Low organic matter abundance and highly efficient hydrocarbon generation of saline source rock in the Qaidam Basin,NW China

The geochemical analysis and experimental simulation are comprehensively used to systematically study the hydrocarbon generation material,organic matter enrichment and hydrocarbon generation model of Paleogene source rock in the Western Qaidam Depression,Qaidam Basin,NW China.Three main factors result in low TOC values of saline lacustrine source rock of the Qaidam Basin:relatively poor nutrient supply inhibits the algal bloom,too fast deposition rate causes the dilution of organic matter,and high organic matter conversion efficiency causes the low residual organic carbon.For this type of hydrogen-rich organic matter,due to the reduction of organic carbon during hydrocarbon generation,TOC needs to be restored based on maturity before evaluating organic matter abundance.The hydrocarbon generation of saline lacustrine source rocks of the Qaidam Basin is from two parts:soluble organic matter and insoluble organic matter.The soluble organic matter is inherited from organisms and preserved in saline lacustrine basins.It generates hydrocarbons during low-maturity stage,and the formed hydrocarbons are rich in complex compounds such as NOS,and undergo secondary cracking to form light components in the later stage;the hydrocarbon generation model of insoluble organic matter conforms to the traditional“Tissot”model,with an oil generation peak corresponding to Ro of 1.0%.

Cenozoic uplift of the Tibetan Plateau:Evidence from the tectonic-sedimentary evolution of the western Qaidam Basin

Geologists agree that the collision of the Indian and Asian plates caused uplift of the Tibet Plateau. However, controversy still exists regarding the modes and mechanisms of the Tibetan Plateau uplift. Geology has recorded this uplift well in the Qaidam Basin. This paper analyzes the tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the western Qaidam Basin using sub-surface seismic and drill data. The Cenozoic intensity and history of deformation in the Qaidam Basin have been reconstructed based on the tectonic developments, faults growth index, sedimentary facies variations, and the migration of the depositional depressions. The changes in the sedimentary facies show that lakes in the western Qaidam Basin had gone from inflow to still water deposition to withdrawal. Tectonic movements controlled deposition in various depressions, and the depressions gradually shifted southeastward. In addition, the morphology of the surface structures in the western Qaidam Basin shows that the Cenozoic tectonic movements controlled the evolution of the Basin and divided it into （a） the southern fault terrace zone, （b） a central Yingxiongling orogenic belt, and （c） the northern fold-thrust belt; divided by the XI fault （Youshi fault） and Youbei fault, respectively. The field data indicate that the western Qaidam Basin formed in a Cenozoic compressive tectonic environment caused by the India--Asia plate collision. Further, the Basin experienced two phases of intensive tectonic deformation. The first phase occurred during the Middle Eocene--Early Miocene （Xia Ganchaigou Fm. and Shang Ganchaigou Fro., 43.8- 22 Ma）, and peaked in the Early Oligocene （Upper Xia Ganchaigou Fro., 31.5 Ma）. The second phase occurred between the Middle Miocene and the Present （Shang Youshashan Fro. and Qigequan Fro., 14.9-0 Ma）, and was stronger than the first phase. The tectonic--sedimentary evolution and the orienta- tion of surface structures in the western Qaidam Basin resulted from the Tibetan Plateau uplift, and recorded the periodic northward growth of the Plateau. Recognizing this early tectonic--sedimentary evolution supports the previous conclusion that northern Tibet responded to the collision between India and Asia shortly after its initiation. However, the current results reveal that northern Tibet also experi- enced another phase of uplift during the late Neogene. The effects of these two stages of tectonic activity combined to produce the current Tibetan Plateau.

Restoration of Eroded Thickness of the Neogene Strata in the Western Qaidam Basin and Its Significance for Oil and Gas Occurrence

During the Pleistocene, the western Qaidam Basin has largely experienced strong structural reconstruction and strong erosion. First, the eroded thickness of Neogene strata was restored approximately by the stratigraphic profile comparison method and plane trend surface restoring method; then, accurate calculation of erosion was recovered using vitrinite reflectance, and the erosion that was restored by the trend surface restoring method was corrected; finally, a distribution map of cumulative erosion was produced. This study marks an important achievement in that one of the most important parameters of basin tectonic evolution, sedimentary evolution, and oil and gas accumulation history has been obtained, and that a basic geological problem has been solved in the Qaidam Basin. The areas with high erosion and low erosion are shown in the map and a close relation between the distribution of oil and gas fields and erosion was recognized. Large and medium oil and gas fields are mainly distributed in areas with medium and low erosion. It is difficult to form large-scale oil and gas accumulation in areas in which erosion is more than 2000 m. The mechanism of the relation between oil and gas distribution and erosion is explained. This study will be of use in predicting the distribution of oil and gas.

Geothermal Field and Tectono-Thermal Evolution since the Late Paleozoic of the Qaidam Basin,Western China

The Qaidam basin is the largest intermountain basin inside Tibet, and is one of the three major petroliferous basins in western China. This study discussed the geothermal field and tectono-thermal evolution of the basin, in an effort to provide evidence for intracontinental or intraplate continental dynamics and basin dynamics, petroleum resources assessment, and to serve petroleum production.

Depth variation of the Conrad discontinuity in the Qaidam Basin, northwestern China, and its crustal dynamic implications

We use broadband records from a dense seismic network deployed in and around the Qaidam Basin in northwestern China to analyze the crustal phases and investigate the depth of the Conrad and Moho discontinuities as well as the P-wave velocity.Waveform cross-correlation is used to assist in the identification of the crustal phases and in determining their arrival times.Depth of the Conrad discontinuity is determined by fitting the travel times of Conrad-diffracted P-waves using a two-layer model.The depth of the Conrad discontinuity under the eastern part of the basin is shallower than the western part,which can be attributed to different crustal shortening mechanisms.The upper crust shortening in the western part of the basin leads to thickening of the upper crust,while multiple thrust faults result in the rise of the Conrad discontinuity in the east.These two different mechanisms determine the depth change of the Conrad discontinuity in the basin from the west to the east,which is supported by the results in this study.

Deep Drilling Campaign in the Western Qaidam Basin,NE Tibetan Plateau and their Revealed Global Temperature Forcing of Salt Formation in the Late Miocene-Quaternary

The Qaidam Basin in the NE Tibetan Plateau has contributed the largest amount of potash in China.However,how the potash was formed has long been a subject of debate.Here we carried out a deep drilling

Natural Gas Types,Distribution Controlling Factors,and Future Exploration in the Western Qaidam Basin

The Paleogene and Neogene oil and gas in the western Qaidam basin have a regular distribution in three concentric zones from the edge to the center of the basin. Natural gas mainly occurs in the inner zone, and the gas-oil ratio of the northern area of the basin is significantly higher than that of the southern area. Large amounts of carbon isotope data of natural gas, plotted in X- shaped and comprehensive identification diagrams for the southern area and northern area, respectively, were used to identify the types of natural gas. The large-scale distribution of natural gas is highly consistent with the Ro values of major source rocks, but is poorly correlated with the type of organic matter. This indicates that the main controlling factor of natural gas distribution is organic matter maturity, and the kerogen types act as the basis for the formation of different types of natural gas. Paleouplifts and squeezed anticlines near hydrocarbon generation depression centers, which are major natural gas-rich regions, control the migration directions of natural gas, while hydrocarbon migration pathways and fault systems connecting gas sources are the most important factors for natural gas reservoir formation in the inner basin. Therefore, favorable zones for natural gas distribution can be predicted on the basis of the distribution of thermal evolution and the gas generation intensity of major source rocks as well as the structural map. The Shizigou-Youshashan- Yingdong-Dawusi, Youquanzi -Kaitemilike - Youdunzi, and Xiaoliangshan - Nanyishan - Dafengshan structural belts are favorable zones for natural gas accumulation. This study has important theoretical and practical significance for future natural gas exploration.

