Impact and mechanism of bisphosphonate depressant 1-hydroxypropane-1,1-diphosphonic acid on flotation decalcification of dolomite-rich magnesite ore

Given the depletion of high-quality magnesite deposits and the rising demand for high-end magnesium materials,the separation and utilization of high-calcium magnesite ores have become essential.However,the similar surface properties and solubility of semi-soluble salt-type minerals,pose significant challenges for the utilization of dolomite-rich magnesite resources.In this study,1-hydroxypropane-1,1-di phosphonic acid(HPDP)was identified for the first time as a high-performance depressant for dolomite.Various tests,including contact angle measurements,ζ potential analysis,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,and atomic force microscopy,were conducted to elucidate the interfacial interaction mechanisms of HPDP on the surfaces of the two minerals at different scales.Additionally,molecular modeling calculations were used to detail the spatial matching relationship between HPDP and the crystal faces of the two minerals.It was emphasized that HPDP specifically adsorbed onto the dolomite surface by forming calcium phosphonate,ensuring that the dolomite surface remained hydrophilic and sank.Moreover,it was found that the adsorption strength of HPDP on the mineral surfaces depended on the activity of the metal sites and their spatial distribution.These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the molecular design of flotation reagents for high-calcium magnesite ores.

Role of tannin pretreatment in flotation separation of magnesite and dolomite

Flotation separation of magnesite and its calcium-containing carbonate minerals is a difficult problem.Recently,new regulat-ors have been proposed for magnesite flotation decalcification,although traditional regulators such as tannin,water glass,sodium carbon-ate,and sodium hexametaphosphate are more widely used in industry.However,they are rarely used as the main regulators in research because they perform poorly in magnesite and dolomite single-mineral flotation tests.Inspired by the limonite presedimentation method and the addition of a regulator to magnesite slurry mixing,we used a tannin pretreatment method for separating magnesite and dolomite.Microflotation experiments confirmed that the tannin pretreatment method selectively and largely reduces the flotation recovery rate of dolomite without affecting the flotation recovery rate of magnesite.Moreover,the contact angles of the tannin-pretreated magnesite and dolomite increased and decreased,respectively,in the presence of NaOl.Zeta potential and Fourier transform infrared analyses showed that the tannin pretreatment method efficiently hinders NaOl adsorption on the dolomite surface but does not affect NaOl adsorption on the magnesite surface.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations confirmed that tannin interacts more strongly with dolomite than with magnesite.

Dominance of rock exposure and soil depth in leaf trait networks outweighs soil quality in karst limestone and dolomite habitats

Leaf trait networks(LTNs)visualize the intricate linkages reflecting plant trait-functional coordination.Typical karst vegetation,developed from lithological dolomite and limestone,generally exhibits differential communities,possibly due to habitat rock exposure,soil depth,and soil physicochemical properties variations,leading to a shift from plant trait variation to functional linkages.However,how soil and habitat quality affect the differentiation of leaf trait networks remains unclear.LTNs were constructed for typical dolomite and limestone habitats by analyzing twenty-one woody plant leaf traits across fifty-six forest subplots in karst mountains.The differences between dolomite and limestone LTNs were compared using network parameters.The network association of soil and habitat quality was analyzed using redundancy analysis(RDA),Mantle's test,and a random forest model.The limestone LTN exhibited significantly higher edge density with lower diameter and average path length when compared to the dolomite LTN.It indicates LTN differentiation,with the limestone network displaying a more compact architecture and higher connectivity than the dolomite network.The specific leaf phosphorus and leaf nitrogen contents of dolomite LTN,as well as the leaf mass and leaf carbon contents of limestone LTN,significantly contributed to network degree and closeness,serving as crucial node traits regulating LTN connectedness.Additionally,both habitat LTNs significantly correlated with soil nitrogen and phosphorus,stoichiometric ratios,pH,and organic carbon,as well as soil depth and rock exposure rates,with soil depth and rock exposure showing greater relative importance.Soil depth and rock exposure dominate trait network differentiation,with the limestone habitat exhibiting a more compact network architecture than the dolomite habitat.

Characteristics and main controlling factors of intra-platform shoal thin-layer dolomite reservoirs:A case study of Middle Permian Qixia Formation in Gaoshiti-Moxi area of Sichuan Basin,SW China

Based on the study of the distribution of intra-platform shoals and the characteristics of dolomite reservoirs in the Middle Permian Qixia Formation in the Gaoshiti–Moxi area of the Sichuan Basin,SW China,the controlling factors of reservoir development were analyzed,and the formation model of“intra-platform shoal thin-layer dolomite reservoir”was established.The Qixia Formation is a regressive cycle from bottom to top,in which the first member(Qi1 Member)develops low-energy open sea microfacies,and the second member(Qi2 Member)evolves into intra-platform shoal and inter-shoal sea with decreases in sea level.The intra-platform shoal is mainly distributed near the top of two secondary shallowing cycles of the Qi2 Member.The most important reservoir rock of the Qixia Formation is thin-layer fractured-vuggy dolomite,followed by vuggy dolomite.The semi-filled saddle dolomite is common in fracture-vug,and intercrystalline pores and residual dissolution pores combined with fractures to form the effective pore-fracture network.Based on the coupling analysis of sedimentary and diagenesis characteristics,the reservoir formation model of“pre-depositional micro-paleogeomorphology controlling shoal,sedimentary shoal controlling dolomite,penecontemporaneous dolomite benefiting preservation of pores,and late hydrothermal action effectively improving reservoir quality”was systematically established.The“first-order high zone”micro-paleogeomorphology before the deposition of the Qixia Formation controlled the development of large area of intra-platform shoals in Gaoshiti area during the deposition of the Qi2 Member.Shoal facies is the basic condition of early dolomitization,and the distribution range of intra-platform shoal and dolomite reservoir is highly consistent.The grain limestone of shoal facies is transformed by two stages of dolomitization.The penecontemporaneous dolomitization is conducive to the preservation of primary pores and secondary dissolved pores.The burial hydrothermal fluid enters the early dolomite body along the fractures associated with the Emeishan basalt event,makes it recrystallized into medium–coarse crystal dolomite.With the intercrystalline pores and the residual vugs after the hydrothermal dissolution along the fractures,the high-quality intra-platform shoal-type thin-layer dolomite reservoirs are formed.The establishment of this reservoir formation model can provide important theoretical support for the sustainable development of Permian gas reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin.

Facies-controlled prediction of dolomite reservoirs in the Middle Permian Qixia Formation in Shuangyushi,northwestern Sichuan Basin

The Middle Permian Qixia Formation in the Shuangyushi area,northwestern Sichuan Basin,develops shoal-facies dolomite reservoirs.To pinpoint promising reservoirs in the Qixia Formation,deep thin shoal-facies dolomite reservoirs were predicted using the techniques of pre-stack Kirchhoff-Q compensation for absorption,inverse Q filtering,low-to high-frequency compensation,forward modeling,and facies-controlled seismic meme inversion.The results are obtained in six aspects.First,the dolomite reservoirs mainly exist in the middle and lower parts of the second member of Qixia Formation(Qi2 Member),which coincide with the zones shoal cores are developed.Second,the forward modeling shows that the trough energy at the top and bottom of shoal core increases with increasing shoal-core thickness,and weak peak reflections are associated in the middle of shoal core.Third,five types of seismic waveform are identified through waveform analysis of seismic facies.Type-Ⅰ and Type-Ⅱ waveforms correspond to promising facies(shoal core microfacies).Fourth,vertically,two packages of thin dolomite reservoirs turn up in the sedimentary cycle of intraplatform shoal in the Qi2 Member,and the lower package is superior to the upper package in dolomite thickness,scale and lateral connectivity.Fifth,in plane,significantly controlled by sedimentary facies,dolomite reservoirs laterally distribute with consistent thickness in shoal cores at topographical highs and extend toward the break.Sixth,the promising prospects are the zones with thick dolomite reservoirs and superimposition of horstegraben structural traps.

Classification and rating of disintegrated dolomite strata for slope stability analysis

Although disintegrated dolomite,widely distributed across the globe,has conventionally been a focus of research in underground engineering,the issue of slope stability issues in disintegrated dolomite strata is gaining increasing prominence.This is primarily due to their unique properties,including low strength and loose structure.Current methods for evaluating slope stability,such as basic quality(BQ)and slope stability probability classification(SSPC),do not adequately account for the poor integrity and structural fragmentation characteristic of disintegrated dolomite.To address this challenge,an analysis of the applicability of the limit equilibrium method(LEM),BQ,and SSPC methods was conducted on eight disintegrated dolomite slopes located in Baoshan,Southwest China.However,conflicting results were obtained.Therefore,this paper introduces a novel method,SMRDDS,to provide rapid and accurate assessment of disintegrated dolomite slope stability.This method incorporates parameters such as disintegrated grade,joint state,groundwater conditions,and excavation methods.The findings reveal that six slopes exhibit stability,while two are considered partially unstable.Notably,the proposed method demonstrates a closer match with the actual conditions and is more time-efficient compared with the BQ and SSPC methods.However,due to the limited research on disintegrated dolomite slopes,the results of the SMRDDS method tend to be conservative as a safety precaution.In conclusion,the SMRDDS method can quickly evaluate the current situation of disintegrated dolomite slopes in the field.This contributes significantly to disaster risk reduction for disintegrated dolomite slopes.

Origin of dolomites in the Permian dolomitic reservoirs of Fengcheng Formation in Mahu Sag,Junggar Basin, NW China

Origin of authigenic dolomites in the dolomitic reservoir of the Permian Fengcheng Formation in the Mahu Sag of Junggar Basin is unclear.Occurrence and genetic evolution of the authigenic dolomites in dolomitic rock reservoir of the Fengcheng Formation in the Mahu Sag were analyzed by polarized and fluorescence thin sections,scanning electron microscope(SEM),electron microprobe(EMP),C,O and Sr isotopes analysis,and other techniques.(1)Dolomites were mainly precipitated in three stages:penecontemporaneous-shallow burial stage(early stage of the Middle Permian),middle burial stage(middle stage of the Middle Permian),and middle-deep burial stage,with the former two stages in dominance.(2)Dolomitization fluid was high-salinity brine originating from alkaline lake.In the penecontemporaneous-shallow burial stage,Mg^(2+)was mainly supplied by alkaline-lake fluid and devitrification of volcanic glass.In the middle burial stage,Mg^(2+)mainly came from the transformation of clay minerals,devitrification of volcanic glass and dissolution of aluminosilicates such as feldspar.(3)Regular changes of Mg,Mn,Fe,Sr,Si and other elements during the growth of dolomite were mainly related to the alkaline-lake fluid,and to different influences of devitrification and diagenetic alteration of volcanic materials during the burial.(4)In the penecontemporaneous stage,induced by alkaline-lake microorganisms,the micritic-microcrystalline dolomites were formed by primary precipitation,replacement of aragonite and high-Mg calcite,and other processes;in the shallow burial stage,the silt-sized dolomites were formed by continuous growth of micritic-microcrystalline dolomite and replacement of calcites,tuffs and other substances;in the middle burial stage,the dolomites,mainly silt-and fine-sized,were formed by replacement of volcanic materials.The research results are referential for investigating the formation mechanism and distribution patterns of tight dolomitic reservoirs in the Mahu Sag and other similar oil and gas bearing areas.

Effect of depressants on flotation separation of magnesite from dolomite and calcite

The flotation separation of magnesite from calcium-containing minerals has always been a difficult subject in minerals processing.This work studied the inhibition effects of carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC),sodium lignosulphonate,polyaspartic acid(PASP)and sodium silicate on flotation behaviors of magnesite,dolomite and calcite,providing guidance for the development of reagents in magnesite flotation.The micro-flotation results showed that among these four depressants,sodium silicate presented the strongest selectivity due to the highest recovery difference,and the flotation separation of magnesite from dolomite and calcite could be achieved by using sodium silicate as the depressant.Contact angle measurement indicated that the addition of sodium silicate caused the largest differences in surface wettability of the three minerals,which was in line with micro-flotation tests.Furthermore,zeta potential test,the Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR)spectroscopy and atomic force microscope(AFM)imaging were used to reveal the inhibition mechanism of sodium silicate.The results indicated that the dominated component SiO(OH)3
of sodium silicate could adsorb on minerals surfaces,and the adsorption of sodium silicate hardly affected the adsorption of NaOL on magnesite surface,but caused the reduction of NaOL adsorption on dolomite and calcite surfaces,thereby increasing the flotation selectivity.

