Date of Award
4-1983
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Geological and Environmental Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. W. Thomas Straw
Second Advisor
Dr. William B. Harrison III
Third Advisor
Dr. John Grace
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
The sedimentation rate of the A-l Evaporite of Michigan was determined by analysis of micrometeorites found as inclusions in the halite deposit. The samples were obtained from the Dow Chemical Company salt well number eight. The residue from the dissolved salt was magnetically separated and later analyzed by Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE), X-ray diffraction , and microprobe techniques. The amount of extraterrestrial material was determined from the quantity of nickel present.
A sedimentation rate of .01 to .4 centimeters per year was calculated for the salt based on a constant influx rate of meteoritic material of 1 x 104 tons per year. This sedimentation rate is much slower than previously reported sedimentation rates for salt. This relatively slow sedimentation rate and the close association of hydrocarbons with salt suggests that the original hydrocarbon content of petroleum-producing evaporite basins may be much greater than previously believed.
Recommended Citation
Barnett, James Matthew, "Sedimentation Rate of Salt Determined by Micrometeorite Analysis" (1983). Masters Theses. 1562.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/1562