Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Diagenesis and sedimentary environment of the lower Xiaganchaigou formation deposited during the Eocene/Oligocene transition in the Lenghu tectonic belt, Qaidam Basin, China

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents detrital modes, clay and carbonate cements and major and trace element contents of the sandstones from the lower Xiaganchaigou formation deposited during the Eocene/Oligocene transition in the Lenghu tectonic belt on the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin, NW Qinghai–Tibetan plateau. Our results show that the sandstones are mainly lithic feldspathic, with clay content varying from 4.1 to 42.5 vol. % (average 13.7 vol. %). These sandstones have low contents of Na2O, MgO, Al2O3, K2O, CaO and TiO2, with the average contents of 2.14 wt%, 0.78 wt%, 7.96 wt%, 2.11 wt%, 6.14 wt% and 0.15 wt%, respectively. The total content of major elements is < 30 wt%, indicating that the pore water was in an alkaline environment with high pressure, so that the decarboxylation reaction of the organic matter took place to generate a large amount of carbon dioxide with a loss of 13C. Consequently, the δ13C of the carbonate cement is negatively biased to − 6.4‰; the deep high temperature environment and the external fresh water leaching make the δ18O value of the carbonate cement gradually lose, reaching − 13.19‰, according to its precipitation temperature (78–108 °C) and pore water salinity (104–110), it is judged that carbonate cement is mainly formed in the middle diagenetic stage and early diagenetic stage. The rare earth elements are mainly authigenic by the results of ∑REE and Y/Ho, and the deposition characteristics of trace elements such as Zn, Th, U, Ni, Co, Cr, Sr/Cu, Ceanom, Ce/La, ∑REE, Eu/Eu*, La/Yb, V/(V + Ni) and the transformation of later diagenesis, combining the characteristic of the global climate and the influence of uplifting of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, indicate that the lower Xiaganchaigou formation was in a dry, cold and anoxic reducing environment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Chen YJ, Deng J, Hu GX (1996) Environmental constraints on contents and distribution patterns of trace elements in sediments. Earth Environ 3:97–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Deconto RM, Pollard D (2003) Rapid Cenozoic glaciation of Antarctica induced by declining atmospheric CO2. Nature 421(6920):245–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diniz JE, Nayak GN, Noronha D, Mello CA, Mishra R (2018) Reconstruction of palaeo–depositional environment in north–eastern arabian sea. Environ Earth Sci 77(19):665

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fayek M, Harrison TM, Grove M, Mckeegan KD, Coath CD, Boles JR (2001) In situ stable isotopic evidence for protracted and complex carbonate cementation in a petroleum reservoir, North Coles Levee, San Joaquin Basin, California, USA. J Sediment Res 71(3):444–458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haskin MA, Haskin LA (1966) Rare earths in European shales: a redetermination. Science 154(3748):507–509

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderiks J, Pagani M, Bohaty SM (2012) Equator–to–pole gradients in marine phytoplankton size across the Eocene–Oligocene transition. Agu Fall Meeting. AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts.

  • Houben AJP, Mourik CAV, Montanari A, Coccioni R, Brinkhuis H (2012) The Eocene-Oligocene transition: changes in sea level, temperature or both? Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 335:75–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang XF, Qian ZZ, Lu DX, Wu WK, Wang C, Lu YJ (2009) Element geochemistry and depositional setting of ordovician miboshan formation in central–Southern Helan mountain. Acta Geosci Sin 30(1):65–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jia YY, Xing XJ, Sun GQ, Shi JA, Liu SJ (2015) The Paleogene-Neogene paleoclimate evolution in western sector of northern margin of Qaidam Basin. Earth Sci (J Chin Univ Geosci) 12:1955–1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Keith ML, Weber JN (1964) Carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of selected limestones and fossils. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 28(10–11):1787–1816

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennett JP, Shackleton NJ (1976) Oxygen isotopic evidence for the development of the psychrosphere 38 Myr ago. Nature 260(5551):513–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lawver LA (2003) Evolution of Cenozoic seaways in the circum–Antarctic region. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 198(1):11–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin H, Li FJ, Li L, Yang YC, Li JJ (2014) Characteristics of paleogene heavy mineral and its source in northern margin of Qaidam Basin. Nat Gas Geosci 25(04):532–541

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu G, Zhou DS (2007) Application of microelements analysis in identifying sedimentary environment–taking Qianjiang formation in the Jianghan basin as an example. Petrol Geol Exp 29(3):307–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Mei SQ (1988) Application of rock chemistry in the study of Presinian sedimentary environment and the source of uranium mineralization in Hunan province. Hunan Geology.

  • Murray RW, Brink MRBT, Gerlach DC, Russ GP, Jones DL (1991) Rare earth elements in Japan Sea sediments and diagenetic behavior of Ce/Ce*, results from ODP Leg 127. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 55(9):2453–2466

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murray RW, Brink MRBT, Gerlach DC, Russ GP, Jones DL (1992) Rare earth, major, and trace element composition of monterey and dsdp chert and associated host sediment: assessing the influence of chemical fractionation during diagenesis. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 56(7):2657–2671

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nothdurft LD, Webb GE, Kamber BS (2004) Rare earth element geochemistry of late devonian reefal carbonates, canning basin, western australia: confirmation of a seawater ree proxy in ancient limestones. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 68(2):263–283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rimmer S, Thompson JS, Robl T (2004) Multiple controls on the preservation of organic matter in devonian–mississippian marine black shales: geochemical and petrographic evidence. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 215(1):125–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Royden LH, Burchfiel BC, van der Hilst RD (2008) The geological evolution of the Tibetan plateau. Science 321(5892):1054–1058

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scher HD, Bohaty SM, Zachos JC, Delaney ML (2011) Two–stepping into the icehouse: east Antarctic weathering during progressive ice–sheet expansion at the Eocene-Oligocene transition. Geology 39(4):383–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Segonzac GDD, Ferrero J, Kubler B (1968) Sur la cristallinitÉ de l’illite dans la diagenÈse et l’anchimÉtamorphisme. Sedimentology 10(2):7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singer A (1980) The paleoclimatic interpretation of clay minerals in soils and weathering profiles. Earth Sci Rev 15(4):303–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner M, Wallis E, Erdtmann BD, Zhao YL, Yang RD (2001) Submarine–hydrothermal exhalative ore layers in black shales from south china and associated fossils 3/4 insights into a lower Cambrian facies and bio-evolution. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 169(3):165–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suess E, Whiticar MJ (1989) Methane-derived CO2 in pore fluids expelled from the Oregon subduction zone. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 71(1–2):1–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun GQ, Yin JG, Zhang SC, Lu XC, Zhang SY, Shi JA (2015) Diagenesis and sedimentary environment of Miocene series in Eboliang III area. Environ Earth Sci 74(6):5169–5179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thiry M, Dupuis C (2000) Use of clay minerals for paleoclimatic reconstructions: limits of the method with special reference to the Paleocene–lower Eocene interval. GFF 122(1):166–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tribovillard N, Algeo TJ, Lyons T, Riboulleau A (2006) Trace metals as paleoredox and paleoproductivity proxies: an update. Chem Geol 232(1–2):1–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang DR (2000) Stable isotope geochemistry of oil and gas. Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing, pp 82–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Q, Zhuo XZ, Chen GJ, Li XY (2007) Characteristics of carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of carbonate cements in Triassic yanchang sandstone in ordos basin. Nat Gas Ind 27(10):28–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Wignall PB, Twitchett RJ (1996) Oceanic anoxia and the end permian mass extinction. Science 272(5265):1155–1158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright J, Schrader H, Holser WT (1987) Paleoredox variations in ancient oceans recorded by rare earth elements in fossil apatite. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 51(3):631–644

