Lacustrine deposition in response to the middle eocene climate evolution and tectonic activities, Bohai Bay Basin, China

The lower unit of the third member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation (Es-3(L), 42.5 to similar to 40Ma) is one of the most important petroleum exploration targets in the Bohai Bay Basin. Lacustrine deposits are widely distributed in the Es(3)(L)unit of the Shulu Sag and display strong vertical and horizontal variations in lithofacies and geochemical characteristics. Based on core data, thin-section petrography, stable delta C-13 isotope analyses, and organic geochemistry data, eight lithofacies and six evolutionary lake stages are identified. Combining the results of the astronomical time scale (ATS) and the radiometric age, the correlation between the evolutionary lake stages of Es-3(L) and the Eocene global climate curve was illustrated. Tectonic movement caused the basin to subside and resulted in shallow lake formation (Stage 1) during the cooling phase prior to the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO); then, the lake level began to rise (Stage 2) with an increasingly warm and humid climate. Stage 3 corresponds to the peak of the MECO and was influenced by the warm and humid climate during the thermal maximum period, forming a deep, freshwater lake. This stage was followed by highly turbulent lake conditions (Stage 4), which were influenced by both the cooling climate and intensive tectonic activity. Subsequently, a stable lake (Stage 5) was formed, which was mainly controlled by the slightly warming climate since the tectonic movement was relatively stable, followed by another stage of turbulent lake conditions (Stage 6). The results show that the global mid-Eocene climate played an important role on the relative lake level changes and TOC enrichment. The MECO led to a rise in the relative sea-level and the obviously rise in relative lake-level in the Bohai Bay Basin. The evolution of the depositional settings was controlled by both global climate and tectonic activities and accounted for the deposition and distribution of lithofacies with distinctly different characteristics and origins.