Research paperThe effect of river-delta system on the formation of the source rocks in the Baiyun Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin

- Effect of the ancient Pearl River on the formation of source rocks in the Baiyun Sag was discussed.
- The developmental environment of the source rocks was reconstructed.
- The main controlling factors of the source rocks were identified.
- The developmental model of the source rocks was proposed.

Source rock formation influenced by river-delta system, especially in continental margin basins, is still poorly understood. This article aimed to reveal the effect of river-delta system on the formation of the source rock by taking the Baiyun Sag of the Pearl River Mouth Basin for example. Paleo-Pearl River began to develop since the Enping Formation, providing abundant organic matter beneficial for the formation of the source rocks in the Baiyun Sag. The main controlling factor of source rock formation in the Baiyun Sag is terrestrial organic matter supply rather than the paleoproductivity or redox conditions. Low Al/Ti and P/Ti ratios suggest low marine productivity, which may be associated with a large number of terrigenous detritus input, occupying about 43.04%-94.91%. There is a positive correlation between the oleanane/C30hopane ratio and the TOC value, showing that terrigenous organic matter controls the source rock formation. The size of the delta below Pearl River estuary determines the extent of terrestrial organic matter supply. Source rocks with high organic matter abundance mainly formed in delta environment, and those in neritic environment in Enping and Zhuhai Formations also have high TOC values as a result of adequate terrestrial organic matter supply.

Developmental model of the source rocks in the Baiyun Sag.