Paleoenvironment of the lower–middle cambrian evaporite series in the tarim basin and its impact on the organic matter enrichment of shallow water source rocks

Wei M, Bao Z, Munnecke A, Liu W, Harrison GWM, Zhang H, Zhang D, Li Z, Xu X, Lu K, Shen Z (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Minerals MDPI

Book Volume: 11

Article Number: 659

Journal Issue: 7

DOI: 10.3390/min11070659

Abstract

Just as in deep-water sedimentary environments, productive source rocks can be developed in an evaporitic platform, where claystones are interbedded with evaporites and carbonates. However, the impact of the paleoenvironment on the organic matter enrichment of shallow water source rocks in an evaporite series has not been well explored. In this study, two wells in the central uplift of the Tarim Basin were systematically sampled and analyzed for a basic geochemical study, including major elements, trace elements, and total organic carbon (TOC), to understand the relationship between TOC and the paleoenvironmental parameters, such as paleosalinity, redox, paleoclimate, paleo-seawater depth, and paleoproductivity. The results show that the Lower–Middle Cambrian mainly developed in a fluctuating salinity, weak anoxic to anoxic, continuous dry and hot, and proper shallow water environment. The interfingering section of evaporites, carbonates, and claystones of the Awatag Fm. have higher paleoproductivity and higher enrichment of organic matter. Paleosalinity, redox, paleoclimate, paleo-seawater depth, and paleoproductivity jointly control the organic matter enrichment of shallow water source rocks in the evaporite series. The degree of enrichment of organic matter in shallow water source rocks first increases and then decreases with the increase in paleosalinity. All the samples with high content of organic matter come from the shallower environment of the Awatag Fm.

Authors with CRIS profile

Axel Munnecke Professur für Paläontologie (Schwerpunkt Faziesanalyse)

Involved external institutions

China University of Petroleum / 中国石油大学 CN China (CN) China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) / 中国石油天然气集团公司 CN China (CN) Naturalis Biodiversity Center / Nederlands Centrum voor Biodiversiteit Naturalis NL Netherlands (NL) China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) / 中国石油化工股份有限公司 CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Wei, M., Bao, Z., Munnecke, A., Liu, W., Harrison, G.W.M., Zhang, H.,... Shen, Z. (2021). Paleoenvironment of the lower–middle cambrian evaporite series in the tarim basin and its impact on the organic matter enrichment of shallow water source rocks. Minerals, 11(7). https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/min11070659

MLA:

Wei, Mingyang, et al. "Paleoenvironment of the lower–middle cambrian evaporite series in the tarim basin and its impact on the organic matter enrichment of shallow water source rocks." Minerals 11.7 (2021).

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