Early Devonian synorogenic alluvial-fan deposits of the Maccullochs Range,western New South Wales

The Early Devonian, Maccullochs Range beds (new) of the Winduck Interval largely comprise non-marine fine-grained sheet-flood-deposited sandstones which lie in the southeast sector of the Darling Basin Conjugate Fault System. Deposition of the >2.5 km-thick sequence occurred on the Wilcannia, Towers and Coolabah Bore alluvial fans, that were sourced largely from lightly indurated sandstone caps overlying a large basement high lying north of the Darling River Lineament, and also from west of Maccullochs Range (Coolabah Bore Fan). Four lithofacies are recognised. Lithofacies 1, massive sandstone, is proximal and was deposited from hyperconcentrated sheet floods. The more distal lithofacies 2 is partly massive, partly laminated and partly affected by soft sediment slumping during its deposition. It contains 1.3 – 3.5 m-thick sheet-flood successions that rarely show cross-bedding. Lithofacies 3 and 4 are minor: lithofacies 3, stream-flood deposited, comprises coarse-grained, pebbly sandstone and lithofacies 4, transient playa lake deposits that are locally intercalated with lithofacies 2. In lithofacies 2, thick massive fine-grained sandstone is commonly overlain by laminated sandstone that was deformed when soft. Incised channel deposits in lithofacies 2 deposits are rare and palaeosols were not discovered. Permanency of the positions of two of the alluvial fans, and by inference their feeder streams, remained unchanged for ～9 million years. The fans overlie probable floodplain deposits observed in a quarry in the easternmost part of the study area. Marine fossils are very minor in the range—the brachiopod Howellella jaqueti at one locality indicates an Early Devonian age for one of the brief marine incursions into what was normally an alluvial-fan environment. Very brief marine incursions elsewhere in the group are deduced from the presence of very rare fossil gastropods.     

Fluid inclusion studies of the Abawso gold prospect,near the Ashanti Belt,Ghana

The major Ghanaian lode gold deposits are preferentially aligned along the western and eastern contacts of the Kumasi Basin with the Ashanti and Sefwi Belts, respectively. The investigated area of the Abawso small-scale concession, covering the workings of the old Ettadom mine, is situated 3 km west of the lithological contact of the Birimian metavolcanic rocks of the Akropong Belt in the east with the Birimian metasedimentary rocks of the Kumasi Basin in the west. The rocks of the Abawso concession represent a steeply NW-dipping limb of a SE-verging anticline with an axis plunging to the SW. Quartz veining occurs predominantly in the form of en échelon dilatational veins along NNE–SSW-striking shear zones of a few metres width and shows evidence of brittle and ductile deformation. Also stockwork-style quartz veining occurs in the vicinity of the main shaft of the old Ettadom mine. Hydrothermal alteration includes sericitisation, sulphidation and locally carbonatisation. The auriferous quartz veins mainly follow the trend of brittle to ductile deformed quartz veins; however, some occur in stockwork. Fluid inclusion studies reveal a large number of H₂O inclusions along intragranular trails in auriferous quartz vein samples, as well as an overall dominance of H₂O and H₂O-CO₂ inclusions over CO₂ inclusions. Textural observations and physico-chemical fluid inclusion properties indicate post-entrapment modifications for all quartz vein samples due to grain boundary migration recrystallisation. This process is interpreted to be responsible for the generation of the CO₂ inclusions from a H₂O-CO₂ parent fluid. In comparison with mineralisation at the Ashanti and Prestea deposits, which are characterised by CO₂±N₂ inclusions, the observed inclusion assemblage may be due to a shallower crustal level of mineralisation, or different degrees and styles of recrystallisation, or a less pronounced development of laminated quartz veins due to comparably restricted pressure fluctuations. Furthermore, the microthermometric observations allow the reconstruction of a possible retrograde P-T path, depicting near-isothermal decompression in the P-T range of the brittle/ductile transition.Editorial handling: E. Frimmel     

Migration Fractionation of Neutral Nitrogen Compounds of Crude Oils from Tabei Oilfield in the Tarim Basin, China

The absolute amounts and relative distributions of neutral nitrogen compounds in the Tabei oilfield (e. G. Blocks Ln1-Ln1 1) showed remarkable migration fractionation in the vertical direction. From Ordovician reservoirs (O) to oil legs TⅢ and T Ⅰ of Triassic reservoirs in blocks LN1-LN11, the concentrations of [a] [c] decreased from 1. 59μg/g, 0.49μg/g to 0.17 μg/g (oil). The ratios of various alkylcarbazole isomers, such as 1,8-dimethylcarbazole/nitrogenpartially shielded isomers and 1,8-dimethylcarbazole/nitrogen-exposed isomers, were adopted as the indicators of petroleum migration. The ratios increased from 0.13, 0.20 to 0.67 and from going from the south to the north of the Tabei oilfield, the absolute concentrations of neutral nitrogen compounds decreased drastically, and the nitrogen-shielded isomers were enriched relative to nitrogen-exposed isomers and nitrogen-partially shielded isomers. Crude oils in the Tabei oilfield migrated laterally from the Jilake structure to the Sangtamu fault uplift and Lunnan fault uplift, and crude oils in the same fault uplift migrated and remigrated vertically from Ordovician reservoirs, to oil legs TⅢ to TⅠ of Triassic reservoirs.     

中国海相克拉通盆地内部走滑断裂发育特征及控藏作用

走滑断控油气藏作为一种全新类型油气藏,其勘探潜力已初步显现。在对中国三大海相克拉通盆地内部走滑断裂发育特征与控藏作用开展对比分析的基础上,揭示了塔里木盆地、四川盆地、鄂尔多斯盆地内部走滑断裂空间结构与活动特征的相似性与差异性,并结合盆地动力学演化特征探讨了不同盆地内部走滑断裂成因机制,系统分析了三大盆地内部走滑断裂的控藏作用:(1)中国三大海相克拉通盆地内部均发育中小尺度滑移距走滑断裂,普遍具有“纵向分层,平面分段,垂向多期叠加”的空间结构特征。(2)三大克拉通盆地内部走滑断裂体系具有成因、分布和期次的差异性。塔里木盆地内部走滑断裂体系形成时间早,演化时间长,在盆地北部具有“南北对接,东西分区”特征;鄂尔多斯盆地西南缘受燕山期(侏罗纪—白垩纪)陆内挤压影响,形成了北西西向走滑断裂体系;四川盆地受控于二叠纪峨眉山大地幔柱影响,在盆地内部先存基底断裂基础上,形成了北西向、北西西向、近东西向张扭型走滑断裂。(3)中国三大海相克拉通盆地内部走滑断裂对油气成藏和富集具有重要的控制作用。在控储方面,受断裂-流体耦合改造控制,可形成断控缝洞型储集体、断-溶缝洞型或断控裂缝-孔隙型储集体;在控圈方面,在碳酸盐岩地层中可形成断控缝洞型、断溶缝洞型岩性圈闭;在控运方面,走滑断裂产状高陡,可直接沟通烃源岩和储层,构成重要的油气垂向输导体系。     

黄河流域大气降水氢、氧稳定同位素时空特征及其环境意义

大气降水δ18O值的变化是一个蒸发和凝结的物理过程,与纬度、海拔、距海岸的距离、季节和降水量等因素有关,具有规律变化的特征。根据黄河流域上中下游地区取得的降水同位素数据和降水气象资料,分析了该区域降水中δ18O的时空变化特征。研究了流域上中下游降水中稳定同位素与温度和降水量的关系,揭示了流域降水中稳定同位素的变化规律。结果表明,流域上游和中下游降水中稳定同位素具有不同的季节变化特征,上游地区表现为夏季富集、冬季贫化,中游和下游则与之相反;在空间变化上,流域降水稳定同位素自上而下整体趋于逐渐贫化,波动明显,存在显著的极值区;黄河流域上、中下游具有不同的同位素过程,上游地区受海拔效应和内陆循环影响显著,而中下游则主要受季风系统和局地因素的影响。局地大气水线以及d与大气水汽压关系的分析表明,流域降水在从云层底部降落到地面的过程中,具有明显的二次蒸发现象,并伴随着同位素的分馏。     

巴里坤盆地晚古生代火山岩年代学及构造演化

与周缘相邻的含油气盆地相比,前人对巴里坤盆地的研究少之又少,对其认识也不够完善;特别是由于缺乏化石及年代学资料,对研究基础的地层划分方案也一直存在争议.本文通过LA-ICP-MS单颗粒锆石U-Pb同位素测年方法对盆内Bal井岩心取样的凝灰岩进行了年代学测定,依据测定结果并结合地震反射同相轴特征对巴里坤盆地的地层重新进行...     

