Provincialism and correlations between some properties of vitrinites

Optical and chemical properties for hand-picked samples of vitrinite from a number of British coalfields are correlated and the correlations compared with previously published data. The form of the relationship found for the properties of British vitrinites is generally similar to that exhibited by a number of other sets of analyses, but some significant differences also exist in several of the correlations. For maximum reflectance as a function of carbon content, the present data indicate that at medium and low ranks, maximum reflectance is lower than the level suggested by most previous studies. The relationships of volatile-matter yield to reflectance and carbon content suggest that at low ranks, volatile-matter yield is strongly dependent upon the nature of the coalification history of the vitrinite. Furthermore, these correlations are likely to show provincialism, in that correlations which hold for one coalfield may not be representative of the relationship in other coalfields. Similarly, major differences in relationships involving bireflectance are associated with the tectonic setting at the time of effective coalification. The data presented here indicate that for low-rank coals at least, correlations between properties of vitrinites must take account of provincialism if they are to be sufficiently reliable to be useful. The measurement of a number of rank-sensitive variables can yield additional information about rank, as compared with the use of a single rank-sensitive variable.     

雪峰山西侧北缘五峰组-龙马溪组含笔石页岩热成熟度特征

五峰组-龙马溪组含笔石富有机质页岩是中国目前最成功和最重要的页岩气勘探目标.由于缺乏镜质体,该地层的成熟度一直存在争议.以雪峰山西侧北缘富含笔石的五峰组-龙马溪组页岩为例,采用笔石表皮体反射率来表征其成熟度特征.该套页岩笔石含量丰富,以非粒状笔石表皮体为主,其具有二轴晶光性特征,最大反射率（GR_max）和双反射率之间表现出正相关关系,成熟度越高的笔石表皮体表现出更强的各向异性.同时,该套地层中也含有丰富的沥青颗粒,其随机反射率与笔石表皮体的最大和随机反射率也呈现了正相关性,其各向异性更弱,但其成因复杂,且颗粒细小,测定较困难,因此,相对而言,作为热成熟指标,笔石表皮体反射率更占优势.雪峰山西侧北缘五峰组-龙马溪组含笔石页岩的成熟度较高,EqVR_o值均为3.10%以上,达到了过成熟阶段,是页岩气勘探的有利区.      

Using reflectance crossplots and rotational polarization for determining first-cycle vitrinite for maturation studies

Vitrinite reflectance on dispersed sedimentary organic matter is traditionally determined from histograms of vitrinite and inertinite reflectance measured on either whole rock samples or kerogen concentrates, or from particles usually in whole rock preparations chosen by morphology and relative reflectance to be first-cycle vitrinite. This paper discusses an alternative method: discrimination of first-cycle vitrinite using apparent maximum and minimum reflectance data plotted on reflectance crossplots. The use of crossplots increases the confidence that the macerals identified as first-cycle vitrinite are optically similar. The maximum–minimum data, in this study, were collected on a quantitative reflectance microscope outfitted with rotational polarization, a technique that eliminates the usual difficulty in collecting such data on very small macerals by stage rotation.     

Vitrinite anisotropy under differential stress and high confining pressure and temperature: preliminary observations

The orientation of the optical indicating surface of vitrinite in reflected light has been determined following deformation at 350 and 500°C, confining pressures of 500 and 800 MPa and a strain rate of 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹. High temperature and large strain have facilitated reorientation of the indicating surface, increase in anisotropy (bireflectance) and an increase in maximum vitrinite reflectance. In a specimen deformed at 500°C and 23% axial strain the maximum vitrinite reflectance has been reoriented more than 70° from close to parallel to σ₁ in the undeformed state to perpendicular to σ₁ following deformation. Orientation of the optical indicating surface of some of the deformed specimens suggests the orientation of the maximum reflectance is a composite product of the original orientation of the indicating surface and an orientation produced during deformation.     

Conversion of carbonaceous material to graphite during metamorphism

Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), we have charted some of the structural changes that occur as non-crystalline organic matter in low-grade metamorphic rocks becomes ordered, eventually to form well-crystallized graphite. It has long been known from X-ray studies that the state of crystallization of carbonaceous matter increases with metamorphic grade. Images obtained by HRTEM of samples from a range of metamorphic terranes provide considerable additional detail regarding the process of graphite development. The process is considerably more complex than is suggested by light-optical microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction measurements.In low-grade metamorphic rocks, the carbon layers are relatively few in number, short in length, and rather contorted. Electron-diffraction patterns show only one or two rings, and they are diffuse. As metamorphic grade increases, the carbon layers progressively increase in length and in number, the number of layers in the crystallite stacks increases, the planarity of the layers increases, and the number of layer terminations decreases. Electron-diffraction patterns show complementary increasing numbers of rings, decreasing diffuseness, and, for well-crystallized graphite, discrete spots. Well-crystallized graphite crystals appear in the chlorite zone but, in contrast to most X-ray measurements, a range of structural order is commonly observed among the various crystallites within a given rock sample. These presumably reflect the chemical and structural character of the carbonaceous precursors, possibly their sedimentary sources, as well as the degree of internal equilibration. The results of our electron microscope observations also have implications for interpreting measurements of carbon-isotope fractionations and the apparent lack of equilibrium reported in many such measurements.     

Graptolite, Chitinozoan and Scolecodont Reflectances and Their Use as Indicators of Thermal Maturity

Based on studies of the reflectance of Ordovician and Silurian zooclasts from 11 sections around the Huangling Anticline, Hubei, China, combined with determination of the conodont colour alteration indices (CAI) and of infrared spectroscopy of dispersed organic matter from the same or adjacent horizons, it is further proved that reflectances of graptolites, chitinozoans and scolecldonts, like vitrinite and natural bitumen, increase with increasing maturation, but follow different reflectance paths. They may be used, therefore, as thermal maturation indicators. Graptolites display optically strong anisotropy. The maximum reflectance measured from graptolite on polished section cut parallel to the bedding plane is the most suitable for determination of maturation of their host rocks. In polished section chitinozoan and scolecodont show reflectance, but no bireflectance owing to their isotropy. The random reflectance of chitinozoans is higher than that of scolecodonts in the case of the same maturity. By analysing the distribution trends of graptolite, chitionzoan and scolecodont reflectances, the Ordovician and Silurian strata can be subdivided into three areas of maturation in the present region. The potential of oil or gas generation is discussed for each area. The result is basically coincident with the distribution pattern of regional organic maturation presented by CAI and infrared spectroscopic determination of organic matter.     

Rank of coal beds of the Narragansett basin,Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Coal of the Narragansett basin generally has been considered to be anthracite and/or meta-anthracite. However, no single reliable method has been used to distinguish these two ranks in this basin. Three methods — chemical, X-ray, and petrographic — have been used with some degree of success on coal of the Narragansett basin, but too often the results are in conflict. Chemical methods have been limited by inadequate sampling on a coal-bed-by-coal-bed basis and by a lack of analyses made according to (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1974) standard specifications.In addition, when corrections are made by using the Parr formulas, as required by the ASTM (1974) procedures, the generally high to very high ash content of coal from the Narragansett basin causes the fixed-carbon content to appear higher than it actually is. X-ray methods using the degree of graphitization as a measure of rank are not reliable because some of the graphite is related to shearing and brecciation associated with folding and faulting. Petrographic methods using reflectance on vitrinite give results that are generally consistent with results from chemical determinations. However, it is not clear whether the mean maximum reflectance or mean bireflectance is a better indicator of similar rank of such high-rank coals that have been structurally deformed.Coal from the Cranston Mine, RI, is probably meta-anthracite and coal from the Portsmouth Mine is probably anthracite. These ranks are based on chemical,X-ray, and petrographic data and are supported by associated metamorphic mineral assemblages that indicate that the Cranston Mine is in a higher metamorphic zone than the zone containing the Porthmouth Mine. Interpretation of the rank of Mansfield, MA, coal on the basis of extant chemical data is difficult because it is an impure coal with an ash content of 33 to 50%. Reflectance data indicate that the Mansfield, Foxborough, and Plainville coals in the northern part of the Narragansett basin are meta-anthracite but this is in disagreement with the rank suggested by the low degree of metamorphism of the associated rocks.     

An interactive system to assist mineral identification in ore microscopy

An interactive computer system has been developed to assist the mineral identification in ore microscopy. The reference file of the system consists of optical, mechanical, and chemical properties of about 130 ore minerals. The properties are name, chemical formula, color, bireflectance, anisotropism, internal reflection, reflectance at wavelengths of 470, 546, 589, and 650 nm, and polishing hardness and micro-indentation hardness. All the properties except reflectance and microindentation hardness are qualitative or semi-qualitative. Most of the properties are given as characters relative to the more common minerals. This implies that most of the identification processes advance on the basis of the comparison between a subject mineral and coexisting minerals. For this reason, the system asks a user at first to input already identified mineral names. This is quite different from the mineral identification procedures used in petrographic microscopy. To reduce the number of possible minerals, the system presents a series of questions to a user, and the user selects any of the prepared answers according to his observation. The user can also choose any desired question independently of the sequence. The user is expected to be able to recognize some common minerals, such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, and hematite, without the assistance of the system.     

基于ASTER数据遥感影像的决策树分类

以黑龙江省北安市为研究区域,尝试利用ASTER视反射率值进行便利、准确的土地利用分类研究。对ASTER数据进行波段相关分析,确定最佳组合波段;然后重点分析转换为视反射率值的影像特征和光谱特征,从中提取各种典型地物的光谱曲线; 并依据提取的光谱曲线建立基于地物反射率值大小关系或阈值的决策树模型,对研究区不同地物类型进行分类,并对结果进行精度评价。应用效果表明,该方法简单有效,但对于混合光谱容易错分。     

Thermal maturity in the Central European Basin system (Schleswig-Holstein area): results of 1D basin modelling and new maturity maps

Thermal maturity information has been compiled for one of the deepest parts of the Central European Basin system, the Schleswig-Holstein area in northern Germany. New vitrinite reflectance data were obtained and old data were evaluated from a total of 31 wells. Furthermore, numerical 1D basin modelling was performed in order to interpolate/extrapolate vitrinite reflectance data to base Zechstein and base Keuper. For these two horizons, maturity maps were finally compiled revealing large differences in present-day thermal maturity within the basin. For example, vitrinite reflectance at base Zechstein ranges from greater than 4.5% in the Glueckstadt Graben to less than 1% in the northern part of the study area. Highest thermal maturity of base Keuper occurs in the West Holstein Trough and in the northern part of the Glueckstadt Graben. The timing of maturation is greatly affected by the complex tectonic evolution of the area. For six key wells distributed over the entire study area, burial and temperature histories as well as evolution of maturity were evaluated using 1D basin modelling. Deepest burial and maximum temperatures occurred either during Jurassic, Upper Cretaceous or Neogene times in these wells. Only some parts of the sedimentary package in Schleswig-Holstein show a significant increase in maturity during the Tertiary leading to additional hydrocarbon generation and entrapment.     

基于6S模型的MODIS影像逐像元大气校正及其应用

以获取地物真实反射率为目的,介绍了逐像元大气校正的方法。应用6S模型逐像元综合考虑太阳天顶角、传感器天顶角、相对方位角、大气气溶胶厚度、观测波段以及地表海拔这6个参数,生成查找表,统计分析各参数关于反射率的敏感度;并与以往单一参数校正的方法比较了校正的效果。结果表明,逐像元大气校正算法更加接近地物的真实反射率。利用MODIS地表反射率产品对大气校正的结果进行验证,单一参数、逐像元大气校正的相对误差分别控制在26.9%和12.7%以内;在以植被指数(NDVI)为例的后续遥感定量化反演过程中,逐像元比单一参数大气校正方法计算的NDVI平均高出14.4%。     

The effect of experimental deformation on the graphitization of Pennsylvania anthracite

“Hard” carbon-based Pennsylvania anthracite was deformed in the steady-state at high temperatures and pressures in a series of coaxial and simple shear experiments designed to constrain the role of shear strain and strain energy in the graphitization process. Graphitization did not occur in coaxially deformed anthracite. Nonetheless, dramatic molecular ordering occurs at T 700°C, with average bireflectance values (%) increasing from 1.68 at 700°C to 6.36 at 900°C. R_omin is lowest and bireflectance is highest in zones of high strain (e.g., kink bands) at all temperatures.In anthracite samples deformed in simple shear over the 600°–900°C range at 1.0 GPa, average R_omax (%) values increase up to 11.9, whereas average bireflectance (%) values increase up to 10.7. Bireflectance increases with increasing shear strain and locally exceeds 12.5%. Graphitization occurs in several anthracite sample deformed in simple shear at 900°C. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy confirms the presence of graphite with d₀₀₂=0.3363 nm. These data strongly suggest that shear strain is the dominant factor responsible for the natural transformation of anthracite to graphite at temperatures far below the 1600°C required for graphitization of other hard carbons in earlier hydrostatic heating experiments at 0.5 GPa pressure.     

Application of Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 images data for water quality mapping in Mosul Dam Lake,Northern Iraq

Mosul Dam Lake is the main reservoir in Iraq, supporting the water demand of Mosul, Baghdad, and other cities. The aim of this study is to derive simple and accurate algorithms for the retrieval of water quality parameters for Mosul Dam Lake from Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 reflectance data. The water quality measurements were performed in situ during March and July 2011. These measurements included temperature, turbidity, Secchi disk, chlorophyll-a, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, total inorganic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, total dissolved solids, and pH. In order to properly use the values of reflectance bands, images enhancement techniques have been used. The field measurements were compared with reflectance values of Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 bands using different band combination of empirical algorithms. Generally, the results of analysis showed significant correlation between these models and water quality parameters with R ²?>?0.7 and p?R ²?>?0.9 and p?R ²?>?0.9, and values of the root mean square error ranged from 0.9 to 0.001. ArcGIS 10 was used to simulate the distribution values of water quality parameters calculated from spectral values of TM5 and ETM+ bands. The results of spatial analysis demonstrate that it is possible to use the TM5 and ETM+ images to evaluate the water quality for Mosul Dam Lake.     

The role of shear strain in the graphitization of a high-volatile bituminous and an anthracitic coal

A ‘soft’ carbon-based high-volatile bituminous (R_{o max}=0.68%) coal and a ‘hard’ carbon-based Pennsylvania anthracite (R_{o max}=5.27%) were deformed in the steady state at high temperatures and pressures in a series of coaxial and simple shear deformation experiments designed to constrain the role of shear strain and strain energy in the graphitization process. Tests were carried out in a Griggs-t type solid (NaCl) medium apparatus at T=400–900°C, constant displacement rates of 10^-5−10^-6 s⁻¹, at confining pressures of 0.6 GPa (coaxial) or 0.8 and 1.0 GPa (simple shear). Coaxial samples were shortened up to 50%, whereas shear strains up to 4.9 were attained in simple shear tests. Experiments lasted up to 118 h. Deformed, high-volatile bituminous coal was extensively coked and no correlation between strain and R_{o max}, bireflectance or coal texture was observed in any samples. With increasing temperature, R_{o max} and bireflectance increase in highly anisotropic, coarse mosaic units, but remain essentially constant in the fine granular mosaic, which becomes more abundant at higher temperatures. Graphite-like reflectances are observed locally only in highly reactive macerals and in pyrolytic carbon veins. The degree of molecular ordering attained in deformed bituminous coal samples appears to be determined by the heating-pressurization path rather than by subsequent deformation.Graphitization did not occur in coaxially deformed anthracite. Nonetheless, dramatic molecular ordering occurs at T>700°C, with average bireflectance values increasing from 1.68% at 700°C to 6.36% at 900°C. Anisotropy is greatest in zones of high strain at all temperatures. In anthracite samples deformed in simple shear over the 600–900°C range at 1.0 GPa, the average R_{o max} values increase up to 11.9%, whereas average bireflectance values increase up to 10.7%. Bireflectance increases with progressive bedding rotation and, thus, with increasing shear strain. Graphitization occurs in several anthracite samples deformed in simple shear at 900°C. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy of highly anisotropic material in one sample confirms the presence of graphite with d₀₀₂=0.3363 nm. These data strongly suggest that shear strain, through its tendency to align basic structural units, is the factor responsible for the natural transformation of anthracite to graphite at temperatures far below the 2200°C required in hydrostatic heating experiments at ambient pressure.     

椭球体的视电阻率特征

椭球体是最具代表性的典型三维地电体之一,它三个轴的长短经过变化后可以和多种形状的地电体相似。因此,实现了椭球体电阻率的求解,就可以模拟绝大多数三维地电体的电阻率曲线。从拉普拉斯方程的求解出发,得到了均匀空间中存在的水平椭球体异常表达式,并用简单加倍的方法得到了均匀半空间中水平椭球体的视电阻率公式,结合倾斜旋转椭球体的视电阻率公式的规律,得到了倾斜椭球体的视电阻率公式,再进行一系列简化得到板状体。最后分析对比了均匀电场中旋转椭球体和板状体的视电阻率曲线的形态和规律。结论表明:旋转椭球体与板状体的视电阻率曲线的走向大体相似,且板状体的曲线相比旋转椭球体较缓和。对于低阻情况,在异常体顶部附近的视电阻率异常为零,异常体的倾向一侧有极小值,反倾向一侧有极大值,曲线随倾角α的增大而逐渐变陡。对于高阻情况,视电阻率的极大值出现在异常体顶部附近,两侧有极小值,倾向一侧的曲线较缓和而反倾向一侧的曲线较陡峭,随着倾角α的增大,视电阻率异常变大。     

几丁虫的反射率——早古生代有机岩石学的新前缘

根据对我国扬子地台中部奥陶纪几丁虫生物地层及其壳壁光性特征和反射率的研究，联系华南及塔里木盆地有关的资料，系统总结了我国奥陶纪、志留纪几丁虫生物组合序列的划分及其对比，探讨了几丁虫的光性特征。指出几丁虫在所切光面上具有各向同性的光性特征，只有反射率而无双反射率；在相同成熟度情况下，几丁虫的随机油浸反射率较笔石高，而较虫牙和疑源类低。通过对几丁虫反射率与同层或邻近层位中所测Ｉｃａ、笔石反射率，尤其是分散有机质红外光谱分析所获等效镜质组反射率的对比说明，几丁虫的随机反射率Ｒ０为１０４％～１７０％，＞１７％～３１％和＞３１％～４１％时，分别相当等效镜质组反射率（Ｒ０，ｅｑ）０９％～１３５％，＞１３５％～２２％和２２％～３０％，依次指示含几丁虫母岩有机质演化处于成熟、过成熟早期和过成熟晚期阶段。尽管这个对应关系还需要在今后研究中去进一步证实，但至少说明，几丁虫反射率随有机成熟度增加而增加，对于不含镜质组的晚志留世以前地层来讲，它们可以作为有机质成熟度的指示。     

Structures, origin and evolution of various carbon phases in the ureilite Northwest Africa 4742 compared with laboratory-shocked graphite

Mineralogical structures of carbon phases within the ureilite North West Africa 4742, a recent find, are investigated at various scales by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman microspectrometry and X-ray diffraction. Ureilites are the most carbon-rich of all meteorites, containing up to 6 wt.% carbon. Diamond, graphite and so-called “amorphous carbon” are typically described, but their crystallographic relationships and respective thermal histories remain poorly constrained. We especially focus on the origin of “amorphous carbon” and graphite, as well as their relationship with diamond.Two aliquots of carbon-bearing material were extracted: the insoluble organic matter (IOM) and the diamond fraction. We also compare the observed structures with those of laboratory-shocked graphite.Polycrystalline diamond aggregates with mean coherent domains of about 40 nm are reported for the first time in a ureilite and TEM demonstrates that all carbon phases are crystallographically related at the nanometre scale.Shock features show that diamond is produced from graphite through a martensitic transition. This observation demonstrates that graphite was present when the shock occurred and is consequently a precursor of diamond. The structure of what is commonly described as the “amorphous carbon” has been identified. It is not completely amorphous but only disordered and consists of nanometre-sized polyaromatic units surrounding the diamond. Comparison with laboratory-shocked graphite, partially transformed into diamond, indicates that the disordered carbon could be the product of diamond post-shock annealing.As diamond is the carrier of noble gases, whereas graphite is noble gas free, graphite cannot be the sole diamond precursor. This implies a multiple-stage history. A first generation of diamond could have been synthesized from a noble gas rich precursor or environment by either a shock or a condensation process. Thermally-induced graphitization of chondritic-like organic matter could have produced the graphite, which was then transformed by shock processes into polycrystalline nanodiamond aggregates. The formation of the disordered carbon occurred by diamond post-shock back-transformation during post-shock heating. The noble gases in the first generation diamond could then be incorporated directly into the disordered carbon during the transformation.     

藏东类乌齐-左贡成矿带地果大型石墨矿床含矿岩体时代与矿床成因

藏东类乌齐-左贡成矿带石墨矿近年来取得重大找矿进展,新发现以地果为代表的3处大型石墨矿床,然而地果石墨矿床的成矿地质背景、矿床成因及成矿机制尚不清楚,制约了该成矿带内石墨矿找矿潜力的评价.对地果石墨矿床开展了详细的野外调查、锆石U-Pb测年、碳同位素分析和扫描电镜等研究.锆石U-Pb测年结果显示,含矿二长花岗岩成岩年龄为239.1±1.8 Ma,其捕获锆石的年龄集中于早石炭世(347~326 Ma);碳同位素δ13C值揭示石墨中的碳为有机成因.地果石墨矿床主要受控于含碳地层与中三叠世岩浆的侵入活动,矿床成因属于岩浆混染型和接触变质型共生的复合类型;含矿二长花岗岩侵位时限近似代表了石墨矿成矿时代,为中三叠世.区域成矿地质条件表明,类乌齐-左贡成矿带具有较好的石墨矿找矿潜力,中三叠世侵入岩与卡贡组含碳地层的交接部位是取得石墨矿找矿突破的关键地段.