Geomorphological Evolution Revealed by Aeolian Sedimentary Structure in Badain Jaran Desert on Alxa Plateau, Northwest China

The Badain Jaran Desert,located in the Alxa Plateau,Northwest China,features mega-dunes and a unique dune-lake alternation landscape.This paper presented the aeolian sediment structures of three representative dunes in the Badain Jaran Desert using ground-penetrating radar (GPR).We processed and analyzed the GPR data and investigated the feasibility of using integrated GPR and sedimentological data to reconstruct dunes structure,sedimentary environment and geomorphological evolution.The results show that the internal structures of star dune and transverse dune represent various stages of mega-dune evolution: the main deposition processes of mega-dune are similar to those of transverse dunes but have a more complicated mechanism of sand transport and deposition because of the superimposition of dunes;the upper section of the mega-dune has a structure similar to that of star dune,with vertical aggradations on top.Diffraction hyperbolae in the GPR profile indicates that the presence of ancient dunes characterized by calcareous cementation layers is involved in the maintenance of mega-dunes,and water levels,shown by continuous,sub-horizontal GPR reflections,are supposed to be closely related to mega-dunes and the interdune lakes.Outcrop of wet sand and horizontal stratifications on the GPR image indicate moisture potentials with different levels inside mega-dunes.The multiplex geomorphology in the Badain Jaran Desert is the result of global climatic undulation,the unique geographical location,the geological structural features,etc.

Biogenic Sedimentary Structures of the Yellow River Delta in China and Their Composition and Distribution Characters

The biogenic sedimentary structures （i.e., the morphology and trace makers of burrows, tracks, trails and traces made by extant organisms） and their composition and distribution characters in different micro environments and sub environments of the Yellow River delta in China are described. Three ichnocoenosis can be recognized： （1） Steinichnus-like ichnocoenosis, includes F, Y-shaped traces, birds＇ footprints on bedding plane, and Y, U-shaped burrows in intrastratal bedding, produced by Coleoptera （Heteroceridae）, Orthoptera （Gryllotalpidae） and birds. It is majorly found at the delta plain point bar deposits, denoting the fresh water-related terrestrial environments. （2） Steinichnus-Psilonichnus-like ichnocoenosis, consitsis of Steinichnus-like traces on the bedding plane and Psilonichnus-like burrow which a vertical, irregularly J-, Y-, or U-shaped burrows, some of them with bulbous basal cells burrows in the intrastratal bedding, created by Coleoptera （Heteroceridae）, Orthoptera （Gryllotalpidae） and crabs. It is observed in the delta plain abandoned distributary channels, and the delta front tidal creek and subaquous distributary channels, indicating the brackish water environment. （3） Palaeophycus-like ichnocoenosis, includes the round entrance burrows or with craters-shaped loop-protrusionsand and the parallel forked trails on the bedding plane, and the U, J or vertical shaped feeding burrows are in the intrastratal bedding, majorly produced by the clam （bivalve molluscs）, gastropods and Nereis. It is present in the subaqueous interdistributary bay, reflecting the intertidal related environment.

Sedimentary characteristics of distributive fluvial system in arid area: A case study of the Shule River distributive fluvial system, NW China

Based on detailed investigation of the modern sedimentation of the distributive fluvial system of Shule River and the data of unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)aerial photography and satellite remote sensing,the sedimentary characteristics and differences of distributive fluvial system in arid areas are analyzed.By comparing the changes in slope,river morphology and sedimentary characteristics in different sections from the apex to the toe,the distributive fluvial system of Shule River can be divided into three facies belts:"proximal","middle"and"distal".The proximal belt has the largest slope and strongest hydrodynamic condition,mainly appears as large-scale braided river deposits;the fluvial bars in this belt are mainly composed of gravels,the gravels have good roundness and certain directionality,and are medium-large boulders,with low sand content;the main microfacies in this belt are braided channel and flood plain.The middle belt with slope smaller than the proximal belt,is mainly composed of braided bifurcating river deposits.Due to branching and infiltration,this belt has weaker hydrodynamic conditions,so some of the distributive rivers dry up,appearing as ephemeral rivers.This belt has small lenticular sandbodies,fine to medium gravels,higher sand content,and mainly braided channel,flood plain and aeolian dune microfacies.The distal belt has the smallest slope and flat terrain,where the river begins to transform from braided river to meandering river,the sediment is mainly sand.Due to the influence of slope,this belt has weaker erosion toward source and stronger lateral erosion,and point bars developing around the edge of the active lobes.In this belt,the river is completely meandering,and the main microfacies are braided channel,meandering channel,flood plain,aeolian dune,lake and swamp.

Basal Melt-out Structure in the Luoauan Formation and Its Significance

The Late Precambrian Luoquan Formation occurring on the southern margin of the North China platform is of important significance for the study of the tectonics, palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology and regional stratigraphy of the North China and Yangtze platforms. The origin of diamictites of the formation has long been a subject of controversy. Recently a certain type of cross bedding structure has been recognized in the massive diamictite. Analysis of the process of deposition indicates that the structure was formed by the basal melt-out process of the glacier and, to some extent, its form is the manifestation of the primary structure of basal debris-rich glacial ice. The discovery of this sedimentary structure is inducive to the understanding and reconstruction of the features and environmental conditions for the development of the glaciers in the Luoquan Glacial Epoch.

Microbial Mats in the Mesoproterozoic Carbonates of the North China Platform and Their Potential for Hydrocarbon Generation

The well-preserved Mesoproterozoic succession in the North China platform consists mainly of three iithological associations including peritidal quartz sandstone, shallow marine and lagoonal dark to black shales, and shallow epeiric carbonates, with a total thickness of up to 8 000 m. In addition to well-documented microplants, macroalgae, and microbial buildups, abundant microbially induced sedimentary structures （MISS） and mat-related sediments have been recognized in these rocks. Intensive microbial mat layers and MISS are especially well preserved in the carbonates of the upper Gaoyuzhuang （高于庄） （ca. 1.5 Ga） and lower Wumishan （雾迷山） （ca. 1.45 Ga） formations, indicating diversified microbial activities and a high organic production. In these petrified biomats, putative microbial fossils （both coccoidal and filamentous） and framboidal pyrites have been identified. The abundance of authigenic carbonate minerals in the host rocks, such as, acicular aragonites, rosette barites, radial siderites, ankerites, and botryoidal carbonate cements, suggests authigenic carbonate precipitation from anaerobic oxidation of methane （AOM） under anoxic/euxinic conditions. Warm climate and anoxic/euxinic conditions in the Mesoproterozoic oceans may have facilitated high microbial productivity and organic burial in sediments. Although authigenic carbonate cements may record carbonate precipitation from anaerobic methane oxidation, gas blister （or dome） structures may indicate gas release from active methanogenesis during shallow burial. Bituminous fragments in mat-related carbonates also provide evidence for hydrocarbon generation. Under proper conditions, the Mesoproterozoic mat-rich carbonates will have the potential for hydrocarbon generation and serve as source rocks. On the basis of petrified biomats, a rough estimation suggests that the Mesoproterozoic carbonates of the North China platform might have a hydrocarbon production potential in the order of 10 ×10^8 t.

Analysis of the Sedimentary Characteristics of a Modern Distributive Fluvial System:A Case Study of the Great Halten River in the Sugan Lake Basin,Qinghai,China

Understanding controls on river planform changes can help to build predictive models for distributive fluvial systems,and then guide the oil and gas exploration.To do this we have undertaken a detailed investigation of the modern Great Halten River distributive fluvial system from the Sugan Lake Basin,Qinghai,China.Unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) photography,satellite remote sensing data and elemental analysis were used to determine differences in the sedimentary characteristics of the distributive fluvial system.From the apex to the toe,the changes in the slope,river morphology,sedimentary characteristics and element content in different regions were determined and three facies belts:“proximal”,“medial” and “distal” were identified.We found that the sedimentary structure and elemental content characteristics of each facies differ greatly.We compare the large-scale evolution of rivers from braided to meandering rivers,and the fine description of sedimentary characteristics in combination with each observation,we strengthen our overall understanding of the modern DFS from macro to micro scale.At the same time,we summarize the sedimentation model of the Great Halten River DFS,and our study provides a reference for establishing the sedimentary model in continental petroliferous basins.

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RELATED MINERALIZATION OF CHERT FORMATIONS IN SOUTH TIBET

There occur abundant cherts in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic strata in southern Tibet. Some of them possess characteristic hydrothermal structures such as layered, laminated, massive and breccia structures. Ratios of Al/（Al＋Fe＋Mn）, Co/Ni, Fe/Ti and TiO2-A1203 demonstrate that their origin is related to hydrothermal sedimentation. The chert formations have close relationship with Sb, Au and poly-metallic mineralization, and the ore-forming fluid show strong correlation with fossil hydrothermal water. There occur abundant cherts in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic strata in southern Tibet. Some of them possess characteristic hydrothermal structures such as layered, laminated, massive and breccia structures. Ratios of A1/（AI＋Fe＋Mn）, Co/Ni, Fe/Ti and TiO2-A1203 demonstrate that their origin is related to hydrothermal sedimentation. The chert formations have close relationship with Sb, Au and poly-metallic mineralization, and the ore-forming fluid show strong correlation with fossil hvdrothermal water.

Magnetite-Fluorite Rock:A New Rock Type of Hot Water Sedimentation

The new type hot water sedimentary rock -- magnetite-fluorite rock occurs as quasi-layers in flat parts of contact zones between rock body and strata in Bamianshan of Changshan County, Zhejiang Province, China. The main mineral assemblage is fluorite＋magnetite＋cassiterite. The rock shows typical laminated structure and obvious mosaic texture. Its formation temperature is between 123℃-160℃, averaging at 142℃. The major chemical composition of the rock includes CaF2, SiO2, Al2O3, FeO, and Fe2O3; the high-content microelement association includes W, Sn, Be, Rb, Sr, S, and CI; and the total content of REE is low （∑REE between 35.34×10^-6-38.35×10^-6）, showing LREE enrichment type of distribution pattern. Diagenesis： driven by the tectonic stress, the formation water heated in the deep strata had moved along the fissures or fractures in strata and had extracted components from the strata on the way, and finally stagnated in the flat parts of contact zones between rock body and strata. With drop in temperature, magnetite and fluorite were separated from the hot water and precipitated alternately, forming this hot water sedimentary rock with new type mineralogical composition, typical laminated structure, obvious mosaic texture and sub-horizontal occurrence. The characteristics of the new type mineralogical composition, sedimentary tectonic environment and chemical composition are different from that of the well-known traditional hydrothermai sedimentary rocks.

Tectono-paleogeographic study of the Early Cretaceous in the Songliao Basin

Based on first-hand material from the geological exploration of petroleum,we made a detailed study of the tectonic development in the Early Cretaceous and the distribution of basement rifts in the Songliao Basin.The sedimentary characteristics of this epoch and the tectono-paleogeography of the basin were expounded.The results show that in its early stages,the Songliao Basin was characterized by a detached faulted basin in which mainly lake facies developed among mountains.It became gradually one lake during the late stages of the Early Cretaceous.During this period,the fault activity in the Songliao Basin changed from a turbulent to a quiet development,the water area from small separated lakes to one large lake,in which the sedimentary facies were divided into asymmetric eastern and western parts.In the basin a volcanic clastic rock-alluvial fan system developed and a fan delta-lake-small delta-river system was mainly deposired.Our research also shows that the basement rifts not only controlled the distribution of fault depressions and the tectonic development in the Early Cretaceous,but had also an effect on the orientation of sedimentation,source area and river system,which determine the tectonopaleogeography of the Early Cretaceous.

A brief review on 7 papers from the special issue of “The environmental significance of soft-sediment deformation” of the Sedimentary Geology 344(2016)

From the viewpoint of origins of soft-sediment deformation structures（SSDS）, 7 papers（Ito et al.,2016; Jiang et al., 2016; Lunina and Gladkov, 2016; Moretti et al., 2016; Rana et al., 2016; Rodríguez-Pascua et al., 2016; Wheatley et al., 2016） selected from the special issue of ＂The environmental significance of softsediment deformation＂ of the Sedimentary Geology 344（2016） were reviewed.（1） The first paper（according to the published order） by Moretti et al. is a general review and introduction of this special issue. This special issue has made an important contribution to the study of sedimentary environments.（2） The fourth paper by Rodríguez-Pascua et al. is an excellent case study. All evidence of earthquake in this paper is reliable. The old Roman City（adjacent to Madrid, the capital of Spain） was definitely destroyed by an earthquake. This paper solved the problem that the archaeologists have not solved yet.（3） The 19 thpaper by Rana et al. is another excellent case study. It demonstrated that SSDS in the youngest modern sediments in the seismically active area, i.e., the Alaknanda Valley, Garhwal Himalaya, India, are of non-seismic origin, but with typically sedimentary origin. All evidence of sedimentary origin of SSDS in the study area is reliable.（4） The second paper by Lunina and Gladkov stated that SSDS（mainly clastic dikes） in epicentral areas of the recent earthquakes in southern Siberia were originated by earthquakes and that the clastic dikes are the most reliable indicators in the epicentral areas of earthquakes. This conclusion is right. However, it is not accurate to consider all clastic injections as ＂in-situ earthquake structures＂ in anywhere, because the clastic injections are with multiple origins.（5） The third paper by Wheatley et al. comprehensively stated the clastic pipes of the Jurassic in the Colorado Plateau, USA. However, the principal origin of the clastic pipes（columns） was possibly not originated by ＂palaeoseismic controls＂, but by ＂tectonic controls＂ or ＂tectonic uplifts＂.（6） The 10^（th） paper by Jiang et al.proposed that 6 types of SSDS of the Lixian Section in eastern Tibetan Plateau, i.e., in a tectonically and seismically active area, were originated by earthquakes. However, the evidence of seismic origin is not sufficient. Therefore, the origins of SSDS in the Lixian Section are worthy to be further discussed.（7） The＂injectites＂ and ＂extrudites＂ in a Late Pliocene basin on the Boso Peninsula, Japan, from the 24^（th） paper by Ito et al., are non-SSDS and their origin is unreliable.The above viewpoints may be inappropriate. Criticisms and corrections are welcome.This paper is not only the author＇s brief review on 7 papers selected from the special issue of the Sedimentary Geology 344（2016）, but also an invitation to geologists worldwide to write papers for a new special issue of ＂The origins of SSDS＂ of the Journal of Palaeogeography which is planned to be published in 2018.