气候地层中0.9Ma以来同位素亚段的再划分

同位素段、亚段乃至次亚段的划分实质上是定义不同级别 (层次 )的气候事件 ,为全球不同级别气候事件的对比提供参照。但已有的研究可能受区域性因素及记录本身条件所限 ,对同位素亚段、次亚段划分的数目及对比不尽一致。基于太阳辐射曲线、柴达木盆地高分辨率自然伽玛 (GR)曲线及其他相关气候记录的对比研究发现 ,同位素亚段的划分与太阳辐射曲线岁差周期间存在着明确的对应关系 ,据此对 0 .9Ma以来同位素亚段划分进行补充和校正。基于气候层次的观点 ,建议以太阳辐射曲线为参照 ,对同位素亚段重新进行系统命名 ,在轨道尺度变化这一级取消次亚段 ,即完全按照太阳辐射曲线峰值进行亚段编号。     

滇黔桂盆地早二叠世亚丁斯克期的沉积环境分异与䗴有孔虫响应

亚丁斯克期华南滇黔桂地区沉积环境分异明显,主要发育局限或半局限海台地沉积区、开阔海台地沉积区和台地边缘沉积区,不同沉积区䗴有孔虫动物群面貌也有所区别。本文详细研究了黔南地区的猴场打望剖面和惠水竹子冲剖面阿瑟尔期—亚丁斯克期的地层,在打望剖面识别出4个䗴类化石带,由老至新为Pseudoschwagerina beedei-Sphaeroschwagerina constans共存延限带、Staffella xiushuiensis-Eoparafusulina contracta富集带、Pseudofusulina ellipsoidalis富集带和Misellina subcycloidea间隔带。竹子冲剖面识别出3个化石带,由老至新为Pseudoschwagerina uddeni-Sphaeroschwagerina sphaerica组合带、Eoparafusulina certa富集带和Staffella discoides延限带。对滇黔桂地区不同沉积相区剖面䗴类动物群以及沉积相特征的综合研究显示:开阔台地或台地边缘环境的䗴动物群以Pamirina为特征分子,同时还产出丰富的希瓦格䗴亚科(Schwagerininae)分子;局限或半局限台地环境的䗴类以史塔夫䗴亚科分子(Staffellininae)为主。沉积环境对䗴有孔虫的影响可能主要来自水动力、光照和氧气含量。个体较大、隔壁褶皱强烈的纺锤形希瓦格䗴亚科分子更适应水动力强、透光性好、氧气充足的水体;小个体、结构简单的史塔夫䗴亚科分子可在透光性差、含氧量较低的水体中生存。     

Geochronology of khondalite-series rocks of the Jining Complex: confirmation of depositional age and tectonometamorphic evolution of the North China craton

A belt of khondalite-series rocks in the Western Block of the North China craton (NCC) are considered to represent products of the collision between the north Yinshan and the south Ordos terranes before final amalgamation of the NCC basement. The Jining Complex of Inner Mongolia occurs in the eastern part of the Khondalite Belt and is crosscut by the Trans-North China Orogen. Khondalite rocks of the Jining Complex mainly comprise sillimanite-garnet gneiss, garnet/sillimanite-bearing granite, massive porphyritic granite, garnet quartzite, calc-silicate, and marble with minor felsic gneiss and mafic granulite. LA-ICP-MS, U–Pb dating and cathodoluminescence (CL) image analysis of zircons from five rocks from the complex, i.e. Sil-Bt-Grt leptynite gneiss, Spl-Sil-Ksp-Grt vein in (Crd)-Sil-Grt gneiss, Sil-Grt-K-Fsp mylonite from a shear zone, Crd-bearing Sil-Grt gneiss, and granite were used to determine protolith and metamorphic ages of the khondalite-series rocks. Results of 315 detrital zircon grains indicate five age populations: 2410–2550 Ma, 2162 Ma, 2047–2099 Ma, 1950–1993 Ma, and 1866 Ma. CL investigation reveals that zircon grains of most samples are rounded, unzoned with low Th/U, indicating a metamorphic origin, whereas quite a few grains in some rocks are characterized by magmatic oscillatory zoning and comparatively high Th/U, and are typically overgrown by metamorphic, low CL rims with low Th/U. Three samples of Sil-Bt-Grt gneiss record oldest ages of ～2550–2480 Ma, suggesting an Archaean/early Palaeoproterozoic provenance for the Jining Complex. Ages of ～2162–2047 Ma are interpreted as the metamorphic modified inherited source of supercrustal protoliths of the khondalite-series rocks. The khondalite depositional age is defined as 2228–2027 Ma by concordant ages obtained in this research. The Sil-Ksp-Grt vein and the granite have single population ages of 1985?±?28 Ma and 1957?±?19 Ma, respectively, and are inferred to record the same metamorphic event, i.e. formation of the Khondalite Belt within the Western Block owing to the collision of the north Yinshan and the south Ordos terranes. The Sil-Grt-K-Fsp mylonite yields a single group age of 1866?±?22 Ma, which may date final suturing of the Eastern Block and the Western Block and stabilization of the NCC.     

Mineral compositions and fluid evolution of the Tonglushan skarn Cu–Fe deposit,SE Hubei,east-central China

The Tonglushan Cu–Fe deposit (1.12 Mt at 1.61% Cu, 5.68 Mt at 41% Fe) is located in the westernmost district of the Middle–Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt. As a typical polymetal skarn metallogenic region, it consists of 13 skarn orebodies, mainly hosted in the contact zone between the Tonglushan quartz-diorite pluton (140 Ma) and Lower Triassic marine carbonate rocks of the Daye Formation. Four stages of mineralization and alterations can be identified: i.e. prograde skarn formation, retrograde hydrothermal alteration, quartz-sulphide followed by carbonate vein formation. Electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) indicates garnets vary from grossular (Ad_20.2–41.6Gr_49.7–74.1) to pure andradite (Ad_47.4–70.7Gr_23.9–45.9) in composition, and pyroxenes are represented by diopsides. Fluid inclusions identify three major types of fluids involved during formation of the deposit within the H₂O–NaCl system, i.e. liquid-rich inclusions (Type I), halite-bearing inclusions (Type II), and vapour-rich inclusions (Type III). Measurements of fluid inclusions reveal that the prograde skarn minerals formed at high temperatures (>550°C) in equilibrium with high-saline fluids (>66.57 wt.% NaCl equivalent). Oxygen and hydrogen stable isotopes of fluid inclusions from garnets and pyroxenes indicate that ore-formation fluids are mainly of magmatic-hydrothermal origin (δ¹⁸O = 6.68‰ to 9.67‰, δD = –67‰ to –92‰), whereas some meteoric water was incorporated into fluids of the retrograde alteration stage judging from compositions of epidote (δ¹⁸O = 2.26‰ to 3.74‰, δD= –31‰ to –73‰). Continuing depressurization and cooling to 405–567°C may have resulted in both a decrease in salinity (to 48.43–55.36 wt.% NaCl equivalent) and the deposition of abundant magnetite. During the quartz-sulphide stage, boiling produced sulphide assemblage precipitated from primary magmatic-hydrothermal fluids (δ¹⁸O = 4.98‰, δD = –66‰, δ³⁴S values of sulphides: 0.71–3.8‰) with an extensive range of salinities (4.96–50.75 wt.% NaCl equivalent), temperatures (240–350°C), and pressures (11.6–22.2 MPa). Carbonate veins formed at relatively low temperatures (174–284°C) from fluids of low salinity (1.57–4.03 wt.% NaCl equivalent), possibly reflecting the mixing of early magmatic fluids with abundant meteoric water. Boiling and fluid mixing played important roles for Cu precipitation in the Tonglushan deposit.