Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Microfossils and molecular records in oil shales of the Songliao Basin and implications for paleo-depositional environment

  • Published:
Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Several oil shale beds, over 10 m thick, occur at the base of the first member of the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation (K2 qn 1) in the Songliao Basin. They act both as excellent source rocks for conventional oil and as potential oil deposit for shale oil production. Here we combine micropaleontology with organic geochemistry to investigate the paleo-depositional environment and organic source characteristics of the oil shales and black shales. Our results indicate that algal remains are dominant microfossils in K2 qn 1 oil shales, and their relatively high abundance suggests a major algal thriving event during the oil shale deposition. The presence of fresh water and brackish water species, Sentusidinium, Vesperopsis and Nyktericysta, and marine or brackish water deltaic and lagoonal species such as Kiokansium and Dinogymniopsis demonstrate that this paleo-continental lake was influenced by marine transgressions at the time of K2 qn 1 oil shale formation. The extremely low pristine/phytane ratios, relatively high abundance of gammacerane and 4-methyl steranes, and low δ13C values of C14-C37 n-alkanes in the oil shale organic extracts indicate the deposition of oil shales in anoxic and highly stratified water columns and the significant contribution of lacustrine algae to sedimentary organic matter. High molecular-weight paraffinic hydrocarbons with unusually high abundance of nC43, nC45, and nC47 may be related to special algal species associated with marine transgression events. The giant water body of Songliao paleo-lake and the change in the organic and chemical environment (such as nutrition source and water column salinity) associated with seawater transgression into the lake are among the most important reasons for oil shales in the Songliao Basin being different from mudstone and oil shale in other rifted basins.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gao R Q, Cai X Y, et al. Field Formation Conditions and Distribution Rules in Songliao Basin (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 1997. 1–10

    Google Scholar 

  2. Tegelaar E W, Matthezing R M, Jansen J B H, et al. Possible origin of n-alkanes in high-wax crude oils. Nature, 1989, 342: 529–531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Killops S D, Carlson R M K, Peters K E. High-temperature GC evidence for the early formation of C40 + n-alkanes in coals. Org Geochem, 2000, 31: 589–597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Gelin J K, Volkman C, Largeau S, et al. Distribution of aliphatic, nonhydrolyzable biopolymers in marine microalgae. Org Geochem, 1999, 30(2–3): 147–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Gong Y M, Xu R, Xie S C, et al. Microbial and molecular fossils from the Permian Zoophycos in South China. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2007, 50(8): 1121–1127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Zhang S C, Moldowan J M, Li M W, et al. Abnormal distribution of molecular fossil in Cambrian-Precambrian succession and its significance to biology. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2001, 31(4): 299–304

    Google Scholar 

  7. Xie S C, Evershed R P. Molecular fossil of mushycoal recording the information about climate variation and biotic succession. Chin Sci Bull, 2001, 46(10): 863–866

    Google Scholar 

  8. Huang X Y, Jiao D, Lu L Q, et al. The fluctuating environment associated with the episodic biotic crisis during the Permo/Triassic transition: Evidence from microbial biomarkers in Changxing, Zhejiang Province. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2007, 50(7): 1052–1059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Gong Y M, Xu R, Tang Z D, et al. Relationships between bacteria-alga proliferating and mass extinction in the Late Devonian Frasnian-Famennian transition: Enlightenning from carbon isotopes and molecular fossils. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2005, 48(10): 1656–1665

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Wang F Y, He P, Qin K Z, et al. Extra fine lamina in structureless organic matter in oil source rock and oil shale of China (in Chinese). Chin Sci Bull, 1994, 39(17): 1587–1589

    Google Scholar 

  11. Zhao Y H. Main characteristics and application of the oil shale in China (in Chinese). Shenyang Chem Ind, 2000, 29(1): 37–39

    Google Scholar 

  12. Yu Z Q, Peng P A, Sheng G Y, et al. The carbon isotope study of biomarkers in the Maoming and the Jianghan tertiary oil shale. Chin Sci Bull, 2000, 45 (Suppl): 90–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Lin J H, Yi H S, Zou Y R. Comparative study on biomarker of marine and non-marine oil shale in north Tibet Plateau (in Chinese). Geochimica, 2004, 33(1): 57–65

    Google Scholar 

  14. Zeng Q H, Qian L, Liu D H, et al. Organic lithologic characteristics and oil generating and expulsion significance of oil shale and black shale rick in organic matter (in Chinese). Acta Sediment Sin, 2006, 24(1): 113–120

    Google Scholar 

  15. Huang H P, Zheng Y B, Zhang Z W, et al. Lower aquatic life: Important source of high waxy oil. Chin Sci Bull, 2003, 48(18): 1987–1994

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Zhang L Y. Further understanding about hydrocarbon generation effect of “concentrated organic matter”: A case from Dongying depression (in Chinese). Geochimica, 2005, 34(6): 619–625

    Google Scholar 

  17. Gao R Q, Zhao C B, Qiao X Y, et al. Cretaceous oil strata palynology from Songliao Basin (in Chinese). Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 1999. 61–63

    Google Scholar 

  18. Zheng H J, Dong Y X, Zhu G Y, et al. New discovery from the high quality oil source rock in Nanbao depression (in Chinese). Petrol Expl Dev, 2007, 34(4): 385–391

    Google Scholar 

  19. Didyk B M, Simoneit B R T, Brassell S C. Organic geochemical indicators of paleoenvironmental conditions of sedimentation. Nature, 1978, 272: 216–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Tissot B P, Welte D H. Petroleum Formation and Occurrence. 2nd ed. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1984. 61–87

    Google Scholar 

  21. Wang T G. Discussion about the determination and differentiation of many nouns and technical terms used for molecular organic geochemistry (in Chinese). Geol Rev, 2002, 48(3): 284–289

    Google Scholar 

  22. Sofer Z V. Isotopic composition of individual n-alkane in oils. Org Geochem, 1992, (19): 210–212

  23. Zhao M J, Huang D F. Carbon isotope distribution characteristics of oil monomer hydrocarbons generated under different environment (in Chinese). Petrol Geol Exp, 1995, 17(2): 171–179

    Google Scholar 

  24. Zhu G Y, Jin Q, Zhang S C, et al. Characteristics and genesis of deep lacustrine oil shale in Paleogene Shahejie Formation of Dongying depression, Jiyang sag (in Chinese). J Palaeogeogr, 2005, 7(1): 59–69

    Google Scholar 

  25. Peters K E, Moldowan J M. The Biomarker Guide. Translated by Jiang N H. Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 1995. 123–124

    Google Scholar 

  26. Peters K E, Moldowan J M. The Biomarker Guide: Interpreting Molecular Fossils in Petroleum and Ancient Sediments. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1993. 575–578

    Google Scholar 

  27. Hou D J, Wang T G, Kong Q Y, et al. Distribution and characterization of C31 sterane from Cretaceous sediments and oils, Songliao Basin, China. Chin Sci Bull, 1999, 44(6): 560–567

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Wang F Y, Hao S S, He P, et al. Algaenans as the parent material of high waxy oil in lacustrine algainite in Miyang depression (in Chinese). Chin Sci Bull, 1997, 42(11): 1193–1196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Feng Z H, Fang W, Zhang J H, et al. Distribution and significance of C +40 alkanes in the extracts of Cretaceous source rocks from the Songliao Basin. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2007, 50(10): 1510–1520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Bohacs K M, Carroll A R, Neal J E, et al. Lake-basin type, source potential, and hydrocarbon character: An integrated-sequence-stratigraphic — Geochemical framework. In: Gierlowski-Kordesch E H, Kelts K R, eds. Lake Basins Through Space and Time. AAPG Stud Geol, 2000, 46: 3–34

  31. Wu C J, Xue S H. Sedimentology for Petroliferous Basins in China (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 1993. 115–196

    Google Scholar 

  32. Gao R Q, Zhang Y, Cui T C. Cretaceous Oil Layers in Songliao Basin (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 1994. 260–263

    Google Scholar 

  33. Hardie L A, Eugster H P. The evolution of closed-basin brines. In: Fiftieth Anniversary Symposia, Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Non-Marine Evaporites. Spe Pap Mineral Soc Am, 1970. 273–290

  34. Haydon P M, Thierry A, Karl B F. Phosphorus and the roles of productivity and nutrient recycling during oceanic anoxic event 2. Geology, 2007, 35(6): 483–486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Kelts K. Environments of deposition of lacustrine petroleum source rocks: An introduction. In: Fleet A J, Kelts K, Talbot M R, eds. Lacustrine Petroleum Source Rocks. Vol. 40. Oxford: Geological Society Paper, 1988. 3–26

    Google Scholar 

  36. Mello M R, Hessel M H. Biological mark and paleozoological characterization of the early marine incursion in the lacustrine sequences of the Campos basin, Brazil. Am Ass Petrol Geol Ann Conve, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1998, 2: 455

    Google Scholar 

  37. Goth K, de Leeuw J W, Puttman W, et al. Origin of Messel oil shale kerogen. Nature, 1988, 336: 759–761

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Tegelaar E W, de Leeuw J W, Derenne S, et al. A reappraisal of kerogen formation. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, 1989, 53(11): 3103–3106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. de Leeuw J W, Largeau C. A review of macromolecular organic compounds that comprise living organisms and their role in kerogen, coal, and petroleum formation. In: Engel M H, Mako S A, eds. Organic Geochemistry Principles and Applications. New York-London: Plenum Press, 1993. 23–72

    Google Scholar 

  40. Volkman J K, Barrett S M, Blackburn S I, et al. Microalgal biomarkers: A review of recent research developments. Org Geochem, 1998, 29(5–7): 1163–1179

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 1000871, China

    ZiHui Feng

  2. Exploration and Development Research Institute, PetroChina Daqing Oilfield Company Ltd., Daqing, 163712, China

    ZiHui Feng, Wei Fang, Xue Wang, ChunYan Huang, QiuLi Huo, JuHe Zhang, QingHua Huang & Lei Zhang

Authors
  1. ZiHui Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wei Fang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xue Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. ChunYan Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. QiuLi Huo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. JuHe Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. QingHua Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Lei Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to ZiHui Feng.

Additional information

Supported by China National Key Fundamental Research and Development Program (Grant No. 2006CB701404) and PetroChina Oilfield Company Ltd.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Feng, Z., Fang, W., Wang, X. et al. Microfossils and molecular records in oil shales of the Songliao Basin and implications for paleo-depositional environment. Sci. China Ser. D-Earth Sci. 52, 1559–1571 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-009-0121-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-009-0121-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation