Thin Sandstone Research Articles

Ocean current intensification during the Cretaceous oceanic anoxic event 2 – evidence from the northern Tethys

AbstractMesozoic Oceanic Anoxic Events (OAEs) are expressions of major physical oceanographic changes at times of perturbation of the global carbon cycle. A northern Tethyan record of OAE2 is preserved in expanded Cenomanian–Turonian pelagic limestone sections (Seewen Formation) in Eastern Switzerland. The new carbonate carbon‐isotope stratigraphy extracted from these limestones demonstrates that the OAE2 is condensed in all the studied successions and only the onset of the δ13C excursion (5.0‰) is present. The condensed interval is characterized by dissolution features, which are filled by a glauconite quartz sandstone. This bed is overlain by a well‐sorted sandstone with intercalated limestone pebbles (Götzis Member), which can be compared with palimpsest sands forming today along current‐swept shelves. The wide distribution of this thin sandstone layer within OAE2 indicates that an intense, erosive, east‐west trending shelf current was active during the highest sea level and most extreme carbon‐cycle perturbation of the OAE2.

LARGE ASTRORHIZID FORAMINIFERA FROM OLIGOCENE - LOWER MIOCENE DEEP-SEA SEDIMENTS, NORTHERN APENNINES, ITALY: A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE GENUS ASTRORHIZINOIDES STSCHEDRINA, 1969

Nulliporites bombicoides Sacco, 1888 and Nulliporites stellaris Sacco, 1888 from the Oligocene - Lower Miocene deep-sea turbiditic sediments of Liguria and Piedmont (Monastero and Rocchetta formations) appear to belarge, agglutinated astrorhizid foraminiferids both assigned in this study tothe genus Astrorhizinoides Stschedrina, 1969 under a single species, Astrorhizinoides bombicoides (Sacco, 1888). This foraminiferis characterized by a simple, straight to slightly curved or rarely branched test, which displays a thick, smooth, finely agglutinated wall, with constrictions, and a very thin chamber lumen, whose apertures are observed at least at one of the terminal ends of the test. The tests, partly crushed, are preserved mostly on the soles of thin turbiditic sandstones, where they may be aligned. Probably, the foraminifer was originally a semi-infaunal, free-standing form, the test of which was partly flexible.

Diagenesis and reservoir quality evolution of the Eocene sandstones in the northern Dongying Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, East China

The Eocene sandstones in the northern Dongying Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China, are reservoirs for large accumulations of hydrocarbons. The sandstones are mainly lithic arkoses and feldspathic litharenites, texturally and compositionally immature. These sandstones have a wide range of porosity (0.4–37%) and permeability (0.004–6969 mD) and show an overall decrease in reservoir quality from 1500 m to 5000 m below sea level. The reduction in reservoir quality is a product of several digenetic processes; these include compaction, precipitation of dolomite and calcite in eodiagenetic stage; compaction, feldspar dissolution, precipitation of quartz cements and clays (kaolin and illite) and precipitation of ferrocalcite and ankerite in mesodiagenetic stage.Mineral distribution pattern and isotopic composition suggest carbonate cements in sandstones originate from sources outside the sandstones. Carbonate cementation, together with compaction reduced the sandstones’ porosity and permeability significantly. In a sandstone bed, marginal sandstones with distance to sandstone/mudstone interface less than one meter always have lower porosity than central sandstones. As burial depth exceeds 4000 m, marginal sandstones have very low porosities (<5%), indicating that thin sandstone beds (<2 m) were totally destroyed by cementation and compaction, and only thick sandstone beds (>2 m) can be potential effective reservoirs.Feldspar dissolution and precipitation of clays and quartz cements have little impact on absolute porosity. Mineral distribution pattern and quantitative data show that leached feldspars are the internal source of authigenic quartz and clays in sandstones, and the volume difference between feldspar secondary porosity and related authigenic cements is generally less than 0.25%. However, although there is little or no net import of matter to the sandstones, the pore architecture changes dramatically. Primary macropores are lost as clays and quartz precipitate while the proportion of microporosity increases, occurring mainly between clay crystals. The overall result is that permeability is significantly degraded.

Tectono-geomorphic and environmental set-up deduced during deposition of Mio-Pleistocene sediments in NW Himalaya, India

Detailed pedofacies characterization along-with lithofacies investigations of the Mio-Pleistocene Siwalik sediments exposed in the Ramnagar sub-basin have been studied so as to elucidate variability in time and space of fluvial processes and the role of intra- and extra-basinal controls on fluvial sedimentation during the evolution of the Himalayan foreland basin (HFB).Dominance of multiple, moderately to strongly developed palaeosol assemblages during deposition of Lower Siwalik (~12–10.8Ma) sediments suggest that the HFB was marked by Upland set-up of Thomas et al. (2002). Activity of intra-basinal faults on the uplands and deposition of terminal fans at different times caused the development of multiple soils. Further, detailed pedofacies along-with lithofacies studies indicate prevalence of stable tectonic conditions and development of meandering streams with broad floodplains. However, the Middle Siwalik (~10.8–4.92Ma) sub-group is marked by multistoried sandstones and minor mudstone and mainly weakly developed palaeosols, indicating deposition by large braided rivers in the form of megafans in a Lowland set-up of Thomas et al. (2002). Significant change in nature and size of rivers from the Lower to Middle Siwalik at ~10Ma is found almost throughout of the basin from Kohat Plateau (Pakistan) to Nepal because the Himalayan orogeny witnessed its greatest tectonic upheaval at this time leading to attainment of great heights by the Himalaya, intensification of the monsoon, development of large rivers systems and a high rate of sedimentation, hereby a major change from the Upland set-up to the Lowland set-up over major parts of the HFB.An interesting geomorphic environmental set-up prevailed in the Ramnagar sub-basin during deposition of the studied Upper Siwalik (~4.92 to <1.68Ma) sediments as observed from the degree of pedogenesis and the type of palaeosols. In general, the Upper Siwalik sub-group in the Ramnagar sub-basin is subdivided from bottom to top into the Purmandal sandstone (4.92–4.49Ma), Nagrota (4.49–1.68Ma) and Boulder Conglomerate (<1.68Ma) formations on the basis of sedimentological characters and change in dominant lithology. Presence of mudstone, a few thin gravel beds and dominant sandstone lithology with weakly to moderately developed palaeosols in the Purmandal sandstone Fm. indicates deposition by shallow braided fluvial streams. The deposition of mudstone dominant Nagrota Fm. with moderately to some well developed palaeosols and a zone of gleyed palaeosols with laminated mudstones and thin sandstones took place in an environment marked by numerous small lakes, water-logged regions and small streams in an environment just south of the Piedmont zone, perhaps similar to what is happening presently in the Upland region/the Upper Gangetic plain. This area is locally called the ‘Trai region’ (Pascoe, 1964). Deposition of Boulder Conglomerate Fm. took place by gravelly braided river system close to the Himalayan Ranges. Activity along the Main Boundary Fault led to progradation of these environments distal-ward and led to development of on the whole a coarsening upward sequence.

Palaeoenvironmental implications of the giant crocodylian Mourasuchus (Alligatoridae, Caimaninae) in the Yecua Formation (late Miocene) of Bolivia

Tineo, D.E., Bona, P., Pérez, L.M., Vergani, G.D., González, G., Poiré, D.G., Gasparini, Z.N. & Legarreta, P., 1.10.2014. Palaeoenvironmental implications of the giant crocodylian Mourasuchus (Alligatoridae, Caimaninae) in the Yecua Formation (late Miocene) of Bolivia. Alcheringa 39, xxx–xxx. ISSN 0311-5518Outcrops of the Yecua Formation (late Miocene) are exposed for approximately 230 m along the La Angostura section of the Piraí River (50 km southwest of Santa Cruz de la Sierra). These reveal massive (argillic palaeosols) and laminated (quiet-water lacustrine and marsh settings) mudstones interbedded with thin sandstones containing microfossils, molluscs and vertebrate remains. Significantly, the succession hosts a giant crocodylian, Mourasuchus (Alligatoridae, Caimaninae), which is represented by both skull and postcranial fragments found in association with freshwater turtles and fishes. Mourasuchus was distributed widely from the middle Miocene of Colombia to upper Miocene of Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina, suggesting connections between major fluvial systems and an active mechanism for dispersal of South American freshwater vertebrates during the Miocene.David Eric Tineo [tineo.d.e@gmail.com] and Daniel Gustavo Poiré [dgpoire@yahoo.com.ar], CONICET—Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Calle 1 (644), B1900FWA, La Plata, Argentina; Paula Bona [paulabona26@gmail.com] and Zulma Gasparini [zgaspari@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar], CONICET—División Paleontología Vertebrados, Museo de La Plata. Paseo del Bosque s/n, B1900FWA, La Plata, Argentina; Leandro Martín Pérez [pilosaperez@gmail.com] CONICET—División Paleozoología Invertebrados, Museo de La Plata. Paseo del Bosque s/n, B1900FWA, La Plata, Argentina; Gustavo Dardo Vergani [gvergani@pluspetrol.net]—Pluspetrol S.A. Lima (339), C1073AAG, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Gloria González Rigas [ggonzalez@pluspetrol.net]—Pluspetrol Bolivia Corporation SA, Av. Grigotá esq. Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia; Pablo Legarreta [plegarreta@pluspetrol.net]—Pluspetrol S.A. Lima (339), C1073AAG, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Impact of hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency of continental shale upon shale oil accumulations in eastern China

