Paleoenvironmental, Paleoclimatic, and Tectonic Implications of the Yanghugou Formation in the Western Margin of the Ordos Basin, China: Evidence from Palynology and Elemental Geochemical Characteristics
This study explores the sedimentary environment and tectonic implications of the Upper Carboniferous Yanghugou Formation on the western margin of the Ordos Basin through the analysis of major elements, trace elements, and rare earth elements in 23 mudstone samples. The results indicate moderate chem...
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| author | Wei Yu Feng Wang Li Gong Jianling Hu Zhanrong Ma Ji Wang Jingyi Wu Yunxiao Xiao |
| author_facet | Wei Yu Feng Wang Li Gong Jianling Hu Zhanrong Ma Ji Wang Jingyi Wu Yunxiao Xiao |
| author_sort | Wei Yu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explores the sedimentary environment and tectonic implications of the Upper Carboniferous Yanghugou Formation on the western margin of the Ordos Basin through the analysis of major elements, trace elements, and rare earth elements in 23 mudstone samples. The results indicate moderate chemical weathering conditions, as reflected in the Chemical Alteration Index (CIA) and Component Variability Index (ICV) values. Warm and humid paleoclimatic conditions are suggested by Rb/Sr, Sr/Cu, spore, and pollen fossil samples. The paleosalinity of the water is identified as a transitional phase of a brackish water environment based on Sr/Ba and Th/U ratios. Additionally, V/(V + Ni) and δU values imply a transitional phase of a weak oxidation–reduction environment for the water. In accordance with the La-Th-Sc, Th-Sc-Zr, Th-Co-Zr, (La/Yb)-∑REE, and (La/Th)-Hf discrimination diagrams, it is inferred that the study area is part of a continental marginal tectonic setting. The sediments are primarily derived from an upper-crust felsic source area. The sedimentary period of the Yanghugou Formation in the western margin of the basin is considered a marginal rift basin characterized by north–south compression and western rift extension. This setting is influenced by the active continental margin of the Alxa block and the passive continental margin of the Qilian–north Qinling orogenic belt. |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:39:18Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
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| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-5aa36c31cbfd4c04976d8c70cfd775ee2024-01-26T17:51:53ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2023-12-011413210.3390/min14010032Paleoenvironmental, Paleoclimatic, and Tectonic Implications of the Yanghugou Formation in the Western Margin of the Ordos Basin, China: Evidence from Palynology and Elemental Geochemical CharacteristicsWei Yu0Feng Wang1Li Gong2Jianling Hu3Zhanrong Ma4Ji Wang5Jingyi Wu6Yunxiao Xiao7Institute of Sedimentary Geology, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, ChinaInstitute of Sedimentary Geology, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, ChinaInstitute of Sedimentary Geology, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, ChinaExploration and Development Research Institute of Changqing Oilfield Company, PetroChina, Xi’an 710000, ChinaExploration and Development Research Institute of Changqing Oilfield Company, PetroChina, Xi’an 710000, ChinaInstitute of Sedimentary Geology, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, ChinaInstitute of Sedimentary Geology, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, ChinaInstitute of Sedimentary Geology, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, ChinaThis study explores the sedimentary environment and tectonic implications of the Upper Carboniferous Yanghugou Formation on the western margin of the Ordos Basin through the analysis of major elements, trace elements, and rare earth elements in 23 mudstone samples. The results indicate moderate chemical weathering conditions, as reflected in the Chemical Alteration Index (CIA) and Component Variability Index (ICV) values. Warm and humid paleoclimatic conditions are suggested by Rb/Sr, Sr/Cu, spore, and pollen fossil samples. The paleosalinity of the water is identified as a transitional phase of a brackish water environment based on Sr/Ba and Th/U ratios. Additionally, V/(V + Ni) and δU values imply a transitional phase of a weak oxidation–reduction environment for the water. In accordance with the La-Th-Sc, Th-Sc-Zr, Th-Co-Zr, (La/Yb)-∑REE, and (La/Th)-Hf discrimination diagrams, it is inferred that the study area is part of a continental marginal tectonic setting. The sediments are primarily derived from an upper-crust felsic source area. The sedimentary period of the Yanghugou Formation in the western margin of the basin is considered a marginal rift basin characterized by north–south compression and western rift extension. This setting is influenced by the active continental margin of the Alxa block and the passive continental margin of the Qilian–north Qinling orogenic belt.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/14/1/32paleosedimentary environmenttectonic significanceYanghugou FormationOrdos Basin |
| spellingShingle | Wei Yu Feng Wang Li Gong Jianling Hu Zhanrong Ma Ji Wang Jingyi Wu Yunxiao Xiao Paleoenvironmental, Paleoclimatic, and Tectonic Implications of the Yanghugou Formation in the Western Margin of the Ordos Basin, China: Evidence from Palynology and Elemental Geochemical Characteristics Minerals paleosedimentary environment tectonic significance Yanghugou Formation Ordos Basin |
| title | Paleoenvironmental, Paleoclimatic, and Tectonic Implications of the Yanghugou Formation in the Western Margin of the Ordos Basin, China: Evidence from Palynology and Elemental Geochemical Characteristics |
| title_full | Paleoenvironmental, Paleoclimatic, and Tectonic Implications of the Yanghugou Formation in the Western Margin of the Ordos Basin, China: Evidence from Palynology and Elemental Geochemical Characteristics |
| title_fullStr | Paleoenvironmental, Paleoclimatic, and Tectonic Implications of the Yanghugou Formation in the Western Margin of the Ordos Basin, China: Evidence from Palynology and Elemental Geochemical Characteristics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Paleoenvironmental, Paleoclimatic, and Tectonic Implications of the Yanghugou Formation in the Western Margin of the Ordos Basin, China: Evidence from Palynology and Elemental Geochemical Characteristics |
| title_short | Paleoenvironmental, Paleoclimatic, and Tectonic Implications of the Yanghugou Formation in the Western Margin of the Ordos Basin, China: Evidence from Palynology and Elemental Geochemical Characteristics |
| title_sort | paleoenvironmental paleoclimatic and tectonic implications of the yanghugou formation in the western margin of the ordos basin china evidence from palynology and elemental geochemical characteristics |
| topic | paleosedimentary environment tectonic significance Yanghugou Formation Ordos Basin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/14/1/32 |
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