This study investigates the geochemistry of oil shales from the Ab Kaseh section in western Kohrang, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran. Ten shale samples were collected for geochemical analyses, including Rock-Eval pyrolysis and XRF/ICP analyses. Ten thin sections were also prepared for petrographic analysis. A stratigraphic column and depositional model were constructed based on microfacies characteristics. Results indicate that the oil shales formed in a marine, reducing environment within the Tethys Ocean. However, due to discontinuous sedimentation and insufficient heat supply, the shales never reached the necessary thermal maturity for hydrocarbon generation. Hydrocarbon generation is only achievable through artificial heating (pyrolysis). Rock-Eval pyrolysis data revealed high hydrocarbon potential, with TOC values exceeding 2%, indicating excellent source rock quality. The kerogen type is classified as Type II, suggesting a predominantly oil-prone nature with good to excellent petroleum potential. The samples are situated at the early stage of the oil window (late diagenesis/early catagenesis) and show no potential for gas generation. XRF and ICP analyses showed elevated concentrations of heavy metals (Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V, W, Zr, Zn) and rare earth elements (Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Th, Nb, Mo, U) within the oil shales. Potential sources of these elements include organic matter, detrital material, seawater, submarine volcanism, and biogenic sources. In the Ab Kaseh section (Saraglu Formation), elements such as Sr and P may have biogenic origins. Ti, Al, and Si, constituents of oxide and clay minerals, have a detrital origin. The origin of Ni, U, W, and Cr is likely linked to organic matter and adsorption onto clay minerals. Positive correlation between P and TOC supports a biogenic origin for P in the Ab Kaseh section. Conversely, the negative correlation between Sr and TOC suggests a non-biogenic source for Sr. A positive correlation between Ni and TOC was also observed. The negative correlation between U and both SiO2 and Al2O3 indicates an uncertain origin for U, but organic matter and clay minerals likely contributed to its enrichment.
Adabi M, Mehmandosti E. Microfacies and geochemistry of the Ilam Formation in the Tang-E Rashid area, Izeh, SW Iran. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences. 2008;(3–4):267–77.
2.
Adabi M, Rao C. Petrographic and geochemical evidence for original aragonite mineralogy of Upper Jurassic carbonates (Mozduran Formation). Sedimentary Geology. 1991;(3–4):253–67.
3.
YAĞIZ E, OZYİLMAZ G, OZYİLMAZ AT. Optimization of Graphite-Mineral Oil Ratio With Response Surface Methodology in Glucose Oxidase Based Carbon Paste Electrode Design. Natural and Engineering Sciences. 2022;7(1):22–33.
4.
Alavi M. Regional stratigraphy of the Zagros fold-thrust belt of Iran and its proforeland evolution. American journal of Science. 2004;(1):1–20.
5.
Alavi M. Tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Zagrosides of Iran. Geology. 1980;8(3):144.
6.
Salkić Z, Lugović B, Babajić E. GEOCHEMISTRY AND PETROGENESIS OF OLIGOCENE DACITES FROM THE CENTRAL BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA WITH INSIGHT IN THE POSTCOLLISIONAL TECTONIC EVOLUTION OF CENTRAL DINARIDIC OPHIOLITE BELT. Archives for Technical Sciences. 2021;1(24):17–30.
7.
Alavi M. 1991;
8.
Alavi M. Tectonics of the zagros orogenic belt of iran: new data and interpretations. Tectonophysics. 1994;229(3–4):211–38.
9.
Alavi M. Structures of the Zagros fold-thrust belt in Iran. American Journal of Science. 2007;307(9):1064–95.
10.
Leiwi AAA. The Repercussions of Oil Price Fluctuations on Iraqs Gross Domestic Product Analytical Study for the Period between 2000-2019. International Academic Journal of Accounting and Financial Management. 2022;9(2):48–61.
11.
Berberian M. Contribution to the seismotectonics of Iran. 1977;
12.
Berberian M, Master. blind" thrust faults hidden under the Zagros folds: active basement tectonics and surface morphotectonics. Tectonophysics. 1995;(3–4):193–224.
13.
Atti LM. The Effect of Ethical Behavior Strategy on Job Voice, Work Ethics as an Interactive Variable: An Applied Study in the Basra South Oil Company. International Academic Journal of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management. 2024;11(1):01–12.
14.
Boggs S. Petrology of sedimentary rocks. 2009;
15.
Dunham R. Classification of carbonate rocks according to depositional texture. 1962;
16.
Mahmeed DrAOSM. Evaluate the Continuous Improvement of Operations According to the Business Continuity Model (ISO 22301: 2019) A Case Study: The General Company for Vegetable Oils. International Academic Journal of Business Management. 2023;10(1):81–98.
17.
Fereidoni M, Lotfi M, Nejad R, Rashidi N, M. Evaluate geochemical trace elements of Qalikuh oil shale (Southwest Aligoodarz) using elemental analysis and rock eval pyrolysis. Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences. 2016;(98):171–80.
18.
Flügel E. Microfacies analysis of limestones. 2012;
19.
Flügel E. Microfacies of carbonate rocks. 2000;
20.
Jumaah AA, Majeed DrHS. The International Energy Agency and its Role in the Global Oil Market. International Academic Journal of Economics. 2023;10(1):54–63.
21.
Hakimi MH, Abdullah WH, Alqudah M, Makeen YM, Mustapha KA. Organic geochemical and petrographic characteristics of the oil shales in the Lajjun area, Central Jordan: Origin of organic matter input and preservation conditions. Fuel. 2016;181:34–45.
22.
Haas J, Tardy-Filácz E. Facies changes in the Triassic–Jurassic boundary interval in an intraplatform basin succession at Csővár (Transdanubian Range, Hungary). Sedimentary Geology. 2004;168(1–2):19–48.
23.
Đurić N, Đurić M. RESEARCH OF MARLY ROCKS ON THE TERRAIN FORECASTED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SILOS OBJECTS. Archives for Technical Sciences. 2023;2(29):1–9.
24.
Jiang Z, Zhang W, Liang C, Wang Y, Liu H, Chen X. Basic characteristics and evaluation of shale oil reservoirs. Petroleum Research. 2016;1(2):149–63.
25.
Makeen YM, Abdullah WH, Ayinla HA, Shan X, Liang Y, Su S, et al. Organic geochemical characteristics and depositional setting of Paleogene oil shale, mudstone and sandstone from onshore Penyu Basin, Chenor, Pahang, Malaysia. International Journal of Coal Geology. 2019;207:52–72.
26.
McQuarrie N. Crustal scale geometry of the Zagros fold–thrust belt, Iran. Journal of Structural Geology. 2004;26(3):519–35.
27.
Mohajjel M, Fergusson CL, Sahandi MR. Cretaceous–Tertiary convergence and continental collision, Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, western Iran. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences. 2003;21(4):397–412.
28.
Applied Source Rock Geochemistry. The Petroleum System—From Source to Trap. American Association of Petroleum Geologists; 1994. p. 93–120.
29.
Pomar L, Hallock P. Carbonate factories: A conundrum in sedimentary geology. Earth-Science Reviews. 2008;87(3–4):134–69.
30.
Rahimi D. Potential ground water resources:(Case study: Shahrekord plain).
31.
Rasouli A, Shekarifard A, Jalali Farahani F, Kök MV, Daryabandeh M, Rashidi M. Occurrence of organic matter-rich deposits (Middle Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous) from Qalikuh locality, Zagros Basin, South–West of Iran: A possible oil shale resource. International Journal of Coal Geology. 2015;143:34–42.
32.
Scott R. Global environmental controls on Cretaceous reefal ecosystems. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 1995;(1–2):68–9.
33.
Selly R. Ancient sedimentary environments and their subsurface diagnosis. 1996;
34.
Slansky M. Geology of sedimentary phosphates. 1986;
35.
Stossel I. Rudist and carbonate platform evaluation: the Late Cretaceous Maiella carbonate platform margin. Mem Sci Geol. 1999;333–41.
36.
Stössel I, Bernoulli D. Rudist lithosome development on the Maiella Carbonate Platform margin. Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 2000;178(1):177–90.
37.
Tzifas ITr, Godelitsas A, Magganas A, Androulakaki E, Eleftheriou G, Mertzimekis TJ, et al. Uranium-bearing phosphatized limestones of NW Greece. Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 2014;143:62–73.
38.
Wilkerson CL. Trace metal composition of Green River retorted shale oil. Fuel. 1982;61(1):63–70.
39.
Zhicheng Z, Willems H, Binggao Z. Cretaceous-Paleogene biofacies and ichnofacies in southern Tibet. Wei ti gu Sheng wu xue bao= Acta Micropalaeontologica Sinica. 1998;(3):307–17.
Citation
Copyright
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
,
