Thick layers of dark lacustrine mudstone in the Nenjiang Formation record the evolution of local depositional environments in the Songliao Basin. This evolution in lake water is accurately reflected in variations in trace element compositions in sedimentary rocks. In this study, element geochemistry and clay mineralogy in successive cores were investigated to have a closer insight into the paleolimnological environment and organic accumulation during the Nenjiang epoch. Analysis of the contents of Mn, Ca and Ti, as well as Rb/Sr and Sr/Cu revealed that paleoclimate cycled between warm and humid to semi-arid and hot. The study of Sr/Ba ratios, clay minerals and stable isotopes indicated that both high and low salinity existed in two stages, and that high salinity in Member 1 of the Nenjiang Formation is likely correlated with transgressive events. Analysis of the ratios of V/V + Ni, Ni/V and Th/U suggested that the paleolimnological environment was reducing. The investigation of paleotemperature demonstrated that the Nenjiang Formation was deposited in a warm water environment, analysis of carbon and oxygen isotopes revealed its deposition in open paleolake. High paleoproductivity and salinity as well as redox potentials represent the most favorable environment for oil shale enrichment.
1. Yang, Q. C., Jochum, K. P., Stoll, B., Weis, U., Börner, N., Schwalb, A., Frenzel, P., Scholz, D., Doberschütz, S., Haberzetti, T., Gleixner, G., Mäusbacher, R., Zhu, L. P., Andreae, M. O. Trace element variability in single ostracod valves as a proxy for hydrochemical change in Nam Co, central Tibet, during the Holocene. Palaeogeogr. Palaeocl., 2014, 399, 225–235.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2014.01.014
2. Zhu, M. Y., Babcock, L. E., Peng, S. C. Advances in Cambrian stratigraphy and paleontology: Integrating correlation techniques, paleobiology, taphonomy and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Palaeoworld, 2006, 15(3–4), 217–222.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.palwor.2006.10.016
3. Xi, D. P., Li, G., Wan, X. Q., Jing, X., Li, S. Yaojia-lower Nenjiang Formation and lake evolution of southeastern Songliao Basin, NE China. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 2009, 48(3), 556–568 (in Chinese with English abstract).
4. Jing, X., Li, S., Xi, D. P., Zhao, J., Wan, X. Q. Late Cretaceous spores and pollen assemblages and paleoclimate record of the Nenjiang Formation in Nong’An, Jilin Province. Acta Micropalaeontologica Sinica, 2011, 28(2), 193–203 (in Chinese with English abstract).
5. Zhao, J. Late Cretaceous palynology (spores, pollen, algae), climate and lacustrine conditions in Songliao Basin. China University of Geosciences for Doctoral Degree, 2013, 66–85 (in Chinese with English abstract).
6. Liu, Z. H., Zheng, R. C., Guo, X. Question of Cretaceous transgression event in Songliao Basin. Xinjiang Petroleum Geology, 2013, 34(3), 357–360 (in Chinese with English abstract).
7. Huang, Y. J., Yang, G. S., Gu, J., Wang, P. K., Huang, Q. H., Feng, Z. H., Feng, L. J. Marine incursion events in the Late Cretaceous Songliao Basin: constraints from sulfur geochemistry records. Palaeogeogr. Palaeocl., 2013, 385, 152–161.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2013.03.017
8. Bechtel, A., Jia, J. L., Strobl, S. A. I., Sachsenhofer, R. F., Liu, Z. J., Gratzer, R., Püttmann, W. Palaeoenvironmental conditions during deposition of the Upper Cretaceous oil shale sequences in the Songliao Basin (NE China): Implications from geochemical analysis. Org. Geochem., 2012, 46, 76–95.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2012.02.003
9. Feng, Z. Q., Jia, C. Z., Xie, X. N., Zhang, S., Feng, Z. H., Cross, T. A. Tectonostratigraphic units and stratigraphic sequences of the nonmarine Songliao basin, northeast China. Basin Res., 2010, 22(1), 79–95.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2117.2009.00445.x
10. Li, S. Q., Chen, F. K., Siebel, W., Wu, J. D., Zhu, X. Y., Shan, X. L., Sun, X. M. Late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the Songliao basin, NE China: Evidence from detrital zircon ages and Sr-Nd isotopes. Gondwana Res., 2012, 22(3–4), 943–965.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2012.04.002
11. Zhao, K. B., Sun, C. Q. Application of hydrocarbon geochemical exploration technique in natural gas exploration. Petroleum Geology & Experiment, 2004, 26(6), 574–579 (in Chinese with English abstract).
12. Lerman, A. D. I., Gat, J. (eds.). Physics and Chemistry of Lakes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1989.
13. Epstein, S., Mayeda, T. Variation of O18 content of waters from natural sources. Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 1953, 4(5), 213–224.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(53)90051-9
14. Clayton, R. N., Degens, E. T. Use of carbon isotope analyses of carbonates for differentiating freshwater and marine sediments. AAPG Bull., 1959, 43(4), 890–897.
15. Keith, M. L., Weber, J. N. Carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of selected limestone and fossils. Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 1964, 28(10–11), 1787–1816.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(64)90022-5
16. Zhao, X. Y., Luo, J. C., Yang, F. Application of clay mineral study results to hydrocarbon prospecting in Tarim Basin. Xinjiang Petroleum Geology, 2005, 26(5), 570–576 (in Chinese with English abstract).
17. Edzwald, J. K., O’Melia, C. R. Clay distribution in recent estuarine sediments. Clays and Clay Miner., 1975, 23, 39–44.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1975.0230106
18. Xu, C. Study of clay minerals in some salt lakes of China. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica, 1988, 19(3), 278–285 (in Chinese with English abstract).
19. Xu, Y. J. Foraminifera and seawater incursion events of the Late Cretaceous Songliao Basin. China University of Geosciences for Master’s Degree, 2012, 5, 39–41 (in Chinese with English abstract).
20. Zhang, X., Huang, X. X., Zhang, W. F. Characteristic of sedimentary evolution of Nenjiang Formation in southern Songliao basin. Journal of Yangtze University (Nat. Sci. Edit.), 2010, 3(7), 165–167 (in Chinese with English abstract).
21. Jones, B., Manning, D. A. C. Comparison of geochemical indices used for the interpretation of palaeoredox conditions in ancient mudstones. Chem. Geol., 1994, 111, 111–129.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(94)90085-X
22. Craig, H. The measurement of oxygen isotope paleotemperatures. In: Stable Isotopes in Oceanographic Studies and Paleotemperatures (Tongiorgi, E., ed.). Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Laboratorio di Geologia Nucleare, Pisa, 1965, 161–182.
23. Emrich, K., Ehhalt, D. H, Vogel, J. C. Carbon isotope fractionation during the precipitation of calcium carbonate. Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 1970, 8(5), 363–371.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(70)90109-3
24. Zhang, X. L. Relationship between carbon and oxygen stable isotopes in carbonate rocks and paleosalinity and paleotemperature of seawater. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 1985, 3(4), 18–29 (in Chinese).
25. Zheng, S. H., Zheng, S. C. Geochemical Analysis of Stable Isotopes. Beijing University Press, 1986, 12–106 (in Chinese).
26. Shen, J. N, Wang, Q. H., He, J. L., Lu, S. F. Estimation of the ancient lake temperature and paleo-climate of the Cretaceous period in the Songliao Basin. Journal of Jilin University (Earth Science Edition), 2008, 38(6), 946–952 (in Chinese with English abstract).
27. Yang, W. D., Chen, N. S., Ni, S. J., Nan, J. Y., Wu, M. Q., Jiang, J. Y., Ye, J. L., Feng, X. X., Ran, Y. Carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of carbonate rocks and dinosaur eggshell and environment significance in Cretaceous red layer. Chinese Science Bulletin, 1993, 38(23), 2161–2163 (in Chinese with English abstract).
28. Zhao, Z. Y., Zhao, J. H., Wang, H. J., Liao, J. D., Liu, C. M. Distribution characteristics and applications of trace elements in Junggar Basin. Natural Gas Exploration and Development, 2007, 2, 30–40 (in Chinese with English abstract).
29. Liu, C. Z., Zhao, Q. H., Wang, P. X., Lacustrine carbonate oxygen and carbon isotope correlation and oil paleolimnological type. Geochemistry, 2001, 30(4), 363–367 (in Chinese with English abstract).
30. Talbot, M. R. A review of the palaeohydrological interpretation of carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios in primary lacustrine carbonates. Chem. Geol. (Isot. Geosci. Sect.), 1990, 80(4), 261–279.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0168-9622(90)90009-2
31. Milliman, J. D. (ed.). Recent Sedimentary Carbonates, Part 1. Marine Carbonates. Springer, Berlin, 1974.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-65528-9
32. Wu, Y. Y., Chen, Z. Y., Wang, Z. H. Distribution of clay minerals in the Yangtze Delta Plain and its paleoenvironmental implication. Journal of East China Normal University (Natural Science), 2005, 1, 92–98 (in Chinese with English abstract).
33. Luo, Z., Shao, L. Y., Yao, G. H., Deng, G. M., Wang, H., Han, J. Mudstones in the Upper Permian coal-bearing series in eastern Yunnan and western Guizhou: Clay minerals composition and their environmental significance. Journal of Palaeogeograpy, 2008, 10(3), 297–304 (in Chinese with English abstract).
34. Wang, P. X. Introduction to Palaeo-oceanography. Tongji University Press, Shanghai, 1989, 1–20 (in Chinese).
35. Müller P. J., Suess, E. Productivity, sedimentation rate and sedimentary organic matter in the oceans. I. Organic carbon preservation. Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 1979, 26(12), 1347–1362.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0198-0149(79)90003-7
36. Mix, A. C. Pleistocene paleoproductivity evidence from organic carbon and foraminiferal species. In: Productivity of the Oceans: Present and Past (Berger, W. H., Smetacek, V. S., Wefer, G., eds.). John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1989, 313–340.
