Study of the component composition of organic matter of the East Pre-Caucasian basin rocks based on the results of lithological, petrophysical and geochemical studies

This study introduces results of lithological, petrophysical and geochemical investigation of Lower Cretaceous (K1) and Middle Jurassic (J2a-b) rocks of East Pre-Caucasian basin. According to pyrolytic and bituminological studies method of separate determination of kerogen and bitumen concentration been developed. In accordance with this method differentiation of organic matter components in different lithotypes of rocks been described. Also relationship between bitumen and kerogen concentrations been revealed. The majority of samples have poor to fair organic richness and poor source potential. Kerogen type is commonly presented by type III and stages of maturity characterized by stages PC3 to MC3. Bitumen compounds have low concentrations of asphaltenes and aromatic hydrocarbons and mainly contains light and heavy resins. Based on petrophysical and geochemical studies a close relationship between the concentration of organic carbon and the weight concentration of potassium nuclides was obtained. This relationship indicates that kerogen in the sediments under consideration is associated with clay minerals, which is also confirmed by the mineral composition of the rocks.

Temporal Hydrogeochemical Dynamics and Source Apportionment in Groundwater of a Complex Lithology.

The present research reports the level of major ions and other physical parameters like pH, EC and TDS and possible sources of contamination in groundwater from south India. A total of 138 groundwater samples were collected during four different seasons and analyzed for physical parameters and other major ions. Many samples are above or approaching the recommended level of ions for safe drinking water. The groundwater quality has been determined by considering 11 parameters and classified into 5 different categories based upon water quality index (WQI) value. The groundwater of the study area is approaching towards pollution which has to consider for future management of the resource. Different geochemical diagrams like Gibbs and Piper are used to evaluate the process affecting the composition of groundwater. Again, the geostatistical techniques applied to confirm the processes through an integrated approach. Based on result of geochemical investigation, the contamination sources in the groundwater of this region are likely to be from (a) Anthropogenic activities (b) Weathering (c) Agricultural fertilizers. Continuous consumption of such water may pose serious health risk to the residents.

Aspects of the petrology and geochemistry of the Huckleberry Ridge Tuff, Yellowstone

<p>Silicic (i.e. dacitic-rhyolitic) magmatic systems have the potential to generate large, explosive caldera-forming eruptions which have global effects and consequences. How, and over what timescale, magma accumulates and is stored in the upper crust are key aspects in understanding such systems and their associated hazards. The absence of such eruptions in the historical record, however, has forced understanding of these systems to be developed through numerical models or the study of the deposits in the geological record. Numerical models primarily focus on the long-term generation but instantaneous eruption of single magma (i.e. melt-dominant) bodies. In contrast, the stratigraphic and geochemical nature of eruption deposits often show features more consistent with complex magmatic systems comprising multiple melt-dominant bodies that may have formed rapidly but erupted episodically. Further studies of past eruption deposits are valuable, therefore, in reconstructing silicic magmatic systems and highlighting the nature of melt-dominant body generation and storage. To this end, this thesis examines the 2.08 Ma, ∼2,500 km³ Huckleberry Ridge Tuff (HRT), Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field (YPVF), U.S.A, the deposit of the first and largest of three caldera-forming eruptions in the YPVF. The HRT comprises an initial fall deposit followed by three ignimbrite members (A, B and C) with a second fall deposit between members B and C. Despite emanating from an archetypal silicic volcanic field, minimal previous work has been undertaken on the geochemical nature of the HRT but it is thought to conform to traditional, unitary magma body ideas. A revised stratigraphic framework, detailing an episodic and prolonged initial fall deposit, identification of a weeks-months time gap between members A and B, and a similar but longer years-decades hiatus in activity between members B and C provides the context for this geochemical investigation. A large sample suite representative of the diverse range of physical characteristics of clasts and material found in the HRT was analysed. In situ micro-analysis of matrix glass (major and trace elements) and crystals (major elements) in the initial fall deposit are coupled with major and trace element, and isotopic compositions of single silicic clasts (i.e. pumice/fiamme) from all three ignimbrite members, supplemented by in situ analysis of their crystals and groundmass glass. These data are used to reconstruct the silicic magmatic system. Furthermore, major and trace element, andisotopic compositions of rare mafic (i.e. basaltic to andesitic) material found in members A and B provide an insight into the thermal and chemical drivers of HRT silicic volcanism. This macro- and micro-analytical investigation using multiple techniques reveals remarkable complexity within the large-scale HRT magmatic complex. Four geochemically distinct magmatic systems are differentiated on single clast elemental and isotopic characteristics that are further reflected in crystal and glass compositions. Two of these systems (1 and 2) were active in the initial fall deposit and member A. Magmatic system 1 is volumetrically dominant in the HRT and is characterised by moderate-high Ba single clast (450-3540 ppm) and glass (100-3360 ppm) compositions, in contrast to the distinctly low-Ba (≤250 ppm single clast, <65 ppm glass Ba contents) magmatic system 2. Both these magmatic systems exhibit clustered glass compositions, indicating multiple, laterally-adjacent melt-dominant bodies were present, and shared moderate isotopic compositions (e.g. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶SrAC = 0.70950-0.71191) are explicable by a multi-stage partial melting-fractional crystallisation petrogenesis. The time break between members A and B is associated with mixing and mingling within magmatic system 1, related to a renewed influx of mafic material, and a cessation of activity of system 2, which is absent from member B. The time break between members B and C reflects significant changes within the magmatic complex. Magmatic system 2 is rejuvenated and melt-dominant bodies associated with two new magmatic systems (3 and 4) are formed, with at least system 3 comprising multiple bodies. These latter two magmatic systems strongly differ in their elemental characteristics (system 3: high SiO₂ [75-78 wt% SiO₂]; system 4: dacite-rhyolite [66-75 wt% SiO₂]). Despite this, they have similar and highly radiogenic (e.g. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶SrAC = 0.72462-0.72962) isotopic compositions indicating shared extensive incorporation of Archean crust. They also contrast in their relation to mafic compositions, with system 4 associated with olivine tholeiitic compositions erupted prior to and following the HRT in the YPVF. In contrast, system 3, like systems 1 and 2, is associated with high-Ba, high-Zr mafic compositions found co-erupted in HRT members A and B. These compositions are similar to lava flows erupted further west at the Craters of the Moon field, and are interpreted as representing partial melts from regions in the lithospheric mantle enriched by high-T, P fluids emanating from the subducted Farallon slab. Overall, the HRT magmatic complex was remarkably heterogeneous. Two contemporaneous mafic root zones drove four silicic magmatic systems, episodically active throughout the eruption. At least three of these systems comprised multiple laterally-adjacent melt-dominant bodies. Intra-eruption time breaks are associated with broad-scale reorganisation of the magmatic complex. This complexity highlights the utility of a detailed, systematic, multi-technique geochemical investigation, within a stratigraphic framework, of the deposits of large silicic caldera-forming eruptions, and breaks new ground in the understanding of such systems.</p>

