Mechanism analysis of organic matter enrichment in different sedimentary backgrounds: A case study of the Lower Cambrian and the Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian, in Yangtze region

Abstract

In order to meet the demand of shale oil and gas exploration, it is more and more important to study the controlling effect of sedimentary environment on the enrichment of organic matter. In this paper, the Lower Cambrian and Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian shales in the Yangtze region are studied. Firstly, according to the content of Mo and TOC, the water closure property of the shale depositional period is judged. Then this study selected typical wells, and calculated quantitatively whether there was excess siliceous minerals in shale and the content of it. The origin of excess siliceous minerals is determined by Al, Fe and Mn element. The results show that the Lower Cambrian shale is deposited in a weak to moderate restricted water environment, and the Upper Ordovician and Lower Silurian shales are deposited in a strong restricted water environment in the Yangtze region. Excess siliceous minerals in the Lower Cambrian shale is of hydrothermal origin. On the one hand, hydrothermal activity can enhance the reductivity of the water bottom. On the other hand, it can improve the biological productivity, so that the sedimentary organic matter can be enriched. Excess siliceous minerals in Upper Ordovician and Lower Silurian shale is biogenic. The strong restriction of the water leads to stratification. The oxygen content in the upper layer makes the biological productivity higher and the lower layer more reductive, which is beneficial to the preservation of sedimentary organic matter.