Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Origin and depositional paleoenvironment of Triassic polyhalite in the Jialingjiang Formation, Sichuan Basin

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Carbonates and Evaporites Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Sichuan Basin contains the most prolific marine potash salt deposits in China. Although a vast amount of polyhalite has been found in the Triassic Jialingjiang Formation, the production of soluble potash deposits has yet to begin. The origin and sedimentary environment of polyhalite has remained unclear, and this information could have a significant economic impact. The recent discovery of protogenetic polyhalite co-existing with halite crystals in cores from the early Triassic Jialingjiang Formation in eastern Sichuan Basin provides vital clues to its origin and depositional environment. Two types of polyhalite have been identified, through the examination of sedimentary textures and fabrics, mineral composition and contents, and major and trace elements from cores. The first type is protogenetic polyhalite, which co-exists and is commingled with halite crystals. The second type is secondary in origin with a radiating texture and was formed by the metasomatism of gypsum. Triassic polyhalite and halite was deposited during periods of freshwater and sylvite-saturated, evaporated seawater mixing. Further dilution of the freshwater resulted in gypsum precipitation among the halite crystals. After periods of desalination, increasing evaporation leads to the formation of highly concentrated and dense brines that are rich in potassium and magnesium. These heavy brines sink downward through intercrystalline pores and fractures, replacing gypsum with polyhalite through metasomatism. These sequential phenomena occur because the Triassic marine basins were relatively small and tectonically active. Although these shallow, small salt basins can have a fast concentration rate, they can be easily desalinated by the peripheral freshwater input in an overall arid but fluctuating arid and wet climate. The alternating periods of evaporation and desalination are responsible for the formation of soluble potassium salt deposits. Our proposed mechanisms provide useful information for understanding the distribution of polyhalite. These mechanisms can be used to guide future exploration and production of Triassic marine potash salts in the periphery of the Tethys Ocean.

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.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

modified from Huang 1998; Meng 2011)

Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • An ZX (1996) The Luzhoupaleohigh and oil/gas accumulation in Southern Sichuan. Exp Petroleum Geol 18(3):267–273

    Google Scholar 

  • Biehl BC, Reuning L, Strozyk F, Kukla PA, Reuning L, Strozyk F et al (2014) Origin and deformation of intra-salt sulphate layers: an example from the Dutch Zechstein (Late Permian). Int J Earth Sci 103(3):697–712

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai KQ, Yuan JQ (1986) Metallogenic Condition and Prediction of potash of Triassic in Sichuan Province. Geol Chem Miner 2:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Claypool GE, Holser WT, Kaplan IR, Sakai H, Zak I (1980) The age curves of sulfur and oxygen isotopes in marine sulfate and their mutual interpretation. Chem Geol 28:199–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farid I, Trabelsi R, Zouari K, Abid K, Ayachi M (2013) Hydrogeochemical processes affecting groundwater in an irrigated land in Central Tunisia. Environ Earth Sci 68(5):1215–1231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher RS, Susan DH (1987) Relations between bromide content and depositional processes in bedded halite, Permian San Andres Formation, Palo Duro Basin, Texas. Carbonates Evaporites 2(1):67–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freyer D, Voigt W (2003) Crystallization and phase stability of CaSO4 and CaSO4-based salts. Chem Mon 134(5):693–719

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han WT, Gu SQ, Cai KQ (1982) On the formative conditions of polyhalite in the six-component system k+, Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+/Cl-, SO42-, H2O. Sci Bull 27(12):1319–1324

    Google Scholar 

  • Holser WT, Kaplan IR (1966) Isotope geochemistry of sedimentary sulfates. Chem Geol 1:93–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holser WT, Clement GP, Jansa LF, Wade JA (1988) Evaporite deposits of the North Atlantic rift. Triassic-Jurassic rifting, continental breakup, and the origin of the atlantic ocean and passive margins B. Dev Geotecton 22(41):525–556

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu MY, Wei GQ, Li ST, Yang W, Zhu L, Yang YH (2010) Characteristics of sequence-based lithofacies and paleogeography, and reservoir prediction of the jialingjiang formation in sichuan basin. Acta Sedimentol Sin 28(6):1145–1152

