Interpreting benthic oxygen levels in mudrocks: a new approach

Journal Article · Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Geology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1988)016<0452:IBOLIM>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:7052412

Wignall, P B; Myers, K J

Quantified paleoecology and gamma-ray spectrometry have been applied in the analysis of the Kimmeridge Clay, a highly organic-rich British Jurassic mudrock. Decreasing benthic oxygen trends are reflected in decreasing species richness and dominance-diversity values. Similarly, the degree of fragmentation of the benthos reflects the benthic energy levels and covaries with benthic oxygen. The calculation of authigenic uranium values from data gathered by gamma-ray spectrometry shows enrichment in more oxygen-deficient environments. The good correlation between the independently derived paleoecological and authigenic U data indicates the importance of these techniques in environmental analysis of marine petroleum source rocks.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Birmingham (England)
• OSTI ID: 7052412
• Journal Information: Geology; (United States), Vol. 16:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
02 PETROLEUM
CLAYS
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
OXYGEN ENRICHMENT
OIL SHALE DEPOSITS
GEOCHEMISTRY
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
EXPLORATION
WESTERN EUROPE
BENTHOS
CORRELATIONS
ECOLOGY
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
JURASSIC PERIOD
OXYGEN
SILTSTONES
URANIUM
ACTINIDES
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
ENRICHMENT
EUROPE
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MESOZOIC ERA
METALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NONMETALS
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SPECTROSCOPY
040100* - Oil Shales &amp; Tar Sands- Reserves &amp; Exploration- (-1989)
020200 - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
&amp; Exploration