Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


bgsu1197992542.pdf (6 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Factors Affecting the Precipitation of Quartz Under Hydrothermal Conditions

Pepple, Chris C
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1197992542

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Geology.
Natural Pocono Sandstone and synthetic quartz crystals, crushed and sieved (125-250um), have been used to experimentally evaluate changes in the rate and nature of quartz cementation under hydrothermal conditions. Experiments were carried out from 1 hour to 5 weeks at temperatures of 300-600°C and at 150 MPa confining pressure to simulate cementation conditions analogous to a quartz reservoir at depth. Experimental charges consisted of AlCl3, amorphous silica, NaCl brine, and one of the quartz sample materials weld-sealed in a gold tube. Interactions of quartz systems with and without the addition of iron oxides (goethite) were conducted to determine the influence of iron oxides on cementation. After the experiments, samples were impregnated with epoxy and then analyzed using cathodoluminescence (CL), plain polarized light (PPL), cross polarized light (XPL), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mosaic images were constructed for node counting of grains, cement, and porosity for synthetic quartz samples, and grains and porosity measures for Pocono Sandstone experiments. The mosaic images illustrate precipitation and dissolution occurred at sample bases and tops due to a saturation gradient formed by the interactions of AlCl3 and amorphous silica. Measured cement and porosity values of synthetic quartz samples were used to calculate precipitation and transport rates detailing differences between pure and goethite system experiments. Consistently, synthetic quartz goethite experiments showed greater cementation in response to increased silica solubility and goethite’s pervasive and adsorptive nature towards quartz. In addition, it is shown that significant amounts of quartz cementation can occur due to saturation gradients between quartz and amorphous silica even in the absence of a temperature or pressure gradient.
John Farver (Advisor)
Geochemistry; Geology
Pocono Sandstone; quartz; silica; cementation; precipitation; amorphous silica; goethite; cathodoluminescence

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Pepple, C. C. (2008). Factors Affecting the Precipitation of Quartz Under Hydrothermal Conditions [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1197992542

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Pepple, Chris. Factors Affecting the Precipitation of Quartz Under Hydrothermal Conditions. 2008. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1197992542.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Pepple, Chris. "Factors Affecting the Precipitation of Quartz Under Hydrothermal Conditions." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1197992542

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1197992542
3,475
© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.