Peat formation and accumulation mechanism in northern marginal basin of South China Sea

In the present study,the coal-rock organic facies of Oligocene Yacheng Formation of the marginal basin in the South China Sea were classified and divided.In addition,through the correlations of the large-scale coal-bearing basins between the epicontinental sea and the South China Sea,it was concluded that the coal forming activities in the South China Sea presented particularity and complexity.Furthermore,the coal forming mechanisms also presented distinctiveness.The marginal basins in the South China Sea consist of several large and complex rift or depression basins,which are distributed at different tectonic positions in the South China Sea.Therefore,the marginal basins in the South China Sea are not simple traditional units with onshore continental slopes extending toward the deep sea.The marginal basins are known to consist of multi-level structures and distinctive types of basins which differ from the continental regions to the sea.During the Oligocene,the existing luxuriant plants and beneficial conditions assisted in the development of peat.Therefore,the Oligocene was the significant period for the formation and aggregation of the peat.However,the peat did not form in unified sedimentary dynamic fields,but instead displayed multi-level geographical units,multiple provenance areas,instability,and nonevent characteristics.As a result,the marginal basins in the South China Sea are characterized by non-uniform peat aggregation stages.In another words,the majority of the peat had entered the marine system in a dispersive manner and acted as part of the marine deposits,rather than during one or several suitable coal-forming stages.These peat deposits then became the main material source for hydrocarbon generation in all of the marginal basins of the South China Sea.The study will be of much significance for the hydrocarbon exploration in the marginal basins of the South China Sea.

Genetic relationship between formation,accumulation and migration and dispersion of peat materials in Paleogene——Take the Qiongdongnan Basin as an example

Coal-type source rocks include both coal and terrigenous marine source rocks.By studying the distribution of secondary depressions,uplifts,as well as the characteristics of peat formation and accumulation in the northern marginal sea basin of the South China Sea,and combining them with coal formation characteristics observed in other basins,five genetic theories on the relationship between peat accumulation and dispersed organic matter accumulation are proposed.The northern marginal sea basin of the South China Sea is characterized by“disadvantageous coals formation and favorable terrigenous marine source rocks formation.”This paper provides a distribution map of coal seams and terrigenous marine source rocks in the Qiongdongnan Basin and determines their distribution patterns.Research shows that the migration of sedimentary facies in the basins and inner depressions led to the formation and migration of the peat accumulation centers.In addition,the vertical migration of the peat accumulation centers led to planar migration,which is actually a type of coupling relationship.Previous research results have revealed that the formation of coal-type source rock is multi-phased.The marginal sea basin is composed of several fault-depression basins,with each basin developing a second order of depression and uplift.There is no unified basin center or depositional center to be found.As a result,the concentration centers of coal-forming materials also vary greatly.Based on the distribution characteristics of coal-type source rocks in different basins within the marginal sea basins of the South China Sea,the research results have practical significance and provide guidance for exploring coal-type oil and gas reservoirs in this area.

Influences of burial process on diagenesis and high-quality reservoir development of deep-ultra-deep clastic rocks:A case study of Lower Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in southern margin of Junggar Basin,NW China

Taking the Lower Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in the southern margin of Junggar Basin as an example,the influences of the burial process in a foreland basin on the diagenesis and the development of high-quality reservoirs of deep and ultra-deep clastic rocks were investigated using thin section,scanning electron microscope,electron probe,stable isotopic composition and fluid inclusion data.The Qingshuihe Formation went through four burial stages of slow shallow burial,tectonic uplift,progressive deep burial and rapid deep burial successively.The stages of slow shallow burial and tectonic uplift not only can alleviate the mechanical compaction of grains,but also can maintain an open diagenetic system in the reservoirs for a long time,which promotes the dissolution of soluble components by meteoric freshwater and inhibits the precipitation of dissolution products in the reservoirs.The late rapid deep burial process contributed to the development of fluid overpressure,which effectively inhibits the destruction of primary pores by compaction and cementation.The fluid overpressure promotes the development of microfractures in the reservoir,which enhances the dissolution effect of organic acids.Based on the quantitative reconstruction of porosity evolution history,it is found that the long-term slow shallow burial and tectonic uplift processes make the greatest contribution to the development of deep-ultra-deep high-quality clastic rock reservoirs,followed by the late rapid deep burial process,and the progressive deep burial process has little contribution.

