Calci-microbialite as a potential source rock and its geomicrobiological processes

The calci-mircobialite is a special carbonate buildup, which is formed due to the activities of different kinds of microbes. Abundant microfossils preserved in the microbialite show the high-level productivity during deposition, while characteristic sedimentary minerals and geochemical compositions suggest an anoxic marine environment for organic burial. The high-level productivity and anoxic sedimentary environment favor the efficient preservation of organic matter and thus the formation of source rocks. On these points, microbialites could be one of the potential hydrocarbon source rocks, awaiting further geobiological investigation and exploration. Precambrian and some of the great transitional stages in Phanerozoic are critical periods when microbialites were well developed. Widespread microbialites have been found in North and South China. Bitumen observed in many outcrops of Precambrian and late Devonian microbialites further raises the possibility of the calci-microbialite as a potential hydrocarbon source rock. __________ Translated from Earth Science-Journal of China University of Geosciences, 2007, 32(6): 797-802 [译自: 地球科学-中国地质大学学报]     

地球微生物过程与潜在烃源岩的形成:钙质微生物岩

钙质微生物岩是各种微生物生命活动引起的特殊的碳酸盐建造, 主要集中发育在前寒武纪及显生宙等重大地质转折期, 在我国华北及华南地区有着广泛的分布.微生物岩中大量微生物化石的存在反映当时的海洋具有很高的初级生产力.明显偏低的钼同位素值显示在前寒武纪相当长的时期里, 海洋底部处于缺氧状态.Th/U值的急剧降低和黄铁矿在浅水台地区的广泛出现显示二叠纪大绝灭后, 海洋环境也同样呈现缺氧的还原状态.高生产力和还原的沉积环境为生物有机质的埋藏及烃源岩的形成创造了条件.前寒武纪及晚泥盆世微生物岩中沥青的发现, 进一步增加了钙质微生物岩作为潜在碳酸盐型烃源岩的可能性.