Origin of brine in the San Andres Formation, evaporite confining system, Texas Panhandle and eastern New Mexico

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 1987 Origin of brine in the San Andres Formation, evaporite confining system, Texas Panhandle and eastern New Mexico ALAN R. DUTTON ALAN R. DUTTON 1Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, University Station, Box X, Austin, Texas 78713-7508 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1987) 99 (1): 103–112. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1987)99<103:OOBITS>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation ALAN R. DUTTON; Origin of brine in the San Andres Formation, evaporite confining system, Texas Panhandle and eastern New Mexico. GSA Bulletin 1987;; 99 (1): 103–112. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1987)99<103:OOBITS>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Although regional hydrogeologic data and numerical models suggest that ground water flows downward through the evaporite-confining system in the Palo Duro Basin, new evidence of chemical and isotopic composition of brine from a carbonate bed in the Permian San Andres Formation suggests that post-Permian ground-water movement within the evaporite section has been negligible. Similarity between δD and δ18O of brine in San Andres carbonate rock and δD and δ18O of Permian fluid inclusions in halite beds implies that brine in the carbonate rock is connate and originated as Permian evaporatively concentrated sea water. Extensive rock-water reactions that account for chemical and isotopic composition of the brine by circulating meteoric ground water seem more complex and less substantiated than does diagenetic change of connate Permian brine. The conflict between hydrogeologic and chemical interpretations is reconciled if (1) there has not been enough time for flow of meteoric ground water to flush connate brine from the carbonate bed since a significant cross-formational gradient in hydraulic head developed, (2) present cross-formational flow of ground water is unevenly distributed between fractured and unfractured areas, and (3) composition of brine sampled at the test wells differs from that of brine in fractured zones that have not been sampled. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.