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Geochemical investigation and abrasion experiments to decipher the origin of lime mud

Project

Project Details

Program
All Programs
Field of Study
Carbonate sedimentology; geochemistry; diagenesis
Division
All Divisions
Faculty Lab Link
https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/study/faculty/volker-vahrenkamp

Project Description

The origin of carbonate mud in modern and ancient carbonate sedimentary systems is still today the subject of debate among carbonate sedimentologists. Although there is extensive research on modern Caribbean systems, little research has been conducted in the Arabian Gulf since the 1960s. The aim of this project is to decipher the source and the origin of carbonate mud collected along the Arabian Gulf coasts (KSA, UAE) by (1) investigating the geochemical fingerprints of carbonate components (i.e ooids, peloids, bivalves…) and by (2) experimenting in the laboratory the abrasion potential of these specific components to produce mud. Correlation and mixing models will be used to explain the mud as a mixture of end-member components. For this project, we are looking for a motivated student/recent graduate with a background in carbonate sedimentology, analytical geochemistry and ease in laboratory work.

About the Researcher

Volker Vahrenkamp
Professor, Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering
Physical Science and Engineering Division

Affiliations

Education Profile

  • Ph.D. Marine Geology, RSMAS a- U. Miami, Miami, FL, USA
  • MSc Geology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
  • Vordiplom, Ludwigs UniversitA¤t, Freiburg, Germany

Research Interests

a€‹Professor Vahrenkamp's research aims at securing future energy supply with three main thrusts: Refine the understanding of modern and ancient carbonate depositional environments and associated diagenesis for improved perception of reservoir heterogeneities on multiple scales, Advance the quantification of the complex pore networks of Arabian carbonate reservoirs and its impact on reservoir performance, Explore and develop geothermal energy in Arabian countries with special focus on desalination and cooling applications and suitable drilling techniques.

Selected Publications

  • Late Jurassic to Cretaceous source rock prone intra-shelf basins of the eastern Arabian plate a- interplay between t... Vahrenkamp, V.C., P. Van Laer, B.J. Franco, M. A. Celentano, Carine Grelaud and P. Razin. SPE-IPTC-18470 , (2015)
  • Micro rhombic calcite of a giant Barremian reservoir onshore Abu Dhabi - Clumped isotope analyses fix temperature, ... Vahrenkamp, V.C, J. Barata; P.J. Van Laer, P. Swart, S. Murray. SPE ADIPEC-172033 , (2014)
  • Carbon-isotope signatures of Albian to Cenomanian (Cretaceous) shelf carbonates of the Natih Formation, Sultanate o... Vahrenkamp, V.C. GeoArabia, v. 18, no. 3, 65-82, (2013)
  • Validation of fundamental carbonate reservoir core properties using Digital Rock Physics Lopez, O., A. Mock, P. A˜ren, H. Long, Z. Kalam, V. Vahrenkamp, M. Gibrata, S. Seraj, S. Ch. International Symposium of the Society of Core Analysts, SCA2012-19, 12 pages , (2012)
  • Chemo stratigraphy of the Early Cretaceous Shu'aiba Formation. Vahrenkamp, V.C. GeoArabia Special Publication 4, V. 1, 107 137, (2010)

Desired Project Deliverables

Geochemical analytical models and inventory of geo-chemical signatures of carbonate components (XRD, ICP-OES, isotops) and results of abrasion experiment results.

Recommended Student Background

geochemistry
carbonate sedimentology
diagenesis
lab work
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