Sequence stratigraphy in a mixed carbonate-silicilastic depositional system (Middle Miocene; Styrian Basin,Austria)

The mixed carbonate-siliciclastic Weißenegg (Allo-) Formation records three depositional sequences corresponding approximately to the TB 2.3, TB 2.4 and TB 2.5 global cycles. Sea-level fluctuations were of the order of at least 30 m. Siliciclastic lowstand systems tracts comprise lignite deposits, reworked basement and tidal siltstones (above a tectonically enhanced sequence boundary) as well as coastal sand bars. Coastal sands of the transgressive systems tract contain distinct layers of well cemented nodules. They are interpreted as the first stage in hardground formation and record superimposed minor sea-level fluctuations. Coral patch reefs and rhodolith platforms developed during transgressive phases and were subsequently drowned and/or suffocated by siliciclastics during early highstand. Shallowing upwards siliciclastic parasequences, each terminated by a bank of rhodolith limestone, form the (late) highstand systems tract. The limestone beds record superimposed fourth-order transgressive pulses. Occasionally a carbonate highstand wedge developed. Lowstand carbonate shedding occurred where the top of a platform which suffered incipient drowning during highstand was near sealevel again during the following lowstand. Late highstand delta progradation is common.     

The application of seismic sedimentology in studying different sedimentary facies and reservoirs

Seismic sedimentology,which includes seismic geomorphology and seismic lithology,has wide application prospect. Based on investigations of three different depositional environments,i.e.,siliciclastics in the Karamay Formation of Mahu sag,carbonates rock in the Longwangmiao Formation of Central Sichuan Basin,and mixed sediments in the Jialingjiang Formation of Central Sichuan Basin,the paper discussed the application of seismic sedimentology in studying facies and reservoir in three systems,i.e.,siliciclastics,carbonates,and mixed lithologies(evaporates,carbonates,and siliciclastics). It is found that alluvial fan and fluvial river facies developed in the Karamay Formation. Reservoir in point-bar has a better porosity,permeability,and higher production than that in lower-fan. Sedimentary facies in the Longwangmiao Formation are controlled by syn-depositional strike-slip faults. Thick dolostone reservoir is located mainly on the upper slope area in Moxi structure. Lower part of second member of the Jialingjiang Formation in Central Sichuan Basin changes from non-marine facies in the southwest to mixed facies and restricted evaporite facies in the middle,and to marine faces in the northeast. Reservoir-bearing dolostone lithofacies are located near the middle evaporite facies. Besides of the typical phase rotation,strata slice,and frequency decomposition,two new techniques(principal component analysis and RGB blending)were applied to these three cases. The results are satisfactory,and it is proved that seismic sedimentology is effective to qualitatively reconstruct depositional facies and quantitatively predict reservoir.     

200 ka以来澳大利亚西北岸外沉积物源区风化的Mg同位素记录及其对澳洲古季风的响应

本文通过对IODP 363航次于澳大利亚西北岸外陆架上钻取的U1483站岩芯进行沉积物粒度、镁同位素以及主量元素成分等分析,重建200 ka以来帝汶海西南部沉积物输入演化及其指示的源区风化和侵蚀历史,探讨海洋沉积物中细粒硅质碎屑组分镁同位素的古环境指示意义。U1483站陆源碎屑组分主要由黏土质粉砂组成,其δ²⁶Mg变化范围超过0.25‰。通过计算化学蚀变指数(chemical index of alteration, CIA)和两种物理侵蚀指标(包括陆源物质堆积速率和Ti/Ca比值),结果显示200 ka以来δ²⁶Mg指标与CIA具有非常一致的曲线形态。本文推测陆源碎屑组分的Mg同位素组成主要反映物源区大陆硅酸盐风化强度的变化,而受矿物学分选、岩性和早期成岩作用的影响较小。结合区域古气候记录,我们发现本研究中的风化和侵蚀记录与同一个站位已发表的澳洲夏季风降水和表层海水温度变化具有较好的耦合关系,而与赤道太平洋海平面变化的相关程度较低,反映了轨道时间尺度上沉积物所记录的物源区风化和侵蚀演化主要受控于澳洲古季风系统,表现为气候驱动型风化模式。本研...     

四川盆地北部二叠系栖霞组陆源碎屑岩的发现及其指示意义

在四川盆地北部旺苍双汇剖面二叠系栖霞组碳酸盐地层中发现了陆源碎屑岩沉积,其区内对二叠纪瓜德鲁普世早期古地理演化及二叠系油气勘探具有重要的指示意义。本文通过沉积学和锆石U- Pb年代学的方法,对碎屑岩的沉积环境和物源条件进行了分析。栖霞组陆源碎屑岩的沉积特征表明其形成于滨岸沉积环境,指示区内经历过短暂的海平面下降。岩石学及锆石形态特征表明其具有较高的成分成熟度和结构成熟度,碎屑锆石U- Pb测年结果显示年龄主要集中在2600~2400 Ma、1800~1200 Ma、1000~700 Ma和500~400 Ma 4个峰值区间,反映物源成分较为复杂,指示碎屑颗粒经历了较长距离搬运或再旋回。通过对比锆石年龄频谱发现,栖霞组碎屑岩与扬子地块志留系—二叠系碎屑岩及前寒武系基底岩体均具有相似的锆石年龄分布特征。结合区域构造演化,认为扬子地块前寒武系结晶基底是碎屑锆石的初始来源,上扬子北缘志留系—泥盆系可能为栖霞组碎屑岩的形成提供了直接的物源供给。栖霞组碎屑岩的出现指示研究区在瓜德鲁普世早期由于海平面的下降,局部水下隆起短暂暴露形成了海岛或古陆并遭受剥蚀,为碎屑岩形成提供物源。基于栖霞组碎屑岩所指示的沉积环境和物源条件,恢复了研究区瓜德鲁普世早期的古地理格局。栖霞组陆源碎屑岩的发现对揭示四川盆地北部瓜德鲁普世早期地貌分异及古地理格局转换提供了新的证据,为区内下一步油气勘探提供重要指示。     

贵州纳雍营盘中二叠统茅口组硅质岩成因及其地质意义

二叠纪是地球演化历史进程中的重要一环,并在我国华南地区中二叠统茅口组（孤峰组）地层中普遍沉积一套层状硅质岩,它们可能与中、晚二叠世系列重大地质事件之间有着密切的成因联系。笔者等以位于扬子地块西南缘的贵州纳雍营盘茅口组硅质岩作为研究对象,通过对硅质岩元素地球化学组成进行研究发现,硅质岩Al/(A1＋Fe＋Mn）值以及多项成因判别图解等指示其形成过程中有明显的热水物质输入,具有热水成因硅质岩的特征。结合区域古地理特征,以及硅质岩Ce/Ce*、(La/Ce）N值等综合分析,认为硅质岩形成于黔中台沟内的深水环境。综合考虑区域范围内中二叠世硅质岩研究成果,并分析纳雍营盘硅质岩与峨眉山玄武岩空间关系及峨眉地幔柱活动历史,认为峨眉地幔柱早期海底火山活动可能对包括营盘在内的华南地区中二叠世晚期硅质岩沉积具有重要控制作用。     

Siliciclastic influx and burial of the Cenozoic carbonate system in the Gulf of Papua

An extensive carbonate system in the Gulf of Papua (GoP), developed in the late Oligocene–middle Miocene, was buried by huge influx of siliciclastics originated from Papua New Guinea. Major episodes of siliciclastic influx in the carbonate system are related to tectonic activity in the fold and thrust belt during the Oligocene Peninsular Orogeny, late Miocene Central Range Orogeny, and late Pliocene renewed uplift and exhumation of peninsular region. Siliciclastics did not influence the carbonate deposition during the late Oligocene–middle Miocene, since they were accumulated in the Aure Trough, proximal foreland basin protecting the carbonate system. The most significant burial of the carbonate system started during the late Miocene–early Pliocene in the result of the Central Range Orogeny. However, the largest influx was related to the renewed uplift of the Papuan Peninsula during the early late Pliocene. The shelf edge prograded ∼150 km and formed more than 80% of the modern shelf. This high siliciclastic influx was also enhanced by the “mid” Pliocene global warmth period and intensified East Asian monsoons at 3.6–2.9 Ma. Although many publications exist on carbonate–siliciclastic mixing in different depositional environments, this study helps understand the carbonate–siliciclastic interactions in space and time, especially at basinal scale, and during different intervals of the carbonate system burial by siliciclastic sediments.     

Remarkable preservation of microbial mats in Neoproterozoic siliciclastic settings: Implications for Ediacaran taphonomic models

It is beyond doubt that the appearance of infaunal bioturbation and metazoan biomineralization across the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition irreversibly affected the nature of marine sediment architecture and biogeochemistry. Here we review those changes in relation to their likely effect upon the processes of fossil preservation, especially within siliciclastic sediments. Processes of soft-tissue preservation in siliciclastic settings from the Ediacaran Period, including microbes and microbial mats as well as Ediacaran macrofossils, are here reviewed within this context. Highlighted examples include the exceptional preservation of microbes found in association with wrinkle structures and Ediacaran macrofossils in England and Newfoundland (replicated by silicate minerals) and in the White Sea region of Russia (replicated by iron sulphide). These occurrences show that soft-tissue preservation in siliciclastic settings went well beyond that typical for Ediacaran macrofossils alone and also extended to similar modes of preservation in associated microbes. Using these new observations it can be argued that several existing explanations for Ediacaran fossil preservation can be united within a biogeochemical model that involves evolution of the sediment mixed layer across this transition.     