Removal of dolomite and potassium feldspar from apatite using simultaneous flotation with a mixed cationic-anionic collector

This study aims to investigate the effect of a cationic-anionic mixed collector(dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide/sodium oleate(DTAB/NaOL)on the selective separation of apatite,dolomite,and potassium feldspar.Herein,several experimental methods,including flotation experiments,zeta-potential detection,microcalorimetry detection,XPS analysis and FTIR measurements,were used.The flotation tests showed that dolomite and potassium feldspar can be successfully removed from apatite simultaneously when the molar ratio of DTAB to NaOL was 2:1 with pH 4.5.Zeta-potential and microcalorimetry detection suggested that NaOL and DTAB were adsorbed on the surface of dolomite and potassium feldspar respectively,and part of NaOL and DTAB formed co-adsorption on the surface of potassium feldspar to enhance the floatability of potassium feldspar.The XPS and FTIR spectra analysis demonstrated that the cationic collector,DTAB,was first adsorbed on the surface of potassium feldspar through electrostatic attraction in the DTAB/NaOL mixture system.Subsequently,the anionic NaOL collector and cationic DTAB collector form an electron neutralisation complex,thereby resulting in co-adsorption on the surface of potassium feldspar.NaOL was chemically reacted and adsorbed on dolomite surface,but almost no collector was adsorbed on apatite surface.Finally,the adsorption models of different collectors on mineral surface were obtained.

Dolomitization evolution and its effects on hydrocarbon reservoir formation from penecontemporaneous to deep burial environment

Aiming at the scientific problem that only part of dolomite acts as dolomite reservoir,this paper takes the multiple dolomite-bearing formations in the Tarim and Ordos basins,NW China and Sichuan Basin,SW China as the study object,by means of mineral petrological analysis and geochemical methods including carbonate clumped isotope,U-Pb isotopic dating,etc.,to rebuild the dolomitization pathway and evaluate its effects on reservoir formation.On the basis of detailed rock thin section observation,five dolomitic structural components are identified,including original fabric-retained dolomite(microbial and/or micrite structure),buried metasomatic dolomite I(subhedral-euhedral fine,medium and coarse crystalline structure),buried metasomatic dolomite II(allotriomorphic-subhedral fine,medium and coarse crystalline structure),buried precipitation dolomite and coarse crystalline saddle dolomite.Among them,the first three exist in the form of rocks,the latter two occur as dolomite minerals filling in pores and fractures.The corresponding petrological and geochemical identification templates for them are established.Based on the identification of the five dolomitic structural components,six dolomitization pathways for three types of reservoirs(preserved dolomite,reworked dolomite and limestone buried dolomitization)are distinguished.The initial porosity of the original rock before dolomitization and the dolomitization pathway are the main factors controlling the development of dolomite reservoirs.The preserved dolomite and reworked dolomite types have the most favorable dolomitization pathway for reservoir formation,and are large scale and controlled by sedimentary facies in development and distribution,making them the first choices for oil and gas exploration in deep carbonate formations.

Genesis of Dolomite from Ma5^5-Ma5^10 Sub-members of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the Jingxi Area in the Ordos Basin

We clarified three stages of dolomitization and secondary changes by studying the petrology and geochemistry characteristics of dolomite from the Ma5^5-Ma5^10 sub-members of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the Jingxi area in the Ordos Basin： （1） Syngenetic microbial dolomitization is characterized by formation of dolomite with a mainly micrite structure and horse tooth-shape dolomite cements. （2） Seepage reflux dolomitization during the penecontemporaneous period superposed adjustment functions such as recrystallization and stabilization in the middle-deep burial stage, forming dolomites mainly consisting of micro crystal and powder crystal structure. （3） Powder dolomite, fine dolomite, and medium-coarse crystalline dolomite formed in pores and fractures in the middle-deep burial stage. The secondary concussive transgression-regression under a regressive background is an important condition for the occurrence of many stages of dolomitization in the study area. The basin was an occlusive epicontinental sea environment in the Ma5 member of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation sedimentary period. In the sediments, sulfate content was high, which is conducive to the preservation of microbial activity and microbial dolomitization. Micritic dolomite formed by microbial dolomitization provides good migration pathways for seepage reflux dolomitization. Affected by evaporation seawater with increased Mg/Ca ratio, seepage reflux dolomitization was widely developed and formed large-scale dolomite, and underwater uplifts and slopes are favorable areas for dolomite. In the middle-deep burial stage, dolomitizing fluid in the stratum recrystallized or stabilized the previous dolomite and formed a small amount of euhedral dolomite in the pores and fractures.

Production of high-purity Mg metal from dolomite through novel molten salt electrolysis and vacuum distillation

In this study,a novel Mg production process for producing high-purity Mg metal from dolomite was developed.When the electrolysis of calcined dolomite was conducted using Cu cathode and C anode in MgF_(2)–LiF molten salt at 1083–1173 K by applying an average current of 1.42–1.46 A for 9.50–21.0 h,the current efficiency of 66.4–88.6%was obtained.The produced Mg alloys consisted of MgCu_(2)and Cu(Mg)or MgCu_(2)and CuMg_(2)phases,depending on the Mg concentration in the Mg alloy.When the electrolysis of calcined dolomite was conducted in MgF_(2)–LiF–CaF_(2)molten salt at 1083 K,the current efficiency was 40.9–71.4%,owing to undesired reactions such as electroreduction of Ca^(2+)or/and CO_(3)^(2−)ions.Meanwhile,the current efficiency increased from 40.9%to 63.2%by utilizing a Pt anode,because the occurrence of CO_(3)^(2−)ions in the molten salt was prevented.After vacuum distillation of the obtained Mg alloys at 1300 K for 10 h,Mg metal with a purity of 99.9996–99.9998%was produced.Therefore,the feasibility of this novel process for the production of high-purity Mg metal from dolomite was demonstrated.

Reservoir Characterization of Special Dolomite Rock of Fengcheng Formation in Junggar Basin, China

Dolomites and eruptive rocks are well-developed in the Permian Fengcheng Formation in Junggar Basin in China, in which oil and gas are accumulated extensively. Until now, high-yield industrial oil and gas flows have been obtained in the dolomitic tuff of the second unit of the Fengcheng Formation, which demonstrates the huge exploration potential of the thick layer of massive dolomitic tuff. The lithology of the second unit of the Fengcheng Formation in this area has gradually transformed from the dolomite, dolomitic tuff to siltstone from east to west. Moreover, the well testing shows that the reservoir is oil-saturated, and the production rate mainly depends on the reservoir’s physical properties and fracture development. In this study, different types of data including core data, well log and seismic data are used cooperatively to characterize the sedimentary, structure and fracture features of the Fengcheng Formation, and then characterize the promising target zone in the study area. The result indicates that hydrocarbons are most accumulated along the deep fault in the Wu-Xia fault zone, which will be the favorable zone for the next progressive exploration.

Features and origins of massive dolomite of Lower Ordovician Penglaiba Formation in the northwest Tarim Basin:Evidence from petrography and geochemistry

An integrated petrographical and geochemical study of the massive dolomite of the lower Ordovician Penglaiba Formation of the Tarim Basin,outcropping at Yonganba recognized three dolomite types:very finely to finely crystalline nonplanar-a to planar-s dolomite(D1);medium crystalline planar-s to planar-e dolomite(D2);and coarse crystalline nonplanar-a dolomite(D3).All have been affected by burial.D1 and D2 dolomites developed initially before or during shallow burial and later recrystallized,whereas D3 dolomite replaced the initial limestone entirely during burial.All three dolomites have similar geochemical features.The D2 dolomite tends to have more inter-crystalline pores(inherited from primary pores)and higher porosity due to its outstanding compaction resistance during shallow burial;whereas D3 dolomite does not retain appreciable primary pores due to strong cementation and pressure dissolution before dolomitization.This study provides a useful model for understanding the origin and porosity development of burial dolomite,in particular Paleozoic dolomite.

Kinetics of extracting magnesium from mixture of calcined magnesite and calcined dolomite by vacuum aluminothermic reduction

The vacuum aluminothermic reduction of the mixture of calcined magnesite and calcined dolomite was studied. An isothermal reduction method satisfying the vacuum aluminothermic reduction was proposed. The experiments were carried out at 4 Pa. The results indicate that the reduction rate is increased with increasing temperature, content of aluminum and pellet forming pressure. The XRD patterns of pellets at different reduction stages confirm that the reduction process can be roughly classified into three stages：the formation of MgAl2O4, and Ca12Al14O33 phases;the phase transformation from MgAl2O4 and C12A7 to CaAl2O4;the formation of CaAl4O7 phase. The experimental data were divided into three parts according to the kinetic models. The apparent activation energies of the three parts were determined to be 98.2, 133.0 and 223.3 kJ/mol, respectively.