Aspects of the petrology and geochemistry of the Huckleberry Ridge Tuff, Yellowstone

<p>Silicic (i.e. dacitic-rhyolitic) magmatic systems have the potential to generate large, explosive caldera-forming eruptions which have global effects and consequences. How, and over what timescale, magma accumulates and is stored in the upper crust are key aspects in understanding such systems and their associated hazards. The absence of such eruptions in the historical record, however, has forced understanding of these systems to be developed through numerical models or the study of the deposits in the geological record. Numerical models primarily focus on the long-term generation but instantaneous eruption of single magma (i.e. melt-dominant) bodies. In contrast, the stratigraphic and geochemical nature of eruption deposits often show features more consistent with complex magmatic systems comprising multiple melt-dominant bodies that may have formed rapidly but erupted episodically. Further studies of past eruption deposits are valuable, therefore, in reconstructing silicic magmatic systems and highlighting the nature of melt-dominant body generation and storage. To this end, this thesis examines the 2.08 Ma, ∼2,500 km³ Huckleberry Ridge Tuff (HRT), Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field (YPVF), U.S.A, the deposit of the first and largest of three caldera-forming eruptions in the YPVF. The HRT comprises an initial fall deposit followed by three ignimbrite members (A, B and C) with a second fall deposit between members B and C. Despite emanating from an archetypal silicic volcanic field, minimal previous work has been undertaken on the geochemical nature of the HRT but it is thought to conform to traditional, unitary magma body ideas. A revised stratigraphic framework, detailing an episodic and prolonged initial fall deposit, identification of a weeks-months time gap between members A and B, and a similar but longer years-decades hiatus in activity between members B and C provides the context for this geochemical investigation. A large sample suite representative of the diverse range of physical characteristics of clasts and material found in the HRT was analysed. In situ micro-analysis of matrix glass (major and trace elements) and crystals (major elements) in the initial fall deposit are coupled with major and trace element, and isotopic compositions of single silicic clasts (i.e. pumice/fiamme) from all three ignimbrite members, supplemented by in situ analysis of their crystals and groundmass glass. These data are used to reconstruct the silicic magmatic system. Furthermore, major and trace element, andisotopic compositions of rare mafic (i.e. basaltic to andesitic) material found in members A and B provide an insight into the thermal and chemical drivers of HRT silicic volcanism. This macro- and micro-analytical investigation using multiple techniques reveals remarkable complexity within the large-scale HRT magmatic complex. Four geochemically distinct magmatic systems are differentiated on single clast elemental and isotopic characteristics that are further reflected in crystal and glass compositions. Two of these systems (1 and 2) were active in the initial fall deposit and member A. Magmatic system 1 is volumetrically dominant in the HRT and is characterised by moderate-high Ba single clast (450-3540 ppm) and glass (100-3360 ppm) compositions, in contrast to the distinctly low-Ba (≤250 ppm single clast, <65 ppm glass Ba contents) magmatic system 2. Both these magmatic systems exhibit clustered glass compositions, indicating multiple, laterally-adjacent melt-dominant bodies were present, and shared moderate isotopic compositions (e.g. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶SrAC = 0.70950-0.71191) are explicable by a multi-stage partial melting-fractional crystallisation petrogenesis. The time break between members A and B is associated with mixing and mingling within magmatic system 1, related to a renewed influx of mafic material, and a cessation of activity of system 2, which is absent from member B. The time break between members B and C reflects significant changes within the magmatic complex. Magmatic system 2 is rejuvenated and melt-dominant bodies associated with two new magmatic systems (3 and 4) are formed, with at least system 3 comprising multiple bodies. These latter two magmatic systems strongly differ in their elemental characteristics (system 3: high SiO₂ [75-78 wt% SiO₂]; system 4: dacite-rhyolite [66-75 wt% SiO₂]). Despite this, they have similar and highly radiogenic (e.g. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶SrAC = 0.72462-0.72962) isotopic compositions indicating shared extensive incorporation of Archean crust. They also contrast in their relation to mafic compositions, with system 4 associated with olivine tholeiitic compositions erupted prior to and following the HRT in the YPVF. In contrast, system 3, like systems 1 and 2, is associated with high-Ba, high-Zr mafic compositions found co-erupted in HRT members A and B. These compositions are similar to lava flows erupted further west at the Craters of the Moon field, and are interpreted as representing partial melts from regions in the lithospheric mantle enriched by high-T, P fluids emanating from the subducted Farallon slab. Overall, the HRT magmatic complex was remarkably heterogeneous. Two contemporaneous mafic root zones drove four silicic magmatic systems, episodically active throughout the eruption. At least three of these systems comprised multiple laterally-adjacent melt-dominant bodies. Intra-eruption time breaks are associated with broad-scale reorganisation of the magmatic complex. This complexity highlights the utility of a detailed, systematic, multi-technique geochemical investigation, within a stratigraphic framework, of the deposits of large silicic caldera-forming eruptions, and breaks new ground in the understanding of such systems.</p>