Facies architecture of the mixed carbonate/siliciclastic inner continental shelf of west-central Florida: implications for Holocene barrier development

Sediment vibracores and surface samples were collected from the mixed carbonate/siliciclastic inner shelf of west–central Florida in an effort to determine the three-dimensional facies architecture and Holocene geologic development of the coastal barrier-island and adjacent shallow marine environments. The unconsolidated sediment veneer is thin (generally <3 m), with a patchy distribution. Nine facies are identified representing Miocene platform deposits (limestone gravel and blue–green clay facies), Pleistocene restricted marine deposits (lime mud facies), and Holocene back-barrier (organic muddy sand, olive-gray mud, and muddy sand facies) and open marine (well-sorted quartz sand, shelly sand, and black sand facies) deposits. Holocene back-barrier facies are separated from overlying open marine facies by a ravinement surface formed during the late Holocene rise in sea level. Facies associations are naturally divided into four discrete types. The pattern of distribution and ages of facies suggest that barrier islands developed approximately 8200 yr BP and in excess of 20 km seaward of the present coastline in the north, and more recently and nearer to their present position in the south. No barrier-island development prior to approximately 8200 yr BP is indicated. Initiation of barrier-island development is most likely due to a slowing in the Holocene sea-level rise ca. 8000 yr BP, coupled with the intersection of the coast with quartz sand deposits formed during Pleistocene sea-level highstands. This study is an example of a mixed carbonate/siliciclastic shallow marine depositional system that is tightly constrained in both time and sea-level position. It provides a useful analog for the study of other, similar depositional systems in both the modern and ancient rock record.     

Stratigraphic framework of sediment-starved sand ridges on a mixed siliciclastic/carbonate inner shelf; west-central Florida

Seismic reflection profiles and vibracores have revealed that an inner shelf, sand-ridge field has developed over the past few thousand years situated on an elevated, broad bedrock terrace. This terrace extends seaward of a major headland associated with the modern barrier-island coastline of west-central Florida. The overall geologic setting is a low-energy, sediment-starved, mixed siliciclastic/carbonate inner continental shelf supporting a thin sedimentary veneer. This veneer is arranged in a series of subparallel, shore-oblique, and to a minor extent, shore-parallel sand ridges. Seven major facies are present beneath the ridges, including a basal Neogene limestone gravel facies and a blue-green clay facies indicative of dominantly authigenic sedimentation. A major sequence boundary separates these older units from Holocene age, organic-rich mud facies (marsh), which grades upward into a muddy sand facies (lagoon or shallow open shelf/seagrass meadows). Cores reveal that the muddy shelf facies is either in sharp contact or grades upward into a shelly sand facies (ravinement or sudden termination of seagrass meadows). The shelly sand facies grades upward to a mixed siliciclastic/carbonate facies, which forms the sand ridges themselves. This mixed siliciclastic/carbonate facies differs from the sediment on the beach and shoreface, suggesting insignificant sediment exchange between the offshore ridges and the modern coastline. Additionally, the lack of early Holocene, pre-ridge facies in the troughs between the ridges suggests that the ridges themselves do not migrate laterally extensively. Radiocarbon dating has indicated that these sand ridges can form relatively quickly (1.3 ka) on relatively low-energy inner shelves once open-marine conditions are available, and that frequent, high-energy, storm-dominated conditions are not necessarily required. We suggest that the two inner shelf depositional models presented (open-shelf vs. migrating barrier-island) may have co-existed spatially and/or temporally to explain the distribution of facies and vertical facies contacts.     

Siliciclastic and volcaniclastic influences on equatorial carbonates: insights from the Neogene of Indonesia

ABSTRACT In active tectonic areas of humid equatorial regions, nearshore shallow‐water environments are commonly sites of near‐continuous siliciclastic influx and/or punctuated volcaniclastic input. Despite significant clastic influence, Neogene carbonates developed in SE Asia adjacent to major deltas or volcanic arcs, and are comparable with modern mixed carbonate–clastic deposits in the region. Research into delta‐front patch reefs from Borneo and fore‐arc carbonate platform development from Java is described and used to evaluate the effects of siliciclastic and volcaniclastic influx on regional carbonate sedimentation, local changes in carbonate‐producing biota and sequence development. Regional carbonate development in areas of high siliciclastic or volcaniclastic input was influenced by the presence of antecedent highs, changes in the amounts or rates of clastic input, delta lobe switching or variations in volcanic activity, energy regimes and relative sea‐level change. A variety of carbonate‐producing organisms, including larger benthic foraminifera, some corals, coralline algae, echinoderms and molluscs could tolerate near‐continuous siliciclastic or volcaniclastic influx approximately equal to their own production rates. These organisms adopted various ‘strategies’ for coping with clastic input, including a degree of mobility, morphologies adapted to unstable substrate inhabitation or shedding sediment, and shapes adapted to low light levels. Local carbonate production was also affected by energy regime, clastic grain sizes and associated nutrient input. Clastic input influenced the inhabitable depth range for photoautotrophs, the zonation of light‐dependent assemblages and the morphology and sequence development of mixed carbonate–clastic successions. This study provides data on the dynamic interactions between carbonate and non‐carbonate clastic sediments and, when combined with information from comparable modern environments, allows a better understanding of the effects of siliciclastic and volcaniclastic influx on carbonate production.