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GEOSCIENCE SEMINAR - Dr. Hamed Sanei, Geological Survey of Canada

Organic matter matters

Info about event

Time

Wednesday 31 May 2017,  at 14:15 - 15:15

Location

Geoscience auditorium, 1671-137

ABSTRACT:

Organic matter matters
Dr Hamed Sanei
Senior Research Scientist Geological Survey of Canada

Organic matter matters Dr Hamed Sanei Senior Research Scientist Geological Survey of Canada Organic matter constitutes a significant fraction of a wide range of geological and recent sedimentary deposits. Its concentration ranges anywhere from less than 1 to over 60 weight percent in recent sediments, soil, mudrocks, black shale, peat, coal, and other carbonaceous deposits. It is arguably the most important component of all fundamental geochemical reactions, from the moment it deposits in the sedimentary setting, to all the way throughout the diagenesis, catageneis, and metagenesis processes. These reactions form the sedimentary rocks and petroleum systems we know today. Organic matter is the building block of the global energy system and a fundamental part of the global carbon cycle. It has a key role in the environment as it controls the distribution of pollutants in aquatic systems. Yet the study of organic matter is not included as an independent course in the formal training of earth science students in most universities around the world. As a result, TOC (total organic carbon), remains the single expression of this vastly diverse constituent of geological matter for many geologists today.

Organic petrology is an earth science discipline which applies optical microscopy to study the origin, occurrence, structure, and history of preserved sedimentary organic matter (OM). In conjunction with organic geochemistry, it provides a powerful tool in sedimentology, paleoenvironment, and petroleum geology. This lecture provides a synopsis of the presenter's research on integrated, organic petrology and geochemistry, with examples of how this field of study has provided applied knowledge aiding environmental and petroleum research, and helping to unravel geological mysteries.