... marine sections with an abundance of the dinoflagellate Apectodinium homomorphum ([Brinkhuis ... more ... marine sections with an abundance of the dinoflagellate Apectodinium homomorphum ([Brinkhuis et al., 1994], [Thomas, 1996] and [Bujak and Brinkhuis, 1998]) and of the clay mineral kaolinite ([Gibson et al., 1993], [Robert and Kennett, 1994], [Knox, 1998] and [Gawenda et al ...
The Initial Eocene Thermal Maximum (IETM) at c. 55 Ma represents a period of rapid global warming... more The Initial Eocene Thermal Maximum (IETM) at c. 55 Ma represents a period of rapid global warming that lasted less than 200 ka. The response of vegetation to such an event, and particularly warmadapted highly diverse vegetation types, is poorly understood. Using pollen floral, clay mineral and stable carbon isotope analyses of sediments from the upper Tuscahoma Formation on the eastern US Gulf Coast (eastern Mississippi and western Alabama), we document paratropical floral changes across the Palaeocene-Eocene boundary from the Wahalak #2 and lower Harrell cores. Data indicate strong changes in the abundance of kaolinite that correlate with changes in relative abundance of native pollen taxa. There is no evidence for a transient, extra-tropical flora on the US Gulf Coast that may characterize the IETM. Immigration and extinction are not associated with this event. Instead, Early Eocene plant immigration occurs in pulses and therefore is not associated directly with climate change during the IETM. The two cores share the same regional species pool but compositional differences are stronger between cores than they are either through changes in environment, increased soil erosion or chemical weathering, or through the introduction of nonnative plants. Our data suggest that vegetation change across the Palaeocene-Eocene boundary is not a single event but rather a sequence of cascading events.
Many people in sub-Saharan Africa have to rely on meager water resources within mudstones for the... more Many people in sub-Saharan Africa have to rely on meager water resources within mudstones for their only water supply. Although mudstones have been extensively researched for their low permeability behavior, little research has been undertaken to examine their ability to provide sustainable water supplies. To investigate the factors controlling the occurrence of usable ground water in mudstone environments, an area of Cretaceous mudstones in southeastern Nigeria was studied over a 3 yr period. Transmissivity (T) variations in a range of mudstone environments were studied. The investigations demonstrate that within the top 40 m of mudstones, transmissivity can be sufficient to develop village water supplies (T > 1 m 2 /d). Transmissivity is controlled by two factors: low-grade metamorphism and the presence of other, subordinate, lithologies within the mudstones. Largely unaltered mudstones (early diagenetic zone), comprising mainly smectite clays, are mostly unfractured and have a low T of < 0.1 m 2 /d. Mudstones that have undergone limited metamorphism (late diagenetic zone) comprise mixed layered illite/smectite clays, and ground water is found in widely spaced fracture zones (T > 1 m 2 /d in large fracture zones; T < 0.1 m 2 /d away from fracture zones). Mudstones that have been further altered and approach the anchizone comprise illite clays, are pervasively fractured, and have the highest transmissivity values (T > 4 m 2 /d). Dolerite intrusions in unaltered, smectitic mudstones are highly fractured with transmissivity in the range of 1 < T < 60 m 2 /d. Thin limestone and sandstone layers can also enhance transmissivity sufficiently to provide community water supplies.
Traditionally, potash mineral deposits have been characterized using downhole geophysical logging... more Traditionally, potash mineral deposits have been characterized using downhole geophysical logging in tandem with geochemical analysis of core samples to establish the critical potassium (% K2O) content. These techniques have been employed in a recent exploration study of the Permian evaporite succession of North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, but the characterization of these complex deposits has been led by mineralogical analysis, using quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD). The novel QXRD approach provides data on K content with the level of confidence needed for reliable reporting of resources and also identifies and quantifies more precisely the nature of the K-bearing minerals. Errors have also been identified when employing traditional geochemical approaches for this deposit, which would have resulted in underestimated potash grades. QXRD analysis has consistently identified polyhalite (K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4⋅2(H2O) in the Fordon (Evaporite) Formation and sylvite (KCl) in the Boulby Potash and Sneaton Potash members as the principal K-bearing host minerals in North Yorkshire. However, other K hosts, including kalistrontite (K2Sr(SO4)2) a first recorded occurrence in the UK, and a range of boron-bearing minerals have also been detected. Application of the QXRD-led characterization program across the evaporitic basin has helped to produce a descriptive, empirical model for the deposits, including the polyhalite-bearing Shelf and Basin seams and two, newly discovered sylvite-bearing bittern salt horizons, the Pasture Beck and Gough seams. The characterization program has enabled a polyhalite mineral inventory in excess of 2.5 billion metric tons (Bt) to be identified, suggesting that this region possesses the world's largest known resource of polyhalite.
Earth scientists are often asked to establish or constrain the likely provenance of very small qu... more Earth scientists are often asked to establish or constrain the likely provenance of very small quantities of earth-related material as part of a forensic investigation. We tested the independent and collective interpretations of four experts with differing analytical skills in the prediction of sample provenance for three samples from different environmental settings. The methods used were X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, the assessment of pollen assemblages, and structural characterization of organic matter at the molecular level. Independent interpretations were less accurate than those where multiple techniques were combined. Collective interpretation was very effective in the assessment of provenance for two of the three sites where the mineralogy and plant communities were distinctive. At the other site, although the mineralogical analysis correctly identified the Triassic mudstone soil parent material, Carboniferous spores from domestic coal were initially interpreted as deriving directly from bedrock. Such an interpretation could be a common pitfall owing to anthropogenic redistribution of material such as coal.
Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets VIII, 2003
This study aims to move towards a reliable method for synthesizing artificial soils that emulate ... more This study aims to move towards a reliable method for synthesizing artificial soils that emulate the effect of real soils on pulse-induction metal detectors. The signals resulting from some mineralized soils can greatly impair the effectiveness of mine detectors. We analysed a sample of one such soil from Cambodia, using resistivity measurement, X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility measurement and electron microscopy.
Egu General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2013
Shale gas has been produced for many years in the U.S.A. and forms around 8% of total their natur... more Shale gas has been produced for many years in the U.S.A. and forms around 8% of total their natural gas production. Recent testing for gas on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire UK suggests there are potentially large reserves which could be exploited. The increasing significance of shale gas has lead to the need for deeper understanding of shale behaviour. There are many factors which govern whether a particular shale will become a shale gas resource and these include: i) Organic matter abundance, type and thermal maturity; ii) Porosity-permeability relationships and pore size distribution; iii) Brittleness and its relationship to mineralogy and rock fabric. Measurements of these properties require sophisticated and time consuming laboratory techniques (Josh et al 2012), whereas rapid screening techniques could provide timely results which could improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of exploration. In this study, techniques which are portable and provide rapid on-site measurements (X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Infra-red (IR) spectroscopy) have been calibrated against standard laboratory techniques (Rock-Eval 6 analyser-Vinci Technologies) and Powder whole-rock XRD analysis was carried out using a PANalytical X'Pert Pro series diffractometer equipped with a cobalt-target tube, X'Celerator detector and operated at 45kV and 40mA, to predict properties of potential shale gas material from core material from the Bowland shale Roosecote, south Cumbria. Preliminary work showed that, amongst various mineralogical and organic matter properties of the core, regression models could be used so that the total organic carbon content could be predicted from the IR spectra with a 95 percentile confidence prediction error of 0.6% organic carbon, the free hydrocarbons could be predicted with a 95 percentile confidence prediction error of 0.6 mgHC/g rock, the bound hydrocarbons could be predicted with a 95 percentile confidence prediction error of 2.4 mgHC/g rock, mica content with a 95 percentile confidence prediction error of 14% and quartz content with a 95 percentile confidence prediction error of 14% . References M. Josh *, L. Esteban, C. Delle Piane, J. Sarout, D.N. Dewhurst, M.B. Clennell 2012. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering , 88-89, 107-124.
... marine sections with an abundance of the dinoflagellate Apectodinium homomorphum ([Brinkhuis ... more ... marine sections with an abundance of the dinoflagellate Apectodinium homomorphum ([Brinkhuis et al., 1994], [Thomas, 1996] and [Bujak and Brinkhuis, 1998]) and of the clay mineral kaolinite ([Gibson et al., 1993], [Robert and Kennett, 1994], [Knox, 1998] and [Gawenda et al ...
The Initial Eocene Thermal Maximum (IETM) at c. 55 Ma represents a period of rapid global warming... more The Initial Eocene Thermal Maximum (IETM) at c. 55 Ma represents a period of rapid global warming that lasted less than 200 ka. The response of vegetation to such an event, and particularly warmadapted highly diverse vegetation types, is poorly understood. Using pollen floral, clay mineral and stable carbon isotope analyses of sediments from the upper Tuscahoma Formation on the eastern US Gulf Coast (eastern Mississippi and western Alabama), we document paratropical floral changes across the Palaeocene-Eocene boundary from the Wahalak #2 and lower Harrell cores. Data indicate strong changes in the abundance of kaolinite that correlate with changes in relative abundance of native pollen taxa. There is no evidence for a transient, extra-tropical flora on the US Gulf Coast that may characterize the IETM. Immigration and extinction are not associated with this event. Instead, Early Eocene plant immigration occurs in pulses and therefore is not associated directly with climate change during the IETM. The two cores share the same regional species pool but compositional differences are stronger between cores than they are either through changes in environment, increased soil erosion or chemical weathering, or through the introduction of nonnative plants. Our data suggest that vegetation change across the Palaeocene-Eocene boundary is not a single event but rather a sequence of cascading events.
Many people in sub-Saharan Africa have to rely on meager water resources within mudstones for the... more Many people in sub-Saharan Africa have to rely on meager water resources within mudstones for their only water supply. Although mudstones have been extensively researched for their low permeability behavior, little research has been undertaken to examine their ability to provide sustainable water supplies. To investigate the factors controlling the occurrence of usable ground water in mudstone environments, an area of Cretaceous mudstones in southeastern Nigeria was studied over a 3 yr period. Transmissivity (T) variations in a range of mudstone environments were studied. The investigations demonstrate that within the top 40 m of mudstones, transmissivity can be sufficient to develop village water supplies (T > 1 m 2 /d). Transmissivity is controlled by two factors: low-grade metamorphism and the presence of other, subordinate, lithologies within the mudstones. Largely unaltered mudstones (early diagenetic zone), comprising mainly smectite clays, are mostly unfractured and have a low T of < 0.1 m 2 /d. Mudstones that have undergone limited metamorphism (late diagenetic zone) comprise mixed layered illite/smectite clays, and ground water is found in widely spaced fracture zones (T > 1 m 2 /d in large fracture zones; T < 0.1 m 2 /d away from fracture zones). Mudstones that have been further altered and approach the anchizone comprise illite clays, are pervasively fractured, and have the highest transmissivity values (T > 4 m 2 /d). Dolerite intrusions in unaltered, smectitic mudstones are highly fractured with transmissivity in the range of 1 < T < 60 m 2 /d. Thin limestone and sandstone layers can also enhance transmissivity sufficiently to provide community water supplies.
Traditionally, potash mineral deposits have been characterized using downhole geophysical logging... more Traditionally, potash mineral deposits have been characterized using downhole geophysical logging in tandem with geochemical analysis of core samples to establish the critical potassium (% K2O) content. These techniques have been employed in a recent exploration study of the Permian evaporite succession of North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, but the characterization of these complex deposits has been led by mineralogical analysis, using quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD). The novel QXRD approach provides data on K content with the level of confidence needed for reliable reporting of resources and also identifies and quantifies more precisely the nature of the K-bearing minerals. Errors have also been identified when employing traditional geochemical approaches for this deposit, which would have resulted in underestimated potash grades. QXRD analysis has consistently identified polyhalite (K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4⋅2(H2O) in the Fordon (Evaporite) Formation and sylvite (KCl) in the Boulby Potash and Sneaton Potash members as the principal K-bearing host minerals in North Yorkshire. However, other K hosts, including kalistrontite (K2Sr(SO4)2) a first recorded occurrence in the UK, and a range of boron-bearing minerals have also been detected. Application of the QXRD-led characterization program across the evaporitic basin has helped to produce a descriptive, empirical model for the deposits, including the polyhalite-bearing Shelf and Basin seams and two, newly discovered sylvite-bearing bittern salt horizons, the Pasture Beck and Gough seams. The characterization program has enabled a polyhalite mineral inventory in excess of 2.5 billion metric tons (Bt) to be identified, suggesting that this region possesses the world's largest known resource of polyhalite.
Earth scientists are often asked to establish or constrain the likely provenance of very small qu... more Earth scientists are often asked to establish or constrain the likely provenance of very small quantities of earth-related material as part of a forensic investigation. We tested the independent and collective interpretations of four experts with differing analytical skills in the prediction of sample provenance for three samples from different environmental settings. The methods used were X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, the assessment of pollen assemblages, and structural characterization of organic matter at the molecular level. Independent interpretations were less accurate than those where multiple techniques were combined. Collective interpretation was very effective in the assessment of provenance for two of the three sites where the mineralogy and plant communities were distinctive. At the other site, although the mineralogical analysis correctly identified the Triassic mudstone soil parent material, Carboniferous spores from domestic coal were initially interpreted as deriving directly from bedrock. Such an interpretation could be a common pitfall owing to anthropogenic redistribution of material such as coal.
Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets VIII, 2003
This study aims to move towards a reliable method for synthesizing artificial soils that emulate ... more This study aims to move towards a reliable method for synthesizing artificial soils that emulate the effect of real soils on pulse-induction metal detectors. The signals resulting from some mineralized soils can greatly impair the effectiveness of mine detectors. We analysed a sample of one such soil from Cambodia, using resistivity measurement, X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility measurement and electron microscopy.
Egu General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2013
Shale gas has been produced for many years in the U.S.A. and forms around 8% of total their natur... more Shale gas has been produced for many years in the U.S.A. and forms around 8% of total their natural gas production. Recent testing for gas on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire UK suggests there are potentially large reserves which could be exploited. The increasing significance of shale gas has lead to the need for deeper understanding of shale behaviour. There are many factors which govern whether a particular shale will become a shale gas resource and these include: i) Organic matter abundance, type and thermal maturity; ii) Porosity-permeability relationships and pore size distribution; iii) Brittleness and its relationship to mineralogy and rock fabric. Measurements of these properties require sophisticated and time consuming laboratory techniques (Josh et al 2012), whereas rapid screening techniques could provide timely results which could improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of exploration. In this study, techniques which are portable and provide rapid on-site measurements (X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Infra-red (IR) spectroscopy) have been calibrated against standard laboratory techniques (Rock-Eval 6 analyser-Vinci Technologies) and Powder whole-rock XRD analysis was carried out using a PANalytical X'Pert Pro series diffractometer equipped with a cobalt-target tube, X'Celerator detector and operated at 45kV and 40mA, to predict properties of potential shale gas material from core material from the Bowland shale Roosecote, south Cumbria. Preliminary work showed that, amongst various mineralogical and organic matter properties of the core, regression models could be used so that the total organic carbon content could be predicted from the IR spectra with a 95 percentile confidence prediction error of 0.6% organic carbon, the free hydrocarbons could be predicted with a 95 percentile confidence prediction error of 0.6 mgHC/g rock, the bound hydrocarbons could be predicted with a 95 percentile confidence prediction error of 2.4 mgHC/g rock, mica content with a 95 percentile confidence prediction error of 14% and quartz content with a 95 percentile confidence prediction error of 14% . References M. Josh *, L. Esteban, C. Delle Piane, J. Sarout, D.N. Dewhurst, M.B. Clennell 2012. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering , 88-89, 107-124.
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