Search

The source of oil and gas in the Tarim Basin's platform has always been controversial. The Lower Cambrian Yurtusi Formation and the Xidashan Formation–Xishanbulak Formation argillaceous source rocks are an important set of oil source series in the basin. Based on the principle of conservation of matter, this paper calculates the hydrocarbon expulsion amount of the source rock. Using a phase state hydrocarbon expulsion amount characterization model, the paper reconstructs the evolution process of the hydrocarbon expulsion phase state of the source rock. According to the characterization model of hydrocarbon expulsion dynamics, the relative contribution of each force to hydrocarbon expulsion is evaluated. The hydrocarbon expulsion geologic model of argillaceous source rocks in the Lower Cambrian in the Tarim Basin is established. The results show that this set of source rocks can serve the main source rocks in the basin. The hydrocarbon expulsion of the Lower Cambrian argillaceous source rocks in the Tarim Basin can be divided into three stages. In the first stage, the hydrocarbon expulsion phase is dominated by the water‐soluble and diffusion phases. The conversion of clay minerals into dehydration and diffusion forces is the main driving force for the hydrocarbon expulsion. In the second stage, the oil and gas expulsion present the characteristics of multiphase and multidynamic coexistence. In the third stage, the phase state of oil and gas expulsion is mainly free phase. The capillary force difference and the thermal expansion force of the fluid rock are the main driving forces for oil and gas expulsion. The research results of this paper can deepen the understanding of the hydrocarbon expulsion mechanism of the set of source rocks, and then guide oil and gas exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Challenges brought on by the rapid rate of economic growth include the depletion of natural resources (NAR) and environmental deterioration. Due to its abundant mineral resources and rapid economic growth, China has gained attention from both the developing and developed worlds. Using data from 1970/Q1 to 2020/Q4, this paper evaluates the time‐frequency nexus between CO2 emissions and natural resources, coal consumption, and economic growth. The study employs the Wavelet Local Multiple Correlation (WLMC) to explore this nexus. This approach enhances the capacity to comprehend the fundamental relationships between these indicators at different frequencies. To the best of the investigator' knowledge, this is the first empirical investigation to explore the time‐frequency nexus between natural resource, economic growth, coal use, and CO2 emissions in China, thus filling a gap in the literature. Furthermore, wavelet coherence is employed as a robustness check. The WLMC bivariate cases revealed that economic growth, coal consumption, and natural resources drive CO2 emissions positively at all frequencies, that is, in the short and long‐term, thus leading to environmental degradation. Furthermore, the wavelet coherence results support the outcomes of the WLMC bivariate cases. This study offers significant implications for policy and insights that are supported by the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the impact of solar energy on the carbon footprint, to find effective measures to reduce the carbon footprint and slow global warming as soon as possible, this paper takes 30 provinces in China as an example. First, the inter‐regional input–output model is used to calculate the carbon footprint of each province. Then, the panel quantile regression model is used to investigate the impact of solar energy generation on different quantiles of carbon footprint. The results show that from 2012 to 2020, China's carbon footprint is at a high level, which is not conducive to the achievement of the goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions. The eastern region has the highest carbon footprint, followed by the western region, the central region has the lowest carbon footprint, and its carbon footprint proportion continues to decline. The increase of solar energy generation can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of high quantile location, but has no significant impact on the carbon footprint of the middle and low quantile locations. Except for the negative impact of afforestation area on carbon footprint, the others control variables are all positive. Therefore, to reduce the carbon footprint of China, it is necessary to upgrade solar technology, increase solar energy generation, reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and the share of coal consumption, strengthen forestry management and reduce reliance on private vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese government's use of fiscal policy, which includes fiscal income and spending, is crucial in its fight against environmental pollution and climate change. Innovation‐driven has arisen as a new alternative to reconcile economic success with environmental conservation in light of tighter resource restrictions and the suggestion of the Chinese High‐quality Development policy. The paper uses an econometric model to examine the connection between institutional resource consumption efficiency and carbon neutrality, using a data set consisting of Chinese inter‐provincial panel data from 2007 to 2020 as a research sample; fiscal decentralization is also discussed as a potential moderating factor. Collaborative innovation positively boosts ecological efficiency and produces geographical spillovers, and the findings suggest so long as the economic distance is considered. When it comes to increasing ecological efficiency, collaborative innovation plays a more important role than financial decentralization alone. Among these is the improvement of carbon neutrality, which is best achieved via the joint promotion of ecological efficiency and industrial organizations. By reducing the intensity of the positive effect of innovative cooperation on ecological efficiency, the moderating effect suggests that fiscal decentralization is a critical factor in this relationship. Promoting China's ecological efficiency necessitates a fair distribution of local budgetary spending. China should also actively encourage the degree of synergy between institutional resource consumption efficiency and associated institutions to improve eco‐efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports two types of basalt that have different ages (Carboniferous and Permian) but occur next to each other in the northern part of the Changning–Menglian accretionary wedge, southwestern China. We use the geochronology and geochemical data to evaluate the tectonic evolution of the Palaeo‐Tethys during this period. Zircon grains from the mafic‐ultramafic rocks associated with the Permian basalts in the Xiaomengtai area yield a U–Pb age of 281 Ma and εHf(t) values from +9.2 to +12.8. The Permian mafic‐ultramafic rocks and the associated basalts are all characterized by normal mid‐ocean ridge basalt (N‐MORB)‐like chondrite‐normalized rare earth elements patterns, moderately negative Nb‐Ta anomalies in the mantle‐normalized immobile incompatible trace element patterns, and positive εNd(t) values from +4.2 to +6.5, which are consistent with the geochemical characteristics of mafic‐ultramafic rocks in supra‐subduction zone (SSZ)‐type ophiolite. On the contrary, the Carboniferous basalts, which are associated with marine carbonates, are characterized by light REE enrichments, slightly positive Nb‐Ta anomalies, and εNd(t) values from +2.8 to +4.0. These features are similar to those of typical oceanic island basalts (OIBs) worldwide. Modelling results using REEs show that the parental magmas for the Carboniferous OIBs and the Permian basalts were likely derived from mantle peridotites at the depths of garnet and spinel stability, respectively, consistent with the formation depth of these two different types of basalt globally. The occurrence of these two different types of mafic‐ultramafic rocks with significantly different ages in the same area supports the view that they are the remnants of the accreted Palaeo‐Tethys oceanic crust. The Carboniferous OIBs are considered to be parts of an OIB‐carbonate seamount chain that originally formed in the southern part of the Palaeo‐Tethys. The Permian mafic‐ultramafic rocks are regarded as fragments of SSZ‐type ophiolites that were present in the northern part of the Palaeo‐Tethys. These different pieces of oceanic crust were accreted to the Simao–Indochina continental Block by subduction between the Late Permian and the Triassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 50 earthquakes occurred in the Luding region, including a 6.8‐magnitude earthquake on September 5, 2022, which induced huge amounts of geological disasters. As the main triggered factors for the geological disasters, the vegetation, precipitation and temperature show regular changes on the time axis. Thus, this paper based on the spatial–temporal evolution of the precipitation, temperature and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), focuses on the susceptibility of the Luding area using the weighted information content method (ICM) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for the post‐earthquake regional planning and reconstruction. In the Luding area, it was found that there were 18 debris flow gullies, and 470 geological disasters scattered in the debris flow gullies. The NDVI of the study area has been declining in recent years, with only about 12% of the NDVI increasing from 2015 to 2020. From 2011 to 2015, the annual cumulative precipitation has been dropping overall, while the July average temperature has increasing quadratic functions after decreasing trend. Furthermore, the studied area's geological hazards susceptibility was classified into five categories, with extremely low susceptibility accounting for 5.82%, low susceptibility accounting for 13.61%, moderate susceptibility accounting for 38.54%, high susceptibility accounting for 39.96% and extremely high susceptibility accounting for 2.08%. The geological disasters in moderate, high and extremely high susceptibility accounted for approximately 95.08%, and the covered area of geological disasters in moderate, high and extremely high susceptibility accounted for 88.06%. Through the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the model verification found the AUC = 0.743. The geological hazards susceptibility study results show that the approach is useful for the analysis and prevention of geological disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dunhuang Basin, situated in western China along the Altyn Tagh Fault (ATF) zone, intersects the Tethys and Paleo‐Asian Ocean tectonic domains. Influenced by both the ATF system and the far‐field effects of the Qiangtang‐Lhasa‐Eurasia collision during the Mesozoic, the mechanism of the Jurassic sedimentary migration of the basin in response to tectonic movements is unclear so far. The paper uses a comprehensive approach, including field geological