TITLE:
Magnetic Susceptibility and Natural Gamma Radioactivity as Indirect Indicators of Impurities in Limestones of the Sabinas Basin: Possible Relationships with the Sedimentation Environment
AUTHORS:
José A. Batista Rodríguez, Joaquín A. Proenza Fernández, Gloria I. Dávila Pulido, Mitzué Garza García, Itzayana Y. Zamora Medellín
KEYWORDS:
Magnetic Susceptibility, Natural Gamma Radioactivity, Limestones, Environment Sedimentation, Sabinas Basin
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.5 No.10,
October
19,
2017
ABSTRACT: This study presents an analysis of magnetic susceptibility and natural gamma radioactivity as indirect indicators of impurities in Cretaceous limestones of the Sabinas basin, as well as of the possible relation of these physical properties with the changes in the sedimentation environment. Both of these physical properties indicate changes in the degree of impurities and the mineralogical composition of this rock, principally in its organic matter and detritus content. Considering that the sedimentation environment determines the impurities in these rocks, possible environmental conditions at different levels of the Cretaceous were suggested using the magnetic susceptibility, total gamma radiation and potassium values, as well as the uranium and thorium concentration in the limestones. The analyses suggest variations in the depth of water table of the basin, which are mainly related to transgressions and marine regressions.