Lithofacies Types, Assemblage Characteristics, and Sedimentary Evolution Model of Lacustrine Shale in Dongyuemiao Formation of Fuxing Area

The identification and classification of lithofacies’ types are very important activities in shale oil and gas exploration and development evaluation. There have been many studies on the classification of marine shale lithofacies, but research on lacustrine shale lithofacies is still in its infancy. Therefore, in this study, a high-resolution sequence stratigraphic framework is established for the lacustrine shale of the Jurassic Dongyuemiao Formation in the Fuxing area using detailed core observations, thin section identification, XRD analysis, major and trace element analysis, wavelet transform analysis, and detailed identification and characterization of the fossil shell layers in the formation. In addition, the lithofacies’ types and assemblages are identified and characterized, and the lithofacies’ characteristics and sedimentary evolution models in different sequence units are analyzed. The significance of the lithofacies assemblages for shale oil and gas exploration is also discussed. The results show that the shale of the target interval can be divided into 8 parasequence sets; further, 9 types of lithofacies and 6 types of lithofacies assemblages are identified. The 9 lithofacies are massive bioclast-containing limestone shoal facies (LF1), thick-layered fossil shell–containing limestone facies (LF2), layered mud-bearing fossil shell–containing limestone facies (LF3), laminated fossil shell–containing argillaceous shale facies (LF4), laminated fossil shell–bearing argillaceous shale facies (LF5), argillaceous shale facies (LF6), massive storm event–related bioclast-containing facies (LF7), massive argillaceous limestone facies (LF8), and massive mudstone facies (LF9). The sedimentary evolution models of different lithofacies are established as follows: Unit 1 (LF1-LF6) of the Dong-1 Member corresponds to the early stage of a lake transgressive system tract, and Units 2–4 (LF4-LF7) correspond to the middle to late stage of the lake transgressive system tract, which was an anoxic sedimentary environment. The Dong-2 Member (LF7-LF8) and the Dong-3 Member (LF5+LF9) correspond to a lake regressive system tract, which was an oxygen-rich sedimentary environment. Based on the characteristics of the shale lithofacies, sedimentary environment, and the quality of the reservoir, the lithofacies assemblage of LF4–LF7 in Unit 4 is the most favorable type for oil and gas exploration, followed by the lithofacies assemblage in Unit 2; the lithofacies assemblage in the Dong-2 and Dong-3 Members are the worst.

Chalk: all we need is a fracture log!

Chalk fracture logging is reviewed in the context of the broader geology needed to build conceptual ground models. Examples of drilling damaged core illustrate the many issues faced by core-loggers including identification of marker beds (marl seams, hardgrounds, flint bands, fossil shell beds) and the ‘interpretations’ necessary to complete a fracture log. Stratabound fractures impart a special style of fracturing to each Chalk formation. Lithology is a key factor in development of fracture style where marl seams control inclined conjugate fracture sets, development of listric growth faults and interbed slides. Lateral changes in lithology and thickness and consequent controls on fracture evolution are related to intra-Chalk tectonic episodes and tectonic setting with onshore interpretations supported by offshore seismic profiles. Strike-slip faults are illustrated in the Chalk cliffs of the Sussex coast. Fracture log reports should highlight special features such as shear zones and use annotated core photographs to illustrate issues requiring discussion.

THE SANGIRAN FOSSIL SHELL ASSEMBLAGES CATALOGUE

Abstrak. Katalog Himpunan Fosil Kerang Sangiran. Makalah ini merupakan pemutakhiran himpunan fosil cangkang Sangiran di Jawa Tengah. Tujuannya untuk mendokumentasikan dan menyajikan gastropoda dan kerang dari seri Kalibeng atas dan Pucangan Bawah Kubah Sangiran dari periode Plio-Pleistosen. Tercatat 61 taksa moluska hingga tingkat genus. Informasi yang dikumpulkan dari kumpulan moluska ditentukan oleh sejarah geologi dan lingkungan Sangiran. Mereka diasosiasikan dengan fasies yang berbeda: a) napal masif dan lempung biru, b) lapisan batugamping lempung, c) lempung kelabu berlumpur, d) breksi vulkanik dan lahar dan e) lempung hitam, dan terdiri dari sedimen yang merepresentasikan lingkungan laut hingga rawa yang mengarah ke perkembangan kontinental. Pola kuantitatif yang dicatat dalam kumpulan moluska menjelaskan palaeo-lingkungan dan hubungan antara kumpulan palaeodataset yang mapan dari analisis dan tingkat variabilitas dalam data paleontologi. Selain itu, cangkang yang teridentifikasi dapat digunakan sebagai referensi untuk perwakilan taksonomi Sangiran dan moluska di lapisan Kalibeng dan Pucangan Cekungan Solo di Jawa Tengah. Abstract. This paper is an update of fossil shell assemblages of Sangiran in Central Java. It is aimed to document and present the gastropods and bivalves from the Upper Kalibeng and Lower Pucangan series of the Sangiran dome from the Plio-Pleistocene period. There are 61 mollusc taxa recorded up to the genus level. Information gathered from mollusc assemblages are determined by the geological and environmental history of the Sangiran. They are associated with different facies: a) massive marls and blue clays, b) layered clayey limestone, c) silty gray clay, d) volcanic breccia and lahars and e) black clays, and composed of sediments representing marine to swampy environments leading to continental development. The quantitative patterns recorded in mollusc assemblages elucidate the palaeoenvironment and the relationship between the established palaeodatasets of analysis and the levels of variability in palaeontological data. Moreover, the identified shells may be utilized as a reference for Sangiran and molluscan taxonomic representative in Kalibeng and Pucangan layers of Solo Basin in Central Java.

Influence of Fossil Shell Flour Supplementation on Feed Preference, Body Condition Scores and Wool Parameters of Dohne Merino Wethers

Background: The abundance of fossil shell flour (FSF) globally has resulted in an increased interest in its use as a feed additive in sheep diets. This study evaluated the effects of varying inclusion levels of FSF on feed preference, body condition scores and wool parameters of Dohne Merino (DM) wethers. Methods: Twenty-four wethers, weighing 20 ± 1·5 kg on average were fed dietary food-grade fossil shell flour in a completely randomized design of four treatment with six wethers in each treatment. The wethers were fed a basal diet without FSF addition (control, 0%), or with the addition of FSF (2%, 4% or 6%) into the diet for 105 days.Results: Average daily weight gain and body condition score of 2%, 4% and 6 % FSF inclusion levels were higher (P < 0.05) than the control 0%. Wool yield, staple length, coefficient variation of the fibre diameter and fibre <15% of wethers supplemented with FSF were higher (P < 0.05) compared to the diet without FSF. Fibre diameter of the wethers supplemented with FSF were the same (P>0.05) as the control.Wethers preferred FSF supplemented diets to the control. The inclusion of FSF in the diet of DM wethers up to 6% DM showed improvement in the average daily gain and body condition scores, feed intake through preference, wool yield, and quality. Conclusion: The addition of FSF in the diets could be advantageous in Dohne-Merino wethers performance and production with the potential of increasing both the quantity and quality of wool.

Effect of Varying Inclusion Levels of Fossil Shell Flour on Growth Performance, Water Intake, Digestibility and N Retention in Dohne-Merino Wethers

This study was carried out to determine the effect of varying levels of Fossil shell flour (FSF) supplementation on growth performance, water intake, digestibility and N retention in Dohne Merino sheep pursuant to establishing the optimum inclusion rate of this supplement in Dohne Merino diets. Sixteen Dohne-Merino wethers (18 ± 1.5 kg body weight) were used in a complete randomized design with four animals per treatment. Sheep were fed a basal diet without FSF addition (control, T1), or with the addition of FSF (2%, T2), (4%, T3) or (6%, T4) of the diet for 105 days. Treatment 3 (4% FSF) has the highest values of dry matter intake, total weight gain, N retention and for most of the apparent digestibility nutrients (CP, EE and Ash) compared to treatment T1, T2 and T4(p < 0.05). The urinary and fecal N excretion also significantly decreased in the FSF treated diets compared to the control (p < 0.05). Water intake values were highest in control and were significantly (p < 0.05) different from those in treatments 2 and 4, but not to treatment 3. It is concluded that 4% inclusion rate of FSF will give the best improvement on growth performance, diet digestibility and N retention of Dohne-Merino sheep. Also, the addition of FSF in the diets of sheep is a safe natural additive that can help to reduce environmental pollution by reducing fecal and urinary N excretion.

Preliminary archaeometric investigation on Middle Neolithic siliceous tools from Limba-Oarda de Jos (Transylvania, Romania)

The present archaeometric study focuses on a set of archaeological siliceous lithic tools that are assigned to the early Vinča culture period (Vinča A and Vinča B1). They were found in several pit-houses at Limba-Oarda de Jos (SW Transylvania, Romania), an open settlement that has been dated to 5,405-5,310 cal. BCE, a period in the Middle Neolithic. A total of 322 retouched tools and débitage pieces were typologically and macroscopically investigated. From these, 20 pieces were analyzed by polarized light optical microscopy (OM) and 10 pieces were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in order to identify compositional characteristics, define the petrographic type, and establish the spectral fingerprint of each material. Four petrographic types were discriminated: radiolarite, chert, fossiliferous chert, and siliceous limestone. Mineralogically, the tools primarily consist of a mass of microquartz and fibrous microquartz (called also ‘chalcedony’) associated with radiolarians remnants (in radiolarites); fossil shell fragments (in the fossiliferous chert); and limestone components, such as ooliths and pellets (in the siliceous limestone). All samples show distinct FTIR bands, most of which are assigned to microquartz, quartz, and fibrous microquartz. The deconvolution of the FTIR spectra in the 950-1300 cm-1 domain reveals the contribution of several other phases, such as calcite and clay minerals. The results support the assumption that the tools made of chert, fossiliferous chert, and siliceous limestone were produced at the site from nodules that probably originated from the Upper Jurassic chert-bearing limestone that crops out nearby in the Trascău Mts. The tools made of radiolarite were most likely brought to the site as finished products from the Trascău Mts.

Fossil Shell Flour in Livestock Production: A Review

Fossil shell flour (FSF), also known as Diatomaceous earth, or diatomite, consists of amorphous silicates with important physical and chemical characteristics, including porosity and permeability, low density and thermal conductivity, tiny particle size, high surface area, solubility, hydrophobia, and absorption capabilities, which are molecular filter actors, substituting their integral cations without physical changes. The substance is nontoxic, cheap, and readily available in large quantity in many countries. Recently, FSF has been modified as additives for several uses. Recent studies have supported its use as animal growth promoter, vaccine adjuvant in livestock, water purifier, mycotoxin binder, inert dust applications in stored-pest management, pesticide, animal feed additive, as a natural source of silicon in livestock and as natural anthelmintic. Numerous advantages of FSF include its low-cost and availability, its nontoxic characteristics, and the fact that food grade diatomaceous earth is safe for human consumption. In this paper, we review the main uses of FSF in the livestock industry, with reference to similar works earlier published that elucidate their important roles.