Features and genesis of Paleogene high-quality reservoirs in lacustrine mixed siliciclastic–carbonate sediments, central Bohai Sea, China

The characteristics and formation mechanisms of the mixed siliciclastic-carbonate reservoirs of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation in the central Bohai Sea were examined based on polarized light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy observations, X-ray diffrac- tometry, carbon and oxygen stable isotope geochemistry, and integrated fluid inclusion analysis. High-quality reservoirs are mainly distributed in Type I and Type II mixed siliciclastic-carbonate sediments, and the dominant pore types include residual primary intergranular pores and intrafossil pores, feldspar dissolution pores mainly devel- oped in Type II sediments. Type I mixed sediments are characterized by precipitation of early pore-lining dolo- mite, relatively weak mechanical compaction during deep burial, and the occurrence of abundant oil inclusions in high-quality reservoirs. Microfacies played a critical role in the formation of the mixed reservoirs, and high-quality reservoirs are commonly found in high-energy environ- ments, such as fan delta underwater distributary channels, mouth bars, and submarine uplift beach bars. Abundant intrafossil pores were formed by bioclastic decay, and secondary pores due to feldspar dissolution further enhance reservoir porosity. Mechanical compaction was inhibited by the precipitation of pore-lining dolomite formed during early stage, and oil emplacement has further led to the preservation of good reservoir quality.

Glacial-interglacial productivity contrasts along the eastern Arabian Sea:Dominance of convective mixing over upwelling

The western continental margin of India is one of the highly productive regions in the global ocean.Primary productivity is induced by upwelling and convective mixing during the southwest and northeast monsoons respectively.Realizing the importance of high primary productivity,a sediment core was collected below the current oxygen minimum zone（OMZ） from the southwestern continental margin of India.This was dated by AMS radiocarbon and as many as 60 paleoclimate/paceoceanographic proxies,such as particle size,biogenic components,major,trace and rare earth elements（REEs） which were measured for the first time to determine sources of sediment,biogeochemical processes operating in the water column and their variations since the last glacial cycle.R-mode factor analysis of comprehensive data indicates that the dominant regulator of paleoproductivity is the southwest monsoon wind induced upwelling.Other paleoproductivity related factors identified are the marine biogenic component and biogenic detritus（as an exported component from the water column added to the bottom sediment）.All paleoproductivity components increased significantly during the marine isotope stage-1（MIS-1）compared to those accumulated from MIS-4 to MIS-2.The second group of factors identified are the terrigenous sediments with heavy minerals like zircon and ilmenite.The terrigenous sediment,in particular,increased during MIS-2 when the sea-level was lower;however,the heavy mineral component fluctuated over time implying pulsed inputs of sediment.The diagenetic fraction and reducing component are the third group of factors identified which varied with time with increased accumulation during the MIS transitions.The primary productivity along the southwestern continental margin of India seems to have been controlled principally by the upwelling during the southwest monsoon season that was weaker from MIS-4 to MIS-2,as relative to that during the MIS-1.In contrast,increased glacial productivity noticed in sediments deposited below the current oxygen minimum zone（OMZ） along the north of the study area that can be linked to entrainment of nutrients through the intensified convective mixing of surface water during the northeast monsoon.The sequestration of greenhouse gases by the western continental margin of India was higher during glacial than interglacial cycles.

Mixed Siliciclastic-Carbonate Sediments in China: Recent Advances and Prospects

Until 1980s,mixed siliciclastic-carbonate sediments(MSCSs)had been thought as odd exception and not important.However,MSCSs are quite common in the modern and the ancient times and can be important in

Reconstruction of the Yangtze Ramp during Floian to Darriwilian(Ordovician)in South China:Its Morphology,Controlling Factors and Significances

A robust stratigraphic framework and a coherent depositional ramp model for the Zitai,Dawan,Meitan and Ningkuo formations of Floian–Darriwilian age(Early–Middle Ordovician)in the Yangtze(Daoba,Xiangshuidong,Daling,Gudongkou and Honghuayuan sections)and Jiangnan regions(Nanba section)was created based on lithofacies and major element analysis.Three siliciclastic(LF1–3)and six carbonate(LF4–9)lithofacies are recognized representing sediments that were deposited in mixed siliciclastic and carbonate ramp environment.The intensity of mixed sedimentation and terrigenous input were evaluated using the elemental proxies Intensity of Mixed sedimentation(IM)and Aluminum Accumulation Rate(Al AR),as well as their mean values during certain time intervals.Mixed sediments are most well-developed along the marginal Yangtze region,strongly impacted by recurrent influx of westerly derived terrigenous materials in response to global eustatic changes and regional tectonic movements,shaping the gently southeast-dipping morphology.Regular terrigenous influx resulted in periods of enhanced primary productivity on the Yangtze Ramp as evidenced by matching biodiversity peaks in planktonic organisms,i.e.,chitinozoans and acritarchs.Brachiopods and other shelly fauna were also able to proliferate as new niches developed along the gently dipping ramp floor with substrate changes.The biodiversification patterns suggest that terrigenous influx controlled in part by regional tectonics played a more important role than previously thought in the development of Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event in South China.

Pyrite Formation in Organic-rich Clay, Calcitic and Coal-Forming Environments

The early diagenetic characteristics of pyrite formation processes in a Miocene freshwater sequence of mixed sediments （coal fragments in clays, sandstones or shales） alternating with continuous brown coal layers was investigated. Based on abundant minerals, the following main sedimentary environments were distinguished： the illite-montmorillonitic （I-M）, calcitic （Ct） and coal-forming environment （CL）. For these hydrogeochemically differing environments the effects of limiting factors on the pyrite formation process （availability of sulphate and Fe, amount of organic matter and participation of organic sulphur） were assessed by correlation analysis. Significant differences in the effects of these limiting factors in the particular environments were observed. These differences were explained taking in account the different oxidative activity, Fe-complex and surface complex forming properties of humic substances in dependence of pH of environment and the abundance of sorptionally active clay minerals. In environments having a relatively low pH and containing clay minerals （I-M- and CL-environments） the oxidative activity of humic substances （Hs） on pyrite precursors was greatly prevented however pyrite formation depended on reactive Fe availability as the consequence of complex formation. On the contrary, in environments with a relatively high pH, as it was the calcitic, the oxidative activity of Hs was greatly enhanced, thus oxidizing the sulfur precursors of pyrite. The oxidation degree of organic matter was probably also a consequence of the differing activity of the humic electron-acceptors.

Geological characteristics,evaluation criteria and discovery significance of Paleogene Yingxiongling shale oil in Qaidam Basin,NW China

Major breakthroughs of shale oil exploration have been made recently in the upper member of Paleogene Lower Ganchaigou Formation of Yingxiongling area, Qaidam Basin. However, the low total organic carbon content of saline-lacustrine source rock, and unclear genetic mechanism, evaluation criteria and resources potential of the shale oil have restricted the exploration and evaluation of Yingxiongling shale oil. Through analysis of large amounts of cores, well drilling, seismic, laboratory test data and integrated study, focusing on the shale and mixed types of shale oil reservoirs characterized by high-frequency interbedded organic-rich laminated shale and limy dolomite, it is concluded that the shale oil in the upper member of Lower Ganchaigou Formation in the Yingxiongling area have six geological characteristics:(1) two-stage hydrocarbon generation of hydrogen-rich source rock and large amount of retained oil;(2) multiple types of reservoir space and good reservoir properties;(3)source-reservoir integration, thick “sweet spot” and high oil-bearing grade;(4) high pressure coefficient between and under salt layers, and sufficient formation energy;(5) high content of light components, high gas-oil ratio, and good quality of the crude oil;(6) high content of brittle minerals and good fracability. The evaluation criterion of shale oil is preliminarily established based on the eight parameters: total organic carbon content, maturity, effective porosity, oil saturation, brittle mineral content,pressure coefficient, lamellation density, and burial depth. Combined with parameters of E32 source rock thickness, area, vertical distribution of oil layers, and free hydrocarbon content, the shale oil resources have been preliminarily estimated as 21×10^(8) t.The structurally stable area is the predominant objective of shale oil exploration and the favorable exploration area for Yingxiongling shale oil is nearly 800 km^(2).

Bioturbation of Thalassinoides from the Lower Cambrian Zhushadong Formation of Dengfeng area, Henan Province, North China

Bioturbation plays a critical role in sediment mixing and biogeochemical cycling between sediment and seawater.An abundance of bioturbation structures, dominated by Thalassinoides, occurs in carbonate rocks of the Cambrian Series 2 Zhushadong Formation in the Dengfeng area of western Henan Province, North China. Determination of elemental geochemistry can help to establish the influence of burrowing activities on sediment biogeochemical cycling, especially on changes in oxygen concentration and nutrient regeneration. Results show that there is a dramatic difference in the bioturbation intensity between the bioturbated limestone and laminated dolostone of the Zhushadong Formation in terms of productivity proxies(Baex, Cu, Ni, Sr/Ca) and redox proxies(V/Cr, V/Sc, Ni/Co). These changes may be related to the presence of Thalassinoides bioturbators, which alter the particle size and permeability of sediments, while also increase the oxygen concentration and capacity for nutrient regeneration.Comparison with modern studies shows that the sediment mixing and reworking induced by Thalassinoides bioturbators significantly changed the primary physical and chemical characteristics of the Cambrian sediment,triggering the substrate revolution and promoting biogeochemical cycling between sediment and seawater.

Hybrid Sedimentation in Late Permian-Early Triassic in Western Sichuan Basin,China

Mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sedimentation is common in the Upper Permian-Lower Tri-assic in the western Sichuan（四川） basin.The extensional movement was strong in the Late Permian,resulting in differential uplifting of fault blocks.During this period,there was an extensive retrogres-sion.The Kangdian（康滇） ancient land progressive uplifted and enlarged,forming the major prove-nance of terrigenous clastics.In Changxingian age,mixed terrigenous-carbonate sedimentation was dis-tributed in the area between Dafeishui（大飞水）-well Dashen（大深）-1-well Shoubao（寿保）-1 and Beichuan（北川）-well Guanji（关基）.The terrigenous clastics sourced from Kangdian ancient land input into the relatively shallow water,resulting in an extensive limited platform-mixing tidal flat where moderate-thick laminated grey limestone,thin muddy limestone and purplish red sandy shale were de-posited.The tectonic framework in Feixianguanian（飞仙关） stage was inherited from the Chang-xingian stage.The hybrid sedimentation was limited to the south of Dujiangyan（都江堰）-Xindu（新都）.In Jialingjiangian（嘉陵江） stage,the palaeogeographic features were also unchanged and two complete transgression-retrogression cycles also occurred.The mixing tidal flat was distributed to the west of Baoxing（保兴）-Ya＇an（雅安）-Hongya（洪雅）-Leshan（乐山）,where purplish red sandstone with thin limestone and shale interbeds and grey-dark grey silty mudstone with limestone were deposited.The carbonates in the mixed facies tract have few primary pores preserved and poorly-developed secondary pores due to the relatively high content of terrigenous clastics,strong compaction and weak dissolution.Therefore,they are unfavorable for the development of effective reservoirs.