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang JG (1998) The Triassic potash deposits in China: an example from the Sichuan Basin. Sediment Geol Tethyan Geol 18(4):23–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Leitner C, Neubauer F, Marschallinger R, Genser J, Bernroider M (2013) Origin of deformed halite hopper crystals, pseudomorphic anhydrite cubes and polyhalite in Alpine evaporites (Austria, Germany). Int J Earth Sci 102(3):813–829

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li YW, Han WT (1987) An experimental study on the formative conditions of polyhalite in Triassic system in Sichuan Basin. Geoscience 1(3–4):400–411

    Google Scholar 

  • Li YW, Cai KQ, Han WT (1998) Origin of potassium-riched brine and the metamorphism of Triassic evaporates in Sichuan Basin. Geoscience 12(2):222–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin LB, Chen HD, Hu XQ, Ji XT, Jiang P (2007) Classification of tectonic sequence and evolution of the Upper Triassic in the Sichuan Basin. J Stratigr 31(4):415–422

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin YT, Yin SM (1998) Distribution, genesis and significance of shallow-seated polyhalite ore in Quxian, Sichuan. J Sichuan Geol 18(2):121–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin YT, He JQ, Ye MC (2003) On potash-forming model and ore-hunting direction of Lower-Middle Triassic series in Sichuan Basin. Geol Chem Miners 25(2):76–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Q, Chen YH, Li YC, Lan QC, Yuan HR, Yan DL (1987) Salt sediments of terrigenous clastic-chemogenic type in Meso-Cenozoic of China. Science and Technology Press, Beijing, pp 18–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu YS, Guo ZF, Liang XW, Yang ZW (2006) Tectionic significance of sandstones and coupling relation of basin and mountain in the Late Triassic-Jurassic in the Middle and Upper Yangtze region. Pet Geol Exp 28(3):201–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu CL, Zhao YJ, Fang XM, Lü FL, Wang LC, Yan MD, Zhang H, Ding T (2015) Plate tectonics control on the distribution and formation of the marine potash deposits. Acta Geol Sin 89(11):1893–1907

    Google Scholar 

  • Mao Q, Zou GF, Zhang HM, Jin H, Huang HB (2006) Discussion on geodynamic evolution and oil/gas prospect of the Sichuan Basin. Nat Gas Ind 26(11):7–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Meng YZ (2011) The lithofacies-paleogeographic and the natural gas accumulation of Jialingjiang Formation in Sichuan Basin. Master degree theses of Chengdu University of Technology, pp 9–20

  • Peryt TM, Tomassi-Morawiec H, Czapowski G, Hryniv SP, Pueyo JJ, Eastoe CJ, Vovnyuk S (2005) Polyhalite occurrence in the Werra (Zechstein, upper Permian) peribaltic Basin of Poland and Russia: evaporitefacies constraint. Carbonates Evaporites 20(2):182–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peryt TM, Pierre C, Gryniv SP (1998) Origin of polyhalite deposits in the Zechstein (Upper Permian) Zdrada platform (northern Poland). Sedimentology 45(3):565–578

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pierre C (1985) Polyhalite replacement after gypsum at Ojo de Liebre Lagoon (Baja California, Mexico): an early diagenesis by mixing of marine brines and continental waters. In: Schreiber BC, Harner L (eds) Sixth international symposium on salt, vol 1, pp 257–265

  • Raab M, Spiro B (1991) Sulfur isotopic variations during seawater evaporation with fractional crystallization. Chem Geol Isot Geosci Sect 86(4):323–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders LL (1991) Geochemistry of Formation Waters from the Lower Silurian Clinton Formation (Albion Sandstone), Eastern Ohio (1). AAPG Bull 75(10):1593–1608

