Mechanisms of salinization in a middle Eocene lake in the Tanggu area of the Huanghua Depression. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yao, Guangqing; Li, Le; Cai, Mingjun; Liu, Yonghe
• Is Part Of: Marine and petroleum geology. Volume 86(2017)
• Page Start: 155
• Page End: 167
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Sha-3-5 submember -- Evaporation -- Hydrothermal eruption -- Provenance -- Paleotemperature -- Climate; Submarine geology -- Periodicals; Petroleum -- Geology -- Periodicals; Géologie sous-marine -- Périodiques; Pétrole -- Géologie -- Périodiques; Petroleum -- Geology; Submarine geology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 551.468
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2017.05.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-8172

Abstract

Abstract: The Sha-3-5 Submember of the Shahejie Formation in the Tanggu area of the Huanghua Depression contains analcime-bearing dolomite, indicating salinization of an ancient lake during deposition. Solar evaporation and hydrothermal salinization have both been proposed as ways to generate these saline conditions. Based on a comprehensive analysis of core data, thin sections, spore and pollen data, elemental geochemistry, pyrolysis results, and vitrinite reflectance, we assessed the mechanisms driving salinization in light of provenance evolution, geothermal evolution, paleoclimate, mineral responses to evaporation, and the relationship between fluid temperature and salinity. The vertical profiles of ΣREE, Eu/*Eu, and T max exhibit little variation, and the maximum paleotemperatures attained by organic matter are comparable to present-day drill hole temperature. No major changes in provenance or paleotemperature and no petrological fabrics that would indicate a hydrothermal input are observed in the studied section. However, evidence for a semi-humid to semi-arid climate, primary evaporitic textures and structures, and a positive relationship between fluid temperature and salinity all support evaporation as the primary mechanism driving rising salinity. Solar evaporation, rather than hydrothermal eruption, appears to have been the primary factor driving lake salinization during middle Eocene deposition of the dolomitic Sha-3-5 Submember. Highlights: Provenance anomalies and geothermal anomalies are absent. Evaporitic setting existed during deposition. Salinization of an ancient lake was triggered by solar evaporation rather than hydrothermal eruption.