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GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF

BELATA BLACK SHALE UNITS


Mohammad Izmir Farhan bin Ab Majid
Bachelor of Technology (Hons)
Universiti Teknologi Petronas
Tronoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan
Email: izmirfrhn@gmail.com

Bentong-
Abstract— The purpose of this thesis is to determine the mineral Raub
composition of thin black shale units, its depositional environment Suture
as well as to construct and interpret the maps of black shale units Zone
from the Belata Formation. Fieldwork, outcrop description and
sample analyses were done on the Belata Formation. SEM and
XRD were carried out on the shale samples to reveal the
mineralogy and the textural features of the shale samples. Base Eastern
Map were created on the project area to fulfill the fieldwork data Western Belt
analysis. SEM studies show different types of surface Belt
Central
morphologies, pores and pore shapes in the organic matter. SEM
Belt
studies also specify intimate mixing of organic matter and mineral
matter in shales even at submicroscopic levels. In addition to
quartz, illite and kaolinite were identified within the shales
through XRD. The presence of kaolinite is due to weathering
product of feldspar. Quartz has hexagonal crystal system which
means it is not transported far away due to its angularity. The
organic matter represents it may be deposited in oxygen deficiency
environment.
Figure 1: An image of stratigraphic zones of Peninsular Malaysia marked with study area location.

Keywords- Belata Formation, SEM, XRD.


1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION
Even though Belata Formation has been studied since 1960s,
1.1 BACKGROUND there is limited published information in the mineralogical and
clay fraction of the shale beds. Hence, the mineralogial
“The bulk of the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks of Malaysia composition of black shale beds of the Belata Formation
are found in the peninsula where they occupy about 25% of the remains unclear and their hydrocarbon potential was not
land area (Lee, et. al (2004). The 42 Paleozoic formations of assessed.
Peninsular Malaysia are distributed in four northwesterly to
northerly trending zones parallel to the general elongation trend 1.3 OBJECTIVE
of the peninsula. They are the Northwestern Zone, Western
Zone, Central Zone and Eastern Zone (FIGURE 1.1).The The main target of the project was to map the
Western Zone is the area that stretches from the Perak – Thai distribution of the shale beds and determine the mineralogical
border southwards to the state of Malacca adjacent to the flanks composition of the black shale beds in the Belata Formation.
of the Main Range granite batholith and it includes the The sub-objectives of this research is to construct and interpret
Bentong-Raub Suture Zone.”The project area is located at the maps of black shale units from the Belata Formation and to
Tanjung Malim which is within Western Belt of Peninsular determine the mineral composition of thin black shale units
Malaysia. Belata Formation is assumed to be stratigraphically while interpret the depositional environment of the Belata
comparable to the Kenny Hill Formation (Gan, 1992). Both of Formation.
formation exist during Carboniferous to Permian which is
generally comprise shallow marine sediments that is deposited
in the shelf of the distal portion of a delta.
1.4 SCOPE OF STUDY of limonite and goethite). Black shale is a dark-colored
mudrock containing silt to clay-size mineral grains and
The main study area is located at Tanjung Malim, Perak. inorganic matter that amassed together during deposition
As mentioned before, Belata Formation is situated at the (Swanson, 1961). Uffman, Litke, & Rippen (2012) mentioned
southern part of Perak and shares boundary with Selangor that that black shale is mostly settle down in anoxic or oxygen-
is, to the south of Tanjung Malim (101° 35’16”E and 3°36’ deficiency environments which has some influence on the
28”N). There are three outcrops are accessible at the Tanjung relative amount of minerals present. Conservation of organic
Malim study area and 30 samples were collected. Base map of matter is favored by anoxic conditions during deposition (Ma
the study area were constructed and interpreted using ArcMap & Holditch, 2015). Wignall (1994) indicated that black shale
to fulfill the fieldwork data analysis. Geochemistry analysis have involved interest from researchers because of their
such as Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-Ray hydrocarbon potential.
Diffraction (XRD) were conducted to the samples taken from It has become an inevitability and a challenge in our world
the fieldwork. Both of these tests were conducted at Centralized today to discover, assess, excerpt and thriftily extract resources
Analytical Laboratory Universiti Teknologi Petronas (CAL- such as oil and gas from their reservoirs because of the rise in
UTP). energy demand. Hill, et. al (2007) stated that the hydrocarbons
are consequent from the organic matter within the shale through
biogenic and/or thermogenic processes. However, it is required
to study in terms of quantity, quality, and maturity of the
organic matter (Jarvie, 2012). The study of these properties of
the organic matter helps determine its source and kerogen type
existing in the shale. Lafargue, et. al (1998) indicated that it is
much more proficient to use the Rock-Evaluation Pyrolysis and
TOC analyzer, vitrinite reflectance among other techniques as
a geochemical screener to yield the quantity, quality, and
maturity material of sedimentary organic matter. Many tight
shale show a connection between petroleum saturation and total
organic carbon (TOC) because much of the petroleum is
confined in pores that form in the kerogen during cracking
(Dahl, et. al, 2012).”