    Google Scholar 

  • Schorn A, Neubauer F, Bernroider M (2013) Polyhalitemicrofabrics in an Alpine evaporite mélange: Hallstatt, Eastern Alps. J Struct Geol 46:57–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen SZ, Cao CQ, Zhang H, Bowring SA, Henderson CM, Payne JL, Davydov VI, Chen B, Yuan DX, Zhang YC, Wang W, Zheng QF (2013) High-resolution δ13C carb chemostratigraphy from latest Guadalupian through earliest Triassic in South China and Iran. Earth Planet Sci Lett 375:156–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tian RX, Wei LC (1985) Paleogeography and facies of Jialingjiang period, early Triassic in Sichuan Basin. Exp Petrol Geol 7(3):218–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang ML (1982) The geological significance of polyhalite in depression Q. Geol Rev 28(1):28–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang MQ, Zhao YJ, Liu CL, Ding T (2015) Paleotemperature and significance of the evaporated seawater in salt forming process of the forth member of Jialingjiang Formation in the eastern Sichuan Basin. Acta Petrol Sin 31(9):2745–2750

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang SL, Zheng MP (2014) Discovery of Triassic polyhalite in Changshou area of East Sichuan Basin and its genetic study. Miner Deposits 33(5):1045–1056

    Google Scholar 

  • Warren JK (2006) Evaporites: sediments, resources and hydrocarbons. Springer, Berlin, pp 59–136

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Xu GS, Chen ML, Liu W, Meng YZ, Yang P, Hu YH, Peng JC, Wang XG, Huang XQ (2012a) Lithofaciespalaeogeography and forecast of potassium-rich brine of Leikoupo Formation in western Sichuan. Miner Deposits 31(2):309–322

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu GS, Wu QX, Meng YZ, Hu YH, Peng JC, Wang XG, He MR (2012b) The lithofacies-paleogeographic of Jianglingjiang Formation in Sichuan Basin and the aggregate potash center forecast. Geophys Comput Technol 34(1):62–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Zai GM (1989) China petroleum geology, vol 10. Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing, pp 1–516

    Google Scholar 

  • Zarei M, Raeisi E, Merkel BJ, Kummer NA (2013) Identifying sources of salinization using hydrochemical and isotopic techniques, Konarsiah, Iran. Environ Earth Sci 70(2):587–604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao ZJ, Zhu Y, Deng HY, Xu YJ (2003) Control of paleouplifts to the Meso-Plaeozoic primary oli and gas pools in the South of China. Petrol Geol Exp 25(1):10–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng MP, Yuan HR, Zhang YS, Liu XF, Chen WX, Li JS (2010) Regional distribution and prospects of potash in China. Acta Geol Sin 84(11):1523–1553

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng MP, Zhang Z, Zhang YS, Liu XF, Yin HW (2012) Potash exploration characteristics in China: new understanding and research progress. Acta Geol Sin 33(3):280–294

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Major State Basic Research Development Program (no. 2011CB40300). We thank Tim Lowenstein from Binghamton University and Kathleen Counter Benison from West Virginia University for giving comments and suggestions that have greatly improved the quality of this Manuscript. We also thank Randy Stotler and Karin Abrahamsson from the University of Kansas who gave their help in English writing. We also thank the editors and reviewers.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. MNR Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China

    Yanjun Zhao, Chenglin Liu & Licheng Wang

  2. East China University of Technology, Jiangxi, 330013, China

    Ting Ding

  3. The University of Kansas, Lawrence, 66045, USA

    Ting Ding & Luis A. Gonzalez

  4. Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas-Austin, Austin, 78758, USA

    Zhaoqi Li

  5. China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Mingquan Wang

  6. Chongqing Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chongqing, 400042, China

    Zhengjie Zhu

Authors
  1. Yanjun Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chenglin Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ting Ding
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Luis A. Gonzalez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zhaoqi Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Mingquan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Licheng Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Zhengjie Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chenglin Liu.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

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

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (XLSX 20 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhao, Y., Liu, C., Ding, T. et al. Origin and depositional paleoenvironment of Triassic polyhalite in the Jialingjiang Formation, Sichuan Basin. Carbonates Evaporites 35, 64 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-020-00596-3

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-020-00596-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation