• Title/Summary/Keyword: Mineral Characteristics

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Effects of Thawing Conditions in Sample Treatment on the Chemical Properties of East Siberian Ice Wedges (동시베리아 얼음쐐기 시료의 해동방법이 시료의 화학적 특성분석에 미치는 영향)

  • Subon Ko;Jinho Ahn;Alexandre Fedorov;Giehyeon Lee
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.55 no.6
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    • pp.727-736
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    • 2022
  • Ice wedges are subsurface ice mass structures that formed mainly by freezing precipitation with airborne dust and surrounding soil particles flowed through the active layer into the cracks growing by repeating thermal contractions in the deeper permafrost layer over time. These ice masses characteristically contain high concentrations of solutes and solids. Because of their unique properties and distribution, the possibility of harnessing ice wedges as an alternative archive for reconstructing paleoclimate and paleoenvironment has been recently suggested despite limited studies. It is imperative to preserve the physicochemical properties of the ice wedge (e.g., solute concentration, mineral particles) without any potential alteration to use it as a proxy for reconstructing the paleo-information. Thawing the ice wedge samples is prerequisite for the assessment of their physicochemical properties, during which the paleo-information could be unintentionally altered by any methodological artifact. This study examined the effect of thawing conditions and procedures on the physicochemical properties of solutes and solid particles in ice wedge samples collected from Cyuie, East Siberia. Four different thawing conditions with varying temperatures (4 and 23℃) and oxygen exposures (oxic and anoxic) for the ice wedge sample treatment were examined. Ice wedge samples thawed at 4℃ under anoxic conditions, wherein biological activity and oxidation were kept to a minimum, were set as the standard thawing conditions to which the effects of temperature and oxygen were compared. The results indicate that temperature and oxygen exposure have negligible effects on the physicochemical characteristics of the solid particles. However, the chemical features of the solution (e.g., pH, electric conductivity, alkalinity, and concentration of major cations and trace elements) at 4℃ under oxic conditions were considerably altered, compared to those measured under the standard thawing conditions. This study shows that the thawing condition of ice wedge samples can affect their chemical features and thereby the geochemical information therein for the reconstruction of the paleoclimate and/or paleoenvironment.

Geometry and Kinematics of the Northern Part of Yeongdeok Fault (영덕단층 북부의 기하와 운동학적 특성)

  • Gwangyeon Kim;Sangmin Ha;Seongjun Lee;Boseong Lim;Min-Cheol Kim;Moon Son
    • Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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    • v.36 no.1
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    • pp.55-72
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    • 2023
  • This study aims to identify the fault zone architecture and geometric and kinematic characteristics of the Yeongdeok Fault, based on the geometry and kinematic data of various structural elements obtained by detailed field survey and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of the fault rocks. The Yeongdeok Fault extends from Opo-ri, Ganggu-myeon, Yeongdeok-gun to Gilgok-ri, Maehwa-myeon and Bangyul-ri, Giseong-myeon, Uljin-gun, and cuts various rock types from the Paleo-proterozoic to the Mesozoic with a range of 4.6-5.0 km (4.77 km in average) of right-lateral offset or forms the rock boundaries. The fault is divided into four segments based on its geometric features and shows N-S to NNW strikes and dips of an angle of ≥ 54° to the east at most outcrops, even though the outcrops showing the westward dipping (a range of 54°-82°) of fault surface increase as it goes north. The Yeongdeok Fault shows the difference in the fault zone architecture and in the fault core width ranging from 0.3 to 15 m depending on the bedrock type, which is interpreted as due to differences in the physical properties of bedrock such as ductility, mineral composition, particle size, and anisotropy. Combining the results of paleostress reconstruction and AMS in this and previous studies, the Yeongdeok Fault experienced (1) sinistral strike-slip under NW-SE maximum horizontal principle stress (σHmax) and NE-SW minimum horizontal principle stress (σHmin) in the late Cretaceous to early Cenozoic, and then (2) dextral strike-slip under NE-SW maximum horizontal principle stress (σHmax) and NW-SE minimum horizontal principle stress (σHmin) in the Paleogene. It is interpreted that the deformation caused by the Paleogene dextral strike-slip movement was the most dominant, and the crustal deformation was insignificant thereafter.

Manufacturing Method and Characteristics of the Dongrok(copper chloride) pigments (동록(염화동) 안료의 제조방법 및 특성에 관한 연구)

  • KANG Yeongseok;PARK Juhyun;MUN Seongwoo;HWANG Gahyun;KIM Myoungnam;LEE Sunmyung
    • Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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    • v.56 no.2
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    • pp.148-169
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    • 2023
  • Hayeob pigment is known as one of the traditional dark green pigments, but the color, raw material, and manufacturing method have not been clearly identified. However, comparing the analysis results of the particle shape and constituent minerals of Hayeob pigments revealed through pigment analysis studies of colored cultural properties such as Dancheong, Gwaebul, and paintings, Hayeob pigments appear to be the same as Dongrok pigments produced by salt corrosion. Therefore, in order to restore Hayeob pigment, the manufacturing method of Dongrok pigment was studied based on the records of old literature. The Dongrok pigment manufacturing method confirmed in the old literature records is a natural corrosion method in which copper powder and a caustic are mixed and then left in a humid condition to corrode. Based on this, artificial corrosion using a corrosion tester was adopted to corrode the copper powder more efficiently, and an appropriate mixing ratio was selected by analyzing the state of corrosion products according to the mixing ratio of the caustic agent. In addition, the manufacturing method of Dongrok pigment was established by adding a salt removal process to remove residual caustic agents and a purification process to increase chroma during pigment coloring. The prepared Dongrok pigments have a bluish green or green color, show an elliptical particle shape and a form in which small particles are aggregated, and a porous surface is observed. The main constituent elements are copper(Cu) and chlorine(Cl), and the main constituent mineral is identified as atacamite [Cu2Cl(OH)3]. As a result of an accelerated weathering test to evaluate the stability of the prepared Dongrok pigments, it was found that the greenness partially decreased and the yellowness significantly increased as deterioration progressed. Before deterioration, the Dongrok pigments had lower yellowness compared to the Hayeob pigments of the old Dancheong, but after deterioration, yellowness increased significantly, and it was found to have a similar chromaticity range as Dancheong's Hayeob pigments. As a result, the prepared Dongrok pigments were confirmed to be similar to Dancheong's Hayeob pigments in terms of color as well as particle shape and constituent minerals.

Physicochemical Characteristics of Ethanol Extracts from Each Part of the Pleurotus eryngii (새송이버섯(Pleurotus eryngii) 부위별 추출물의 이화학적 특성)

  • Ahn, Myung-Soo;Kim, Hyun-Jeung;Seo, Mi-Sook
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.297-302
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    • 2006
  • This study has examined the physicochemical properties of the Pleurotus eryngii, including their proximate components, amount mineral content, total dietary fiber, total sugar, reducing sugar and free sugar. Additionally, it measured the P. egii ethanol extracts and the total amounts of polyphenol compounds as well as its electron donating ability (EDA) of the substance fraction (SF). The P. eryngii powder's moisture content was 9.0% and each of the other element content such as carbohydrate, crude protein, crude ash and crude fat was found to be 63.06%, 20.70%, 5.20% and 2.0% respectively. Potassium (K) was shown to be the greatest inorganic content and manganese (Mn) was the lowest. Furthermore fructose, galactose, glucose lactose and maltose free sugar content was found in this order. 387 mg% of the total amounts of polyphenol was found in the P. eryngii whole body ethanol extract, 158 mg% in the stipe extract, 593 mg% in the pileus extract and 607 mg% in the substance fraction (SF). Electron donating ability (EDA) was highest at 91.12% in the whole body extract and lowest at 62.90% in the stipe extract. Additionally, the EDA for substance fraction (SF) 0.02%-0.1% was found to be 57.78-77.33%, which was lower than the 0.02%-tocopherol (93.92%) and BHT (96.72%). From these results, it can be assumed that P. eryngii offers superior antioxidative effects with its high content of fiber, inorganic materials and total amounts of polyphenol as well as high electron donating ability (EDA), thereby making it ideal for use in functional foods and industrial materials.