2.2 STRATIGRAPHIC SECTION OF THE AREA


Figure 2: A map of Peninsular Malaysia with Perak region marked together with location of study area.

“The Belata Formation falls within the Western Belt of


Peninsular Malaysia (Figure 2.2). The formation is in the
LITERATURE REVIEW
Carboniferous to Permian age and is correlated with the Kenny
Hill Formation in terms of stratigraphy (Gan, 1992). Belata
2.1 INTRODUCTION Formation and Kenny Hill Formation have Carboniferous to
Permian rocks which is generally comprise shallow marine
“Shale is generally accepted class name for all fine-grained sediments that is deposited in the shelf of the distal portion of a
argillaceous sediment, including mud, clay, and mudstone delta. Belata Formation exist after Terolak Formation and there
(FIGURE 2.1), but most of the emphasis has generally been is a hiatus between these formations. According to Maria, I.J
placed upon mineralogy and geochemistry. Furthermore, 60% (1997), a metasedimentary rocks consists of the older quartz-
of the world’s sediments comprises of shale. Shales are an mica schist, graphitic schist and graphitic phyllite of the
important primary source of oil and gas. The capacity of a shale Terolak Formation is found during period Middle Ordovician
to generate hydrocarbons is governed by the amount of organic to Upper Silurian together with younger metasandstone,
matter present, its type, and its state of thermal maturity. The metaquartzite, chert, shale and phyllite of the Belata Formation
minimum amount of organic matter for the generation of at the south of Tanjung Malim. Both of these formations shows
significant amounts of hydrocarbons is about 0.5% organic similar strike trends of NW-SE, moderately to steeply dipping
carbon, with known source beds averaging 2.2% (Tissot & towards west.”
Welte, 1978).”
“Shale is the most abundant rock and forms more than 60%
of the world's sediments. According to Peters (2004), shale is a
fine grained textured, and a structurally fissile sedimentary
rock, composed of minerals such as quartz, clays and
carbonates. There are few kind of shales and that includes black
shale (high organic matter), gray shale (low organic matter), red
shale (presence of hematite), yellow and brown shale (presence
may have been deposited in near-shore waters not far from an
eroding landmass of low to moderate relief.”
METHODOLOGY

Base map of the study area were created using ArcMap


software. The geochemistry analysis involved in this study was
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction
(XRD). There are two samples were used for SEM and four
samples for XRD.

3.1 FIELD STUDIES

“The fieldtrip was began with a reconnaissance survey,


outcrop and structural description of observations and finally
sampling. At this study, the distribution of the black shales in
the project area were recorded. With the aid of Global
Positioning System (GPS), the outcrops found in each
geographical location of the study area was plotted on the base
Figure 3: Paleozoic stratigraphy of Western Belt of Peninsular Malaysia (modified after Lee, et.al,
2004).
map. As part of field work, outcrops or rock exposures were
studied. Clear photographs of outcrops and structures were
taken. Well labelled representative and fresh samples were
2.3 GEOLOGY OF BELATA FORMATION taken from the exposed shale outcrop. Thirty samples were
taken from relatively fresh faces exposed by railway which
“The Sibumasu Terrane in Peninsular Malaysia is enclosed represented color variations in the shales.”
by 25% of Paleozoic black shale bearing formations which FIGURE 3.2 shows a black shale lithology at Outcrop 1
includes the Belata Formation. The Belata Formation is named situated at the left side of the railway track (3° 36ʹ 25ʹʹ N, 101°
after Bukit Belata which once was a forest reserve and covers 35ʹ 18ʹʹ E). It is the broadest outcrop in this study area which
an area of approximately 259 km2. Anuar, et.al (2016) in their have approximately 50 meters long and 5 meters high. Some
study revealed that limited literatures have been published on area from this outcrop have been undergo oxidation, this can be
these shale formations although their study began long time seen by the discoloration of the shale (brownish-yellow). There
ago. These could possibly be due to the dense vegetation, are 10 samples were collected from this outcrop.
surface weathering and lack of conveniences as well as
structural complexities and unidentified thickness of the
sedimentary rocks making it problematic for geological studies
to be carried out (Metcalfe, 2013). This study emphasis on the
black shale beds visible in the Belata Formation. Due to
present-day development and industrialization in these parts of
Malaysia, field study on the Belata Formation has been carried
out to describe the black shale lithology of this formation.”
“Lithology present includes argillaceous facies of shale and
phyllite in lower portion (more of Carboniferous age) and a
predominant arenaceous facies of metasandstone and
metaquartzite in upper portion (Permian age) with thin bedded
chert facies in the argillaceous facies (Lee, et.al, 2004). Rocks
of this formation have been exaggerated by low grade regional
metamorphism (with sandstones and quartzite metamorphosed Figure 4: Black shale lithology exposed at Outcrop 1 (with the evidence of oxidation takes place on
to metasandstones and metaquartzites) and folding. Rocks of shale) on the left side of the railway track.
the Belata Formation however, have not been pretentious by the
contact metamorphism because of their distance further away
3.2 SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE (SEM)
from the granite intrusion. Due to weathering the phyllites may
have weathered into mudstone or look like shale. The
“The scanning electron microscope (SEM) is almost similar
metasandstones and metaquartzite forms ridges and spurs in the
to the electron microprobe (EMP) but is designed specifically
Belata forest reserve. The chert forms thin beds of about 8 cm
for imaging rather than analysis (Reed, 2005). Images are
in thickness and arises as small lenticular outcrops. As
generated by scanning the beam while displaying the signal
eloquently stated by Gan (1992), the rocks of this formation
from an electron detector. By choosing the appropriate
detection mode, either topographic or compositional contrast
can be obtained. Composition in this context refers to mean RESULT AND DISCUSSION
atomic number, however, individual elements cannot be
differentiated (Reed, 2005). Spatial resolution larger than 10nm 4.1 MAP OF STUDY AREA
in topographic mode and 100nm in compositional mode can be
obtained, while in many applications the large depth of field in Base Map of Study Area at Tanjung Malim
SEM images (typically at least 100 times greater than for a
comparable optical microscope) is more relevant than high
resolution. An important factor in the success of the SEM is that
images of three-dimensional objects are usually amenable to
immediate intuitive interpretation by the observer. The range of
applications of SEM can be extended by adding other types of
detector, for an example, the light emission caused by electron
bombardment, or cathodoluminescence (CL).
Scanning electron microscopes (SEM) usually have an X-
ray spectrometer installed, allowing the characteristic X-rays of
a selected element to be used to generate an image (Reed,
2005). Moreover, with a stationary beam, point analyses can be
obtained, as in EMPA. The SEM is especially for imaging
together with analysis as an extra. The advantages of the SEM
as an imaging instrument and valuable tool in the following
branches of geology (Reed, 2005). SEM in palaentology is Figure 5: Base Map of the study area showing the the landuse of the area and outcrop location.

ideally suitable to the study of fossil morphology, especially


that of micro-fossils. In sedimentology, three-dimensional 4.2 SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE (SEM)
images of individual sediment grains and intergrowths can be
produced together with data on fabric and porosity. While in
mineralogy, the SEM is very essential for studying crystal Element Wt%
morphology on a microscale. In addition to petrology, the
ability to produce images of polished sections showing changes C 13.43
in mean atomic number is very useful both in sedimentary and O 42.22
in igneous petrology.” Al 1.85
“The scanning electron microscope is mostly employed for Si 36.82
petrographic study as it allows fine sized grains to be viewed S 0.76
and analyzed at a high magnification. The samples is polished Fe 4.92
into thin blocks of sections and coated with gold for
morphological and compositional of minerals using the Figure 6: Scanning Electron Micrograph with EDX of SPL 1 from Outcrop 1 of Spectrum 4 showing
scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive organic matter and illite.

