Project Summary
The project explored the distribution of minor component metals along a Precipice core by using a calibrated imaging method applied to a digitally scanned core. Researchers extracted carbonate cement volumes along the whole 100m core image data. The project was able to quantify the distribution of pyrite/calcite/siderite – the possible source of trace metals. The maximum potential release of trace metals is determined by the abundance of source minerals – principally pyrite and Fe-carbonate. Spot trace metal analyses identified at least two populations of pyrite, and the most abundant of these carried very little trace metals. This project complemented the geochemical investigations undertaken in the precipice sandstone in a prior project, by identifying the location and distribution of minor components in minerals.
