GEODYNAMICS

Abstract

Purpose. The objective of this study is the investigation of the Silurian-Lower Devonian (Lochkovian) carbonate-clay sedimentary complex of the southwestern slope of the East-European platform. Its formation was the result of a single cycle of geodynamic and sedimentary events in the lithological record of the southern continental margin of Baltica. Methodology. The study is based on well-logs correlation, lithological and geochemical investigations of core samples, and petrographic thin sections analysis. The obtained results were used to establish patterns of changes in the material composition of the studied strata in time and space in order to determine the basin development dynamics of the continental margin of the Eastern European platform southwestern slope in the Silurian-Early Devonian. Results. It is established that the formation of the carbonate-clay sequence represents a single sedimentary cycle and was the result of a complex of geodynamic, depositional and paleoclimatic events that took place on the Baltica southern continental margin. The Silurian period was characterized by intensive development of benthic organisms and reef structure formation in the proximal part of the basin and clay-carbonate muds enriched with dispersed organic matter in its distal part. In the Early Devonian, carbonate biogenic sedimentation continued throughout the basin. The carbonate maximum content (80–98%) proves the existence of the reef constructions in the basin sedimentary record. Lower values of carbonate content are characteristic of marls (40–55%) and biodetritic limestones (56–75%), which make up the main part of the Silurian sequence. There are no reef constructions in the section of the Lochkovian stage of Devonian, and the calcium carbonate content in the rocks varies from 45 to 83%. The content of CaCO3 in mudstones and calcareous mudstones of the Silurian varies from 5 to 15%. Originality. The applied complex of lithological, geochemical, geological-geophysical and paleogeographic investigations allowed studying the sedimentary basin dynamics in the Silurian-Early Devonian with the assessment of the possibility of participation of these strata in oil and gas hydrocarbons generation. Practical significance. The obtained results show that the carbonate-clay complex of sedimentary rocks of the Silurian and Lower Devonian (Lochkovian) of the studied region can be considered as a separate petroleum system, including source rocks, reservoir rocks and possible conventional and unconventional oil and gas accumulations.