Calci-microbialite as a potential source rock and its geomicrobiological processes

Abstract

The calci-mircobialite is a special carbonate buildup, which is formed due to the activities of different kinds of microbes. Abundant microfossils preserved in the microbialite show the high-level productivity during deposition, while characteristic sedimentary minerals and geochemical compositions suggest an anoxic marine environment for organic burial. The high-level productivity and anoxic sedimentary environment favor the efficient preservation of organic matter and thus the formation of source rocks. On these points, microbialites could be one of the potential hydrocarbon source rocks, awaiting further geobiological investigation and exploration. Precambrian and some of the great transitional stages in Phanerozoic are critical periods when microbialites were well developed. Widespread microbialites have been found in North and South China. Bitumen observed in many outcrops of Precambrian and late Devonian microbialites further raises the possibility of the calci-microbialite as a potential hydrocarbon source rock.