Diagenetic paths in the margin of a Triassic Basin: NW zone of the Iberian Chain, Spain

Buntsandstein deposits generated in a slowly subsiding basin on the western margin of the Iberian Chain are represented by a stratigraphic succession of fluvial deposits less than 100 m thick (conglomerates, sandstones, and shales). Diagenetic processes in sandstones can be grouped as eodiagenetic, mesodiagenetic, and telodiagenetic. Eodiagenesis can be associated with Muschelkalk, Keuper, and probably early Jurassic times. Mesodiagenesis is probably related to Jurassic times. Diagenetic chemical reactions suggest a maximum burial less than 1.5 km and low temperatures (<120°C). Patterns of porosity reduction by compaction and cementation suggest four diagenetic stages: (1) Loss of primary porosity by early mechanical compaction; (2) early cementation (K-feldspar and dolomite); (3) dissolution of cements; and (4) framework collapse by re-compaction. These stages are manifested by the presence of two types of sandstone. Type I sandstones present high intergranular volume (mean, 30%). Type II sandstones are characterized by high compactional porosity loss and exhibit low values of intergranular volume (mean, 16.9%). Type II sandstones are associated with the dissolution of cement and later re-compaction of type I sandstones. An intermediate telodiagenetic phase is deduced and related to the sharp unconformity between Lower Cretaceous sediments and the underlying sediments. This suggests that a mechanically unstable framework collapsed during the Cretaceous, generating type II sandstones. The analyzed diagenetic paths have a wide applicability on similar marginal areas of rift basins.     

On the origin of bleaching phenomena in red bed sediments of Triassic Buntsandstein deposits in Central Germany

The Lower Triassic Buntsandstein in Central Germany comprises one of the major clastic, lithified hydrocarbon reservoirs, it is a major groundwater aquifer and it is considered as a potential underground gas storage lithology. Thus, sandstones of the Buntsandstein from Thuringia and NE Hesse were used to analyse their geochemical composition combined with mineralogical data in order to investigate the origin of several bleaching phenomena in primary red beds, since these give a hint for mineral alteration, mineral formation and mineral reactivity in the course of fluid-rock-interactions. This is relevant for e.g. recent Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) efforts. The origin of the observed bleaching phenomena is diverse and it is linked to certain stages of diagenesis and different episodes of fluid flow: (1) eodiagenetic bleaching coupled with palaeosoil formation and iron mobilisation, (2) mesodiagenetic bleaching as a result of hydrocarbon migration, (3) Tertiary bleaching due to CO₂ degassing from Miocene volcanism, (4) Tertiary telodiagenetic bleaching due to weathering under humid climate conditions, and (5) weathering processes related to recent telodiagenesis/pedogenesis. This study emphasizes the multiple nature of fluids, which can induce iron mobilisation and bleaching of red beds.     

Synsedimentary faults and amalgamated unconformities: Insights from 3D-seismic and core analysis of the Lower Triassic Middle Buntsandstein, Ems Trough, north-western Germany

The Late Permian/Early Triassic succession of the Central European Basin (CEB) was repeatedly affected by the tectonic pulses associated with the earliest phases of Tethyan and Arctic–North Atlantic rifting. Effects of the differential tectonic subsidence are particularly well recorded by unconformities, which form widespread sequence boundaries. Such unconformities are most obvious in areas occupied by fault-controlled intra-basinal highs (swells). In that areas, stratigraphic loss may comprise entire Lower and Middle Buntsandstein formations and in places remnant Middle Buntsandstein successions directly rest on Permian strata. Analysis of 3D-seismic data and well logs combined with high-resolution sedimentological logging of drillcores at the western margin of the Ems Trough (NW Germany) reveals details of synsedimentary tectonic control on sequence development. Early Triassic extensional faulting of basement blocks provided stepwise addition of accommodation space for continental sequences by growth faulting along north–south oriented fault zones blocks on the flanks of the East Netherlands High. This process is most evident during the development of the Hardegsen Unconformity, which is characterised by an amalgamation of succeeding unconformity surfaces in areas of structurally controlled intrabasinal highs.     

Basin‐scale fluvial correlation and response to the Tethyan marine transgression: An example from the Triassic of central Spain

The relationships between large‐scale depositional processes and the stratigraphic record of alluvial systems, e.g. the origin and distribution of channel stacking patterns, changing architecture and correlation of strata, are still relatively poorly understood, in contrast to marine systems. We present a study of the Castillian Branch of the Permo‐Triassic Central Iberian Basin, north‐eastern Spain, using chemostratigraphy and a detailed sedimentological analysis to correlate the synrift Triassic fluvial sandstones for ~80 km along the south‐eastern basin margin. This study investigates the effects of Middle Triassic (Ladinian) Tethyan marine transgression on fluvial facies and architecture. Chemostratigraphy identifies a major, single axially flowing fluvial system lasting from the Early to Middle Triassic (~10 Ma). The fluvial architecture comprises basal conglomerates, followed by amalgamated sandstones and topped by floodplain‐isolated single‐ or multi‐storey amalgamated sandstone complexes with a total thickness up to ~1 km. The Tethyan marine transgression advanced into the basin with a rate of 0.04–0.02 m/year, and is recorded by a transition from the fluvial succession to a series of maximum flooding surfaces characterised by marginal marine clastic sediments and sabkha evaporites. The continued, transgression led to widespread thick carbonate deposition infilling the basin and recording the final stage of synrift to early‐post‐rift deposition. We identify the nonmarine to marine transition characterised by significant changes in the Buntsandstein succession with a transition from a predominantly tectonic‐ to a climatically driven fluvial system. The results have important implications for the temporal and spatial prediction of fluvial architecture and their transition during a marine transgression.     

Paläowindrichtungen und Paläoströmungsrichtungen im Mittleren Buntsandstein der Westeifel

Zusammenfassung Im Mittleren Buntsandstein der Westeifel wurden etwa 4500 Schrägschichtungsmessungen aus aeolischen und fluviatilen Sandsteinen ausgewertet. Aeolische und fluviatile Sedimente werden kurz charakterisiert. Die Auswertung der Gefügedaten wird beschrieben. Paläowindrichtungen und Paläoströmungsrichtungen stimmen in großen Zügen überein. Die Paläoströmungsrichtungen passen sich in die vonWurster (1964, 1968) undGrumbt (1974) gegebene Zusammenstellung der Schüttungsrichtungen im germanischen Buntsandstein ein. Paläowindrichtungen werden hier erstmals aus dem westdeutschen Raum mitgeteilt. Nach Ermittlung von Paläobreite und Rotationsbetrag lassen sich die Paläowindrichtungen nur schwierig in das zentrale Passatwindsystem einfügen. Als mögliche Ursache der abweichenden Richtungen kommt am ehesten eine Verschiebung der intertropischen Konvergenzzone nach Norden im Sommer in Frage, evtl. auch Einflüsse von Luftströmen größerer Höhe oder lokale Faktoren.

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In the Middle Buntsandstein of Western Eifel (Germany), about 4,500 cross-bedding measurements from aeolian and fluviatile sandstones were interpreted. Aeolian and fluviatile deposits are briefly characterized. The interpretation of the fabric data is described. Paleowind- and paleocurrent-directions fit together in broad outline. The paleocurrent-directions fit into the compilation of the cross-bedding data in the German Bunter given byWurster (1964, 1968) andGrumbt (1974). Paleowind-directions are here first described from Western Germany. According to paleolatitude and rotation the paleowind-directions fit only badly into the central trade wind system. Possible causes for this deviation are expected to be first of all a Northern shift of the intertropical convergence zone in summer, perhaps also the influences of air streams of greater height or local factors.

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Résumé Dans le Buntsandstein moyen de l'Eifel occidental (Allemagne), 4500 mesures portant sur des structures sédimentaires entrecroisées dans des grès éoliens et fluviatiles ont fait l'objet d'interprétations; les sédiments éolièns et fluviatiles sont caracterisés brèvement; l'interprétation structurale des données est décrite. Les directions des paléovents et paléocourants concordent bien dans les grandes lignes. Les directions des paléocourants s'accordent avec les directions d'épandage compilées parWurster (1964, 1968) etGrumbt (1974) dans le Buntsandstein germanique. Les directions des paléovents sont données pour la première fois pour la région occidentale de l'Allemagne. D'après les données des paléolatitudes et de l'ampleur de la rotation, les directions des vents ne s'intègrent que difficilement dans le système central des alizés. Comme cause possible des écarts de direction, vient en premier lieu un déplacement vers le nord, durant l'été, des zones de convergence intertropicales, et éventuellement des influences de courants éoliens d'altitudes plus hautes ou des facteurs locaux.

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Quartz and zircon decoupling in sandstone: Petrography and quartz cathodoluminescence of the Early Triassic continental Buntsandstein Group in Germany

This study illustrates how decoupling of quartz and zircon can be used advantageously in provenance research. Thirty‐eight fine‐grained to coarse‐grained arkose samples of the Early Triassic intracontinental Buntsandstein Group from the Central European Basin in Germany were analysed for their petrography and 1200 grains in 23 of these for their detrital quartz cathodoluminescence characteristics. The samples represent the Hessian and Thuringian sub‐basins and the Eichsfeld–Altmark Swell separating them. The Hessian Sub‐basin includes more metamorphic lithoclasts with a larger content of plutonic grains than are found further east in the Thuringian Sub‐basin. More than 90% of the detrital quartz from the eastern Thuringian Sub‐basin produce medium to bright blue cathodoluminescence colours and corresponding spectra that are typical for igneous or high‐temperature metamorphic origin. Differently, the quartz from the Hessian Sub‐basin mostly luminesces brown and dark to medium blue, typical for a low‐temperature metamorphic origin. Quartz from the Eichsfeld–Altmark Swell and the western Thuringian Sub‐basin is a mixture between these origins. The quartz indicates different catchments for the sub‐basins, possibly the Bohemian Massif and the Massif Central, with converging transport routes on and close to the eastern fringe of the swell. Taking published zircon data from the same samples into account, light mineral‐zircon grain‐size shifts are up to 2 Φ units. That can be explained by mineral decoupling due to different transport modes for quartz and zircon and different zircon‐size availability in the source areas, exaggerated by combined aqueous–aeolian transport, as well as sample preparation‐induced sorting. This study concludes that submerged highs significantly can influence continental sediment transport. Hence, vast, flat continental areas with submerged morphological highs and a seemingly straightforward transportation pattern may be more complex than expected. The results also illustrate that analysis of detritus that has been affected by different dominating transport modes, and further sorting during sampling and preparation can reveal additional source information.     

Quantitative analysis of top-seal capacity: offshore Netherlands,southern North Sea

Sealing characteristics of the caprock to the Main Buntsandstein reservoir sands in the P blocks in the Dutch offshore are assessed based on a core from the P15 well. The core which represents the Main Buntsandstein, Solling, Röt, and Muschelkalk interval has been analyzed using standard geologic and petrophysical techniques including mercury-injection capillary-pressure tests. The caprock to the Main Buntsandstein reservoir sands consists of anhydritic and/or dolomitic sandstone to argillaceous siltstone, silty shale, and dolostone. Early emplacement of nodular anhydrite followed by cementation and replacement by anhydrite, dolomite, and siderite has resulted in tight, submicroporous pore geometries which act as good to excellent seals. Capillary entry pressures of the best caprock lithologies are such that gas columns of the order of 300 m could potentially be trapped. The actual column height in P15 is about 125 m as indicated by RFT data. The presence of significant gas accumulations in the Main Buntsandstein in the P12, P14, P15, P18 and adjoining Q8 and Q16 blocks suggests that the P15 top-seal quality may be representative for that area.