Geochemical characteristics of K-bentonite in Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation in south Sichuan Basin
Gaoxiang Wang, Lei Chen, Xin Chen
School of Geoscience and technology ,Southwest Petroleum University,Chengdu 610500,China
Abstract:The Bentonite layers, as the product of special geological events, recorded the volcanic sedimentation and play a significant role for stratigraphic correlation. The black shale of the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation to the lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin is associated with multiple bentonite layers formed by the volcanic ash, which indicate frequent volcanic movements at that time. Based on core observation,XRD analysis,XRF analysis and ICP-MS analysis, the mineral composition and main trace elements of eight bentonite samples in south Sichuan Basin were analyzed,and the conclusions are as follows: 1.The bentonite of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation in the south Sichuan Basin is K-rich, mainly contains of clay mineral and amorphous mineral, and it’s secondary components are quartz, feldspar, pyrite, and carbonate minerals with few anatase. The clay mineral is dominated by illite/smectite mixed layers and illite. 2. The average content of SiO2,Al2O3 and K2O is 46.69%, 24.35% and 6.37%, respectively. According to K2O-SiO2 diagram and Zr/TiO2-Nb/Y diagram, the data are mainly located in the rhyodacite to andesite zone,which shows that the original magma was basic- neutral. 3.Comparing with the NASC, with the decrease of the incompatibility of trace elements, the standardized value of trace elements in K-bentonite of Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation shows a gradually increasing trend. The content of Cr, Ta, Zr and Hf is low, while the content of Rb, Co, Cs and Th is high. 4. According to chondrite and NASC standardization,the distribution model of rare earth elements is the “ right-leaning”. LREE are rich and HREE are poor, and there is mildly negative anomaly of Eu. 5. The original magma eruption was related to volcanic arc tectonic setting according to the tectonic environment discriminant diagram of the Th-Hf-Ta, which is related to the volcanic eruption in the continental margin after the collision and accretion between the Cathaysia Block and the Yangtze Block during the late Ordovician and early Silurian. 6.The bentonite has positive significance for the shale gas accumulation. On the one hand, after entering the sea, the volcanic ash provides nutrients for marine life and thus improves marine productivity. On the other hand, the hypoxic environment after volcanic eruption is a favorable condition for the burial and preservation of organic matter.
Key words:Bentonite; Wufeng Formation; Longmaxi Formation; Sichuan Basin