Sedimentary features and sequence stratigraphy of the successions around the Carboniferous–Permian boundary in the Ordos Basin: links to glacial and volcanic impacts

Abstract

The sedimentary successions around the Carboniferous–Permian boundary (CPB) in the Ordos Basin were investigated using extensive outcrop, borehole, well logging, thin section, and geochemistry data to study sedimentary and sequence stratigraphic responses to glaciation and volcanism in paleotropical transitional strata. Within the studied interval, five distinct lithofacies have been identified, including bauxite, coal, and carbonaceous shale (No. 8 + 9 coal seams), sandstone (Qiaotou), limestone (Baode), and mudstone, which can be classified into three lithofacies associations. The most complete lithofacies association is composed of bauxite, coal, carbonaceous shale, sandstone, limestone/mudstone or their combinations from the bottom to the top, while coal and carbonaceous shale, as well as sandstone, are absent locally, resulting in the formation of the other two types of lithofacies associations. The occurrence of bauxite indicates shelf exposure and weathering, the occurrence of coal and carbonaceous shale indicates swampiness of the shelf, and the occurrence of sandstone reveals river rejuvenation; all of these are thought to be sedimentary responses to the transcontinental glacier expansion in Gondwana around the CPB. The presence of limestone and mudstone indicates carbonate platform and lagoon deposition, respectively, in the context of the earliest Asselian transgression caused by volcanism-induced glacier melting. The lithofacies associations record the regressive–transgressive cycles that occurred because of glaciation and volcanism near the CPB. The top surface of bauxite can be used as a sequence boundary, while the lowstand systems tract consists of the No. 8 + 9 coal seams and the Qiaotou sandstone, and the transgressive systems tract consists of the overlying Baode limestone and laterally equivalent mudstone. The lowstand systems tract, which contains source rock and hydrocarbon reservoirs, and the overlying transgressive systems tract, which serves as cap rock, form an excellent source-reservoir-seal combination.