2017 Lecture 01: Sedimentary Textures

Geology 3212
Sedimentary Rocks for Engineers
Spring 2017
Bob Trentham

Characteristic Textural Properties

Grain Size
Grain Shape
Particle Surface Texture
Grain Fabric
What is the genetic significance of these
properties?

Grain Size
Reflect:
Weathering
Erosion
Transportation

Udden-Wentworth Scale
Universally accepted
Over 100 years old (Udden)
Modified by Wentworth (1922)

Udden-Wentworth
Geometric Scale
Each value is either 2X
or as large as the
preceding value.
Phi (f) scale:
F = -log2d
Log Grain Size in mm.
EG: Grain Size = 1/8
mm (.125 mm)
F = -(-3)
F=3

Grain Size By Sieve Analysis, Settling Rates

Sieve Analysis (US Standard Sieves Sizes) Sieve and
corresponding sieve number
Fine Grained Particles measured by a variety of
methods:
Settling rates - measure time to clarity
Photohydrometer - changes in light intensity of a beam
of light passing through a column of sediment laden
water to determine the settling velocity and thus particle
size.
Sedigraph X-ray beam
Laser-Diffracter Size Analyzer angle of deflection
Electro-resistance Size Analyzer voltage changes
Image analysis digital images/computer software.

How do you do use Grain Size information?

Tables
Graphical - Histogram
Mathematical Frequency Curve

Fig 3.1

What do you do use Grain Size

information for?

Histograms can be used as an tool to identify the

depositional environments of sediments.
Is independent of visual estimations.

Cumulative Frequency Curves

Plot grain size against
cumulative weight
percentage.
Arithmetic or Log
Probability Scale.
Steep slope = good
sorting.
Gentle slope = poor
sorting.
Fig 3.2

Mathematical Treatments

Mode - Most frequent occurring grain.

Mean - Arithmetic Average of all grains.
Median Midpoint of grain size distribution.
Sorting - range of grain sizes/ magnitude of
spread.
Standard Deviation mathematical expression
of sorting.
Skewness Degree of Asymetry
Kurtosis degree of sharpness or
peakedness.
See table 3.3 and 3.4.

Mathematical parameters of a
histogram

Mean, Mode, Median, Standard Deviation,

Skewness, Kurtosis are all parameters that help
describe a particular sediment.

Importance of Grain
Size Data
Grain Size affects
Porosity/Permeability.
Factors in whether a rock
will be a suitable
reservoir rock
Size and Sorting reflect
depositional conditions
and environments >>
sediments form different
depositional
environments can be
determined.
Interpret se-level
fluctuations.
Trace Glacial sediments.
Other methods.

Grain Shape
Sphericity
relative length of
the three axies.
Roundness
degree of
sharpness of the
corners and
edges.
Top row = High Sphericity
Bottom row = Low Sphericity

Significance of Grain Shape

Roundness

Function of grain size

Type of transport process
Distance of transport
Harder grains round slower
Large grains round faster.

Sphericity
Reflect shape of original
grains.
Effects settling velocity of
small grains (suspension
Load) = spherical grains
settle faster.
Traction load = spherical and
roller grains travel faster.
Sphericity has not been
reliably shown to permit
environmental dicrimination.

Surface Texture

Polished
Frosted
Pits
Scratches
Fractures
Ridges
Mechanical Abrasion
during transport
Chemically Etched
Electron Microscope

Surface Texture:
Pitted Quartz grain (left), non pitted (right)

Surface Textures
Susceptible to change during sediment
transport.
Old surface features modified or removed
Record the last cycle of sediment transport
Warning!!!!! Similar features can be
caused in different environments.

Environmental Indicators
Littoral, eolian and glacial environments
can be identified.
Littoral V shaped percussion marks and
conchoidal breakage
Eolian surface smootheness and
rounding, silica solution and precipitation
features.
Glacial conchoidal fracture patters and
parallel striations.

Clay Growth on Quartz Grains

Clay overgrowths on Quartz is common in eolian

sands. The Clays are often stained RED and so
the Quartz grains look RED.

Glacial Indicators

Fabric:
Grain Orientation

elongated grains tend

to be aligned by
current flow
>> Imbrication (like
shingles on a roof).

No Imbrications.
Poorly sorted
conglomerate deposited
in alluvial environment
associated with periodic,
torrential rains.

Porosity vs.
Compaction

Poorly sorted sediments have

lower porosity and permeability
than well sorted
Compaction (Diagenetic)
reduces porosity
Compaction can result in
different kinds of grain contacts
Compaction associated
geochemical changes (heat,
pressure, fluid migration) can
result in differential dissolution
or grains (secondary Porosity)

Contacts
Grain Supported
Tangential Contacts
Long Contacts
Concavo-Convex Contacts Big D
diagenesis
Sutured Contacts Dig D

Matrix Supported
Floating Grains

Tangential
Contacts,
Poor Sorting
too

Less compaction leads to point to point or

Tangential grain contact
Cementation prior to burial and shallow burial only
can also result in tangential contacts.

Grains boundaries are melting. Compaction can produce

different kinds of grain contacts
Useful information on diagenesis & amount of compaction,
depth of burial, etc

Grains boundaries are melting. Compaction can produce

different kinds of grain contacts
Useful information on diagenesis & amount of compaction,
depth of burial, etc
Bummer Reservoir

 Compaction can produce

different kinds of grain
contacts
useful information on
diagenesis & amount of
compaction
Sutured contacts >> High
pressure. Stylolites or
Interpenetrating Grains

Diagenesis has
overwhelmed
Deposition

Grain vs. Matrix

Supported
Sandstones (beach
and aeolian) tend to
be grain supported
Glacial gravels and
sand deposits and
debris flows tend to
be matrix supported
(grains float in a
matrix of smaller
grains)

Grain vs. Matrix

Supported
Sandstones (beach
and aeolian) tend to
be grain supported
Glacial gravels and
sand deposits and
debris flows tend to
be matrix supported
(grains float in a
matrix of smaller
grains)
Bummer Reservoir

Grain size distribution curve of a silty to medium sand

Grain Size, shape, surface, texture, grain fabric

For sands not rocks NO CEMENT.

For Rocks: Cement will reduce Porosity range from 26 - 42%
down to 12 - 26%

Sneider (1987).

The Best Reservoirs would be in

Well Sorted, Medium to Coarse grained rocks

Sneider (1987).

Permeability versus Grain Size in Sandstones

Byrnes, 2000

Limestone Rock Fabric Relationships

Lucia, 2000

Dolomite Rock-Fabric relationship

(Ellenburger & Permian)

Lucia, 2000