Mechanism of extracting magenesium from mixture of calcined magnesite and calcined dolomite by vacuum aluminothermic reduction

The process of aluminothermic reduction of a mixture of calcined dolomite and calcined magnesite had been developed. The mechanism of the process was studied by SEM and EDS. The reduction process was divided into three stages:0≤ηt/ηf≤0.43±0.06, 0.43±0.06≤ηt/ηf≤0.9±0.02 and 0.9±0.02≤ηt/ηf<1, whereηt andηf are the reduction ratio at time t and the final reduction ratio obtained in the experiment at temperature T, respectively. The first stage included the direct reaction between calcined dolomite or calcined magnesite and Al with 12CaO·7Al2O3 and MgO·Al2O3 as products. The reaction rate depended on the chemical reaction. The CA phase was mainly produced in the second stage and the overall reaction rate was determined by both the diffusion of Ca2+ with molten Al and the chemical reaction. The CA2 phase was mainly produced in the third stage and the reaction process was controlled by the diffusion of Ca2+.

The relationship between dolomite textures and their formation temperature: a case study from the Permian-Triassic of the Sichuan Basin and the Lower Paleozoic of the Tarim Basin

Study of dolomite texture can contribute to understanding the process of dolomitization.This research reports textures and homogenization temperatures of dolomites from the Permian-Triassic strata in the Sichuan Basin and the Lower Paleozoic strata in the Tarim Basin,which provided insights into relationships between dolomite textures and their formation temperatures.Our results are summarized as follows：1） dolomites with well-preserved texture indicate low dolomitization temperature.However,in certain diagenetic environments,the hydrothermal dolomitization may completely or partially preserve the original texture of dolomites.2） The formation temperatures of non-planar dolomites are always higher than those of planar dolomites.3） The formation temperatures of dolomite cements are generally higher than those of replacive dolomites.4） Although the formation temperatures of saddle dolomite cements have a wide range,they show higher values than those of the planar subhedral to euhedral dolomite cements.Thus,saddle dolomites could generally be an indicator of high precipitation temperature.5） The fluid Mg/Ca ratio is another element controlling dolomite morphology.Micritic dolomites,which precipitate from hypersaline fluids with a high Mg/Ca ratio in a subaerial environment could also have features of non-planar anhedral crystal shape because of rapid nucleation and crystallization during dolomitization.

Characterization of the Microbial Dolomite of the Upper Sinian Dengying Formation in the Hanyuan Area of Sichuan Province,China

The algal dolostone of the Upper Sinian Dengying Formation （corresponding to the Ediacaran system） in the Upper Yangtze Platform of China possesses a rich diversity of microorganisms and is an ideal site for the study of ancient microbial dolomite. We focused on algal dolostone and its microbial dolomite in the Hanyuan area of Sichuan Province, China. The macroscopic petrological features, microscopic morphology, texture characteristics of the fossil microorganisms and microbial dolomite, and geochemical characteristics were investigated. We found rich fossil microorganisms and microbial dolomites in the laminated, stromatolithic, uniform and clotted （algal） dolostones. The microorganisms present were mainly body fossils of cyanobacteria （including Renalcis, Girvanella, Nanococcus, and Epiphyton） and their trace fossils （including microbial mats （biofilms）, algal traces, and spots）. In addition, there was evidence of sulfate-reducing bacteria （SRB）, moderately halophilic aerobic bacteria, and red algae. The microbial dolomites presented cryptocrystalline textures under polarizing microscope and nanometer-sized granular （including spherulitic and pene-cubical granular） and （sub） micron-sized sheet-like, irregular, spherical and ovoidal morphologies under scanning electron microscope （SEM）. The microbial dolomites were formed by microbialiy induced mineralization in the intertidal zone and lagoon environments during the depositional and syngenetic stages and microbially influenced mineralization in the supratidal zone environment during the penecontemporaneous stage. The microbial metabolic activities and extracellular polymeric substances （EPS） determined the morphology and element composition of microbial dolomite. During the depositional and syngenetic stages, the metabolic activities of cyanobacteria and SRB were active and EPS, biofilms and microbial mats were well-developed. EPS provided a large number of nucleation sites. Accordingly, many nanometer-sized pene-cubical granular and （sub） micron-sized sheet-like microbial dolomites were formed. During the penecontemporaneous stage, SBR, cyanobacteria, and moderately halophilic aerobic bacteria were inactive. Furthermore, nucleation sites reduced significantly and were derived from both the EPS of surviving microorganisms and un-hydrolyzed EPS from dead microorganisms. Consequently the microbial dolomites present nanometer-sized spherulitic and micron-sized irregular, spherical, and ovoidal morphologies. Overall, the microbial dolomites evolved from nanometer-sized granular （including spherulitic and pene-cubical granular） dolomites to （sub） micron-sized sheet-like, irregular, spherical and ovoidal dolomites, and then to macroscopic laminated, stromatolithic, uniform, and clotted dolostones. These findings reveal the correlation between morphological evolution of microbial dolomite and microbial activities showing the complexity and diversity of mineral （dolomite）-microbe interactions, and providing new insight into microbial biomineralization and microbial dolomite in the Precambrian era.