surveys, lithologic and lithofacies discern, stratigraphic relationships analysis and 2D seismic profile interpretation, to examine the distribution of Jurassic residual strata in the basin. The comprehensive results of our study suggest that the Dunhuang Basin exists as an isolated block with unique tectonic and sedimentary evolution characteristics. In the Early Jurassic, the Dunhuang Basin underwent initial rifting, leading to the formation of small segmented intermontane sags. This phase was marked by the coarse particle sedimentary system of alluvial fans and braided rivers, represented the near source rapid deposition in the initial formation period of the basin. Stratigraphic distribution was primarily influenced by pre‐Jurassic basement topography and was not significantly constrained by faulting during this period. The formation of these isolated discontinuous small intermontane sags indicates the segmented activities of the ATF in the Early Jurassic period. In the Middle Jurassic period, influenced by the ATF dextral strike‐slip faulting, sedimentation extended eastward and the depocenter migrated clockwise compared with the distribution of the Middle Jurassic strata within the Dunhuang Basin. This period witnessed the development of coal measure strata at the basin's margins and lacustrine fine‐grained clastic deposition in the centre. The segmented fracture of the ATF gradually initiated a unified dextral strike‐slip tectonic movement. In the Late Jurassic period, sedimentary strata were locally present in the Wanyao Sag but absent in other sags. The depocenter migrated counterclockwise compared with the distribution of Middle Jurassic strata within the Dunhuang Basin, due to regional uplift accompanied by the ATF sinistral strike‐slip faulting caused by the collision between the Lhasa Block and the Eurasia Plate. The depocenter migration of the Dunhuang Basin constrained within the ATF system from the Early to Middle and Late Jurassic can be attributed to the transition of the ATF strike‐slip faulting in context of the stress relaxation and compression between the collision of the Qiangtang and Lhasa blocks to the Eurasia Plate, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslides with step‐like deformation features are widely distributed in the Three Gorges Reservoir area (TGR) of China, posing a severe hazard to the inhabitants of this region. This paper proposes a multi‐input and multi‐output intelligent integrated displacement prediction model for landslides with step‐like displacement patterns. In this new model, three interconnected and information‐transmitted functional sub‐models are integrated. Unsupervised learning is used to identify different landslide deformation states automatically, and the imbalance classification and explainable artificial intelligence techniques are introduced for qualitative prediction and information filtering. Probability theory and deep machine learning are adopted to provide deterministically predicted values and quantify their uncertainty. The case study of the Baijiabao landslide in the TGR region proves that the proposed model performs satisfactorily in both point and interval predictions. The intelligent integrated model can also provide the forecast of landslide deformation states, visual input information filtering and back analysis of influencing factors, which are valuable to landslide early warning and risk management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) volcanic tuffs are widely distributed in the East Palaeo‐Tethys region, but their age and origin have been controversial. The Permian–Triassic deep‐water sediments in the northeastern margin of South China are favourable research objects, and we report new results from the PTB deep basin sediments in the Susong area, Anhui Province, in this paper. Two volcanic tuffs are found in the Zuoshan PTB in the Zuoshan section, and Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) U–Pb zircon dating indicates that the upper and lower tuffs are 251.3 ± 1.7 Ma and 252.3 ± 2.1 Ma, respectively. The PTB age is 251.6 Ma according to a numerical interpolation method of the average deposition rate of the PTB. Fusulinids and non‐fusulinid foraminifers in the limestone overlying the lower tuff define the rock as end‐Permian. Zircon trace elements show that both tuffs are sourced from felsic volcanism in continental arc background, and their source magmas were derived from the continental crust. Zircons of PTB age from the upper tuff on the bottom of the Triassic have negative εHf(t) value from −8.02 to −3.75, and the Palaeo‐Mesoproterozoic two‐stage model ages of 1502–1780 Ma, showing that their source rocks were only derived from the remelting of the Palaeo‐Mesoproterozoic continental crust. The zircons from the lower tuff on the top of the Permian show two types, including negative εHf(t) values from −6.48 to −1.25 and Palaeo‐Mesoproterozoic two‐stage model ages of 1350–1679 Ma, and positive εHf(t) values from +3.98 to +10.15, and Neoproterozoic two‐stage model ages of 629–1023 Ma, indicating that their sources were derived from the reworking of the Palaeo‐Mesoproterozoic continental crust and early Neoproterozoic depleted mantle joined in juvenile crust growth in the northern margin of the South China Block at the beginning of the collision between the South China and North China blocks. The initial collision started no later than 252.3 Ma and developed significantly from east to west. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the pioneer palaeontologists, Professor Zhuoting Liao has contributed his lifetime to promoting palaeontological and stratigraphical research in China for 60 years, and he passed away in the field excursion in South China on June 20, 2020. In his palaeontological career, Liao has worked on Late Palaeozoic to Mesozoic palaeontology and stratigraphy of almost all regions across China, and his interests have also extended to the Permian–Triassic (P‐Tr) boundary and mass extinction. He has worked on palaeontology, palaeobiogeography, biostratigraphy, tectonostratigraphy, and their implications in mineral and oil‐gas industries. Liao has established 22 new genera and 172 new species of brachiopods, and, together with his colleagues, proposed 11 new genera and 25 new species of echinoderms. He dedicated his lifetime to work on Late Palaeozoic palaeontology and stratigraphy of the previously remote and tectonically complex Xinjiang and adjacent regions, north‐west China, and established integrated stratigraphical frameworks for the Carboniferous to Permian strata, providing fundamental basis for mineral and hydrocarbon exploration in the poorly understood Central Asian terranes. In addition, he has mentored many young palaeontologists and stratigraphers in various ways. This volume assembles 30 papers addressing the Late Palaeozoic to Mesozoic palaeontology and stratigraphy of China and adjacent regions, which pays tribute to the achievement of Professor Zhuoting Liao. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tight sandstone reservoirs have become the focus of today's oil and gas exploration. To clarify the microscopic characteristics of the tight sandstone reservoirs of the Chang 63 deep water gravity flow origin in the Huaqing area, the Chang 63 gravity flow origin reservoirs in the study area are divided into three categories. They are the formation reservoir of sandy clastic flow (FROSF), formation reservoir of muddy debris flow deposits and turbidites (FROMT) and formation reservoir of slides and slumps (FROSS). In this study, core and logging data, thin sections, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), and mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP) were combined to investigate the rock composition and pore‐throat characteristics of tight sandstone reservoirs with different types of gravity flow origins. The reservoir micro‐heterogeneity is also investigated in this paper. The results show that the reservoirs with different gravity flow origins are similar in lithology and are mainly composed of feldspar lithic sandstone and lithic feldspar sandstone. The pore types are mainly intergranular pores and feldspar‐dissolved pores. There are significant differences in the porosity, permeability, microscopic pore‐throat characteristics and microscopic heterogeneity of the reservoirs. From FROSF to FROMT and FROSS, the porosity, permeability, mercury inlet saturation, discharge pressure, median pressure and mercury removal efficiency gradually decrease. The tightness of the reservoir gradually increases. The storage capacity is gradually reduced. The disparity between the throat radius and pore radius gradually increases. The pore‐throat structure becomes more complex, and the microscopic heterogeneity of the reservoir gradually increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic‐rich shale in saline lacustrine basins holds significant importance as a source rock for conventional hydrocarbon exploration and has emerged as a prominent target for unconventional hydrocarbon exploration and development in recent years. Based on saline lacustrine basins, this paper provides a summary of the organic matter enrichment mechanisms in saline lacustrine basins, considering sedimentary characteristics, biological activities, factors for the organic matter enrichment and consumption, and hydrocarbon generation. The implications for these factors are discussed in relation to the distribution prediction of high‐quality lacustrine shale district settings and the exploration and development of shale oil. Saline lacustrine basins undergo distinct evolutionary stages, each corresponding to different sedimentary stages involving carbonate minerals, sulphate minerals, and alkaline minerals. Moreover, these basins exhibit diverse biological types and experience extensive biological activities. The prosperity of organisms and the accumulation of sedimentary organic matter are ensured by halophilic organisms. Organic matter enrichment in saline lacustrine basins is influenced by two main aspects: the primary productivity of organic matter, which is promoted by the proliferation of halophilic organisms, and the efficient preservation of organic matter facilitated by the strong reducing environment resulting from promoted water salinity stratification. The organic matter consumption in saline lacustrine basins involves bacterial sulphate reduction (BSR) in the early stages, thermochemical sulphate reduction (TSR) in the late stages, and dilution of salt minerals with higher depositional rates. of the presence of salt beds and saline minerals positively influences hydrocarbon generation and expulsion in organic‐rich shale within saline lacustrine deposition. Consequently, continental saline lacustrine basins in China offer favourable conditions for the formation of organic‐rich shale and present broad prospects for the exploration of shale oil and gas resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zhangguangcai Range is located in the junction zone of the Palaeo‐Asian and Palaeo‐Pacific tectonic regimes; Mesozoic igneous rocks in this area are considered to have been formed in an active continental margin, which is related to the western subduction of the Palaeo‐Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent. However, the nature of the mantle wedge and related melting mechanism remains unclear. This paper reports zircon U–Pb data, whole‐rock geochemistry, and zircon Lu–Hf isotope for a Late‐Triassic high‐Mg andesite in the southern part of the Zhangguangcai Range. Zircons from the andesite yield a concordant 206Pb/238U age of 218.6 ± 3.3 Ma, which is contemporary with the diorite in the study area. The Lengshan high‐Mg andesite is characterized by moderate SiO2 (57.30–60.15 wt.