ABSTRACT The characteristics and development patterns of source rocks deposited in lacustrine shallow‐water environments may differ significantly from those in deep‐water settings. Taking the Lower Wuerhe Formation in the western Junggar Basin as an example, this study analyses the characteristics and development model of lacustrine shallow‐water source rocks. Source rock samples were tested for total organic carbon, rock‐eval pyrolysis, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and major and trace elements. Total organic carbon (TOC), volatile hydrocarbon content ( S 1 ), and remaining hydrocarbon generation potential ( S 2 ) indicate significant variability in organic matter abundance within the Lower Wuerhe Formation source rocks, with quality ranging from bad to excellent. The kerogen is predominantly Type II 2 –III, which is validated by hydrogen index (HI), maximum pyrolysis peak temperature ( T max ), and kerogen macerals. Most samples have entered the mature stage. Integrated biomarker and elemental characteristics demonstrate that the Lower Wuerhe Formation was deposited in lacustrine shallow waters under warm and humid climatic conditions, with depositional environments being predominantly oxidising and freshwater in nature. The P/Ti ratios demonstrate low paleoproductivity during the deposition of the Lower Wuerhe Formation. The terrestrial organic matter input serves as the predominant factor controlling the development of source rocks in the study area, whilst the sedimentary environment affects the development of source rock formation by influencing the growth of higher plants.
DING et al. (Sun,) studied this question.