Characteristics, formation and evolution of pre-salt dolomite reservoirs in the fifth member of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation, mid-east Ordos Basin, NW China

The characteristics and formation of the pre-salt dolomite reservoirs in the fifth member of Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the mid-east Ordos Basin are investigated through observation of cores and thin sections,and geochemical analysis.(1)The pre-salt dolomites can be divided into dolomicrite,grain dolomite and dolarenite,in which the main reservoir space consists of intercrystalline pores and various dissolved pores.(2)The diagenesis in the study area is complex and mainly includes dolomitization,dissolution,filling,and recrystallization.(3)Multi-stages of dolomitization,including penecontemporaneous capillary concentration dolomitization,seepagereflux dolomitization during penecontemporaneous and shallow burial stage,and burial dolomitization in later stage,are conducive to the preservation of primary pores and development of secondary pores.(4)Multi-stages of dissolution also have strong influence on the development of secondary pores;the secondary transgression and regression cycles during the contemporaneous-penecontemporaneous stage led to exposure and dissolution of soluble minerals and thus the generation of secondary pores.(5)In the burial stage,reservoir pores were further improved due to organic acid dissolution and the dissolution by hydrosulphuric acid from thermochemical sulfate reduction(TSR)and its product H2S.(6)High H2S concentration area in pre-salt reservoirs can thus be considered as targets for future exploration.

Origin of the penecontemporaneous sucrosic dolomite in the Permian Qixia Formation, northwestern Sichuan Basin, SW China

The characteristics,formation time,and origin of the sucrosic dolomite reservoirs in the Permian Qixia Formation of northwestern Sichuan Basin are analyzed.Core and outcrop description and microscopic analysis of the sucrosic dolomite samples are carried out.It is found that the dolomite has typical features different from other kinds of dolomites:(1)This dolomite is generally medium-coarse in crystal size,and often associated with very finely to finely crystalline dolomite and cave-filling dolomite.(2)Typical identification marks of eogenetic karstification are developed at the top of the upward-shallowing sequence.(3)The medium-coarse crystalline sucrosic dolomite is cut by the early diagenetic karst fabric,and is characterized by dolomite with dissolution edge,dolomite vadose silt in pores,and transgression clay filling between the medium-coarse dolomite crystals.The medium-coarse crystalline sucrosic dolomite was formed earlier than the eogenetic karstification.The sucrosic dolomite with occasional cloudy core and clear rim has bright cathodoluminescence,high inclusions temperature,significant negative skewness carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions,and rare-earth element(REE)pattern similar to seawater,indicating it experienced two periods of dolomitization,evaporative concentration reflux-infiltration and penecontemporaneous seawater circulation hydrothermal fluid dolomitization.The study results not only update the understanding on the dolomitization time of Qixia Formation,demonstrate that the sucrosic dolomite can be formed in the penecontemporaneous stage when seawater reflux superimposed with hydrothermal fluid effects,but also show that the taphorogenesis in the Dongwu period began in the Early Permian.Moreover,the dolomite controlled by the grain bank migration and terrain in the slope break appears in bands of large scale,this knowledge provides basis for expanding the exploration field of this type of reservoirs.