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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Lunar sample studies

Lunar samples discussed and the nature of their analyses are: (1) an Apollo 15 breccia which is thoroughly analyzed as to the nature of the mature regolith from which it derived and the time and nature of the lithification process, (2) two Apollo 11 and one Apollo 12 basalts analyzed in terms of chemistry, Cross-Iddings-Pirsson-Washington norms, mineralogy, and petrography, (3) eight Apollo 17 mare basalts, also analyzed in terms of chemistry, Cross-Iddings-Pirsson-Washington norms, mineralogy, and petrography. The first seven are shown to be chemically similar although of two main textural groups; the eighth is seen to be distinct in both chemistry and mineralogy, (4) a troctolitic clast from a Fra Mauro breccia, analyzed and contrasted with other high-temperature lunar mineral assemblages. Two basaltic clasts from the same breccia are shown to have affinities with rock 14053, and (5) the uranium-thorium-lead systematics of three Apollo 16 samples are determined; serious terrestrial-lead contamination of the first two samples is attributed to bandsaw cutting in the lunar curatorial facility.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1985

The parental magma for some rocks from the Norite 1 subzone of the Stillwater Complex - A lunar analog study

Single samples from three successive homogeneous but contrasting layers (anorthosite, anorthositic norite, and norite) in the Stillwater Complex Norite 1 subzone were subjected to detailed petrographic and major and trace element chemical analyses. The petrography and the element chemistry of the three layers are found to be generally consistent with formation from a common magma, although a simple model of liquidus phases and trapped magma is not quite consistent with petrography and chemistry. Changes of oxidation level from layer to layer are indicated by both iron in plagioclase and by the distribution coefficient for Eu required for compatibility with a common parent. Such oxidation changes can explain qualitatively the Mg/Fe variation otherwise attributed to trapped liquid. The data demonstrate that for individual lunar highlands igneous rocks, a general picture of the parent magma can be derived, but detailed petrochemical comparisons using a simple trapped liquid model might deny a common parentage for two samples when such in fact existed.

Ryder, G.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Evaluation of lunar rocks and soils for resource utilization: Detailed image analysis of raw materials and beneficiated products

The rocks and soils of the Moon will be the raw materials for fuels and construction needs at a lunar base. This includes sources of materials for the generation of hydrogen, oxygen, metals, and other potential construction materials. For most of the bulk material needs, the regolith, and its less than 1 cm fraction, the soil, will suffice. But for specific mineral resources, it may be necessary to concentrate minerals from rocks or soils, and it is not always obvious which is the more appropriate feedstock. Besides an appreciation of site geology, the mineralogy and petrography of local rocks and soils is important for consideration of the resources which can provide feedstocks of ilmenite, glass, agglutinates, anorthite, etc. In such studies, it is very time-consuming and practically impossible to correlate particle counts (the traditional method of characterizing lunar soil petrography) with accurate modal analyses and with mineral associations in multi-mineralic grains. But x ray digital imaging, using x rays characteristic of each element, makes all this possible and much more (e.g., size and shape analysis). An application of beneficiation image analysis, in use in our lab (Oxford Instr. EDS and Cameca SX-50 EMP), was demonstrated to study mineral liberation from lunar rocks and soils. Results of x ray image analysis are presented.

Taylor, Lawrence A.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Lunar Rocks from Outer Space

The following topics were discussed: Mineralogy and Petrology of Unbrecciated Lunar Basaltic Meteorite LAP 02205; LAP02205 Lunar Meteorite: Lunar Mare Basalt with Similarities to the Apollo 12 Ilmenite Basalt; Mineral Chemistry of LaPaz Ice Field 02205 - A New Lunar Basalt; Petrography of Lunar Meteorite LAP 02205, a New Low-Ti Basalt Possibly Launch Paired with NWA 032; KREEP-rich Basaltic Magmatism: Diversity of Composition and Consistency of Age; Mineralogy of Yamato 983885 Lunar Polymict Breccia with Alkali-rich and Mg-rich Rocks; Ar-Ar Studies of Dhofar Clast-rich Feldspathic Highland Meteorites: 025, 026, 280, 303; Can Granulite Metamorphic Conditions Reset 40Ar-39Ar Ages in Lunar Rocks? [#1009] A Ferroan Gabbronorite Clast in Lunar Meteorite ALHA81005: Major and Trace Element Composition, and Origin; Petrography of Lunar Meteorite PCA02007, a New Feldspathic Regolith Breccia; and Troilite Formed by Sulfurization: A Crystal Structure of Synthetic Analogue

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2012

Mineralogy and Oxygen Isotope Compositions of an Unusual Hibonite-Perovskite Refractory Inclusion from Allende

Hibonite-rich Ca- and Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) are among the earliest formed solids that condensed in the early nebula. We discovered an unusual refractory inclusion from the Allende CV3 chondrite (SHAL) containing an approx 500 micron long single crystal of hibonite and co-existing coarse-grained perovskite. The mineralogy and petrography of SHAL show strong similarities to some FUN inclusions, especially HAL. Here we report on the mineralogy, petrography, mineral chemistry and oxygen isotopic compositions in SHAL.

Keller, L. P.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Clast Selection and Metallographic Cooling Rates: Initial Results on Type 1A and 2A Mesosiderites

We initiated a comprehensive study on selected clasts and metal of mesosiderites using SEM, electron microprobe and the complete suite of noble gases. Here we report initial results on the petrography of selected clasts and metallographic cooling rates using the central Ni method used in sev-eral publications. We focus on the approach of selecting grains in least recrystallized mesosiderites. Hence, especially (lithic) clasts in type 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B are the first choice. They provide highest primitive-ness and least annealing/metamorphism. All grains selected should be in close proximity to each other. Lithic clasts in mesosiderites are of high interest be-cause of their igneous texture and similarity to eucrites and howardite petrography. We find pyrox-enes (px) and plagioclase (plag) attached to each other which implies a common formation history. It will be interesting to see differences and similarities in their noble gas inventory (CRE ages, trapped components and closure temperature). In addition, we will investi-gate variations of the lithic clasts toward similar grains in the thick sections which are not igneous. Plag grains are the best bases for noble gas measurements con-cerning He to Ar and Ar-Ar dating since it delivers im-portant target elements. We focus on plag grains in close contact to olivine (olv) / px grains to assess weth-er both grains show noble gas patterns being similar or different. Phosphate grains are suitable for Kr and Xe measurements since they yield REE abundances (tar-get elements).

Mesosiderites↗
DOE OSTI2021

Raman Microscopy Analysis of Wyoming CarbonSAFE Pilot Well Thin Sections for Mineralogy and Organic Matter Characterization

Scanning confocal Raman microspectroscopy (RMS) was used to analyze thin sections for inorganic mineral content and for evaluation of organic material (OM). Thin sections were selected from a stratigraphic test well core in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming under the Wyoming CarbonSAFE project. The well was analyzed with a variety of rock and fluid characterization techniques to determine the feasibility of a commercial-scale CO2 storage site. RMS complements other analyses, including traditional petrography, SEM, porosity and permeability, and XRD For this aspect of the study, RMS is especially important in the evaluation of OM in sealing lithologies. At prospective geologic CO2 storage sites, it is imperative to assess the unconventional oil and gas potential of seals to ensure that any future development would not compromise the integrity of the seals. Whole-slide mineralogical surveys were performed on thin sections from various shale and sandstone formations. Surveys were analyzed with Direct Classical Least Squares to identify and quantify minerals. The location and concentration of minerals was color-coded and overlaid on optical images for visualization of the distribution of minerals. Dense hyperspectral Raman mapping of OM was performed on five thin sections. Eleven spectral parameters diagnostic of organic type and thermal maturity were used to train a Partial Least Squares (PLS) calibration against a set of artificially matured samples spanning the pre- to mid-oil window. The PLS was applied to the study set and a post-mature set. Additionally, the PLS was applied to each point in hyperspectral maps for visualization of trends in maturity across sample sets and discrimination of organic matter types within a given map. In inorganic surveys on thin sections, a total of 14 unique inorganic minerals were identified in Raman spectra including quartz, dolomite, calcite, hematite and anhydrite. Shale thin sections tended to be dominated by organic material. OM was often observed mixed with inorganic minerals. Sand- and mudstones were dominated by inorganic minerals. The PLS extrapolated the post-mature set to reflectances >1.2%. The study set ranged from very immature to postmature in the median of map fit-peak parameters. However, point maturity maps indicate that matrix OM in all study samples is immature and that discreet organic particles selected for mapping, which may be inertinites, bias medians towards more-mature. The work demonstrates the capabilities of RMS to perform both whole-slide mineralogy and OM analysis with applications to formation evaluation in oil & gas, carbon sequestration and mining. Here, analysis of sealing formations in the well indicates high levels of immature organic matter that would not be a viable target for future oil production that could compromise the CO2 storage site. The work brings together diverse disciplines from geology and petrography to analytical chemistry, big data and microscopy.