Core samples were taken from two formations (the Qingshankou Formation in northern Songliao Basin and the third member of the Shahejie Formation of Zhanhua Sag) to carry out a study of impact of hydrocarbon expulsion from continental shale upon shale oil accumulations in eastern China. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and pyrolysis data of these samples were used to establish an evaluation criterion with absolute and relative oil content indexes for determining oil potential of shale. As a result, a correspondence relationship between shale oil content and organic types was established. Factors that may affect oil content of shale were discussed through study of fractures, pore development, minerals and lithological assemblage of the samples. The results show that oil content of mature petroleum source rocks is firstly controlled by fracture growth and secondly by pore development. They played both negative and positive roles in hydrocarbon flow and accumulation in shale. Overpressure caused by hydrocarbon generation and existence of organic acid corrosion are two important factors affecting the formation of fractures and pores in shale, respectively. Intervals with type I organic matter are not favorable shale oil exploration targets because they contain little oil. Shale with type I organic matter tends to generate large amount of hydrocarbon, but these hydrocarbon will escape with a high efficiency through over-pressurized fractures caused by hydrocarbon generation and lack of pore space, which in turn is the result of absence of oxygen that is essential for forming organic acid to create secondary pores in shale. On the contrary, intervals with type II organic matters are potential shale oil exploration targets for that they offered just right conditions for oil to stay inside: higher content of oxygen that is helpful in forming organic acid, moderate hydrocarbon generation capacity that will not cause over-pressurized fractures in shale with secondary pores. While intervals with type III organic matter bear no exploration significance due to the fact that this type of kerogen produces less oil because of low hydrocarbon generation capacity and unfavorable molecular configuration. Shale intervals with thin sandstone interbeds provide favorable passageways for dissolved carbonate by organic acid to flow out, avoiding secondary precipitation. The pores left behind can be excellent space for generated hydrocarbon to linger around. These interbeds are also favorable for later reservoir stimulation measures such as hydraulic fracturing. Shale oil exploration shall be focused on finding sweet spots with greater pores, which are the main reservoir space.

Depositional environment and Ichnology (Nereites ichnofacies) of the Late Devonian Sahara region (SW Algeria)

The late Famennian strata of the Marhouma outcrop, located in the Saoura (Algerian Sahara), consist of two formations: the Argiles de Marhouma Formation and the overlying Gres de Marhouma Formation. The former is characterized primarily by fine-grained turbidite successions, intersperse with griotte limestones bearing a pelagic fauna. There is a wide variety of trace fossils in the lower part of the formation: Chondrites, Helminthopsis, Ichnyspica, Megagrapton, Neonereites, Nereites irregularis, Nereites jacksoni, Nereites missouriensis, Palaeophycus, Paleodictyon, Phycodes, Planolites beverleyensis, Protopaleodictyon submontanum, and Thalassinoides suevicus. The hydrodynamics of the depositional environment as well as the associated trace fossils indicate the Nereites ichnofacies. The depositional conditions indicate a basinal environment in a mesodistal area. The upper coarser formation is composed of two members. The lower member consists of alternating turbidites, green clay and thin sandstone, with slumps, debrites, olistoliths, and synsedimentary faults. There are some visible fossil traces that may point to the Zoophycos ichnofacies. It marks the slope deposits of a submarine deep-sea fan that completes the Devonian megasequence. The upper member of the second formation starts with a transgressive muddy deltaic system that formed during platform construction. It is followed by iterative sequences of muddy and sandstones layers deposited on a storm-dominated platform that emerged at the beginning of early Tournaisian time. The distributions of fossil traces and sediments are indicative of bathymetric fluctuations. A major fluctuation, probably due to tectonic instability, is recorded as early as in the basal part of the Argiles de Marhouma Formation, which indicates the beginning of the Eovariscan phase.

Lithostratigraphy and depositional history of Upper Ordovician and lowermost Silurian sediments recovered from the Qusaiba-1 shallow core hole, Qasim region, central Saudi Arabia

Lithostratigraphy and depositional history of Upper Ordovician and lowermost Silurian sediments recovered from the Qusaiba-1 shallow core hole, Qasim region, central Saudi Arabia

A brief lithostratigraphic review of the Abrahamskraal and Koonap formations of the Beaufort Group, South Africa: Towards a basin-wide stratigraphic scheme for the Middle Permian Karoo

The basal strata of the Beaufort Group of the South African Karoo Basin, comprising the western Abrahamskraal and eastern Koonap formations, contain the most time extensive record of Middle Permian fossil tetrapods and hold the key to understanding Middle Permian biodiversity change in the continental realm. To determine faunal stratigraphic ranges a reliable lithostratigraphic framework for Middle Permian Beaufort deposits is essential. Until now this has proved difficult to achieve, largely due to the homogeneity of the fluvial succession coupled with structural complexity as a result of Cape Fold Belt orogenesis. Accordingly, the Abrahamskraal Formation has been only locally subdivided on the basis of sandstone packages but regional stratigraphic subdivision has not yet achieved satisfactorily.Collation of stratigraphic sections from around the Karoo Basin for this study demonstrates the presence of four sandstone packages are present within the Abrahamskraal Formation in the south-western corner of the basin. These sandstone packages are given member status, based upon the nomenclature of Le Roux (1985) with the addition of the newly recognised Grootfontein Member. The Combrinkskraal and Grootfontein Members occur in the lower half of the Abrahamskraal Formation and are laterally persistent along the southern margin of the basin. The Koornplaats Member is more restricted to the south west corner of the basin, where it quite thick, suggesting the narrowing of the highly channelized area. The overlying Moordenaars Member, more extensive towards the north than underlying packages, indicates subsequent northwesterly expansion of the locus of active channelization with time. Although thin sandstone packages in the more easterly positioned and stratigraphically equivalent Koonap Formation, this does not facilitate lithostratigraphic subdivision of this part of the stratigraphic succession and may indicate a different form of fluvial architecture. Our study provides a regional lithostratigraphic scheme for the Abrahamskraal Formation that will facilitate its biostratigraphic subdivision and the investigation of Middle Permian Gondwanan basin evolution.

Volcanic stratigraphy of intermediate to acidic rocks in southern Paraná Magmatic Province, Brazil

This article presents the first map in detail scale for an area covered by Palmas type volcanic rocks in the south border of the eocretaceous Paraná Magmatic Province, south Brazil. The study of the structural features coupled with petrography and geochemistry made it possible to separate these rocks into three main volcanic sequences and recognize their stratigraphy. The older Caxias do Sul sequence rests directly over the first low-Ti basalt flows (Gramado type), and corresponds to the stacking of lobated lava flows, laminar flows and lava domes, mostly emitted as continuous eruptions; only the latest eruptions are intercalated with thin sandstone deposits. These rocks have dacitic composition (~ 68 wt% SiO2) with microphenocrysts of plagioclase and subordinate pyroxenes and Ti-magnetite immersed in glassy or devitrified matrix. A second volcanic sequence, named Barros Cassal, is composed of several lava flows of basaltic andesite, andesitic and dacitic composition (~ 54; ~ 57 and ~ 63 wt% SiO2, respectively), with microphenocrysts of plagioclase, pyroxenes and Ti-magnetite. The frequent intercalation of sandstone between the flows attests to the intermittent behaviour of this event. The upper sequence, Santa Maria, is made up of more silica-rich (~ 70 wt% SiO2) rocks occurring as laminar flows, lobated flows and lava-domes. These rocks have rhyolitic composition with microphenocrysts of plagioclase and Ti-magnetite set in a glassy or devitrified matrix with microlites. The structures and textures of all three silicic sequences favor the interpretation that they had a predominantly effusive character, which is thought to be a reflection of the remarkably high temperatures of the lavas (~ 1,000 ºC).

Influence of meandering river sandstone architecture on waterflooding mechanisms: a case study of the M-I layer in the Kumkol Oilfield, Kazakhstan

In order to explore the influence of sandstone architecture on waterflooding mechanisms using the architecture method, and taking as an example the M-I layer of the Kumkol oilfield in the South Turgay Basin, Kazakhstan, we portrayed the architecture features of different types of sandstones and quantitatively characterized heterogeneities in a single sand body in meandering river facies. Based on the waterflooding characteristics of point bar sand and overbank sand according to waterflooded interpretation results in 367 wells and numerical simulation results of well groups, we finally analyzed the remaining oil potential of the meandering river sandstone and pointed out its development directions at the high water cut stage. The result shows that because lateral accretion shale beds are developed inside single sand bodies, the point bar sand is a semi-connected body. The overbank sand is thin sandstone with poor connectivity, small area and fast lateral changes. The heterogeneity of the overbank sand is stronger than the point bar sand. The sandstone architectures control the waterflooding characteristics. In meandering river sandstones, the bottom of the point bar sand is strongly waterflooded, while the top of the point bar sand and most of the overbank sand are only weakly waterflooded or unflooded. The thickness percentage of unflooded zone and weakly waterflooded zone in point bar sand is 40%, and the remaining oil in its top part is the main direction for future development.

A prodeltaic system controlled by hyperpycnal flows and storm waves: reinterpretation of the Punta Negra Formation (Lower-Middle Devonian, Argentine Precordillera)

The Punta Negra Formation (FPN) constitutes a Lower-Middle Devonian sandstone unit located in the Argentine Precordillera. Based on detailed facies and ichnological analyses, this unit, which had been previously interpreted as a deep-water system, has been reinterpreted in this study as a prodelta system, in which the distribution and sedimentation of the clastic deposits were controlled by hyperpycnal flows associated with storms. Five lithofacies attest the deposition by unidirectional hyperpycnal flows combined with storm-generated oscillatory flows. Fossil traces testify variable energetic conditions of the depositional system with the colonization of opportunistic organisms immediately after the deposition of high energy combined flows and the colonization of more specialized organisms during the long low-energy periods. Three architectural elements, deposited from coastline to offshore, have been recognized: 1) Channelized sandstone, composed of the thickest and coarsest sandstone beds and interpreted as the proximal portion deposited close to the mouth of the distributaries of the delta system; 2) Tabular sandstone, which are composed of combined and oscillatory flow deposits with lesser thickness, grain size and spacing of the undulated bed forms; 3) Tabular sandstone interbedded to mudstone, which represents the most distal architectural element and is composed of thin sandstone and thicker mudstone strata, deposited by low-energy combined flows.

Sequence stratigraphic controls on reservoir characterization and architecture: case study of the Messinian Abu Madi incised-valley fill, Egypt

Abstract Understanding sequence stratigraphy architecture in the incised-valley is a crucial step to understanding the effect of relative sea level changes on reservoir characterization and architecture. This paper presents a sequence stratigraphic framework of the incised-valley strata within the late Messinian Abu Madi Formation based on seismic and borehole data. Analysis of sand-body distribution reveals that fluvial channel sandstones in the Abu Madi Formation in the Baltim Fields, offshore Nile Delta, Egypt, are not randomly distributed but are predictable in their spatial and stratigraphic position. Elucidation of the distribution of sandstones in the Abu Madi incised-valley fill within a sequence stratigraphic framework allows a better understanding of their characterization and architecture during burial. Strata of the Abu Madi Formation are interpreted to comprise two sequences, which are the most complex stratigraphically; their deposits comprise a complex incised valley fill. The lower sequence (SQ1) consists of a thick incised valley-fill of a Lowstand Systems Tract (LST1)) overlain by a Transgressive Systems Tract (TST1) and Highstand Systems Tract (HST1). The upper sequence (SQ2) contains channel-fill and is interpreted as a LST2 which has a thin sandstone channel deposits. Above this, channel-fill sandstone and related strata with tidal influence delineates the base of TST2, which is overlain by a HST2. Gas reservoirs of the Abu Madi Formation (present-day depth ∼3552 m), the Baltim Fields, Egypt, consist of fluvial lowstand systems tract (LST) sandstones deposited in an incised valley. LST sandstones have a wide range of porosity (15 to 28%) and permeability (1 to 5080mD), which reflect both depositional facies and diagenetic controls. This work demonstrates the value of constraining and evaluating the impact of sequence stratigraphic distribution on reservoir characterization and architecture in incised-valley deposits, and thus has an important impact on reservoir quality evolution in hydrocarbon exploration in such settings.

