ± 2 eq wt% NaCl; D3, 20 ± 4 eq wt% NaCl) of D2 and D3 suggest that they formed at later stages under mid-to deeper burial settings at higher temperatures from dolomitizing fluids of higher salinity, which is supported by higher estimated δ¹⁸O values of their parent dolomitizing fluids. This is also consistent with their high Fe (4462 ± 4888 ppm; and 1091 ± 1183 ppm, respectively) and Mn (556 ± 289 ppm and 1091 ± 1183 ppm) contents, and low Sr concentrations (53 ± 31 ppm and 57 ± 24 ppm, respectively).The similarity in shale-normalized (SN) REE patterns and Ce (Ce/Ce*)_SN and La (Pr/Pr*)_SN anomalies of the investigated carbonates support the genetic relationship between the dolomite generations and their calcite precursor. Positive Eu anomalies, coupled with fluid-inclusion gas ratios (N₂/Ar, CO₂/CH₄, Ar/He), high F⁻ concentration, high F/Cl and high Cl/Br molar ratios suggest an origin from diagenetic fluids circulated through volcanic rocks, which is consistent with the co-occurrence of volcaniclastic lenses in the investigated sequence.     

The diagenetic history of Oligocene-Miocene sandstones of the Austrian north Alpine foreland basin

Diagenesis is an essential tool to reconstruct the development of reservoir rocks. Diagenetic processes - precipitation and dissolution - have an influence on pore space. The present paper aims to study the diagenetic history of deep-marine sandstones of the Austrian Alpine Foreland Basin. To reach that goal, sediment petrology and diagenetic features of more than 110 sandstone samples from water- and gas-bearing sections from gas fields within the Oligocene-Miocene Puchkirchen Group and Hall Formation has been investigated. Special emphasis was put on samples in the vicinity of the gas-water contact (GWC). The sediment petrography of sandstones of Puchkirchen Group and Hall Formation is similar; hence their diagenesis proceeded the same way. In fact, primary mineralogy was controlled by paleo-geography with increasing transport distance and diverse detrital input.Sediment petrographically, investigated sandstones from the water-bearing horizon seemed quite comparable to the gas-bearing sediments. In general, they can be classified as feldspatic litharenites to litharenites and display porosities of up to 30% and permeabilities of up to 1300 mD. The carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of bulk carbonate cements from these sandstones range from−3.8 to +2.2 and from −7.5 to +0.2‰ [VPDB]. However, near the Gas-Water Contact (GWC) a horizon with low porosities (<3%) and permeabilities (<0.1 mD) is present. This zone is completely cemented with calcite, which has a blocky/homogenous morphology. A slight, but significant negative shift in δ18O isotopy (−2.5‰) is evident.During early diagenesis the first carbonate generations formed. First a fibrous calcite and afterwards a micritic calcite precipitated. Further siliciclastic minerals, such as quartz and feldspar (K-feldspar and minor plagioclase), exhibit corroded grains. Occasionally, clay minerals (illite; smectite, chlorite) formed as rims around detrital grains. Late diagenesis is indicated by the formation of a low permeable zone at the GWC.     

Does compaction-induced subsidence control accommodation space at the top of prograding carbonate platforms? Constraints from the numerical modelling of the Triassic Esino Limestone (Southern Alps,Italy)

The demise of the high-relief, steep-slope, prograding Ladinian-Early Carnian carbonate platforms of the Esino Limestone (Central Southern Alps of Italy) is marked by subaerial exposure of the platform top associated with different erosional (mainly karst-related), depositional and diagenetic processes (Calcare Rosso). The exposure-related deposits consist of three major facies associations: 1) residual soils with thin lenses of conglomerates with black pebbles, and, locally, weathered vulcanites; 2) chaotic breccia lenses irregularly distributed in the uppermost part of the Esino Limestone carbonate platform, interpreted as collapse breccias in karstic setting: 3) inter-supratidal carbonate cycles with dissolution and development of paleosols and tepee structures.Facies distribution follows the sub-environments of the underlying Esino Limestone. Facies 1 and 2 typically characterize the core of the platform, covering the underlying inner platform facies. Facies 3 instead develops toward the edge of the platform, above reef-upper slope facies of the prograding facies of the Esino Limestone. The thickness of facies 3 decreases toward the core of the platform. Facies distribution reflects differences in the accommodation space and sedimentary processes from the rim (highest accommodation, favouring the deposition of peritidal-supratidal carbonates) to the core (reduced accommodation, causing pedogenesis and karstification) of the carbonate system.The observed thickness changes may be controlled by different factors: 1) syndepositional tectonics, 2) subsidence induced by magmatic activity or 3) differential subsidence controlled by the stratigraphic architecture of the Esino Limestone platform and adjoining basins. As evidence of tectonics was not observed and the presence of volcanic bodies is only documented tens of km away from the study area, the scenario involving the creation of accommodation space by compaction of the basinal sediments (resedimented, fine-grained calciturbidites) during the progradation of the carbonate platform is here investigated. Numerical modelling was performed to verify the compatibility of compaction-induced subsidence with the observed depositional architecture. The models were built to simulate the architectural evolution of the platform by progressively adding layers from deepest to shallowest, while compacting the underlying sediments, in order to evaluate compaction-induced subsidence (and accommodation space for the Calcare Rosso) after the deposition of the youngest platform strata. Modelling results allow us to conclude that the wedge geometry of the Calcare Rosso, deposited on top of the extinct Esino carbonate platform, can be explained by subsidence controlled by compaction of the basinal sediments present below the early-cemented, fast prograding platform slope deposits.