Geochemical Exploration of Sediments in the Toumodi Region: Origin of Metasediments, Geological Dynamics, and Perspectives for Regional Geological History

The region of Toumodi, located in the heart of the West African Craton, is renowned for its geological complexity. This geochemical study delves into the origin of siliciclastic sediments and the geodynamic context of their formation. The study reveals that Toumodi’s sediments exhibit an intriguing mineralogical composition, with indications of a dual source of parent rocks, one rich in quartz and the other poor in quartz. Furthermore, geochemical analysis highlights a variation in sediment maturity from west to east, indicating the coexistence of distinct geotectonic environments in the region. In the eastern part of the Toumodi region, a passive margin is defined characterized by sediments with an abundance of quartz, while to the west, an active margin is observed with sediments having a lower quartz content. This arrangement suggests the presence of a potential suture zone in the region. This geological complexity underscores the importance of further research to better understand the origin of sediments and the processes that have shaped them. Moreover, this study sheds new light on the fascinating geology of Toumodi, but many questions remain to be explored.

High resolution facies architecture and digital outcrop modeling of the Sandakan formation sandstone reservoir, Borneo:Implications for reservoir characterization and flow simulation

Advances in photogrammetry have eased the acquisition of high-resolution digital information from outcrops, enabling faster, non-destructive data capturing and improved reservoir modeling. Geocellular models for flow dynamics with in the virtual outcrop in siliciclastic deposits at different sets of sandstone facies architecture remain, however, a challenge. Digital maps of bedding, lithological contrast, spatial-temporal variations of bedding and permeability characteristics make it more easy to understand flow tortuosity in a particular architecture. An ability to precisely model these properties can improve reservoir characterization and flow modeling at different scales. Here we demonstrate the construction of realistic 2 D sandstone facies based models for a pragmatic simulation of flow dynamics using a combination of digital point clouds dataset acquired from LiDAR and field investigation of the Sandakan Formation, Sabah, Borneo.Additionally, we present methods for enhancing the accuracy of outcrop digital datasets for producing high resolution flow simulation. A well-exposed outcrop from the Sandakan Formation, Sabah, northwest Borneo having a lateral extent of 750 m was chosen in order to implement our research approach. Sandstone facies and its connectivity are well constrained by outcrop observations, data from air-permeability measurements, bilinear interpolation of permeability, grid construction and water vector analysis for flow dynamics.These proportions were then enumerated in terms of static digital outcrop model(DOM) and facies model based on sandstone facies bedding characteristics. Flow simulation of water vector analysis through each of the four sandstone facies types show persistent spatial correlation of permeability that align with either cross-bedded orientation or straight with more dispersion high quality sandstone(porosity 21.25%-41.2%and permeability 1265.20-5986.25 mD) and moderate quality sandstone(porosity 10.44%-28.75% and permeability 21.44-1023.33 mD). Whereas, in more heterolithic sandstone(wavy-to flaser-bedded and bioturbated sandstone), lateral variations in permeability show spatially non-correlated patterns over centimeters to tens of meters with mostly of low quality sandstone(porosity 3.4%-12.31% and permeability < 1 mD to 3.21 mD). These variations reflect the lateral juxtaposition in flow dynamics. It has also been resulted that the vertical connectivity and heterogeneities in terms of flow are mostly pragmatic due to the interconnected sandstone rather than the quality of sandstone.

Source of silica and its implications for organic matter enrichment in the Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian black shale in western Hubei Province,China:Insights from geochemical and petrological analysis

To improve the understanding of the relationship between silica source and organic matter accumulation,the origin of silica and its implications for organic matter enrichment in the Upper OrdovicianLower Silurian(O_(3)w-S_(1)l)black shale in western Hubei Province in the middle Yangtze area,were investigated through geochemical and petrological analyses.The results show that the O_(3)w-S_(1)l black shale is mainly composed of five lithofacies with varying graptolite abundance,total organic carbon(TOC),and silica contents.Biogenic silica and terrigenous siliciclastic input constitute the main silica sources in O_(3)w-S_(1)l black shale and they exhibit an upward inverse variation trend interpreted to be related to sea-level changes.Moreover,with the increase in biogenic silica content or decrease in terrigenous siliciclastic input,TOC values in black shale initially rise and then fall,which is different from originally expected simple linear relationship.We infer that organic matter enrichment and the distribution of silica from different origins are controlled by sea-level changes and variations in terrigenous input in a continental shelf with little hydrothermal influence.An environment with appropriate sea level and terrigenous input should be most favorable for organic matter accumulation,rather than one with excessive high sea level and less terrigenous input.

Effects of late diagenesis on primary reservoir quality of a quartz arenite unit: a case study from the lower Cretaceous successions of SW

In this study, a sandstone interval of the lower Cretaceous successions in SW Iran is analyzed regarding the effects of late diagenesis on the alteration of primary reservoir quality and pore system. Petrological and geochemical analyses indicate dominant quartz mineralogy(quartz arenite) deposited in distributary channel and mouth bar environments which is embedded in delta front to prodelta argillaceous sediments. Rather than mineralogy and some remaining primary(intergranular)porosity, several late(burial) diagenetic processes including multi-phase carbonate cementation, chlorite cementation, and chemical compaction, affected the reservoir quality. Most of the diagenetic processes had a decreasing effect on the primary reservoir quality. All recognized diagenetic features are related to burial diagenesis of the surrounding open marine shales(clay mineral transformation) and expelled diagenetic fluids.

The Permian-Triassic Transitional Zone: Jordan, Arabian Plate;Linked to Siberian Large Igneous Province and Neo-Tethys Breakup Degassing via Climate Forcing, Atmospheric Hazard and Metal Toxicity

End-Permian Gondwana siliciclastics (50 - 70 m) of the Um Irna F exposed along the NE Dead Sea, exhibit carbonate-free fining upward cycles (FUC) deposited during acid flash flood events under tropical climate. Several ferruginous paleosol intercalations cover periods of drying upward formation (DUP) under semiarid/arid climates. Thin grey pelite beds interbedded between paleosol and overlying FUC, are interpreted as tephra deposits sourced in Siberian LIP- and Neo-Tethys (NT)-Degassing. The Wadi Bassat en Nimra-section exhibits the P-T transitional zone where flash flood deposits meet supra-/intertidal sediments of the southward-directed transgressive NT. Decreasing flash-flooding continued through the Lower Scythian (Ma’in F.) during transgression, reworking, and resedimentation. Two euryhaline foraminifera-bearing limestone beds are discussed as indicators for the end of mass extinction (recovery phase: ca. 250.8 - 250.4 Ma) possibly correlating with the Maximum Flooding Surface MFS Tr 10 (ca. 250.5 Ma) on the Arabian Shelf (Khuff cycles B;A). Comparable data from the Germanic Basin as FUC/DUP-cycles, tephrasuspicious “Grey Beds” with high concentrations of As, Co, Pb, Zn, and Cu as well as the U-Pb Age data of the Siberian LIP meet the PTB-Zone between the MFSs Intervals P 40 (ca. 254 Ma)/Tr 10 (ca 250.5 Ma) on the Arabian Shelf. MFS (Tr 10, 20, 30) and SBs resp. on the Arabian Plate, as well as Scythian Substage boundaries correlate with ∂13 C-excursions recorded at Musandam, UAE. Thereby, the ratio of greenhouse gases (+climate forcing)/aerosols und tephra (-climate forcing) takes a significant influence on the ∂13C-Variation.

Petrography of Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous sandstones in the Kutch Basin,western India:Implications on provenance and basin evolution

This paper investigates the provenance of Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous sediments in the Kutch Basin, western India, on the basis of mineralogical investigations of sandstones composition （Quartz-Feldspar-Lithic （QFL） fragment）, Zircon-Tourmaline-Rutile （ZTR） index, and mineral chemistry of heavy detrital minerals of the framework. The study also examines the compositional variation of the sandstone in relation to the evolution of the Kutch Basin, which originated as a rift basin during the Late Triassic and evolved into a passive margin basin by the end Cretaceous. This study analyzes sandstone samples of Jhumara, Jhuran and Bhuj Formations of Middle Jurassic, Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous, respectively, in the Kutch Mainland. Sandstones record a compositional evolution from arkosic to subarkosic as the feldspar content decreases from 68% in the Jhumara Formation to 27% in the Bhuj Formation with intermediate values in the Jhuran Formation. The QFL modal composition indicates basement uplifted and transitional continental settings at source. Heavy mineral content of these sandstones reveals the occurrence of zircon, tourmaline, rutile, garnet, apatite, monazite and opaque minerals. Sub-rounded to well-rounded zircon grains indicate a polycyclic origin. ZTR indices for samples in Jhumara, Jhuran and Bhuj Formations are 25%, 30% and 50% respectively. Chemistry of opaque minerals reveals the occurrence of detrital varieties such as ilmenite, rutile, hematite/magnetite and pyrite, in a decreasing order of abundances. Chemistry of ilmenites in the Jhumara Formation reveals its derivation from dual felsic igneous and metabasic source, while those in Jhuran and Bhuj Formations indicate a metabasic derivation. Chemistry of garnet reveals predominantly Fe-rich （almandine） variety of metabasic origin. X-ray microscopic study provides the percentage of heavy minerals ranging from 3% to 5.260. QFL detrital modes reflect the evolution of the basin from an active rift to a passive margin basin during the Mesozoic. Integration of results from QFL modal composition of the sandstones, heavy mineral analysis and mineral chemistry, suggests sediment supply from both northern and eastern highlands during the Middle Jurassic. The uplift along the Kutch Mainland Fault in the Early Cretaceous results in curtailment of sediment input from north.