Origin and evolution of oilfield brines from Tertiary strata in western Qaidam Basin:Constraints from ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr,δD,δ^(18)O,δ^(34)S and water chemistry

Chemistry of major and minor elements,87Sr/86Sr,δD,δ18O and δ34S of brines were measured from Tertiary strata and Quaternary salt lakes in the western Qaidam Basin.The water chemistry data show that all oilfield brines are CaCl2 type.They were enriched in Ca2+,B3+,Li+,Sr2+,Br-,and were depleted in Mg2+,SO42-,which indicated that these brines had the characteristics of deeply circulated water.The relationship between δD and δ18O shows that all data of these brines decline towards the Global Meteoric Water Line(GWL) and Qaidam Meteoric Water Line(QWL),and that the intersection between oilfield brines and Meteoric Water Lines was close to the local spring and fresh water in the piedmont in the western Qaidam Basin.The results suggest that oilfield brines has initially originated from meteoric water,and then might be affected by water-rock metamorphose,because most oilfield brines distribute in the range of metamorphosing water.The 87Sr/86Sr values of most oilfield brines range from 0.71121 to 0.71194,and was less than that in salt lake water(>0.712),but close to that of halite in the study area.These imply that salt dissolution occurred in the process of migration.In addition,all oilfield brines have obviously much positive δ34S values(ranging from 26.46‰ to 54.57‰) than that of salt lake brines,which was caused by bacterial sulfate reduction resulting in positive shift of δ34S value and depleteed SO42-in oilfield brines.Combined with water chemical data and δD,δ18O,87Sr/86Sr,δ34S values,we concluded that oilfield brines mainly originate from the deeply circulated meteoric waters,and then are affected by salt dissolution,water-rock metamorphose,sulfate reduction and dolomitization during the process of migration.These processes alter the chemical compositions of oilfield brines and accumulate rich elements(such as B,Li,Sr,Br,K and so on) for sustainable utilization of salt lake resources in the Qaidam Basin.

Cenozoic structural deformation in the Yuqia-Jiulongshan region, northern Qaidam Basin, China

Based on field geological survey, interpretation of seismic reflection profile and thermochronology dating, this paper systematically studied the structural deformation of the Yuqia-Jiulongshan region in northern Qaidam Basin during the Cenozoic. The results show that the area is primarily dominated by a large box-shaped anticline, with steep limbs and a wide and gently-deformed core. The Mahaigaxiu and Jiulongshan anticlines are secondary folds controlled by secondary faults in the limbs of the box-shaped anticline. Whereas the Yuqia and the Northern Yuqia anticlines are secondary folds within the wide core of the box-shaped anticline. The geometry of the box-shaped anticline is mainly controlled by some high-angle reverse faults with certain right-lateral strike-slip components, displaying distinct positive flower structures in section view. Combining the sedimentary correlation and detrital apatite fission track analysis, we believe that the Yuqia-Jiulongshan region was a paleo-uplift that developed slightly in the early Cenozoic, resulting in the relatively thin Cenozoic strata. The intense deformation that shaped the present-day structural framework occurred in or after the sedimentary period of Shizigou Formation. The Yuqia – Jiulongshan paleo-uplift is adjacent to the Sainan depression that is rich in Lower-Middle Jurassic source rocks, and thus has high potential for future hydrocarbon exploration.

Genesis of lacustrine carbonate breccia and its significance for hydrocarbon exploration in Yingxi region, Qaidam Basin, NW China

To examine the reservoir type and distribution regularity of high-and stable-yield lacustrine carbonates in the upper Member of Paleogene Xiaganchaigou Formation of Yingxi region and to determine the high-efficiency hydrocarbon exploration direction, the origin and significance of carbonate breccia in this area were investigated based on comprehensive analysis of a large number of well cores, thin sections, rock and mineral testing and log-seismic data. The study reveals that the carbonate breccia has three origins:(1) Sedimentary breccia, formed by the event-related collapse, fragmentation and re-deposition of the early weakly consolidated carbonate rock in the steep slope of underwater paleohighs due to short-term high-energy water body reformation and other geological processes.(2) Diagenetic breccia, with breccia-like structure, formed by deformation or breaking of host rock due to growth of idiomorphic and coarse crystalline gypsum-salt minerals in the weakly consolidated argillaceous carbonate rock of the penecontemporaneous period.(3) Tectonic breccia, can be further divided into fault breccia and interlayer slip breccia according to their occurrence characteristics, both of which are closely related to activity of the Shizigou thrust Fault. With a large number of partially filled pores, vugs and fractures between breccia, the two types of tectonic breccia are high-and stable-yield reservoirs in deep Yingxi region, and may occur extensively under gypsum-salt detachment layers of adjacent areas, so they are the exploration targets in the next step. Sedimentary breccia and diagenetic breccia are of great significance in searching for large-scale carbonate reservoirs.

Effects of groundwater level on vegetation in the arid area of western China

At present,investigation about the relationship between the change of groundwater level and vegetation mostly focuses on specific watersheds,i.e.limited in river catchment scale.Understanding the change of groundwater level on vegetation in the basin or large scale,be urgently needed.To fill this gap,two typical arid areas in the west of China(Tarim Basin and Qaidam Basin)were chosen the a typical research area.The vegetation status was evaluated via normalization difference vegetation index(NDVI)from 2000 to 2016,sourced from MODN1F dataset.The data used to reflect climate change were download from CMDSC(http://data.cma.cn).Groundwater level data was collected from monitor wells.Then,the relationship of vegetation and climate change was established with univariate linear regression and correlation analysis approach.Results show that:Generally,NDVI value in the study area decreased before 2004 then increased in the research period.Severe degradation was observed in the center of the basin.The area with an NDVI value>0.5 decreased from 12%to 6%between 2000 and 2004.From 2004 to 2014,the vegetation in the study area was gradually restored.The whole coverage of Qaidam Basin was low.And the NDVI around East Taigener salt-lake degraded significantly,from 0.596 to 0.005,2014 and 2016,respectively.The fluctuation of groundwater level is the main reason for the change of surface vegetation coverage during the vegetation degradation in the basin.However,the average annual precipitation in the study area is low,which is not enough to have a significant impact on vegetation growth.The annual average precipitation showed an increase trend during the vegetation restoration in the basin,which alleviates the water shortage of vegetation growth in the region.Meanwhile,the dependence of surface vegetation on groundwater is obviously weakened with the correlation index is−0.248.The research results are of some significance to eco-environment protection in the arid area of western China.

原油中C_(19-49)长链三环萜烷系列及其地球化学意义——以柴达木盆地西部英西地区原油为例

【目的】为了确定柴达木盆地西部英西地区古近系深部储层(E)原油的热演化程度和成因类型,【方法】利用色谱—质谱(GC-MS)和色谱—质谱—质谱(GC-MS-MS)技术,对其中的各类生物标志物、烷基菲和金刚烷类化合物的分布与组成特征进行了系统分析。【结果与讨论】分析结果表明该地区原油中正构烷烃系列均具有明显的偶碳优势,Pr/Ph比值低(<0.60),Ph/nC_(18)比值高(>1.30),伽马蜡烷含量高,伽马蜡烷指数介于0.90~1.36,属于典型咸水湖相原油,这与研究区古近纪的沉积特征一致。但依据不同原油中长链三环萜烷系列的分布与组成特征,可将他们分成两类:一类原油中C_(19-49)长链三环萜烷系列异常丰富,C_(19-30)TT/C_(27-35)H比值大于1.60,C_(23)TT/C_(30)H>1.40,并伴随有高甾藿比(>4.50)和高β-胡萝烷/nC_(37)比值(>3.20),表明藻类是其主要原始生烃母质;另一类原油中C_(19-30)长链三环萜烷系列含量中等,C_(19-30)TT/C_(27-35)H比值小于0.50,C_(23)TT/C_(30)H<0.55,其甾藿比相对较低(<2.0)、β-胡萝卜烷含量中等,β-胡萝烷/nC_(37)比值小于1.50,可见此类原油中藻类的贡献明显低于前一类原油。对比它们的甾、萜烷和金刚烷类化合物成熟度参数,发现这两组原油的成熟度相近,其对应的R_(o)值介于1.1%~1.3%,即它们形成于生油高峰之后、凝析油气形成以前这一演化阶段。【结论】影响研究区原油中长链三环萜烷系列相对丰度的主要因素是原始生烃母质,而非成熟度,因而它在研究区具有指示原油成因类型的作用,在后续油气勘探中应重点关注。

Characteristics, Genesis, and Sedimentary Environment of Duplex-Like Structures in the Jurassic Sediments of Western Qaidam Basin, China

A particular type of soft-sediment deformation structure, similar to imbricate structure, is developed in the Jurassic strata at Honggouzi, western Qaidam Basin, China. We refer to this structure as a duplex-like deformation structure, because it is inferred to have been formed by the action of fast-moving, submarine gravity current sediments gliding across a pre-existing semiconsolidated sedimentary layer. The layers of duplex-like structure crop out in the southeastern limb of the core of a medium-sized anticline. The average dip direction of the duplex-like structure is 301.2° and the average dip angle is 54.7°. Duplex-like deformed laminations are composed mainly of weakly metamorphosed, extremely poorly sorted, feldspathic lithic graywacke. Sericite can be observed along bedding planes. The duplex-like structure occurs within a sequence of river-channel fine conglomerate, interchannel carbonaceous mudstone（shale）, shallow-water delta sand-shale, shallow-lake calcareous mudstone, olistostromes, and a turbidite. At the bottom of the sequence, we found brownish-red shallow-lake calcareous mudstone and carbonaceous mudstone and at the top olistostromes whose genesis is related to the slip and drag of a slumped body of submarine sediment. In combination with other symbiotic and associated structures, it is considered that the duplex-like structure was formed by the slumping and subsequent movement and traction of delta-front semiconsolidated sediments over the bottom sediments of a shore or shallow-lake sedimentary environment, probably triggered by an earthquake. The attitude of the duplex-like structure indicates that the direction of gliding was from NW301.2° toward SE121°, which is consistent with the current location of the Altun Mountains, indicating that the Altun Mountains existed in the Jurassic. The orogenesis of these mountains likely involved seismic activity, and an earthquake was the triggering factor in the formation of the duplex-like structure by causing the slumping/gliding of the olistostrome sediments.

豫西黄河流域古地名源流及其文化内核

豫西黄河流域既是一个地理概念,也是一个文化范畴。在这一区域,黄河及其支流的自然山水、人文因素,催生了不少古地名。丰厚的历史文化积淀,使这一区域的地名源头,从遥远的上古时期延续到漫长的奴隶社会、封建社会乃至近代。地名作为历史的活化石,记载着这一区域的朝代更迭、历史变迁,记载着风云人物、风物传奇,也同样记载着民间百姓的生活和生存状态。豫西黄河流域古地名丰富的历史文化底蕴,主要生发于该区域文化内核——仰韶文化、殷商文化、秦汉文化、唐宋文化等,也得益于黄河这一华夏文明的摇篮。

柴达木盆地西部坳陷古近系全油气系统特征与油气成藏模式

基于柴达木盆地西部坳陷油气勘探实践,结合地震、钻井、测井及地球化学等资料,对柴西坳陷古近系全油气系统基本地质条件、油气分布特征、成藏运聚动力与成藏模式开展研究。研究表明:柴西坳陷发育全球独具特色的“巨厚山地式”全油气系统,围绕古近系下干柴沟组上段烃源岩层系,从盆缘向湖盆中心,平面上构造油气藏、岩性油气藏、页岩油与页岩气有序分布、纵向上叠置连片。柴西坳陷古近系全油气系统具有3方面独特性:(1)低有机质丰度烃源岩“低碳富氢”,单位有机碳生烃能力强;(2)咸化湖盆沉积巨厚,坳陷中心沉积以混源为主,岩相与储集空间纵横向变化快;(3)喜马拉雅期走滑挤压强改造,山地式全油气系统油气差异富集。柴西坳陷古近系全油气系统是源储盖与输导体系协调演化的结果,具有低碳富氢烃源岩全过程生烃、巨厚储集体全坳陷沉积、挤压走滑断裂体促进油气全方位调整、常规-非常规油气全系列分布的特征。受控于喜马拉雅期强构造运动影响,柴西坳陷经历了先拗后隆的演化过程,在湖盆中心发育广义页岩油,在超过2 000 m厚度的沉积体系中,油气连续分布于烃源岩层系内的薄层状灰云岩与紧邻生烃灶的藻灰岩中,白云石晶间孔、纹层缝与断溶体是有效储集空间。相关认识可进一步丰富和发展中国陆相湖盆全油气系统理论,并为柴达木盆地油气综合勘探提供理论指导与技术支持。

柴达木盆地西缘尕斯库勒湖流域地下水流数值模拟及地下水资源评价

尕斯库勒湖流域所属行政区茫崖市自建市以来尚未建设较大规模的集中供水水源,在以水定产、以水定城的城市发展构架下,评价流域地下水资源及开采潜力对城市发展至关重要。文章基于资料收集、动态长观、钻孔抽水试验等手段,采用断面径流量法结合流域尺度的数值模拟,评价了区内地下水天然资源量和允许开采量,并对地下水开采后对水文环境的影响进行了评估。结果表明:尕斯库勒湖流域地下水天然资源量为98.82×10^(4)m^(3)/d,允许开采量为23.5×10^(4)m^(3)/d,地下水资源开采系数<0.4,开采程度低;开采稳定后下游泉水减少10.89×10^(4)m^(3)/d,蒸发量减少12.88×10^(4)m^(3)/d,开采量和泉水及蒸发量减少之和相等,开采地下水间接袭夺了无效蒸发和部分泉水;下游湿地区降深≤0.5 m,湿地面积不产生退化;尕斯库勒湖入湖量减少2.53×10^(4)m^(3)/d,能维持湖泊及湿地周围生态环境的良性循环。

柴达木盆地柴西坳陷古近系-新近系石油地质特征与油气环带状分布模式

柴达木盆地柴西坳陷古近系-新近系石油资源丰富,常规石油与页岩油分别占全盆地常规石油资源的82.4%和非常规页岩油资源的100%。通过研究沉积储层与石油地质特征,剖析柴西坳陷古近系-新近系沉积相和油气成藏特征,提出了油气环带状分布模式。研究认为:①柴西坳陷古近系-新近系沉积相带呈“环带状”分布。外环带为三角洲与滩坝相,以碎屑岩沉积为主,碳酸盐岩沉积较少,发育砾岩、含砾粗砂岩和中-粗砂岩储层。中环带以滨浅湖灰云坪、灰泥坪相沉积为主,发育细砂岩、粉砂岩、灰云岩及藻灰岩,藻灰岩是中环带最具特色且孔隙度最高的岩相类型。内环带以半深湖-深湖相细粒混积岩沉积为主,发育深灰、暗灰色细粒沉积岩,是古近系-新近系最主要的烃源岩发育区。②不同沉积相环带内油藏类型不同。外环带距离生烃灶较远,油气经断层输导在砾岩、粗砂岩等碎屑岩中聚集,形成构造油气藏。中环带紧邻主力生烃灶,油气经断层输导在藻灰岩等碳酸盐岩储层中储集,形成构造-岩性油气藏。内环带油气短距离运移或原位滞留在细粒混积岩中源-储一体,形成页岩油。柴西坳陷从源外到源内,构造-岩性油气藏与页岩油纵向上相互叠置,平面上构造油气藏、构造-岩性油气藏与页岩油呈环带状分布。

