Genesis and geological significance of carbonate in Changdu Basin,Xizang,China:Constraints from geochemistry and C-O isotopes

Research on the origin of carbonates in Changdu Basin holds significant importance for understanding the regional potash formation model.Based on a comprehensive review of previous studies,field geological surveys,and laboratory investigations,this study analyzes the origin and properties of carbonates within the context of regional potash formation.Petrographic studies show that magnesite deposits,with the characteristics of sedimentary origin.The results of elemental geochemical analysis show that the carbonates in this area were formed in the sedimentary environment via evaporation followed by concentration,and the formation of magnesite was possibly caused by the substitution of calcium in the dolomite with magnesium-rich brine.Theδ^(13)C values of carbonats in the study area are between5.9‰and 9.1‰.Theδ^(18)O values of magnesite samples range from-7.3‰to-1.3‰,and theδ^(18)O values of dolomites range from-10.3‰to-8.4‰.All the calculated Z values of oxygen isotopes of carbonates greater than 120.A comprehensive analysis of carbon and oxygen isotopes indicates that the magnesite was formed in a highly concentrated Marine sedimentary environment and does not show any relation with the metasomatism of hydrothermal fluids.The results on the correlation of magnesite with seawater and its sedimentary origin provide key information for explaining the migration direction of brine between the Changdu and Lanping-Simao Basins.The residual metamorphic seawater in the Changdu Basin migrated to the Lanping-Simao Basin,where potash underwent deposition.Whereas,magnesite and dolomite in the early stage of potash formation were left in the Changdu Basin.

Rare Earths, Niobium and Tantalum Minerals in Bayan Obo Ore Deposit and Discussion on Their Genesis

Bayan Obo ore deposit is endowed with and lie hidden in the Proterozoic strata. The localities and occurrences of the minerals in the ore deposit were described. It is obviously that some minerals are strata minerals and some are post strata minerals. The rare earths, niobium and tantalum minerals are exactly the post strata minerals. In these minerals the hydrothermal metasomatic phenomena distinctly reveal their metallogenic characteristics. According to tectonic movement, magma activity, mineral paragenesis, hydrothermal metasomatism, geological age and lasting time scale of metallogenesis, and some other factors, it is supposed that genesis of rare earths, niobium and tantalum minerals in Bayan Obo ore deposit are closely related with hydrothermal metallogenic solution which is differentiated from silica acid and carbonic acid magma and derived from deep seated source, and then intruded into Proterozoic strata and metasomatized. It is recognized that the metallogenesis of Bayan Obo ore deposit is undergoing a long geological period and many episodes.

Characteristics and genesis of clay minerals in the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin

In order to develop appropriate reservoir protection measures in the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin and improve its oil and gas recovery efficiency,characteristics of clay minerals from eleven clay rock samples from the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin were investigated using X-ray diffraction analysis,the Scanning Electron Microscope（SEM）and energy spectrum analysis.Clay mineral composition and distribution characteristics of the main hydrocarbon reservoirs,i.e.,from the Jurassic and Paleogene-Neogene,were explored.We analyzed the main factors which affected these attributes.The results show that the major clay minerals in the northern margin are chlorite,kaolinite,illite,smectite and illite/smectite inter-stratified minerals.Illite is the most widely spread clay mineral in this area. Chlorite is mainly found in the entire Neogene and in shallow horizons of the Paleogene.Smectite is enriched in the shallow Paleogene-Neogene.There are large amounts of kaolinite and illite/smectite inter-stratified minerals in the Jurassic.The major factors affecting the different development of clay minerals in the region are properties of parent rocks,paleoclimate and paleowater media conditions, diagenesis transformation,tectonic and terrain conditions.

Preliminary Study of the Characteristics and Genesis of Arsenate Minerals in the Oxidized Zone of the Debao Skarn-Type Cu-Sn Ore Deposit in Guangxi

Through the study of the oxidized zone of the Debao skarn-type Cu-Sn deposit in Guangxi, the authorshave found 14 arsenate minerals, most of which are for the first time reported in China. They are mainly Cuarsenate minerals with subordinate Cu-Pb arsenate minerals and minor Fe-Pb-Ba varieties. Based on their paragenesis these minerals may be divided into the following series: (1) the clinoclasite-olivenite-cornwallite- cornubite- debaoite- copper silicarsenate association, (2) the scorodite- carminite- beudan-tite-bayldonite- duftite association, and (3) the scorodite-Ba-bearing pharmacosiderite- dussertite association. Arsenate minerals are formed generally in the oxidized zone of the sulfide-type deposits which lie in thewarm, humid and rainy torrid-subtropical zone with pH=6-8 and contain large amounts of arsenopyrite andcarbonate rocks.

Origin of carbonate minerals and impacts on reservoir quality of the Wufeng and Longmaxi Shale, Sichuan Basin

The Ordovician-Silurian Wufeng and Longmaxi Shale in the Sichuan Basin were studied to understand the genesis and diagenetic evolution of carbonate minerals and their effects on reservoir quality. The results of geochemical and petrological analyses show that calcite grains have a negative Ce anomaly indicating they formed in the oxidizing environment of seawater. The high carbonate mineral contents in the margin of basin indicate that calcite grains and cores of dolomite grains appear largely to be of detrital origin. The rhombic rims of dolomite grains and dolomite concretions with the δ^(13)C of –15.46‰ and the enrichment of middle rare earth elements were formed during the sulfate-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane. The calcite in radiolarian were related to the microbial sulfate reduction for the abundant anhedral pyrites and δ^(13)C value of –11.34‰. Calcite veins precipitated in the deep burial stage with homogenization temperature of the inclusions ranging from 146.70 ℃ to 182.90 ℃. The pores in shale are mainly organic matter pores with pore size mainly in the range of 1–20 nm in diameter. Carbonate minerals influence the development of pores through offering storage space for organic matter. When calcite contents ranging from 10% to 20%, calcite grains and cement as rigid framework can preserve primary pores. Subsequently, the thermal cracking of liquid petroleum in primary pores will form organic matter pores. The radiolarian were mostly partially filled with calcite, which combining with microcrystalline quartz preserved a high storage capacity.

Geological Characteristics and Regional Prospecting Model of Wulanchongji Gold Orebody, Alxa Youqi, Inner Mongolia, China

Five gold deposits (mineralization) were found in the study area by means of geological mapping, soil geochemical survey and trough exploration engineering. The ore-bearing lithology is mainly metamorphic feldspar sandstone of the Upper Carboniferous Benbatu Formation, and the gold (mineralization) body is controlled by both structural factors and stratigraphic factors of the Upper Carboniferous Benbatu Formation. The genetic type is preliminary concluded to be volcanic hydrothermal type, and the metallogenic age is late Variscan. In this paper, by studying the geological characteristics and metallogenic geological conditions of the gold orebody in the area, a regional prospecting model has been established, which is of great significance to better guide the prospecting work of similar gold deposits in the area and the region.