Semester
Fall
Date of Graduation
2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Type
PhD
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Geology and Geography
Committee Chair
Shikha Sharma
Committee Co-Chair
Amy Weislogel
Committee Member
Jaime Toro
Committee Member
Swapan K. Sahoo
Abstract
Critical elements are an indispensable part of the clean energy transition. In the race for alternative energy technologies, lithium and rare earth elements have a proven record of being few of the most sought-after minerals. Limited availability of conventional mineral ores warrants a need to explore, understand and exploit unconventional sources of these elements. To that end, several studies have attempted to understand the rock and mineral assemblages of diverse geological systems. This doctoral thesis focuses on understanding the geochemistry of REE and Li in sedimentary environments, particularly black shale basins in the US. A suite of samples from natural oil and gas producing wells from the Appalachian and Haynesville basins were studied by employing experimental, microscopic and spectrometric techniques to analyze interrelationships between inorganic shale minerals, organic matter, thermal maturity and trace elemental behavior. Several key findings from this thesis inform us about fluid-rock interactions that occur under low-temperature sedimentary low-grade metamorphic conditions, which result in characteristic associations of Li and REE with organic matter. Furthermore, access to basin fluids and syngenetic and diagenetic processes play a critical role in determining REE and Li mobilization from the host phases, that are further remobilized, re-adsorbed or precipitated, leading to enrichment of black shales. Economic assessment of black shales as a probable source of REE is assessed help us develop a critical understanding of black shales being an important candidate for critical mineral resources.
Recommended Citation
Bhattacharya, Shailee, "Geochemical Phase Associations of Rare Earth Elements and Lithium in Black Shales of the USA: A study in the Appalachian and Haynesville Basins" (2024). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 12695.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/12695
