Periodic anoxic shelf in the Early-Middle Ordovician transition:ichnosedimentologic evidence from west-central Utah,USA

Ichnosedimentologic evidence of periodic anoxic shelf in the Early-Middle Ordovician transition includes lower ichnodiversity, shallower bioturbation and burrowing depth (【4 cm), rare domichnia, tinyChondrites occupying shallower or shallowest tiering, widely distributed nodules of limonite pseudomorphs after pyrite, occurrence of trace fossils being closely associated with the storm event layers, and stratigraphic successions with orbital cyclostratigraphic architecture. It is suggested that lower atmospheric oxygen level during the Early Paleozoic, the Ordovician radiation, dramatic transgression and warmer temperatures would result in the periodic anoxia in the Early-Middle Ordovician transition. This episode began at the later Early Ordovician and lasted about 3.4 Ma on the basis of orbital cyclostratigraphy.

Proximal development,systematic taxonomy,and dispersal pattern of the Early-Middle Ordovician graptolite Acrograptus from South China

Based on the well-preserved specimens from the Nanba section in Yiyang, Hunan Province, the definition of the graptolite ge- nus Acrograptus is revised here. The revised Acrograptus is a dichograptid form with stipes subborizontal to deeply declined, sicula long and slender; th 11 budding from the top of the metasicula, proximal development of isograptid type with th 12 as the dicalycal theca; asymmetric proximal end resulting from the divergence of thl1 and thl2 from the sicula at different levels; slender crossing canals composed of extremely slender Acrograptus is assigned to the subfamily Sigmagraptinae prothecae of thlt and thl2. According to the revised definition, of the family Dichograptidae, including six species, i.e., A. affinis （Nicholson）, A. filiformis （Tullberg）, A. gracilis （Tornquist）, A. nicholsoni （Lapworth）, A. pusillus （Tullberg）, and A. saukros （Ni）. During the Early-Middle Ordovician, these six species were widely distributed in South China, especially in the Upper Yangtze Region as well as the central and eastern Jiangnan Region. This study further indicates that Acrograptus first appeared in a deep-water setting on the Jiangnan Slope in South China during early Floian （Tetragraptus approximatus Biozone）, and subsequently expanded into the shallow-water region on the Yangtze Platform due to a remarkable dispersion event in middle Floian （Pendeograptus fruticosus Biozone）. It is here indicated that the dispersal of Acrograptus may be directly controlled by the large-scale transgression event occurring in middle Floian.

Early-Middle Ordovician brachiopod dispersal patterns in South China

Paleobiogeographic patterns of the brachiopod faunas before and during the first radiation of the Great Ordovi-cian Biodiversification Event(GOBE)in South China at 6 different localities from the upper Jiangnan Slope to the vast area of the Upper Yangtze Platform show several interesting features.First,the initial brachiopod diver-sity acme was accompanied by both high origination and extinction rates.Second,no significant changes took place in the taxonomic composition and paleobiogeographic pattern of the brachiopod fauna during the radia-tion at 5 of the 6 localities studied except the near shore locality,where the first brachiopod radiation was much later than at other localities and was marked by a dramatic increase in endemic constituents.Third,orthides were the predominant brachiopod group during the radiation,and regional brachiopod taxa played a significant role in defining the paleobiogeographic pattern of the radiation.Fourth,the first brachiopod radiation was asso-ciated with 3 major pulses of onshore migration from the upper Jiangnan Slope through the central Upper Yang-tze Platform to the near shore settings of the platform,with the middle pulse being the most significant.Finally,paleogeographic dispersal took place in both onshore and offshore directions,although the onshore expansion was more prominent;several key brachiopods,such as Paralenorthis,Nocturnellia,Protoskenidioides,Nere-idella,Euorthisina and Yangtzeella,first appeared on the upper Jiangnan Slope and later formed distinct,and taxonomically diverse,communities on the Upper Yangtze Platform.The paleogeographic dispersal of brachio-pods is considered to be closely related to the tectonic evolution of the Qianzhong Arch.

