Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-08T11:30:42.937Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Illite/Smectite Diagenesis and Its Variable Correlation with Vitrinite Reflectance in the Pannonian Basin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2024

S. Hillier ,
J. Mátyás ,
A. Matter  and
G. Vasseur
S. Hillier*
Affiliation:
Geologisches Institut, Universität Bern, Baltzerstrasse 1, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
J. Mátyás
Affiliation:
Geologisches Institut, Universität Bern, Baltzerstrasse 1, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
A. Matter
Affiliation:
Geologisches Institut, Universität Bern, Baltzerstrasse 1, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
G. Vasseur
Affiliation:
Centre Géologique et Géophysique, Université de Montpellier II, Science et Techniques case 060, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
*
*Present address: Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB9 202, Scotland.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The correlation between illite/smectite (I/S) diagenesis and mean vitrinite reflectance (Ro) data is examined in mudrocks from a hydrocarbon exploration well (geothermal gradient 35°C km−1) from the Great Hungarian Plain of the Pannonian Basin System. The expandability of I/S decreases with depth and there is a change from random to ordered mixed-layering at about 2500 m depth. At this depth Ro is about 0.6%. Comparison of the correlation of expandability and Ro from this study to published data for the Vienna Basin and the Transcarpathian Basin, sub-basins of the Pannonian Basin System, shows that the correlation is systematically different for each sub-basin, according to their thermal histories. In the Vienna Basin (geothermal gradient 25°C km−1), for any given value of Ro, the expandability of I/S is less than in the Transcarpathian Basin (geothermal gradient 55°C km−1) and the sediments are older and more deeply buried. Data from the present study are intermediate. This variation is believed to be due to the effect of time on the smectite-to-illite reaction. Results of an optimization procedure to calculate the kinetics of the smectite-to-illite reaction, using as input the expandability depth profiles, and thermal histories constrained by comparison of observed and calculated Ro data, showed that I/S diagenesis in the Pannonian Basin System can be modelled by a single first order rate equation:

−dS/dt=elog(A)−E/RT⋅S
where S = fraction of smectite layers in I/S, t = time (Ma), e = exponential function, log(A) = frequency factor = 7.5 (Ma−1), E = activation energy = 31.0 kJ mol−1, R = universal gas constant, and T is temperature in Kelvin. This result also suggests an important role for time. By combining the kinetics of the smectite-to-illite reaction with a kinetic model of vitrinite maturation it is possible to define a domain within which all ‘normal’ (burial diagenesis) correlations between Ro and I/S diagenesis should lie. Such diagrams can be used to identify different thermal histories related to different geotectonic settings and ‘anomalous’ data such as that affected by igneous intrusions.

Keywords

Illite/smectiteKineticsPannonian BasinThermal historyVitrinite reflectance
Type
Research Article
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals , Volume 43 , Issue 2 , April 1995 , pp. 174 - 183
Copyright
Copyright © 1995, The Clay Minerals Society

References

Barker, C. E., and Pawlewicz, M. J. . The correlation of vitrinite reflectance with maximum temperature in humic organic matter. In Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences 5. Paleogeothermics. Buntebarth, G., and Stegena, L., 1986 eds. Berlin: Springer Verlag, pp. 79–93.Google Scholar
Bethke, C. M., and Altaner, S. 1986 . Layer-by-layer mechanism of smectite illitization and application to a new rate law. Clays & Clay Miner. 34: 136–145.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Burnham, A. K., and Sweeney, J. J. 1989 . A chemical model for vitrinite maturation and reflectance. Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta 53: 2649–2657.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eberl, D. D., 1993. Three zones of illite formation during burial diagenesis and metamorphism. Clay & Clay Miner. 41: 26–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Francu, J., Müller, P., Sucha, V., and Zatkalikova, V. 1990 . Organic matter and clay minerals as indicators of thermal history in the Transcarpathian Depression (East Slovakian Neogene Basin) and the Vienna Basin. Geol. Carp. 41: 535–546.Google Scholar
Freed, R. L., and Peacor, D. R. 1989 . Variability in temperature of smectite/illite reaction in Gulf Coast sediments. Clay Miner. 24: 171–180.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gretner, P. E., and Curtis, C. D. 1982 . Role of temperature and time on organic metamorphism. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull. 66: 1124–1149.Google Scholar
Héroux, Y., Chagnon, A., and Bertrand, R. 1979 . Compilation and correlation of major thermal maturation indicators. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull. 63: 2128–2144.Google Scholar
Hoffman, J., and Hower, J. . Clay mineral assemblages as lowgrade metamorphic geothermometers: Application to the thrust faulted disturbed belt of Montana, U.S.A. In Aspects of Diagenesis. Scholle, P. A., and Schluger, P. R., 1979 eds. Soc. Econ. Paleontol. Mineral. Spec. Publ. 26. pp. 55–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huang, W-L., Longo, J. M., and Peaver, D. R. 1993 . An experimentally derived kinetic model for the smectite-to-illite conversion and its use as a geothermometer. Clays & Clay Miner. 41: 162–177.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kisch, H. J., 1987. Correlation between indicators of very low-grade metamorphism. In Low Temperature Metamorphism. Frey, M., ed. London: Blackie, pp. 227–300.Google Scholar
Kurzweil, H., and Johns, W. D. 1981 . Diagenesis of Tertiary marlstones in the Vienna Basin. Tschermaks Min. Petr. Mitt. 29: 103–125.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kübler, B., 1993. Diagenèse: Transformation des argiles et transformation de la matière organique. In Sédimentologie et géochemie de la surface. Paquet, H., and Clauer, N., eds. Les colloques de l'academie des sciences et du cadas. Institut de France.Google Scholar
Lanson, B., and Besson, G. 1992 . Characterisation of the end of smectite-to-illite transformation—Decomposition of X-ray patterns. Clays & Clay Miner. 40: 40–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lanson, B., and Velde, B. 1992 . Decomposition of x-ray diffraction patterns: A convenient way to describe complex I/S diagenetic evolution. Clays & Clays Miner. 40: 629–643.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Monnier, F., 1982. Thermal diagenesis in the Swiss Molasse Basin: Implications for oil generation. Can. J. Earth. Sci. 19: 328–342.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moore, D. M., and Reynolds, R. C. 1989 . X-ray Diffraction and the Identification and Analysis of Clay Minerals. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 332 pp.Google Scholar
Pollastro, R. M., 1990. The illite/smectite geothermometer—Concepts, methodology, and application to basin history and hydrocarbon generation. In Applications of Thermal Maturity Studies to Energy Exploration. Nuccio, V. F., and Barker, C. E., eds., pp. 1–18.Google Scholar
Pollastro, R. M., 1993. Considerations and applications of the illite/smectite geothermometer in hydrocarbon-bearing rocks of Miocene to Mississippian age. Clays & Clay Miner. 41: 119–133.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Price, K. L., and McDowell, S. D. 1993 . Illite/smectite geothermometry of the proterozoic Oronto Group, Mid-continental Rift System. Clays & Clay Miner. 41: 134–147.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pytte, A. M., and Reynolds, R. C. . The thermal transformation of smectite to illite. In Thermal History of Sedimentary Basins. Naeser, N. D., and McCulloh, T. H., 1989 eds. Berlin: Springer Verlag, pp. 133–140.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Quigley, T. M., Mackenzie, A. S., and Gray, J. R. . Kinetic theory of petroleum migration. In Migration of Hydrocarbons in Sedimentary Basins. Doligez, B., 1987 ed. Paris: Editions Technip, pp. 649–665.Google Scholar
Ramseyer, K., and Boles, R. J. 1986 . Mixed-layer illite/smectite minerals in Tertiary sandstones and shales, San Joaquin Basin, California. Clays & Clay Miner. 34: 115–124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Royden, L. H., Horváth, F., Nagymarosy, A., and Stegena, L. 1983 . Evolution of the Pannonian Basin System 2. Subsidence and thermal history. Tectonics 2: 91–137.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Royden, L. H., and Dövényi, P. . Variations in extensional styles at depth across the Pannonian Basin System. In The Pannonian Basin: A Study in Basin Evolution. Royden, L., and Horváth, F., 1988 eds. Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Mem. 43: 235–253.Google Scholar
Reynolds, R. C., and Hower, J. 1970 . The nature of interlayering in mixed-layer illite-montmorillonites. Clays & Clay Miner. 18: 25–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reynolds, R. C., 1984. Interstratified clay minerals. In Crystal Structures of Clay Minerals and Their X-ray Identification. Brindley, G. W., and Brown, G., eds. London: Mineralogical Society, pp. 249–304.Google Scholar
Robert, P., 1985. Histoire Geothemique et Diagenese Organique. Elf-Aquitaine, France. English translation 1988. Dordrecht, Holland: D. Reidel. 311 pp.Google Scholar
Smart, G., and Clayton, T. 1985 . The progressive illitization of interstratified illite-smectite from Carboniferous sediments of northern England and its relationship to organic maturity indicators. Clay Miner. 20: 455–466.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Środoń, J., 1984. Mixed-layer illite-smectite in low temperature diagenesis: Data from the Carpathian foredeep. Clay Miner. 19: 205–215.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Šucha, V., Kraus, I., Gerthoferová, H., Peteš, J., and Sereková., M., 1993. Smectite to illite conversion in bentonites and shales of the East Slovak Basin. Clay Miner. 28: 243–253.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Velde, B., and Vasseur, G. 1992 . Estimation of the diagenetic smectite to illite transformation in time-temperature space. Amer. Min. 77: 967–976.Google Scholar
Viczián, I., 1985. Diagenetic transformation of mixed-layered illite/smectite in deep zones of the Pannonian Basin. 5th Meeting of the European Clay Groups (1983), Prague.Google Scholar
Viczián, I., 1992. Clay minerals of a thick sedimentary sequence in SE part of the Pannonian Basin (Hungary). Geol. Carp. Ser. Clays 7: 27–30.Google Scholar
Wolf, M., 1975. Über die Beziehung zwischen Illit-Kristallinität und Inkohlung. N. Jb. Geol. Paläont. Mh. 7: 437–447.Google Scholar