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28 pages, 14728 KB  
Article
Decoding the Middle Tonian Tectonic Evolution of the Jiangnan Orogen, South China: Integrated Constraints from Volcano-Sedimentary and Magmatic Records of the Fanjingshan Region
by Yaran Dai, Jiawei Zhang, Taiping Ye, Tingting Zhang, Jianshu Chen and Lei Shi
Minerals 2026, 16(3), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16030334 (registering DOI) - 21 Mar 2026
Abstract
The Middle Tonian tectonic setting of the Jiangnan Orogen, South China, remains intensely debated, and is centered on two competing models: subduction–collision versus mantle plume. This study addresses this critical knowledge gap through an integrated, multi-proxy investigation of the Middle Tonian Fanjingshan Group. [...] Read more.
The Middle Tonian tectonic setting of the Jiangnan Orogen, South China, remains intensely debated, and is centered on two competing models: subduction–collision versus mantle plume. This study addresses this critical knowledge gap through an integrated, multi-proxy investigation of the Middle Tonian Fanjingshan Group. This region preserves a continuous volcano-sedimentary and magmatic record, offering key insights into the orogen’s full lifecycle. To test these hypotheses, we employed a synthesis of geological survey, sediment provenance analysis, detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology of clastic rocks to determine sediment provenance and basin evolution, and petrogenetic study of coeval magmatic suites (pillow lava, mafic–ultramafic sills, and granitoids) to evaluate their magmatic processes and tectonic setting. Analysis of 1736 detrital zircon U-Pb ages from Middle Tonian strata reveals a four-stage provenance evolution: (1) SW Yangtze sources in a passive margin basin before 870 Ma; (2) bidirectional sources in an 870–835 Ma arc-derived basin; (3) syn-collisional detritus during 835–820 Ma amalgamation; and (4) post-collisional and northern Yangtze inputs in an 800 Ma rifting basin. Geochemical data from ~845–840 Ma basalts and coeval sills reveal calc-alkaline affinities and marked subduction-fluid signatures. Their calculated mantle potential temperature (1404 °C) is significantly lower than that expected for plume-derived melts (1570 °C), which is consistent with melting in a subduction-modified mantle wedge, supporting a continental rear-arc basin setting. The ~845–832 Ma mafic–ultramafic sills exhibit symmetrical geochemical zoning and two-stage emplacement, recording sustained magma recharge in the rear-arc basin. Furthermore, the ~830 Ma Fanjingshan granite is identified as a crust-derived, syn-collisional S-type granite. Synthesizing these findings, we demonstrate that the sedimentary and magmatic records collectively point to plate margin setting. A four-stage tectonic model is suggested: (1) pre-870 Ma passive margin without significant magmatic activity; (2) 870–835 Ma continental arc development at an active continental margin; (3) 835–820 Ma Yangtze–Cathaysia collision; and (4) post-820 Ma post-orogenic rifting. This work provides a robust regional case study, demonstrating that integrating records of deep magmatic processes with coeval shifts in sedimentary provenance and basin architecture is essential to reconstruct the complete evolution of ancient orogens. Full article
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26 pages, 6365 KB  
Article
Geochemical Behaviors and Constraints on REE Enrichment in Weathered Crust of Shallow Metamorphic Rocks: Insights from the Getengzui Ion-Adsorption REE Deposit, South China
by Huihu Fan, Zhenya Chen, Luping Zeng, Dehai Wu, Fuyong Qi, Zhenghui Chen, Tao Wang, Wei Wan and Shuilong Wang
Minerals 2026, 16(3), 321; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16030321 - 19 Mar 2026
Abstract
Ion-adsorption rare earth element (REE) deposits represent strategic critical resources in China, which were traditionally considered to be predominantly hosted in granite weathering crusts. However, the recent discovery of new deposit types within the weathering crusts of shallow metamorphic rocks in South China [...] Read more.
Ion-adsorption rare earth element (REE) deposits represent strategic critical resources in China, which were traditionally considered to be predominantly hosted in granite weathering crusts. However, the recent discovery of new deposit types within the weathering crusts of shallow metamorphic rocks in South China has opened up novel exploration frontiers, while research on their metallogenic mechanisms remains insufficient. To elucidate the REE enrichment mechanisms in shallow metamorphic rock weathering crusts, this study focuses on the Getengzui ion-adsorption REE deposit in southern Jiangxi Province. Twenty-four samples were collected from the weathering crust profiles of the Qingbaikouan Shenshan and Kuli Formations. Multiple analytical approaches were employed, including major and trace element analysis, Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), Base Leaching Index (BA), and quantitative evaluation of element mass transfer coefficients (τ). Trace element spider diagrams, REE distribution patterns, and A-CN-K diagram analysis were also utilized. The results reveal that the weathering crusts have progressed to the middle–late stage of chemical weathering. The average CIA value is 83 for the middle-upper part of the completely weathered horizon in the Kuli Formation. In contrast, for the completely weathered horizon in the Shenshan Formation, the value is 86. Intense chemical weathering has resulted in the near-complete decomposition of primary silicate minerals and extensive leaching of base cations. This progress has created an acidic pore water environment, which is critical for REE mobilization. REEs exhibit characteristics of in situ secondary enrichment, with significant enrichment of ΣREE in the middle-upper part of the completely weathered horizon. The peak τ(ΣREE) values reach 0.78 and 2.43 for the Kuli and Shenshan Formations, respectively. Apatite dissolution is identified as the primary source of REE ions. Differences exist in the geochemical mobility sequences of elements between the two formations. REE enrichment is controlled by multi-stage geochemical barriers, including an oxidation barrier and a clay adsorption barrier. The oxidation barrier preferentially fixes Ce4+, whereas the clay adsorption barrier serves as the dominant mechanism for large-scale REE enrichment. Parent rock lithology is the primary factor governing the efficiency, scale, and fractionation characteristics of REE enrichment. The Kuli Formation is favorable for forming the thick, large-scale orebodies enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs). In the contrast, the Shenshan Formation tends to host higher-grade orebodies, characterized by a relatively balanced ratio of LREEs and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs). This study clarifies the main controlling factors for ion-adsorption REE mineralization in two shallow metamorphic rocks. It thereby provides a theoretical basis for future exploration. This framework is applicable to analogous REE resources within shallow metamorphic rock distributions across South China and nationwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geochemical Exploration for Critical Mineral Resources, 2nd Edition)
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24 pages, 3686 KB  
Article
Rock Burst Risk Assessment for Coal Mining in Coal Pillars Under Complex Geological Conditions
by Xingyu Jiang, Chi Liu, Haitao Li, Tuan He, Pengyu Mu, Huaguang Liu, Yiqin Liu and Zhihan Li
Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 2939; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18062939 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 85
Abstract
To address the rock burst safety hazards encountered during coal seam mining in coal pillar areas under complex geological conditions and ensure sustainable and stable mine production, this study investigates the coal pillar area of a ventilation shaft in a mining area. Through [...] Read more.
To address the rock burst safety hazards encountered during coal seam mining in coal pillar areas under complex geological conditions and ensure sustainable and stable mine production, this study investigates the coal pillar area of a ventilation shaft in a mining area. Through an integrated approach incorporating field investigation, laboratory testing, numerical simulation, and engineering analogy, systematic research was conducted on rock burst mechanisms, geological modeling, and risk assessment. The results indicate that rock bursts in this coal pillar area represent tectonic-type disasters dominated by tectonic stress and induced by multi-factor coupling, with the coal seam exhibiting weak burst proneness. Based on a refined three-dimensional geological model constructed from borehole data, combined with mesh optimization and FDEM (Finite-Discrete Element Method) numerical simulations, precise delineation of rock burst hazard zones was achieved. These findings provide theoretical foundations and technical paradigms for safe mining operations in coal pillar area as under similar complex geological conditions, contributing to the sustainable development of coal resources through enhanced safety, extended mine service life, and optimized resource utilization. Full article
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16 pages, 2768 KB  
Article
The Effects of Different Intraoral Scanners, Scan Levels and Splinting Techniques on the Accuracy of Digital Impressions: An In Vitro Study
by Selin Atay and Ayşegül Kurt
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 2872; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16062872 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 159
Abstract
The accuracy of digital impressions in fully edentulous cases is limited by the lack of anatomical reference structures, potentially affecting passive fit. The effects of scanner type, impression level, and scan body splinting on accuracy remain insufficiently elucidated. This in vitro study aimed [...] Read more.
The accuracy of digital impressions in fully edentulous cases is limited by the lack of anatomical reference structures, potentially affecting passive fit. The effects of scanner type, impression level, and scan body splinting on accuracy remain insufficiently elucidated. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effects of different intraoral scanners, scanning levels, and scan body splinting methods on digital impression accuracy. A fully edentulous mandibular model with four implants (All-on-4) was fabricated, and scan bodies were connected at either the implant or multi-unit abutment level. Five splinting methods (nonsplinted, floss, orthodontic elastomeric, chain attachments, and single attachments) were applied, creating 10 experimental groups. Each group was scanned using three intraoral scanners: iTero Lumina (Align Technology, Tempe, AZ, USA), TRIOS 3 (3Shape A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark), and Medit i700 (Medit Corp, Seoul, Republic of Korea), with four repeated scans per scanner (120 scans total). Trueness and precision were assessed based on linear and angular deviations using Geomagic Control X (3D Systems, Rock Hill, SC, USA). Scanner type and scanning level significantly affected accuracy (p < 0.05), with TRIOS 3 showing higher deviations, while multi-unit abutments reduced deviations. Splinting methods showed no significant effect on accuracy, and precision did not differ among groups. Scanner type and scanning level significantly influenced digital impression accuracy; however, splinting methods yielded no significant effect. Precision remained comparable among groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Digital Dentistry and Oral Implantology)
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20 pages, 4485 KB  
Article
Geochronology, Genesis and Redox Condition of the Lisong Granites in the Guposhan Region, Nanling Range: Constraints from Zircon U-Pb Dating, Whole-Rock Geochemistry, and Apatite Geochemistry
by Weijian Zhou, Mengqing Tang, Wenjing She, Yongxin Zhou, Liu Yang, Gaofeng Du, Na Liu, Jinyu Zhang and Jingya Cao
Minerals 2026, 16(3), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16030313 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 128
Abstract
The Guposhan ore field, located in the Nanling metallogenic belt, is well known for large-scale Sn-W mineralization genetically linked to the Late Jurassic Guposhan pluton. The Lisong pluton, a product of regional magmatism, occurs in the central part of the Guposhan ore field. [...] Read more.
The Guposhan ore field, located in the Nanling metallogenic belt, is well known for large-scale Sn-W mineralization genetically linked to the Late Jurassic Guposhan pluton. The Lisong pluton, a product of regional magmatism, occurs in the central part of the Guposhan ore field. However, the critical factors responsible for the absence of intensive Sn polymetallic mineralization in the Lisong pluton remain poorly understood. Our geochronological results show that the coarse-grained hornblende-bearing and hornblende-free biotite monzogranites of the Lisong pluton were emplaced at 162.9 ± 1.5 Ma and 162.2 ± 2.3 Ma, respectively, which are contemporaneous with the Guposhan pluton. Geochemically, these intrusions are characterized by high SiO2, Al2O3, and total alkalis (K2O + Na2O), high Ga/Al ratios (3.09–3.69), and peraluminous compositions (A/CNK = 1.15–1.23), consistent with high K calc-alkaline A-type granites. Similar to the adjacent Guposhan pluton, the Lisong granites yield variable εHf(t) values from −3.0 to 5.7, apatite 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.69747–0.71190, and old two-stage Hf model ages (TDM2) of 0.85–1.40 Ga. These features suggest that the Lisong and Guposhan granites may share a common magma source involving mixing of crustal and mantle-derived melts. Apatite grains from the Lisong granites display negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.03–0.22) and near-normal to positive Ce anomalies (δCe = 0.99–1.07), which we interpret to reflect plagioclase fractional crystallization and reduced melt conditions, respectively. Bulk rock geochemistry and multi-element systematics of the Lisong granites indicate that they represent early-stage magmatic products. Their relatively low differentiation signatures were unfavorable for Sn enrichment and mineralization in the melt, which likely explains the lack of intensive Sn polymetallic mineralization in the Lisong pluton. Full article
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13 pages, 3554 KB  
Article
Experimental Study on Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in Multilayered Tight Sandstone Reservoirs of the Tarim Basin in China
by Rui Liang, Tengda Long, Xiaoguang Wu, Subing Wang, Zhongwei Huang, Rui Yang, Qiang Xu and Naikun Hu
Processes 2026, 14(4), 690; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14040690 - 18 Feb 2026
Viewed by 323
Abstract
The tight sandstone reservoirs of the Tarim Basin in China are characterized by vertically stacked multi-sweet spots. However, the strong vertical heterogeneity and discontinuity limit the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing for multilayered co-production. To investigate the mechanisms governing the vertical cross-layer propagation of [...] Read more.
