Development of Upwelling during the Sedimentary Period of the Organic-Rich Shales in the Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations of the Upper Yangtze Region and Its Impact on Organic Matter Enrichment

Abstract

This study uses logging data, mineral component content, total organic carbon (TOC) content, and microscopic characteristics of the organic-rich shales in the Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations, as well as data reported by other researchers, to demonstrate that upwelling has played an important role in the organic matter enrichment. The results show that (1) the organic-rich shales of Well N211 in the Upper Yangtze region are located in the Wufeng Formation and the lower Longmaxi Formation, with a burial depth between 2308–2357 m. (2) The organic-rich shales are enriched in biogenic silica. (3) Based on paleogeographic location and characteristics of organisms, this study determines that upwelling occurred during the deposition of the organic-rich shales in the Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations, promoting the enrichment of organic matter in the shales. (4) The upwelling intensity gradually increased from the sedimentary period of the organic-rich shales in the mid-lower Wufeng Formation to the sedimentary period of the Guanyinqiao Member, and then decreased gradually from the sedimentary period of the Guanyinqiao Member to the sedimentary period of the organic-rich shales in the Longmaxi Formation, and leads to the different enrichment of organic matter in the vertical direction. The different developments of upwelling led to the coexistence of both high and low TOC contents in the Guanyinqiao Member along the vertical direction.

Keywords

• the Upper Yangtze region
• the Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations
• organic-rich shales
• silica characteristics
• upwelling