Myers, Grant↗
DOE OSTI2021

Factors controlling pore network development of thermally mature Early Palaeozoic mudstones from the Baltic Basin (N Poland)

Understanding the formation of pore space, especially in low porosity shales (as source rocks and as unconventional resources), is critical to the oil and gas industry, since pores control the space available for hydrocarbon and participate in hydrocarbon transport. We examined 87 Ordovician and Silurian mudstone samples collected from four wells located in the Pomeranian part of the Baltic Basin (northern Poland), one of the primary Polish targets for hydrocarbon exploration. These samples represent the Pelplin, the Paslek, the Jantar, the Prabuty, and the Sasino Formations, which still requires more detailed porosity studies. Our study aimed to identify factors controlling porosity development, by applying bulk techniques (organic petrology and TOC analyses, quantitative mineralogy, and porosimetry) as well as nano- to microscale techniques (thin section petrography, electron microscopy). The studied samples are mainly argillaceous mudstones. The results of porosimetry measurements, combined with image analysis, indicate that the pores of all studied rocks are dominated by micropores (pores < 2 nm in diameter), mesopores (2-50 nm in diameter) and small macropores. The SEM images showed three main pore types: a) voids related to clay mineral aggregates, b) pores inside organic matter particles, and c) pores between other mineral grains. In the Jantar and Sasino mudstones, the organic matter content and its thermal maturity control porosity. The occurrence of solid bitumen in the rocks from these formations reduces samples’ mesoporosity because of the pore-clogging effect. In contrast, in the Paslek and Prabuty Formations, there is low organic matter content and specific surface area and the volume of mesopores increase with clay minerals content. In the Pelplin mudstones, there are no prevailing factors controlling porosity. As a result, we suggest that a combination of SEM image analysis and dual liquid porosity (DLP) measurements is a powerful method to assess porosity available for petroleum flow in mudstones.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Utah FORGE: Well 16A(78)-32 Core Analysis Results

This dataset features petrographic, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy Analyses of core samples from well 16A(78)-32, which serves as the injection well for the Utah FORGE Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) project. In addition to an overview of the analysis, the following items have been included here: images of 21 entire thin sections in plane-polarized and cross-polarized light from 16 depths, scanning electron microscope back scatter electron photomosaic maps of 21 thin sections from 16 depths, bulk XRD data from 16 depths, clay-sized XRD patterns from 16 depths, an optical petrography report, and scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses of eight selected samples.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Geochemical assessment of mineral sequestration of carbon dioxide in the midcontinent rift

Abstract This study examines the potential of Midcontinent Rift rocks to facilitate long‐term CO 2 sequestration by providing the necessary Ca and Mg for carbonate mineralization. Surface samples were collected from the Oronto and Bayfield‐Jacobsville Groups around Lake Superior and used for petrography and X‐ray diffraction to determine their mineral composition. Also, X‐ray fluorescence was also used to assess their bulk chemical composition. The samples were then exposed to CO 2 and deionized water in Teflon‐lined vessels at 90°C, and the resulting leachate fluids were analyzed for the cation released during the testing. SEM microscopy was used to examine the samples for potential mineralization of carbonate minerals. The Oronto Group sediments consist primarily of feldspathic to feldspathic lithic arenites with a chlorite‐dominated matrix, and the primary porosity is blocked by calcite and hematite cement. The Bayfield–Jacobsville sequences are porous quartz arenites to feldspathic quartz arenites that do not contain significant accumulation of Ca‐, Mg‐, and Fe‐bearing minerals. The leachate fluids obtained from Oronto Group samples exhibit a maximum Ca release rate (5.2 × 10 −4 mole/cm 2 .day), indicating rapid calcite cement dissolution and increased porosity and permeability. SEM/EDS microanalysis revealed areas where pore‐filling calcite was preferentially dissolved. Longer‐term rock‐water reactions resulted in induced carbonate mineralization, as evidenced by calcite crystals observed in a sample reacted for 102 days. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Energy & Fuels↗
DOE OSTI2022

Micro- to nano-scale areal heterogeneity in pore structure and mineral compositions of a sub-decimeter-sized Eagle Ford Shale

Mineral and organic matter compositions & pore structures of fine-grained shale influence reservoir properties. To improve the understanding of spatial heterogeneity in core-sized samples, methods of microscale X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) mapping, (ultra-) small-angle x-ray scattering [(U)SAXS] and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) have been used to determine elemental, pore-structure variations at scales up to ~10 cm on two samples prepared at circular and rectangular orientations from a piece of Eagle Ford Shale outcrop in South Texas, USA. In addition, thin section petrography and field emission-scanning electron microscopy observations, X-ray diffraction (XRD), total organic carbon, and pyrolysis were utilized to investigate the potential spatial heterogeneity of pore types, mineral and organic matter compositions for cm-sized samples at both orientations. Overall, the siliceous-carbonate mineral contents in these two samples (8 cm×8 cm×0.08 cm and 5 cm × 8 cm × 0.08 cm, in terms of width×length×thickness) of carbonate-rich Eagle Ford Shale vary between laminations at mm scales. For the circular sample, porosity and specific surface area (SSA) variations range from 0.82 to 3.04% and 1.51 to 14.1 m 2 /g, respectively. For the rectangular sample, values for porosity and SSA vary from 0.93 to 2.50% and 3.95 to 10.8 m 2 /g. By analyzing six selected sub-samples on each of two samples with (U)SAXS and XRD techniques, nm-sized pores are mainly interparticle ones in the higher calcite regions, where the porosity is also relatively lower, while the lower calcite regions consist of both interparticle and intraparticle pore types with higher porosity. Lastly, the μXRF and (U)SAXS mappings are combined to generate porosity distribution maps to provide more insights about sample heterogeneity related to the laminations and fractures at our observational scales.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Microfracture-pore structure characterization and water-rock interaction in three lithofacies of the Lower Eagle Ford Formation

The microfracture-pore structures and water-rock interactions of eight samples of three typical lithofacies (three limestone, three wackestone, and two mudstone) from the Lower Eagle Ford Formation have been investigated using an integrated methodology. The methods used were X-ray diffraction (XRD), total organic carbon (TOC) content, pyrolysis, thin-section petrography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), spontaneous water imbibition, and water vapor & nitrogen physisorption. Petrophysical properties such as organic richness, maturity, mineral composition, types and patterns of microfractures and pores, porosity, pore-throat size distribution, pore size distribution, pore connectivity, water adsorption and desorption behavior were determined from these methods, and the results compared among the three lithofacies. For example, the three limestone EAS samples and three wackestone DM samples show a low porosity range from 2.02–3.35%, whereas the two mudstone VRU samples exhibit a much large average porosity of 11.7% by MIP results. Nitrogen physisorption results show that pore size distributions have a good similarity in N2 adsorption volume for the samples with similar lithology. Microfractures are morphologically divided into seven types, with their definitions & pictorial examples presented and possible formation mechanisms proposed. In addition, the water vapor physisorption behavior and their controlling factors are discussed. Here, the water adsorption capacity shows a positive relationship (R 2 = 0.90) with clay content and a negative relationship (R 2 = 0.99) with carbonate content. In general, this integrated study of microfracture-pore structure characterization and water-rock interaction provides some insights of water vapor adsorption behavior in different lithofacies and whether microfractures could be an important pathway for fluid flow.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Integrated experimental studies of pore structure and fluid uptake in the Bossier Shale in eastern Texas, USA

Within the Haynesville-Bossier Shale complex, the Bossier Shale has not been extensively studied by either industry and academia, despite it being an unconventional gas reservoir and a potential caprock for carbon storage in the underlaying Haynesville Shale. The lack of knowledge of the complex pore structures and fluid-rock interactions hinders the effective extraction of gas and the characterization of fluid reservoirs and sealing capacity. Integrated experimental studies of pore structure and fluid-rock interactions were conducted in seven Bossier Shale core samples collected in eastern Texas. Petrographic, geochemical, and petrophysical properties such as mineral composition, organic richness, thermal maturity, porosity, pore/pore throat diameter distribution, water-accessible pores, liquid water imbibition, and water vapor adsorption were characterized using complementary approaches of thin-section petrography, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, total organic matter, pyrolysis, mercury intrusion porosimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance, (Ultra-) small angle X-rays scattering as well as small angle neutron scattering with deuterated liquids and contrast variation. Further, the results show that the thermally mature Bossier Shales are composed of mixed argillaceous mudstone, mixed mudstone, and mixed carbonate mudstone. The shale contains both organic and inorganic pores, with porosities of 3.24-9.37 %, pore-to-throat ratios of 1.65 to 19.4, and water-accessible pores accounting for 28.7-72.6 % of total pores. Approaches of liquid water imbibition and water vapor adsorption, with and without direct contact of water with shale samples, indicate that liquid water first enters the nano-sized pores under high capillary pressures, and water vapor adsorption is mainly controlled by both clay minerals and pores with diameters less than 10 nm. These findings contribute to a better understanding of pore structures and water-shale interactions and their controlling factors in the Bossier Shale.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Formation, cooling history and age of impact events on the IIE iron parent body: Evidence from the Miles meteorite

Most iron meteorites formed in planetary cores during differentiation, but the IIE iron meteorites have chemical and physical features that are inconsistent with this origin. By combining mineral chemistry, mineral modes and three-dimensional petrography, we reconstruct the bulk chemistry of the felsic silicate-bearing Miles IIE iron meteorite and demonstrate that the silicate inclusion compositions are similar to partial melts produced experimentally from an H chondrite composition. We use the reconstructed bulk composition, mineralogy and thermodynamic modelling to show that melting above ~ 1200°C under reducing conditions formed metal (Fe-Ni alloy) and felsic silicate partial melts. Upon cooling, the melts crystallized Mg-rich pyroxenes, Na- and K-rich feldspars, and tridymite. Importantly, this mechanism enriches cosmochemically volatile elements (i.e., those with a 50% condensation temperature of ~430–830°C, like Na and K) to the level found in the felsic silicate inclusions. The presence of crystallographically disordered srilankite (only stable above 1160°C) and an absence of Widmanstätten texture require both high peak temperatures and rapid cooling, which cannot be explained by core formation. Instead, they point to small melt volumes, a transient heat pulse, and small thermal mass, and imply efficient physical segregation of silicate and metallic melts through buoyancy separation followed by rapid cooling that arrested the separation of metal and silicate liquid phases. In situ 207 Pb/ 206 Pb age of 4542.3 ± 4.0 Ma in Zr-oxide and phosphate minerals dates the melting event that formed the silicate inclusions. This age aligns with the earliest ages found in other IIE iron meteorite silicates and requires a heating event ~25 million years after the solar system formed. We found 39 Ar/ 40 Ar ages of 3495 ± 52 Ma (low-T) and 4303 ± 7 Ma (high-T) in a K-feldspar grain, with the 3495 Ma age aligning with later thermal events recorded in other IIE iron meteorites. Dating reveals the complex petrogenetic and thermal history of Miles and the IIE iron meteorites. This is the first IIE iron meteorite found to record evidence of heating at 4.5 and 3.5 Ga likely from impact events. We propose that high-velocity impact(s) into an iron-rich, porous chondritic parent body at ~4.54 Ga produced immiscible metal and silicate melts that cooled rapidly and trapped low density silicate inclusions within high density metal. Other IIE irons that formed at lower peak temperatures (900–1000°C) contain chondritic silicate inclusions and relict chondrules, supporting this conceptual model. In conclusion, this petrogenesis is consistent with thermodynamic modelling, experimental data and the wide range of peak temperatures and cooling rates observed in the IIE iron meteorites.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