Stratigraphy, palaeontology and geochemistry of the late Neoproterozoic Aar Member, southwest Namibia: Reflecting environmental controls on Ediacara fossil preservation during the terminal Proterozoic in African Gondwana

Common, Ediacaran fossils are well preserved in a Late Neoproterozoic (ca. 545Ma) shallow marine sequence, described here as the Aar Member of the Dabis Formation (Kuibis Subgroup, Nama Group), near Aus in southwest Namibia. This 31–38m thick, shale-dominant unit records the transition from fluvial-shallow marine Kliphoek Sandstone to open marine limestone of the Mooifontein Member of the Zaris Formation, deposited on a subsiding continental margin during a major, regional transgression. Thin sandstone beds contain fossils at a number of levels throughout the Aar Member. Concentrations of Pteridinium were mostly transported in flood-derived sheets, while some Ernietta assemblages are preserved close to in situ. Rangea has also been transported, and is mostly confined to thin sandstone lenses incised into mudstone. Limestone beds, common throughout, include at least two marker horizons that can be followed regionally and show local evidence of storm reworking. Systematic sampling and analyses of limestone reveals enrichment in both 13C and 18O higher in the section, with negative δ13C near the base rising to moderate positive values near the top. The negative-to-positive transition in δ13C values is more pronounced in the east, with all of the lower Aar Member samples consistently depleted in 13C. While this may reflect greater degrees of alteration by meteoric or dewatering fluids, the same carbonates are notably enriched in 18O relative to those at the same stratigraphic position to the west. The overall rise in 13C is attributed to greater proportional burial of organic matter and release of oxygen to surface environments, while the spatial variability is likely the result of a strong surface-to-deep carbon isotopic gradient in seawater. A number of the fossils, especially Rangea, are encrusted with jarosite, an iron-bearing sulphate mineral and common weathering product of pyrite. This observation suggests that preservation of the fossils may have resulted from the rapid encrustation of pyrite on the surface of the organisms as they decomposed and were consumed by sulphate-reducing bacteria within the sandy, near shore sediments. Insofar as pyrite formation requires iron, which is soluble and reactive in anoxic solutions, it is likely that the deeper subtidal environments lacked oxygen. In situ pyritized forms like Ernietta may have developed the capacity to survive under episodically anoxic or sub-oxic environmental conditions, while Pteridinium and Rangea lived within an oxygenated estuarine or fluvial setting and were transported during storms to anoxic, ferruginous environments where they were exquisitely preserved.

A new extension of seismic instantaneous frequency using a fractional time derivative

Abstract The seismic instantaneous frequency attribute has been applied to interpret a depositional layer. Instead of the standard instantaneous frequency, the Caputo fractional differential operator has been demonstrated as a more suitable mathematical tool of nonlinear analysis for the depositional layer. Based on the Caputo operator, we propose a fractional extension of instantaneous frequency attribute to detect thin layers of sandstone formations. From numerical analysis of a 25-Hz Ricker wavelet, we found that the fractional instantaneous frequency of 0.99 order keeps an approximation of standard instantaneous frequency and enhances the negative frequency (anomalous frequency spike), which help in more precise geological interpretation. A three-layer wedge model and a case history from the Bohai Bay Basin showed that the 0.99 order instantaneous frequency provides more depositional sandstone information than the standard instantaneous frequency. The anomalous frequency spike, at the merging point of the top and the base reflections or at the tip of the stratum, of 0.99 order instantaneous frequency is more prominent than that of the standard one. The results help to interpret the thickness changes of thin sandstone formations. In practical application, the 0.99 order instantaneous frequency has revealed several deposition phases and lateral heterogeneity of a fluvial reservoir system. Therefore, the 0.99 order instantaneous frequency is a valuable seismic attribute for reservoir characterization.

