Sediment-starved sand ridges on a mixed carbonate/siliciclastic inner shelf off west-central Florida

High-resolution side-scan mosaics, sediment analyses, and physical process data have revealed that the mixed carbonate/siliciclastic, inner shelf of west-central Florida supports a highly complex field of active sand ridges mantled by a hierarchy of bedforms. The sand ridges, mostly oriented obliquely to the shoreline trend, extend from 2 km to over 25 km offshore. They show many similarities to their well-known counterparts situated along the US Atlantic margin in that both increase in relief with increasing water depth, both are oriented obliquely to the coast, and both respond to modern shelf dynamics. There are significant differences in that the sand ridges on the west-central Florida shelf are smaller in all dimensions, have a relatively high carbonate content, and are separated by exposed rock surfaces. They are also shoreface-detached and are sediment-starved, thus stunting their development. Morphological details are highly distinctive and apparent in side-scan imagery due to the high acoustic contrast. The seafloor is active and not a relict system as indicated by: (1) relatively young AMS ¹⁴C dates (<1600 yr BP) from forams in the shallow subsurface (1.6 meters below seafloor), (2) apparent shifts in sharply distinctive grayscale boundaries seen in time-series side-scan mosaics, (3) maintenance of these sharp acoustic boundaries and development of small bedforms in an area of constant and extensive bioturbation, (4) sediment textural asymmetry indicative of selective transport across bedform topography, (5) morphological asymmetry of sand ridges and 2D dunes, and (6) current-meter data indicating that the critical threshold velocity for sediment transport is frequently exceeded. Although larger sand ridges are found along other portions of the west-central Florida inner shelf, these smaller sand ridges are best developed seaward of a major coastal headland, suggesting some genetic relationship. The headland may focus and accelerate the N–S reversing currents. An elevated rock terrace extending from the headland supports these ridges in a shallower water environment than the surrounding shelf, allowing them to be more easily influenced by currents and surface gravity waves. Tidal currents, storm-generated flows, and seasonally developed flows are shore-parallel and oriented obliquely to the NW–SE trending ridges, indicating that they have developed as described by the Huthnance model. Although inner shelf sand ridges have been extensively examined elsewhere, this study is the first to describe them in a low-energy, sediment-starved, dominantly mixed siliciclastic/carbonate sedimentary environment situated on a former limestone platform.     

Patterns and controls of surface sediment distribution: west-central Florida inner shelf

The west-central Florida inner shelf represents a transition between the quartz-dominated barrier-island system and the carbonate-dominated mid-outer shelf. Surface sediments exhibit a complex distribution pattern that can be attributed to multiple sediment sources and the ineffectiveness of physical processes for large-scale sediment redistribution. The west Florida shelf is the submerged extension of the Florida carbonate platform, consisting of a limestone karst surface veneered with a thin unconsolidated sediment cover. A total of 498 surface sediment samples were collected on the inner shelf and analyzed for texture and composition. Results show that sediment consists of a combination of fine quartz sand and coarse, biogenic carbonate sand and gravel, with variable but subordinate amounts of black, phosphorite-rich sand. The carbonate component consists primarily of molluskan fragments. The distribution is patchy and discontinuous with no discernible pattern, and the transition between sediment types is generally abrupt. Quartz-rich sediment dominates the inner 15 km north of the entrance into Tampa Bay, but south of the Bay is common only along the inner 3 km. Elsewhere, carbonate-rich sediment is the predominate sediment type, except where there is little sediment cover, in which cases black, phosphorite-rich sand dominates. Sediment sources are likely within, or around the periphery of the basin. Fine quartz sand is likely reworked from coastal units deposited during Pleistocene sea-level high stands. Carbonate sand and gravel is produced by marine organisms within the depositional basin. The black, phosphorite-rich sand likely originates from the bioerosion and reworking of the underlying strata that irregularly crop out within the study area. The distribution pattern contains elements of both storm- and tide-dominated siliciclastic shelves, but it is dictated primarily by the sediment source, similar to some carbonate systems. Other systems with similar sediment attributes include cool-water carbonate, sediment-starved, and mixed carbonate/siliciclastic systems. This study suggests a possible genetic link among the three systems.     

