Role of gravity, temperature gradients, and ion exchange media in the formation of fossil brines
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Calculations show that gravitational settling of ions in an isothermal sediment column could produce increases of equilibrium concentrations in pore waters ranging from 1 percent per 100 m depth for chloride to 4 percent per 100 m depth for strontium.
The migration of ions in a thermal gradient (Soret effect) would cause minor salt enrichment upward toward the colder pole, but the presence of cation-exchanging particles such as clays would reverse this tendency and cause pumping of salt downward. A model calculation using literature data for the thermal potentials suggests that about 5-percent enrichment in Cl per 100 m depth may occur under steady-state conditions.
These mechanisms do not explain the greater enrichments commonly found in subsurface brines, but may modify salt distributions due to other phenomena.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Role of gravity, temperature gradients, and ion exchange media in the formation of fossil brines |
| Series title | American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin |
| DOI | 10.1306/5D25CA1B-16C1-11D7-8645000102C1865D |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Year Published | 1970 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Association of Petroleum Geologists |
| Contributing office(s) | Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center |
| Description | 10 p. |
| First page | 617 |
| Last page | 626 |