Mechanisms controlling organic matter enrichment in the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation black shale unit, southwestern margin of the Yangtze Platform, China

The Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation black shale unit at the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Platform has a great potential to contain shale gas. Based on the geochemical and microscopic characteristics of the Longmaxi Formation black shale unit, the depositional environment and the characteristics of the silica in the black shale were analyzed. The mechanism whereby the Longmaxi Formation black shale unit in the study area was enriched in...