Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

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Co Requisite Comment

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Aims

The aim of this module is to provide the science basis of organic matter in sedimentary rocks and to understand the combination of factors that result in the formation of hydrocarbon source rocks and anoxia/euxinia in lacustine and marine environments. A combination of geochemical, microscopic and modelling techniques is introduced that allow reconstructing the origin, fate during transport and after burial, and hydrocarbon source rock potential of sedimentary organic matter.

Organic matter controls in modern and past marine settings; Productivity, carbon flux, and organic carbon burial; Early diagenetic processes; Ocean dysoxia-anoxia; Oxygen Minimum Zones and upwelling; relationship to sea level change and widespread volcanic activity; ancient sapropel and black shale; Oceanic Anoxic Events; Analytical toolbox including (1) geochemical bulk proxies (C/H/N, Rock Eval Pyrolyses), molecular tracers (photic zone euxinia), inorganic redox tracers (redox-sensitive trace elements, C-S-Fe relationships; novel isotopic approaches); (2) microscopic characterization of sedimentary organic matter, and (3) modelling of organic facies in time and space.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introductory Lectures:
Geological and sedimentary context;
Petroleum source rocks: characteristics observed in outcrops and drill cores;
Production and distribution of organic matter in the modern ocean;
Sedimentation rate, accumulation rate, oxygen exposure time;
Near-surface diagenesis of organic matter;
Anoxic settings: modern and past;
The ‘Productivity’ versus ‘Preservation’ debate.

Geochemical toolbox:
Bulk geochemical characterization of sedimentary organic matter (bulk C isotopes, Rock Eval, C/N);
Optical characterization of sedimentary organic matter (basic introduction to maceral concept and particulate organic matter in recent marine sediments);
Sedimentary tracers for ocean anoxia (I): Inorganic geochemistry (redox sensitive trace elements, Fe-C-S relationships);
Sedimentary tracers for ocean anoxia (II): organic geochemistry (bottom water and photic zone anoxia markers).

Petroleum source rocks and climate:
Oceanic Anoxic Events: general concept and stratigraphic occurrence;
Oceanic Anoxic Events: high resolution records from past greenhouse oceans.

Applied Organic Petrology and Kerogen Microscopy (3 day short course, in collaboration with APT-UK).

Organic Facies Modeling (2 day short course, in collaboration with SINTEF-Norway).

Introductory field trip to the Jurassic N Yorkshire Coast (one day).

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion, the students will be familiar with the science basis and most common analytical approaches applied in marine/lacustrine research and petroleum exploration. They will have a solid understanding of the main factors and feedbacks controlling organic carbon content and composition in aquatic sediments, in modern and past anoxic settings, with emphasis on processes that operate and interact at different scales. Practical work on industry-led case studies ensures balanced training and development of integrated skills relevant to academic and industrial demands. Ultimately they will understand the depositional environments of petroleum source rocks and their younger analogues.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion, the students will be able to use a wide range of analytical data to assess organic matter in aquatic sediments and their petroleum/gas potential within a geological context. Basic skills in applied kerogen microscopy, organic facies modelling, and presentation of results of different complexity will ensure training-on-the-job for both, the industrial and academic sector.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Knowledge and advanced understanding are delivered via lectures, independent literature review and writing of a scientific essay, and a one day field course. More subject specific skills are facilitated through practical classes during two complementary short courses and various presentation exercises. Observations and discussions during the field course will further aid the development of integrated (geological) understanding.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The general and specialist knowledge and understanding are assessed by means of unseen written examination and a single scientific essay (coursework). The examination paper covers a broad range of subjects and approaches to accurately and balanced assess the students abilities. These may include essay, data interpretation and multi-part questions.

General Notes

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