IEM.2-3 Carbonate Microfacies analysis

Instructors: T. Tsourou; M. Triantaphyllou; G. Kontakiotis; E. Stathopoulou; H. Tariq Janjuhah.

SEMESTER: 2nd

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course deals with the study of microfacies analysis of carbonate rocks, namely their paleontological and sedimentological characteristics and the interpretation of the related depositional environments.

CONTENT:

Theoretical content (lectures).

Introduction. Carbonate sedimentology and depositional environments. Controlling factors on carbonate rock formation

Identification of the components and classification of carbonate rocks

Identification of the components in carbonate rocks and their paleoenvironmental significance: fossils/bioclastic and non-skeletal components

Identification of carbonate components and their paleoenvironmental significance: Benthic foraminifera assemblages.

Carbonate petrography: Porosity and diagenetic analysis in thin sections

Microfacies analysis of carbonate rocks – Discrimination of depositional environments – (Facies Zones and Standard Microfacies types)

Types of carbonate platforms: ramp versus reef depositional model, characteristic microfacies

Slope and Basin microfacies

Case studies with practical exercise: the transition from platform to basin

Applications to relative sea-level curves through time.

Mesozoic biomarkers and biozonal schemes

Industrial applications of microfacies analysis:

Carbonate formations as major components of oil systems in terms of the formation, accumulation and storage of hydrocarbons. Reservoirs and source rocks.

Diagenetic history, and petroleum generation potential of carbonates.

Β. Practical exercises:

Sampling and preparation techniques

Exercises on porosity quantification of carbonate rocks

Comprehensive microscope lab sessions

Hands-on microfacies’ analysis

Hands-on interpretation of the depositional environment

BREAKDOWN OF WORKLOAD

Activity	Semester Workload (hours)
Face to face (in lectures and practical exercises)	39
Using computers, tablets, smartphones and specialized software (in lectures and practice exercises)	10
Field/Laboratory exercises	39
Questions and Answers	10
Preparation for final examination and/or project presentation	27
Total	125

STUDENT EVALUATION/GRADING

The evaluation process is conducted in English, either with progress in separate sections of the material or with the final examination of the whole material and includes:

I. LECTURES (50%)

Oral Examination and/or

Written exam with short answer questions and Multiple choice test and/or

Written examination with extended answer questions and/or

Scientific presentation in a specific topic related to the subject of the course

II. PRACTICAL EXERCISES (50%)

Written examination with exercises and problem solving

SUGGESTED LITERATURE

Flügel, E. (2010). Microfacies of carbonate rocks. 2nd edition, Springer, Berlin, 984 p.

Tucker, M.E., and Wright, V.P., 1990. Carbonate Sedimentology. Blackwell, Oxford. 482 p

Scholle, P.A., Bebout, D.G., Moore, C.H. (Eds.), 1983. Carbonate Depositional Environments. AAPG Memoir 33. 708 p.

https://carbonateworld.com/

NICHOLS, G., 1999: Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. Blackwell Science, Oxford, 355 p.

VERNON, R. H., 2004: A practical Guide to Rock Microstructure, Cambridge University Press, UK, 594 p.

ADAMS, A.E. & MACKENZIE, W.S., 2001: A Colour Atlas of Carbonate Sediments and Rocks Under the Microscope. Manson Publishing, London, 180 p.

SCHOLLE, P.A., 1979: A Color Illustrated Guide To Constituents, Textures, Cements, and Porosities of sandstones and Associated Rocks. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Memoir 28, U.S.A., 201 p.

SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS: