Next Article in Journal
A Machine Learning Approach for the Clustering and Classification of Geothermal Reservoirs in the Ying-Qiong Basin
Next Article in Special Issue
Facies-Controlled Sedimentary Distribution and Hydrocarbon Control of Lower Cretaceous Source Rocks in the Northern Persian Gulf
Previous Article in Journal
Experimental and Numerical Study on the Seakeeping Performance of a Wind-Powered Generation Ship Considering Boom Configurations
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
JMSE
Volume 13
Issue 3
10.3390/jmse13030413
jmse-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Mechanisms of Uranium and Thorium Accumulation in the Lower Ediacaran Marine Sediments from the Upper Yangtze Platform, China: Implications for Helium Exploration

by
Yi Zou
1,2,
Qingyong Luo
1,2,*,
Huayao Zou
1,2,
Jianfa Chen
1,2,
Wenming Ji
3,
Jin Wu
1,2,
Tao Du
1,2,
Xintong Liu
1,2,
Zilong Fang
1,2,
Wenxin Hu
1,2,
Ye Zhang
4,5 and
Jinqi Qiao
1,2
1
Hainan Institute of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Sanya 572025, China
2
College of Geoscience, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
3
School of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
4
National Joint Engineering Research Center for Shale Gas Exploration and Development, Chongqing Institute of Geology & Mineral Resources, Chongqing 401120, China
5
Key Laboratory of Shale Gas Exploration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Chongqing Institute of Geology & Mineral Resources, Chongqing 401120, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(3), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13030413
Submission received: 7 February 2025 / Revised: 20 February 2025 / Accepted: 20 February 2025 / Published: 23 February 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration and Development)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

The ocean is a significant global reservoir of uranium (U) and thorium (Th). These elements can be incorporated into marine sediments through processes involving organic matter (OM), redox conditions, terrigenous inputs, and mineral interactions. Helium generated through the radioactive decay of U and Th within geological formations represents a critical potential resource. Marine black shales, which are rich in U and Th, are widespread in the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation of the Upper Yangtze Platform, making them a key target for helium exploration. However, there is limited research on the mechanisms behind U and Th accumulation in these shales. This study focuses on shales from the Doushantuo Formation in Chongqing, China, aiming to explore the mechanisms of U and Th accumulation and assess the potential for helium generation, and argillaceous dolomites are included for comparative analysis. The results show that the average U and Th content in the black shales (17.58 and 9.78 ppm, respectively) is higher than that of argillaceous dolomites (3.52 and 2.75 ppm, respectively). Uranium mainly comes from authigenic precipitation and hydrothermal inputs, while thorium is primarily sourced from terrigenous and hydrothermal inputs. The semi-humid climate in the provenance area facilitated parent rock weathering, with atmospheric precipitation and river systems transporting U and Th to the ocean. However, excessive terrigenous input can dilute the U and Th content in the sediments. In the shales, uranium is primarily adsorbed and/or complexed by organic matter (OM), with the anoxic–euxinic sedimentary environment and high OM content (TOC = 0.06–34.58 wt.%, r = 0.95) promoting U accumulation. Thorium accumulation is largely controlled by adsorption onto clay minerals. The total amount of helium generated from the Doushantuo shales is estimated to be 7.20 × 1010 m3.
Keywords: helium exploration; uranium accumulation; thorium accumulation; marine black shales; Ediacaran; Doushantuo formation helium exploration; uranium accumulation; thorium accumulation; marine black shales; Ediacaran; Doushantuo formation

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Zou, Y.; Luo, Q.; Zou, H.; Chen, J.; Ji, W.; Wu, J.; Du, T.; Liu, X.; Fang, Z.; Hu, W.; et al. Mechanisms of Uranium and Thorium Accumulation in the Lower Ediacaran Marine Sediments from the Upper Yangtze Platform, China: Implications for Helium Exploration. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13, 413. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13030413

AMA Style

Zou Y, Luo Q, Zou H, Chen J, Ji W, Wu J, Du T, Liu X, Fang Z, Hu W, et al. Mechanisms of Uranium and Thorium Accumulation in the Lower Ediacaran Marine Sediments from the Upper Yangtze Platform, China: Implications for Helium Exploration. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 2025; 13(3):413. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13030413

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zou, Yi, Qingyong Luo, Huayao Zou, Jianfa Chen, Wenming Ji, Jin Wu, Tao Du, Xintong Liu, Zilong Fang, Wenxin Hu, and et al. 2025. "Mechanisms of Uranium and Thorium Accumulation in the Lower Ediacaran Marine Sediments from the Upper Yangtze Platform, China: Implications for Helium Exploration" Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 13, no. 3: 413. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13030413

APA Style

Zou, Y., Luo, Q., Zou, H., Chen, J., Ji, W., Wu, J., Du, T., Liu, X., Fang, Z., Hu, W., Zhang, Y., & Qiao, J. (2025). Mechanisms of Uranium and Thorium Accumulation in the Lower Ediacaran Marine Sediments from the Upper Yangtze Platform, China: Implications for Helium Exploration. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13(3), 413. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13030413

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop