<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">A number of independent methods have been used to measure the thermal maturity of Silurian rocks from the Holy Cross Mountains in Poland. Black shales are characterized by diverse TOC values varying from 0.24-7.85%. Having calculated vitrinite equivalent reflectance using three different formulas, we propose that the most applicable values for the Silurian rocks are those based on Schmidt et al. (2015) equation. Based on this formula, the values range from % 0.71 VReqvVLR (the vitrinite equivalent reflectance of the vitrinite-like macerals) to % 1.96 VReqvVLR. Alternative, complementary methods including Rock Eval pyrolysis and parameters based on organic compounds (CPI, Pr/<italic>n</italic>-C17, Ph/<italic>n</italic>-C18, MPI1, and MDR) from extracts did not prove adequate as universal thermal maturity indicators. We have confirmed previous suggestions that Llandovery shales are the most likely Silurian source rocks for the generation of hydrocarbons in the HCM.</abstract>

A number of independent methods have been used to measure the thermal maturity of Silurian rocks from the Holy Cross Mountains in Poland. Black shales are characterized by diverse TOC values varying from 0.24-7.85%. Having calculated vitrinite equivalent reflectance using three different formulas, we propose that the most applicable values for the Silurian rocks are those based on Schmidt et al. (2015) equation. Based on this formula, the values range from % 0.71 VReqvVLR (the vitrinite equivalent reflectance of the vitrinite-like macerals) to % 1.96 VReqvVLR. Alternative, complementary methods including Rock Eval pyrolysis and parameters based on organic compounds (CPI, Pr/n-C17, Ph/n-C18, MPI1, and MDR) from extracts did not prove adequate as universal thermal maturity indicators. We have confirmed previous suggestions that Llandovery shales are the most likely Silurian source rocks for the generation of hydrocarbons in the HCM.

Vitrinite equivalent reflectance of Silurian black shales from the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland

Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland

Wrocław Research Centre EIT + Ltd., Stabłowicka 147, 54-066 Wrocław, Poland

The Polish Geological Institute - National Research Institute, Zgoda 21, 25-953 Kielce, Poland

Mineralogia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

A number of independent methods have been used to measure the thermal maturity of Silurian rocks from the Holy Cross Mountains in Poland. Black shales are...

Vitrinite equivalent reflectance of Silurian black shales from the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland

Published Online: Oct 29, 2015

Page range: 79 - 96

Received: Jun 10, 2015

Accepted: Sep 14, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/mipo-2015-0006

Keywords
Holy Cross Mountains, Lower Silurian, maturation, graptolite reflectance, black shales

© 2014 Justyna Smolarek et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Vitrinite equivalent reflectance of Silurian black shales from the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland

Published Online: Oct 29, 2015

Page range: 79 - 96

Received: Jun 10, 2015

Accepted: Sep 14, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/mipo-2015-0006

KeywordsHoly Cross Mountains, Lower Silurian, maturation, graptolite reflectance, black shales

© 2014 Justyna Smolarek et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Holy Cross Mountains, Lower Silurian, maturation, graptolite reflectance, black shales