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Tectonic and climate control of oil shale deposition in the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation (Songliao Basin, NE China)

International Journal of Earth Sciences volume 102, pages 1717–1734 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Oil shales were deposited in the Songliao Basin (NE China) during the Upper Cretaceous period, representing excellent hydrocarbon source rocks. High organic matter (OM) contents, a predominance of type-I kerogen, and a low maturity of OM in the oil shales are indicated by bulk geochemical parameters and biomarker data. A major contribution of aquatic organisms and minor inputs from terrigenous land plants to OM input are indicated by n-alkane distribution patterns, composition of steroids, and organic macerals. Strongly reducing bottom water conditions during the deposition of the oil shale sequences are indicated by low pristane/phytane ratios, high C14-aryl-isoprenoid contents, homohopane distribution patterns, and high V/Ni ratios. Enhanced salinity stratification with mesosaline and alkaline bottom waters during deposition of the oil shales are indicated by high gammacerane index values, low MTTC ratios, high β-carotene contents, low TOC/S ratios, and high Sr/Ba ratios. The stratified water column with anoxic conditions in the bottom water enhanced preservation of OM. Moderate input of detrital minerals during the deposition of the oil shale sequences is reflected by titanium concentrations. In this study, environmental conditions in the paleo-lake leading to OM accumulation in the sediments are related to sequence stratigraphy governed by climate and tectonics. The first Member of the Qingshankou Formation (K2qn1) in the Songliao Basin, containing the oil shale sequence, encompasses a third-order sequence that can be divided into three system tracts (transgressive system tract—TST, highstand system tract—HST, and regressive system tract—RST). Enrichment of OM changed from low values during TST-I to high-moderate values during TST-II/III and HST-I/II. Low OM enrichment occurs during RST-I and RST-II. Therefore, the highest enrichment of OM in the sediments is related to stages of mid-late TST and early HST.

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Acknowledgments

Measurement of samples and discussion with Dr. R. Gratzer, Dr. D. Reischenbacher, and Dr. J. Gusterhuber during the laboratory work are gratefully acknowledged. We thank Prof. Dr. R. F. Sachsenhofer for his helpful discussion and suggestions. This paper benefited greatly from the critical comments of two anonymous reviewers and the topic editor of the International Journal of Earth Sciences. The research project was supported financially by the Basic Outlay of Scientific Research Work from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (No. J1220), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40972076). All the organic geochemical data were measured at the Department of Applied Geosciences and Geophysics at the Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria). Jianliang Jia also thanks the Austrian Exchange Service (OAD) for a 6-months’ scholarship.

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  1. Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China

    Jianliang Jia

  2. College of Earth Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130061, China

    Jianliang Jia, Zhaojun Liu & Pingchang Sun

  3. Department Applied Geosciences and Geophysics, Montanuniversität Leoben, Peter-Tunner-Str. 5, 8700, Leoben, Austria

    Jianliang Jia, Achim Bechtel & Susanne A. I. Strobl

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  1. Jianliang Jia
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Jia, J., Liu, Z., Bechtel, A. et al. Tectonic and climate control of oil shale deposition in the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation (Songliao Basin, NE China). Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 102, 1717–1734 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-013-0903-7

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Keywords

  • Songliao Basin
  • Oil shale
  • Biomarker
  • Paleo-lake environment
  • Climate and tectonics