Controls on variability of mudstone mineralogy

Johnston, Matthew Joel (2012) Controls on variability of mudstone mineralogy. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (43MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

The primary aim of this work is to investigate heterogeneity in the mineralogical composition of mudstones resulting from input (detrital, production and diagenetic) variability. With this aim four formations were examined with three unique investigations. -- Heterogeneity as a result of diagenesis in the Exshaw Formation (Devonian-Carboniferous) was investigated with a focus on the sulfur cycles influence on mudstone composition. Heterogeneity related to the carbon cycles influence on source and reservoir characteristics of mudstones was analyzed by comparing two carbonate-rich mudstone units (i) the Utica Shale (Ordovician) and (ii) the Winterhouse Formation (Ordovician). The Benbulben Shale (Devonian-Carboniferous) was utilized as a natural laboratory to investigate the scale of heterogeneity in mudstones. -- Accurately evaluating fine-grained rocks requires investigating rock properties on a sub-centimetre scale; therefore in all formations lithofacies variability was measured with both petrographic (transmitted light, SEM) and geochemical methods (XRD, XRF, TOC and δ¹³C in addition to field logging.

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