The extensive transgression that occurred on the Yangtze Plate in Early Cambrian led to a massive organic carbon pool in the Niutitang Formation. A black shale core section from 3 251.08 to 3 436.08 m beneath the Earth's surface was studied to estimate the contribution of oxygenic photosynthesis to organic carbon sink fluxes in Early Cambrian Upper Yangtze shallow sea. Results indicate that the oxygenic photosynthesis played the most important role in carbon fixation in Early Cambrian. Organic carbon sink was mainly contributed by photosynthetic microorganisms, e.g., cyanobacteria, algae and archaea. The Niutitang Formation was formed in a deep anoxic marine shelf sedimentary environment at a sedimentation rate of ~0.09±0.03 mm/yr. The initial TOC abundance in Niutitang shale ranged from 0.18% to 7.09%, with an average of 2.15%. In accordance with the sedimentation rate and initial TOC abundance, organic carbon sink fluxes were calculated and found to range from 0.21 to 8.10×10~3 kg/km^2·yr^(-1), especially the organic carbon sink fluxes in depth between 3 385 and 3 470 m range from 3.80 to 8.10×10~3 kg/km^2·yr^(-1), with an average of ~6.03×10~3 kg/km^2·yr^(-1), which is much higher than that of contemporary marine sediments. The organic carbon sink fluxes of Niutitang shale are equal to 0.56 to 21.61×10~3 kg/km^2·yr^(-1) net oxygen emitted into the Early Cambrian ocean and atmosphere, this emitted oxygen may have significantly promoted the oxygen level of the Earth's surface and diversification of metazoans.
During the past two years the shale gas exploration in Southern Sichuan basin received some exciting achievements.Data of a new appraisal well showed that the gas producrtions of vertical well and horizontal well are^1.5×104 m3/day/well(with maximum^3.5×104 m3/day/well)and^12.5×104 m3/day/well(with maximum^40×104 m3/day/well),respectively,indicating a good gas potential in this area.Eight core samples from the reservoir were investigated by using a carbon sulfur analyzer,microphotometry,x-ray diffractometry,field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM),mercury injection porosimetry(MIP),and low-pressure nitrogen adsorption to obtain a better understanding of the reservoir characteristics of the Upper OrdovicianeLower Silurian organic-rich shale.Results show that the total organic carbon(TOC)content ranges from 0.5%to 5.9%,whereas the equivalent vitrinite reflectance(VRr)is between 2.8%and 3.0%.Pores in the studied samples were observed in three modes of occurrence,namely,interparticle pores,intraparticle pores,and intraparticle organic pores.The total porosity(P)ranges from 1.6%to 5.3%,and MIP data sets suggest that pores with throats larger than 20 nm contribute little to the pore volume.Low-pressure N2 adsorption isotherms indicate that the total specific surface area(SBET)ranges from 9.6 m2/g to 18.9 m2/g,and the pore volume(V)ranges from 0.011 cm3/g to 0.020 cm3/g.The plot of dV/dW versus W shows that the fine mesopores(pore size(BJH)<4 nm)mainly contribute to the pore volume.The P,SBET,and V show a good positive correlation with TOC and a weak positive correlation with the total clay mineral content,thus indicating that the nanopores are mainly generated by the decomposition of organic matter.The reservoir characteristics of the Upper OrdovicianeLower Silurian organic-rich shale are comparable with commercial shale gas plays in North America.The sample gas contents with TOC>2%are more than 3.0 m3/ton.The observation can be a good reference for the future exploration and evaluation of reservoir in t
