Selected features of carbonate rocks based on the X-ray computed tomography method (CT)

Abstract

Selected features of carbonate rocks based on the X-ray computed tomography method (CT)The paper presents possibilities of X-ray computed tomography (CT) application in view of representing selected features of carbonate rocks in a CT image. 72 sections of drill cores, approx. 1 m long each, were selected for tomographic examinations to obtain as reliable as possible results. The selected core material represents carbonate formations of various ages (from Palaeozoic to Upper Cretaceous), originating from boreholes situated in the Carpathian Foreland area. The interpretation of tomographic examinations was connected with a detailed sedimentological analysis of selected core sections, allowing to carry out direct comparisons, which of studied features and to what extent have disclosed in the CT images, and also whether this image can supplement or make the prepared descriptions more detailed. The presented information has a qualitative nature, i.e. referring mainly to descriptive features of the analysed carbonate rocks. Because of a limited size of the paper we have focused only on a few from numerous analysed features of carbonate rocks. The method of X-ray computed tomography (CT) can be very helpful at the analysis of various carbonate rocks features, such as structural and textural features, biogenic structures, porosity, and fracturing. It should be emphasised that this is a non-invasive method, providing a possibility to reproduce the CT image in various directions, without the necessity of mechanical interference in the rock material, resulting in the core destruction. Mummified siliceous sponges were examples of biogenic structures, which were best reflected in formations, which have been subjected to processes of selective dolomitization. In such type of carbonate rocks the sponge mummies were not dolomitized, while the basic material of the background was dolomitized. A very good representation of the structure in CT images was obtained for colonial hexacorals from the Scleractinia group, because many details of their skeleton structure are noticeable. Contrary to siliceous sponges the structure of corals is preserved much worse in the case, when the studied deposits were subject to diagenetic processes (such as dissolution, recrystallisation, or dolomitization). In addition, the analysis of various bioclasts, preserved in carbonate rocks, has shown a significant role both of the original mineral component building the skeletal elements of organisms (aragonite, high-magnesium calcite, low-magnesium calcite), and of diagenetic processes history, directly affecting the condition of those components preservation. Based on the analysed materials it was found that porosity and fracturing are among best reflected features of carbonate rocks in the CT image. Open fractures, fractures filled with anhydrite and fractures filled with clay-marly material are generally well reflected in the CT image. Instead, fractures filled with calcite are variously recognisable, depending on the mineral composition of the rock ...

Examples of Paleokarst in Mesozoic Carbonate Formations in the Carpathian Foreland Area

“…Above the mentioned breccia, a dense network of multidirectional fractures and cracks, both low angle and high angle, can be observed in the XRMI image, among which it is possible to distinguish fractures filled with low-resistivity material (most likely clay) or cemented with high-resistivity material (presumably calcite). It is worth mentioning that locally, in addition to calcite cements, anhydrite cements have also been found in Jurassic formations (based on an analysis of core material), mainly present within Jurassic organic buildups [36,37]. Among the fractures described above, a large group are fractures widened by dissolution processes.…”

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Characterizing Small-Scale Heterogeneity in Quaternary Freshwater Carbonates of Hungary Using CT Scan Data

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