Stratigraphy, petrography and geochemistry of the Bad Heart Formation, Northwestern Alberta

• Author / Creator

  Kafle, Basant

• Bad Heart Formation oolitic ironstone is the largest resources of iron in western Canada. During this study, 45 new sections from outcrop, trench and drill holes were mapped, and 325 samples were collected for petrographic and geochemical analysis. The objective of the first paper is to refine the previously published stratigraphic model based on the new data. The second paper deals with geochemistry and discuss genesis of ooids and source of iron in oolitic ironstone.
  The textures of the Bad Heart Formation ironstone suggest the ooids formed in-place in a relatively shallow, wave-agitated, oxygenated marine environment with repetitive growth of the ooids in water column. There are two possible source of iron in the ooids. Some geochemical data indicate it is continental sedimentary, but it is also possible that the iron sourced from sub-sea hydrothermal or meteoric vents, similar to recent iron deposits at Paint Pots in Kootenay National Park.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Geochemistry
  • Bad Heart Formation
  • Stratigraphy

• Graduation date

  Spring 2011

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R31P5Z

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.