Geochemical characteristics and the organic matter enrichment of the Upper Ordovician Tanjianshan Group, Qaidam Basin, China

The upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale has always been the main target of marine shale gas exploration in southern China. However, the shale gas content varies greatly across different regions. The organic matter content is one of the most important factors in determining gas content; therefore, determining the enrichment mechanisms of organic matter is an important problem that needs to be solved urgently. In this paper, upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale samples from the X-1 and Y-1 wells that are located in the southern Sichuan area of the upper Yangtze region and the northwestern Jiangxi area of the lower Yangtze region, respectively, are selected for analysis. Based on the core sample description, well logging data analysis, mineral and elemental composition analysis, silicon isotope analysis, and TOC (total organic carbon) content analysis, the upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale is studied to quantitatively calculate its content of excess silicon. Subsequently, the results of elemental analysis and silicon isotope analysis are used to determine the origin of excess silicon. Finally, we used U/Th to determine the characteristics of the redox environment and the relationship between excess barium and TOC content to judge paleoproductivity and further studied the mechanism underlying sedimentary organic matter enrichment in the study area. The results show that the excess silicon from the upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale in the upper Yangtze area is derived from biogenesis. The sedimentary water body is divided into an oxygen-rich upper water layer that has higher paleoproductivity and a strongly reducing lower water that is conducive to the preservation of sedimentary organic matter. Thus, for the upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale in the upper Yangtze region, exploration should be conducted in the center of the blocks with high TOC contents and strongly reducing water body. However, the excess silicon in the upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale of the lower Yangtze area originates from hydrothermal activity that can enhance the reducibility of the bottom water and carry nutrients from the crust to improve paleoproductivity and enrich sedimentary organic matter. Therefore, for the upper Ordovician-lower Silurian shale in the lower Yangtze region, exploration should be conducted in the blocks near the junction of the two plates where hydrothermal activity was active.

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Microstructure and composition of the periderm of conulariids

Journal of Paleontology ◽

10.1017/jpa.2016.63 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 90 (3) ◽

pp. 389-399 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Robert C. Ford ◽

Heyo Van Iten ◽

George R. Clark

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Mineral Matter ◽

Upper Ordovician ◽

The Core ◽

Critical Point Drying ◽

Thin Walled ◽

Electron Imaging ◽

Aperture Closure

AbstractTransmitted light and scanning electron imaging of sectioned specimens ofConulariaandParaconularia, prepared using HCl etching and critical point drying, revealed that their periderm is composed of extremely thin (approximately 0.5–3 µm), variably distinct microlamellae that are alternately organic poor and organic rich. Organic-rich microlamellae are cross-connected by slender strands of organic matter originally embedded in calcium phosphate, which in etched specimens has been dissolved. Microlamellae may be organized in thicker (approximately 5–75 µm) layers, or macrolamellae, that vary in color and organic matter content, possibly owing to changes in the ambient paleoenvironment. Thickening of the periderm to form transverse ribs and internal carinae was achieved through gradual thickening of individual microlamellae. In the core of the transverse ribs and internal carinae the distinction between organic-rich and organic-poor microlamellae may be reduced, owing to organic material becoming dominant over (former) mineral matter or vice versa. Combined with observations of plicated aperture closure in thin-walled conulariids, includingArchaeoconularia slateri(Reed, 1933) (Upper Ordovician, Scotland) showing smooth folding of midline carinae through angles greater than 90°, these results suggest a structure and original flexibility in the organic-rich biocomposite forming the conulariid periderm that supports its homology to the chitinous lamellar periderm of coronate scyphozoans.

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Comparative Analysis of the Siliceous Source and Organic Matter Enrichment Mechanism of the Upper Ordovician–Lower Silurian Shale in the Upper-Lower Yangtze Area

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min8070283 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 283 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Kun Zhang ◽

Zhuo Li ◽

Shu Jiang ◽

Zhenxue Jiang ◽

Ming Wen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Comparative Analysis ◽

Upper Ordovician ◽

Lower Silurian ◽

Lower Yangtze ◽

Yangtze Area

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Effect of Hydrothermal Activity on Organic Matter Enrichment of Shale: A Case Study of the Upper Ordovician and the Lower Silurian in the Lower Yangtze, South China

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min8110495 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 495 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yizhou Huang ◽

Zhenxue Jiang ◽

Kun Zhang ◽

Yan Song ◽

Shu Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Oxygen Isotope ◽

Shale Gas ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Hydrothermal Activity ◽

Late Ordovician ◽

Sedimentary Organic Matter ◽

Upper Ordovician ◽

Lower Silurian ◽

Activity Intensity

The effect of organic matter on hydrocarbon potential, storage space, and gas content of shale is well-known. Additionally, present-day content of sedimentary organic matter in shale is controlled by depositional and preservation processes. Therefore, a study of the enrichment mechanisms of sedimentary organic matter provides a scientific basis for the determination of favorable areas of shale gas. In this study the Upper Ordovician Xinkailing Fm. and the first member of the Lower Silurian Lishuwo Fm. were examined. Stratigraphic sequences were identified through conventional logs and elemental capture spectrum data. Oxygen isotope analysis was applied to recover paleotemperature of seawater in the study area. The excess silicon content was calculated and the origin of the silica was determined by the Fe-Al-Mn ternary plot. The enrichment mechanism of organic matter was analyzed by two aspects: redox conditions and paleoproductivity. As a result, the stratigraphic interval was divided into two 3rd-order sequences. Through oxygen isotope, the paleotemperature of seawater was 62.7–79.2 °C, providing evidence of the development of hydrothermal activity. Analysis of excess siliceous minerals identified two siliceous mineral origins: terrigenous and hydrothermal. It also revealed an upwards decreasing tendency in hydrothermal activity intensity. Strong hydrothermal activity during the Late Ordovician, recognized as TST1, formed a weak-oxidizing to poor-oxygen environment with high paleoproductivity, which promoted organic matter enrichment. During the Late Ordovician to the Early Silurian, identified as RST1, TST2, and RST2, weakening hydrothermal activity caused the decline of paleoproductivity and increased oxidation of bottom waters, leading to a relative decrease of organic matter content in the shale. Therefore, favorable areas of shale gas accumulation in the Upper Ordovician and Lower Silurian are determined stratigraphically as the TST1, with a high total organic carbonate content. Geographically, the hydrothermally-active area near the plate connection of the Yangtze and the Cathaysian is most favorable.

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