%), high Mg# (61–67), Al2O3 (15.05–17.35 wt.%), (La/Yb)N (16.9–22.4), and variable Na2O/K2O (1.06–1.59). Its insignificant Eu negative anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.88–0.99) and high Sr/Y (68.4–96.4) may prove the existence of garnet or amphibole in the residual melt, where feldspar is more or less absent. The andesite is enriched in Rb, Ba and depleted in Nb, Ta, Ti, and other high‐field‐strength elements, with Nb/Ta ratios of 14.6–17.2, U/Th ratios of 0.28–0.31. In combination with its depleted zircon Lu–Hf isotopic compositions (e.g., εHf(t) = −0.48 to +13.1), it is proposed that the high‐Mg andesite formed by hydrous melting of the mantle wedge, which was metasomatized by slab‐derived adakitic melts. The subsequent assimilation of ancient crust results in the formation of some zircons with negative Eu*/Eu anomalies (0.05–0.1) and εHf(t) values (−13.8 to −18.5), which is approved by the relative evolved whole‐rock Sr–Nd isotopic compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jiamusi‐Khanka Massif is an important tectonic unit of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt in North‐east China. Its Late Palaeozoic tectonic properties and the timing of assembly have restricted the understanding of the tectonic evolution process at the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt for a long time. Based on the study of clastic rock petrology and zircon U–Pb chronology of the Early Permian Erlongshan Formation in Mishan, it is clear that the zircon age of the Early Permian Erlongshan Formation in Mishan is mainly Late Palaeozoic, with a major age peak at 300 ± 3 Ma and secondary age peaks at 356 ± 7 Ma and 475 ± 10 Ma. The provenance mainly comes from the magmatic arc source area, and Early Palaeozoic (500–420 Ma) detrital zircons mainly come from the south‐east margin of Jiamusi Massif, Late Palaeozoic (400–270 Ma) detrital zircons mainly come from the eastern margin of Jiamusi Massif and the northern margin of Khanka Massif. Among them, detrital zircons of a special age group 330–310 Ma come from the north of Khanka Massif, while 490–470 Ma detrital zircons which are common in the Early‐Middle Permian strata of Khanka Massif come from Jiamusi Massif. Combined with the evidence of petrology and palaeontology, this paper believes that the Early Permian Jiamusi Massif and Khanka Massif should be a unified Massif, that is, Jiamusi‐Khanka Massif. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the interrelationship between diagenesis and hydrocarbon emplacement is crucially important for investigating tight sandstone reservoir‐forming processes. In this paper, efforts were made to elucidate this interrelationship in the Jurassic Badaowan Formation tight sandstone reservoirs of the southern margin of the Junggar Basin (SJB), China. Four lithofacies were clarified, including quartz cemented‐dissolution facies (QCDF), carbonate cemented facies (CCF), authigenic clay mineral facies (ACMF), and matrix‐caused tightly compacted facies (MCTF). Weak hydrocarbon migration forces and poor hydrocarbon preservation conditions were identified to be the main reasons for the limited hydrocarbon accumulation scale. The reservoir densification process, mostly before 100 Ma, was associated with four aspects, including the high matrix content, the intensive carbonate cementation, the limited dissolution and alteration, and the development of authigenic clay minerals. Hydrocarbons in the Badaowan Formation reservoir were demonstrated to be emplaced after reservoir densification. Overpressure resulting from hydrocarbon expulsion and tectonic compression should have acted as the main driver for hydrocarbon migration. Particularly, the tight sandstone in the Qigu anticline was charged with overpressurized hydrocarbons sourced from the middle‐lower Jurassic source rocks at the footwall of the Qigu north fault since the early Jurassic. The tectonic compression in the late Neogene eroded the core of the Qigu anticline, which destroyed the initially large palaeo‐oil reservoir into smaller ones. The first‐stage hydrocarbon emplacement greatly affected the diagenesis and physical properties of the reservoir. It played an important role in inhibiting cementation, promoting dissolution, and altering the petrophysical properties of the tight sandstone reservoir. The densification process controlled the wettability and capillary pressure of pores in the tight sandstone. Specifically, the high kaolinite cement raised the hydrophilia, while the ubiquitous densification increased the capillary pressure of pores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithofacies and micropore characteristics of shale reservoir directly affect the exploration and development of natural gas. To determine the development potential of shales of the Longmaxi Formation in the Western Hunan‐Hubei Region, the lithofacies types and micropore structure characteristics of the Longmaxi Formation shales have been systematically studied in this paper, based on ordinary thin sections, argon ion polishing–scanning electron microscopy, physical property testing, x‐ray diffraction whole‐rock and clay mineral analysis, isothermal nitrogen, and carbon dioxide adsorptions. According to the principle of 'laminar structure + total organic carbon (TOC) + mineral composition of felsic, clay, and carbonate minerals', eight types of shale lithofacies were identified. The effective porosity of the Longmaxi shale ranges from 1.8% to 14.4%, with a peak range from 3% to 6%, while the permeability ranges from 0.001 to 1.27 mD, with an average of 0.106 mD. Combined with the isothermal adsorption experiments, the proportion of mesopores is the largest in the Longmaxi shale, followed by macropores and micropores. Moreover, the pore diameters of mesopores are concentrated between 3 and 10 nm, while those of micropores are concentrated between 0.4 and 0.9 nm. The pore volume of shale is most developed when the content of brittle felsic minerals is 50% ~ 75% and the content of clay minerals is 25% ~ 50%, and the TOC content is positively correlated with the pore volume and specific surface area. There are significant differences in the pore development characteristics of different lithofacies. The shale reservoir space analysis indicates that micropores are controlled by TOC content and clay minerals, while the macropores are controlled by depositional intergranular pores, TOC content, and felsic content, as well as diagenetic pyrite mould pores, microfractures pores, and intercrystalline pores. On the other hand, mesopores are related to a mix of depositional and diagenetic factors with dominant contribution of intergranular pores, intercrystalline pores, organic pores, and intergranular shrinkage fractures pores. It is found that the pore development of massive organic‐rich siliceous shale lithofacies has the best reservoir quality, including well‐connected intergranular pores, intercrystalline pores, organic pores, and shrinkage fractures. Therefore, the massive organic‐rich siliceous shale lithofacies is the dominant fine‐grained reservoir lithofacies in the studied area. Based on understating the pore characteristics of different lithofacies, this study can provide a scientific basis for the prediction of favourable sweet spots of shale gas reservoir in the Longmaxi Formation, western Hunan‐Hubei Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper has conducted a high‐resolution characterization of a deeply buried carbonate karst in the Tarim Basin of China by utilizing the FMI (Full‐bore Formation Micro Image) method integrated with seismic data, drilling cores and thin sections. It was found that the type and scale of wellbore karst architecture are mainly controlled by karst paleogeomorphology and vertical faults. The karst highlands and slopes, respectively, develop vadose karst and phreatic karst, with different compositions of karst elements. In terms of the karst thickness in the wellbore, the vertical fault development zone is almost twice that of the non‐development zone, both for the vadose karst and phreatic karst. Furthermore, the vertical fault is also able to promote the development of mixing karst. The mixing zone is located 55 m below the water table, with a strata thickness of approximately 25 m, a net reservoir thickness of 5–15 m, and an average porosity of 4%–8%, which serves as an effective hydrocarbon reservoir in the Yingshan Formation. The results will provide insights into the vertical division of karst reservoir and help predict reservoirs using well logs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well SK‐2 is located in the Songliao Basin. Core samples from this well indicate that the Early Cretaceous Shahezi Formation has a length of 2,359.01 m and is in direct contact with the basin basement of the Middle Triassic, missing the Huoshiling Formation. This paper is focused on the lowest sequence 1 (S1, at the bottom of the Shahezi Formation, interval of 5,450.72–5,695.00 m, a length of 244.28 m) of the Cretaceous basin fills. It was found that the volcanic components contributed important parts in the sequence of basin fills, and the start of the rifting resulted from the combination of regional extensional tectonics and volcanism. Based on the centimetre‐scale description of the continuous core samples, we propose a model to delineate the interaction between tectonics, volcanism, and pyroclastic deposition. The study shows the tectonic‐volcanism in the earliest rifting stages and its control on sedimentary filling. These results also have common sense for the initial rifting process of a continental half‐graben basin. Sequence 1 of the Shahezi Formation in well SK‐2 shows a typical volcanic‐ sedimentary sequence. During the lowstand stage, the weathering‐depositional system was controlled by extension; during the transgressive and highstand stages, the transitional weathering‐depositional system and the mixed volcanic and weathering depositional system were controlled by transtension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late Mesozoic granites are present throughout the Jiaodong Peninsula in eastern China, but the petrogenesis of these granites, the magma sources, and the geodynamic setting of the magmatism remain unclear. This paper presents new zircon U–Pb geochronological and Lu–Hf isotopic and whole‐rock geochemical data for the Late Jurassic Queshan pluton in the Shandong Peninsula, an area that represents the boundary between the Jiaobei and Sulu ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) terranes. Laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry zircon U–Pb dating yields Late Jurassic ages from 158 ± 1 to 153 ± 1 Ma for the pluton in addition to a small number of inherited zircons that yield ages that cluster at 2410, 1831–1776, 750, and 209–202 Ma. Zircons from different samples have similar 176Hf/177Hf values (0.281926–0.282255) and variably negative εHf (t) values that range from −26.5 to −15.1 (weighted mean of −22.9 ± 0.9). The corresponding two‐stage Hf model ages range from 2,869 to 2,154 Ma, with a weighted mean value of 2,645 ± 54 Ma. These data indicate that the magmas that formed the Queshan pluton were derived from multiple sources, including the lower crust of the North China (NCC) and Yangtze (YC) cratons, as well as collision‐related alkaline rocks. The whole‐rock geochemical compositions of the samples indicate that the granites are weakly peraluminous, are high‐K and calc‐alkaline with I‐type affinities, and have high contents of Sr, low contents of Y and Yb, high (La/Yb)N and Sr/Y values, and positive Eu anomalies (δEu = 1.20–1.65), indicating an adakitic affinity. This indicates that the Queshan granites formed from magmas generated by partial melting of a thickened region of the crust (>50 km) associated with eclogite, garnet amphibolite, or amphibolite residual material. The genesis of the Late Jurassic granites are also likely to have been influenced by the collisional orogeny between the NCC and YC and continued subduction of the Izanagi Plate. Thickening of the lower crust associated with this continental collisional event occurred before the magmatism, with further compression and thickening of the lower crust caused by the low‐angle subduction of the Izanagi Plate beneath northeastern China being the main geodynamic driver of the formation of the granites in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hainan Island is a key part of the eastern Tethyan region and contains detailed geological information that can enhance our understanding of the tectonic evolution of this region since the late Palaeozoic. In this paper, we report geochronological, geochemical, and Sr–Nd isotopic data for granitoids from Baomei and Chahe in the northern part of Hainan Island. Three new zircon U–Pb ages of 243.3 ± 1.7 Ma, 237.1 ± 5.1 Ma, and 257.0 ± 4.0 Ma were obtained for these granitoids. The late Permian Chahe granite (257 Ma) is weakly peraluminous to peraluminous, and has rare earth element patterns and Ga/Al and FeOT/MgO ratios typical of A‐type granites formed in an extensional tectonic setting. The Middle Triassic Baomei granitoids (243–237 Ma) are weakly peraluminous, and exhibit a negative correlation between P2O5 and SiO2, which is typical of I‐type granites. All the granitoids have EM II‐type‐enriched mantle Sr–Nd isotopic compositions, which indicate that they were derived from a mantle source that had experienced enrichment and metasomatism. Hainan Island was in an extensional tectonic setting from the late Permian to Middle Triassic when widespread A‐ and I‐type granites were generated. We speculate that Hainan Island was mainly affected by the Tethyan tectonic domain during the Permian–Triassic, which involved closure of the Palaeo‐Tethys Ocean, collision of the Indochina and South China blocks, and subsequent post‐collisional extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is the largest accretionary orogenic belt in the world and its formation involved a complicated process of arc–continent collision. Large‐scale Mesozoic volcanic activity in the Great Xing'an Range (GXAR) in northeastern China, which constitutes part of the eastern CAOB, has received much recent research attention. However, the petrogenesis and formation mechanism of the late Mesozoic igneous rocks remain enigmatic. This paper investigates the geochronology, petrogenesis, and formation mechanism of late Mesozoic magmatic rocks in the Kelihe area of the GXAR based on zircon U–Pb dating, petrology, and geochemistry. Late Mesozoic magmatism in the Kelihe area occurred during the Late Jurassic (165–155 Ma) and Early Cretaceous (130–120 Ma). These igneous rocks generated by this magmatism are characterized by high SiO2 (69.97–75.49 wt%) and low MgO (0.11–0.68 wt%), Cr (10–30 ppm), Co (0.2–2.6 ppm), and Ni (0.5–1.6 ppm) contents. Trace elements show enrichment in Rb, Th, U, Zr, and K, and depletion in Ba, P, Nb, and Ti. These features indicate that the rocks were derived from partial melting of the crust. Furthermore, the rhyolites have high Na2O (5.02–5.44 wt%) and K2O (3.94–4.88 wt%) contents, similar to those of melts formed by the partial melting of basaltic crust. Combining the present results with the findings of previous studies, it is inferred that the Mesozoic igneous rocks formed in a post‐collisional extensional setting related to lithospheric thinning and asthenospheric upwelling after the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kelameili Ocean was one branch of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean, the initiation and closure history of which remains elusive. Consequently, they hamper our understanding of the accretionary evolution of the southern Altaids. In this paper, we carried out field mapping and also geochronological and geochemical analyses on the Huangcaopo Group in the northern Harlik Mountains, NW China. Field investigation revealed that "block‐in‐matrix" structure develops with blocks of andesite, limestone, sandstone, and gabbro in matrices of turbidites. Combined with our recent work, our field investigation indicates that the Huangcaopo Group is the southern extension of the Kelameili accretionary complex. A gabbro block (19HAM057) was dated at 500 ± 4 Ma, its geochemical affinity was defined to be similar to arc magmatic rocks. Magmatisms represented by two gabbroic intrusions (19HAM057‐2 and 19HAM048) were dated at the latest Devonian (360 ± 5 Ma) and the latest Carboniferous (299 ± 4 Ma), respectively. Their geochemistry displays enrichments in light rare earth elements (LREE) and large ion lithophile elements (LILE), but depletions in high field strength elements (HFSE, especially Nb and Ta). And a younger gabbroic intrusion (19HAM052) yielded crystallization age of the latest Permian (254 ± 3 Ma), and its geochemistry also shows affinity to arc magmatism. The magmatism represented by the gabbro block (19HAM057) was coeval with the Zhaheba‐Aermantai ophiolite, indicating that it was the product of incipient arc magmatism following subduction initiation in the Kelameili branch of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean. However, two episodes of gabbroic magmas (19HAM057‐2 and 19HAM048) that intruded the Kelameili accretionary complex from the latest Devonian to latest Carboniferous indicate southward rollback of the subducting Kelameili oceanic lithosphere and resulted in the development of a growing arc. Meanwhile, the youngest gabbroic intrusion (19HAM052) suggests that northward subduction of the Kelameili oceanic lithosphere may have at least lasted to the latest Permian, indicating that the closure of the Kelameili Ocean might have been later than the latest Permian, most likely in the early Triassic. Our new data provide further constraints on the initiation and closure history of the Kelameili Ocean, which shed light on the accretionary evolution of the Altaids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cone‐producing gymnosperms are important elements of the Mesozoic floras. Studying their cone organizations can potentially help us understand the evolutionary trends of seed plants through time and the origin of angiosperms. In this paper, we present a new and an undetermined species of Ixostrobus Raciborski, a fossil genus representing male cones of the Czekanowskiales from the Middle Jurassic Daohugou locality in Inner Mongolia, China. The holotype specimen of the new species was studied using the neutron tomography (NT) technique. The cone shows higher neutron attenuation than the surrounding matrix. To detect the different organic compounds, a volume rendering of tomographic reconstruction with false colour spectrum of relative neutron attenuation is presented. The highest concentration of organic material is in the axis and some parts of the sacs, the rest of the cone has lower concentration, and the surrounding matrix has the lowest concentration. It seems that the remnant organic materials are regularly differentiated in different parts of the cone probably because of the preservation and different taphonomic process of different type of cells. In addition to revealing more detailed morphological features of the cone by NT reconstruction, the application of NT is potentially important for detecting remnant organic materials preserved in fossil plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's economic growth is making it difficult to deal with the issue of decreasing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency as the world's largest energy user and supplier. This research, which uses theoretical and empirical studies and chooses 30 provinces panel data from China between 2005 and 2021, demonstrates the impacts of natural resources, technological advancement, and the growth of sustainable energy sources and their methods. The findings indicate that (1) Natural resources significantly promote the growth of renewable energy sources, (2) The development and technological innovations can benefit from using natural resources and (3) The growth of sustainable energy is positively affected by technological improvement. The study provides significant suggestions to assist regions in improving their energy sustainability. The results guide developing nations looking to leverage financial development, green investment and technological innovation in productive areas to achieve sustainable development objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The swift development and implementation of technology have forced enterprises in China to constantly enhance their capabilities to accomplish innovation objectives. In response to the need to improve innovation performance to stay competitive in the industry, enterprises in the region of Jiangsu have adopted a green technology orientation to develop sustainable technologies and regional market orientation to fulfil the needs and wants of environment‐conscious customers. This study assessed the relationship between green technology and regional market orientation and innovation performance and the moderating role of structural and relational embeddedness. The study performed a quantitative assessment using a survey method to collect data. This study gathered data from 386 respondents from small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) from Jiangsu, which showed that both green technology and regional market orientation are essential predictors of innovation performance. Moreover, this study found a substantial moderating impact of structural and relational embeddedness