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
Recommended Citation
Starkey, Molly Ann, "Bulk Elemental Analysis of the Lamotte Sandstone Using Non-Destructive X-Ray Fluorescence" (2011). MSU Graduate Theses. 2154.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/2154
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