A Comparative Study of the Coal-forming Characteristics of Marginal Sea Basins and Epicontinental Sea Basins

The coal-forming characteristics,as well as the similarities and differences between epicontinental sea basins and continental marginal sea basins developed during different time periods,were analyzed in this study by adopting comparative analysis thoughts and methods.The results obtained in this study revealed that epicontinental basins and marginal sea basins are both characterized by the main development of thin coal seams or extremely thin coal seams.In addition,changes in sea levels were determined to be the main controlling factors for coal formation,and there were similarities in the continent-sea interactions and coal-forming sedimentary systems of the different basins.However,there were also significant differences observed in the sea level change events,basin basement structural characteristics,coal seam stability levels,accumulation and aggregation characteristics,and the migration patterns of coal-forming materials.For example,the marginal sea basins in the South China Sea were found to be characterized by strong tectonic activities,diversity and complexity.The basin structures showed complex patterns of depressions,uplifts and concave or sag uplifts,which tended to lead to greater complexity in the paleogeographic patterns of the coal formations.This had subsequently resulted in complex coal-forming processes and paleogeographic characteristics,in which the coal-forming zones displayed bead-like distributions,and the enrichment areas and centers were scattered.The practical significance of studying the similarities and differences of the coal-forming characteristics between epicontinental basins and marginal sea basins is that the results can potentially be used to guide the predictions of coal-measure coal seam distributions in South China Sea,as well as provide valuable guidance for future explorations of natural gas reservoirs related to coal measures in the South China Sea area.

Action mechanisms of abnormal fluid pressure on physical properties of deep reservoirs: A case study on Jurassic Toutunhe Formation in the southern margin of Junggar Basin, NW China

Considering the action mechanisms of overpressure on physical changes in skeleton particles of deep reservoir rocks and the differences in physical changes of skeleton particles under overpressure and hydrostatic pressure, the sandstone of the Jurassic Toutunhe Formation in the southern margin of Junggar Basin was taken as an example for physical modeling experiment to analyze the action mechanisms of overpressure on the physical properties of deep reservoirs. (1) In the simulated ultra-deep layer with a burial depth of 6000-8000 m, the mechanical compaction under overpressure reduces the remaining primary pores by about a half that under hydrostatic pressure. Overpressure can effectively suppress the mechanical compaction to allow the preservation of intergranular primary pores. (2) The linear contact length ratio under overpressure is always smaller than the linear contact length ratio under hydrostatic pressure at the same depth. In deep reservoirs, the difference between the mechanical compaction degree under overpressure and hydrostatic pressure shows a decreasing trend, the effect of abnormally high pressure to resist the increase of effective stress is weakened, and the degree of mechanical compaction is gradually close to that under hydrostatic pressure. (3) The microfractures in skeleton particles of deep reservoirs under overpressure are thin and long, while the microfractures in skeleton particles of deep reservoirs under hydrostatic pressure are short and wide. This difference is attributed to the probable presence of tension fractures in the rocks containing abnormally high pressure fluid. (4) The microfractures in skeleton particles under overpressure were mainly formed later than that under hydrostatic pressure, and the development degree and length of microfractures both extend deeper. (5) The development stages of microfractures under overpressure are mainly controlled by the development stages of abnormally high pressure and the magnitude of effective stress acting on the skeleton particles. Moreover, the development stages of microfractures in skeleton particles are more than those under hydrostatic pressure in deep reservoir. The multi-stage abnormally high pressure plays an important role in improving the physical properties of deep reservoirs.

Geochemical characteristics and genetic model of dolomite reservoirs in the eastern margin of the Pre-Caspian Basin

The widespread Carboniferous KT-I dolomite in the eastern margin of the Pre-Caspian Basin is an important hydrocarbon reservoir. The dolomite lithology is dominated by crystalline dolomite. The δ18O values range from -6.71‰ to 2.45‰, and average 0.063‰, obviously larger than -2.5‰, indicating low-temperature dolomite of evaporation origin. Stable strontium isotope ratios （87Sr/86Sr） range from 0.70829 to 0.70875 and average 0.708365, very consistent with 87Sr/86Sr ratios in Carboniferous seawater. Chemical analysis of Ca and Mg elements shows that the dolomite has 9.1 mole% excess Ca or even higher before stabilization. The degree of order of dolomite is medium–slightly poor, varying in a range of 0.336-0.504 and averaging 0.417. It suggests that the dolomite formed under near-surface conditions. There are two models for the origin of the Carboniferous KT-I dolomite reservoir. These are 1） the evaporation concentration – weathering crust model and 2） the shoal facies – seepage reflux model. The former is mainly developed in restricted platforms – evaporate platforms of restricted marine deposition environments with a representation of dolomite associated with gypsum and mudstone. The latter mainly formed in platform edge shoals and intra-platform shoals and is controlled by dolomitization due to high salinity sea water influx from adjacent restricted sea or evaporate platform.

The Development Characteristics and Distribution Predictions of the Paleogene Coal-measure Source Rock in the Qiongdongnan Basin,Northern South China Sea

There are known to be enormous Cenozoic coal-type oil and gas resources located in the basins of the South China Sea,among which the Paleogene coal-measure source rock are one of the main source rock.In order to more effectively analyze the distribution laws of coal-measure source rock in marginal sea basins and guide coal-type oil and gas explorations,the Oligocene coal-measure source rock in the Qiongdongnan Basin were selected as examples in order to systematically analyze the types,development characteristics,control factors,and distribution prediction methods of coalmeasure source rock in marginal sea basins.The Qiongdongnan Basin is located in the northern region of the South China Sea.Previous explorations of the area have determined that the Oligocene coal-measure source rock in the Qiongdongnan Basin have typical"binary structures",which include coal seams and terrigenous marine mudstone.Among those,the terrigenous marine mudstone has been found to greatly expand the scope of the coal-measure source rock.In addition,the coal seams which have been exposed by drilling have been observed to have the characteristics of thin single layer thickness,many layers,and poor stability.Meanwhile,the terrigenous marine mudstone has the characteristics of large thickness and wide distribution.The development of coal-measure source rock is known to be controlled by many factors,such as paleoclimate and paleobotany condition,paleo-structure and topography,paleo-geography,rise and fall of base level,and so on.In accordance with the comprehensive analyses of various control factors of coal-measure source rock,and the changes in water body energy in sedimentary environments,a genetic model of the"energy belt"for the development and distribution of coal-measure source rock was proposed.Also,the development and distribution characteristics of coalmeasure source rock in different types of energy belts were clarified.Then,based on the development and distribution characteristics of coal-measure source rock and their controlling factors,prediction methods of the distribution ranges of coal-measure source rock were proposed from both qualitative and(semi-)quantitative aspects.That is to say,a method for(semi-)quantitative predictions of the distribution ranges of coal-bearing intervals based on model wave impedance inversion and neural network wave impedance inversion,along with a method for(semi-)quantitative predictions of the distribution ranges of terrigenous marine mudstone based on topographical slopes,were introduced in this study.

Mineralogy and fracture development characteristics of marine shale-gas reservoirs: A case study of Lower Silurian strata in southeastern margin of Sichuan Basin, China

Mineral contents and fractures of shale from well Yuye-1 and outcrops were examined mainly based on systematic description of the cores and outcrops, and data from experimental analyses. The data enabled us to thoroughly explore the mineralogy and developmental features of shale of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the study area. The results show that,the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale(SLS) in the southeastern margin of Sichuan Basin, China, is primarily characterized by a high content of brittle minerals and a relatively low content of clay minerals. The total content of brittle minerals is approximately 57%,including 27% quartz, 12.2% feldspar, 11.2% carbonate and 2.4% pyrite. The total content of clay minerals reaches 41.6%,composed of illite(23.8%), mixed-layer of illite and smectite(I/S)(10.8%) and chlorite(7.0%). The SLS accommodates the widespread development of various types of fractures, including tectonic fractures, diagenetic fractures, inter-layer fractures and slip fractures. The developmental level of the fracture in the SLS is mainly influenced by faults, lithology, mineral contents and total organic carbon content(TOC) in study area.

Two Contrasting Eclogite Types on the Northern Margin of the Qaidam Basin, Western China

Eclogites have been recently discovered in the Xitieshan area in the middlesegment of the northern margin of the Qaidam basin. These eclogites, together with those recognizedearlier in the Yuka area of the western segment of the northern margin of the Qaidam basin and inthe Dulan area of the eastern segment of the northern margin of the Qaidam basin, form an eclogitebelt with a length of 350 km. A comparison of the eclogites from the Yuka and Xitieshan areassuggests that they show different country rocks, microtextures, mineral assemblages, and especially,different peak temperatures, PT paths during decompression and isotopic features. Eclogites fromthe Yuka area bear evidence of prograde metamorphism, such as prograde mineral relics in garnet andgrowth zoning of garnet, and hairpin-shaped PT paths with coincidence of the baric and thermal peaksof metamorphism, which reflect rapid burial and uplift. Sm-Nd isotopic determination shows obviousSm-Nd disequilibrium, and no isochron ages of Early Paleozoic metamorphism was obtained. On thecontrary, the Xitieshan eclogite was subjected to metamorphism of higher eclogite-facies andpost-eclogite-facies temperatures, showing an obvious granulite-facies overprint. A tentative PTpath for the Xitieshan area suggests that the baric peak preceded the thermal culmination. Wholerock-garnet-omphacite Sm-Nd isotopic data give an isochron age in the Early Paleozoic. Thedifferences between the two eclogites imply their different tectonic-thermal history during theirburial and uplift.

Paleotopographic controls on facies development in various types of braid-delta depositional systems in lacustrine basins in China

Braid-delta depositional systems are widely developed in most continental basins in China. Research indicates that, for different types of braid delta, the facies sequence and association, which are critical to the prediction of the distribution of reservoirs, differ greatly. This study illustrates the differences in braid-delta depositional systems in terms of sedimentary characteristics, associated systems and reser- voir distributions using three typical paleodeltas in western China： the Zhenbei delta of the upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin, the Yuanba delta of the upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin and the Jimsar delta of the upper Permian Wutonggou Formation in the Junggar Basin. A stratigraphic framework was established using seismic data, logs and cores by choosing stable mud sections as regional correlation markers and, topographies of these deltas were reconstructed based on the decompaction and paleobathymetric corrections. Based on both the paleotopography of these deltas and the differences of their sedimentary facies, these braided deltas can be classified into two systems： steep-gradient braid-delta-turbidite system and low-gradient braid-delta-lacustrine system. Moreover, the low-gradient braid-delta-lacustrine system can be further divided into interfingered and sharp contact sub-types according to the contact relation between the delta sands and lacustrine muds. This study shows that the paleotopography of basin margins strongly controls the accommodation as braid deltas prograde into lacustrine basins and, influences the location of the shoreline in response to changes in the lake level. Furthermore, paleotopography plays a significant role in facies and reservoir distribution which is important for petroleum exploration and development.

Simulation for the Controlling Factors of Structural Deformation in the Southern Margin of the Junggar Basin

According to the differences of structural deformation characteristics, the southern margin of the Junggar basin can be divided into two segments from east to west. Arcnate thrust-and-fold belts that protrude to the north are developed in the eastern segment. There are three rows of en echelon thrust-and-fold belts in the western segment. Thrust and fold structures of basement-involved styles are developed in the first row, and decollement fold structures are formed from the second row to the third row. In order to study the factors controlling the deformation of structures, sand-box experiments have been devised to simulate the evolution of plane and profile deformation. The planar simulation results indicate that the orthogonal compression coming from Bogeda Mountain and the oblique compression with an angle of 75° between the stress and the boundary originating from North Tianshan were responsible for the deformation differences between the eastern part and the western part. The Miquan-Uriimqi fault in the basement is the pre-existing condition for generating fragments from east to west. The profile simulation results show that the main factors controlling the deformation in the eastern part are related to the decollement of Jurassic coal beds alone, while those controlling the deformation in the western segment are related to both the Jurassic coal beds and the Eogene clay beds. The total amount of shortening from the Yaomoshan anticline to the Gumudi anticline in the eastern part is -19.57 km as estimated from the simulation results, and the shortening rate is about 36.46%; that from the Qingshuihe anticline to the Anjihai anticline in the western part is -22.01 km as estimated by the simulation results, with a shortening rate of about 32.48%. These estimated values obtained from the model results are very close to the values calculated by means of the balanced cross section.

Latest Zircon U-Pb Geochronology of the Huoshiling Formation Volcanic Rocks in the Southeastern Margin of the Songliao Basin

Objective The Huoshiling Formation is the earliest volcanic stratum in the Songliao Basin,composed mainly of intermediate-basic volcanic rocks,with rare fossils.The geological age of this formation has been controversial for long.

Quantitative identification of coal-type gas and oil-type gas in source-mixed gas at the northern margin of Qaidam Basin

The current study tested the gas component and carbon isotopic composition of gas samples from 6 oilgas fields at the northern margin of Qaidam Basin, and established a chart to quantitatively identify the mixing ratio of source-mixed gas. Besides, this research quantitatively investigated the natural gas generated by different types of organic matter. The results show that different ratios of source-mixed gas exist in the 6 oil-gas fields at the northern margin of Qaidam Basin. Among them, Mabei has the highest mixing ratio of coal-type gas, followed by Nanbaxian, Mahai, Lenghu-4, Lenghu-3 and Lenghu-5, with the ratios of coal-type gas 91%, 87%, 83%, 66%, 55% and 36%, respectively. Lenghu-3 and Lenghu-4 oil-gas fields were mainly filled by coal-type gas earlier. For Lenghu-3, the gas was mainly generated from low matured source rocks in lower Jurassic Series of Lengxi sub-sag. For Lenghu-4, the gas was mainly generated from humus-mature source rocks in lower Jurassic Series of the northern slope of Kunteyi sub-sag. Gas in Lenghu-5 was mainly later filled oil-type gas, which was generated from high matured sapropelics in lower Jurassic Series of Kunteyi sub-sag. Earlier filled coal-type gas was the main part of Mahai, Nanbaxian and Mabei oil-gas fields. Gas source of Mahai was mainly generated from high mature humics in lower Jurassic Series of Yibei sub-sag; for Nanbaxian, the gas was mainly generated from high matured humics in middle-lower Jurassic Series of Saishiteng sub-sag; for Mabei, the gas was mainly generated from humus-mature source rocks in middle Jurassic Series of Yuqia sub-sag.

The Type and Evolution of Neoproterozoic Sedimentary Basin in the Dahongshan Region,Northern Margin of the Yangtze Block:An Insight from Sedimentary Characteristics of the Huashan Group

Objective The Huashan group（composed of the lower Hongshansi Formation and the upper Liufangzui Formation）is an important Neoproterozoic stratigraphic unit along the northern margin of the Yangtze Block.Previous documents have focused on the geochronological and geochemical aspects of the Neoproterozoic sedimentary basin in the Dahongshan region.However.

Lithofacies paleogeography restoration and its significance of Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous in southern margin of Junggar Basin,NW China

In view of the difficulties in the study of lithofacies paleogeography and the low reliability of the distribution range of sedimentary sand bodies in the prototype basin caused by less deep drilling, complex seismic imaging and low degree of exploration in the southern margin of Junggar Basin, NW China. A new method based on the source to sink idea was used to restore lithofacies paleogeography and predict glutenite distribution. In the restoration, apatite fission track age was used to define range and uplift time of macro-provenance;the range of provenance area and the migration process of lake shoreline were restored based on the quantitative relationship between gravel diameter and transportation distance, tectonic shortening and other geological parameters;drilling cores and field outcrop sedimentary structures were analyzed, and a series of maps of lithofacies paleogeographic evolution and distribution range of glutenite bodies were compiled. It is concluded that from Early Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, in the southern margin of Junggar Basin, the provenance area gradually expanded from south to north, the lake basin expanded, shrunk and expanded, and the paleoclimate changed from humid to drought to humid. The western section always had proximal fan delta deposits from the southern ancient Tianshan provenance developed, and in the middle and eastern sections, the provenance areas evolved from far source to near source, mainly river-delta, braided delta, fan delta and other sediments developed. The boundary between provenance areas of the western and middle sections is speculated to be Hongche fault zone. In an angle open to the northwest with the current basin edge line, the restored ancient lake shoreline controlled the heterogeneity of reservoirs in the delta plain belt and delta front belt on its both sides. The ancient lake shoreline, current stratigraphic denudation line and current basin margin line limit the types and scope of favorable reservoirs.This understanding provides an important geological basis for oil and gas exploration in the deep lower source-reservoir assemblage at the southern margin of Junggar Basin.

Tectono-Sedimentary History of Southeastern Coast Region,China:a Synthesis

According to the ideas and concepts of systems dynamic of continent structure, using previous information related to the study area, combining analyses on orogenic belt, basin and magmatic rock, the present paper synthesizes the tectono - sedimentary development of southeastern coast region, China, with special emphasis on the mountain making, basining and magmatic activity. The tectonic evolution after Late Caledonian orogeny was dominated by alternating rifting and converging, subsiding and uplifting, mountain making and basining in central and southern parts of southeastern China and the adjacent regions to the east and west. Seventeen geologic events , nine events of plate or terrain convergence , and continental crust accretion , as well as eight events of intracontinental rifting and basin faulting , are closely related to the tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the study area . The accompanied intense and frequent sedimentation , folding , faulting , magmatism and ore- forming process allowed huge coal , multimetal and potential petroleum source rocks to form in local depressions throughout the Caledonian to Himalavan time .

Hydrocarbon accumulation in the deep waters of South China Sea controlled by the tectonic cycles of marginal sea basins

The tectonic cycle of the marginal sea basins in South China Sea(SCS)includes two cycles,i.e.,the formation and contraction of Palaeo-SCS and Neo-SCS.The northern part of SCS is a rift basin on a passive continental margin,while the the Nansha Block is a drifting rift basin.The southern part is a compound compressional basin on an active continental margin;the western part is a shear-extensional basin on a transform continental margin;the eastern part is an accretionary wedge basin on a subduction continental margin.The deep-water basins are mainly distributed on the continental slope and the the Nansha Block.There are three sets of source rocks in the deep-water areas of the northern continental margin in SCS,i.e.,Eocene terrestrial facies,early Oligocene transitional facies and late Oligocene marine facies.A set of Late Cretaceous-Early Oligocene terrestrial marine facies source rocks are developed in the drift-rift basin of SCS.Three sets of Oligocene,early Miocene and Mid-Miocene marine-terrestrial transitional facies source rocks are developed in the deep-water areas of both the southern and western continental margins of SCS.Four sets of reservoirs developed in the northern deep waters of SCS are dominated by deep sea fans.Two sets of reservoirs developed in the the Nansha Block are dominated by delta and biogenic reef.The southern part of SCS is dominated by deep sea fan and biogenic reef.Reservoirs of large channels and other clastic facies were developed in front of the estuaries,while biogenic reef bank was formed in the uplift zone.The hydrocarbon accumulation assemblages are mainly presented as Oligocene-Pliocene in the deep waters on the northern continental margin of SCS,Eocene-Lower Oligocene in the the Nansha Block,Oligocene-Pliocene and Oligocene-Miocene in the deep waters on the southern and western continental margin of SCS,respectively.The major hydrocarbon reservoir types in the deep waters of SCS are related to structural traps,deep water fans and biogenic reefs.The formation of basin,hydrocarbon and reservoir in the deep waters of SCS are controlled by the tectonic cycles of the marginal sea basins,revealing a great potential for hydrocarbon exploration.

Geological Characteristics of Oil and Gas Reservoirs in the Songpan-Aba Area,SW China

The Songpan-Aba area, similar to those basins on the Yangtze block, following the rifting and separation of the Yangtze block, gradually developed into a passive marginal basin on a passive continent margin in Early Paleozoic, and later, with the Qinling-Qilian oceanic crust subduction and ocean closure, the Caledonides were formed and the foreland basin was superimposed upon. Being influenced by the Paleo-Tethyan extension, intra-continental rifting-margin basins were formed in Late Paleozoic. Following the formation of peripheral orogenic belt, the Upper Triassic again superimposed the foreland basin. The Mesozoic and Cenozoic overprinted the faulted basin, forming the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau domes. Hydrocarbon source rock in the Early Paleozoic passive basin, the Upper Paleozoic platform carbonates and the Triassic mudstones comprise the main source-reservoircap combination. Each layer of this area is at the advanced stage of diagenetic evolution, being entered the middle and late diagenetic stages, and anadiagenetic stage. Besides the highly matured Triassic and Permian in Zoige and Hongyuan, almost all the area is at the early stage of over maturatation, generating much methane. This area has the potential for oil and gas.

Petrology and geochemistry of the Shilu Fe-polymetallic ore deposit in Hainan Province of South China: Implications for the origin of Neoproterozoic BIFs

The Shilu Fe-polymetallic ore deposit,a famous hematite-rich Fe-ore deposit,is situated at the western Hainan Province of south China.The deposit characterizes the upper Fe ores and the lower Co-Cu ores,which are mainly hosted within a low-grade to medium-grade,dominantly submarine metamorphosed siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentary succession of the Neoproterozoic Shilu Group.Three facies types of metamorphosed BIFs,i.e.the oxide facies,the silicate-oxide facies and the sulfide-carbonate facies BIFs,are identified within the sixth sequence of the Shilu Group.The oxide facies BIF(i.e.the Fe-rich itabirites or ores)consists of alternating hematite-rich microbands with quartz-rich microbands;the silicate-oxide facies BIF(i.e.the Fe-poor itabirites or ores)comprises alternating millimeter-to a few tens meter-scale,magnetite-hematite-rich bands with calcsilicate-rich(garnet+actinolite+diopside+epidote+quartz)meso-to microbands;and the sulfide-carbonate facies BIF(i.e.the Co-Cu ores)contains alternating macro-to mesobands of Co-bearing pyrite and pyrrhotite,and chalcopyrite with mesobands of dolomite+calcite+diopside+quartz and/or chlorite+sericite+quartz.The blastooolitic,blastopelletoid blastocolloidal and blastopsammitic textures,and blasobedding structures which most likely represent primary sedimentation are often observed in these BIF facies.The interbedded host rocks with the BIFs mainly are the pyroxene-amphibole rocks and the banded or impure dolostones,and also contain banded or laminated structures,and lepido-gra-noblastic,nematoblastic and/or blastoclastic textures.Compositionally,the main host rocks,the pyroxene-amphibole rocks contain basic-intermediate SiO_2(~54.00 wt.%),CaO(~14.19 wt.%),MgO(~9.68 wt.%)and Al_2O_3(~8.49 wt.%)with a positive correlation between Al_2O_3 and TiO_2.The UCC-like Zr and Hf abundances,high Ba content andεNd(t)value(^-5.99)as well as the ratios of La/YbPAAS(0.17~1.00),δEuPAAS(0.88~1.12)andδCePAAS(0.93~1.13)commonly reveal that the protoliths to this type rocks are hydrogenic with a large contribution of terrigenous sediments and minor hydrothermal input.The high CaO+MgO+LOI contents and the extremely low trace element and REEconcentrations as well as the ratios of Y/Ho(44~45),δEuPAAS(1.13~1.57)andδCePAAS(0.69~0.98)reflect a marine origin with minor terrigenous materials for the banded or impure dolostones.Moreover,this type rocks also account for a negativeεNd(t)value(^-7.49).The oxide facies BIF is dominated by Fe_2O_3+FeO(~75.59wt.%)and SiO_2(~20.47 wt.%)with aεNd(t)value of^-6.10.The variable contents in Al_2O_3,TiO 2,K2O,Na2O,Zr,Hf and∑REE,and variable ratios of Y/Ho(24~39)andδEuPAAS(0.86~11.07)suggest the precursor sediments to this facies BIF are admixtures of sea-floor hydrothermal fluids and seawaters with minor involvement of detrital components.Compared to the oxide facies BIF,the silicate-oxide facies BIF is lower in Fe_2O_3+Fe O(~39.81wt.%)and Ba but higher in SiO_2(~42.54 wt.%),Al2O3(~3.60 wt.%),TiO_2(~0.19 wt.%),MgO(~1.12 wt.%),CaO(~9.06 wt.%),K_2O(~0.98 wt.%),Mn and Zr.The ratios of Y/Ho(25~34),La/YbPAAS(0.14-0.74)andδEuPAAS(0.91~1.12)most likely are linked to higher degree of detrital contamintants.While the sulfide-caronate facies BIF is main but variable in Fe_2O_3+Fe O(15.79~57.91 wt.%),SiO 2(0.54~61.52 wt.%),MgO(0.12~16.09wt.%),CaO(0.17~23.41 wt.%)and LOI(8.28-30.06 wt.%).The generally low contents in trace elements(including REE)except for an obvious enrichment in Pb,and the positive Ce anomalies(δCePAAS=1.04~1.95)and negative Pr anomalies(δPrPAAS=0.67~0.93),as well as the variable ratios ofδEuPAAS(0.72~1.71),La/YbPAAS(0.26~1.60)and Y/Ho(26~57)suggest that the precursors to the sulfide-carbonate facies BIF mainly are metalliferious sediments from deep-marine hydrotheral source with minor detrital components.The T2DM ages(ca.2.0 Ga)imply that the Shilu BIFs and interbedded host rocks contain a component with Paleoproterozoic crustal residence age due to a significant crustal accretion event at ca.2.0 Ga in Hainan Island.In connection with the petrographical and mineralogical relationship,we conclude that the precursor precipitates to the Shilu BIFs are variable degree of admixtures of the Fe-Co-Cu-(Si)-rich hydrothermal fluids and detrital components from seawater and fresh water carring continental landmass;whereas the protolith to the main interbedded host rocks,i.e.the pyroxene-amphibole rocks,most likely was terrigenous,fine-grained clastic-sediments but with significant input of hydrothermal fluids in a seawater environment.As a result,a continent marginal marine basin is proposed for deposition of the Shilu BIFs and interbedded host rocks.Sea-level fluctuations caused by marine transgression–regressions possibly contributed to changes in the composition and varied input of the terrigenous sediments.

On Tectonogeomorphology of China

With the deepening of research in the tectonic evolution and stress fields of China in Meso-Cenozoic, some aspects of the Previous conclusion about the tectonogeomorphology of China are found to be open to question. The author considers that the Sichuanian stage (135-52 Ma ) is the embryonic stage for forming the recent landform in eastern China;the appearance of the mountain ranges and drainage basin areas trending in east-west are the results of the north - south directional extension during the North Sinian stage(52 - 23.3 Ma );the formation of five mega - Step landforms from the Qinghai - Xizang Plateau to Pacific ocean and the seafloor spreading basins in the eastern margin of Asian continent as well as the l- up of drainage systems of both Yangtze and Yellow rivers are related to the northward compression, cast-west trending extension and the isostatic compensation of crust during Himalayan Stage (23.3-0.73 Ma ). Through the above three Stages of tectonic processes, a framework of landform of China finally took shape in the main.