on the relationship between green technology and regional market orientation and innovation performance of SMEs. The current study has several practical implications for leaders of SMEs to enhance their innovation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between natural resources and environmental damage significantly affects the ecosystem, and technological advancements are essential to managing these issues. However, funding unfavourable environmental initiatives financially has prompted several concerns about establishing a clear connection between the environment and financial market items. The relationship between natural resources, technology and innovation for sustainable development in China from 2000 to 2021 is examined in this study. In order to investigate the highlighted link, the research makes use of a variety of econometric tools, including the Augmented Mean Group, Common Correlated Effects Mean Group and Driscoll‐Kraay estimators. The cointegration findings based on Westerlund J. (2007) demonstrate that the study's specified variables have a long‐run equilibrium connection across the examined time. According to empirical research, environmental deterioration is caused by technology, natural resources, foreign direct investment and total reserves, whereas technical innovation and renewable energy lower CO2 emissions. Additionally, the connection between technical innovation and industrial value‐added has a detrimental effect on the ecology in the Chinese provinces. Based on these findings, China's provinces are urged to promote green technology development while maintaining the bloc's high environmental protection standards. The closing portion has various critical policy implications for safeguarding environmental quality in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landscape ecology is vital and significantly contributes to the country's social and economic growth. This concept is directly linked with sustainable development goals, and a growing potential exists that landscape ecology will replace conventional landscaping practices as the authoritative framework for environmentally responsible landscaping. Decentralizing spatial planning policy requires local actors to work together to determine what physical changes must be made to the environment to reflect their respective values. To be applicable in such bottom‐up landscape‐development processes, this study checks the relationship between the landscape ecological perspective and the financial development of China over the period 1995–2021 by using the autoregressive distributed lag model. The findings indicated that green investment, environmental pressure and energy consumption play a significant role in China's financial development. Landscape ecological research should pay more attention to these dilemmas as a unifying common ground to produce a joint knowledge base that can be incorporated into multifunctional, actor‐led landscape development. This research adds value to the modern pattern‐process model in landscape ecology by developing this idea into a knowledgeable framework. Subsequently, this study promotes green investment activities and consumption of energy sources so that landscape ecology aims should be obtained through interdisciplinary research. Future research can be done by taking the emerging economies into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global economic recession caused by COVID‐19 has posed a severe threat to the feasibility of renewable energy projects, hampering the United Nation (UN) sustainable development goals. Sustainable financing (SF) is a crucial instrument for promoting investment in renewable energy (IRE) sources, as it is regarded as a crucial aspect in achieving long‐term sustainability. This study sheds insight on the impact of SF, geopolitical risk (GPR), economic growth (EG), and environmental regulation (ER) on IRE sources by evaluating 10 years of data from 35 Chinese energy businesses from 2012 to 2021. The data analysis is done by utilizing quantile regression and dynamic analytic techniques, demonstrating that SF, EG, and ER have a significant positive effect on IRE sources. However, GPR has a significant detrimental impact on IRE in China. This is one of the early studies to examine the crucial role of SF, GPR, EG, and ER in IRE, which is critical for environmental sustainability. In addition, it provides policymakers and environmentalists with crucial insights for developing and executing environmental strategies that can deliver long‐term benefits and meet SD goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile element abundance is a crucial factor triggering mineralization and controlling the enrichment of molybdenum in porphyry deposits. The Chalukou deposit is the largest porphyry Mo deposit in NE China, with an average grade of 0.087% Mo. In this contribution, we present petrology, bulk geochemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology and Lu–Hf isotopes, and apatite geochemistry for the Chalukou deposit. The intrusive rocks include pre‐mineralization monzogranite, syn‐mineralization quartz porphyry, fine‐grained porphyry and granite porphyry, and post‐mineralization monzogranite and feldspar porphyry. These granitoids are metaluminous to peraluminous, and belong to alkali‐calcic to calc‐alkalic series. Zircon εHf(t) values of granitoids range from +0.2 to +5.7 with corresponding Hf crustal model ages of 805–1170 Ma, indicating a Mesoproterozoic juvenile crustal source modified by mantle‐derived magma. They are characterized by logf(O2) of −16.1 to −9.4, with an average of −12.5, ΔFMQ of +0.8 to +7.9, with an average of +4.5, showing a relatively high oxidation state for the syn‐mineralization magma. The apatites in quartz porphyry have the highest F contents, ranging from 3.61 to 4.62 wt%. At Chalukou, F‐rich magma is conducive to the convection of magma and promotes the efficient separation of differentiation magma, making the magmatic‐hydrothermal fluid circulate many times, eventually resulting in the accumulation of ore‐forming materials on the top of the magma chamber and gradually aggravating mineral enrichment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large‐scale magmatic activity and associated mineralization in South China are linked to the subduction of the palaeo‐Pacific Plate, although specific processes have remained controversial including the timing of subduction initiation and lithospheric extension. We present new geochemical data and zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotope measurements on volcanic rocks, granites and mafic dikes from coastal south‐eastern China along the Eurasian continental margin. The biotite monzogranites show I–type granitoid affinity and fractional crystallization with zircon εHf(t) values ranging from −10.15 to +0.50, suggesting magma derivation from the melting of lower crust with the addition of juvenile crustal or mantle components. The biotite granites are typical of highly fractionated A‐type granites with εHf(t) values ranging from −3.63 to +1.35, indicating magma hybridization between anatectic granitic and mantle‐derived mafic magmas. The diabase dikes have zircon εHf(t) values ranging from −2.99 to +1.71, with high La/Nb and La/Ta ratios. This suggests derivation from partial melting of a lithospheric mantle metasomatized by fluid from a subducting–slab, with contributions of depleted asthenospheric mantle components. Our data, combined with those from previous studies, suggest that the shallow subduction of the palaeo–Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent had begun by ca. ~170 Ma at least and the subduction orientation changed to oblique with respect to the continental margin. Steepening of the subduction angle likely caused a slab rollback during the Early Cretaceous, resulting in a tectonic transition from compression to extension in South China at ca. 145 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The China Geological Survey successfully completed the second trial of natural gas hydrate (NGH) production in 2020, and the daily gas production and total gas production were greater than those in the first trial, but the evaluation of NGH resources in the South China Sea (SCS) is still in the evaluation stage, specifically for the gas content. In 2021, some scholars used different methods to more accurately evaluate NGHs in the SCS to aid in NGH exploration and evaluation in the SCS; some of them analysed the main factors controlling NGH resources, added several factors to the volume method for optimization, studied the sensitivity of the evaluation of resources to each of the main controlling factors (NGH stability zone area, NGH area coefficient, NGH stability zone thickness, NGH thickness coefficient, NGH reservoir porosity, NGH reservoir saturation, NGH volumetric ratio, NGH resource ratio coefficient and NGH recovery coefficient) and found that the effective thickness coefficient, effective thickness and effective area coefficient are the most sensitive; these values are 23.15%, 15.66%, 13.98%, and 13.95%, respectively, while the other values are 0%, 15.66%, 8.42%, 8.41%, 2.50%, and 13.92%; taking into account the influence of the main controlling factors, the range of the water resource potential evaluation results in the SCS is 2.4 × 107 m3–5.9 × 1014 m3, the modal value is 7.25 × 1011 m3, and the confidence level of the modal ±25% interval is 77.8%; these values provide a higher evaluation accuracy and higher resource level, which is consistent with the current results of NGH research in the SCS. Although the development of NGHs in the SCS is progressing rapidly, basic exploration is relatively scarce, and the number of samples of effective thickness obtained through dozens of exploratory wells is too few. It is recommended that China carry out more exploration and research projects in the Shenhu area and the entire SCS to obtain more accurate thickness data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Beiya giant porphyry Au deposit is the largest Cenozoic Au deposit in the Jinshajiang Cu–Mo–Au metallogenic belt. Many granite porphyries of ~36 Ma were exposed in the Beiya deposit, including the Wandongshan (WDS) and Hongnitang monzogranite porphyries (HNT–MPs) with economically important Au metal resources, the uneconomic WDS biotite MP, and Putaishan granite porphyry (GP), and subeconomic MPs at Nandaping (NDP) and Matouwan (MTW) prospects. To reveal the fundamental factors that lead to the different fertility of these granitic porphyries, this study uses the biotite and zircon geochemical compositions to evaluate their petrogenetic and magmatic conditions (e.g., F content, pressure, fO2). The results show that biotites from economic WDS and HNT–MPs exhibit moderate F contents (0.85%–2.16%), low n(FeT)/n(FeT + Mg) ratios (average of 0.36), and shallow emplacement depths of 0.19–1.76 km. In contrast, the uneconomic granite porphyries are characterized by variable F contents (0.17%–2.75%), high n(FeT)/n(FeT + Mg) ratios (average of 0.43), and deep emplacement depths of 2.76 to 5.02 