Influences of shale microstructure on mechanical properties and bedding fractures distribution

The difference in microstructure leads to the diversity of shale mechanical properties and bedding fractures distribution patterns.In this paper,the microstructure and mechanical properties of Longmaxi marine shale and Qingshankou continental shale were studied by X-ray diffractometer(XRD),field emission scanning electron microscope(FE-SEM)with mineral analysis system,and nanoindentation.Additionally,the typical bedding layers area was properly stratified using Focused Ion Beam(FIB),and the effects of microstructure and mechanical properties on the distribution patterns of bedding fractures were analyzed.The results show that the Longmaxi marine shale sample contains more clay mineral grains,while the Qingshankou continental shale sample contains more hard brittle mineral grains such as feldspar.For Longmaxi marine shale sample,hard brittle minerals with grain sizes larger than 20μm is18.24%and those with grain sizes smaller than 20μm is 16.22%.For Qingshankou continental shale sample,hard brittle minerals with grain sizes larger than 20μm is 40.7%and those with grain sizes smaller than 20μm is 11.82%.In comparison to the Qingshankou continental shale sample,the Longmaxi marine shale sample has a lower modulus,hardness,and heterogeneity.Laminated shales are formed by alternating coarse-grained and fine-grained layers during deposition.The average single-layer thickness of Longmaxi marine shale sample is greater than Qingshankou continental shale sample.The two types of shale have similar bedding fractures distribution patterns and fractures tend to occur in the transition zone from coarse-grained to fine-grained deposition.The orientation of the fracture is usually parallel to the bedding plane and detour occurs in the presence of hard brittle grains.The fracture distribution density of the Longmaxi marine shale sample is lower than that of the Qingshankou continental shale sample due to the strong heterogeneity of the Qingshankou continental shale.The current research provides guidelines for the effective development of shale reservoirs in various sedimentary environments.

New material of Coniopteris simplex from the Middle Jurassic of the Ordos Basin,Inner Mongolia,China and implications on its spatio-temporal distribution and paleogeography

Coniopteris simplex is a common component in many Jurassic floras.However,due to morphological variations in sterile fronds and incomplete preservation of reproductive organs,its classification has been controversial for a long time.Here,we present new material collected from the Middle Jurassic Yan’an Formation in the Ordos Basin,Inner Mongolia.The new material reveals important morphological characters,including hemi-dimorphic fronds,two forms of sterile pinnae,short-stalked sori and sporangia on fertile fronds,annulus of sporangium composed of about 30 cells,in situ rounded triangular spores with protruded suture,and the lips of trilete laesura encircled by one or two rows of small ostioles.Based on these observations,we emended the diagnosis of this common species.The spatio-temporal distribution of Coniopteris simplex shows that the iconic species was restricted to the paleolatitudes ranging from 19.5°N to 48.9°N in the Northern Hemisphere during the Early—Late Jurassic,mainly distributed in the tropical to paratropical zones,and the paleolongitude ranging from 9.6°E to 129.3°E,which may be limited by the opening of the Viking Corridor and the splitting of the Central Atlantic Ocean.