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STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine the optimal effective dose of pituitrin in laparoscopic myomectomy for uterine leiomyoma. DESIGN Double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. SETTING Tertiary women's hospital in China. PATIENTS Total of 118 patients who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy. INTERVENTIONS Patients randomly received 0, 2, 4, or 6 units of pituitrin injected into the myometrium surrounding the myoma. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Rate of satisfactory surgical condition, hemodynamic changes, total surgical time, and blood loss were recorded. The rates of satisfactory surgical conditions were 6.7%, 72.4%, 89.7%, and 93.3% in groups 0U, 2U, 4U, and 6U, respectively; they were higher in groups 2U, 4U, and 6U than those in group 0U, but there were no significant differences among the groups 2U, 4U, and 6U. The blood loss was higher in group 0U than that in groups 2U, 4U, and 6U (p < .01). Pituitrin was associated with a transient decrease in blood pressures and an increase in heart rate in a dose-dependent fashion, with more pronounced changes in groups 4U and 6U, and these groups also required a higher amount of vasoactive drug to correct hemodynamic changes (p < .05). CONCLUSION Two units of pituitrin could provide a satisfactory surgical field with minimal hemodynamic changes for laparoscopic uterine myomectomy.

The Wufeng-Longmaxi shales and the Niutitang shales are the most important organic-rich marine shales in southern China. To fully understand the significant difference in drilling results between the two sets of shales, the accumulation conditions of shale gas were systematically compared. The Niutitang shales have a superior material base of hydrocarbon generation for higher total organic carbon than the Wufeng-Longmaxi shales. Due to the influence of hydrothermal activities and carbonization of organic matter, however, the porosity, pore volume, pore size, and pore connectivity of Niutitang shales is obviously lower than that of Wufeng-Longmaxi shales. The natural fractures of Wufeng-Longmaxi shales are dominated by horizontal bedding fractures, and most of them are filled by calcite. By contrast, the high dip-angle fractures are more developed in the Niutitang shales. Especially, these fractures remain open in stages during the process of serious uplift and denudation movements. Thus, the seal conditions of the Niutitang shales are poor, which is further not conducive to the enrichment of shale gas. Our work also suggests that the exploration and development of highly over matured marine shales in southern China should follow the principle of “high to find low, and strong to find weak.”

Eleven 4-phenylcoumarins including three new 4-phenylcoumarins, mesuaferols A-C (

Using fresh core samples, we have determined the origin and formation process of Eocene lacustrine dolomites in the Tibetan Plateau through petrological, mineralogical, and geochemical analyses. Dolomitic rocks were collected from the upper member of the Eocene Niubao Formation in the Lunpola Basin, consisting of dolomitic mudstone, argillaceous dolomite, dolomite-bearing mudstone, and mud-bearing dolomite. These dolomites are dominated by aphanotopic and microcrystalline dolomites, with minor amounts of euhedral or subhedral powder- and fine-crystalline dolomites. Carbon and oxygen stable isotopes, combined with ubiquitous gypsum in study area, indicate a semisaline continental lake under strong evaporative conditions. The revealed relatively high temperature of the dolomitization (33.8°C–119.1°C), combined with hydrothermal minerals such as cerous phosphate and barite, reflect the participation of dolomite from hot fluids. Moreover, the inferred dolomitization temperatures decrease gradually toward the center of the lake basin, suggesting the resurgence of hydrothermal fluids along a fault zone on the lake margin. This proves that frequent thermal events occurred at the boundary fault of the Lunpola Basin margin during early Himalayan orogenesis. In addition, Jurassic carbonates interacting with hydrothermal fluids, as well as strong evaporation conditions, likely provided favorable conditions for the formation of primary lime sediments. A rich source of [Formula: see text] brought by volcanic ash, hydrothermal fluids, and the Jurassic carbonates then created conditions for dolomitization during the depositional period. Strong evaporation under a relatively hot climate enhanced penecontemporaneous dolomitization, thus forming dolomite. Tibetan Plateau was under arid to semiarid climate conditions, and there was a widespread distribution of dolostones in western, central, and northern China during the Eocene period. The hydrothermal dolomites of the upper Niubao Formation testify for active hot springs, whereas lacustrine dolomite imply arid or semiarid climates during the Eocene, in the early stages of Himalayan orogenesis.

In the Middle and Upper Yangtze region of South China, there are well developed sets of marine shale strata. Currently only Wufeng Longmaxi shale gas has been developed in scale, while the Sinian and Cambrian shale gas are still under exploration. The various shale strata show different characteristics in lithological features, such as lithofacies types and reservoir physical properties, which are due to the influence of tectonic pattern, sedimentary environment, and diagenesis caused by tectonic subsidence. This will affect the later fracturing technology and fracturing effect. The shale reservoirs of Sinian doushantuo, Cambrian Niutitang, Upper Ordovician Wufeng, and the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale were evaluated and compared with each other with respect to their sedimentary environments, lithofacies, minerals compositions, and micro pore characteristics. The reservoir characteristics of the shale and the main control factors of shale gas enrichment were summarized in this study.

Eleven 4-phenylcoumarins including three new 4-phenylcoumarins, mesuaferols A–C (1–3), together with eight known 4-phenylcoumarins (4–11) have been isolated from the flowering buds of Mesua ferrea. Their structures were elucidated via UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, and NMR spectral data. Compound 9 showed moderate cytotoxic activity toward MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, HepG2 and HeLa cell lines with IC50 values of 13.68 ± 1.36 μM, 9.27 ± 1.84 μM, 21.06 ± 1.95 μM, and 7.26 ± 1.68 μM, respectively, and other compounds showed weak cytotoxicity.

Subaerial volcanism and atmospheric volcanic ash deposition have been recognized as factors that can greatly affect the nutrient content of the surface ocean and the redox conditions of the water column. Black siliceous, organic-rich mudstone and shale containing numerous volcanic ash layers were deposited in the South China Block during the Ordovician-Silurian transition. Although this association has been observed in other regions, whether there is a relationship between volcanic ash and the organic carbon contents and the effect of volcanic ash remains unclear. Based on analysis of the concentrations of major elements, trace elements, and total organic carbon in the volcanic ash and shale, we found that anoxic and high-productivity environments existed during the Ordovician-Silurian transition and that organic matter was preferentially preserved under these conditions. For the volcanic ash, we quantitatively estimated the depletion of the nutrient elements Fe, Si, and P (in percentages). The calculated results show that leaching removed 25–75% of the Fe, Si, and P in most of the ash samples in the study area, potentially leading to high marine primary productivity in the surface water. Redox conditions also played a major role in the preservation of organic matter. The trace element analysis results show that although productivity was high during the Ordovician-Silurian transition, organic matter was preferentially preserved in the Lower Silurian strata. Therefore, high organic matter flux and good preservation conditions both contributed to the formation of the organic-rich shale, and volcanic ash was the dominant source of nutrients for primary productivity.

Owing to successful shale gas exploration and development, wells were drilled into the Longmaxi shale formation in the Jiaoshiba area, Southeast Sichuan Basin, China. However, shale gas production in Longmaxi varies greatly between the North and South Jiaoshiba areas. To determine the factors controlling the shale gas accumulation mechanism, the total organic carbon (TOC) content, mineralogy, porosity, permeability, total gas content, gas preservation conditions, and tectonic activities of Longmaxi Shale in both the North and South Jiaoshiba areas were studied in detail. The results show that the concentration of organic matter and minerals in the Longmaxi shale differed slightly between the South and North Jiaoshiba areas, and the lower Longmaxi Shale (Long 1 Member), which is used in commercial shale gas production, is characterized by a high quartz content and low clay content. In addition, the Longmaxi shale in the North Jiaoshiba area is characterized by high porosity and low permeability, while that in the South Jiaoshiba area has low porosity and high permeability. Two different reservoir types were identified in the Jiaoshiba area. The major storage spaces are pores in the Longmaxi shale reservoirs located in the North Jiaoshiba area, while the storage capacity of shale reservoirs in the South Jiaoshiba area is predominantly provided by fractures. Shale gas mainly exists as free gas in the Northern Jiaoshiba area due to the good gas preservation conditions. However, owing to the development of abundant faults in the South Jiaoshiba area, a large amount of free gas was lost, causing absorbed gas to dominate the shale reservoir in this area.

The Ordovician–Silurian organic-rich shales in the Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations are widespread in southern China and are the most important shale gas producers in China. The shales display varying total organic carbon content ranging from 0.2% to 6% and are composed of black siliceous mudstone, shelly limestone, siliceous clay-rich mudstone, gray silty–shaly interlaminated mudstone, gray argillaceous mudstone, and calcareous or dolomitic mudstone. Detailed stratigraphic correlation of these formations was achieved, and a high-resolution sequence stratigraphy was constructed based on the integration of well-log data, mineralogical, geochemical, and petrophysical analyses. The Wufeng Formation and the Guanyinqiao Bed were interpreted to be a condensed section with four cycles of sea-level fluctuation. The Longmaxi Formation consists of three members. The Long-1 Member was interpreted to be a third-order depositional sequence that can be subdivided into a transgressive systems tract, an early highstand systems tract, and a late highstand systems tract. Within the constructed isochronal stratigraphic framework, the characteristics and genetic mechanism of different shale lithofacies were studied. The deposition of black siliceous mudstone of high total organic carbon in the Wufeng Formation and the Long-1 transgressive systems tract was likely influenced by volcanic activity. The Guanyinqiao shelly limestone or calcareous mudstone was associated with the Ordovician–Silurian transition when glaciation and mass extinction took place. The gray silty–shaly interlaminated mudstone of moderate total organic carbon in the Long-1 early highstand systems tract was the product of bottom flow intrusion. The deposition of gray argillaceous mudstone and calcareous or dolomitic mudstone with low total organic carbon in the Long-1 late highstand systems tract resulted from enhanced terrigenous input from peripheral uplifts. The distribution pattern of different lithofacies varies greatly in the Upper Yangtze area, and this difference is a result of dissimilar sediment provenances and variable hydraulic restriction levels that were controlled by basin geometry. A better understanding of the distribution pattern and depositional history of the Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations might provide guidance for future profitable shale gas exploration.

The Wufeng organic-rich shale is widespread in the Upper Yangtze platform, and it is one of the most advantageous shale gas producers in China. Its deposition commenced with the onset of the Boda warming event in the late Katian and terminated at the Hirnantian glacial maximum. The depositional mechanism of the Wufeng Formation was poorly understood owing to its relatively thin thickness, being interpreted as the result of organic matter (OM) accumulation in a shelf setting under anoxic conditions. This study integrated detailed geochemical analyses based on the core samples from three boreholes which are located in the outer-, middle- and inner-shelf of the Upper Yangtze platform, in order to investigate the depositional environments during the deposition of the Wufeng Formation. Geochemical redox proxies (Mo-EF, U-EF, and V/Cr) and productivity proxies (P, Baxs, Sixs) indicate that the deposition of the Wufeng Formation was associated with four intervals (WF1 to WF4), each characterized by its unique geochemical features related to sea-level fluctuations. Black siliceous mudstones deposited during WF1 and WF2 are relatively organic-lean due to low productivity, less favorable preservation conditions, and terrestrial dilution. Whereas black siliceous mudstone deposited during WF3 and WF4 is organic-rich due to high paleoproductivity and conducive preservation conditions. The geochemical proxies (Cd/Mo, Co x Mn) associated with the modern upwelling settings were replicated in the Wufeng Formation, revealing that the outer-shelf of the Upper Yangtze platform was dominated by persistent upwelling. The upwelling-driven primary productivity is considered as the first-order control for the OM enrichment at the outer-shelf of the Upper Yangtze platform. Seasonal upwelling may influence the middle-shelf of the Upper Yangtze Platform, where both primary productivity and preservation played essential roles in the OM accumulation. In contrast, the OM accumulation at the inner-shelf was fundamentally driven by good preservation conditions.

It is important to consider the influences of depositional environment on lithofacies characteristics, lithofacies distribution patterns, and organic matter enrichment when defining reservoir properties and predicting “favorable reservoirs” and “sweet spots”. In this study, we examined the Niutitang shale of the early Cambrian Niutitang Formation in western Hubei Province, middle Yangtze Block, to understand how depositional environment controlled organic matter accumulation in the Niutitang shale. Through a combination of detailed sedimentologic investigations with geochemical analyses, we identified four primary lithofacies, siliceous shale, siliceous-clay mixed shale, calcareous shale, and argillaceous shale, from the Y1 drill core. The sedimentological analyses, including systematic observations of the color of fresh rocks, grain size, sedimentary textures and structures, biogenic and diagenetic (e.g., veins and pyrite) characteristics in cores and thin sections with mineralogical analyses by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and changes in geochemical proxies, including TOC (wt.%), Mo EF , U EF , Ni/Al and Zn/Al, suggest that siliceous shale and siliceous-clay mixed shale were deposited in euxinic and anoxic deep water with high surficial paleoproductivity which primarily controlled by long term global sea level changes, and that the calcareous shale and argillaceous shale were deposited in shallow and oxygen-rich water conditions with low energy and low paleoproductivity in the surface water. The Niutitang shale changed from the siliceous shale-dominated lithofacies association (LA1), to the argillaceous shale-dominated lithofacies association (LA2), and then back to the siliceous shale-dominated lithofacies association (LA1), suggesting a variation of sedimentary environment from euxinic–anoxic deep-water environment (highstand), to relatively oxic and shallow water environment (lowstand), and then back to euxinic–anoxic deep-water environment (highstand). This may reflect changes in sea level and mechanisms of organic matter enrichment during sea level highstand and lowstand. The low Mo/TOC values of the siliceous shale and siliceous-clay mixed shale lithofacies are similar to the Mo/TOC values of marine sediments in Framvaren Fjord, suggesting that the study area was located in a moderately restricted basin during deposition of the Niutitang shale. The Fe/Ti and Al/(Al + Fe) ratios and the Al–Fe–Mn diagram combined with our detailed petrographic studies and the good correlation between TOC and quartz contents are indicative of a mainly biogenic origin with a minor detrital source for the silica in the Niutitang shale. TOC is well correlated to Mo EF , U EF , Ni/Al and Zn/Al values in LA1, but it is only moderately correlated to Mo EF and U EF values and weakly correlated to Ni/Al and Zn/Al values in LA2. The correlation relationships suggest that good preservation in euxinic–anoxic water conditions and high primary paleoproductivity were the major controlling factors of organic matter enrichment, whereas organic matter accumulation during sea level lowstand was mainly controlled by water redox conditions because primary paleoproductivity remained persistently low in the more restricted basin with shallow water and limited nutrient upwelling. The correlations between TOC content and clay minerals within the different lithofacies associations suggest that adsorption of carbon components by clay minerals promoted the accumulation of organic matter to various extents in LA2 but probably did not impact organic matter enrichment in LA1.

Semi-open hydrous pyrolysis experiments on coal-measure source rocks in the Xihu Sag were conducted to investigate the carbon isotope evolution of kerogen, bitumen, generated expelled oil, and gase...

As a typical sedimentary structure in fine-grained rocks, laminae are widely distributed in shales and mudstones in sedimentary basins. The Shahejie Formation (42.2–45.4 Ma) formed during the Eocene of the Paleogene in the Dongying Depression of China is recognized as a typical area to study lacustrine shale. According to the composition of different lamina, four types of couplets are identified, including carbonate-clay couplets, carbonate-organic couplets, clay-organic couplets and carbonate-clay-organic triplets. All couplets are composed of light and dark layers. A combination of core images, microscopic observations, mineral compositions, geochemical data, carbon and oxygen isotopes, and strontium isotopes verifies that the laminae are primarily developed in a saline and anoxic, or even euxinic environment, with a high organic matter (OM) flux. Through astronomical cycle analysis of the natural gamma ray (GR) curve from sample site well NY1, the data suggest that the lacustrine shale laminae are formed annually with an average duration of 1.34 yr. The formation of laminae is affected by the season, which is closely related to the seasonal growth and death of algae. During the period of algae growth, a large number of light-colored carbonate laminae are deposited, whereas when the algae dies, organic matter accumulates at the bottom of lakes and forms dark organic-rich laminae. The interbedded and lenticular laminae, which are subdivided by layering characteristics, are primarily affected by diagenesis in postdepositional processes. Study of the laminae is helpful in understanding the formation process of lacustrine shale, and it provides invaluable sources of information for paleoclimate reconstruction.

The Jiaoshiba shale gas field and Pengshui area are both located in the southeast Sichuan Basin with only 100 km apart. Although these two areas obtained shale gas flow from the Lower Silurian Longmaxi marine shale, there is a huge difference of production in these two areas where the Jiaoshiba shale gas field is more productive than the Pengshui area. In order to figure out the reason that caused this difference, this study analyzed the Longmaxi marine shale in these two areas by using drilling cores, and mineralogical and geochemical data. The results show that the Jiaoshiba shale gas field has a higher quality shale reservoir (higher content of quartz, higher porosity, higher permeability and higher TOC (Total Organic Carbon)) in the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation than that of the Pengshui area. The Lower Silurian Longmaxi marine shale in the Jiaoshiba shale gas field contains a higher total gas content (3.65 m3/ton in average) than that of the Pengshui area (1.19 m3/ton in average). Through structure analysis, this study found that the Jiaoshiba shale gas field and the Pengshui area located in the different tectonic units. The Jiaoshiba shale gas filed is located in the East Sichuan fold belt (wide spaced anticlines area) at the west side of the Qiyue mountain fault where less fractures are developed and the pressure coefficient is more than 1.5, resulting in much more free gas preserved in the shale reservoirs in the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation (the ratio of free gas content and absorbed gas content is 1.6), while the Pengshui area is located in the Hunan-Hubei-Guizhou thrust belt area at the east side of the Qiyue mountain fault where much more fractures are developed and the pressure coefficient is less than 1.0, leading to less free gas preserved in the Longmaxi marine shale (the ratio of free gas content and absorbed gas content is 0.6), that is why the shale reservoir in the Pengshui area has a lower total gas content than that in the Jiaoshiba shale gas field.

Deposition of the organic-rich shales of the Wufeng and lowermost Longmaxi formations (late Katian through Hirnantian) occurred in a relatively stable tectonic setting and commenced at approximately 4.5 Myr prior to the end-Ordovician glacial maximum. These organic-rich shales are important because they provide a continuous sedimentary record of high-frequency eustatic changes associated with ice-sheet expansion and shrinkage. Here, we carried out a high-resolution cyclostratigraphic study of Fe3+ series and associated geochemical analysis of the Wufeng and lowermost Longmaxi shales in order to better understand sea-level cyclicity in the late Katian through Hirnantian ocean. The organic-rich shales deposited during this interval in the EHD1 drill core (Yichang, China) record four major Myr-scale eustatic cycles, which were associated with third-order sea-level fluctuations. Within each of these major cycles, 3–4 minor eustatic cycles corresponding to 405-kyr long eccentricity astronomical cycles were recognized and representing fourth-order eustatic changes. The cyclostratigraphic age of this study is generally in agreement with the radiometric dates in GTS2012, although the duration of the Hirnantian stage is ~0.5 Myr longer than previously thought. This study also infers glacial controls on the depositional environment of the organic-rich shales, as enhanced cooling triggered ice-sheet expansion and concurrent sea-level fall, leading to higher thermohaline circulation intensity and enhanced paleoproductivity through upwelling and terrestrial influx. In contrast, warming intervals led to ice-sheet shrinkage and concurrent deepening characterized by water column stratification and reduced nutrient supply. The results provide evidence in support of continuous continental glaciation in the late Katian through Hirnantian.

Recent studies based on proxy records and paleoclimate simulations have suggested monsoon climate in Asia as early as the Eocene. However, good proxy record of Eocene monsoon is rare in eastern Asia where East Asia summer monsoon prevails. Here we study middle Eocene lacustrine deposits of the Shahejie Formation in the Bohai Bay Basin in eastern China to understand middle Eocene paleoclimate and its stability. Our study integrates new δ13C and δ18O data of authigenic lacustrine carbonates, lake water salinity proxy of Mg/Ca ratio, and published carbonate minerology, chemical weathering proxy data of CIA* and Ln(Al2O3/Na2O), and lithofacies interpretations from two cores to provide new understanding of paleoclimate elements. Our results show that in most part of the record, the authigenic calcite δ18O values in laminated mudstone-dominated lithofacies display frequent variations, up to 2.9‰, while Mg/Ca ratio and dolomite content remain low and nearly stable. These features suggest frequent variations of lake water level driven by changes in runoff amount because of changing intensity of summer monsoonal precipitation during the middle Eocene. The comparison of stable isotope variation with modern precipitation stable isotope record in the study area and seasonal precipitation of the laminated lithofacies both support the interpretation of seasonal climate. We interpret that the lake water and carbonate δ18O values decreased when the East Asia summer monsoon was strong and increased when the monsoon was weak. During two periods of the studied middle Eocene interval, the lake water experienced periodic intense evaporation, causing high Mg/Ca ratios and dolomite content, and high authigenic dolomite δ18O values up to 0‰. These periodic drying events likely reflect millennial-scale droughts that are common today to the East Asia summer monsoon because of warming in the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool. We infer that the frequent droughts in the two periods of the middle Eocene were resulted from very warm climate during the two periods. We conclude that the East Asia summer monsoon existed in eastern China during the middle Eocene, and the climate state was not stable.

The organic matter-rich shales in Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation have been considered to be a high-quality source rock and a main shale-gas producer in southern China. As the material basis of shale gas, the organic matter content in shales exhibits a notable vertical difference in the Jiaoshiba area of Fulin shale gas field. This study integrated detailed geochemical analysis and sedimentary observations to investigate organic matter enrichment and depletion mechanism. Three intervals are identified by organic matter contents and their according variations. Six major lithofacies are identified based on mineral composition X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, microscopic observations and Focused Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM) data. Geochemical redox proxies (Mo-EF, U-EF, V/Cr and Corg/P) indicate that organic matter-rich shales of Wufeng and bottom Longmaxi formation are deposited in anoxic conditions, whereas organic matter-lean shales of the middle to top Longmaxi formation are deposited in oxic environment. This pattern is influenced by both worldwide marine transgression and regional tectonic movement. The productivity proxies (P/Al, Cu/Al, Ni/Al, SiO2-bio) indicate that the organic matter-rich Wufeng-Longmaxi shales were deposited under moderate to high surficial primary productivity. Increasing terrigenous influxes dominated organic matter dilution and may have been promoted by regional tectonic uplift. The organic matter enrichment or depletion mechanisms in each unit are controlled by different geological events. Enrichment was controlled by multiple reasons, including both global and regional factors, whereas depletion was mainly dominated by regional tectonic uplift. Additionally, the sequence stratigraphic boundaries coincide with organic matter shifting interfaces, indicating that high-resolution sequence stratigraphy of fine-grained sediments may have a certain effect on optimal reservoir predication. Conversely, boundaries of TOC and geochemical proxies may also help to subdivide sequence boundaries.

Based on detailed sedimentological observations and geochemical analyses, four geological events have been identified, and a genetic depositional model has been established within a sequence stratigraphic framework. The organic-rich siliceous shale interbedded with dense bentonite layers in the transgressive systems tract 1 (TST 1) is attributed to the first stage of high-frequency volcanism (which started at ∼447.62 Ma) associated with the collision of the Cathaysia and Yangtze Blocks. The presence of the organic-fair lime mudstone/shelly limestone indicates that Hirnantian Glaciation in the highstand systems tract (HST). The occurrence of organic-rich siliceous shale interbedded with scarce bentonite layers in the transgressive systems tract 2 (TST 2) is attributable to the second stage of low-frequency volcanism (which started at ∼443.83 Ma) and to postglacial effects. The formation of organic-fair mixed shale with silty laminae is attributed to bottom-current activity in the early highstand systems tract (EHST). The occurrence of organic-poor clay-rich shale is due to terrigenous input in the late highstand systems tract (LHST). Our research also shows that the high marine productivity caused by volcanic ash and a high burial rate in an anoxic depositional setting led to organic matter and siliceous mineral enrichment in the TST 1 and TST 2. The favorable organic matter preservation conditions and the postglacial biotic recovery played significant roles in the formation of the organic-rich shale in the TST 2.

The Sinian Doushantuo Formation is the oldest shale gas reservoir discovered in the world, which contains good shale gas shows as the Eyangye-1 and Zidi-1 wells in the Yichang Region of western Hubei province, China. The shales in the Doushantuo Formation feature considerable thickness (135 m), high gas content (4.83 m3/t) and high fragile mineral content (up to 75%). Due to the influences of the sedimentary environment, the shale reservoirs here have high dolomitic content (54%) and abruptly changes in vertical lithofacies. Moreover, the characteristics of the shale sweet-spot differ significantly from that in the Wufeng Formation and Longmaxi Formation in southeast Sichuan Basin. A high-resolution sequence stratigraphic correlation was performed on the shales of the Doushantuo Formation at the Eyangye-1 well, Zidi-1 well, Zidi-2 well and some outcrop profiles in Yichang area for the identification of their sedimentary microfacies characteristics. A comprehensive comparative analysis was made by incorporating the elemental geochemistry, wireline and mud logging data of the well to further identify the sweet-spot interval therein. With the analysis of Eyangye-1 well, the sweet-spot interval of the Doushantuo Formation is 3360−3408 m, of which sedimentary microfacies is deepwater reduced environment with many pyrite laminaes, and the TOC is high to 3.42%, the Ro is 3.3%, the organic and matrix pore are well developed and the aperture more than 50 nm, the porosity is 2.7%, the desorption gas content average is 2.16%, and the main mineral is dolomitic (54%) and siliceous quartz (21%). Additionally, these parameters combined with previous studies will shed light on evaluating and characterizing the layers therein, also provide referential geological data for the following exploration and development activities of this shale system.

The Paleogene succession of the Bohai Bay Basin (BBB), a highly productive petroleum basin in northeastern China with predominantly lacustrine fill, is poorly dated at present. Here, we generated an internal astronomical time scale (ATS) for the Paleogene strata of the Bohai Bay Basin (Dongying Depression, Jiyang Subbasin) using multitaper method (MTM) spectral analysis of high-resolution gamma ray logs. This ATS, which extends from 66 to 23 Ma, is anchored to the standard geologic time scale by calibration to the Paleogene/Neogene boundary (23.03 Ma) at the top of Dongying Formation. Based on this ATS, we recalibrated the ages of biozones, rifting episodes, and paleoclimate stages within the BBB. The recalibrated ages of rifting episodes and related fluctuations in sedimentation rates exhibit a close relationship to secular variation in production rates of Pacific oceanic plateaus and spreading rates of the Southeast Indian Ridge, confirming that the subsidence history of the BBB was significantly influenced by subduction of the Pacific Plate along the eastern margin of Asia and by collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates. Age recalibration also facilitated re-evaluation of the relationship of sedimentation in the Bohai Bay Basin to the Paleogene climate history of East Asia, e.g., confirming a cooling and drying trend throughout the Eocene.

It is essential to investigate shale lithofacies distribution and controlling factor of the shale for geological evaluation of shale gas exploration and development. Through comprehensive analysis of cores, thin sections, cathode luminescence, whole-rock X-ray diffraction, element capture spectroscopy, major/trace element and other data, three major types and eight sub-type shale lithofacies in the shale of Wufeng Formation-Member 1 of Longmaxi Formation in Jiaoshiba area are identified by the three-end-member method and shale lithological classification nomenclature, and the spatiotemporal distribution law and main development controlling factors of shale lithofacies are well studied. In the Jiaoshiba area, vertically, the marine shale develops siliceous shale, mixed shale and argillaceous shale from bottom to top. Besides, lateral distribution of the shale is different from north to south; the shale lithofacies in the north area changes rapidly, the mixed shale in the north area is much thicker than that in the south area, while the siliceous shale in the south area is relatively thicker. Difference in the shale lithofacies is controlled by special sedimentary geologic events; development of the siliceous shale is controlled by the Ordovician-Silurian global volcanic event to some extent, while the mixed shale is significantly influenced by effect of bottom current, and the argillaceous shale is mainly affected by supply of terrestrial clastic material. Keywords: Shale lithofacies, Paleoproductivity, Redox condition, Volcanic activity, Bottom current, Wufeng formation-member 1 of Longmaxi Formation, Jiaoshiba area

This paper analyzes the sedimentology and lithofacies of the lacustrine shale from the third member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation (Es3) in the Dongpu sag, Bohai bay basin, eastern China. The results show that lacustrine shale is heterogeneous in its sedimentary structure, lithology, mineralogy, lithofacies, and oil content. From the margin of the lake to its center, the depositional environment progresses from delta front to prodelta to deep water lake, and the primary sedimentary lithologies changes from interbedded mudstone and sandstone to mudstone with siltstone to mudstone with evaporite and carbonate rocks. The major deep water deposits are laminated shales. From the lake margin to the center, felsic mineral content decreases gradually, and clay mineral and pyrite content increases gradually. Felsic mineral content is the highest in the delta front shale, and clay mineral and pyrite content is highest in the deep water lake. Shale lithofacies also change with the depositional environment. The lithofacies of the delta front shale are primarily felsic-rich lithofacies: clay-rich carbonate-poor felsic shale (S-4) and a clay-rich, carbonate-poor felsic-rich mixed shale (MS-2). The lithofacies of the prodelta shale are primarily a carbonate-poor felsic-rich muddy shale (M-2), S-4, and MS-2. The lithofacies of deep water lake shales are primarily clay mineral-rich lithofacies: M-2, MS-2, and the clay-rich, carbonate-rich, felsic-rich mixed shale (MS-3). The TOC and the types of organic matter also change with the depositional environment in the Dongpu sag. The results of this study show the sedimentary structures, lithology, mineral content, lithofacies, and spatial distribution of the lacustrine shale was not only controlled by the macro depositional environment and the local depositional environment, but also controlled by the source and transport (or the sediment transport path), water depth, and accommodation space.

The extent of marine influence on the Paleogene Bohai Bay Basin in northeastern China, which accumulated mainly continental (e.g., fluvial and lacustrine) facies, remains under debate. Evidence from geochemical, paleontological, and lithological data have documented several marine incursions, but no systematic study has been conducted to investigate their timing and frequency and their significance for understanding the Paleogene tectonic evolution of northeastern China. In order to address the marine influence on sediment accumulation and to identify variations in paleosalinity during deposition of the mid-Eocene lower Es3 (Es3L) Member of the Shahejie Formation, this study analyzed multiple paleosalinity proxies (B/Ga, Sr/Ba, and S/TOC) in fine-grained siliciclastic (argillaceous) sediments of the Luo-69 drillcore from the Dongying Depression. All three proxies yielded similar paleosalinity interpretations, with peak salinity and marine influence (i.e., maximum B/Ga, Sr/Ba, and S/TOC values) occurring at the base of the Es3L Member, and progressively declining salinities, representing a shift toward brackish conditions, upsection over an interval of 185.5 m representing ~2.2 Myr of sedimentation. This paleosalinity record suggests gradual long-term variations that were probably due to changes in tectonically controlled gateways linking the Bohai Bay Basin to the Yellow Sea. In addition to analysis of the mid-Eocene Es3L Member, published data on the stratigraphic distribution of marine fossils, glauconite, and elemental paleosalinity proxies are applied to evaluate the history of marine incursions into the Bohai Bay lake system throughout the mid to late Paleogene (~50–24 Ma). This analysis revealed four intervals of probable major marine incursions dating to the early Eocene, the middle Eocene, the early Oligocene, and the late Oligocene.

Based on the corresponding relationship between the paleoproductivity, redox conditions and volcanism within a chronostratigraphic framework, the effects of volcanic events in the Wufeng–Longmaxi period on organic abundance of shale were examined. Bentonite layers were mostly developed in the transgressive systems tract 1 (TST1, Wufeng Formation) and transgressive systems tract 2 (TST2, Longmaxi Formation), and the two systems tracts corresponded to favorite shale lithofacies with high silica and total organic carbon (TOC) contents. According to the stratigraphic characteristics of bentonite rich interval, TST1 is classified as the interval with dense bentonite layers with the frequency of bentonite layer (bentonite layers/time) of more than 1.5 layers/Ma and the cumulative thickness ratio of bentonite layers (thickness of bentonite layers/thickness of shale) of more than 1%; TST2 is classified as the interval with sparse bentonite layers (frequency < 1.5 layers/Ma; cumulative thickness ratio < 1%). TST1 (dense interval) witnessed more intense and high-frequency volcanic activities than TST2 (sparse interval), so the TST1 has generally higher TOC than TST2. The intense and frequent volcanic activities had dual effects on organic-rich shale: on one hand, volcanic ash provided a sufficient supply of nutrients, which triggered high marine productivity; on the other hand, the extremely anoxic environment caused by volcanic activity enhanced the burial amount and preservation rate of organic matter. Key words: shale, organic abundance, volcanism, sequence stratigraphy, Ordovician Wufeng Formation, Silurian Longmaxi Formation, Upper Yangtze area, bentonite