Radiogenic heat production in sedimentary rocks of the Gulf of Mexico Basin, south Texas

摘要: Radiogenic heat production within the sedimentary section of Gulf Mexico basin is a significant source heat. should be included in thermal models this (and perhaps other basins). We calculate that radiogenic may contribute up to 26% overall surface heat-flow density for an area south Texas. Based on measurements radioactive decay rate a-particles, potassium concentration, and bulk density, we Stuart City (Lower Cretaceous) limestones, Wilcox (Eocene) sandstones mudrocks, Frio (Oligocene) mudrocks from Heat rates range low 0.07 ±0.01 µW/m3 clean limestones 2.21 ±0.24 mudrocks. Mean sandstones, are 0.88, 1.19, 1.50, 1.72 µW/m3, respectively. In general, produce about 30-40% more than stratigraphically equivalent sandstones. rocks 15% per unit volume clastic rock (sandstone/mudrock). A one-dimensional heat- conduction model indicates has effect subsurface temperatures. If were calibrated observed temperatures by optimizing basal ignoring sediment production, extrapolated present-day temperature deeply buried would overestimated.