The palaeoenvironmental implication of Early-Middle Ordovician acritarch communities from South China

As primary producers,acritarchs that represented the base of the food chain in the Early Paleozoic marine ecosystem formed the marine phytoplankton communities whose distributions might affect those of other faunas.Ten acritarch ecological assemblages with their distributions controlled by the environmental factors were recognized in the Meitan Formation of the Honghuayuan section,Tongzi,Guizhou Province,the Dawan Formation of the Huanghuachang and Daping section,Yichang,Hubei Province,and the Dacao Formation and the Yingpan Formation of the Houping section,Chengkou,Chongqing through cluster and principle component analysis.

Biodiversity of Early-Middle Ordovician acritarchs and sealevel changes in South China

As the primary producers, acritarchs represent the base of the food chain in the Paleozoic marine ecosystem which links with the evolution of acritarchs. Based on high precision quantitative research, much information about Paleozoic marine ecosystem is provided. A quantitative analysis of Early-Middle Ordovician acritarch diversity changes in the Meitan Formation, Honghuayuan section, Tongzi, Guizhou is made and the the acritarch diversity curves are compared with sea level curves. We found that acritarch diversity changes were related to sea level changes during the Early-Middle Ordovician. Whereas sea level rose, and acritarch diversity also increased. An inshore-offshore model of acritarchs best explains the relative abundance changes of some acritarch taxa in relation to sea level changes.

Early-Middle Permian Reef Frameworks and Reef-building Models in the Eastern Kunlun Mountains

Reef frameworks and building models of the Early-Middle Permian in the eastern Kunlun Mountains have been verified through studies of reef-building communities, palaeoecology and carbonate facies. The eastern Kunlun reefs are built mainly by 6 reef-building communities, which include 11 major categories of frame-building organisms and 6 categories of reef-associated organisms. Eight types of reef-frames have been distinguished and eleven kinds of rocks identified to belong to 6 reef facies. Three sorts of reefs classified by previous researchers, namely mudmounds, knoll reefs and walled reefs, are well developed in the study area. Such reef-facies association and reef distribution show that there are 4 models of reef growth and development, i.e. the tidal-bank knoll-reef model, the plateau-margin wall-reef model, the composite wall-reef model and the deep-water mudmound model. The reefs are mainly constructed by calcareous sponge and calcareous algae, which are similar to all Permian reefs in other area

Early-Middle Paleozoic Andes-type Continental Margin in the Chifeng Area, Inner Mongolia: Framework, Geochronology and Geochemistry and Implications for Tectonic Evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Three tectonic units have been recognized in the Chifeng area, Inner Mongolia, from north to south, including the Qiganmiao accretionary prism, Jiefangyingzi arc belt and Sidaozhangpeng molasse basin, which formed an Andeantype active continent margin during the early to middle Paleozoic. The Qiganmiao accretionary prism is characterized by a mélange that consists of gabbro, two-mica quartz schist and basic volcanic rock blocks and heterogeneously deformed marble matrix. Two zircon U-Pb ages of 446.0±6.3 Ma and 1104±27 Ma have been acquired and been interpreted as the metamorphic and forming ages for the gabbro and two-mica quartz schist, respectively. The prism formed during the early to middle Paleozoic southward subduction of the Paleo Asian Ocean(PAO) and represents a suture between the North China craton(NCC) and Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB). The Jiefangyingzi arc belt consists of pluton complex and volcanic rocks of the Xibiehe and Badangshan Formations, and Geochronology analysis indicates that the development of it can be divided into two stages. The first stage is represented by the Xibiehe Formation volcanic rocks, which belong to the subalkaline series, enriched LREE and LILE and depleted HFSE, with negative Eu anomalies, and plot in the volcanic arc field in discrimination diagrams. These characters indicate that the Xibiehe Formation results from to the continental arc magmatic activity related to the subduction of the PAO during 400–420 Ma. Magmatism of the second stage in 380–390 Ma consists of the Badangshan Formation volcanic rocks. Geochemistry analysis reveals that rhyolite, basaltic andesite and basalt of the Badangshan Formation were developed in continental margin arc setting. Moreover, the basaltic andesite and basalt display positive Sr anomalies, and the basalt have very low Nb/La values, suggesting that fluid is involved in magma evolution and the basalts were contaminated by continental crust. The sequence of Sidaozhangpeng molasse basin is characterized by proximity, coarseness and large thickness, similar to the proximity molasses basin. According to our field investigation, geochronological and geochemical data, combined with previous research in this area, a tectonic evolutionary model for Andes-type active continental margin of the CAOB has been proposed, including a development of the subduction-free PAO before 446 Ma, a subduction of the PAO and arc-related magmatism during 446–380 Ma, and formation of a molasse basin during 380–360 Ma.

