Multiple controls on the paleoenvironment of the Early Cambrian marine black shales in the Sichuan Basin,SW China: Geochemical and organic carbon isotopic evidence

In order to understand the paleoenvironment of the Early Cambrian black shale deposition in the western part of the Yangtze Block, geochemical and organic carbon isotopic studies have been performed on two wells that have drilled through the Qiongzhusi Formation in the central and southeastern parts of Sichuan Basin. It shows that the lowest part of the Qiongzhusi Formation has high TOC abundance, while the middle and upper parts display relative low TOC content. Redox-sensitive element (Mo) and trace elemental redox indices (e.g., Ni/Co, V/Cr, U/Th and V/(V + Ni)) suggest that the high-TOC layers were deposited under anoxic conditions, whereas the low-TOC layers under relatively dysoxic/oxic conditions. The relationship of the enrichment factors of Mo and U further shows a transition from suboxic low-TOC layers to euxinic high-TOC layers. On the basis of the Mo-TOC relationship, the Qiongzhusi Formation black shales were deposited in a basin under moderately restricted conditions. Organic carbon isotopes display temporal variations in the Qiongzhusi Formation, with a positive excursion of δ¹³C_org values in the lower part and a continuous positive shift in the middle and upper parts. All these geochemical and isotopic criteria indicate a paleoenvironmental change from bottom anoxic to middle and upper dysoxic/oxic conditions for the Qiongzhusi Formation black shales. The correlation of organic carbon isotopic data for the Lower Cambrian black shales in different regions of the Yangtze Block shows consistent positive excursion of δ¹³C_org values in the lower part for each section. This excursion can be ascribed to the widespread Early Cambrian transgression in the Yangtze Block, under which black shales were deposited.     

Diagenetic evolution of the upper Cretaceous limestone and sandstone exhumed reservoirs in the western Basque–Cantabrian Basin,North Spain

The Basque–Cantabrian Basin (NE Spain) has been considered one of the most interesting areas for hydrocarbon exploration in the Iberian Peninsula since the 60th to 70th of last century. This basin is characterized by the presence of numerous outcrops of tar sands closely associated with fractures and Triassic diapirs. The aims of this work is to establish the diagenetic evolution of the Upper Cretaceous reservoir rocks with special emphasis in the emplacement of oil and their impact on reservoir quality. The studied rocks are constituted of carbonates and sandstones that contain massive quantities of bitumen filling vugs and fractures.Petrographic results indicate that the carbonate rocks from Maestu outcrops are bioclastic grainstones and wackestones, whereas the tar sandstones from Atauri and Loza outcrops are dominated by quartzarenites and subordinated subarkoses. The paragenetic sequence of the main diagenetic phases and processes include, pyrite, bladed and drusy calcite cement, calcite overgrowths, silicification of bioclasts and microcrystalline rhombic dolomite cement, and first stage of oil emplacement, blocky calcite cement, coarse crystalline calcite cement, calcitized dolomite, calcite veins, saddle dolomite and stylolites filled by the second phase of oil entrance. Together with the above mentioned diagenetic alterations, the arenites are affected by early kaolinitization of feldspars and the scarce formation of clay rim and epimatrix of illite. All sandstones and dolomitized carbonate rocks show high intercrystalline and intergranular porosity which is full by biodegraded hydrocarbons (solid bitumen). The biodegradation affects alkanes, isoprenoids and partially hopanes and steranes saturated hydrocarbons. Aromatics hydrocarbons, like naphthalenes, phenanthrenes, dibenzothiophenes and triaromatics are also affected by biodegradation. Results indicate that the first HC emplacement corresponds to early stage of calcite and dolomite cementation, and the second and more important emplacement is related to fracturation processes resulting in the formation of excellent reservoirs.     

The origin,type and preservation of organic matter of the Barremian–Aptian organic-rich shales in the Muglad Basin,Southern Sudan,and their relation to paleoenvironmental and paleoclimate conditions

Barremian–Aptian organic-rich shales from Abu Gabra Formation in the Muglad Basin were analysed using geochemical and petrographic analyses. These analyses were used to define the origin, type of organic matters and the influencing factors of diagenesis, including organic matter input and preservation, and their relation to paleoenvironmental and paleoclimate conditions. The bulk geochemical characteristics indicated that the organic-rich shales were deposited in a lacustrine environment with seawater influence under suboxic conditions. Their pyrolysis hydrogen index (HI) data provide evidence for a major contribution by Type I/II kerogen with HI values of >400 mg HC/g TOC and a minor Type II/III contribution with HI values <400 mg HC/g TOC. This is confirmed by kerogen microscopy, whereby the kerogen is characterized by large amounts of structured algae (Botryococcus) and structureless (amorphous) with a minor terrigenous organic matter input. An enhanced biological productivity within the photic zone of the water columns is also detected. The increased biological productivity in the organic-rich shales may be related to enhanced semi-arid/humid to humid-warm climate conditions. Therefore, a high bio-productivity in combination with good organic matter preservation favoured by enhanced algae sizes are suggested as the OM enrichment mechanisms within the studied basin.     

近2Ma帕里西-维拉海盆沉积物中碎屑组分粒度特征及其物源和古气候意义

对帕里西-维拉海盆PV090102孔深海沉积物中碎屑组分进行了粒度分析。结果表明,沉积物碎屑组分的平均粒径为3.2μm,粒径总体变化范围在0.5~32μm,粒度频率分布呈双峰负偏态特征。利用Weibull分布函数对粒度数据进行拟合,分离出粗、细两个不同的端元组分。细粒端元的粒径分布范围较窄,大多在0.5~16μm,峰值较高,众数粒径约为2μm,其特征与北太平中部风尘一致,推测主要为来源于亚洲大陆的风尘,它的百分含量在60%~90%,是碎屑组分的主要物质来源。粗粒端元的粒径分布范围较宽,约为1.6~32μm,峰较扁平,粒径的众数在10μm左右,主要是来自于周围海脊和岛弧的火山物质。PV090102孔沉积物碎屑组分中不同粒度组分对近2 Ma以来亚洲大陆干旱和大气环流系统增强有很好的响应,同时还记录了0.5 Ma以来西太平洋火山活动增强。这些研究结果表明西北太平洋沉积物的粒度组成有助于重建第四纪以来东亚大陆干旱和大气环流历史。     

鄂尔多斯盆地西峰地区延长组烃源岩两环烷烃分布特征及其生源

鄂尔多斯盆地西南部西峰地区三叠系延长组烃源岩检出丰富的两环烷烃,主要为C12~C14和C15、C16两组两环烷烃。其相对丰度表现出3种源岩模式:1以低碳数两环烷烃为主,出现于长71和长81段非烃源岩;2两组两环烷烃都很丰富,出现于长73段富有机质烃源岩;3以高碳数两环烷烃为主,主要发现于长73段烃源岩,也见于长72和长81段。尽管长7段热演化程度基本一致,但补身烷异构化指数变化明显,表明补身烷重排不仅受热演化的影响,而且受有机质来源和沉积环境的控制。延长组烃源岩具有明显的高补身烷优势,反映了烃源岩的还原性沉积环境。烃源岩高丰度C15、C16两环烷烃的检出则指示该地区晚三叠世发育淡水湖泊。葡萄藻不仅是该地区中生界石油的重要母质来源,而且可能是这些两环类标志物的直接生源。     

黄河流域湿地景观时空演变格局分析

湿地景观的时空演变及其驱动因素研究是湿地生态恢复与保护的重要参考,本文利用1980—2015年7期黄河流域土地利用数据构建黄河流域湿地矢量数据集,基于景观格局指数对黄河流域湿地的时空演变特征进行定量和定性分析;采用转移矩阵对每两个时期湿地资源的转移类型和数量进行计算与分析。研究结果表明,①1980—2015年,黄河流域湿地率为3.5%,其中自然湿地率约为2.0%,即黄河流域的湿地类型以自然湿地为主。②斑块面积结果显示,黄河流域湿地总面积减少了312.74km²,表现为人工湿地增加,自然湿地减少;自然湿地中沼泽湿地呈增加状态,主要是在2005—2010年增加了979.22km²,滩地呈减少状态,减少了1218.19km²,主要发生在1990—1995年和2005—2010年。斑块密度结果显示,随着河渠和滩地受人为活动影响程度的加大,两者的斑块破碎化程度逐渐加大。最大斑块指数结果显示,水田是黄河流域的主导湿地类型,沼泽和湖泊是自然湿地中的主导湿地类型。③黄河流域湿地类型与非湿地之间转换是黄河流域景观转换的主要组成部分,其中沼泽与滩地是面积发生变化的主要湿地类型。     

Distribution of Palaeozoic tectonic superimposed unconformities in the Tarim Basin,NW China: significance for the evolution of palaeogeomorphology and sedimentary response

Seismic and drilling well data were used to examine the occurrence of multiple stratigraphic unconformities in the Tarim Basin, NW China. The Early Cambrian, the Late Ordovician and the late Middle Devonian unconformities constitute three important tectonic sequence boundaries within the Palaeozoic succession. In the Tazhong, Tabei, Tadong uplifts and the southwestern Tarim palaeo‐uplift, unconformities obviously belong to superimposed unconformities. A superimposed unconformity is formed by superimposition of unconformities of multiple periods. Areas where superimposed unconformities develop are shown as composite belts of multiple tectonic unconformities, and as higher uplift areas of palaeo‐uplifts in palaeogeomorphologic units. The contact relationship of unconformities in the lower uplift areas is indicative of truncation‐overlap. A slope belt is located below the uplift areas, and the main and secondary unconformities are characterized by local onlap reflection on seismic profiles. The regional dynamics controlled the palaeotectonic setting of the Palaeozoic rocks in the Tarim Basin and the origin and evolution of the basin constrained deposition. From the Sinian to the Cambrian, the Tarim landmass and its surrounding areas belonged to an extensional tectonic setting. Since the Late Ordovician, the neighbouring north Kunlun Ocean and Altyn Ocean was transformed from a spreading ocean basin to a closed compressional setting. The maximum compression was attained in the Late Ordovician. The formation of a tectonic palaeogeomorphologic evolution succession from a cratonic margin aulacogen depression to a peripheral foreland basin in the Early Caledonian cycle controlled the deposition of platform, platform margin, and deep‐water basin. Tectonic uplift during the Late Ordovician resulted in a shallower basin which was followed by substantial erosion. Subsequently, a cratonic depression and peripheral or back‐arc foreland basin began their development in the Silurian to Early–Middle Devonian interval. In this period, the Tabei Uplift, the Northern Depression and the southern Tarim palaeo‐uplift showed obvious control on depositional systems, including onshore slope, shelf and deep‐water basin. The southern Tarim Plate was in a continuous continental compressional setting after collision, whereas the southern Tianshan Ocean began to close in the Early Ordovician and was completely closed by the Middle Devonian. At the same time, further compression from peripheral tectonic units in the eastern and southern parts of the Tarim Basin led to the expansion of palaeo‐uplift in the Late Devonian–Early Carboniferous interval, and the connection of the Tabei Uplift and Tadong Uplift, thus controlling onshore, fluvial delta, clastic coast, lagoon‐bay and shallow marine deposition. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lower and Middle Ordovician conodonts of Laurentian affinity from blocks of limestone in the Rosroe Formation,South Mayo Trough,western Ireland and their palaeogeographic implication

The Middle Ordovician Rosroe Formation consists of some 1350 m of coarse, mainly siliciclastic to volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks, deposited in a submarine fan environment, and is restricted to the southern limb of the South Mayo Trough, western Ireland. Discrete allochthonous blocks, reaching 5 m in size, are present in the formation at several localities. Conodonts recovered from these blocks, collected from two separate locations, are of late Early and mid Mid Ordovician age. The conodonts have high conodont‐alteration indices (CAI 5) indicative of temperatures as high as 300^o to max. 480 °C; some found in the Lough Nafooey area have abnormally high indices (CAI 6), which correspond to temperatures of about 360^o to max. 550 °C. The oldest fauna is dominated by Periodon aff. aculeatus and characterized by Oepikodus evae typical of the Oepikodus evae Zone (Floian Stage; Stage Slices Fl2–3, Lower Ordovician). The younger conodont assemblage, characterized by Periodon macrodentatus associated with Oistodella pulchra, is referred to the P. macrodentatus conodont Biozone (lower Darriwilian; Stage Slices Dw1–2). The Rosroe conodont assemblages are of Laurentian affinity; comparable faunas are well known from several locations along the east to south‐eastern platform margin of Laurentia and the Notre Dame subzone of central Newfoundland, Canada. The faunal composition from the limestone blocks suggests a shelf edge to slope (or fringing carbonate) setting. The faunal assemblages are coeval with, respectively, the Tourmakeady Formation (Floian–Dapingian) and Srah Formation (Darriwilian) in the Tourmakeady Volcanic Group in the eastern part of the South Mayo Trough and probably are derived from the same or similar laterally equivalent short‐lived carbonate successions that accumulated at offshore ‘peri‐Laurentian’ islands, close to and along the Laurentian margin. During collapse of the carbonate system in the late Mid Ordovician, the blocks were transported down a steep slope and into deep‐water by debris flows, mixing with other rock types now found in the coarse polymict clastics of the Rosroe Formation. The faunas fill the stratigraphical ‘gap’ between the Lower Ordovician Lough Nafooey Volcanic Group and the upper Middle Ordovician Rosroe Formation in the South Mayo Trough and represent a brief interval conducive to carbonate accumulation in an otherwise siliciclastic‐ and volcaniclastic‐dominated sedimentary environment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrocarbon generation and expulsion characteristics of Lower Permian P1f source rocks in the Fengcheng area,northwest margin,Junggar Basin,NW China: implications for tight oil accumulation potential assessment