Physical Properties of Volcanic Rocks in Jeju-Ulleung Area as Aggregates (제주도 및 울릉도에서 산출되는 화산암의 골재로서의 물성 특징)

  • Byoung-Woon You;Chul-Seoung Baek;Kye-Young Joo
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.57 no.2
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    • pp.205-217
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    • 2024
  • This study evaluated the physical characteristics and quality of volcanic rocks distributed in the Jeju Island-Ulleung Island area as aggregate resources. The main rocks in the Jeju Island area include conglomerate, volcanic rock, and volcanic rock. Conglomerate is composed of yellow-red or gray heterogeneous sedimentary rock, conglomerate, and encapsulated conglomerate in a state between lavas. Volcanic rocks are classified according to their chemical composition into basalt, trachybasalt, basaltic trachytic andesite, trachytic andesite, and trachyte. By stratigraphy, from bottom to top, Seogwipo Formation, trachyte andesite, trachybasalt (I), basalt (I), trachybasalt (II), basalt (II), trachybasalt (III, IV), trachyte, trachybasalt (V, VI), basalt (III), and trachybasalt (VII, VIII). The bedrock of the Ulleung Island is composed of basalt, trachyte, trachytic basalt, and trachytic andesite, and some phonolite and tuffaceous clastic volcanic sedimentary rock. Aggregate quality evaluation factors of these rocks included soundness, resistance to abrasion, absorption rate, absolute dry density and alkali aggregate reactivity. Most volcanic rock quality results in the study area were found to satisfy aggregate quality standards, and differences in physical properties and quality were observed depending on the area. Resistance to abrasion and absolute dry density have similar distribution ranges, but Ulleung Island showed better soundness and Jeju Island showed better absorption rate. Overall, Jeju Island showed better quality as aggregate. In addition, the alkaline aggregate reactivity test results showed that harmless aggregates existed in both area, but Ulleungdo volcanic rock was found to be more advantageous than Jeju Island volcanic rock. Aggregate quality testing is typically performed simply for each gravel, but even similar rocks can vary depending on their geological origin and mineral composition. Therefore, when evaluating and analyzing aggregate resources, it will be possible to use them more efficiently if the petrological-mineralological research is performed together.

Study on Geological Distribution of Fluorine in Forest Aggregate within Korea (산림골재 내 불소의 지질학적 분포 연구)

  • Yeong-Il Jeong;Kun-Ki Kim;Soon-Oh Kim;Sang-Woo Lee;Jin-Young Lee
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.57 no.2
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    • pp.233-241
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    • 2024
  • This study was conducted to investigate the geological distribution characteristics of fluorine in rocks, which can be a major resource of forest aggregates in Korea. Samples of forest aggregates were collected from 224 sites in 22 cities and counties for this study. The national background concentration was 344 mg/kg, which was significantly lower than the average fluorine concentration of crustal, which was 625 mg/kg, and slightly higher than the average fluorine concentration of world soil, which was 321 mg/kg. In terms of region and tectonic structure, fluorine concentrations were investigated to be highest in Gyeonggi-do(394 mg/kg) and Gyeonggi massif(396 mg/kg), respectively. The concentration distribution by the origin of the parent rock was in the order of metamorphic rock(362 mg/kg) > sedimentary rock(354 mg/kg) > igneous rock(328 mg/kg), and the concentration distribution by geologic ages was the highest in the Paleozoic at 394 mg/kg. The concentration distribution by rock types was in the order of diorite(515 mg/kg) > gneisses(377 mg/kg) > schists(344 mg/kg) > phyllite(306 mg/kg) > granites(305 mg/kg) > quartz porphyry(298 mg/kg). Consequently, it is speculated that gneisses and schists, Precambrian metamorphic rocks in the Gyeonggi massif that forms the crust of Gyeonggi-do, contain high fluorine concentrations.

Evaluation for Rock Cleavage Using Distribution of Microcrack Spacings (III) (미세균열의 간격 분포를 이용한 결의 평가 (III))

  • Park, Deok-Won
    • The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.311-324
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    • 2016
  • The characteristics of the rock cleavage in Jurassic granite from Geochang were analysed. The evaluation for three quarrying planes and three rock cleavages was performed using the parameters such as (1) reduction ratio between the value of spacing and the value of length, (2) microcrack spacing frequency(N), (3) total spacing($1mm{\geq}$), (4) exponential constant(a), (5) magnitude of exponent(${\lambda}$), (6) mean spacing($S_{mean}$), (7) difference value($S_{mean}-S_{median}$) between mean spacing and median spacing($S_{median}$) and (8) density of spacing. Especially the close dependence between the above spacing parameters and the parameters from the spacing-cumulative frequency diagrams was derived. The discrimination factors representing three quarrying planes and three rock cleavages were acquired through these mutual contrast. The analysis results of the research are summarized as follows. First, the reduction ratios of frequency(N), mean value, median value, the above difference value($S_{mean}-S_{median}$) and density for three rock cleavages are in orders of G(grain, (G1 + G2)/2) < H(hardway, (H1 + H2)/2) < R(rift, (R1 + R2)/2), H < G $\ll$ R, H < G $\ll$ R, H < G < R and H < G $\ll$ R. The values of the above five parameters for three planes show the various orders of R'(rift plane) $\ll$ H'(hardway plane) < G'(grain plane), R' $\ll$ G' < H', R' < H' < G', R' < G' < H' and R' $\ll$ H' < G', respectively. Second, the values of (I) parameters(2, 3, 4 and 5) and (II) parameters(6, 7 and 8) are in orders of (I) H < G < R and (II) R < G < H. On the contrary, the values of the above two groups(I~II) of parameters for three planes show reverse orders. Third, to review the overall characteristics of the arrangement among the six diagrams, these diagrams show an order of R2 < R1 < G2 < G1 < H2 < H1 from the related chart. In other words, above six diagrams can be summarized in order of rift(R1 + R2) < grain(G1 + G2) < hardway(H1 + H2). These results indicate a relative magnitude of rock cleavage related to microcrack spacing. Especially, two parameters for each diagram, the above difference value($S_{mean}-S_{median}$) and mean spacing, could provide advanced information for prediction the order of arrangement among the diagrams. Finally, the general chart for three planes and three rock cleavages were made. From the related chart, three exponential straight lines for three rock cleavages show an order of R(R1 + R2) < G(G1 + G2) < H(H1 + H2). On the contrary, three lines for three planes show an order of H'(R2 + G2) < G'(R1 + H2) < R'(G1 + H1). Consequently, correlation of the mutually reverse order between three planes and three rock cleavages can be drawn from the related chart.

Paleomagnetism, Stratigraphy and Geologic Structure of the Tertiary Pohang and Changgi Basins; K-Ar Ages for the Volcanic Rocks (포항(浦項) 및 장기분지(盆地)에 대한 고지자기(古地磁氣), 층서(層序) 및 구조연구(構造硏究); 화산암류(火山岩類)의 K-Ar 연대(年代))

  • Lee, Hyun Koo;Moon, Hi-Soo;Min, Kyung Duck;Kim, In-Soo;Yun, Hyesu;Itaya, Tetsumaru
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.25 no.3
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    • pp.337-349
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    • 1992
  • The Tertiary basins in Korea have widely been studied by numerous researchers producing individual results in sedimentology, paleontology, stratigraphy, volcanic petrology and structural geology, but interdisciplinary studies, inter-basin analysis and basin-forming process have not been carried out yet. Major work of this study is to elucidate evidences obtained from different parts of a basin as well as different Tertiary basins (Pohang, Changgi, Eoil, Haseo and Ulsan basins) in order to build up the correlation between the basins, and an overall picture of the basin architecture and evolution in Korea. According to the paleontologic evidences the geologic age of the Pohang marine basin is dated to be late Lower Miocence to Middle Miocene, whereas other non-marine basins are older as being either Early Miocene or Oligocene(Lee, 1975, 1978: Bong, 1984: Chun, 1982: Choi et al., 1984: Yun et al., 1990: Yoon, 1982). However, detailed ages of the Tertiary sediments, and their correlations in a basin and between basins are still controversial, since the basins are separated from each other, sedimentary sequence is disturbed and intruded by voncanic rocks, and non-marine sediments are not fossiliferous to be correlated. Therefore, in this work radiometric, magnetostratigraphic, and biostratigraphic data was integrated for the refinement of chronostratigraphy and synopsis of stratigraphy of Tertiary basins of Korea. A total of 21 samples including 10 basaltic, 2 porphyritic, and 9 andesitic rocks from 4 basins were collected for the K-Ar dating of whole rock method. The obtained age can be grouped as follows: $14.8{\pm}0.4{\sim}15.2{\pm}0.4Ma$, $19.9{\pm}0.5{\sim}22.1{\pm}0.7Ma$, $18.0{\pm}1.1{\sim}20.4+0.5Ma$, and $14.6{\pm}0.7{\sim}21.1{\pm}0.5Ma$. Stratigraphically they mostly fall into the range of Lower Miocene to Mid Miocene. The oldest volcanic rock recorded is a basalt (911213-6) with the age of $22.05{\pm}0.67Ma$ near Sangjeong-ri in the Changgi (or Janggi) basin and presumed to be formed in the Early Miocene, when Changgi Conglomerate began to deposit. The youngest one (911214-9) is a basalt of $14.64{\pm}0.66Ma$ in the Haseo basin. This means the intrusive and extrusive rocks are not a product of sudden voncanic activity of short duration as previously accepted but of successive processes lasting relatively long period of 8 or 9 Ma. The radiometric age of the volcanic rocks is not randomly distributed but varies systematically with basins and localities. It becomes generlly younger to the south, namely from the Changgi basin to the Haseo basin. The rocks in the Changgi basin are dated to be from $19.92{\pm}0.47$ to $22.05{\pm}0.67Ma$. With exception of only one locality in the Geumgwangdong they all formed before 20 Ma B.P. The Eoil basalt by Tateiwa in the Eoil basin are dated to be from $20.44{\pm}0.47$ to $18.35{\pm}0.62Ma$ and they are younger than those in the Changgi basin by 2~4 Ma. Specifically, basaltic rocks in the sedimentary and voncanic sequences of the Eoil basin can be well compared to the sequence of associated sedimentary rocks. Generally they become younger to the stratigraphically upper part. Among the basin, the Haseo basin is characterized by the youngest volcanic rocks. The basalt (911214-7) which crops out in Jeongja-ri, Gangdong-myon, Ulsan-gun is $16.22{\pm}0.75Ma$ and the other one (911214-9) in coastal area, Jujon-dong, Ulsan is $14.64{\pm}0.66Ma$ old. The radiometric data are positively collaborated with the results of paleomagnetic study, pull-apart basin model and East Sea spreading theory. Especially, the successively changing age of Eoil basalts are in accordance with successively changing degree of rotation. In detail, following results are discussed. Firstly, the porphyritic rocks previously known as Cretaceous basement (911213-2, 911214-1) show the age of $43.73{\pm}1.05$$49.58{\pm}1.13Ma$(Eocene) confirms the results of Jin et al. (1988). This means sequential volcanic activity from Cretaceous up to Lower Tertiary. Secondly, intrusive andesitic rocks in the Pohang basin, which are dated to be $21.8{\pm}2.8Ma$ (Jin et al., 1988) are found out to be 15 Ma old in coincindence with the age of host strata of 16.5 Ma. Thirdly, The Quaternary basalt (911213-5 and 911213-6) of Tateiwa(1924) is not homogeneous regarding formation age and petrological characteristics. The basalt in the Changgi basin show the age of $19.92{\pm}0.47$ and $22.05{\pm}0.67$ (Miocene). The basalt (911213-8) in Sangjond-ri, which intruded Nultaeri Trachytic Tuff is dated to be $20.55{\pm}0.50Ma$, which means Changgi Group is older than this age. The Yeonil Basalt, which Tateiwa described as Quaternary one shows different age ranging from Lower Miocene to Upper Miocene(cf. Jin et al., 1988: sample no. 93-33: $10.20{\pm}0.30Ma$). Therefore, the Yeonil Quarterary basalt should be revised and divided into different geologic epochs. Fourthly, Yeonil basalt of Tateiwa (1926) in the Eoil basin is correlated to the Yeonil basalt in the Changgi basin. Yoon (1989) intergrated both basalts as Eoil basaltic andesitic volcanic rocks or Eoil basalt (Yoon et al., 1991), and placed uppermost unit of the Changgi Group. As mentioned above the so-called Quarternary basalt in the Eoil basin are not extruded or intruaed simultaneously, but differentiatedly (14 Ma~25 Ma) so that they can not be classified as one unit. Fifthly, the Yongdong-ri formation of the Pomgogri Group is intruded by the Eoil basalt (911214-3) of 18.35~0.62 Ma age. Therefore, the deposition of the Pomgogri Group is completed before this age. Referring petrological characteristics, occurences, paleomagnetic data, and relationship to other Eoil basalts, it is most provable that this basalt is younger than two others. That means the Pomgogri Group is underlain by the Changgi Group. Sixthly, mineral composition of the basalts and andesitic rocks from the 4 basins show different ground mass and phenocryst. In volcanic rocks in the Pohang basin, phenocrysts are pyroxene and a small amount of biotite. Those of the Changgi basin is predominant by Labradorite, in the Eoil by bytownite-anorthite and a small amount pyroxene.

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Evaluation for Rock Cleavage Using Distribution of Microcrack Spacings (II) (미세균열의 간격 분포를 이용한 결의 평가(II))

  • Park, Deok-Won
    • The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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    • v.25 no.2
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    • pp.151-163
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    • 2016
  • The characteristics of the rock cleavage in Jurassic granite from Geochang were analysed. The evaluation for the three directions of rock cleavages was performed using the parameters such as (1) frequency of microcrack spacing(N), (2) total spacing(${\leq}1mm$), (3) mean spacing($S_{mean}$), (4) difference value($S_{mean}-S_{median}$) between mean spacing($S_{mean}$) and median spacing($S_{median}$), (5) density of spacing(${\rho}$), (6) difference value between two exponents for the whole range of the diagrams(${\lambda}_H-{\lambda}_L$), (7) mean value of exponent(${\lambda}_M$), (8) mean value of exponential constant($a_M$), (9) difference value between two exponents for the section under the initial points of intersection(${\lambda}t_H-{\lambda}t_L$), (10) mean value of exponent(${\lambda}t_M$) and (11) mean value of exponential constant($at_M$). The results of correlation analysis between the values of parameters for three rock cleavages and those for three planes are as follows. The values of (I) parameters(1, 2, 7 and 8) and (II) parameters(3, 4 and 5) are in orders of (I) H(hardway, (H1 + H2)/2) < G(grain, (G1 + G2)/2) < R(rift, (R1 + R2)/2) and (II) R < G < H. On the contrary, the values of the above two groups(I~II) of parameters for three planes show reverse orders. Besides, the values of parameter $6({\lambda}_H-{\lambda}_L)$, parameter $9({\lambda}t_H-{\lambda}t_L)$, parameter $10({\lambda}t_M)$ and parameter $11(at_M)$ for three planes are in orders of R(rift plane, (G1 + H2)/2) < H(hardway plane, (R2 + G2)/2) < G(grain plane, (R1 + H2)/2), H < G < R, H < R < G and R < H < G, respectively. The values of the above four parameters for three rock cleavages show the various orders of R < H < G, R < H < G, H < G < R and H < G < R, respectively. Meanwhile, the spacing values equivalent to the initial points of contact and intersection between the two directions of diagrams were derived. The above spacing values for three rock cleavages are in order of rift(R1 and R2) < grain(G1 and G2) < hardway(H1 and H2). The spacing values for three planes are in order of rift plane(G1 and H1) < hardway plane(R2 and G2) < grain plane(R1 and H2). In particular, the intersection angles for three rock cleavages and three planes are in order of rift and rift plane < hardway and hardway plane < grain and grain plane. Consequently, the two diagrams of rift(R1 and R2) and rift plane(G1 and H1) show higher frequency of the point of contact and intersection. These characteristics of change were derived through the general chart for three planes and three rock cleavages. Lastly, the correlation analysis through the values of parameters along with the distribution pattern is useful for discriminating three quarrying planes.

Geology of Athabasca Oil Sands in Canada (캐나다 아사바스카 오일샌드 지질특성)

  • Kwon, Yi-Kwon
    • The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.1-11
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    • 2008
  • As conventional oil and gas reservoirs become depleted, interests for oil sands has rapidly increased in the last decade. Oil sands are mixture of bitumen, water, and host sediments of sand and clay. Most oil sand is unconsolidated sand that is held together by bitumen. Bitumen has hydrocarbon in situ viscosity of >10,000 centipoises (cP) at reservoir condition and has API gravity between $8-14^{\circ}$. The largest oil sand deposits are in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. The reverves are approximated at 1.7 trillion barrels of initial oil-in-place and 173 billion barrels of remaining established reserves. Alberta has a number of oil sands deposits which are grouped into three oil sand development areas - the Athabasca, Cold Lake, and Peace River, with the largest current bitumen production from Athabasca. Principal oil sands deposits consist of the McMurray Fm and Wabiskaw Mbr in Athabasca area, the Gething and Bluesky formations in Peace River area, and relatively thin multi-reservoir deposits of McMurray, Clearwater, and Grand Rapid formations in Cold Lake area. The reservoir sediments were deposited in the foreland basin (Western Canada Sedimentary Basin) formed by collision between the Pacific and North America plates and the subsequent thrusting movements in the Mesozoic. The deposits are underlain by basement rocks of Paleozoic carbonates with highly variable topography. The oil sands deposits were formed during the Early Cretaceous transgression which occurred along the Cretaceous Interior Seaway in North America. The oil-sands-hosting McMurray and Wabiskaw deposits in the Athabasca area consist of the lower fluvial and the upper estuarine-offshore sediments, reflecting the broad and overall transgression. The deposits are characterized by facies heterogeneity of channelized reservoir sands and non-reservoir muds. Main reservoir bodies of the McMurray Formation are fluvial and estuarine channel-point bar complexes which are interbedded with fine-grained deposits formed in floodplain, tidal flat, and estuarine bay. The Wabiskaw deposits (basal member of the Clearwater Formation) commonly comprise sheet-shaped offshore muds and sands, but occasionally show deep-incision into the McMurray deposits, forming channelized reservoir sand bodies of oil sands. In Canada, bitumen of oil sands deposits is produced by surface mining or in-situ thermal recovery processes. Bitumen sands recovered by surface mining are changed into synthetic crude oil through extraction and upgrading processes. On the other hand, bitumen produced by in-situ thermal recovery is transported to refinery only through bitumen blending process. The in-situ thermal recovery technology is represented by Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage and Cyclic Steam Stimulation. These technologies are based on steam injection into bitumen sand reservoirs for increase in reservoir in-situ temperature and in bitumen mobility. In oil sands reservoirs, efficiency for steam propagation is controlled mainly by reservoir geology. Accordingly, understanding of geological factors and characteristics of oil sands reservoir deposits is prerequisite for well-designed development planning and effective bitumen production. As significant geological factors and characteristics in oil sands reservoir deposits, this study suggests (1) pay of bitumen sands and connectivity, (2) bitumen content and saturation, (3) geologic structure, (4) distribution of mud baffles and plugs, (5) thickness and lateral continuity of mud interbeds, (6) distribution of water-saturated sands, (7) distribution of gas-saturated sands, (8) direction of lateral accretion of point bar, (9) distribution of diagenetic layers and nodules, and (10) texture and fabric change within reservoir sand body.

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