Diagenesis and sedimentary environment of the lower Xiaganchaigou formation deposited during the Eocene/Oligocene transition in the Lenghu tectonic belt, Qaidam Basin, China

This paper presents detrital modes, clay and carbonate cements and major and trace element contents of the sandstones from the lower Xiaganchaigou formation deposited during the Eocene/Oligocene transition in the Lenghu tectonic belt on the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin, NW Qinghai–Tibetan plateau. Our results show that the sandstones are mainly lithic feldspathic, with clay content varying from 4.1 to 42.5 vol. % (average 13.7 vol. %)....