Combined with the actual geological settings, tight oil is the oil that occurs in shale or tight reservoirs, which has permeability less than 1 mD and is interbedded with or close to shale, including tight dolomitic oil and shale oil. The Fengcheng area (FA), at the northwest margin of the Junggar Basin, northwest China, has made significant progress in the tight oil exploration of the Fengcheng (P₁f) Formation recently, which indicates that the tight oil resources have good exploration prospects. Whereas the lack of recognition of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion characteristics of Permian P₁f source rocks results in the misunderstanding of tight oil resource potential. Based on the comprehensive analysis of geological and geochemical characteristics of wells, seismic inversion, sedimentary facies, tectonic burial depth, etc., the characteristics of P₁f source rocks were investigated, and the horizontal distributions of the following aspects were predicted: the thickness of source rocks, abundance and type of organic matter. And on this basis, an improved hydrocarbon generation potential methodology together with basin simulation techniques was applied to unravel the petroleum generation and expulsion characteristics of P₁f source rocks in FA. Results show that the P₁f source rocks distribute widely (up to 2039 km²), are thick (up to 260 m), have high total organic content (TOC, ranging from 0.15 to 4 wt%), are dominated by type II kerogen and have entered into low mature–mature stage. The modeling results indicate that the source rocks reached hydrocarbon generation threshold and hydrocarbon expulsion threshold at 0.5% Ro and 0.85% Ro and the comprehensive hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency was about 46%. The amount of generation and expulsion from the P₁f source rocks was 31.85 × 10⁸ and 15.31 × 10⁸ t, respectively, with a residual amount of 16.54 × 10⁸ t within the source rocks. Volumetrically, the geological resource of shale oil is up to 15.65 × 10⁸ t. Small differences between the amounts calculated by the volumetric method compared with that by hydrocarbon generation potential methodology may be due to other oil accumulations present within interbedded sands associated with the oil shales. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

四川盆地低涡的月际变化及其日降水分布统计特征

利用ERA-interim再分析资料和全国824个气象基准站的日降水资料,统计分析了1983年1月1日~2012年12月31日发生在四川盆地的低涡天气过程及其降水特征,结果表明:盆地涡初生位置主要位于盆地的西南部和东北部,盆地涡夏季出现最多,冬季出现最少,其中初生位置位于盆地西南部的低涡7月出现最多,12月和1月出现最少;位于东北部的低涡6月出现最多,1月出现最少;盆地涡具有明显的日变化,西南型盆地涡3~10月夜晚发生概率均大于白天,其他月份低涡夜发性不明显,而东北型盆地涡只在5~9月期间夜晚发生概率大于白天,其他月份低涡夜发性不明显;盆地涡生命史与对流程度具有相关性,对流发展有利于盆地涡长时间维持,然而,夏季西南型盆地涡即使对流没向上发展也能长时间维持;盆地涡夏季移出最多,尤其以7、8月最明显,冬季移出最少,7月前以偏东路径为主,7月后以东北路径为主;盆地涡频数的月际变化与川西高原西南涡源地的风场扰动移出有密切联系,九龙地区夏季风场扰动移出活跃,冬季移出不活跃。小金地区春季风场扰动移出活跃,冬季移出不活跃。九龙地区风场扰动移出对盆地涡频数的月际变化贡献明显,小金地区风场扰动移出对盆地涡频数的月际变化贡献不明显;夏半年(5~10月)西南型盆地涡和东北型盆地涡引起的日降水区域分布的月际变化特征不同,前者的日降水最大值中心随月份先由盆地东北部向西南部移动,之后再由盆地西南部向东北部折回,后者的日降水最大值中心会一直稳定维持在盆地的东北部达州地区。东北型盆地涡虽然出现频次低,但各月的日降水强度要远大于西南型盆地涡。