The tight sandstone reservoirs of the Tarim Basin in China are characterized by vertically stacked multi-sweet spots. However, the strong vertical heterogeneity and discontinuity limit the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing for multilayered co-production. To investigate the mechanisms governing the vertical cross-layer propagation of hydraulic fractures in the multilayered sandstone reservoir, outcrop rocks of fine sandstone and siltstone from the area were collected. Subsequently, these rocks were cemented to fabricate multilayered experimental samples with lithological transition zones. Hydraulic fracturing experiments were performed to systematically study fracture propagation behavior, with particular focus on the influence of interlayered lithology, vertical stress differences, fracturing fluid injection rate, and fluid viscosity on vertical fracture growth. Experimental results demonstrate that hydraulic fracturing in multilayered sandstone can form both passivated and cross-layer fracture networks while also activating lateral propagation along lithological transition zones. When hydraulic fractures extend from high-brittleness layers to low-brittleness layers, their vertical propagation is limited, promoting shear activation along lithological transition interfaces. As the vertical stress difference increases, the vertical propagation range of hydraulic fractures expands progressively, with fracture morphology evolving from a passivated type to a single-wing cross-layer pattern and further developing into a bi-wing cross-layer geometry. Increasing the injection rate and viscosity of the fracturing fluid enhances cross-layer fracture propagation while suppressing the activation of lithological transition zones. The insights derived from this study can provide a theoretical foundation and engineering guidance for the design and implementation of hydraulic fracturing in multilayered tight sandstone reservoirs in the Tarim Basin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Petroleum and Low-Carbon Energy Process Engineering)
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24 pages, 17028 KB  
Article
Lithology Identification via MSC-Transformer Network with Time-Frequency Feature Fusion
by Shiyi Xu, Sheng Wang, Jun Bai, Kun Lai, Jie Zhang, Qingfeng Wang and Jie Zhang
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 1949; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16041949 - 15 Feb 2026
Viewed by 330
Abstract
Real-time lithology identification during drilling faces challenges such as indistinct boundaries and difficulties in feature extraction. To address these, this study proposes the MSC-Transformer, a novel model integrating time-frequency features with a deep neural network. A series of drilling experiments were conducted using [...] Read more.
Real-time lithology identification during drilling faces challenges such as indistinct boundaries and difficulties in feature extraction. To address these, this study proposes the MSC-Transformer, a novel model integrating time-frequency features with a deep neural network. A series of drilling experiments were conducted using an intelligent drilling platform, during which triaxial vibration signals were collected from five types of rock specimens: anthracite, granite, bituminous coal, sandstone, and shale. Short-time Fourier Transform (STFT) was applied to generate multi-channel power spectral density (PSD) maps, which were then fused into a three-channel tensor to preserve directional frequency information and used as inputs to the model. The proposed MSC-Transformer combines a multi-scale convolutional (MSC) module with a lightweight Transformer encoder to jointly capture local texture patterns and global dependency features, thereby enabling accurate classification of complex lithologies. Experimental results demonstrate that the model achieves an average accuracy of 98.21 ± 0.49% on the test set, outperforming convolutional neural networks (CNNs), visual geometry group (VGG), residual network (ResNet), and bidirectional long short-term memory (Bi-LSTM) by 5.93 ± 0.90%, 2.54 ± 1.11%, 6.38 ± 2.63%, and 10.56 ± 3.11%, respectively, with statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05). Ablation studies and visualization analyses further validate the effectiveness and interpretability of the model architecture. These findings indicate that lithology recognition based on time-frequency representations of vibration signals is both stable and generalizable, offering technical support for real-time intelligent lithology identification during drilling operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Computing and Artificial Intelligence)
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22 pages, 16421 KB  
Article
Depositional Age and Reworking Processes of the Gongyiming Banded Iron Formation, Inner Mongolia Province, China
by Dongsheng Wang, Pengyuan Qin, Fei Geng, Yongyue Ma, Hong Wang, Zhengxiang Gao, Yike Li, Changhui Ke, Ruiping Li, Jiawei Wang, Hongquan She and Zidong Peng
Minerals 2026, 16(2), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16020189 - 10 Feb 2026
Viewed by 276
Abstract
Banded iron formations (BIFs) are marine chemical sedimentary rocks comprised of alternating siliceous- and iron-rich bands and deposited from Eoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic. Due to their geological antiquity, BIFs normally have been overprinted by postdepositional tectono-thermal events, leading to large uncertainties with respect [...] Read more.