埃及Bakr—Amer油田古近系Eoc组储层特征

储层特征研究是评价碳酸盐岩储层物性、寻找油气富集区和落实剩余油分布的基础,通过对区域构造、地层和沉积特征的研究,利用统计和数学方法对Bakr-Amer油田Eoc储层物性、储集空间类型和控制因素进行了分析,认为受构造运动影响,储层在深部残余厚度大,但物性相对也较差,以压实、胶结和溶蚀作用为主。高部位残余厚度小,但受风化、淋滤和构造运动的影响,裂缝发育,储层物性好,以压实和溶蚀作用为主。     

孟加拉湾晚第四纪的碳酸盐溶解旋回

孟加拉湾由于陆源物质大量输入产生稀释效应,使碳酸盐含量表现为冰期时减小、间冰期时增大的“大西洋型”旋回。通过对该区四支活塞岩芯的有孔虫溶解指数、浮游有孔虫沉积通量、CaCO₃ 沉积通量和 >16 0 μm粗组分沉积通量的分析发现,研究区碳酸盐溶解作用强烈,表现出冰期减弱而间冰期增强的总趋势,且溶解作用滞后于浮游有孔虫壳的氧同位素旋回,尤以氧同位素 4、5期的高溶解度情况与印度洋和太平洋氧同位素 5期晚期至 4期为CaCO₃溶解高峰一致。因此,孟加拉湾地区的CaCO₃ 旋回是大西洋型稀释作用与太平洋型溶解作用两者叠加的产物.     

南海东北部表层沉积中有孔虫的分布及其环境意义

为了探讨南海东北部表层沉积中有孔虫分布的规律，选取184个表层样进行分析，结果发现有孔虫的垂向分布与碳酸盐的溶解作用密切相关。在2300－2500m水深以下，浮游有孔虫丰度迅速减小，而底栖有孔虫占有孔虫全群的比值BF／（BF＋PF）以及底栖有孔虫胶结质壳类的百分含量则迅速增加，这三者随水深的变化在3400－3500m处有一明显的转变，被认为是南海东北部CCD面（碳酸盐补偿深度）所在的位置，且该研究区内碳酸盐补偿深度南部较北部深100m。浮游有孔虫水平分布除了受表层海水温度的的控制外，黑潮南海分支以及吕宋岛北端上升流区带来的富营养水体的存在也起很重要的作用。     

塔河油田奥陶系储层构造应力场研究

油气储层构造应力场的分布特征,对油气运移、注采井网布置、储层改造等具有重要意义。为此,文章从塔河油田AD13井区的地质构造演化入手,基于油田测井资料,结合弹性力学及有限元理论,建立研究区地应力弹性力学计算模型,利用有限元软件对研究区储层地应力进行模拟研究,并将模拟结果与现场地应力实测值进行对比分析。结果表明,研究区最大水平主应力为102~130 MPa,最小水平主应力为87~110 MPa,均为压应力;研究区东部及南部最大水平主应力方向为北东向,西北部最大水平主应力方向为北东东向,西南部最大水平主应力方向为南东向,地应力大小及方向均与实际结果相符。研究结果可为研究区油气勘探开发工程提供科学依据。      

塔里木盆地塔中北坡奥陶系微生物碳酸盐岩储层形成机制与评价

微生物岩储层是当前的研究热点之一.通过对塔中北坡微生物岩样品的岩芯以及铸体薄片的观察,发现研究区域的微生物岩储层以裂缝-孔隙型储层为主.对其进行全直径孔渗性检测发现,微生物岩储层具有较好的天然气储集物性.通过对微生物岩的形成机制及特点的分析,结合应力敏感实验和成像测井资料,总结出微生物岩储集空间发育的优势因素.原生白云石的生成可以促进方解石的溶解,而塔中北坡微生物岩发生早成岩岩溶作用,部分地区叠加晚期深成热液改造,提高了储集物性;有机质含量较丰富不仅可以在埋藏成岩阶段生成有机酸造成溶蚀,还能够降低微生物岩的极限强度从而容易在构造作用下发生断裂形成裂缝,因此塔中北坡微生物岩储集空间主要以次生作用为主.通过岩石压缩系数的测定,得出微生物岩的抗压实能力一般,但藻屑骨架对藻孔的保护有利,抗压实能力最强的是受到热液作用而硅化的微生物岩,其次是白云石化微生物岩.     

