Fluid inclusions in salt from the Rayburn and Vacherie domes, Louisiana

Open-File Report 79-1675
By:  and 

Links

Abstract

Core samples from the Rayburn and Vacherie salt domes in Louisiana were examined for fluid inclusions, in connection with the possible use of such domes for nuclear waste storage sites. Three types of fluid inclusions were found, brine, compressed gas, and oil (in decreasing volume percent abundance). The total amount of such fluids is small, certainly < 0.1 vol. % and probably in the range 0.01 to 0.001 volume %, but the inclusions are highly erratic in distribution. Unlike many bedded salt deposits, the brine inclusions in this salt contain fluids that are not far from simple NaCl-H2O solutions, with very little of other ions. One of three possible explanations for such fluids is that fresh water penetrated the salt at some unknown time in the past and was trapped; if such entry of fresh water has occurred in the past, it might also occur again in the future.
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Fluid inclusions in salt from the Rayburn and Vacherie domes, Louisiana
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 79-1675
DOI 10.3133/ofr791675
Edition -
Year Published 1979
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description 26 p. ;28 cm.
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details