X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX).” Based on Figure 6, clear structure of illite (calloped, curled
edges of relatively large, flat-lying platy crystals) and
3.3 X-RAY DIFFRACTION (XRD) ANALYSIS structured organic matter can be seen. Illite is typically deficient
in alkalies and have less Al substitution for Si. This is proved
“The bulk mineralogy of the shales is determined using X- in table where the content of Si content is much higher than Al.
ray diffraction (XRD) method (powder). Powder XRD is
preferred for its homogeneity and a perfect method for
determining and characterizing crystalline minerals such as
quartz and clays. The samples is milled in the milling machine
for both bulk mineralogical analysis. Then, the powdered Element Wt%
samples is mounted into the X-ray holder for bulk O 28.53
mineralogical analysis. There are three oriented mounts need to Si 71.47
be arranged for each samples. The first slide is allowed to dry
by air. The second one is saturated with ethylene glycol and
place in the oven for an hour at 60°C. The third slide is heated
for three hours at 550°C. Oriented samples were analyzed using Figure 7: Scanning Electron Micrograph with EDX of SPL 1 from Outcrop 1 of Spectrum 5 showing
HighScore software which only can be accessible at the hexagonal Quartz grains..

Centralized Analytical Laboratory (CAL), Universiti Hexagonal structure of quartz can be seen clearly together
Teknologi PETRONAS.” with illite on top of the grain (Figure 7). Spectrum 5 indicates
the presence of Si and O which only can be inferred as Quartz
(SiO2) mineral.
4.4 SURFACE TEXTURE AND MINERALOGY
Element Wt%
C 8.54 “Based on SEM results, the picture shows the surface
O 58.38 textures of quartz present in the black shale together with clays.
Al 2.26 From the textural analysis of the quartz grains in the shales, it
Si 29.77 could be deduced that these all the mineral present in the shale
K 0.48 were mechanically formed. The angularity of these quartz may
Fe 0.58 be as a result from source to depositional environment. Quartz,
muscovite, feldspar and clay minerals (illite and kaolinite) are
Figure 8: Scanning Electron Micrograph with EDX of SPL 1 from Outcrop 1 of Spectrum 7 showing detected in the samples from the Belata black shale.
hexagonal plates of kaolinite, illite and organic matter.
Based on XRD results, the most abundant mineral
Based on Figure 8, hexagonal plates of kaolinite is visible composition in the Belata black shale is Quartz. Clay minerals
together with illite and organic matter. Spectrum 5 is identified are second dominant in the mineralogy. Silicate minerals in the
as kaolinite mixed with organic matter as the O content is shales are mostly detrital and the quartz are of the detrital
higher following by the rest of minerals. source. Quartz, muscovite and some clay minerals are mainly
terrigenous. From the SEM images, the quartz mineral are
4.3 X-RAY DIFFRRACTION angular in shape due to shorter distance of transportation. The
clay mineral (kaolinite and illite) appear as finely dispersed
Minerals that can be identified in SPL 3 was quartz, illite particles in organic matter. Kaolinites may have been produced
and kaolinite. Quartz exhibit hexagonal crystal structure while from the weathering of the feldspar mineral.”
illite and kaolinite possess monoclinic and anorthic system
respectively.
Vijaya, 2002; Madden and Wilson, 2013; Arosi and Wilson,
2015).

CONCLUSION
The Belata black shale mainly composed of quartz, feldspar,
muscovite and clay minerals such as illite and kaolinite. The
presence of kaolinite is due to weathering product of feldspar.
Quartz has hexagonal crystal system which means it is not
transported far away due to its angularity. Black shale is
deposited in oxygen-deficient deposition environment such as
lake.
FURTHER STUDY
FIGURE 9: XRD result for Sample 3 at Outcrop 3. The mineral content in this sample are Quartz, Illite, In depth study of black shale in Belata Formation needs to
and Kaolinite
be analyzed and it could be good hydrocarbon potential due to
high organic content. Better machines for TOC, Rock-Eval
In SPL 4, quartz and illite is the most abundant minerals. Pyrolysis and thermal maturation need to be provided to
Quartz and illite possess hexagonal and monoclinic crystal determine the hydrocarbon potential.
system respectively.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Alhamdulillah, all praises to Allah for the strength and His


blessing in completing this report. Special appreciation goes to
my supervisor, Dr. Haylay Tsegab for his supervision and
constant support. His inevitable help of constructive comments
and suggestions have contributed to the success of this
dissertation.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Ms. Esther
(Graduate Assistant), Mr. Irwan (Centralized Analytical
Laboratory staff) for their assistance towards my laboratory
works.

Figure 10: XRD result for Sample 4 at Outcrop 3. The mineral content in this sample are Quartz and
Illite.
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