Complex quartz overgrowths as revealed by microprobe cathodoluminescence

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6082940

Suchecki, R K; Bloch, S

Conventional luminescence petrography of sandstones has only distinguished texturally homogeneous overgrowth of quartz from detrital grains. Microprobe cathodoluminescence, however, reveals extraordinary heterogeneity in overgrowths from a wide variety of locations, geologic ages, sedimentary facies, petrographic textures, and burial histories. The complexity of overgrowths is expressed by distinct luminescent and non-luminescent zones, and flamboyant and irregular textures. Interpretation of features previously undetected by conventional luminescence petrography may result in a better understanding of conditions under which quartz cement forms. Preliminary results for Morrow, Kekiktuk, Ivashak, Cardium, Tuscaloosa, and Middle Jurassic sandstones (offshore Norway) indicate that pressure solution between detrital grains is not a major source of silica cement even in very fine-grained sandstones. In contrast, pressure solution at overgrowth-overgrowth boundaries can produce significant amounts of silica. However, the source of initial silica for the overgrowths that are subsequently pressolved is uncertain in these rocks. Abundant fracturing of quartz grains occurs relatively early in the burial history and can be concurrent with overgrowth development. In most instances the fracturing is not accompanied by significant translation. Oxygen isotope data for quartz overgrowths isolated from their detrital cores suggest that precipitation of cement took place over a relatively narrow temperature range that corresponds to depths shallower than the present-day depth.

• OSTI ID: 6082940
• Report Number(s): CONF-880301-
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
AGE ESTIMATION
CATHODOLUMINESCENCE
CEMENTING
CHALCOGENIDES
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGY
GEOPHYSICS
HETEROGENEOUS EFFECTS
ISOTOPE DATING
LUMINESCENCE
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINERALS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROGRAPHY
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
QUARTZ
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS