Date of Graduation

Spring 2011

Degree

Master of Science in Geospatial Sciences

Department

Geography, Geology, and Planning

Committee Chair

Douglas Gouzie

Abstract

Geologic carbon sequestration is currently being widely studied as a means of reducing anthropogenic carbon emissions. However, southwest Missouri does not have any conventional locations for carbon sequestration. Therefore the feasibility of a shallow, gas-phase injection is being investigated. The proposed target unit for injection in southwest Missouri is the basal sedimentary unit, the Cambrian-age Lamotte Formation. As part of the Missouri Carbon Sequestration Project, the bulk elemental composition of the proposed injection unit was evaluated using non-destructive X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). The data were derived from five sandstone cores: four historical cores from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' McCracken Core Library and one core onsite at the Missouri Carbon Sequestration Project. These data will help determine the feasibility of shallow carbon sequestration in southwest Missouri. A library of standards to calibrate the XRF instrument was created and a cluster analysis was used to determine groups based on major element composition. These groups were used to interpret basic stratigraphy and a depositional model for the Lamotte Formation in southwest Missouri. The basic stratigraphy is broken into three distinct groups: arkosic and quartz wackes, quartz arenites, and a carbonate transition zone. The interpreted stratigraphy is consistent with a shallow marine depositional environment.

Keywords

stratigraphy, geochemistry, carbon sequestration, environmental geology, x-ray fluorescence

Subject Categories

Geochemistry | Geology | Stratigraphy

Copyright

© Molly Ann Starkey

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