Geochemical Investigation of Cassiterite At Bisichi (Kara II) And Kuru-Jentar, Plateau State, Nigeria Using X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis (xrf).

Background: Artisanal Mining of Cassiterite at Bisichi (Kara II) and Kuru-Jentar is a very tedious activity that is carried out by artisanal miners. It involves the use of primitive tools like digger, spade, shovel and to mention a few. Most of the artisanal mining activity in the study area is done with no prior knowledge about the geochemical constituent of the mineral deposit in the area but in order to solve the above stated problem, a geochemical analysis was conducted on the obtained samples of cassiterite from the study area and a geologic map of the mining pit was digitized using Ilwis 3.1 academic and Surfer 12. Result: A random sampling method was used to obtain ten (10) samples of cassiterite from the various visited pit at the study area with each weighing 10g. A laboratory analysis was also conducted using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis which shows that samples from Pit 1 to Pit 5 in the mine site at Kuru-Jentar has 44.45% - 44.9% of Tin (Sn) and 7.86% - 9.00% of Iron (II) oxide (Fe2O3) while samples from Pit 5 to Pit 10 in the mine site at Bisichi (Kara II) has 28.2% - 32.2 % of Tin (Sn) and 15.57% - 16.67% of Iron II oxide (Fe2O3). Conclusively, an understanding of the geochemical constituent of a mineral deposit within a given study area would help increase the knowledge of miners and also attract interested investors.

Geochemical investigation of hydrocarbon generation potential of coal from Raniganj Basin, India

Methane content in a coal seam is a necessary parameter for evaluating coal bed gas, and it poses an environmental risk to underground coal mining activities. Keeping in pace with comprehensive studies of coal bed gas, 12 coal samples were selected from the Sitarampur block of Raniganj Coalfield for analysis. The Petrographic examination illustrated that significant values of reactive macerals present in samples demonstrate that organic matter is dominated by the prominent source of aromatic hydrocarbons with a minor proportion of aliphatic hydrocarbon, which falls in the region of (Type III) kerogen, confirms the suitability for the potential of hydrocarbon generation. “A” factor (aliphatic/aromatic bands) and “C” factor (carbonyl/carboxyl bands) value concluded that the sample has the lowest aromaticity and the highest hydrocarbon-generating potential, which was also validated by the Van Krevelen diagram. The Van Krevelen diagram plots between the H/C and O/C ratio indicate that coal samples lie in the type III kerogen, and bituminous coal (gas prone zone) is present in the block, which is confirmed by the cross-plot between desorbed and total gas (cc/g). The in situ gas content values are high enough to produce methane from coal beds. The overall study concludes that the Sitarampur block from Raniganj Coalfield is suitable for hydrocarbon generation and extraction.