Early-middle Mesoproterozoic tectonic evolutionary history of the southwestern Yangtze Block,China:lithostratigraphic,geochronologic and elemental geochemical constraints

During the Early-Middle Proterozoic era,three major lithostratigraphic unit associations,namely Hekou-Dahongshan,Dongchuan,and Kunyang-Huili Groups,were established for the metamorphosed volcanicsedimentary rocks exposed in the southwestern Yangtze Block (SWYB).The integration of petrology, geochemistry and geochronology constrains tectonic framework and evolution of the SWYB,in which four sets of SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages were obtained from the volcanic rocks interbedded within the Middle Proterozoic successions:1800-1600 Ma,1600-1300 Ma,1300-1100 Ma,and 1100-1000 Ma. Major and trace elemental analysis indicate that four key tectonic evolutionary stages,each coinciding with the above radiometric age set,of the SWYB during the Early-Middle Mesoproterozoic.The SWYB was characterized by an east-westerly trending rift in the Hekou,Dongshan,and Dongchuan areas,and separate basin-forming events during 1800-1600 Ma arid 1600-1300 Ma,respectively.In the SWYB,an intracontinental rift basin and a rift basin occurred in the Caiziyuan-Matang and Laowushan areas, respectively in 1300-1100 Ma ago.During 1100-1000 Ma,the SWYB was characterized by the closure of the Caiziyuan-Matang rift-ocean basin,collision between the Huili Blocks and Kunyang Blocks,and presence of volcanic ares in the Tianbaoshan and Fulingpen areas.Accordingly,the SWYB represents a new basin that records the relatively complete assembly process of the Rodina during the Early-Middle Mesoproterozoic era.

Palaeogeographic Position of the South China Plate During the Early-Middle Devonian

In Guangxi, the Lower-Middle Devonian boundary beds yield abundant corals, brachiopods,stromatoporoids and conodonts. The former three were common in tropical and subtropical zones, while thelast occurred only round the equator. This reveals that the South China Plate in the Early-Middle Devonianwas at or near the equator, which was also supported by palaeomagnetic study giving the palaeolatitude of theGuangxi Region at the time to be 0°36′N.

Ordovician reservoirs in Fuxian area:Gas accumulation patterns and their implications for the exploration of lower Paleozoic carbonates in the southern Ordos Basin

In recent years,the Fuxian area in the southeastern Ordos Basin has undergone significant exploration,with industrial gas flow tested in wells drilled into the Ordovician marine carbonates.Despite this,the gas accumulation patterns of this area are not fully understood,posing challenges for further exploration.Our analysis of geological conditions indicates that the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in this area hosts two gas plays:one found in weathering crusts and the other found in interior of the formation.We investigated various typical gas reservoirs in the area,focusing on differentiating the geological conditions and factors controlling gas accumulation in the weathering-crust and interior gas reservoirs.The results suggest three primary gas accumulation patterns in the Majiagou Formation in the Fuxian area:(1)upper gas accumulation in weathering crusts,present in the high parts of landforms such as residual paleo-hills or buried paleo-platform(Pattern I);(2)the stereoscopic pattern with gas accumulation in both weathering crusts and strata interior,arising in high parts of landforms such as residual paleo-hills or buried paleo-platforms(Pattern II);(3)lower gas accumulation in strata interior,occurring in the upper reaches and on both sides of paleo-trenches(Pattern III).This study will serve as a geological basis for future exploration deployment in the Fuxian area.