塔里木盆地西北缘海相白垩系-古近系界线沉积物环境指标研究

发生于中生代-新生代之间的事件是地质历史上一次重大灾变和异常事件,因此白垩系-古近系之间的界线(K/T界线)就成为全球最重要的地质界线之一.通过对塔里木盆地西北缘乌恰地区库孜贡苏河剖面海相上白垩统-古新统地层的岩性和沉积环境变化以及地球化学特征研究,重点利用沉积物色度、有机碳含量、碳酸钙和碳、氧稳定同位素的明显异常变化...     

珠江口盆地流花碳酸盐台地灰岩坑的地震反射特征及成因探讨

早中新世东沙隆起带上发育了大规模的流花碳酸盐台地,上覆巨厚未固结-弱固结泥岩。基于三维地震数据,利用相干体及可视化等方法,在台地上发现了由溶蚀垮塌作用形成的数量众多的椭圆形的灰岩坑。灰岩坑直径一般为200~700 m,最大超过900 m,深度10~90 m;灰岩坑在地震反射上表现为碳酸盐岩顶部垮塌,并导致上覆泥岩地层塌陷;灰岩坑一般沿NWW向断层分布,这些NWW向断层切割中新世碳酸盐岩和上覆海相泥岩地层,绝大多数终止于T₁₀的不整合面。综合分析东沙海区构造和沉积过程认为：发生在晚中新世末期的东沙运动形成了NWW向张扭性断层,为酸性流体提供了运移通道和物质交换场所;东沙运动伴生的基底岩浆活动可能产生了酸性热液流体;东沙运动末期发生强烈的构造抬升和大规模海底暴露,造成地表水沿断层注入,加快了碳酸盐岩的溶蚀速率。在台地底部珠海组砂岩层的高压流体、地表水和岩浆活动可能产生的酸性热液流体的共同溶蚀作用下,碳酸盐岩地层内部产生溶洞,并且越来越大,最终顶部无法承载上覆巨厚泥岩而发生垮塌,形成灰岩坑。流花碳酸盐台地灰岩坑的形成不是简单的暴露溶蚀,而是构造活动影响下深埋藏溶蚀作用的产物。     

Seismic characterization of switching platform geometries and dominant carbonate producers (Miocene,Las Negras,Spain)

The primary goals of seismic interpretation and quantification are to understand and define reservoir architecture and the distribution of petrophysical properties. Since seismic interpretation is associated with major uncertainties, outcrop analogues are used to support and improve the resulting conceptual models. In this study, the Miocene carbonates of Cerro de la Molata (Las Negras, south‐east Spain) have been selected as an outcrop analogue. The heterogeneous carbonate rocks of the Cerro de la Molata Platform were formed by a variety of carbonate‐producing factories, resulting in various platform morphologies and a wide range of physical properties. Based on textural (thin sections) and petrophysical (porosity, density, carbonate content and acoustic properties) analyses of the sediments, eleven individual facies types were determined. The data were used to produce synthetic seismic profiles of the outcrop. The profiles demonstrate that the spatial distribution of the facies and the linked petrophysical properties are of key importance in the appearance of the synthetic seismic sections. They reveal that carbonate factory and facies‐specific reflection patterns are determined by porosity contrasts, diagenetic modifications and the input of non‐carbonate sediment. The reflectors of the seismograms created with high‐frequency wavelets are coherent with the spatial distribution of the predefined facies within the depositional sequences. The synthetic seismograms resulting from convolution with lower frequency wavelets do not show these details – the major reflectors coincide with: (i) the boundary between the volcanic basement and the overlying carbonates; (ii) the platform geometries related to changes in carbonate factories, thus sequence boundaries; and (iii) diagenetic zones. Changes in seismic response related to diagenesis, switching carbonate producers and linked platform geometries are important findings that need to be considered when interpreting seismic data sets.