The Cretaceous Balambo Formation from three sections in Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq was studied. The selected sections are located in the Zagros Fold -Thrust Belt. Eleven rock samples were analyzed by means of the organic geochemical method, Bitumen extraction method, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to determine the bitumen and hydrocarbon content, kerogen types, origin of organic matter, thermal maturity level, and depositional environment. The analyzed samples are considered to have an excellent potential in Baranan-1.G1 and Sazan sections, with poor to fair potential in Baraw section. The Baranan-1.G1 source rocks are of type II kerogen (oil prone), whereas Sazan and Baraw samples are of type II/III (oil/ gas prone). Detailed distribution analysis of biomarkers such as normal alkane, isoprenoids, sterane and terpane was performed on saturated hydrocarbons. The mode of n-alkanes and isoprenoids distribution in all analyzed samples is similar, with a unimodal distribution that indicates non-biodegraded hydrocarbons, with the same range of alkane compounds between C13-C34 alkanes. The results of n-C17, pristane, n-C18 and phytane, and regular steranes show that the source rocks of Balambo Formation in Baranan-1.G1 are mainly rich with algal marine organic matter deposited under a reducing environment, while Baraw and Sazan sections are composed of mixed marine organic matter that refers to terrestrial land plants input deposited under reducing anoxic/dysoxic environments. Thermal maturation appraisal is deduced from Pristane/n-C17 versus Phytane/n-C18 diagram, Carbon Preference Index (CPI), C29 ββ/ (ββ+αα), C29 20S/ (20S +20R), C32 22S/ (22S+22R), and Ts/ (Ts+Tm). All these parameters indicate that the analyzed samples are mature and have entered the oil window (early to peak oil window). Biomarker ratios of C22/C21, C24/C23 and C26/C25, C31R/C30H show that the Balambo Formation is composed mostly of carbonates with less shale beds.
Seventeen samples of Hartha Formation in Balad (1) well, central Iraq, are studied on the basis of stratigraphic ranges of the recorded calcareous nannofossils for twenty species belonging to twelve genera. The studied section reveals three biozones arranged from oldest to youngest as follows; (1) Calculites ovalis Interval Biozone (CC19), (2) Ceratolithoides aculeus Interval Biozone (CC20), (3) Quadrum sissinghii Interval Biozone (CC21). These Biozones are correlated with other calcareous nannofossils biozones from both local and regional sections, leading to conclude the age of the Middle Campanian.
Rerecorded eighteen ostracode species that belong to eleven genera are identified,
... Show MoreThe evaluation of the Nfayil limestones in Bahr Al-Najaf Depression as construction materials was done on 15 sites distributed over a region. The study included field and laboratory aspects. The field side included collecting information about the study area and samples. As for the laboratory side, laboratory tests were conducted to study the thermal conductivity of samples by a device called Lee’s disc in the Tikri University. The thermal conductivity results ranged between 2.34 and 0.27. The rocks are of high thermal insulation at low temperatures and low insulation at high temperatures according to the specifications of the suitability of limestone for thermal conductivity standards (ASTM C 1057-03-2010).
The Fort Munro Formation is well exposed along DG Khan-Fort Munro road, a type locality. The section was measured and sampled for the biostratigraphy, where it has a conformable lower contact with Mughalkot Formation and is underlain by the Pab Sandstone. The total observed thickness was 105 meters, and 26 samples were collected from top to the bottom at random intervals. Fifty thin sections were studied carefully, and five species of large benthic foraminifera, including Orbitoidestissoti, Orbitoidesapiculata, Orbitoides media, Orbitoideshottingeri, and Omphalocyclusmacroporus were identified along with miliolids. Gastropods, Bivalves and Echinoderms were also observed. Based on identified microfossils, the de
... Show MoreModern cities suffer from heavy metal pollution due to urban expansion and population increase. Heavy metals have a great impact on human health. The objective is to determine the contamination level of heavy metals Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr and Pb at industrial and residential in Hilla city. The mean concentration of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr and Pb enrichment factors of the investigated industrial soils are 3.43, 0.74, 6.45, 3.95, 5.60, 3.44, 1.17 and 11.44, respectively. The means of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr and Pb in residential soils are 3.30, 1.09, 11.40, 0.94, 2.08, 5.39, 0.9 and 3.6, respectively. The I-geo mean values of heavy elements in the industrial area may be ordered in the following: Mn> Pb> Ni>
... Show MoreTrace elements (Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Th, U, and V) in surface soil of Al-Aslah (NH1), Nasiriyah refinery (NH2), Gharraf (NH3), and Tall Al-Laham (NH4) at Thi-Qar governorate, southeast Iraq, were studied. The study aims to detect their distribution and pollution levels to reduce the subtracted from industrial sources and avoid using contaminated areas for agricultural purposes before the soil treatment process. Inductivity Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique was used to determine the concentrations of these elements, and the results showed that there is a high concentration of Cr, Ni, Mo, and Mn in the soil of the study area, which exceeded the international levels compared with other elements (Co, Th, U, and
... Show MoreThe Hartha Formation reservoir was evaluated to be produced in the near future in Y oil and J fields, West of the Tigris River in northern Iraq. Due to geological data analysis of the Hartha facies and diagenesis could enhance oil production with minimized risks, this research tried to deal with data to support the oil production. The Hartha reservoir is subdivided into five-rock units, Har-1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. It is of Heterogenic facies limestone, dolomite, dolomitic limestone and argillaceous dolomite. The Hartha Formation is a clean carbonate; it has an effective porosity. It consists of lime mudstone-packstone skeletal grain. This conclusion is based on the lithology, core microfacies, cutting, thin section and log interpret
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