Banded iron formations (BIFs) are marine chemical sedimentary rocks comprised of alternating siliceous- and iron-rich bands and deposited from Eoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic. Due to their geological antiquity, BIFs normally have been overprinted by postdepositional tectono-thermal events, leading to large uncertainties with respect to their depositional age and field occurrence. The studied Gongyiming BIF-type iron deposit, which is a typical example of its metamorphosed Archean counterparts, is preserved within the Guyang Greenstone Belt, the North China Craton (NCC). The formation age of this BIF and effects of postdepositional tectono-thermal events on this BIF have not yet been well determined, limiting our understanding of its geological implication and the current occurrence of its orebodies. In this study, we provided new geological and zircon U-Pb geochronological evidence for the Gongyiming BIF that supports a possibly early Neoarchean depositional age (>2.66 Ga). This finding not only helps to fill the early Neoarchean age gap in BIF records in China, but also supports the previously documented multi-stage crustal growth model for the NCC. Furthermore, a metamorphic age of ~2.50 Ga is recorded by the BIF-bearing plagioclase amphibolite and monzogranitic gneiss that intruded into the plagioclase amphibolite. This metamorphic age is consistent with the time for an extensively identified late Neoarchean tectonic event in the NCC. The identification of a 1.90 Ga old potassium feldspar granite within this BIF indicates the plausible influence of the regional late Paleoproterozoic tectono-thermal event. This event is likely to have caused the development of a large-scale scale dextral shearing in the Gongyiming mining area, which ultimately shaped the field occurrence of its No. 2 and No. 3 ore bodies. Collectively, a structurally controlled exploration model was established for the Gongyiming BIF-type iron deposit, which facilitates the understanding of its ore body reworking processes and guides further regional iron deposit exploration and prospecting efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geochemical, Isotopic, and Biotic Records of Banded Iron Formations)
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17 pages, 2104 KB  
Article
Preliminary Evaluation of Gabbro Rock for Its Application in Agriculture as a Soil Remineralizer
by Karen Muñoz-Salas, María Guzmán-Florez, Xilena Galezo-Diaz, Claudete Gindri Ramos, Fausto A. Canales, Ruben Cantero-Rodelo and Edson Campanhola Bortoluzzi
Agriculture 2026, 16(4), 398; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16040398 - 9 Feb 2026
Viewed by 445
Abstract
Dependence on fertilizers limits the sustainability of tropical agriculture. Remineralization using rock byproducts offers a solution that is conditioned by the mineralogical–soil interaction. This study evaluated the agronomic and geochemical potential of a gabbro rock byproduct (GRB) as a bulk amendment in yellow [...] Read more.
Dependence on fertilizers limits the sustainability of tropical agriculture. Remineralization using rock byproducts offers a solution that is conditioned by the mineralogical–soil interaction. This study evaluated the agronomic and geochemical potential of a gabbro rock byproduct (GRB) as a bulk amendment in yellow maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation in Atlántico, Colombia. The specific objectives were (1) to characterize the mineralogy and geochemistry of the local GRB; (2) to quantify its neutralizing and fertilizing effect in an acidic Arenosol soil; and (3) to evaluate the biometric response of yellow maize (Zea mays L.) in a field trial. The trial was conducted in an acidic haplic Arenosol (pH 5.4) in 2023, with a 70-day cycle, comparing three management systems: M1 (control), M2 (47 Mg·ha−1 GRB, seed type: ICA-109), and M3 (47 Mg·ha−1 GRB, seed type: V-114). The assessed GRB, with 52.75% SiO2 and 5.46% CaO, is rich in calcic plagioclase, clinopyroxenes, and zeolites. Application of GRB at 47 Mg·ha−1 in treatment M3 coincided with marked changes in soil properties over the course of the trial, with pH rising from 5.4 to 6.4, cation exchange capacity from 5.0 to 12.1 cmol_c·kg−1, and available phosphorus from 9.8 to 35.0 mg·kg−1. Plants in M3 showed statistically significant increases (p < 0.001) in ear weight (median: 150 g vs. 60.5 g in M1) and in vegetative development. Because the trial was pseudo-replicated, used a high single-dose “shock-loading” rate, involved different maize genotypes across treatments, and covered only one 70-day cycle, these results should be interpreted as exploratory and site-specific. Even so, they indicate that GRB can act as an effective acidity corrector and slow-release multinutrient source under Arenosol conditions, with relevance for circular-economy strategies. Future work should evaluate agronomically doses, include replicated multi-cycle trials, and incorporate comparative and risk-assessment analyses. Full article
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15 pages, 4686 KB  
Article
Petrogenesis of Quartz Diorite in the Datian Complex, Western Yangtze Block: Evidence from U-Pb Geochronology, Geochemistry, and Sr-Nd-Hf Isotopes
by Jian Yao, Youliang Chen, Yu Wu, Jing Zhao, Luyu Huang and Minghui Yin
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1647; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031647 - 6 Feb 2026
Viewed by 297
Abstract
This study presents integrated zircon U-Pb geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic investigations of quartz diorite and gneissic quartz diorite from the Datian Complex along the western Yangtze Block, elucidating their petrogenesis and tectonic implications. Key findings reveal: (1) The crystallization ages of [...] Read more.
This study presents integrated zircon U-Pb geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic investigations of quartz diorite and gneissic quartz diorite from the Datian Complex along the western Yangtze Block, elucidating their petrogenesis and tectonic implications. Key findings reveal: (1) The crystallization ages of the Datian Complex (~770–755 Ma) record episodic magmatic activity over a ~16 Ma period, indicating a multi-stage tectonic evolution; (2) Both rock types exhibit intermediate SiO2 (57–64.58 wt.%), high Al2O3 (15.44–17.80 wt.%), and MgO (2.18–3.67 wt.%; Mg# = 47.41–52.65) with calc-alkaline signatures (Na2O/K2O = 1.14–2.65), coupled with adakitic traits including pronounced LREE/HREE fractionation (LaN/YbN = 3.83–26.4), negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.61–1.05), elevated Sr (372–701 ppm), and Sr/Y ratios (24.6–56.2), collectively classifying the complex as high-Si adakite; (3) The isotopic homogeneity (whole-rock Sr-Nd: 87Sr/86Sr(i) = 0.7038–0.7048, εNd(t) = −1.5 to–3.8; zircon Hf: εHf(t) = 1.24–6.88) supports a two-stage petrogenetic model involving partial melting of subducted oceanic slab, followed by mantle wedge metasomatism during magma ascent. These results position the Datian Complex as a Neoproterozoic arc-related adakitic magmatic system within the active continental margin of the Yangtze Block. Full article
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18 pages, 6208 KB  
Article
Fractal Characteristics of Pore Structure in Lacustrine Shale Oil Reservoirs and Controlling Factors of Oil Occurrence State: A Case Study of Da’anzhai Member, Sichuan Basin
by Miao Li, Xueying Yan, Yuqiang Jiang, Hongzhan Zhuang and Zhanlei Wang
Fractal Fract. 2026, 10(2), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract10020111 - 5 Feb 2026
Viewed by 269
Abstract
The Jurassic lacustrine oil shale in southwest China has become a primary production layer due to its high yield and substantial reserves. However, influenced by the lacustrine environment, the vertical profile of the lacustrine shale reservoir shows alternating deposits of shale and carbonate [...] Read more.
The Jurassic lacustrine oil shale in southwest China has become a primary production layer due to its high yield and substantial reserves. However, influenced by the lacustrine environment, the vertical profile of the lacustrine shale reservoir shows alternating deposits of shale and carbonate rock. This complex lithological combination results in significant heterogeneity in reservoir types, reservoir distribution, and internal structure. Currently, research on micro-pore structure and hydrocarbon storage mechanisms in lacustrine shales is insufficient, necessitating the elucidation of their micro-characteristics to support future exploration and development. This research focuses on the Da’anzhai Member of Jurassic Ziliujing Formation. Various techniques—including organic geochemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, physical property testing, gradient centrifugation, and gradient drying NMR monitoring—were employed to investigate the micro-pore structure and fluid storage mechanisms of the lacustrine shale reservoir. The following insights were gained from this research. The organic matter pores (OMP) and inorganic pores (IP) developed within the Da’anzhai lacustrine shale reservoir together create the storage space for shale oil, while micro-fractures further enhance the reservoir’s storage capacity and flow performance. Lacustrine shale oil exists in three storage states: mobile oil, bound oil, and adsorbed oil. Mobile oil is primarily located within the micro-fractures and large pores (greater than 350 nm) of the shale reservoir and is the main target for industrial extraction. Bound oil is mainly found in the meso-pores, micropores, and narrow pore structures between rock grains (30 nm to 350 nm), and, theoretically, could potentially be developed through engineering methods such as hydraulic fracturing. Adsorbed oil, due to its close binding with organic matter and clay mineral surfaces, is difficult to release effectively using conventional techniques. The OM abundance, the mineral composition of lacustrine shale, and the pore structure all influence the storage states of shale oil. While a high TOC value increases the amount of mobile oil, the strong adsorption properties of kerogen and organic matter lead to the accumulation of adsorbed oil, which inhibits oil flow. Clay minerals further restrict oil flow by enhancing adsorption, while brittle minerals facilitate the movement of mobile oil by expanding pore space. Based on fractal geometry theory and multi-scale testing results, the large pores in the Da’anzhai lacustrine shale have a high fractal dimension and exhibit complex shapes. However, as pore complexity increases, the amount of adsorbed oil rises significantly, which in turn reduces the proportion of movable oil. Full article
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22 pages, 3137 KB  
Article
Environmental Geochemistry of Sulfide-Bearing Iron Oxide Deposits in Scandinavia: Importance of Gangue Minerals and Sulfide Crystallinity in the Delay of Acid Generation
by Robert J. Bowell, Jessica Evans, Julien Declercq, Ruth Griffiths, Andrew Barnes, Christopher Brough, Lisa Fuellenbach, Elsabe Cloete and Tuomas Lahti
Minerals 2026, 16(2), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16020171 - 3 Feb 2026
Viewed by 305
Abstract
Sulfide-bearing iron oxide deposits consisting of magnetite and silicates are common within the greenstones of north-west Finland and northern Sweden. These iron oxide deposits have variable copper, gold, and uranium content and occur in association with tuffite, black schist, and dolomitic marble. The [...] Read more.
