Geochemical Characteristics of the Minghuazhen Formation in the Cangdong Sag, Bohai Bay Basin: Implications for Provenance, Paleoclimate, and Hydrocarbon Exploration

Jianzhou Yang, Yong Li (), Jingjing Gong, Zhuang Duan (), Shuqi Hu, Liling Tang, Wenli Su, Jianweng Gao, Zhenliang Wang, Lujun Lin, Keqiang Zhao and Shengping Gong
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Jianzhou Yang: State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Tianjin 300309, China
Yong Li: State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Tianjin 300309, China
Jingjing Gong: State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Tianjin 300309, China
Zhuang Duan: State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Tianjin 300309, China
Shuqi Hu: State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Tianjin 300309, China
Liling Tang: State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Tianjin 300309, China
Wenli Su: State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Tianjin 300309, China
Jianweng Gao: State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Tianjin 300309, China
Zhenliang Wang: State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Tianjin 300309, China
Lujun Lin: State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Tianjin 300309, China
Keqiang Zhao: State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Tianjin 300309, China
Shengping Gong: State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Tianjin 300309, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-17

Abstract: The Minghuazhen Formation in the Cangdong Sag of the Bohai Bay Basin is a key sedimentary unit for investigating regional provenance evolution, paleoclimate variations, and hydrocarbon potential in Eastern China. This study integrates mineralogical and geochemical analyses to explore sedimentary characteristics. Techniques include X-ray diffraction (XRD), major/trace element compositions, rare earth element (REE) distributions, and organic carbon content. XRD data and elemental ratios (e.g., Al/Ti, Zr/Sc) suggest a predominant felsic provenance, sourced from acidic magmatic rocks. The enrichment with light rare earth elements (LREE: La–Eu) and notable negative Eu anomalies in the REE patterns support the interpretation of a provenance from the Taihangshan and Yanshan Orogenic Belts. Geochemical proxies, such as the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) and trace element ratios (e.g., U/Th, V/Cr, Ni/Co), indicate a warm and humid depositional environment, characterized by predominantly oxic freshwater conditions. Organic geochemical parameters, including total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and C/N ratios, suggest that organic matter primarily originates from aquatic algae and plankton, with C/N values predominantly below 10 and a strong correlation between TOC and TN. The weak correlation between TOC and total carbon (TC) indicates that the organic carbon is mainly biological in origin rather than carbonate-derived. Although the warm and humid climate promoted the production of organic matter, the prevailing oxic conditions hindered its preservation, resulting in a relatively low hydrocarbon generation potential within the Minghuazhen Formation of the Cangdong Sag. These findings provide new insights into the sedimentary evolution and hydrocarbon potential of the Bohai Bay Basin.

Keywords: provenance; paleoclimate; geochemistry; organic carbon; hydrocarbon potential; Minghuazhen Formation; Cangdong Sag (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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