Stratigraphic analysis of the cretaceous eagle coal in Elk Basin Wyoming with XRD and XRF
Schwartz, Julia Parcell, William C. Dalton, Jack Baker, Mitchell Nichols, Johnathon
Schwartz, Julia
Parcell, William C.
Dalton, Jack
Baker, Mitchell
Nichols, Johnathon
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Location
Time Period
Advisors
Original Date
Digitization Date
Issue Date
2024
Type
Conference paper
Genre
Keywords
Cretaceous eagle coal,Elk Basin
Subjects (LCSH)
Citation
Schwartz, J., Parcell, W. C., Dalton, J., Baker, M., &, Nichols, J. (2024). Stratigraphic analysis of the cretaceous eagle coal in Elk Basin Wyoming with XRD and XRF. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 56(5). 10.1130/abs/2024AM-401802
Abstract
X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) are used to analyze chemical composition of the peats and lignite within the Eagle Formation at Elk Basin Oil Field, Wyoming and Montana. Due to their poor economic viability, the depositional environments and lithologies of the coals are poorly studied and understood. However, these lithofacies are important to understanding the environmental processes influencing coal formation in the Eagle Formation. This study contributes to ongoing research that investigates paleoenvironments of the Wyoming Cretaceous through chemostratigraphic techniques.
The sandstone units located in the Elk Basin oil field of northern Wyoming and southern Montana document transgressive-regressive cycles of the Western Interior Seaway during the Upper Cretaceous. The Eagle Formation, composed primarily of sandstones with iron concretions, was deposited during a regressive series. The Eagle contains sporadic coal seams of peat and lignite that are well-exposed.
This study applies X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) techniques to analyze chemical composition of the peats and lignite present within this site. The use of XRF in this study focuses on recognizing associations between the Eagle coal seams and the occurrence of trace elements. It is anticipated that elemental occurrences will vary by coal type in a predictable manner and potentially display patterns that can be associated with depositional conditions. XRD is used for identifying the crystalline constituents within the samples to narrow down the composition of the coal samples.
The stratigraphic layering within the Eagle suggests changing environmental conditions likely influenced by the Western Interior Seaway. Deposition of beds occurred in a deltaic environment with deposition of restricted embayments during the regression contributing to the observed variety of low-grade coal types. Well-exposed outcrops on the Wyoming side of the basin contains alternating layers of peat and lignite capped by a shale.
The results collected from this study assist with the interpretation of environmental and geological processes influencing coal formation in the Eagle Formation and contributes to ongoing research that investigates paleoenvironments of the Wyoming Cretaceous through chemostratigraphic techniques.
Table of Contents
Description
Four Wichita State students presented their research at the National Geological Society of America meeting Sept. 22-25, 2024, in Anaheim, California. The students were accompanied by faculty researchers Dr. Will Parcell, chair and associate professor of geology, and Julia Schwartz, assistant educator in geology.
The students contributing to this research included: Mitch Baker, graduate student in earth, environmental and physical science Jack Dalton, graduate student in earth, environmental and physical science Ricky Nichols, senior in geology and secondary education in earth and space science
A list of WSU research presented at the conference can be found here: https://news.wichita.edu/2024/09/25/geology-students-present-research-at-national-conference/
The students contributing to this research included: Mitch Baker, graduate student in earth, environmental and physical science Jack Dalton, graduate student in earth, environmental and physical science Ricky Nichols, senior in geology and secondary education in earth and space science
A list of WSU research presented at the conference can be found here: https://news.wichita.edu/2024/09/25/geology-students-present-research-at-national-conference/
Publisher
Geological Society of America
Journal
Book Title
Series
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs
Digital Collection
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Use and Reproduction
Archival Collection
PubMed ID
ISSN
0016-7592