km. Moreover, the economic WDS and HNT–MPs display higher average zircon fO2 (ΔFMQ [fayalite–magnetite–quartz] of +0.88) than uneconomic granite porphyries (ΔFMQ of −0.19), further confirming a higher fO2 of the economic granitic porphyries. These features indicate that magmatic fO2 is a critical factor controlling Cu–Au mineralization at the Beiya Au deposit. In comparison with the economic WDS and HNT–MPs, the subeconomic MPs in the MTW and NDP prospects exhibit higher average biotite n(FeT)/n(FeT + Mg) ratios of 0.47 and 0.45, and lower average zircon ΔFMQ of −0.05 and −0.23, suggesting lower magmatic fO2 and thus have relatively weak potentials to form Cu–Au mineralization. Notably, the economic WDS and HNT–MPs have higher biotite XMg ratios than those of the subeconomic and uneconomic granitic porphyries, indicating that the economic MPs were formed by the partial melting of mixed lower crustal materials with more mantle‐derived materials. Therefore, the addition of mantle‐derived materials played an important role in determining the fO2 of the granitic porphyry, thus primarily controlling its fertility of Cu–Au mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recognition of unconformities is important for stratigraphic subdivision and correlation and for determining the timing of tectonic activity and the ocean‐continent transition process. Here, we have identified a Late Palaeozoic disconformity in the Moqinwula area of the northern Junggar Block, NW China. Integrated field relationship observations and sedimentological, biostratigraphical, geochemical and detrital zircon geochronological data, suggest that the underlying Hongliugou Formation is of Devonian age and was deposited in a passive continental margin setting. The overlying Tamugang Formation formed in the Early Carboniferous and was deposited in a foreland basin setting. Integrating the published data and our new work, we suggest a new tectonic evolution model related to the Karamaili ocean‐continent transition process. During the Early Devonian, northward subduction of the Karamaili Ocean plate beneath the East Junggar Belt formed the Yemaquan arc. At this time, a passive margin sequence was deposited on the northern Junggar Block. During the Early Carboniferous, the closure of the Karamaili Ocean resulted from the collision between the Junggar Block and the East Junggar Belt. Foreland basins subsequently developed, forming an extensive unconformity in the accretionary wedge to the north and a disconformity in the relatively rigid and stable Junggar Block to the south. This significant difference in stratigraphic contact relationships confirms that regional convergence‐induced shortening deformation had no significant influence on the northern margin of the Junggar Block, suggesting the existence of a relatively rigid basement, probably an oceanic plateau, under the cover sediments of the Junggar Block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petrography and geochemical data of the Late Cretaceous clastic rocks in the northern Songliao Basin were used to infer the provenance and chemical weathering history. Petrographic data indicates that the composition of the sandstones is mainly quartz (34.48–50.43%), feldspars (14.16%–24.07%) and lithic fragments (33.91%–45.9%). Similar REE patterns and trace element ratios suggest that both the sandstones (LaCN/YbCN = 12.97; Eu/Eu* = 0.81; Th/Sc = 1.10) and mudstones (LaCN/YbCN = 10.02; Eu/Eu* = 0.71; Th/Sc = 1.10) were derived from a similar source area with felsic volcanic rocks as dominant contributors. The main provenance area is probably the eastern Zhangguangcai Range, the north‐eastern Lesser Xing'an Range and the south‐eastern Songliao Basin. A modelled mixture composed of 65% granodiorite in the Lesser Xing'an Range, 30% granite in Zhangguangcai Range and 5% epidiorite in the south‐eastern Songliao Basin, can be interpreted as the potential source compositions for the clastic sediments. This conclusion is reinforced by the major element of geochemistry composition and sandstone petrography. Relatively low Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) values in mudstones (48.14–69.26) and sandstones (50.78–59.96) indicate mild chemical weathering conditions in the source area. The chemical weathering history suggests that a cold and arid climate prevailed during the Late Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subduction system in the Qilian orogenic belt experienced the variability of an active continental arc in space and time related to the subduction of the Proto‐Tethys Ocean. Zircon U–Pb geochronology and whole‐rock chemical and Sr–Nd isotopic data of mafic to intermediate dykes in the western part of the Central Qilian belt (WCQB) are used to track magma provenance from compositionally variable reservoirs in the sub‐arc mantle and constrain the magmatic evolution of the rear‐arc at 450–445 Ma. Petrological, whole‐rock chemical and zircon U–Pb dating results reveal that the studied dykes mainly comprise calc‐alkaline lamprophyre (CAL), high Mg# andesitic porphyrite (HMA) and high FeO hornblende gabbro (HFG) with crystallization ages of 447, 453 and 448 Ma, respectively. Among them, CAL and HMA have affinities in high‐K calc‐alkaline suites, high REE contents (∑REE = 131.1–202.3 ppm) with high LaN/YbN values (6.77–17.99), enriched in large‐ion lithophile elements (LILE, e.g., Rb and U), and depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (HFSE, e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti). They also have high Th/La (0.20–0.46), Th/Nb (0.67–1.64) and Th/Yb (3.88–14.11) ratios, and relatively high whole‐rock initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.707469–0.708493) and εNd(t) values (−4.7 to −3.1). Whereas, HFG is affinities in medium to high‐K calc‐alkaline suites, and has moderate rare earth elements (∑REE = 70.1–112.5 ppm) with flat REE patterns (LaN/YbN = 2.12–3.05) and exhibits enriched LILE, and Sr–Nd isotopes ((87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.713496–0.729216, εNd(t) = −2.93 to +2.04). Such typical "continental" geochemical features of the different K‐rich dykes do not result from crustal assimilation but reflect an enriched mantle source resulting from their mantle heterogeneity due to recycling of different subducted sediments. The temporal evolution of the geochemical characteristics of mafic‐intermediate dykes is consistent with an extension setting triggered by removing the thickened arc crust root in the WCQB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shaolang River metallogenic belt in Inner Mongolia is one of the main lead‐zinc polymetallic belt on the northern margin of the North China Plate. The granodiorites, which are closely coexisting with lead‐zinc veins in deposit, are extensively developed. Previous geochronological research results show that the dikes and veins in the metallogenic belt belong to the products of magmatic hydrothermal activity in the middle Yanshanian, so the genesis of the metallogenic belt deposit is generally considered to be a hydrothermal vein type deposit related to sub‐volcanic dikes. We obtained zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions of granodiorites, which are widely distributed in the deposit and were considered to be closely connected with the genesis of the deposits. The zircon U–Pb ages are 419.4 ± 1.4 Ma and 424.5 ± 4.1 Ma for the granodiorites, respectively, and they formed in the late Silurian. The geological and geochemical data indicate that the granodiorites are consistent with the geochemical characteristics of typical adakite. All εHf(t) values of the granodiorites are minus, on the zircon Hf isotope age diagram, εHf(t) are below the evolution curve of chondrite. The two‐stage model ages (tDM2) are 2.45 ~ 2.79 Ga and 1.87 ~ 2.29 Ga, respectively, showing rock‐forming materials mainly derived from the Paleoproterozoic and earlier crustal partial melting, and there may have been mantle‐derived magma underplating of the lower crust. Combining with the previous regional research, it is concluded that the granodiorites were formed during the extinction of the island arc under the background of subduction of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean and North China Craton. Because of the 125 ~ 170 Ma metallogenic age, we concluded that the granodiorites in the ore areas have no obvious relationship with the deposit genesis. However, it provided the advantageous space for the formation of the lead‐zinc veins, it can be regarded as an important prospecting indicator in metallogenic belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Suolong gold deposit is in the eastern part of the Min‐Li metallogenic belt within the West Qinling Orogen. It is hosted in Lower Permian sandstone and siltstone. The gold mineralization is fault‐ and joint‐controlled. Four hydrothermal stages of mineralization, including the sulphide‐quartz stage, the arsenian pyrite‐quartz stage, the polymetallic sulphide‐quartz‐carbonate stage and the sulphide‐carbonate stage, were identified. Here we report results from fluid inclusion studies and C‐H‐O‐S‐Pb isotopes to get insight into the characteristics of mineralization and ore genesis. Fluid inclusion results indicate that the ore‐forming temperatures and salinities were in the range from 135 to 419°C and 0.18 to 15.27 wt.%, respectively. The δ34S values of pyrite, arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite varied in the 5.3‰–11.4‰ range, suggesting that sulphur originated from stratum sulphur. Lead isotopic compositions of sulphide (206Pb/204Pb = 18.344–18.418, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.628–15.701, 208Pb/204Pb = 38.508–38.743) indicate an upper crust source for Pb. The δ18OH2O‐SMOW and δDSMOW values range from 1.01‰ to 10.31‰ and −116.0‰ to −29.2‰, respectively, indicating that metamorphic water was the source of ore‐forming fluids. The δ13CPDB values (−11.4 to −2.1‰) show that the carbon in the ore‐forming fluids originated predominantly from a deep source. Our data suggest that the Suolong gold deposit is an orogenic gold deposit related to the subduction of an oceanic plate along the Mianlue belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the collation and collection of a large number of data, we construct an induced earthquake database, QuakeQuake, and report a total of 193 human‐induced earthquake cases in China. 155 human‐induced earthquakes in China recorded in the global‐induced earthquake database (HiQuake) are revisited and re‐arranged by compiling the Chinese literature. The human‐induced earthquakes in QuakeQuake database are classified into three levels of reliability, strong, moderate and weak levels, based on both human‐induced processes and seismic activity. Three main categories including reservoir‐induced earthquakes, mine‐induced earthquakes and other induced earthquakes in China are sorted based on data recording and types of the induced earthquakes. Most of the induced earthquakes with strong level in QuakeQuake database are mainly minor earthquakes (3 ≤ M < 4.5). The focal depth of reservoir‐induced and mining‐induced earthquakes is within 30 and 8 km deep, respectively. The active type of source faults of the large induced earthquakes is mainly thrust type with the highest proportion. The largest observed magnitude of the induced earthquakes (MMAX) correlates positively with the injection/extraction volume, reservoir dam heights, reservoir capacity and lithology of the reservoir area. Nine volume intervals corresponding to each induced earthquake type are figured out. Based on the analysis of the mechanisms of human‐induced earthquakes in China, the main mechanisms of surface mass loading are karst collapse or gas explosion, pore water pressure effect and gravity energy release. Underground material extraction is mainly induced by the compaction of different reservoirs. Two injection types of underground material are gas injection and water injection. Gas injection is related to continuous stress loading and unloading. Two induction mechanisms of water injection are the increase of fault pore pressure and the change of fault load condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Revealing hydrothermal evolution from the early oxide to late carbonate stages for quartz–wolframite vein‐type deposits is essential for understanding the ore‐forming process. In this study, we choose the Baishitouwa tungsten polymetallic deposit located in the southern Great Xing'an Range tungsten belt as a case study, and present detailed deposit geology and in situ fluid inclusion (FI) analyses including microthermometry, laser Raman spectra, and LA‐ICP‐MS microanalysis to address this issue. Four stages of hydrothermal activity were identified: (1) quartz–wolframite (I), (2) quartz–wolframite (II)–pyrite–chalcopyrite, (3) quartz–polymetallic sulphides, and (4) quartz–carbonate. Four types of FIs were recognized: CO2‐rich, CO2‐bearing, liquid‐rich, and brine inclusions. Microthermometric data showed that the homogenization temperatures and salinities from the early to late stages are 380–460°C, 7.4–17.3, and 29.3–43.2 wt% NaCl equiv., 300–390°C and 7.1–17.0 wt% NaCl equiv., 220–320°C and 2.7–8.1 wt% NaCl equiv., and 150–250°C and 0.5–4.8 wt% NaCl equiv., respectively, suggesting a decreasing trend. Geochemically, all stage fluids contained high Rb and Mn concentrations, high Rb/Na, Cs/Na, Li/Na, K/Na, Rb/Sr, low K/Rb, and consistent Cs/Rb and Cs/(Na + K) ratios, indicating that the mineralizing fluids originated from a common source—an underlying, geochemically uniform, and highly fractionated granitic magma. Fluid immiscibility and cooling are the main mechanisms for wolframite precipitation, whereas greisenization is subordinate; the incursion of meteoric water into the hydrothermal system initiated at the sulphide stage, and fluid mixing is the dominant mechanism for sulphide precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A late Kasimovian (Pennsylvanian) coral reef is reported in the Yanbanzhai (YBZ) area, southern Guizhou Province, South China. The YBZ coral reef, with a thickness of approximately 5.5 m and a lateral exposure of nearly 50 m, is primarily composed of the colonial rugose coral Fomichevella. The fusulinids collected from the reef indicates a late Kasimovian age. Five microfacies types have been identified, including coated bioclastic grainstone, coral (Fomichevella) framestone, bioclastic wackestone, bioclastic grainstone, and peloidal grainstone. The vertical evolution of the microfacies in the YBZ coral reef indicates major sedimentary environmental changes associated with relative sea‐level changes. The growth of the reef‐builder Fomichevella was controlled by the transgression and regression. Deep water promoted the upward expansion of Fomichevella, while shallow water inhibited its growth. Published records of atmospheric pCO2 estimation and sea‐surface temperatures, combined with geochemical proxies, confirm a warm climatic period during the late Kasimovian. This is an interglacial period conducive to the growth of the coral reef. Sea‐level and climate changes associated with the Late Palaeozoic ice age (LPIA) are interpreted as significant controls of the development of the YBZ coral reef. This research of the YBZ coral reef in South China provides practical palaeobiological evidence for global sea‐level rising during the late Kasimovian period caused by the high‐latitude Gondwana delaciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Banjing tungsten deposit, which has been discovered recently, is located in the northernmost part of the Dabu pluton, southern Jiangxi Province, China. In this study, zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb dating of the fine‐grained porphyritic biotite granite indicate that it was formed in the early Yanshanian (159.4 ± 2.5 Ma–161.6 ± 0.8 Ma). Whole‐rock geochemical studies have shown the fine‐grained porphyritic biotite granite has SiO2 of 75.82%–76.84%, Al2O3 12.50%–12.87%, MgO 0.07%–0.20%, and CaO 0.64%–1.09%, with A/CNK of 1.017–1.038. It has a total rare earth elements content of 93.9–118.9 ppm with strong negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.021–0.081). The biotite granite is enriched in Rb, Th, U, Nd and depleted in Ba, Sr, Nb, Ti. These data suggest the Dabu pluton belongs to S‐type granite. This pluton has ISr of 0.71212–0.72929 and εNd(t) from −9.60 to −10.62 with Nd model ages concentrated in 1732–1838 Ma. These isotopic data in combination with zircon Hf isotopes suggest the biotite granite originated from partial melting of the Middle Proterozoic metamorphic supracrustal rocks in South China, with a minor contribution from juvenile crust. Meanwhile, this study has obtained Re–Os isochron ages of the intrusion‐related and quartz vein‐type molybdenum mineralization are 156.3 ± 2.7 Ma and 157.0 ± 1.1 Ma in the Banjing tungsten deposit, respectively. Sericite from the greisen‐type tungsten‐molybdenum ore has an 40Ar–39Ar plateau age of 156.4 ± 1.0 Ma, interpreted as the formation age of this deposit. Collectively, the Banjing tungsten deposit is considered as a product of the early Yanshanian large‐scale peak mineralization in South China, which was formed in an extensional intracontinental environment caused by the subduction of the Palaeo‐Pacific Plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the largest petroliferous basin in northeast (NE) China, Songliao Basin preserves continuous Cretaceous sedimentary‐volcanic records, providing an excellent opportunity to recover the palaeo‐environment. The Yingcheng Formation in the Songliao Basin contains ample gas reservoirs that attract widespread attention. Whereas the timing, petrogenesis and geodynamic mechanism of the volcanic rocks in the Yingcheng Formation are still controversial, which largely constrain our understanding of the formation and evolution of the Songliao Basin. Here, we present an integrated investigation of zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope, as well as whole‐rock elements and Sr‐Nd isotopes data for a suite of rhyolites of Yingcheng Formation from the SK2 Borehole of NE China. Zircon U–Pb age dating results of nine samples have yielded a concentrated age of ~110 Ma. These Yingcheng rhyolites are characterized by high SiO2 (66–78 wt%) and alkali (Na2O + K2O = 7.80–11.70 wt%) content, high 10000*Ga/Al (1.26–3.82, mostly >2.6) and FeOT/(FeOT + MgO) ratios (0.81–0.95), which show geochemical affinities with A‐type rhyolites. They have relatively low Y/Nb (0.69–1.78, average 1.19) and Rb/Nb (1.58–6.52, average 4.34) ratios, suggesting that the Yingcheng volcanic samples belong to A1‐type rhyolites which formed in an intraplate environment. These Yingcheng rhyolites show depleted Nd‐Hf isotopic compositions (εNd(t) = 2.43–4.87 and zircon εHf(t) = 4.22–9.88) comparable with the Early Cretaceous A‐type and I‐type rhyolites in the Songliao Basin, suggesting that they were originated from a juvenile continental crust. They were most likely derived from the partial melting of anhydrous lower crust instead of differentiation of mantle‐derived or mixing with alkaline basaltic magma, due to their low Mg# and absence of the coeval mafic rocks. Combined with the previous studies, A‐type rhyolites in the Yingcheng Formation erupted lasting at least 10 Myr and were widely distributed in the rifts of the Songliao Basin. We propose that the Yingcheng rhyolites were most likely generated from the rollback of the Palaeo‐Pacific Plate in the Early Cretaceous, thus highlighting the significance of the subduction of the Palaeo‐Pacific Plate during the secular evolution of the Songliao Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolution of terrestrial infauna in the Early Triassic enables to understand terrestrial biotic recovery after the end‐Permian mass extinction (EPME). Six ichnospecies in two ichnogenera, including Skolithos linearis, S. verticalis, S. annulatus, S. isp., Planolites montanus, and P. beverleyensis, were recognized from the Lower Triassic Liujiagou Formation (Induan Stage) and Heshanggou Formation (Olenekian Stage) in the Baiping section of the Dengfeng area, North China. The ichno‐ecological analyses of ichno‐taxonomic abundance, ichnodiversity, bioturbation index, burrow size, and tiering level revealed that terrestrial infauna expanded from epibenthic to endobenthic through the Early Triassic. The tiering deepening suggested that tracemakers gradually began to excavate into the sediments instead of moving on the microbial mats, indicating that the burrowing capability of trace‐making animals has recovered in the Olenekian. Four types of sedimentary substrates were summarized: non‐bioturbated matground, matground with bioturbated patches, weakly bioturbated mixed ground, and moderately bioturbated mixed ground. Occurrence of the substrate of mixed ground may be a sign of the initial recovery of the terrestrial ecosystem after the EPME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bayan Obo–Duolun–Chifeng–Kaiyuan (BDCK) Fault is considered the boundary between the North China Craton (NCC) and Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). However, the site of this boundary from Duolun to Chifeng and Kaiyuan remains highly controversial. Here, we present an integrated study of petrology, whole‐rock geochemistry, and zircon U–Pb and Sr–Nd–Hf isotope compositions for tonalites and amphibolites in the Bainaimiao arc belt (BAB) to better constrain the northern NCC margin. The tonalites are similar to NCC tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorites (TTGs), characterized by relatively high Na2O/K2O and Sr/Y ratios and fractionated rare earth element (REE) patterns, with high light REE (LREE) but low heavy REE (HREE) concentrations. Laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) zircon U–Pb dating yields formation ages of 2599–2674 Ma, with a weighted average of 2649.6 ± 3.7 Ma. The εHf(t) values (3.5–7.5), two‐stage model ages (2673–2793 Ma), whole‐rock positive εNd(t) values (1.3–1.9), and two‐stage model ages (2841–2880 Ma) suggest that the Neoarchean tonalites likely originated from remelting of thickened Meso‐Neoarchean mafic crust. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb isotope data reveal that the amphibolites formed at ~2610 Ma. They have high‐Fe tholeiitic compositions and are close to normal mid‐ocean ridge basalt (N‐MORB)‐like rocks, indicating that they were generated from partial melting of the depleted mantle. The existence of Neoarchean basement rocks, combined with seismic and isotope data, suggests that the Jiefangyingzi area is part of the Trans‐North China Orogen (TNCO) in the NCC rather than part of the CAOB and that the northern boundary of the NCC in Chifeng is located north to the Jiefangyingzi area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tudigou porphyry Cu deposit is located in the central part of the southern Qinling belt. Copper mineralization is closely associated with monzogranite porphyry. Zircon LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating of monzogranite porphyry suggests that the ages of magmatism at Tudigou vary between 150 ± 1 and 148 ± 1 Ma and overlap with the molybdenite Re–Os age of 150–148 Ma, indicating that the Tudigou intrusion and associated mineralization formed during the Late Jurassic. The enrichment in large‐ion lithophile elements, depletion in high‐field‐strength elements, high Ba/Th and La/Yb ratios, and negative correlation between Dy/Yb and La/Sm ratios, together with narrow ranges of εHf(t) values (εHf(t) = −4.0 to +1.4) suggest monzogranite porphyry was derived from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle with minor crustal components contribution, which is also evidenced by the lead isotopic result. The La/Yb ratios of 30 Mesozoic plutons in the southern Qinling belt were used to calculate the Moho depth, which suggests that the magmatism and mineralization in the region occurred during lithosphere thinning in response to the tectonic transition from compression to extension transitional regime. The calculated oxygen fugacity of the Late Mesozoic porphyry deposits in the Qinling–Dabie orogen have identical ΔFMQ values (averaging +1.4 to +2.4). However, the V/Sc ratios (the proxy for water content) are distinct among different deposit sizes, indicating that the dissolved water in the magma plays a critical role in porphyry‐type mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SE China is regarded as one of the most important mineral resource bases in China. The spatio‐temporal distribution of the magmatism and mineralization in the area has a distinct pattern due to the uneven intensity of crust–mantle interactions. We analysed gravity, magnetic and magnetotelluric (MT) data from the study area. The lithosphere in the north‐eastern and coastal parts of South China features intense magnetic, low resistivity anomalies and low density of lithospheric mantle material components. Meanwhile, the crust in the Nanling region features high resistivity and low magnetic granitic pluton. As we view from the north‐east to the south‐west, the crust–mantle interaction in SE China weakens unevenly and the magmatic origins for ore‐forming are progressively shallow. In the continental margin area, the subducted plate partially melted and rose along deep faults, interacting with the lithospheric mantle, which created conditions for the formation of the large porphyry Cu deposits. In the inland Nanling region, the Palaeo‐Pacific Plate has subducted to a considerable depth, the influence of deep disturbances was diminished, and therefore the metallogenic magmas of W–Sn deposits are dominated by continental crust remelting granites. While the tectonic environment of the Pb–Zn–Ag polymetallic deposits is in a transitional zone between porphyry Cu deposits and W–Sn deposits, small amounts of femic magma mixed with large amounts of granitic magma to form the mineralized granites. The geophysical data provide corresponding evidence to support the mineralization dynamics model based on oblique Pacific subduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation is the first to provide information on the formation, process and influence factors for hydrocarbon generation and expulsion potential of the Cuizhuang Formation source rock in the Yuncheng sub‐basin to decipher the reason why no commercial petroleum resources have been found so far. In this study, data from the Jitan‐1 well in the Yuncheng sub‐basin were applied for the Cuizhuang Formation source rock basin modelling and organic geochemical analyses to reconstruct the burial and thermal evolution history and reveal the timing and process of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion. The modelling results indicate that the peak palaeotemperature of the Cuizhuang Formation source rock reached ~205°C in the Middle Carboniferous (~327 Ma) at a maximum burial depth of ~4000 m, when rapid burial subsidence and thermal events played a significant role in increasing thermal maturity. The Cuizhuang Formation generated and expelled small amounts of hydrocarbons from the Early Ordovician until the Middle Carboniferous, starting with the primary kerogen cracking and conversion to oil from the Early to Middle Ordovician (~476–461 Ma), corresponding to the thermal maturity values of 0.55–0.70 %VRo and transformation ratio (TR) <10%. The expulsion of most generated oil (0.70–1.30 %VRo, TR of 10%–90%) started from the Middle Ordovician to the Early Carboniferous (~461–351 Ma), before reaching the secondary cracking of the retained oil into gas (>1.30 %VRo and TR of 90%–100%) from the Early to Middle Carboniferous (~351–327 Ma). Destruction of the initial formation of hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Yuncheng sub‐basin was primarily controlled by the Middle Carboniferous tectonic event with its major uplift‐erosion, resulting in the absence of potential hydrocarbon reservoirs in recent exploration activities in some parts of the Yuncheng sub‐basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of marine carbonates was deposited in the Palaeozoic of the North China Craton, which is the dominant sequence for buried hill hydrocarbon exploration. This study focuses on the lithofacies and reservoirs developed in the sequence. Based on the data of cores, thin sections, drilling, and logging, the characteristics of the sequence stratigraphic framework and its control on lithofacies and reservoirs of the Lower Palaeozoic buried hills in the offshore Bohai Bay Basin are discussed. The results show that there developed 4 second‐order sequences and 21 third‐order sequences in the study area. Due to the deep burial depth, the dolomite is more likely to form high‐quality reservoirs than limestone in the study area, and we define the dolomitic tidal flat‐dominant sequences as 'favorable reservoir sequences'. There developed unconformity‐related reservoirs and inner reservoirs in the buried hill, and the 'favourable reservoir sequences' present obvious control on both reservoirs, showing: (i) 'favourable reservoir sequences' and weathering interface control on the scale of the unconformity‐related reservoir jointly, and (ii) the inner reservoirs developed within 'favourable reservoir sequences' as well, and the top and bottom of the high‐frequency sequences are the predominant areas for the bedding karst reservoir distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify the developmental characteristics and controlling factors of the beach‐bar sandstone in saline lake basins in the Qaidam Basin, China, the lithology and bedding structure of some representative outcrops of the Neogene saline lake basins were comprehensively investigated by means of experimental test data of local drilling cores, casting thin sections, and grain size, together with field outcrops in the basin and the modern salt lake deposition record of Qinghai Lake. Two types of sand bodies in the saline lake basins, that is, delta sand bodies and shore‐shallow lake beach‐bar facies were revealed. Neogene saline lake basins were found to host widespread beach‐bar sand bodies. Lithologically, the sand bodies were composed of fine‐grained sandstone and siltstone, with wavy bedding, low‐angle cross‐bedding, and bimodal cross‐bedding. The beach‐bar sandstone was characterized by multi‐layer superimposition, lateral migration, and NW–SE wide‐coverage continuation. Drilling data showed that beach‐bar sand bodies extended from 10 to 35 km in width and most of them occurred 3–15 km away from braided river delta front. It has been predicted that the total area of beach‐bar sand bodies of 14 sand groups in the Neogene spread across 5,000 km2. Four factors, that is, lake water salinity, terrigenous input, palaeogeomorphology, and monsoons, controlled the construction of the beach‐bar sand bodies developed in the Neogene saline lake of the Qaidam Basin. We can conclude that the settling velocity and transport distance of the sand bodies were affected by the water body salinity in such saline lake basins. Also, the distribution range of the beach‐bar sand bodies was affected by the clastic input from a terrigenous provenance. Furthermore, the wide‐coverage distribution and local enrichment of the beach‐bar sandstone were affected by palaeogeomorphology, and the distribution direction of the beach‐bar sandstone was affected by the driving effect of NW monsoons. We propose a deposition model of the beach‐bar sandstone in saline lake basins that can predict favourable beach‐bar sand body regions, to support the major discoveries of lithologic traps in southwestern Qaidam, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pushi area of South‐west China features a large area of purple soil that formed by the weathering of Cretaceous terrigenous clastic rocks. In this study, four vertical profiles of the purple soil (P1, P2, P3, and P4) derived from different pedogenic parent rocks were investigated. Specifically, the chemical weathering intensity and element migration, enrichment, and differentiation characteristics were analysed and the influencing factors of chemical weathering were explored. According to the discrimination map of major and trace elements and content characteristics of rare earth elements, the soil profiles are controlled by complex chemical weathering processes. Various geochemical parameters and indicators exhibited good correlation, and the chemical weathering intensity of the profiles followed the order P1 (mudstone) > P3 (silty mudstone) > P4 (argillaceous siltstone) > P2 (sandstone). The overall chemical weathering intensity of argillaceous rocks was slightly higher than that of sandstone, and the four profiles generally reflected medium to strong chemical weathering. The migration, enrichment, and differentiation characteristics of geochemical elements were found to be mainly affected by different chemical weathering intensities and stages, followed by leaching deposition. The chemical weathering characteristics varied for the four profiles with different pedogenic parent rocks, which could be mainly attributed to internal factors such as the lithology of the pedogenic parent rock and external topographic factors such as altitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]