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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Mar. Sci.
Sec. Marine Biogeochemistry
Volume 11 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1518292
This article is part of the Research Topic Linking Source and Sink: Advances in Provenance and Sedimentary Processes of Marine Sediments View all 10 articles

Characterizing a complex buildup in the Pearl River Mouth Basin of the northern South China Sea: an interplay of Carbonates and Igneous Rocks

Provisionally accepted
Chen Beichen Chen Beichen 1Xu Leyi Xu Leyi 1Baojun Liu Baojun Liu 1Lili Zhang Lili Zhang 1Dong Xiao Dong Xiao 1Ya Gao Ya Gao 2*Feng Wu Feng Wu 3Xueqi Yang Xueqi Yang 1Yaming Zhou Yaming Zhou 1Yongkun Ma Yongkun Ma 1Yinglin Zhang Yinglin Zhang 1
  • 1 Shenzhen Branch of China National Offshore Oil Corporation Ltd., Shenzhen 518067, China, Zhenshen, China
  • 2 School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, China
  • 3 College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Volcanic mounds and carbonate buildups share similar geometries, making their differentiation in seismic data a significant challenge. This challenge is further compounded in complex buildups composed of both multi-stage developed igneous rocks and biogenic carbonates. To address this gap, this study investigates a mixed carbonate-igneous buildup at the central of the Baiyun Sag in the northern South China Sea. By analyzing the lithofacies of the carbonates and igneous rocks, the morphological features and spatial distribution patterns corresponding to these sedimentary and volcanic facies were identified. Well-to-seismic calibration was used to delineate the stratigraphic units, and typical seismic profiles of the buildup were analyzed. Eight distinct seismic facies were identified for carbonates and igneous rocks. The evolution of the buildup is divided into three stages: (1) volcanic eruptions and carbonates development, (2) overflowing magma and reef shoal deposits, and (3) reef-bank deposition accompanied by igneous intrusion. We propose that volcanic rocks can be distinguished from carbonates by the temporal and spatial coupling of typical features: (a) surface volcanic rocks and subsurface intrusive bodies are inseparable, with igneous rocks identifiable through faults and volcanic conduits; (b) carbonates typically display symmetrical structures on both sides of the highland and exhibit better stratification away from igneous activity; (c) carbonates generally show a convex clinoform and steep slope at the platform margin, while volcanic mounds exhibit concave gentle slopes. Furthermore, the analysis of high-quality reservoir development within the complex buildups is instrumental for advancing oil and gas exploration in volcanic seamounts and carbonate buildups.

    Keywords: carbonate platform, Volcanic mound, Seismic facies, Platform evolution, The baiyun sag

    Received: 28 Oct 2024; Accepted: 24 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Beichen, Leyi, Liu, Zhang, Xiao, Gao, Wu, Yang, Zhou, Ma and Zhang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Ya Gao, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, China

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