珠江口盆地文昌A凹陷西部新生代断裂体系特征及演化过程

断裂体系发育是珠江口盆地文昌A凹陷西部地区新生代构造演化的重要表现形式。利用最新的三维地震资料,在精细刻画断裂体系静态特征的基础上,结合断层活动速率计算恢复断裂体系的动态演化过程,明确了文昌A凹陷西部地区新生代断裂体系发育的时空差异;并结合区域应力背景分析,探讨了断裂体系演化的成因机制,认为新生代以来三大板块间俯冲、碰撞及古南海俯冲消亡、新南海扩张共同造成的南海北缘区域伸展应力场顺时针旋转控制了断裂体系演化的时空差异。研究表明,文昌A凹陷西部地区断裂体系的发育演化经历了裂陷、拗陷与构造活化三个阶段,分别发育了NE(NEE)向、近EW向以及NW(NWW)向三组优势方向断裂,揭示了区域应力场伸展方向由NW—SE向到近SN向再到NNE—SSW向顺时针转变的过程;依据断裂的组合及沿承关系可将其划分为早期发育的NE向与后期发育的NW向两组交叠断裂带,NE向断裂带活动强度大、具有强烈伸展性质,NW向断裂带与基底先存断裂密切相关,活动强度弱、叠加一定走滑性质。文昌A凹陷西部新生代断裂体系演化的时空差异是对南海北缘区域应力场顺时针旋转的响应。

Lithospheric structures across the Qiman Tagh and western Qaidam Basin revealed by magnetotelluric data collected using a self-developed SEP system

Geophysics offers an important means to investigate the physical processes occurring inside the earth.In particular,since the 1960s,electromagnetic(EM)methods have played important roles in mineral exploration and engineering investigation.Such investigation requires extensive data acquisition and experimental analysis based on geophysical techniques.However,high-performance geophysical equipment,particularly EM exploration equipment,has been dominated by large geophysical companies from the United States,Canada,Germany,and other European countries for decades.This has limited the development of deep exploration technology in China.Recently,we have developed a high-resolution acquisition system with a wireless control unit and a high-power transmitting system for surface EM prospecting(SEP).The new system has been tested in the high-intensity,noisy environment in Jian-sanjiang area,Heilongjiang Province.We then conducted a field survey on the western edge of Qaidam Basin,Qinghai Province.A highly conductive anomaly was found in the upper mantle below the Qinmantage Mountains,which indicates a possible northward fluid channel that runs from below the Qinmantage Mountains to the bottom of the western crust of the Qaidam Basin.Identification of this significant feature was made possible by the new SEP for its better resolution than the previous systems.Also,geophysical analysis confirmed that the thick Cenozoic sediments of the Qaidam Basin are underlain by rigid Precambrian basement rocks and are characterized by a series of folds.The resistivity profile indicates that the Qaidam Basin was formed due to the folding structures in the northern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau which provided an additional evidence for the uplifting of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Estimation of soil erosion in a rain shadow river basin in the southern Western Ghats, India using RUSLE and transport limited sediment delivery function

Soil erosion and deposition in a tropical mountainous river basin, viz., Pambar River Basin (PRB), in a rain shadow region of the southern Western Ghats (India) were modelled using Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and transport limited sediment delivery (TLSD) function in GIS. Mean gross soil erosion in the basin is 11.70 t ha-1 yr-1, and is comparable with the results of previous soil erosion studies from the region. However, mean net soil erosion from the basin is 2.92 t ha-1 yr-1 only, which is roughly 25%of the gross soil erosion. Although natural vegetation belts show relatively higher gross- and net-soil erosion rates (mainly due to high LS and C factors), their sediment transport efficiency is remarkably less, compared to the land use/ land cover types with anthropogenic signatures (i.e., plantations and crop-lands). Despite the lesser amount of annual rainfall, the high rates of soil loss from the semi-arid areas of the basin might be the result of the poor protective vegetation cover as well as isolated high intensity rainfall events. The study highlights the significance of climate-specific plans for soil erosion manage-ment and conservation of the soil resources of the basins developed in rain shadow regions.