Geology of Late Miocene clayey sediments and distribution of palaeosol clay minerals in the north-eastern part of the Cappadocian Volcanic Province (Araplı-Erdemli), central Anatolia, Turkey

The study area is situated in the Araplı-Erdemli (Kayseri) area in the north-eastern part of the Cappadocian Volcanic Province (CVP), central Anatolia. The Late Miocene series comprises lacustrine and fluvial deposits interbedded with ignimbrites and lava flows. The Late Miocene Mustafapaşa member of the Ürgüp Formation comprises yellow to red mudstone that alternates with thin sandstone beds in the north-eastern part of the CVP. This unit continues upward through the Cemilköy ignimbrite palaeosol layers (comprising altered Cemilköy ignimbrite, vertisol and well-developed palaeosol layers), the Gördeles ignimbrite and red palaeosol layers, and includes two fallout levels; it is overlain by the Kızılkaya ignimbrite. The Mustafapaşa member is dominated by smectite±illite±chlorite, whereas the altered Cemilköy ignimbrite is predominantly kaolinite±smectite±chlorite. The underlying lower level of the Gördeles ignimbrite contains palaeosol layers, and continues upward through smectite-dominated layers. Alteration of feldspars and glass shards in the Cemilköy and Gördeles ignimbrites resulted in the depletion of soluble alkaline elements (such as Ca, Na and K) from these ignimbrites downward to the Mustafapaşa member, and palaeosol levels (Bayramhacılı member) in the Araplı area favoured precipitation of smectite in an alkaline environment. However, the absence of these elements in these ignimbrites may have resulted in the enhancement of Al+Fe/Si-favoured precipitation of kaolinite in an acidic environment. Conversely, palaeosol of the Erdemli area consists of smectite±illite±chlorite. Micromorphologically, flaky smectite rims illite in both the Araplı and Erdemli areas and this can be explained by the release of K and Al during desorption of feldspar. Additionally, higher Ni, Co and Cr_2O_3 values in the mudstone samples of the Mustafapaşa member and palaeosol levels, the presence of iron oxide and partially chloritised pyroxene and hornblende, together with ophiolitic and metamorphic grains, indicate that the basin also accumulated ophiolitic and metamorphic rock fragments in its sediment supply. This suggests that the Araplı area in the southern part of the CVP has undergone erosion, and that the present-day Erdemli area was close to the shallow-lake depositional environment of the northern part of CVP.

Origin of marls from the Polish Outer Carpathians: lithological and sedimentological aspects

Origin of marls from the Polish Outer Carpathians: lithological and sedimentological aspects

Lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy of Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene sediments from southern Tanzania: Tanzania Drilling Project Sites 27–35

The 2008 Tanzania Drilling Project (TDP) expedition recovered common planktonic foraminifera (PF), calcareous nannofossils (CN) and calcareous dinoflagellates with extraordinary shell preservation at multiple Cenomanian–Campanian sites that will be used for paleoclimatic, paleoceanographic, and biostratigraphic studies. New cores confirm the existence of a more expanded and continuous Upper Cretaceous sequence than had previously been documented in the Lindi and Kilwa regions of southeastern coastal Tanzania. This TDP expedition cored 684.02m at eight Upper Cretaceous sites (TDP Sites 28–35) and a thin Paleocene section (TDP Site 27).TDP Sites 29, 30, 31 and 34 together span the lowermost Turonian to Coniacian (PF Whiteinella archaeocretacea to Dicarinella concavata Zones and CN Zones UC6a–9b), with TDP Site 31 being the most biostratigraphically complete Turonian section found during TDP drilling. A discontinuous section from the Santonian–upper Campanian (PF D. asymetrica to Radotruncana calcarata Zones and CN Zones UC12–16) was collectively recovered at TDP Sites 28, 32 and 35, while thin sequences of the lower Cenomanian (PF Thalmanninella globotruncanoides Zone and CN subzones UC3a–b) and middle Paleocene (Selandian; PF Zone P3a and CN Zone NP5) were cored in TDP Sites 33 and 27, respectively. Records of δ13Corg and δ13Ccarb from bulk sediments generated for all the Cretaceous sites show largely stable values through the sections. Only a few parallel δ13Corg and δ13Ccarb shifts have been found and they are interpreted to reflect local processes. The δ18Ocarb record, however, is consistent with Late Cretaceous cooling trends from the Turonian into the Campanian. Lithologies of these sites include thick intervals of claystones and siltstones with locally abundant, finely-laminated fabrics, irregular occurrences of thin sandstone layers, and sporadic bioclastic debris (e.g., inoceramids, ammonites). Minor lithologies represent much thinner units of up to medium-grained, massive sandstones. The %CaCO3 (∼5–40%) and %Corg (∼0.1–2%) are variable, with the highest %CaCO3 in the lower Campanian and the highest %Corg in the Turonian. Lithofacies analysis suggests that deposition of these sediments occurred in outer shelf-upper slope, a setting that agrees well with inferences from benthic foraminifera and calcareous dinoflagellates.

Hummocky cross-stratification-like structures and combined-flow ripples in the Punta Negra Formation (Lower-Middle Devonian, Argentine Precordillera): A turbiditic deep-water or storm-dominated prodelta inner-shelf system?

Turbidity-current and storm-induced deposits may exhibit similarities, in particularly when the latter is laid down by a combination of oscillatory and unidirectional flows. Recent progress in facies analysis helps to discriminate the sedimentary effects of oscillatory from unidirectional components of the flow. On the basis of detailed analysis of sedimentary facies, strata geometry, and palaeocurrent data, the present study reinterprets the Punta Negra Formation (PNF) (Lower-Middle Devonian, Argentine Precordillera), previously considered as a depositional system of deep-water, as a storm-dominated prodeltaic shelf depositional system.In the sandstone beds of the PNF, planar, low-angle and undulating laminations with weakly asymmetric hummocky and swaley bedforms, combined-flow ripples, accretionary hummocky cross-stratification-like (HCS-like), and anisotropic HCS-like suggest the action of oscillatory currents combined with unidirectional currents in forming the deposits. Different hypotheses on the origin of the oscillatory currents have been examined. The most convincing interpretation is that the oscillatory component of the velocity is attributed to storm-induced waves. The palaeocurrent data indicate offshore current directions, suggesting that the unidirectional flow was a gravity-induced bottom current. Inverse grading at the base and overlying normally graded divisions of the sandstone beds testify to waxing–waning behaviour of the depositional flows; interbedding of sedimentary structures (undulating laminations, low-angle and parallel laminations, and combined-flow ripples) in the lower and intermediate divisions of the beds indicate fluctuations of flow velocity. This organisation of the sedimentary structures permits association of the unidirectional component with hyperpycnal bottom currents. The terrestrial origin of the hyperpycnal flows is suggested by the abundance of terrestrial plant remains, the mineralogical and textural immaturity of the sandstone composition, and the relative scarcity of bioturbation, which was likely controlled by fresh-water input and a high rate of sedimentation. Storm-influenced, hyperpycnal flows generated subaqueous channelised forms at the mouth of the river deltas, which later filled with sand. At the distal end of the channelised forms, lobe-shaped sandstone beds were deposited, evolving distally into thin sandstone beds alternating with sandy mudstone.

Carbonate horizons, paleosols, and lake flooding cycles: Beds I and II of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania

This study documents the petrology and stable isotope geochemistry of carbonates from six horizons from Beds I and II of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. The studied succession, immediately below and above Tuff IF, consists of interbedded waxy and earthy claystones with discrete carbonate horizons and thin sandstones. The succession was deposited in response to repeated flooding and withdrawal of a saline-alkaline lake. The carbonates and their overlying disconformities are important because they help define the surfaces on which hominin activity took place and allow very high-resolution correlation of geographically separated levels of hominin exploitation.The range of different carbonates includes unambiguous land-surface and pedogenic features including calcified rootmat horizons, rhizocretions, and micritic nodules, together with less determinate sparry calcite nodules. Stellate nodules are interpreted as pseudomorphs after sulfate-roses. The carbonate nodules are synsedimentary features, truncated by fluvial and other erosional surfaces. The isotopic composition of the carbonates is variable with δ18O ranging from −7.0‰ to −4.3‰, and δ13C from −8.5‰ to −1.6‰. A covariant increase in δ13C and δ18O repeats in each carbonate horizon and in individual nodules (inner to outer layers): it reflects the evolution of synsedimentary groundwaters. At times of low lake level, the carbonates started to precipitate from meteoric waters with low isotopic values and continued to form as lake levels rose and the waters became increasingly saline. Some of the samples have a last-stage cement of strontium rich dolomite, which supports late-stage flooding by the saline-alkaline lake. Previous studies of carbonate horizons from Olduvai have interpreted carbon isotope values in terms of changes in C3 and C4 plants that colonized the land surface. This study demonstrates that in some instances the isotope values from carbonates deposited in these lake marginal settings reflect changes in hydrology rather than vegetation.