Tectono-sedimentary evolution and oil-gas geological significance of first to third member of Ordovician Majiagou Formation in Ordos Basin,NW China

Based on logging,core,thin section and geochemical analysis,the tectonic-lithofacies paleogeographic pattern of first member to third member of Ordovician Majiagou Formation(O_(1)m_(1)–O_(1)m_(3)for short)in Ordos Basin is reconstructed,and the tectono-sedimentary evolution characteristics and oil-gas geological significance are discussed.The results are obtained in four aspects.First,a set of marginal argillaceous dolomites with high gamma ray value developed steadily and diachronously at the bottom of Majiagou Formation,which distributed over the Huaiyuan Movement unconformity,with δ^(13)C values positive drift characteristics comparable to global transgression of the Early Ordovician Floplian.Second,the global sea level rose and the ancient land was submerged into the underwater uplift in O_(1)m_(1)to O_(1)m_(2),and the central uplift was deposited for the first time in the Ordovician,forming a tectonic pattern of“one uplift and two depressions”.Subsequently,the subduction and extrusion outside the basin and the differentiation of uplift and depression in the basin of O_(1)m_(3)resulted in the activation of the Wushenqi–Jingbian bulge.Third,the evolution of the tectonic pattern had a significant impact on the sedimentary paleoenvironment.The O_(1)m_(1)overlaps westward,and saline lagoon is formed in eastern depression and influenced by the transgression.The transgression continued in O_(1)m_(2)and resulted in communication with the wide sea,and the large-scale grain shoal developed around eastern depression,and the late dry shrinkage formed a small scale evaporite lagoon in upper part.Under the influence of highland sealing in O_(1)m_(3),the water body gradually differentiated into dolomitic gypsum and saline lagoons to the east,and the grain shoal spread along the highs around sag.Fourth,the source rocks developed diachronously at the bottom of Majiagou Formation form a favorable source-reservoir assemblage with the shoal facies reservoir distributed around the slope of O_(1)m_(2)–O_(1)m_(3),and they have certain exploration potential for natural gas.

Conodont Biostratigraphy of the Middle Cambrian through Lowermost Ordovician in Hunan, South China

Since 1985, samples with a total weight of more than 14,000 kg, mainly from three key sections in western and northwestern Hunan, South China, have been processed for conodonts. In strata older than the late Late Cambrian paraconodonts have proved useful for stratigraphic subdivision and correlation. Thirteen conodont zones are proposed in the Middle Cambrian through lowermost Ordovician. The correlation between these zones and those of North China, western U. S.A., western Newfoundland, Canada, and Iran is discussed. In ascending order, these 13 zones are as follows: The Gapparodus bisulcatus-Westergaardodina brevidens Zone, Shandongodus priscus-Hunanognathus tricuspidatus Zone, Westergaardodina quadrata Zone, Westergaardodina matsushitai-W. grandidens Zone, Westergaardodina lui-W. am Zone, Westergaardodina cf. calix-Prooneotodus rotundatus Zone, Proconodontus tenuiserratus Zone, Proconodontus Zone, Eoconodontus Zone, Cordylodus proavus Zone, Cordylodus intermedius Zone, Cordylodus lindstromi Zone, and Cordylodus angulatus Zone (lower part). The Westergaardodina lui-W. ani and Westergaardodina cf. calix-Prooneotodus rotundatus Zones replace the Westergaardodina proligula and Westergaardodina cf. behrae-Prooneotodus rotundatus Zones, respectively, in the lowermost Upper Cambrian. Two new species (Westergaardodina Iui and Westergaardodina ani) and one conditionally identified species (Westergaardodina cf. calix) are described.

Hydrocarbon Accumulation Conditions of Ordovician Carbonate in Tarim Basin

Based on comprehensive analysis of reservoir-forming conditions, the diversity of reservoir and the difference of multistage hydrocarbon charge are the key factors for the carbonate hydrocarbon accumulation of the Ordovician in the Tarim Basin. Undergone four major deposition-tectonic cycles, the Ordovician carbonate formed a stable structural framework with huge uplifts, in which are developed reservoirs of the reef-bank type and unconformity type, and resulted in multistage hydrocarbon charge and accumulation during the Caledonian, Late Hercynian and Late Himalayan. With low matrix porosity and permeability of the Ordovician carbonate, the secondary solution pores and caverns serve as the main reservoir space. The polyphase tectonic movements formed unconformity reservoirs widely distributed around the paleo-uplifts; and the reef-bank reservoir is controlled by two kinds of sedimentary facies belts, namely the steep slope and gentle slope. The unconventional carbonate pool is characterized by extensive distribution, no obvious edge water or bottom water, complicated oil/gas/water relations and severe heterogeneity controlled by reservoirs. The low porosity and low permeability reservoir together with multi-period hydrocarbon accumulation resulted in the difference and complex of the distribution and production of oil/gas/water. The distribution of hydrocarbon is controlled by the temporal-spatial relation between revolution of source rocks and paleo-uplifts. The heterogenetic carbonate reservoir and late-stage gas charge are the main factors making the oil/ gas phase complicated. The slope areas of the paleo-uplifts formed in the Paleozoic are the main carbonate exploration directions based on comprehensive evaluation. The Ordovician of the northern slope of the Tazhong uplift, Lunnan and its periphery areas are practical exploration fields. The Yengimahalla-Hanikatam and Markit slopes are the important replacement targets for carbonate exploration. Gucheng, Tadong, the deep layers of Cambrian dolomite in the Lunnan and Tazhong-Bachu areas are favorable directions for research and risk exploration.

Temporal Distribution of Diagnostic Biofabrics in the Lower and Middle Ordovician in North China:Clues to the Geobiology of the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event

The temporal distribution of the diagnostic biofabrics in the Lower and Middle Ordovician in North China distinctly illustrates that the sedimentary systems on the paleoplate have been changed markedly as consequences of the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event （GOBE）. The pre-GOBE sedimentary systems deposited in Tremadoc display widespread microbialite and flat-pebble conglomerates, and a less extent of bioturbation. Through the transitional period of early Floian, the sedimentary systems in the rest of the Early and Mid- Ordovician change to GOBE type and are characterized by intensive bioturbation and vanishing flat-pebble conglomerates and subtidal microbial sediments. The irreversible changes in sedimentary systems in North China are linked to the GOBE, which conduced the increase in infaunal tiering, the expansion of infaunal ecospace, and the appearance of new burrowers related to the development of the Paleozoic Evolutionary Fauna during the Ordovician biodiversification. Thus, changes in sedimentary systems during the pivotal period of the GOBE were consequences of a steep diversification of benthic faunas rather than the GOBE＇s environmental background.

Burial Dissolution of Ordovician Granule Limestone in the Tahe Oilfield of the Tarim Basin,NW China,and Its Geological Significance

With a comprehensive study on the petrology, geology and geochemistry of some Ordovician granule limestone samples in the Tahe Oiifieid of the Tarim Basin, two stages of burial dissolution were put forward as an in-source dissolution and out-source dissolution based on macro-microcosmic petrology and geochemistry features. The main differences in the two stages are in the origin and moving pass of acid fluids. Geochemical evidence indicates that burial dissolution fluids might be ingredients of organic acids, CO2 and H2S associated with organic matter maturation and hydrocarbon decomposition, and the in-source fluid came from organic matter in the granule limestone itself, but the out-source was mainly from other argillaceous carbonate rocks far away. So, the forming of a burial dissolution reservoir resulted from both in-source and the out-source dissolutions. The granule limestone firstly formed unattached pinholes under in-source dissolution in situ, and afterwards suffered wider dissolution with out-source fluids moving along unconformities, seams, faults and associate fissures. The second stage was much more important, and the mineral composition in the stratum and heat convection of the fluid were also important in forming favorable reservoirs.

Depositional architecture of the late Ordovician drowned carbonate platform margin and its responses to sea-level fluctuation in the northern slope of the Tazhong region, Tarim Basin

The Tazhong Uplift of the late Ordovician is a drowned rimmed carbonate platform. The carbonate rock of the late Ordovician Lianglitage Formation in the northern slope of the Tazhong region is one of the significant petroliferous intervals. Based on petrofacies, depositional cycles, natural gammaray spectrometry and carbon/oxygen isotope data from the Lianglitage Formation, one 2nd-order, three 3rd-order and several 4th-order sequences have been recognized, and the late Ordovician relative sealevel fluctuation curve has been established. The sequences O3 1-1 and O3 1-2 on the platform are composed of highstand and transgressive systems tracts, but lack the lowstand systems tract. The sequence O3 1-3 is a drowning sequence. The sequence O3 1-1 overlapped the eroded slope and pinched out to the northwest and landward. The highstand systems tract in the sequence O3 1-2 consists of low-angle sigmoid and high-angle shingled progradation configuration. Major sedimentary facies of the Lianglitage Formation include reef and shoal in the platform margin and lagoon, which can be subdivided into coral-sponge-stromatoporoid reef complex, sand shoal, lime mud mound, and intershoal sea. Reefs, sand shoals and their complex are potential reservoir facies. The reefs and sand shoals in the sequence O3 1-1 developed in the upper of its highstand systems tract. In the sequence O3 1-2, the highstand systems tract with an internal prograding configuration is a response to the lateral shifting of the complex of reef and sand shoal. The transgressive systems tract, in particular the sand shoals, developed widely on the slope of the platform margin and interior. The reefs in the sequence O3 1-3 migrated towards high positions and formed retrograding reefs in the western platform and low relief in the platform interior. Basinward lateral migration of the reefs and pure carbonate rock both characterize highstand systems tract and show that the rise of the relative sea-level was very slow. Shingled prograding stacking pattern of the 4th-order sequences and reefs grow horizontally, which represents the late stage of highstand systems tract and implies relative sealevel stillstand. Reefs migrating towards high land and impure carbonate rock both indicate transgressive systems tract and suggest that the relative sea-level rose fast. Erosional truncation and epidiagenetic karstification represent a falling relative sea-level. The relative sea-level fluctuation and antecedent palaeotopography control the development and distribution of reef complexes and unconformity karst zones. Currently, the composite zone of epidiagenetic karstic intervals and high-energy complexes of reefs and sand shoals with prograding configuration is an important oil and gas reservoir in the northern slope of the Tazhong carbonate platform.

Paleoecology of Early Ordovician Reefs in the Yichang Area,Hubei:a Correlation of Organic Reefs Between Early Ordovician and Jurassic

The Early Ordovician System is composed mainly of a series of carbonate platform deposits interbedded with shale and is especially characterized by a large number of organic reefs or buildups that occur widely in the research area.The reefs have different thicknesses ranging from 0.5 m to 11.5 m and lengths varying from 1 m to 130 m.The reef-building organisms include Archaeoscyphia, Recepthaculitids,Batostoma,Cyanobacteria and Pulchrilamina.Through the research of characteristics of the reef-bearing strata of the Early Ordovician in the Yichang area,four sorts of biofacies are recognized,which are(1) shelly biofacies:containing Tritoechia-Pelmatozans community and Tritoechia-Pomatotrema community;(2) reef biofacies:including the Batostoma,Calathium-Archaeoscyphia, Pelmatozoa-Batostoma,Archeoscyphia and Calathium-Cyanobacteria communities; (3) standing-water biofacies:including the Acanthograptus-Dendrogptus and Yichangopora communities;and(4) allochthonous biofacies:containing Nanorthis-Psilocephlina taphocoense community.The analysis of sea-level changes indicates that there are four cycles of sea-level changes during the period when reef-bearing strata were formed in this area,and the development of reefs is obviously controlled by the velocity of sea-level changes and the growth of accommodation space.The authors hold that reefs were mostly formed in the high sea level periods.Because of the development of several subordinate cycles during the sea-level rising,the reefs are characterized by great quantity, wide distribution,thin thickness and small scale,which are similar to that of Juassic reefs in northern Tibet.The research on the evolution of communities shows that succession and replacement are the main forms.The former is favorable to the development of reefs and the latter indicates the disappearance of reefs.