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu MQ, Ouyang ZY (1992) Ce anomaly—a chemical tracer for paleo–oceanic redox variation. Chin Sci Bull 37(15):1293–1293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie Y, Wang J, Lin LX, Xie ZW, Deng GS, Li MH, Jiang XS (2010) Distribution of the cretaceous clay minerals in Ordos basin, China and its implication to sedimentary and diagenetic environment. Geol Bull China 29(1):93–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Xue Q, Rao ZG, Wang SP, Zhang PY, Chen FH (2011) Stable carbon and oxygen isotopic study of carbonate along a loess/paleosol section in Lantian county, Shaanxi province, on the southeastern edge of the Chinese loess plateau. Environ Earth Sci 64(1):237–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang XL (1985) Relationship between carbon and oxygen stable isotope in carbonate rocks and paleosalinity and paleotemperature of seawater. Acta Sedimentol Sin 3(4):17–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang KJ, Xia BD, Wang GM, Li YT, Ye HF (2004) Early Cretaceous stratigraphy, depositional environment, sandstone provenance, and tectonic setting of central Tibet, western China. Geol Soc Am Bull 116:1202–1222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang KJ, Zhang YX, Li B, Zhu YT, Wei RZ (2006a) The blueschist-bearing Qiangtang metamorphic belt (northern Tibet, China) as an in situ suture zone: evidence from geochemical comparison with the Jinsa suture. Geology 34:493–496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang KJ, Zhang YX, Xia BD, He YB (2006b) Temporal variations of the Mesozoic sandstone composition in the Qiangtang block, northern Tibet (China): implications for provenance and tectonic setting. J Sediment Res 76:1035–1048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang KJ, Zhang YX, Li B, Zhong LF (2007) Nd isotopes of siliciclastic rocks from Tibet, western China: Constraints on the pre-Cenozoic tectonic evolution. Earth Planet Sci Lett 256:604–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang KJ, Li B, Wei QG (2012) Geochemistry and Nd isotopes of the Songpan-Ganzi Triassic turbidites, Central China: diversified provenances and tectonic implications. J Geol 120:68–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang KJ, Li QH, Yan LL, Zeng L, Lu L, Zhang YX, Hui J, Jin X, Tang XC (2017) Geochemistry of limestones deposited in various plate tectonic settings. Earth Sci Rev 167:27–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zou NN, Zhang DQ, Long GH, Zhang SC, Lu XC, Jiang H, Shi JA (2015) Sedimentary system evolution of Tertiary reservoirs in northern Qaidam Basin, China. J Chengdu Univ Technol (Sci Technol Ed) 42(2):149–158

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the CAS “Light of West China” Program (Y304RC1SGQ), the Nature Science Foundation of Gansu Province (Grant 1308RJZA310), and the Key Laboratory Project of Gansu Province (Grant 1309RTSA041). We are grateful to Dr. James W. LaMoreaux for kind and patient editorial handling and to two anonymous reviewers for constructive and thoughtful review comments, which significantly improved the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Yongheng Yang, Guoqiang Sun, Yetong Wang, Jie Wu, Yun Jiang, Meng Wang & Jiasi Li

  2. Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources, Gansu Province/Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources Research, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Yongheng Yang, Guoqiang Sun, Yetong Wang, Yun Jiang, Meng Wang & Jiasi Li

  3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Yongheng Yang, Yetong Wang, Jie Wu, Yun Jiang, Meng Wang & Jiasi Li

Authors
  1. Yongheng Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Guoqiang Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yetong Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jie Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yun Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Meng Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jiasi Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guoqiang Sun.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yang, Y., Sun, G., Wang, Y. et al. Diagenesis and sedimentary environment of the lower Xiaganchaigou formation deposited during the Eocene/Oligocene transition in the Lenghu tectonic belt, Qaidam Basin, China. Environ Earth Sci 79, 220 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-020-08969-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-020-08969-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation