Abstract
The exploration for selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te) will become intensified as the technological demand for these elements grows. It is known that they are enriched in organic-rich sedimentary rocks over crustal mean values. LA-ICP-MS measurement of pyrite in two biodegraded palaeo-oil reservoirs in central England shows that Se and Te are enriched in them, but not in other sulfide samples from the region and elsewhere. The Carboniferous source rock shales in the region are Se-rich, implying that this enrichment was conferred to the oil generated from them. The Se and Te are located in pyrite precipitated in the palaeo-reservoirs by microbial activity. Exhumed oil reservoirs merit further investigation for concentrations of these elements.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 169-173 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Journal of Geochemical Exploration |
| Volume | 148 |
| Early online date | 28 Sept 2014 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2015 |
Bibliographical note
cknowledgementsWe are grateful to A. Sandison, C. Taylor and J. Still for skilled technical support. S. Bowden is thanked for advice on the interpretation of the gas chromatographic data. JP and JF thank the NERC Security of Supply programme for funding (grant NE/L001764/1). The Natural History Museum kindly provided samples from Huglith, Hawkstone Park and Alderley Edge.
Keywords
- Biodegradation
- Microbial sulfate reduction
- Oil reservoirs
- Selenium
- Tellurium