Search

During the Late Paleozoic, West Junggar (Xinjiang, NW China) experienced a shift in tectonic setting from compression to extension. Ha'erjiao is an important area for investigating collisional structures, post–collisional structures, and magmatic activities. Based on the petrological and geochemical characteristics of pyroclastic and other volcanic rocks in the Permian Kalagang Formation from the borehole ZKH1205 in the Jimunai Basin, the main types of source rock for the pyroclastic rocks deposited in the basin are identified and their implications for the Early Permian tectonic setting examined. The abundance of basalt and andesite lithic fragments in the pyroclastic rocks, together with the REE characteristics and the contents of transition and high field strength elements show that the source rocks were chiefly intermediate–basic volcanic rocks. High ICV values, low CIA values, low Rb/Sr ratios, low Th/U ratios and the mineralogical features suggest weak chemical weathering of the source rocks; the geochemical patterns of the pyroclastic rocks might not only have been impacted by crustal contamination but also might be related to the nature of the magma from the source area. The geochemical properties of the pyroclastic rocks distinguish them from arc‐related ones, and such samples plot in the within‐plate basalt (WPB) field in some diagrams. This is consistent with the formation background of the Early Permian volcanic rocks in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Zhundong coalfield is a very large coal deposit, currently under exploration, and promises to be an important coal mining resource in Western China. The coal reserves amount to 164Gt. At Xiheishan and Wucaiwan, the coal-bearing units are the Badaowan (Lower Jurassic) and, especially, the Xishanyao formations (Middle Jurassic). These contain from one to 31 coal seams (one to 10 workable coals reaching the rank of high volatile A bituminous) with an accumulated workable coal thickness of 20–87m. These recently explored coal reserves are of a high quality and are characterized by low ash, aluminum, iron, sulfur, and trace element contents. The minerals present in this coal are mainly quartz, kaolinite, siderite, and pyrite. The trace element contents in both Xiheishan and Wucaiwan coals are much lower when compared with the usual concentration ranges present in Chinese coals, with the exception of Ba and Sr. Thus, Ba contents in Xiheishan coal are higher than Swaine''s worldwide concentration range. A large number of elements have mainly aluminosilicate affinity, and occur in clay and other detrital coal minerals. Ca and Mn have mainly carbonate affinity; Fe and S have mainly sulphide affinity in Wuchaiwan coal. In Xiheishan, Fe, Mn and Mg have mainly carbonate affinity (siderite), and probably, B, Co, Ni and S have an organic affinity. Thus, the Zhundong coalfield contains coal with a very high quality and very low levels of impurities. The very low ash yields, S, Fe, and trace element contents may be attributed to the sedimentological setting, with intensive peat bog aggradation in a very shallow lake environment with a low detrital supply. The very low sulfur content, the relatively high Ba-sulfate (barite) content and the high siderite occurrence in Xiheishan coal (in contrast to the pyrite occurrence in Wucaiwan coal) may be attributed to the rapid aggradation of peat with the consequent oxidation and leaching of minerals, elements, and degradation of organic components. Under this scenario, sulfate is trapped by the continuous precipitation and accumulation of barium sulfate (very low soluble). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]