Paleoenvironmental Characteristics of Paleogene Lacustrine Source Rocks in the Western Bozhong Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China: Evidence from Biomarkers, Major and Trace Elements

Abstract The organic matter (OM) enrichment mechanisms and depositional environment characteristics of lacustrine source rocks in the western Bozhong Sag, Bohai Bay Basin in Northeast China remain controversial. To address these issues, based on Rock‐Eval pyrolysis, kerogen macerals, H/C and O/C ratios, GC‐MS, major and trace elements, the Dongying Formation Member (Mbr) 3 (E 3 d 3 ), the Shahejie Formation mbrs 1 and 2 (E 2 s 1+2 ), and the Shahejie Mbr 3 (E 2 s 3 ) source rocks in the western Bozhong Sag were studied. The above methods were used to reveal their geochemical properties, OM origins and depositional environments, all of which indicate that E 2 s 1+2 and E 2 s 3 are excellent source rocks, and that E 3 d 3 is of the second good quality. E 3 d 3 source rocks were formed under a warm and humid climate, mainly belong to fluvial/delta facies, the E 3 d 3 sediments formed under weakly oxidizing and freshwater conditions. Comparatively, the depositional environments of E 2 s 1+2 source rocks were arid and cold climate, representing saline or freshwater lacustrine facies, and the sediments of E 2 s 1+2 belong to anoxic or suboxic settings with large evaporation and salinity. During the period of E 2 s 3 , the climate became warm and humid, indicating the freshwater lacustrine facies, and E 2 s 3 was characterized by freshwater and abundant algae. Moreover, compared with other intervals, the OM origin of E 3 d 3 source rocks has noticeable terrestrial input. The OM origin of the E 2 s 1+2 and E 2 s 3 are mainly plankton and bacteria. Tectonic subsidence and climate change have affected the changes of the depositional environment in the western Bozhong Sag, thus controlling the distribution of the source rocks, the geochemical characteristics in the three intervals of lacustrine source rocks have distinct differences. Overall, these factors are effective to evaluate the paleoenvironmental characteristics of source rocks by biomarkers, major and trace elements. The established models may have positive implications for research of lacustrine source rocks in offshore areas with few drillings.