Understanding the paleoenvironment and phytogeographical history of the Tibetan Plateau,China relies on discovering new plant fossils.The Qaidam Basin has long been regarded as an ideal‘field laboratory’to investiga...Understanding the paleoenvironment and phytogeographical history of the Tibetan Plateau,China relies on discovering new plant fossils.The Qaidam Basin has long been regarded as an ideal‘field laboratory’to investigate the paleoclimate and paleobiological evolution of the northern Tibetan Plateau.However,fossil angiosperms from the Qaidam Basin are rare,and our knowledge of its paleovegetation is poor.Here,we report fossil leaves and fruits of Betulaceae found from the Oligocene Shangganchaigou Formation of northwestern Qaidam Basin(Huatugou area).Comparative morphological analysis led us to assign the fruits to the Betula subgenus Betula and the leaves to Carpinus grandis.These findings,together with other reported fossil plants from the same locality,reveal a close floristic linkage between the Qaidam Basin and Europe during the Oligocene.The northern pathway of this floristic exchange may have crossed through the Qaidam Basin during the late Paleogene.This floristic linkage may have been facilitated by the continuous narrowing of the Turgai Strait and stronger westerlies,which transported moisture and provided favorable climatic conditions.Indeed,fossil plants collected from the Qaidam Basin suggest that during the Oligocene this region had warm and humid deciduous broad-leaf forest,which differs from the region’s modern vegetation and indicates that the Qaidam Basin may have been a suitable region for these plants to flourish and spread during the Oligocene.展开更多
The geochemical analysis and experimental simulation are comprehensively used to systematically study the hydrocarbon generation material,organic matter enrichment and hydrocarbon generation model of Paleogene source ...The geochemical analysis and experimental simulation are comprehensively used to systematically study the hydrocarbon generation material,organic matter enrichment and hydrocarbon generation model of Paleogene source rock in the Western Qaidam Depression,Qaidam Basin,NW China.Three main factors result in low TOC values of saline lacustrine source rock of the Qaidam Basin:relatively poor nutrient supply inhibits the algal bloom,too fast deposition rate causes the dilution of organic matter,and high organic matter conversion efficiency causes the low residual organic carbon.For this type of hydrogen-rich organic matter,due to the reduction of organic carbon during hydrocarbon generation,TOC needs to be restored based on maturity before evaluating organic matter abundance.The hydrocarbon generation of saline lacustrine source rocks of the Qaidam Basin is from two parts:soluble organic matter and insoluble organic matter.The soluble organic matter is inherited from organisms and preserved in saline lacustrine basins.It generates hydrocarbons during low-maturity stage,and the formed hydrocarbons are rich in complex compounds such as NOS,and undergo secondary cracking to form light components in the later stage;the hydrocarbon generation model of insoluble organic matter conforms to the traditional“Tissot”model,with an oil generation peak corresponding to Ro of 1.0%.展开更多
The bedrock weathered crust in front of the Altun Mountains in the Qaidam Basin,western China,is different from others because this is a salt-lake basin,where saline water fluid infiltrates and is deposited in the ove...The bedrock weathered crust in front of the Altun Mountains in the Qaidam Basin,western China,is different from others because this is a salt-lake basin,where saline water fluid infiltrates and is deposited in the overlying strata.A large amount of gypsum infills the bedrock weathered crust,and this has changed the pore structure.Using core observation,polarized light microscopy,electron probe,physical property analysis and field emission scanning electron microscopy experiments,the characteristics of the weathered bedrock have been studied.There are cracks and a small number of dissolved pores in the interior of the weathered crust.Matrix micropores are widely developed,especially the various matrix cracks formed by tectonics and weathering,as well as the stress characteristics of small dissolved pores,and physical properties such as porosity and permeability.This‘dual structure’developed in the bedrock is important for guiding the exploration of the lake basin bedrock for natural gas.展开更多
Geological explorations have revealed plentiful Neogene formation waters in anticlines in the central Qaidam Basin(QB).However,the hydrochemistry and origin of these waters are obscure.In this study,the hydrochemistry...Geological explorations have revealed plentiful Neogene formation waters in anticlines in the central Qaidam Basin(QB).However,the hydrochemistry and origin of these waters are obscure.In this study,the hydrochemistry and DO-S-Sr isotopes of these formation waters were determined to study their origin and evolution.The formation waters are enriched in Na-Ca-Cl,and depleted in Mg-K-SO4-HCO3ions with elevated Li-B-Br-Sr elements.The D-O isotopes prove that the formation waters originated from weak-evaporated meteoric waters,and experienced water-rock interactions.Ion comparisons and Caexcess-Nadeficitdiagrams suggest that solute sources of these waters include evaporite dissolution,waterrock interaction,and minor residual lake brines.Bacterial sulfate reduction and water-rock interactions are supported by the high S-Sr isotopes.The enriched Li-B-Br-Sr concentrations of these waters are in accord with the high geochemical background values of the QB.Regarding the genesis of the formation waters,it can be concluded that meteoric waters from the southern Kunlun Mountains were discharged into the basin,weakly evaporated,and then infiltrated into the Neogene strata through faults leaching the soluble ions and mixing with residual lake brines,and all experienced water-rock interactions and a sulphate reduction process.展开更多
Orogenic peridotite is an important component of orogenic belts and retains crucial information on mantle magmatic activity,slab subduction,and melt or fluid metasomatism.To determine the source of the mantle-derived ...Orogenic peridotite is an important component of orogenic belts and retains crucial information on mantle magmatic activity,slab subduction,and melt or fluid metasomatism.To determine the source of the mantle-derived parental magma of the peridotite and to investigate the metasomatism that it experienced,we undertook an integrated study of the petrography,whole-rock major-and trace-element compositions,in situ zircon U-Pb geochronology,and mineral majorand trace-element compositions of an early Paleozoic ultramafic complex in the North Wulan area of North Qaidam.The Halihatu ultramafic-mafic complex is composed of dunite,pyroxene peridotite,and gabbro,which are characteristic of Alaskan-type complexes.The dunite yields a weighted mean^(206)Pb/^(238)U age of 479±5 Ma(MSWD=0.7),which reflects the age of the metasomatism rather than the crystallization age of the ultramafic magma.The peridotites have high Mg^(#)(89.8-91.8)and Cr contents(2419-5190 ppm),low Al_(2)O_(3)(0.20-1.68 wt%)and Ni(289-1012 ppm)contents,and high olivine Fo contents(87-91),suggesting a large degree(~15%-22%)of partial melting of lithospheric ultramafic rocks followed by variable degrees of fractional crystallization of olivine and pyroxene.This is consistent with estimates of 15%-22.3%partial melting calculated using the Cr#of spinel crystals and with the low Yb(0.04-0.33 ppm)and Y(0.72-1.29 ppm)contents of clinopyroxene crystals.Whole-rock trace-element patterns show enrichment in large ion lithophile elements and depletion in high field strength elements,along with high Al_(2)O_(3)(2.10-6.47 wt%)and low TiO_(2)(0.01-0.21 wt%)contents of clinopyroxene crystals,suggesting an arc magma cumulate trend.These features,along with the high olivine Fo contents(87-91 ppm),imply that the Halihatu peridotite is an Alaskan-type crustal cumulates derived from Mgrich hydrous basaltic melts.The high estimated f O_(2)(FMQ+1.97 to FMQ+3.81)further supports the idea that they formed in an arc setting.The Ni/Co and Ni/Mn ratios and cumulate textures of the olivine,quenched boundaries between mafic and felsic melts,and the occurrence of tremolite and phlogopite reflect interactions between the Halihatu peridotite and injected silicate and carbonatitic melts in the lower crust.Therefore,we propose a new cumulate-infiltration model for the petrogenesis of Alaskan-type ultramafic complexes,which improves our understanding of the nature of Alaskan-type continental arc root.展开更多
The Qaidam Basin(QB)is a concentrated distribution area and chemical industrial bases of salt lakes in China.Lakes in the QB have been expanding during the past 20 years.Rapid lake expansion resulted in some considera...The Qaidam Basin(QB)is a concentrated distribution area and chemical industrial bases of salt lakes in China.Lakes in the QB have been expanding during the past 20 years.Rapid lake expansion resulted in some considerable scientific issues on the protection of salt lake resources and infrastructure,and monitoring of hydrological processes at the lake-basin scale.Although the spatial-temporal trends of lake changes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP)have been well documented,the underlying influencing mechanism and hydrogeological implications of rapid lake changes in the QB are not well understood.Three lakes in the northern QB were selected to investigate lake water level fluctuations on different time scales based on extensive in-situ monitoring and satellite observations.The influencing mechanism and hydrogeological implications of rapid changes of terminal lakes were discussed in combination with the reported increasing precipitation rate and mass balance of glaciers in the northern QTP.Results reveal the following:(1)the fluctuation pattern of Sugan Lake was asynchronous and out of phase with that of Xiao Qaidam and Toson lakes during the monitoring period;(2)Sugan Lake water rose gradually,and the rise interval was from late April to early July.In contrast,Xiao Qaidam and Toson lakes took on a rapid and steep rise,and the rise intervalwas from late July to September;(3)the influencing mechanisms for rapid lake fluctuations are controlled by different factors:glacier and snow melting with increasing temperature for Sugan Lake and increasing precipitation for Xiao Qaidam and Toson lakes;(4)in accordance with different intervals and influencing mechanisms of rapid lake expansions in the QB,hydrological risk precaution of lakes and corresponding river catchments was conducted in different parts of the basin.This study provided an important scientific basis for assessing the hydrological process and hydrological risk precaution,and protection of salt lake resources along with rapid lake expansions in the arid area.展开更多
Based on the data of field outcrops,drilling cores,casting thin sections,well logging interpretation,oil/gas shows during drilling,and oil/gas testing results,and combined with modern salt-lake sediments in the Qingha...Based on the data of field outcrops,drilling cores,casting thin sections,well logging interpretation,oil/gas shows during drilling,and oil/gas testing results,and combined with modern salt-lake sediments in the Qinghai Lake,the Neogene saline lake beach-bars in southwestern Qaidam Basin are studied from the perspective of sedimentary characteristics,development patterns,sand control factors,and hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics.Beach-bar sand bodies are widely developed in the Neogene saline lake basin,and they are lithologically fine sandstone and siltstone,with wavy bedding,low-angle cross bedding,and lenticular-vein bedding.In view of spatial-temporal distribution,the beach-bar sand bodies are stacked in multiple stages vertically,migratory laterally,and extensive and continuous in NW-SE trending pattern in the plane.The stacking area of the Neogene beach-bar sandstone is predicted to be 3000 km^(2).The water salinity affects the sedimentation rate and offshore distance of beach-bar sandstone,and the debris input from the source area affects the scale and enrichment of beach-bar sandstone.The ancient landform controls the morphology and stacking style of beach-bar sandstone,and the northwest monsoon driving effect controls the long-axis extension direction of beach-bar sandstone.The beach-bars have a reservoir-forming feature of“one reservoir in one sand body”,with thick beach-bar sand bodies controlling the effective reservoir distribution and oil-source faults controlling the oil/gas migration and accumulation direction.Three favorable exploration target zones in Zhahaquan,Yingdong-eastern Wunan and Huatugou areas are proposed based on the analysis of reservoir-forming elements.展开更多
The Qaidam Basin,as the largest inland basin within the Tibetan Plateau,has accumulated more than 10,000 m of Cenozoic continental sediments.It serves as a crucial research area for documenting Cenozoic climate change...The Qaidam Basin,as the largest inland basin within the Tibetan Plateau,has accumulated more than 10,000 m of Cenozoic continental sediments.It serves as a crucial research area for documenting Cenozoic climate changes and plateau uplift processes in the Asian interior.Additionally,the basin holds vast reserves of oil and gas resources,making high-resolution drilling data invaluable for studying paleoclimate.In this study,the longsequence lacustrine deposits of JS1 drill core across the Shizigou Formation in the Yiliping Depression at the western center of the basin were studied,aiming to establish an astronomical timescale for the Shizigou Formation and investigate the characteristics of paleoclimatic changes during the late Miocene to the Pliocene for the Asian interior.The analysis was carried out using high-resolution natural gamma ray(GR)data sequences,employing techniques such as spectral analysis,filtering,and wavelet analysis in cyclostratigraphy.The results indicated the presence of a stable Milankovitch orbital signal was perfectly recorded in the Shizigou Formation,primarily influenced by eccentricity cycles,with weaker obliquity and precession cycles.Using the stable and continuous 405 ka eccentricity cycle in astronomical tuning,a"floating"astronomical timescale with a duration of 6.1 Ma for the Yiliping depression's Shizigou Formation has been established.With reference to previously established stratigraphic age anchor points,an absolute astronomical timescale(2.5–8.6 Ma)has been ultimately provided for the Shizigou Formation.Simultaneously,a clear 100 ka short eccentricity cycle record has been identified during the Pliocene(5.3–2.5 Ma),which corresponds in time with the aridification within the basin during this Pliocene period.In addition,a comparison of the Pliocene natural gamma ray curve of the Qaidam Basin with global ice volume variations indicated that the basin's aridification was influenced by global cooling,with eccentricity-modulated precession cycles controlling solar radiation and subsequently affecting the evolution of lakes in the arid region of Inner Asia.展开更多
We investigate the growth of the northern Tibetan Plateau and associated climate change by applying oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions in Cenozoic strata in the southwestern Qaidam basin. The X-ray diffraction an...We investigate the growth of the northern Tibetan Plateau and associated climate change by applying oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions in Cenozoic strata in the southwestern Qaidam basin. The X-ray diffraction and isotopic studies reveal that the carbonate minerals are mainly authigenic and they do not preserve any evidence for detrital carbonate and diagenesis. The isotope data show large fluctuations in the δ^(18)O and δ^(13)C values in the middle-late Eocene, indicating relatively warm and seasonal dry climate.The positive correlation of the δ^(18)O and δ^(13)C values in the Oligocene and the positive shift of the δ^(13)C values from the Eocene to Oligocene suggest that the climate changed to arid in the Oligocene. However,the δ^(18) values show negative shift, which is closely related to the global cooling event. During the Miocene, the δ^(13)C values vary between-2‰ and-4‰, whereas the δ^(18)O values show continuous negative shift. The mean δ^(18) values decrease from-8.5‰, in the early Miocene to-10.0‰, in the late Miocene. The stable isotope-based paleoaltimetry results suggest that the elevation of the southwestern Qaidam basin was approximately 1500 m in the middle-late Eocene and Oligocene. Subsequently, during Miocene the crustal uplift process started and the elevation reached approximately 2000 m in the early Miocene and 2500 m in the late Miocene, which suggests large-scale growth of the northern Tibet Plateau during the Miocene.展开更多
Coesite was discovered as inclusions in zircon separates from pelitic gneiss associated with a large eclogite body in the North Qaidam ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane. Some graphite inclusions were also found. This f...Coesite was discovered as inclusions in zircon separates from pelitic gneiss associated with a large eclogite body in the North Qaidam ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane. Some graphite inclusions were also found. This finding suggested the occurrence of in-situ UHP metamorphism and that the terrane was most likely recrystallized at pressures below the diamond stability field. It supported other previous indirect UHP evidence, such as polycrystalline quartz inclusions in eclogitic garnet, quartz lamellae in omphacite and P-T estimates for both eclogite and garnet peridotite. The U-Pb and Sm-Nd ages of the North Qaidam eclogite indicated that subduction of continental crust occurred in the Early Palaeozoic, which probably recorded a collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze plates.展开更多
Sixty-five natural gas samples were collected from 19 oil-gasfields in the Qaidam basin, China. The chemical composition and carbon isotope values of the samples were measured, and the geochemical characteristics and ...Sixty-five natural gas samples were collected from 19 oil-gasfields in the Qaidam basin, China. The chemical composition and carbon isotope values of the samples were measured, and the geochemical characteristics and origin of the natural gases were studied. The gases can be divided into biogenic gases, sapropelic oil-type gases, mixed type oil-type gases, coal-type gases and mixed gas. The δ13C1 values of the biogenic gases are very small and the C2+ contents of them are very low, ranging from -68.2‰ to -61.8‰ and 0.06% to 0.20% respectively. They have heavy δD and δ13CCO2, showing a CO2 reduction pathway. They are distributed in the East depression region and derived from the Quaternary source rocks. The sapropelic oil-type gases have small δ13C2 values and high C2+ ranging from -36.6‰ to -28.6‰ and from 33.01% to 47.15% respectively. The mixed type oil-type gases have δ13C2 values and C2+ contents varying from -28.6‰ to -24.8‰ and from 4.81% to 26.06% respectively. Both sapropelic oil-type gases and mixed type oil-type gases are associated with oil-type oils, distributed in the West depression region and derived from the Tertiary saltwater lacustrine sapropelic source rocks and humic source rocks respectively. The δ13C2 values of the coal-type gases are extremely high and the C2+ contents are very low, changing from -23.3‰ to -12.5‰ and from 0.06% to 18.07% respectively. The coal-type gases in the Nanbaxian gasfield and the Lenghu oil-gasfields in the North fault block belt are derived from the Middle Jurassic coal-measures source rocks, whereas those in the West depression region are derived from the Tertiary saltwater lacustrine humic source rocks. Compared with some other basins in China, the natural gases there have obviously heavier δ13C due to the heavier δ13C of different types of kerogens of the Tertiary saltwater lacustrine source rocks in the West depression region of the basin. The mixing of natural gases is common in the West depression region, but the mixed gases are formed by sapropelic oil-type gases, mixed type oil-type gases or coal-type gases, respectively, of different levels of maturity. Most of the sapropelic oil-type gases and mixed type oil-type gases in the west part are thermally immature and low-mature, but the coal-type gases in the West depression region and the North fault block belt are mature and high- to over-mature.展开更多
The Qarhan Salt Lake area is the Quaternary depocenter of the Qaidam Basin, and carries thick lacustrine sediments, as well as rich potassium and magnesium salt deposits. The abundant resources and thick sediments in ...The Qarhan Salt Lake area is the Quaternary depocenter of the Qaidam Basin, and carries thick lacustrine sediments, as well as rich potassium and magnesium salt deposits. The abundant resources and thick sediments in this lake provide an ideal place for the study of biogas formation and preservation, salt lake evolution, and the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we attempt to construct a paleomagnetic and ^(230)Th age model and to obtain information on tectonic activity and salt lake evolution through detailed studies on a 1300-m-long drill core(15DZK01) from the northwestern margin of the Qarhan Salt Lake area(Dongling Lake). Based on gypsum ^(230)Th dating, the age of the uppermost clastic deposit was calculated to be around 0.052 Ma. The polarity sequence consist of 13 pairs of normal and reversed zones,which can be correlated with subchrons C2r.1r-C1n of the geomagnetic polarity timescale(GPTS 2012)(from ~2.070 Ma to ~0.052 Ma). Sedimentary characteristics indicate that Dongling Lake witnessed freshwater environment between ~ 2.070 Ma and 1.546 Ma. During this period, the sedimentary record reflects primarily lakeshore, shallow-water and swamp environments, representing favourable conditions for the formation of hydrocarbon source rocks. Between 1.546 Ma and ~ 0.052 Ma, the Dongling Lake was in sulphate deposition stage, which contrasts with the central Qarhan Salt Lake area, where this stage did not occur in the meantime. During this stage, Dongling Lake was in a shallow saltwater lake environment, but several periods of reduced salinity occurred during this stage. During the late Pleistocene at ~0.052 Ma, the Dongling Lake experienced uplift due to tectonic activity, and saltwater migrated through the Sanhu Fault to the central Qarhan Salt Lake area, resulting in the absence of halite deposition stage. The residual saline water was concentrated into magnesium-rich brine due to the lack of freshwater, and few potassium salt deposits occur in the Dongling Lake area.展开更多
The Altun and North Qaidam Mountains at the northern margin of Qinghai\|Tibet plateau are separated by the Altyn Tagh sinistral strike\|slip fault, which is one of the largest strike\|slip fault systems in the world a...The Altun and North Qaidam Mountains at the northern margin of Qinghai\|Tibet plateau are separated by the Altyn Tagh sinistral strike\|slip fault, which is one of the largest strike\|slip fault systems in the world and was considered as the key element in the escape tectonics model for Euraisa\|India continent\|continent collision.Recently,the eclogites within quratzifeldspathic gneisses or pelitic gneisses characterized by amphibolite\|facies paragenesis were discovered in the Altun and the North Qaidam Mountains(Fig.1). They occur as lens or boundins within the Altun Group and Dakendaban Group respectively which previously were considered as metamorphic basement of Tarim block and Qaidam block. Our studies indicate that the eclogites outcrop in both the Altun and North Qaidam Mountains show similar occurrences, associated country rocks, rock and mineral assemblages, p\|T\% estimates, geochemistryand protolith feature and ages of peak metamorphism (see table) . The garnet\|omphacite\|phengite geothermobarometer gave equilibrium condition of \%p\%=2 8～3 0GPa and t =820～850℃ for the Altun eclogite and p =2 8GPa and \%t\%=730℃ for North Qaidam eclogite respectively(Fig..2). These p\|T conditions are in the coesite stability field. Moreover, Po lycrystalline quartz pseudomorphs after coesite have been identified in the Dulan area, North Qaidam Mountains (Song et al, in review). Therefore, these features suggest that both eclogites of Altun and North Qaidam Mountains probably are a same HP\|UHP metamorphic belt formed from the same of Early Paleozoic age deep subduction and collision, and subsequently displaced by the Altyn Tagh fault.The case is similar to the Dabie\|Sulu HP\|UHP metamorphic zone which was truncated by the Tanlu sinistral strike\|slip fault and splitted it into two distincts, the Dabie region and Sulu region. These correlations support an about 350～400km displacement of the Altyn Tagh sinistral strike\|slip fault (Fig.1).展开更多
Qaidam basin is an important part of National Key Development Area–Lanzhou-Xining Area,is a key region of resource development in Western Development,is a National Circular Economy Pilot Zone.The focus
Eclogites have been recently discovered in the Xitieshan area in the middle segment of the northern marginof the Qaidam basin. These eclogites, together with those recognized earlier in the Yuka area of the western se...Eclogites have been recently discovered in the Xitieshan area in the middle segment of the northern marginof the Qaidam basin. These eclogites, together with those recognized earlier in the Yuka area of the western segment of thenorthern margin of the Qaidam basin and in the Dulan area of the eastern segment of the northern margin of the Qaidambasin, form an eclogite belt with a length of 350 km. A comparison of the eclogites from the Yuka and Xitieshan areassuggests that they show different country rocks, microtextures, mineral assemblages, and especially, different peak tem-peratures, PT paths during decompression and isotopic features. Eclogites from the Yuka area bear evidence of progrademetamorphism, such as prograde mineral relics in garnet and growth zoning of garnet, and hairpin-shaped PT paths withcoincidence of the baric and thermal peaks of metamorphism, which reflect rapid burial and uplift. Sm-Nd isotopic de-termination shows obvious Sm-Nd disequilibrium, and no isochron ages of Early Paleozoic metamorphism was obtained.On the contrary, the Xitieshan eclogite was subjected to metamorphism of higher eclogite-facies and post-eclogite-faciestemperatures, showing an obvious granulite-facies overprint. A tentative PT path for the Xitieshan area suggests that thebaric peak preceded the thermal culmination. Whole rock-garnet-omphacite Sm-Nd isotopic data give an isochron age inthe Early Paleozoic. The differences between the two eclogites imply their different tectonic-thermal history during theirburial and uplift.展开更多
Eclogite was firstly discovered at the Da Qaidam region (Yang,et al., 1998), and then in the Xitieshan and Dulan regions in 1999, constituting an over 350km long high\|pressure metamorphic belt in the northeastern Qin...Eclogite was firstly discovered at the Da Qaidam region (Yang,et al., 1998), and then in the Xitieshan and Dulan regions in 1999, constituting an over 350km long high\|pressure metamorphic belt in the northeastern Qinghai—Tibet plateau. Eclogites occur as pods in the garnet\|muscovite gneiss of the Dakendaban Group (or called Shaliuhe Group in Dulan) of Upper Proterozoic age. In general, the pods of eclogite vary in size; most of them are less than 20m×10m, some large ones up to about 100m×50m. The eclogite\|hosted gneiss is pale\|gray in color, consisting mainly plagioclase and quartz, and minor muscovite (5%～10% in vol.) and garnet (1%～2%). Some of the country rocks of eclogite are mica\|quartz\|(feldspar) schist, quartzite, and ultramafic rocks, the latter also occur in blocks.Over 50 pods were found in a belt of 10km×3km in the Da Qaidam region (No.1 location). Only a few pods of eclogite were found in the Xitieshan region in 1999 field expedition (No.2 location). Eclogite in Dulan occurs in the Proterozoic strata of Shaliuhe Group (same as the Dakendaban Group but with a different name). The eclogites in the Dulan region (No.3 location) expose about 10km wide in SN and an unknown length in EW, and can be subdivided into two belts, the North Eclogite Belt of Dulan (NEBD) and the South Eclogite Belt of Dulan (SEBD).展开更多
Yardangs are typical aeolian erosion landforms,which are attracting more and more attention of geomorphologists and geologists for their various morphology and enigmatic formation mechanisms.In order to clarify the ae...Yardangs are typical aeolian erosion landforms,which are attracting more and more attention of geomorphologists and geologists for their various morphology and enigmatic formation mechanisms.In order to clarify the aeolian environments that influence the development of long-ridge yardangs in the northwestern Qaidam Basin of China,the present research investigated the winds by installing wind observation tower in the field.We found that the sand-driving winds mainly blow from the north-northwest,northwest and north,and occur the most frequent in summer,because the high temperature increases atmospheric instability and leads to downward momentum transfer and active local convection during these months.The annual drift potential and the ratio of resultant drift potential indicate that the study area pertains to a high-energy wind environment and a narrow unimodal wind regime.The wind energy decreases from northwest to southeast in the Qaidam Basin,with the northerly winds in the northwestern basin changing to more westerly in the southeastern basin.The strong and unidirectional wind regime for the long-ridge yardangs in the northwestern Qaidam Basin results from the combined effects of topographic obstacles such as the Altun Mountains and of the interaction between the air stream and the yardang bodies.Present study suggests that yardang evolution needs such strong and unidirectional winds in high-or intermediate-energy wind environments.This differs from sandy deserts or sandy lands,which usually develop at low-or intermediate-energy wind environments.Present study clarifies the wind regime corresponding to the long-ridge yardangs'development,and lays firm foundation to put forward the formation mechanisms for yardangs in the Qaidam Basin.展开更多
The paper emphasized the relationship between environment and water taking ecological demand water (EWD) in the Qaidam Basin─an inner basin in northwestern China, as a key issue to discuss based on landscape umpping....The paper emphasized the relationship between environment and water taking ecological demand water (EWD) in the Qaidam Basin─an inner basin in northwestern China, as a key issue to discuss based on landscape umpping. First of all. the spatial heterogeneity of ecosystem can be reflected well by landscape pattern; secondly, landscape patterns adjust closely with environmental changes; finally, water condition is the key ecological factor for landscape pattern in the arid region.The landsat TM image of 1:100,000 on September 22, 1996 were calibrated with topographical map of the same scale, and then landscape patterns were interpreted and mapped. As a result the Qaidam Basin could be divided into 14 main types, including 67 subtypes. Concerning the characteristics of the EWD of each sub-type, the EWD in the whole basin could be estimated according to the following formula:V= (E - P ) * S = r (KEo - P ) * S Where, V is the ecological demand for Water (m3), E is the evaporation potential on terrestrial surface (m). P is the precipitation in landscape unit (m), S is the area of landscape unit (m2), Eo is the evaporation potential on water surface (m), K is the evaporation coefficient, and r is the coverage.According to the results, the ecological demand for water of desert vegetation is about 9,65×108m3, while it is about 24.48×108m3 for the lake in the inner basin. Therefore, the total EWD occupies approximately 65.7％ of the total water resources in the basin. In conclusion, the quantitative method based on landscape ecological mapping is feasible, which attentively transfers the "point"information to the "area". However, the preliminary results are expccted to improve by further field delta.展开更多
Determination of the threshold shear velocity is essential for predicting sand transport,dust release and desertification.In this study,a wind tunnel experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of salinity and ...Determination of the threshold shear velocity is essential for predicting sand transport,dust release and desertification.In this study,a wind tunnel experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of salinity and moisture on the threshold shear velocity of saline sand.Saline sand samples(mean particle size of 164.50–186.08μm and the total silt,clay and salt content of 0.80%–8.25%)were collected from three saline sand dunes(one barchan dune and two linear dunes)in the Qarhan Desert,Qaidam Basin of China.Original saline sand samples were placed in two experimental trays for wet and dry processing to simulate deliquescence and desiccation,respectively.Surface moisture content ranging from 0.30% to 1.90% was generated by the steam method so that the saline sand can absorb water in a saturated water vapor environment.The motion of sand particles was determined by the observers with a solid laser.The laser sheet(0.80 cm thick),which was emitted by the solid laser,horizontally covered the sand surface and was bound to the sand.Results show that the cohesion of saline sand results from a combination of salt and water.The threshold shear velocity increases exponentially with the increase in crust thickness for the linear sand dunes.There is a positive linear correlation between the original moisture content and relative threshold shear velocity.The threshold shear velocity of dewatered sand is greater than that of wet sand with the same original moisture content.Our results will provide valuable information about the sand transport of highly saline soil in the desert.展开更多
High-pressure(HP)or ultrahigh-pressure(UHP)rutile-quartz veins that form at mantle depths due to fluid-rock interaction can be used to trace the properties and behavior of natural fluids in subduction zones.To explore...High-pressure(HP)or ultrahigh-pressure(UHP)rutile-quartz veins that form at mantle depths due to fluid-rock interaction can be used to trace the properties and behavior of natural fluids in subduction zones.To explore the fluid flow and the associated element mobility during deep subduction and exhumation of the continental crust,we investigated the major and trace elements of Ti-rich minerals.Additionally,U–Pb dating,trace element contents,and Lu–Hf isotopic composition of zircon grains in the UHP eclogite and associated rutile-quartz veins were examined in the North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt,Yuka terrane.The zircon grains in the rutile-quartz veins have unzoned or weak oscillatory zonings,and show low Th/U ratios,steep chondrite-normalized patterns of heavy rare earth elements(HREEs),and insignificant negative Eu anomalies,indicating their growth in metamorphic fluids.These zircon grains formed in 4313 Ma,which is consistent with the 4322 Ma age of the host eclogite.As for the zircons in the rutile-quartz veins,they showed steep HREE patterns on one hand,and were different from the zircons present in the host eclogite on the other.This demonstrates that their formation might have been related to the breakdown of the early stage of garnet,which corresponds to the abundance of fluids during the early exhumation stage.The core-rim profile analyses of rutile recorded a two-stage rutile growth across a large rutile grain;the rutile core has higher Nb,Ta,W,and Zr contents and lower Nb/Ta ratios than the rim,indicating that the rutile domains grew in different metamorphic fluids from the core towards the rim.The significant enrichment of high field strength elements(HFSEs)in the rutile core suggests that the peak fluids have high solubility and transportation capacity of these HFSEs.Furthermore,variations in the Nb vs.Cr trends in rutile indicate a connection of rutile to mafic protolith.The zircon grains from both the rutile-quartz veins and the host eclogite have similar Hf isotopic compositions,indicating that the vein-forming fluids are internally derived from the host eclogite.These fluids accumulated in the subduction channel and were triggered by local dehydration of the deeply subducted eclogite during the early exhumation conditions.展开更多
基金the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. 2022M723151)the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition Research Program (No. 2019QZKK0704)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 42172005, 41272026, 41972008, 31870200)the Strategic Priority Research Program (B) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB26000000)
文摘Understanding the paleoenvironment and phytogeographical history of the Tibetan Plateau,China relies on discovering new plant fossils.The Qaidam Basin has long been regarded as an ideal‘field laboratory’to investigate the paleoclimate and paleobiological evolution of the northern Tibetan Plateau.However,fossil angiosperms from the Qaidam Basin are rare,and our knowledge of its paleovegetation is poor.Here,we report fossil leaves and fruits of Betulaceae found from the Oligocene Shangganchaigou Formation of northwestern Qaidam Basin(Huatugou area).Comparative morphological analysis led us to assign the fruits to the Betula subgenus Betula and the leaves to Carpinus grandis.These findings,together with other reported fossil plants from the same locality,reveal a close floristic linkage between the Qaidam Basin and Europe during the Oligocene.The northern pathway of this floristic exchange may have crossed through the Qaidam Basin during the late Paleogene.This floristic linkage may have been facilitated by the continuous narrowing of the Turgai Strait and stronger westerlies,which transported moisture and provided favorable climatic conditions.Indeed,fossil plants collected from the Qaidam Basin suggest that during the Oligocene this region had warm and humid deciduous broad-leaf forest,which differs from the region’s modern vegetation and indicates that the Qaidam Basin may have been a suitable region for these plants to flourish and spread during the Oligocene.
基金Supported by the PetroChina Science and Technology Project(2021DJ1808).
文摘The geochemical analysis and experimental simulation are comprehensively used to systematically study the hydrocarbon generation material,organic matter enrichment and hydrocarbon generation model of Paleogene source rock in the Western Qaidam Depression,Qaidam Basin,NW China.Three main factors result in low TOC values of saline lacustrine source rock of the Qaidam Basin:relatively poor nutrient supply inhibits the algal bloom,too fast deposition rate causes the dilution of organic matter,and high organic matter conversion efficiency causes the low residual organic carbon.For this type of hydrogen-rich organic matter,due to the reduction of organic carbon during hydrocarbon generation,TOC needs to be restored based on maturity before evaluating organic matter abundance.The hydrocarbon generation of saline lacustrine source rocks of the Qaidam Basin is from two parts:soluble organic matter and insoluble organic matter.The soluble organic matter is inherited from organisms and preserved in saline lacustrine basins.It generates hydrocarbons during low-maturity stage,and the formed hydrocarbons are rich in complex compounds such as NOS,and undergo secondary cracking to form light components in the later stage;the hydrocarbon generation model of insoluble organic matter conforms to the traditional“Tissot”model,with an oil generation peak corresponding to Ro of 1.0%.
基金the National Major Project of Science and Technology in developing great oil&gas field and coal bed gas(Grant No.2016ZX05007-006)the Study on water-cut control and production stabilization in the old gasfields and efficient development in new gasfields in Qaidam Basin(Grant No.2016E-0106GF)。
文摘The bedrock weathered crust in front of the Altun Mountains in the Qaidam Basin,western China,is different from others because this is a salt-lake basin,where saline water fluid infiltrates and is deposited in the overlying strata.A large amount of gypsum infills the bedrock weathered crust,and this has changed the pore structure.Using core observation,polarized light microscopy,electron probe,physical property analysis and field emission scanning electron microscopy experiments,the characteristics of the weathered bedrock have been studied.There are cracks and a small number of dissolved pores in the interior of the weathered crust.Matrix micropores are widely developed,especially the various matrix cracks formed by tectonics and weathering,as well as the stress characteristics of small dissolved pores,and physical properties such as porosity and permeability.This‘dual structure’developed in the bedrock is important for guiding the exploration of the lake basin bedrock for natural gas.
基金supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(STEP,Grant No.2019QZKK0805)the Special Project of Qinghai Scholars(Grant No.QHS201802)+1 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC,Grant Nos.41872093,U21A2018)Foundation of Qinghai Science&Technology Department(Grant No.2021-ZJ-932)。
文摘Geological explorations have revealed plentiful Neogene formation waters in anticlines in the central Qaidam Basin(QB).However,the hydrochemistry and origin of these waters are obscure.In this study,the hydrochemistry and DO-S-Sr isotopes of these formation waters were determined to study their origin and evolution.The formation waters are enriched in Na-Ca-Cl,and depleted in Mg-K-SO4-HCO3ions with elevated Li-B-Br-Sr elements.The D-O isotopes prove that the formation waters originated from weak-evaporated meteoric waters,and experienced water-rock interactions.Ion comparisons and Caexcess-Nadeficitdiagrams suggest that solute sources of these waters include evaporite dissolution,waterrock interaction,and minor residual lake brines.Bacterial sulfate reduction and water-rock interactions are supported by the high S-Sr isotopes.The enriched Li-B-Br-Sr concentrations of these waters are in accord with the high geochemical background values of the QB.Regarding the genesis of the formation waters,it can be concluded that meteoric waters from the southern Kunlun Mountains were discharged into the basin,weakly evaporated,and then infiltrated into the Neogene strata through faults leaching the soluble ions and mixing with residual lake brines,and all experienced water-rock interactions and a sulphate reduction process.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42272246,41272221,41902235)。
文摘Orogenic peridotite is an important component of orogenic belts and retains crucial information on mantle magmatic activity,slab subduction,and melt or fluid metasomatism.To determine the source of the mantle-derived parental magma of the peridotite and to investigate the metasomatism that it experienced,we undertook an integrated study of the petrography,whole-rock major-and trace-element compositions,in situ zircon U-Pb geochronology,and mineral majorand trace-element compositions of an early Paleozoic ultramafic complex in the North Wulan area of North Qaidam.The Halihatu ultramafic-mafic complex is composed of dunite,pyroxene peridotite,and gabbro,which are characteristic of Alaskan-type complexes.The dunite yields a weighted mean^(206)Pb/^(238)U age of 479±5 Ma(MSWD=0.7),which reflects the age of the metasomatism rather than the crystallization age of the ultramafic magma.The peridotites have high Mg^(#)(89.8-91.8)and Cr contents(2419-5190 ppm),low Al_(2)O_(3)(0.20-1.68 wt%)and Ni(289-1012 ppm)contents,and high olivine Fo contents(87-91),suggesting a large degree(~15%-22%)of partial melting of lithospheric ultramafic rocks followed by variable degrees of fractional crystallization of olivine and pyroxene.This is consistent with estimates of 15%-22.3%partial melting calculated using the Cr#of spinel crystals and with the low Yb(0.04-0.33 ppm)and Y(0.72-1.29 ppm)contents of clinopyroxene crystals.Whole-rock trace-element patterns show enrichment in large ion lithophile elements and depletion in high field strength elements,along with high Al_(2)O_(3)(2.10-6.47 wt%)and low TiO_(2)(0.01-0.21 wt%)contents of clinopyroxene crystals,suggesting an arc magma cumulate trend.These features,along with the high olivine Fo contents(87-91 ppm),imply that the Halihatu peridotite is an Alaskan-type crustal cumulates derived from Mgrich hydrous basaltic melts.The high estimated f O_(2)(FMQ+1.97 to FMQ+3.81)further supports the idea that they formed in an arc setting.The Ni/Co and Ni/Mn ratios and cumulate textures of the olivine,quenched boundaries between mafic and felsic melts,and the occurrence of tremolite and phlogopite reflect interactions between the Halihatu peridotite and injected silicate and carbonatitic melts in the lower crust.Therefore,we propose a new cumulate-infiltration model for the petrogenesis of Alaskan-type ultramafic complexes,which improves our understanding of the nature of Alaskan-type continental arc root.
基金Supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(No.2019 QZKK 0805)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U 21 A 2018)the Foundation of Department of Qinghai Science&Technology(No.2020-ZJ-T 06)。
文摘The Qaidam Basin(QB)is a concentrated distribution area and chemical industrial bases of salt lakes in China.Lakes in the QB have been expanding during the past 20 years.Rapid lake expansion resulted in some considerable scientific issues on the protection of salt lake resources and infrastructure,and monitoring of hydrological processes at the lake-basin scale.Although the spatial-temporal trends of lake changes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP)have been well documented,the underlying influencing mechanism and hydrogeological implications of rapid lake changes in the QB are not well understood.Three lakes in the northern QB were selected to investigate lake water level fluctuations on different time scales based on extensive in-situ monitoring and satellite observations.The influencing mechanism and hydrogeological implications of rapid changes of terminal lakes were discussed in combination with the reported increasing precipitation rate and mass balance of glaciers in the northern QTP.Results reveal the following:(1)the fluctuation pattern of Sugan Lake was asynchronous and out of phase with that of Xiao Qaidam and Toson lakes during the monitoring period;(2)Sugan Lake water rose gradually,and the rise interval was from late April to early July.In contrast,Xiao Qaidam and Toson lakes took on a rapid and steep rise,and the rise intervalwas from late July to September;(3)the influencing mechanisms for rapid lake fluctuations are controlled by different factors:glacier and snow melting with increasing temperature for Sugan Lake and increasing precipitation for Xiao Qaidam and Toson lakes;(4)in accordance with different intervals and influencing mechanisms of rapid lake expansions in the QB,hydrological risk precaution of lakes and corresponding river catchments was conducted in different parts of the basin.This study provided an important scientific basis for assessing the hydrological process and hydrological risk precaution,and protection of salt lake resources along with rapid lake expansions in the arid area.
基金Supported by the PetroChina Science and Technology Project (2021DJ0402,2021DJ0202)。
文摘Based on the data of field outcrops,drilling cores,casting thin sections,well logging interpretation,oil/gas shows during drilling,and oil/gas testing results,and combined with modern salt-lake sediments in the Qinghai Lake,the Neogene saline lake beach-bars in southwestern Qaidam Basin are studied from the perspective of sedimentary characteristics,development patterns,sand control factors,and hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics.Beach-bar sand bodies are widely developed in the Neogene saline lake basin,and they are lithologically fine sandstone and siltstone,with wavy bedding,low-angle cross bedding,and lenticular-vein bedding.In view of spatial-temporal distribution,the beach-bar sand bodies are stacked in multiple stages vertically,migratory laterally,and extensive and continuous in NW-SE trending pattern in the plane.The stacking area of the Neogene beach-bar sandstone is predicted to be 3000 km^(2).The water salinity affects the sedimentation rate and offshore distance of beach-bar sandstone,and the debris input from the source area affects the scale and enrichment of beach-bar sandstone.The ancient landform controls the morphology and stacking style of beach-bar sandstone,and the northwest monsoon driving effect controls the long-axis extension direction of beach-bar sandstone.The beach-bars have a reservoir-forming feature of“one reservoir in one sand body”,with thick beach-bar sand bodies controlling the effective reservoir distribution and oil-source faults controlling the oil/gas migration and accumulation direction.Three favorable exploration target zones in Zhahaquan,Yingdong-eastern Wunan and Huatugou areas are proposed based on the analysis of reservoir-forming elements.
基金supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition(STEP)program(2019QZKK0704)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant number 42272029)the"Light of West China"Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(xbzglzb2022025).
文摘The Qaidam Basin,as the largest inland basin within the Tibetan Plateau,has accumulated more than 10,000 m of Cenozoic continental sediments.It serves as a crucial research area for documenting Cenozoic climate changes and plateau uplift processes in the Asian interior.Additionally,the basin holds vast reserves of oil and gas resources,making high-resolution drilling data invaluable for studying paleoclimate.In this study,the longsequence lacustrine deposits of JS1 drill core across the Shizigou Formation in the Yiliping Depression at the western center of the basin were studied,aiming to establish an astronomical timescale for the Shizigou Formation and investigate the characteristics of paleoclimatic changes during the late Miocene to the Pliocene for the Asian interior.The analysis was carried out using high-resolution natural gamma ray(GR)data sequences,employing techniques such as spectral analysis,filtering,and wavelet analysis in cyclostratigraphy.The results indicated the presence of a stable Milankovitch orbital signal was perfectly recorded in the Shizigou Formation,primarily influenced by eccentricity cycles,with weaker obliquity and precession cycles.Using the stable and continuous 405 ka eccentricity cycle in astronomical tuning,a"floating"astronomical timescale with a duration of 6.1 Ma for the Yiliping depression's Shizigou Formation has been established.With reference to previously established stratigraphic age anchor points,an absolute astronomical timescale(2.5–8.6 Ma)has been ultimately provided for the Shizigou Formation.Simultaneously,a clear 100 ka short eccentricity cycle record has been identified during the Pliocene(5.3–2.5 Ma),which corresponds in time with the aridification within the basin during this Pliocene period.In addition,a comparison of the Pliocene natural gamma ray curve of the Qaidam Basin with global ice volume variations indicated that the basin's aridification was influenced by global cooling,with eccentricity-modulated precession cycles controlling solar radiation and subsequently affecting the evolution of lakes in the arid region of Inner Asia.
基金supported by National Science and Technology Major Project (2011ZX05009-001)
文摘We investigate the growth of the northern Tibetan Plateau and associated climate change by applying oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions in Cenozoic strata in the southwestern Qaidam basin. The X-ray diffraction and isotopic studies reveal that the carbonate minerals are mainly authigenic and they do not preserve any evidence for detrital carbonate and diagenesis. The isotope data show large fluctuations in the δ^(18)O and δ^(13)C values in the middle-late Eocene, indicating relatively warm and seasonal dry climate.The positive correlation of the δ^(18)O and δ^(13)C values in the Oligocene and the positive shift of the δ^(13)C values from the Eocene to Oligocene suggest that the climate changed to arid in the Oligocene. However,the δ^(18) values show negative shift, which is closely related to the global cooling event. During the Miocene, the δ^(13)C values vary between-2‰ and-4‰, whereas the δ^(18)O values show continuous negative shift. The mean δ^(18) values decrease from-8.5‰, in the early Miocene to-10.0‰, in the late Miocene. The stable isotope-based paleoaltimetry results suggest that the elevation of the southwestern Qaidam basin was approximately 1500 m in the middle-late Eocene and Oligocene. Subsequently, during Miocene the crustal uplift process started and the elevation reached approximately 2000 m in the early Miocene and 2500 m in the late Miocene, which suggests large-scale growth of the northern Tibet Plateau during the Miocene.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China grant 49732070 the Chinese National Key Project for Fundamental Research on the TibetanPlateau(G1998040805).
文摘Coesite was discovered as inclusions in zircon separates from pelitic gneiss associated with a large eclogite body in the North Qaidam ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane. Some graphite inclusions were also found. This finding suggested the occurrence of in-situ UHP metamorphism and that the terrane was most likely recrystallized at pressures below the diamond stability field. It supported other previous indirect UHP evidence, such as polycrystalline quartz inclusions in eclogitic garnet, quartz lamellae in omphacite and P-T estimates for both eclogite and garnet peridotite. The U-Pb and Sm-Nd ages of the North Qaidam eclogite indicated that subduction of continental crust occurred in the Early Palaeozoic, which probably recorded a collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze plates.
基金supported by the Major Program(Grant No.KZCX2-111)of Knowledge Innovation in the Field of Resources and Environment funded by the Chinese Academy of SciencesChinese National Natural Science Foundation(Grant nos.49972051 and 40172053).
文摘Sixty-five natural gas samples were collected from 19 oil-gasfields in the Qaidam basin, China. The chemical composition and carbon isotope values of the samples were measured, and the geochemical characteristics and origin of the natural gases were studied. The gases can be divided into biogenic gases, sapropelic oil-type gases, mixed type oil-type gases, coal-type gases and mixed gas. The δ13C1 values of the biogenic gases are very small and the C2+ contents of them are very low, ranging from -68.2‰ to -61.8‰ and 0.06% to 0.20% respectively. They have heavy δD and δ13CCO2, showing a CO2 reduction pathway. They are distributed in the East depression region and derived from the Quaternary source rocks. The sapropelic oil-type gases have small δ13C2 values and high C2+ ranging from -36.6‰ to -28.6‰ and from 33.01% to 47.15% respectively. The mixed type oil-type gases have δ13C2 values and C2+ contents varying from -28.6‰ to -24.8‰ and from 4.81% to 26.06% respectively. Both sapropelic oil-type gases and mixed type oil-type gases are associated with oil-type oils, distributed in the West depression region and derived from the Tertiary saltwater lacustrine sapropelic source rocks and humic source rocks respectively. The δ13C2 values of the coal-type gases are extremely high and the C2+ contents are very low, changing from -23.3‰ to -12.5‰ and from 0.06% to 18.07% respectively. The coal-type gases in the Nanbaxian gasfield and the Lenghu oil-gasfields in the North fault block belt are derived from the Middle Jurassic coal-measures source rocks, whereas those in the West depression region are derived from the Tertiary saltwater lacustrine humic source rocks. Compared with some other basins in China, the natural gases there have obviously heavier δ13C due to the heavier δ13C of different types of kerogens of the Tertiary saltwater lacustrine source rocks in the West depression region of the basin. The mixing of natural gases is common in the West depression region, but the mixed gases are formed by sapropelic oil-type gases, mixed type oil-type gases or coal-type gases, respectively, of different levels of maturity. Most of the sapropelic oil-type gases and mixed type oil-type gases in the west part are thermally immature and low-mature, but the coal-type gases in the West depression region and the North fault block belt are mature and high- to over-mature.
基金co-supported by the Geological Survey Project of China(Grant No. 1212331413023)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No. U1407207)
文摘The Qarhan Salt Lake area is the Quaternary depocenter of the Qaidam Basin, and carries thick lacustrine sediments, as well as rich potassium and magnesium salt deposits. The abundant resources and thick sediments in this lake provide an ideal place for the study of biogas formation and preservation, salt lake evolution, and the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we attempt to construct a paleomagnetic and ^(230)Th age model and to obtain information on tectonic activity and salt lake evolution through detailed studies on a 1300-m-long drill core(15DZK01) from the northwestern margin of the Qarhan Salt Lake area(Dongling Lake). Based on gypsum ^(230)Th dating, the age of the uppermost clastic deposit was calculated to be around 0.052 Ma. The polarity sequence consist of 13 pairs of normal and reversed zones,which can be correlated with subchrons C2r.1r-C1n of the geomagnetic polarity timescale(GPTS 2012)(from ~2.070 Ma to ~0.052 Ma). Sedimentary characteristics indicate that Dongling Lake witnessed freshwater environment between ~ 2.070 Ma and 1.546 Ma. During this period, the sedimentary record reflects primarily lakeshore, shallow-water and swamp environments, representing favourable conditions for the formation of hydrocarbon source rocks. Between 1.546 Ma and ~ 0.052 Ma, the Dongling Lake was in sulphate deposition stage, which contrasts with the central Qarhan Salt Lake area, where this stage did not occur in the meantime. During this stage, Dongling Lake was in a shallow saltwater lake environment, but several periods of reduced salinity occurred during this stage. During the late Pleistocene at ~0.052 Ma, the Dongling Lake experienced uplift due to tectonic activity, and saltwater migrated through the Sanhu Fault to the central Qarhan Salt Lake area, resulting in the absence of halite deposition stage. The residual saline water was concentrated into magnesium-rich brine due to the lack of freshwater, and few potassium salt deposits occur in the Dongling Lake area.
文摘The Altun and North Qaidam Mountains at the northern margin of Qinghai\|Tibet plateau are separated by the Altyn Tagh sinistral strike\|slip fault, which is one of the largest strike\|slip fault systems in the world and was considered as the key element in the escape tectonics model for Euraisa\|India continent\|continent collision.Recently,the eclogites within quratzifeldspathic gneisses or pelitic gneisses characterized by amphibolite\|facies paragenesis were discovered in the Altun and the North Qaidam Mountains(Fig.1). They occur as lens or boundins within the Altun Group and Dakendaban Group respectively which previously were considered as metamorphic basement of Tarim block and Qaidam block. Our studies indicate that the eclogites outcrop in both the Altun and North Qaidam Mountains show similar occurrences, associated country rocks, rock and mineral assemblages, p\|T\% estimates, geochemistryand protolith feature and ages of peak metamorphism (see table) . The garnet\|omphacite\|phengite geothermobarometer gave equilibrium condition of \%p\%=2 8～3 0GPa and t =820～850℃ for the Altun eclogite and p =2 8GPa and \%t\%=730℃ for North Qaidam eclogite respectively(Fig..2). These p\|T conditions are in the coesite stability field. Moreover, Po lycrystalline quartz pseudomorphs after coesite have been identified in the Dulan area, North Qaidam Mountains (Song et al, in review). Therefore, these features suggest that both eclogites of Altun and North Qaidam Mountains probably are a same HP\|UHP metamorphic belt formed from the same of Early Paleozoic age deep subduction and collision, and subsequently displaced by the Altyn Tagh fault.The case is similar to the Dabie\|Sulu HP\|UHP metamorphic zone which was truncated by the Tanlu sinistral strike\|slip fault and splitted it into two distincts, the Dabie region and Sulu region. These correlations support an about 350～400km displacement of the Altyn Tagh sinistral strike\|slip fault (Fig.1).
基金sponsored by China Academy of Engineering Major Consulting Project (No: 2012-ZD-14)
文摘Qaidam basin is an important part of National Key Development Area–Lanzhou-Xining Area,is a key region of resource development in Western Development,is a National Circular Economy Pilot Zone.The focus
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(49732070 ,49902018)the National Key Project for Basic Research on the Tibetan Plateau(G1998040805)the Key Project of the Ministry of Land and Resources of China(20010201).
文摘Eclogites have been recently discovered in the Xitieshan area in the middle segment of the northern marginof the Qaidam basin. These eclogites, together with those recognized earlier in the Yuka area of the western segment of thenorthern margin of the Qaidam basin and in the Dulan area of the eastern segment of the northern margin of the Qaidambasin, form an eclogite belt with a length of 350 km. A comparison of the eclogites from the Yuka and Xitieshan areassuggests that they show different country rocks, microtextures, mineral assemblages, and especially, different peak tem-peratures, PT paths during decompression and isotopic features. Eclogites from the Yuka area bear evidence of progrademetamorphism, such as prograde mineral relics in garnet and growth zoning of garnet, and hairpin-shaped PT paths withcoincidence of the baric and thermal peaks of metamorphism, which reflect rapid burial and uplift. Sm-Nd isotopic de-termination shows obvious Sm-Nd disequilibrium, and no isochron ages of Early Paleozoic metamorphism was obtained.On the contrary, the Xitieshan eclogite was subjected to metamorphism of higher eclogite-facies and post-eclogite-faciestemperatures, showing an obvious granulite-facies overprint. A tentative PT path for the Xitieshan area suggests that thebaric peak preceded the thermal culmination. Whole rock-garnet-omphacite Sm-Nd isotopic data give an isochron age inthe Early Paleozoic. The differences between the two eclogites imply their different tectonic-thermal history during theirburial and uplift.
文摘Eclogite was firstly discovered at the Da Qaidam region (Yang,et al., 1998), and then in the Xitieshan and Dulan regions in 1999, constituting an over 350km long high\|pressure metamorphic belt in the northeastern Qinghai—Tibet plateau. Eclogites occur as pods in the garnet\|muscovite gneiss of the Dakendaban Group (or called Shaliuhe Group in Dulan) of Upper Proterozoic age. In general, the pods of eclogite vary in size; most of them are less than 20m×10m, some large ones up to about 100m×50m. The eclogite\|hosted gneiss is pale\|gray in color, consisting mainly plagioclase and quartz, and minor muscovite (5%～10% in vol.) and garnet (1%～2%). Some of the country rocks of eclogite are mica\|quartz\|(feldspar) schist, quartzite, and ultramafic rocks, the latter also occur in blocks.Over 50 pods were found in a belt of 10km×3km in the Da Qaidam region (No.1 location). Only a few pods of eclogite were found in the Xitieshan region in 1999 field expedition (No.2 location). Eclogite in Dulan occurs in the Proterozoic strata of Shaliuhe Group (same as the Dakendaban Group but with a different name). The eclogites in the Dulan region (No.3 location) expose about 10km wide in SN and an unknown length in EW, and can be subdivided into two belts, the North Eclogite Belt of Dulan (NEBD) and the South Eclogite Belt of Dulan (SEBD).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41601005)the Key Laboratory of Education Ministry on Environment and Resources in Tibetan Plateau (2018-QHS-K08)
文摘Yardangs are typical aeolian erosion landforms,which are attracting more and more attention of geomorphologists and geologists for their various morphology and enigmatic formation mechanisms.In order to clarify the aeolian environments that influence the development of long-ridge yardangs in the northwestern Qaidam Basin of China,the present research investigated the winds by installing wind observation tower in the field.We found that the sand-driving winds mainly blow from the north-northwest,northwest and north,and occur the most frequent in summer,because the high temperature increases atmospheric instability and leads to downward momentum transfer and active local convection during these months.The annual drift potential and the ratio of resultant drift potential indicate that the study area pertains to a high-energy wind environment and a narrow unimodal wind regime.The wind energy decreases from northwest to southeast in the Qaidam Basin,with the northerly winds in the northwestern basin changing to more westerly in the southeastern basin.The strong and unidirectional wind regime for the long-ridge yardangs in the northwestern Qaidam Basin results from the combined effects of topographic obstacles such as the Altun Mountains and of the interaction between the air stream and the yardang bodies.Present study suggests that yardang evolution needs such strong and unidirectional winds in high-or intermediate-energy wind environments.This differs from sandy deserts or sandy lands,which usually develop at low-or intermediate-energy wind environments.Present study clarifies the wind regime corresponding to the long-ridge yardangs'development,and lays firm foundation to put forward the formation mechanisms for yardangs in the Qaidam Basin.
文摘The paper emphasized the relationship between environment and water taking ecological demand water (EWD) in the Qaidam Basin─an inner basin in northwestern China, as a key issue to discuss based on landscape umpping. First of all. the spatial heterogeneity of ecosystem can be reflected well by landscape pattern; secondly, landscape patterns adjust closely with environmental changes; finally, water condition is the key ecological factor for landscape pattern in the arid region.The landsat TM image of 1:100,000 on September 22, 1996 were calibrated with topographical map of the same scale, and then landscape patterns were interpreted and mapped. As a result the Qaidam Basin could be divided into 14 main types, including 67 subtypes. Concerning the characteristics of the EWD of each sub-type, the EWD in the whole basin could be estimated according to the following formula:V= (E - P ) * S = r (KEo - P ) * S Where, V is the ecological demand for Water (m3), E is the evaporation potential on terrestrial surface (m). P is the precipitation in landscape unit (m), S is the area of landscape unit (m2), Eo is the evaporation potential on water surface (m), K is the evaporation coefficient, and r is the coverage.According to the results, the ecological demand for water of desert vegetation is about 9,65×108m3, while it is about 24.48×108m3 for the lake in the inner basin. Therefore, the total EWD occupies approximately 65.7％ of the total water resources in the basin. In conclusion, the quantitative method based on landscape ecological mapping is feasible, which attentively transfers the "point"information to the "area". However, the preliminary results are expccted to improve by further field delta.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41601002,41871008)
文摘Determination of the threshold shear velocity is essential for predicting sand transport,dust release and desertification.In this study,a wind tunnel experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of salinity and moisture on the threshold shear velocity of saline sand.Saline sand samples(mean particle size of 164.50–186.08μm and the total silt,clay and salt content of 0.80%–8.25%)were collected from three saline sand dunes(one barchan dune and two linear dunes)in the Qarhan Desert,Qaidam Basin of China.Original saline sand samples were placed in two experimental trays for wet and dry processing to simulate deliquescence and desiccation,respectively.Surface moisture content ranging from 0.30% to 1.90% was generated by the steam method so that the saline sand can absorb water in a saturated water vapor environment.The motion of sand particles was determined by the observers with a solid laser.The laser sheet(0.80 cm thick),which was emitted by the solid laser,horizontally covered the sand surface and was bound to the sand.Results show that the cohesion of saline sand results from a combination of salt and water.The threshold shear velocity increases exponentially with the increase in crust thickness for the linear sand dunes.There is a positive linear correlation between the original moisture content and relative threshold shear velocity.The threshold shear velocity of dewatered sand is greater than that of wet sand with the same original moisture content.Our results will provide valuable information about the sand transport of highly saline soil in the desert.
基金funded by the Fundamental Research Funds for National Universities, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and China Geological Survey (Grant Nos. 12120113032800, 21201011000150004, DD20190069)
文摘High-pressure(HP)or ultrahigh-pressure(UHP)rutile-quartz veins that form at mantle depths due to fluid-rock interaction can be used to trace the properties and behavior of natural fluids in subduction zones.To explore the fluid flow and the associated element mobility during deep subduction and exhumation of the continental crust,we investigated the major and trace elements of Ti-rich minerals.Additionally,U–Pb dating,trace element contents,and Lu–Hf isotopic composition of zircon grains in the UHP eclogite and associated rutile-quartz veins were examined in the North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt,Yuka terrane.The zircon grains in the rutile-quartz veins have unzoned or weak oscillatory zonings,and show low Th/U ratios,steep chondrite-normalized patterns of heavy rare earth elements(HREEs),and insignificant negative Eu anomalies,indicating their growth in metamorphic fluids.These zircon grains formed in 4313 Ma,which is consistent with the 4322 Ma age of the host eclogite.As for the zircons in the rutile-quartz veins,they showed steep HREE patterns on one hand,and were different from the zircons present in the host eclogite on the other.This demonstrates that their formation might have been related to the breakdown of the early stage of garnet,which corresponds to the abundance of fluids during the early exhumation stage.The core-rim profile analyses of rutile recorded a two-stage rutile growth across a large rutile grain;the rutile core has higher Nb,Ta,W,and Zr contents and lower Nb/Ta ratios than the rim,indicating that the rutile domains grew in different metamorphic fluids from the core towards the rim.The significant enrichment of high field strength elements(HFSEs)in the rutile core suggests that the peak fluids have high solubility and transportation capacity of these HFSEs.Furthermore,variations in the Nb vs.Cr trends in rutile indicate a connection of rutile to mafic protolith.The zircon grains from both the rutile-quartz veins and the host eclogite have similar Hf isotopic compositions,indicating that the vein-forming fluids are internally derived from the host eclogite.These fluids accumulated in the subduction channel and were triggered by local dehydration of the deeply subducted eclogite during the early exhumation conditions.
