Graduation Semester and Year

2014

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Earth and Environmental Science

Department

Earth and Environmental Sciences

First Advisor

Harry Rowe

Abstract

The Woodford Shale is a dark, siliceous mudstone that was deposited in a rift basin during late Devonian to early Mississippian times. Three drill cores containing the Woodford Shale from the Anadarko Basin, Oklahoma, have been geochemically analyzed using a handheld energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence instrument. Each core was analyzed at 3- to 4- inch intervals, providing high-resolution chemostratigraphy. Analysis of the following elemental concentrations was performed: Mg, Al, S, Si, P, K, Ti, Ca, Mn, Fe, Mo, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Th, Rb, U, Sr, Zr, and V. Major element geochemistry supports that the Woodford is a siliceous mudstone, with little carbonate input. The relationship between iron and sulfur depicts a high degree of pyritization. A portion of the Woodford Shale appears to be iron-limited with respect to pyrite formation. Trace element enrichment factors and ratios (Ni/Co, V/Cr, and V/(V+Ni)) indicate anoxic or euxinic, oscillating with dysoxic to oxic, bottom water conditions during deposition of the Woodford Shale.

Disciplines

Earth Sciences | Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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