A geochemical investigation of the free and carbonate-bound organic matter in the clay-sized fraction of argillaceous source rocks and its significance for biogenic interpretation

The molecular composition and biomarker distribution of various occurrences of organic matter in argillaceous source rocks developed in fresh and saline lacustrine environments were revealed by successive treatments of solvent extraction followed by acid hydrolysis using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The free fraction obtained by solvent extraction provided abundant geochemical information concerning the sedimentary environment, thermal maturity and biogenic origin, and obvious differences existed between fresh and saline lacustrine source rock samples. Our research results indicate that the carbonate-mineral-bound(CM-bound) fraction released by successive acid hydrolysis could also serve as a significant biogenic indicator, as the bicyclic sesquiterpenoids, indicative of Botryococcus braunii origin, were specifically detected in quite high abundance in the acid-soluble fraction. In addition, the light end hydrocarbons were much better preserved in the acid-soluble fraction, and elemental sulfur was only detected in the CM-bound fraction, suggesting a relatively confined environment for the CM-bound fraction, which thus could preserve additional geochemical information compared to that of the free fraction. The CM-bound fraction also exhibited discernable differences between fresh and saline lacustrine samples. Therefore, it can be concluded that comprehensive analysis of free and CM-bound fractions in the argillaceous source rocks can provide a more authentic and objective interpretation of geologic conditions.

Meuse/Haute-Marne centre:next steps towards a deep disposal facility

This paper presents the main results obtained during a decade of scientific activities in the Meuse/Haute-Marne Underground Research Laboratory （URL） located on the eastern boundary of the Paris Basin, in the Callovo-Oxfordian clay rock formation. The URL was built in the framework of ANDRA＇s research program into the feasibility of a reversible deep geological disposal of high-level and intermediate-level long-lived radioactive （HL, ILLL） waste. Its underground drifts have been used to study a 160-million-year old clay layer. The 2006 Planning Act adopted this disposal concept as the reference solution for the long-term management of HL and ILLL radioactive waste. Today, research is continuing into the design and sitting of the disposal facility which could be commissioned by 2025 if its license is granted in 2016. Through these programs, the laboratory will help ANDRA develop a concrete approach with a view to proposing suitable architectures and management methods for a deep disposal facility, to allow by 2016 the decision for the start of the construction of the shafts and drifts of the new disposal facility.

Element Response to the Ancient Lake Information and Its Evolution History of Argillaceous Source Rocks in the Lucaogou Formation in Sangonghe Area of Southern Margin of Junggar Basin

With the analysis of the element geochemistry characteristics, the ancient lake infor- mation evolution history of the argillaceous source rocks in Lucaogou 0~/~＇~） Formation in San- gonghe area is reconstructed. According to the ancient lake information and total organic matter （TOC） characteristics of argillaceous source rocks, the study section is divided into 6 Subsec- tions. Subsection I mainly developed low-quality source rocks. This is because of the arid climate, high salinity, low lake productivity, unstable preservation conditions in this Subsection. Subsection II mainly developed high-quality source rocks. This is because of the humid climate, low salinity, high lake productivity, stable preservation conditions in this Subsection. Though the paleoclimate was humid and preservation conditions were stable. Lake productivity and the water salinity changed frequently. So Subsection III mainly developed medium-quality source rocks. Because of the humid climate, high lake productivity, medium sedimentary rate and stable preservation conditions, high-quality source rocks were developed in Subsection IV. The preservation conditions were stable, but other ancient lake information changed frequently. Therefore, the quality of the formed source rocks in Subsection V was different. Subsection VI mainly developed high-quality source rocks be- cause of the humid climate, medium sedimentary rate, high lake productivity, low salinity and good preservation conditions. In summary, the ancient lake information parameters and TOC characteris- tics of each Subsection are different from each other.

The Origin of Bedded Cherts of the Early Permian Gufeng Formation in the Lower Yangtze Area, Eastern China

Bedded cherts occurring in the Early Permian Gufeng Formation in the Lower Yangtze region, eastern China, are nearly 20-80 m in thickness and contain varying amounts of radiolarians and sponge spicules. There are three types of section for the Gufeng Formation: chert, carbonate and chert-carbonate mixing types. Bedded cherts mainly occur in the first and third types of section. The depocentres of silica are marked by some small (not larger than a few thousand square kilometres in area) rhombic or elliptic hollows and their formation was controlled by faults. Argillaceous volcanic rocks in cherts occur as numerous thin layers. Bedded cherts are characterized by higher Fe and lower Al contents, enrichment in such trace elements as As, Sb, Bi, Ga, Au, Ag and Cr, lower total REE abundance, negative Ce anomaly and varying degrees of HREE enrichment. These characteristics are important evidence for hydrothermal cherts. Minor amounts of substances of non-hydrothermal origin are mixed in the cherts. The temperatures of sea water range approximately from a few tens of degrees to over 160℃. during the deposition of siliceous sediments.