Paleo-vegetation and paleo-climate characteristics of Cretaceous and Paleogene strata in several typical basins in China: palynological evidence

ABSTRACT

The paleovegetation and paleoclimate characteristics are studied in the Palaeogene strata of Hetao Basin, Subei Basin and Qaidam Basin in China, and the Cretaceous Guyang Formation (K₁g) in the Hetao Basin. These three basins receive high attention, different distribution areas, representative. Pollen evidence shows that: (1) The sporopollen assemblage of Palaeogene Linhe Formation (E₃l) in Hetao Basin is characterised by Pinaceae-Ephedripites-Ulmipollenites-Chenopodipollis. It reflects that the ancient vegetation types were mainly coniferous and evergreen woody plants, and the climate was cold temperature. The sporopollen assemblage characteristics of the upper member of the Palaeogene Xiaganchaigou Formation (E₃²) in the Qaidam Basin are similar to it. (2) The sporopollen characteristics of the K₁g in the Hetao Basin reflect that its ancient vegetation was dominated by evergreen woody plants and belongs to a warm and humid subtropical climate. (3) The assemblage of Palaeocene Funing Formation (E₁f) in Subei Basin was Pterisisporites undulatus-Ulmipollenites minor-Taxodiaceaepollenites hiatus. The climate type was humid north temperate climate, vegetation was mainly deciduous trees and evergreen woody plants. (4) Leiosphaeridia/Granodiscus, Pediastrum and Botryococcus were also detected in the E₁f of Subei Basin. The appearance of these algae indicates the special saline water environment and good hydrocarbon potential.

KEYWORDS:

• Paleovegetation
• palaeoclimate
• palynology
• saline lake basin
• hydrocarbon generation potential

Acknowledgments

Funding for this research comes from “Science and Technology Cooperation Project of the CNPC-SWPU Innovation Alliance” (NO.2020CX030000, 2020CX050000).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Nomenclature list

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Author’s contribution

Xiaoyan Fu: conceptualization, methodology, writing and editing. Shijia Chen and Jungang Lu: conceptualization and review. Ranran Zhou and Yulei Shi: materials provided, project administration, and funding acquisition. Rongqian Zhao and Man Yuan: language correction. All of authors read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Data availability statement

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Science and Technology Cooperation Project of the CNPC-SWPU Innovation Alliance [2020CX030000, 2020CX050000].