Sulfide-bearing iron oxide deposits consisting of magnetite and silicates are common within the greenstones of north-west Finland and northern Sweden. These iron oxide deposits have variable copper, gold, and uranium content and occur in association with tuffite, black schist, and dolomitic marble. The deposits have a resource size of up to 145 Mt and an iron content of 35%–50% (e.g., Stora Sahavaara). The total sulfur content of these deposits is typically in the range of 1%–5% but can have exceptional values up to 20.8%, and disseminated pyrite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite are commonly present. The prediction of acid rock drainage and metal leaching potential requires a detailed understanding of the site-specific rates and mechanisms of weathering. This has been obtained through geochemical (multi-element analysis and acid–base accounting) and mineralogical characterization testing undertaken on representative materials, including multi-element analysis, acid–base accounting, net acid generation testing, and humidity cell testing. Despite the high sulfide content and low neutralizing potential of most rock types found in these deposits, the humidity cell tests showed a delayed onset to acid generation, which is primarily attributed to sulfide crystallinity and mafic silicate dissolution leading to slow oxidation and reaction rates. The need for long-term kinetic testing is evident from the Hannukainen amphibole and schist rock types. This study provides an overview of the environmental geochemistry of the skarn-hosted sulfide-bearing iron oxide deposits in Scandinavia. These deposits show potential for acid generation but due to the buffering reactivity of mafic silicates and the high crystallinity of the sulfides, the rate of acid generation is slow and the onset of these conditions delayed by mineral buffering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acid Mine Drainage: A Challenge or an Opportunity?)
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16 pages, 3788 KB  
Article
Rock-Physics-Constrained Intelligent Porosity Prediction for Fracture–Vuggy Carbonate Reservoirs: A Case Study from the XX Well Block, Tarim Oilfield
by Haitao Zhao, Xingliang Deng, Yufan Lei, Zhengyang Li, Yuan Ma and Ziran Jiang
Processes 2026, 14(3), 520; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14030520 - 2 Feb 2026
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Abstract
Fracture–vuggy carbonate reservoirs exhibit strong heterogeneity, spatial discontinuity, and highly variable porosity, which limit the effectiveness of traditional seismic attributes and conventional inversion. Focusing on the XX well block in the Tarim Basin, this study develops a rock-physics-constrained Physics-Constrained TransUNet method for intelligent [...] Read more.
Fracture–vuggy carbonate reservoirs exhibit strong heterogeneity, spatial discontinuity, and highly variable porosity, which limit the effectiveness of traditional seismic attributes and conventional inversion. Focusing on the XX well block in the Tarim Basin, this study develops a rock-physics-constrained Physics-Constrained TransUNet method for intelligent porosity prediction. A carbonate-specific rock-physics model is first established, considering mineral composition, pore type, and water saturation, ensuring physical consistency between porosity, elastic parameters, and seismic responses. On this basis, a deep-learning framework integrating U-Net multi-scale feature extraction and Transformer global modeling is constructed. By embedding rock-physics priors, regularization constraints, and log-derived porosity labels, the method forms a unified physics- and data-driven inversion scheme. Applications to multiple deep wells and 3D post-stack seismic data from the FI7 fault zone demonstrate stable training, rapid convergence, and strong capability in capturing nonlinear porosity–seismic relationships. Compared with conventional inversion, the proposed approach significantly improves prediction accuracy in cavern-dominated intervals, fractured zones, and areas with abrupt porosity changes, while maintaining robust lateral continuity. Inter-well sections and target-layer slices further verify its effectiveness in identifying fracture–dissolution–vug composite reservoirs. The method provides a practical and reliable workflow for porosity prediction in ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs, supporting fine reservoir characterization and sweet-spot evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Petroleum and Low-Carbon Energy Process Engineering)
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21 pages, 9055 KB  
Article
Slope Geological Hazard Risk Assessment Using Bayesian-Optimized Random Forest: A Case Study of Linxiang City, China
by Can Wang, Zuohui Qin, Ting Xiao, Longlong Xiang, Renwei Peng, Maosheng Mi and Xiaodong Liu
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1309; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031309 - 28 Jan 2026
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Abstract
In order to meet the urgent needs of refined geological disaster risk assessment at a county scale, and in view of the shortcomings of existing methods in the aspects of sample dependence, rainfall time-varying differences, and vulnerability quantification, this study takes Linxiang City [...] Read more.
In order to meet the urgent needs of refined geological disaster risk assessment at a county scale, and in view of the shortcomings of existing methods in the aspects of sample dependence, rainfall time-varying differences, and vulnerability quantification, this study takes Linxiang City as an example, integrates multi-source data such as geology, geography, meteorology, remote sensing, and field survey, and explores practical methods. A random forest (RF) model was implemented for geological hazard susceptibility mapping, and its hyper-parameters were tuned using Bayesian optimization. Based on a statistical analysis of the frequency of historical disaster events, a risk classification of rainfall in the flood season and non-flood season was evaluated. A vulnerability simplification method based on the value and exposure of disaster-bearing bodies was proposed. Finally, rapid risk assessment was achieved by matrix superposition. The results showed that the model had high accuracy (AUC = 0.903). The use of field survey risk types effectively enhanced the susceptibility sample set and verified the accuracy of risk assessment. The risk factor in the flood season and non-flood season was significantly different, and the very-high- and high-risk areas in the flood season were mainly distributed in the shallow metamorphic rock mountainous area in the east of Yanglousi Town and the granite residual soil area in the south of Zhanqiao Town, the latter of which was highly consistent with the field survey results. This study demonstrated value in terms of sample enhancement, model optimization, consideration of time-varying rainfall, and vulnerability simplification. The evaluation results can provide direct support for the construction of a “point–area dual control” system for geological disasters in Linxiang City, and the methodological framework can also provide a practical reference for risk evaluation in other counties. Full article
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30 pages, 47854 KB  
Article
Genesis and Reservoir Implications of Multi-Stage Siliceous Rocks in the Middle–Lower Ordovician, Northwestern Tarim Basin
by Jinyu Luo, Tingshan Zhang, Pingzhou Shi, Zhou Xie, Jianli Zeng, Lubiao Gao, Zhiheng Ma and Xi Zhang
Minerals 2026, 16(1), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16010107 - 21 Jan 2026
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Abstract
Siliceous rocks of various colors and types are extensively developed within the Middle–Lower Ordovician carbonate along the Northwest Tarim Basin. Their genesis provides important insights into the evolution of basinal fluids and the associated diagenetic alterations of the carbonates. Based on petrographic, geochemical, [...] Read more.
Siliceous rocks of various colors and types are extensively developed within the Middle–Lower Ordovician carbonate along the Northwest Tarim Basin. Their genesis provides important insights into the evolution of basinal fluids and the associated diagenetic alterations of the carbonates. Based on petrographic, geochemical, fluid inclusion, and petrophysical analyses, this study investigates the origin of siliceous rocks within the Middle–Lower Ordovician carbonate formations (Penglaiba, Yingshan, and Dawangou formations) in the Kalpin area, Tarim Basin, and investigates the impact on hydrothermal reservoirs. The results reveal two distinct episodes of siliceous diagenetic fluids: The first during the Late Ordovician involved mixed hydrothermal fluids derived from deep magmatic–metamorphic sources, formation brines, and seawater. Characterized by high temperature and moderate salinity, it generated black chert dominated by cryptocrystalline to microcrystalline quartz through replacement processes. The second episode developed in the Middle–Late Devonian as a mixture of silicon-rich fluids from deep heat sources and basinal brines. In conditions of low temperature and high salinity, it generated gray-white siliceous rocks composed of micro- to fine crystalline quartz, spherulitic-fibrous chalcedony, and quartz cements via a combination of hydrothermal replacement and precipitation. A reservoir analysis reveals that the multi-layered black siliceous rocks possess significant reservoir potential amplified by the syndiagenetic tectonic fracturing. In contrast, the white siliceous rocks, despite superior petrophysical properties, are limited in scale as they predominantly infill late-stage fractures and vugs, mainly enhancing local flow conduits. Hydrothermal alteration in black siliceous rocks is more intense in dolostone host rocks than in limestone. Thus, thick (10–20 m), continuous black siliceous layers in dolostone and the surrounding medium-crystalline dolostone alteration zones, are promising exploration targets. This study elucidates the origins of Ordovician siliceous rocks and their implications for carbonate reservoir properties. The findings may offer valuable clues for deciphering the evolution and predicting the distribution of hydrothermal reservoirs, both within the basin and in other analogous regions worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Element Enrichment and Gas Accumulation in Black Rock Series)
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