A Test of Hypotheses Regarding Quartz Cementation in Sandstones: A Quantitative Image Analysis Approach

  1. Richard H. Worden3,
  2. Sadoon Morad4
  1. C. M. Prince1,
  2. R. Ehrlich2

Published Online: 17 MAR 2009

DOI: 10.1002/9781444304237.ch6

Book Title

Quartz Cementation in Sandstones

Quartz Cementation in Sandstones

Additional Information

How to Cite

Prince, C. M. and Ehrlich, R. (2009) A Test of Hypotheses Regarding Quartz Cementation in Sandstones: A Quantitative Image Analysis Approach, in Quartz Cementation in Sandstones (eds R. H. Worden and S. Morad), Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Oxford, UK. doi: 10.1002/9781444304237.ch6

Editor Information

  1. 3

    School of Geosciences, The Queen's University, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK

  2. 4

    Sedimentary Geology Research Group, Institute of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18 B, S–75236, Uppsala, Sweden

Author Information

  1. 1

    Petro Image, LLC, P.O. Box 12152 Columbia, SC 29211, USA

  2. 2

    Energy and Geoscience Institute, University of Utah, 423 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA

Publication History

  1. Published Online: 17 MAR 2009
  2. Published Print: 3 MAR 2000

ISBN Information

Print ISBN: 9780632054824

Online ISBN: 9781444304237

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Keywords:

  • test of hypotheses regarding quartz cementation in sandstones;
  • image analysis - petrographic image analysis;
  • domainal porosity;
  • specific perimeter - sensitive to shape complexity of porosity;
  • total optical porosity;
  • 2-D Fourier transform - signal analysis tool;
  • well-packed/expanded ratio

Summary

Quartz cementation in sandstones is driven by the redistribution of silica. Three different processes have been proposed as having a major effect on this redistribution: (i) thermodynamic surface energy; (ii) diffusive transport; and (iii) advective transport. We have used quantitative image analysis procedures to test these hypotheses and have found all three to be lacking. Using a suite of quartz-rich sands and sandstones, as well as a suite of artificial sands made from progressively sintered glass spheres, we have found that in every case, the cementation in quartz-rich sands is a simple process that is indistinguishable from the mechanical compaction and plastic deformation found in the artificial sands.

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