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Pore‐throat structure is a key factor that influences the storage and fluid flow capacity of tight sandstone reservoirs. Taking the tight sandstone reservoir of Xu2 Fm in Zhongba area as an example, the reservoir quality, pore‐throat type and pore size distribution of tight sandstone in the study area were described by casting thin section, scanning electron microscope and high‐pressure mercury injection test. In order to quantitatively characterize the complexity and heterogeneity of pore‐throat structure, fractal analysis was performed using mercury saturation and pore size data. This study mainly reveals the relationship between the geometric shape characteristics and fractal dimension of the binary pore structure of ultra‐low permeability tight sandstone and clarifies the influence of different scale pore throats on reservoir physical properties. The results indicate that the physical properties of the reservoir in the study area are poor, the pores are mainly intergranular pores and dissolution pores, the throat is flake and necked and the pore size distribution range is large. The fractal curve obtained by the mercury saturation method shows a significant turning point, and the pore‐throat system is divided into two types: small‐scale and large‐scale. The fractal dimension of large‐scale pore throat is greater than the three‐dimensional Euclidean space dimension, which does not conform to the fractal theory. The fractal dimension of small‐scale pore throat is closely related to the pore‐throat structure and has obvious fractal characteristics. The geometric shape of binary pore‐throat structure in tight sandstone is the main factor affecting the difference of fractal dimension. The development of small pores in sandstone is positively correlated with the total porosity, but its contribution to permeability is relatively low. The physical properties of tight sandstone are mainly controlled by the development degree of large‐scale pore throat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecosystem service value (ESV) is an important basis for measuring an ecological environment's quality and the efficient management of ecosystems. It is particularly necessary to explore a proven methodology for assessing and predicting ESV dynamics coupled with policy-oriented scenarios that can provide a theoretical groundwork for macro decision, particularly in the context of implementing ecological protection and restoration projects. This study selected the land cover (LC) of Sichuan Province at five periods and the spatiotemporal dynamic equivalent factor method to assess the ESVs from 2000 to 2020. Additionally, the study coupled the Markov chain and GeoSOS-FLUS model, and predicted the future pattern of ESVs under four future development scenarios. The results show that (a) the areas of forests, shrubs, waters, wastelands, wetlands, and impervious areas showed a continuous increase from 2000 to 2020, with the most frequent interchanges occurring among croplands, forests, and grasslands. (b) The implementation of ecological protection and restoration projects led to a 13,083.32 × 108 yuan increase in ESV, and barycenter of the ESVs is located in the northeastern part of Ya'an and exhibits a tendency to move towards the northeast. (c) The ESV aggregation pattern of each city has remained unchanged, with Ganzi being the only city with a high aggregation. Overall, there are more conflict cities than coordination cities between economic development and the ecological environment. (d) The total ESV in 2025 will continue to increase under all development scenarios, reaching a maximum of 50,903.37 × 108 yuan under the EP scenario. This study can provide insights for ecological planning decisions and sustainable regional socio-economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global demand for underground gas storage (UGS) is steadily increasing, with the limestone-based UGS system situated in the Sichuan Basin of China gathering considerable interest in recent years. However, studies focusing on the fundamental mechanisms of the injection-production process in these systems are limited. Moreover, existing studies utilizing physical experimental methods frequently fall short in effectively visualizing micro-flow or incorporating real core samples from the reservoir. To address these gaps, we performed a coreflood experiment, integrating micro-Computed Tomography (CT) scanning to investigate mechanisms of fluid flow and storage capacity during the injection and production cycles in limestone reservoirs. Our approach involved utilizing core plugs with artificially engraved fracture-vuggy structures, which mimic the characteristics of the reservoir. Micro-CT scans were performed to visualize the microscopic changes in fractured-vuggy structures and the distribution of irreducible water during each cycle. This study reveals that increased cycles correspondingly affect gas storage capacity, particularly by expanding it in relative larger vuggy structures while reducing it in finer fissure network structures. The amount of irreducible water decreases after injection-production cycles, likely being expelled alongside the extracted dry gas. This plays a critical role in expanding the storage capacity in larger vuggy systems. Conversely, there is a decrease in storage capacity within fissure network systems, as the irreducible water is replaced by gas. This leads to a reduction in the opening force of the fine conduit. The dense matrix has a very limited effect on the flow mechanism and its influence on storage capacity. Overall, these findings offer practical insights for optimizing injection and production strategies in limestone UGS systems within the Sichuan Basin, contributing to a deeper understanding and efficient utilization of this vital infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male plants and fertile populations ofAscidiota blepharophyllaC.Massal. from Wanglang National Nature Reserve of Sichuan Province in China have been discovered recently. Here we present a description and illustrations of the androecia and sporophytes, and comment on the conservation status of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Under the guidance of sequence stratigraphy and through analyses of large amounts of well and outcrop data, the correspondence of all formations in the Cambrian of southern and central Sichuan Basin is defined and a new scheme of stratigraphic division and correlation for the Cambrian in central-southern Sichuan Basin is proposed based on the characteristics of lithology, logging curves and fossils. The Jiulaodong Formation in southern Sichuan Basin is corresponding roughly to the Qiongzhusi Formation in central Sichuan Basin, the Yuxiansi Formation in southern Sichuan roughly to the Canglangpu, Longwangmiao and Gaotai formations in central Sichuan Basin, the Xixiangchi Group in southern Sichuan roughly to the same group in central Sichuan. The Cambrian in central-southern Sichuan Basin is divided into the Qiongzhusi Formation, Canglangpu Formation, Longwangmiao Formation, Douposi Formation and Xixiangchi Group from bottom to top. On the basis of that, sedimentary facies of the Cambrian was studied. Controlled and impacted by the paleo-uplifts formed by Caledonian Orogeny, the deposition of the Cambrian experienced three evolutionary stages: shore–continental shelf, restricted platform–evaporation flat–shelf lagoon, restricted platform. The sandy, oolitic and carst dolomites in the Longwangmiao Formation and the Xixiangchi Group are the targets of oil and gas exploration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Permian-Triassic natural gas migration paths and accumulation patterns in the central-west Sichuan region have been studied by way of examining the three-dimensional shape, light intensity excitation and fingerprint characteristics of aromatic hydrocarbons fluorescence spectra of gas-field waters. The Permian-Triassic gas-field waters in the central-western Sichuan Basin have (condensate) gas reservoir characteristics, where three subclasses (base peak, double peak and odd peak, but mainly the stable type of base peak subclass) and seven types of three-dimensional fluorescence characteristics have been identified. Three-dimensional fluorescence characteristics of the waters of the Permian-Middle and Lower Triassic differ greatly from that of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation. The former is mainly influenced by hydrocarbons from high to over mature Lower Paleozoic marine shales and the Upper Permian Longtan Formation coals, but the latter is mainly influenced by its own source rock maturity differences and organic matter type difference. Research on the three-dimensional fluorescence characteristics indicates that the Upper Permian and Middle to Lower Triassic reservoirs in the Moxi structure are predominately dominated by vertical migration and accumulation. Gas in the reservoirs below the Leikoupo Formation originates mainly from the Longtan Formation coals, while the Leikoupo Formation gas reservoir includes gas from a gypsum-salt rock section. Gas in the Xujiahe gas reservoir in the Pingluoba structure is mainly migrated from central-southern faults and the reservoirs have strong lateral heterogeneity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: New research on basic geology has been done for Upper Carboniferous carbonate lithologic gas pools in the Huanglong Formation in the eastern Sichuan Basin. Based on the development characteristics of terrigenous clastic deposit and the development location of suspending gravels with some psephicity, the transgression direction and tidal depositional system distribution are deduced. It is believed that, two transgression channels were developed in southeast of Yunyang and northwest of Dazhou in the area, two tidal-flat depositional systems in Chongqing-Wanzhou and southeast of Dazhou respectively were formed, and a suit of complete type-I sequence composed of lowstand systems tract (C2h1), transgressive systems tract (C2h2) and early highstand systems tract (C2h3) was developed. Sedimentary microfacies features of each member of the Huanglong Formation were delineated finely. In the middle stage of late Carboniferous, transgressive systems tract was developed in eastern Sichuan, where shallow shoal and algal dolomite-flat microfacies were developed, which are favorable for the development of carbonate lithologic traps. In contrast, in the early and late stages of late Carboniferous, lowstand systems tract and highstand systems tract were developed, respectively, where shallow shoal microfacies were poorly developed, which limited the large scale development of carbonate lithologic traps. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Floral color polymorphism can provide great insight into species evolution from a genetic and ecological standpoint. Color variations between species are often mediated by pollinators and are fixed characteristics, indicating their relevance to adaptive evolution, especially between plants within a single population or between similar species. The orchid genus Pleione has a wide variety of flower colors, from violet, rose-purple, pink, to white, but their color formation and its evolutionary mechanism are unclear. Here, we selected the P. limprichtii population in Huanglong, Sichuan Province, China, which displayed three color variations: Rose-purple, pink, and white, providing ideal material for exploring color variations with regard to species evolution. We investigated the distribution pattern of the different color morphs. The ratio of rose-purple:pink:white-flowered individuals was close to 6:3:1. We inferred that the distribution pattern may serve as a reproductive strategy to maintain the population size. Metabolome analysis was used to reveal that cyanindin derivatives and delphidin are the main color pigments involved. RNA sequencing was used to characterize anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway-related genes and reveal different color formation pathways and transcription factors in order to identify differentially-expressed genes and explore their relationship with color formation. In addition, qRT-PCR was used to validate the expression patterns of some of the genes. The results show that PlFLS serves as a crucial gene that contributes to white color formation and that PlANS and PlUFGT are related to the accumulation of anthocyanin which is responsible for color intensity, especially in pigmented flowers. Phylogenetic and co-expression analyses also identified a R2R3-MYB gene PlMYB10, which is predicted to combine with PlbHLH20 or PlbHLH26 along with PlWD40-1 to form an MBW protein complex (MYB, bHLH, and WDR) that regulates PlFLS expression and may serve as a repressor of anthocyanin accumulation-controlled color variations. Our results not only explain the molecular mechanism of color variation in P. limprichtii, but also contribute to the exploration of a flower color evolutionary model in Pleione, as well as other flowering plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sinian Dengying Formation is a key target for deep oil and gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin, China. Natural gas was mainly distributed in the Ziyang–Weiyuan area (ZWA) and the Gaoshiti–Moxi area (GMA). At present, the genetic types and sources of natural gas are still unclear and controversial. The chemical composition, stable carbon isotopes, and biomarkers were used to analyze geochemical characteristics, genetic types, and gas–source relations. The results showed that the composition and content of hydrocarbon gas in the ZWA and GMA were similar. Natural gas was a typical dry gas with an average dry coefficient (C 1 /C 1 +) of 0.9991, which reflected higher methane (CH 4) content and lower heavy hydrocarbon gas (C 2 +) content. For nonhydrocarbon gas, CO 2 (0.01%–26.34%), N 2 (0.03%–24.95%), H 2 S (0.10%–3.19%), and He (0.01%–0.37%) were mainly distributed. Compared with the GMA, the ZWA was characterized by higher N 2 content and lower CO 2 content. Although the carbon isotopes had not been reversed, the values of δ13C 2 –δ13C 1 were different between the ZWA and GMA, with the GMA having the higher value. The assemblage relation between the natural gas composition and carbon isotopes indicated that the natural gas type was dominated by oil-cracking gas. Mud-shale in the high maturity stage of thermal evolution greatly influenced on the content of N 2 and He. H 2 S mainly belonged to thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR), and most of CO 2 was formed by deep carbonate metamorphism and TSR. The gas–source relation showed that natural gas in the ZWA was derived from the Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation and that the gas in the GMA mainly originated from the Sinian Dengying Formation and the Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation. The established hydrocarbon generation model indicated that the Sinian Dengying Formation is potentially gas-rich. • The Sinian Dengying Formation natural gas was a typical dry gas, dominated by oil-cracking gas. • Source rocks of the Qiongzhusi Formation and Dengying Formation were the mainly gas source for gas reservoirs. • The resource potential was qualitatively evaluated by the established hydrocarbon generation model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]