Chitinozoans from the Fenxiang Formation (Early Ordovician) of Yichang,Hubei Province,China

Chitinozoans collected from upper Tremadocian to lower Floian strata of Chenjiahe section, Yichang, western Hubei, China comprise six species belonging respectively to the genera Euconochitina including a new species, Euconochitina fenxiangensis, Lagenochitina and Bursachitina, together with Desmochitina sp. and Eremochitina sp. The chitinozoan succession across the interval is correlated with relevant conodont and chitinozoan biozones and two new regional chitinozoan biozones, the Lagenochitina destombesi Biozone and the Euconochitina symmetrica Biozone are proposed based on their stratigraphic ranges in the Fenxiang to Honghuayuan formations in the Chenjiahe section.

Biostratigraphic and Chemostratigraphic Correlation for the Base of the Middle Ordovician between Yichang and Western Zhejiang Areas,South China

The base of the Middle Ordovician （i.e. Dapingian Stage） has been defined at the first appearance datum （FAD） of conodont Baltoniodus？ triangularis at Huanghuachang, Yichang, China,but the precise correlation of the boundary to regions of other facies remain to be resolved. Herein we review the biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy of the Huanghuachang Global Standard Stratotype-Section and Point （GSSP） section, and present our latest stratigraphic work on the nearby Chenjiahe s ection in Yichang, and the Hengtang Quarry section, Jiangshan, Zhejiang, which is regarded as representative of slope facies. The conodont and graptolite biostratigraphy as well as chemostratigraphy of the Chenjiahe section indicate that the base of the Middle Ordovician also falls within the graptolite Azygograptus suecicus Zone, and coincides with a high or maximum δ13C value within a minor positive carbon isotope excursion, suggesting that the base boundary can be readily recognized across the entire Yangtze Gorges area. The integrated graptolite and conodont biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy of the Hengtang section, Jiangshan, indicates that the basal boundary probably falls within the graptolite lsograptus caduceus imitatus Zone that overlies the Azygograptus suecicus Zone, and coincides with a remarkable drop of δ13C. This difference indicates that a multi-disciplinary approach is critical to identify the base boundary in those regions where the Baltoniodus ？ triangularis is absent.

Main progress and problems in research on Ordovician hydrocarbon accumulation in the Tarim Basin

The Tarim Basin is the largest petroliferous basin in the northwest of China, and is composed of a Paleozoic marine craton basin and a Meso-Cenozoic continental foreland basin. It is of great significance in exploration of Ordovician. In over 50 years of exploration, oil and gas totaling over 1.6 billion tonnes oil-equivalent has been discovered in the Ordovician carbonate formation. The accumulation mechanisms and distribution rules are quite complicated because of the burial depth more than 3,500 m, multi-source, and multi-stage accumulation, adjustment, reconstruction and re-enrichment in Ordovician. In this paper, we summarized four major advances in the hydrocarbon accumulation mechanisms of Ordovician carbonate reservoirs. First, oil came from Cambrian and Ordovician source rocks separately and as a mixture, while natural gas was mainly cracked gas generated from the Cambrian-Lower Ordovician crude oil. Second, most hydrocarbon migrated along unconformities and faults, with different directions in different regions. Third, hydrocarbon migration and accumulation had four periods： Caledonian, early Hercynian, late Hercynian and Himalayan, and the latter two were the most important for oil and gas exploration. Fourth, hydrocarbon accumulation and evolution can be generally divided into four stages： Caledonian （the period of hydrocarbon accumulation）, early Hercynian （the period of destruction）, late Hercynian （the period of hydrocarbon reconstruction and re-accumulation）, and Himalayan （the period of hydrocarbon adjustment and re-accumulation）. Source rocks （S）, combinations of reservoir-seal （C）, paleo-uplifts （M）, structure balance belt （B） matched in the same time （T） control the hydrocarbon accumulation and distribution in the Ordovician formations. Reservoir adjustment and reconstruction can be classified into two modes of physical adjustment and variation of chemical compositions and five mechanisms. These mechanisms are occurrence displacement, biodegradation, multi-source mixing, high-temperature cracking and late gas invasion. Late hydrocarbon accumulation effects controlled the distribution of current hydrocarbon. The T-BCMS model is a basic geological model to help understanding the control of reservoirs. At present, the main problems of hydrocarbon accumulation focus on two aspects, dynamic mechanisms of hydrocarbon accumulation and the quantitative models of oil-bearing in traps, which need further systemic research.