Search

The Late Jurassic-Cretaceous Yanshanian Orogeny (or “Yenshan Movement”), one of the most important tectonothermal events, is first recognized in China, especially eastern China. This Late Mesozoic orogeny, which was initiated most likely by a Mesozoic tectonic switch, strongly reworked or destructed the older continental lithospheres or cratonic keels that are manifested by alternating compressive and extensional deformation, voluminous igneous rocks, and a variety of characteristic magmatic-hydrothermal mineral systems. Despite its first discovery and definition in Yenshan-Yinshan area of North China craton, the Yanshanian Orogeny probably is of global tectonic, magmatic and metallogenic significance. However, there have been hot debates on the precise starting time, accurate duration or time-interval, detailed processes and evolution linked to deep lithospheres, tectonic nature, and geodynamic mechanism(s) of the Yanshanian Orogeny, which inevitably have hindered the understanding of the genesis, mineralizing processes and geodynamic mechanism of the Late Mesozoic magmatic-hydrothermal mineral systems. This Special Issue captures some of the latest research results on the Yanshanian ore deposits that are involved into a few main Mesozoic metallogenic belts or provinces, from northeast to southwest China, including: (1) the Jiaodong Peninsula metallogenic province in the North China Craton, (2) the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley metallogenic belt in the central eastern China, (3) the Jiangnan and (4) the Nanling metallogenic belts in the South China Block, (5) the southeastern China Coast metallogenic belt, and (6) the Sanjiang metallogenic belt in southwest China. Through a multidisciplinary study, this Special Issue re-investigated and re-evaluated the relationship between the Late Mesozoic magmatic-hydrothermal mineral systems and the Yanshanian tectonothermal events in the studied metallogenic belts or provinces. A few important contributions to the topic in this Special Issue (Yanshanian metallogeny) are summarized as followings: (1) A new ore-deposit type, i.e. the “intracontinental reactivation” type, has been suggested to interpret the genesis of those Au-(polymetallic) deposits that are hosted within older metamorphic rocks and related to the Late Mesozoic basin-and-range extensional settings; (2) Late Mesozoic re-activation of the preexisting structures by the Yanshanian tectono-thermal event(s) might be an important mechanism controlling the Yanshanian large-scale mineralization; (3) A-type granites formed by partial melting of the Mesoproterozoic crust, but with inputs from mantle-derived melt are also favorable for Sn mineralization, in addition to S-type and I-type granites as previously recognized; (4) Calculated oxygen fugacities (ƒO 2 ) of granitic magmas based on chemical compositions of primary biotite have been confirmed to be effective proxy for distinguishing Cu-Au-Mo-W-Sn-Pb-Zn mineralized granites from barren granites; (5) A significant epoch of W–Sn magmatic-hydrothermal ore system at ca. 145–135 Ma has been identified in the southeastern China Coast metallogenic belt; and (6) In addition to traditional structural geology, mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry and geochronology, new analytical techniques (e.g. Cu isotopes) and data treatment method (e.g., Bi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition) can be used to provide more constraints for deep exploration.

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina. xvi, 247 p. The Canadian Prairies has the highest water demand-to-availability ratio in Canada. The region is characterized by a scarcity of water resources because evaporation generally exceed precipitation. Evaporation is a complex phenomenon based on interactions between meteorological and physiological factors. The purpose of this research was to accurately determine evaporative flux from water and soil surfaces. The main research contributions of this research are summarized as follows: (i) a Bench-scale Atmospheric Simulator (BAS/BAS2) was developed to control artificially generated parameters for short time periods; (ii) a Controlled Photogrammetry System (CPS) using Structure-from-Motion (SfM) technology was developed for accurate and non-destructive measurement of dimensional changes during evaporation; (iii) high-quality evaporation datasets were developed for calibration of devices, validation of prediction equations and evaluation of theoretical frameworks; (iv) predictive models for evaporation from water were evaluated to select appropriate empirical equations for predicting potential evaporative flux from water; and (v) a theoretical framework for evaporation from soils was developed to correlate with soil behavior (water retention and soil shrinkage) for both fresh water and saline water. The findings of this research are useful for developing methods to minimize evaporation and for helping with devising water use policy. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geology, University of Regina. ix, * 216. Saskatchewan is home to world-class uranium (U) deposits associated with the unconformity between the Proterozoic Athabasca Basin and underlying Archean- Paleoproterozoic basement rocks. Many deposits exhibit a strong spatial association with post-Athabasca faults formed by the reactivation of basement-rooted structures. Deformation bands are products of localized strain in porous sedimentary rocks and are commonly associated with fault damage zones. They can significantly modify porosity due to grain rotation and granular flow. This study investigated deformation bands in sandstones of the basal Manitou Falls Group in eight drillhole fences that transect two fault corridors in the eastern Athabasca Basin: the NNE-trending C1 fault corridor that hosts the Gryphon deposit, and the WS shear zone, a splay of the former that hosts the Phoenix deposit. The deformation bands in the sandstone correspond to mainly shearenhanced compaction bands that increase in abundance toward post-Athabasca faults. The proportion of bands with visible signs of cataclasis increases with depth. Petrographic study places band formation relatively early in the host-rock paragenetic sequence, before introduction of drusy quartz veins and tourmaline associated with U mineralization. Paleo-stress analysis performed using basement- and sandstone-hosted structural orientation data identified two major stress regimes associated with each fault corridor. The first stress regime (A) groups strike-slip (cover) and thrust (cover and basement) solutions at both localities wherein the principal stress (σ1) lies in the horizontal plane roughly perpendicular to the fault; while the second regime (B) groups additional data, with the derived σ1 (~E–W) lying near-parallel to faults. Based on collective macroscopic to microscopic observations, deformation bands are inferred to have formed after Manitou Falls deposition in successive homogeneous stress regimes. It is contended that the bands initially formed in a strike-slip regime (A), characterized by subhorizontal NW–SE-trending σ1 that promoted reverse reactivation of moderately ESEdipping basement-rooted faults. A younger set of thrust-sense bands may have facilitated fault propagation through the sandstone cover, and potentially records the evolution of A to a fully contractional i.e., thrust regime. Most deformation bands thus appear to have formed early, under regional compression that preceded and accompanied basement fault reactivation that led to offset of the unconformity and influx of uraniferous fluids. The second regime (B, σ1 E–W) may mark younger sinistral strike-slip motion (basement and cover) which influenced the development of NW–SE transverse faults. The nature and timing of the bands in this study is compatible with the shallow basin model (

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Petroleum Systems Engineering, University of Regina. xxix, 267 p. With the hydrate development stepping into the field trials, technical challenges and operational concerns arise at the same time including the risk of geological disasters, unstable/discontinuous gas production rates, low energy efficiencies, and high sand influxes. To safely, economically, and efficiently develop a natural gas hydrate (NGH) reservoir in the future, it is of fundamental and practical importance to determine its physical properties, characterize the dynamic attributes along with hydrate extraction, and design and optimize the operational parameters for different dissociation techniques at both laboratory- and field-scales. An equivalent resistance model is proposed and validated to determine hydrate saturation based on the experimentally measured resistivity with consideration of sandstone skeleton, brine salinity, and formation tortuosity. Compared to the classic Archie formula, such an equivalent resistance model shows a better agreement with the experimental measurements and has a less dependence on the accuracy of porosity. Experimental and theoretical techniques have been developed to determine the dissociation front (i.e., the boundary where hydrate saturation is decreased to 0) for hydrate development by combining depressurization and hot brine stimulation. Simulation techniques are employed to determine the decay rate and relative permeability by fitting the experimental measurements and then extended to field applications by applying two different development methods. Two dissociation fronts are found to form separately near the producer and the injector for the combination method. Then, hydrate dissociation behaviour in a brine system by reducing the pressure below the quadruple point is both experimentally and numerically quantified. By approximating the energy contributions, it is found that sensible heat is supplied for hydrate dissociation at the initial stage and that heat conduction from boundary and ice fusion accelerates hydrate dissociation at the final stage. The fluid flow and hydrate dissociation kinetics are found to play a dominant role above the freezing point, while, below the freezing point, the significance of heat conduction from boundary and ice fusion are enhanced during the experiments. Experimentally, sand detachment, migration within matrix, invasion to gravel packing, and production are microscopically observed for openhole gravel-packing with the clayey-silt sediments collected from the Shenhu area of the northern South China Sea. Fractures, wormholes, and fluidized channels are successively developed with a large amount of sand production as well as variations on inlet pressure. Subsequently, the experimental techniques are further modified and improved to eliminate the associated uneven strain-stress effect to microscopically depict sand failure dynamics, sand flow paths, and sand production for wormholes. Theoretically, a wormhole growth model has been proposed to reproduce the sand production for both hydrate-free and hydrate-bearing sandpacks by considering a pressure-gradient-based (PGB) sand failure criterion as well as the porosity and permeability alteration models. The experimental measurements show that a predesigned hydraulic slotting after well completion would decrease the hydraulic gradient near the wellbore and thus decrease the possibility of sand failure. Similar to hydrate production, sand production is also divided into three stages, i.e., before hydrate dissociation, during hydrate dissociation, and after hydrate dissociation. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Petroleum Systems Engineering, University of Regina. XXIX*, 240 p. Imbibition pervasively exists in many natural and industrial processes, such as oil/gas recovery, hydraulic fracturing, the postinjection stage of CO2 sequestration, printing processes, diagnostic tests in biomedicine. As a dominant mechanism in tight formations, imbibition has been extensively studied across scales to support world energy demands and environmental requirements of carbon neutrality. Many studies indicate that macroscale performances, like the displacement front instability and residual saturation of the non-wetting phase, highly depend on flow behaviors at the pore-scale level. Despite the importance of pore-scale imbibition processes in tight rocks, many previous studies have been conducted lack considering typical pore-throat features in tight rocks or single-phase flow systems. In this thesis, we employ the analytical, experimental, and numerical methods to study pore-scale imbibition behaviors in pore-throat structures with tight rock features for both liquidgas (L-G) and liquid-liquid (L-L) systems. The analytical portion focuses on imbibition behaviors in microcapillaries with varying cross-sections, emphasizing the effects of viscosity ratios on the equivalent capillary radius and different fluid systems. A modified imbibition equation with an equivalent straight capillary is developed for complex capillaries. The results indicate that at the early stage of imbibition (Zx≤0.12Ψ/(Ψ-1)), the modified imbibition equation can be reduced to a power-law correlation, i.e., Zx∝ 1/Ψα t, where α≈1.025. After that stage, the accuracy of using the power-law correlation begins to decrease. In general, it is more suitable to express the imbibition equations in a quadratic equation, especially for liquid-liquid imbibition systems. In the experimental portions, we quantitively investigate imbibition dynamics in single pore geometries that consider 2D pore-scale characteristics of tight rocks with an etching depth higher than the critical geometric criteria for including 3D features. The typical pore/throat features in tight rocks are summarized and guide for designing the 2D micromodel. The combined effects of the capillary number, fluid properties, and pore-throat structures on imbibition performances are comprehensively discussed. The results demonstrate that with the pore-throat aspect ratio increasing, combined effects of the capillary number, pore shape, outlet throat width (i.e., the flow direction in this work) on non-wetting phase entrapments become more significant. After a critical capillary number, the pore-filling fractions are linearly positive related to the capillary number regardless of the pore shape or outlet throat width, especially for tested macropores. Moreover, attempts, challenges, and recommendations for imbibition studies in 2D and 2.5D micromodels are also documented to guide future researchers. For the numerical simulation portions, we investigate the feasibility of the phase-field method (PFM) in reproducing the strong imbibition dynamics in microcapillaries with typical pore-throat features in tight rocks. In general, the results demonstrate that the PFM simulations can successfully match the imbibition behaviors (such as piston-like movement and wetting film flow) in most micro and mesopores. However, they are challenging to simulate pore-throat structures with an aspect ratio higher than 100 because of convergence problems. The simulation results also agree with the critical contact angle for precursor film flow and find a new type of capillary barrier related to pore shapes in strong imbibition processes. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Petroleum Systems Engineering, University of Regina. xlii, 363 p. In addition to conventional enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies, extensive efforts have been made to explore new approaches to sustain the increasing global oil and gas consumption while lowering the operational costs. In recent decades, nanoparticles (NPs) have seen their promising potentials in recovering hydrocarbons from numerous laboratory experiments and field pilots. Also, hydraulic fracturing techniques have unlocked a significant quantity of hydrocarbon resources from unconventional reservoirs. Solid particle transport including NP transport, dispersion, and distribution in hydrocarbon reservoirs, proppant placement within hydraulic fractures, and sand production is critical to the efficient and effective hydrocarbon exploitation. Considering the petrophysical complexity as well as the intricate interactions among particles, fluids, and rock matrix, it is, therefore, an extremely challenging task to accurately predict the associated transport and placement behaviour of solid particles in a hydrocarbon reservoir. Theoretically, a robust and pragmatic method has been developed and validated to analytically determine the dynamic dispersion coefficients for particles flowing in a parallel-plate fracture with instantaneous point source as well as uniform and volumetric line sourcess, in which particle gravity settling effect has been considered. It is found that the point source and the uniform line source are respectively the most and least sensitive to the gravity effect. An increase of particle size larger than its critical value decreases the asymptotical dispersion coefficient for all the source conditions, while gravity settling promotes the dispersion phenomenon during the early-stage of point source condition. Particle-tracking simulations have been performed and validated on polydisperse dense particle transport in a randomly-orientated fracture with spatially variable apertures. The simulated results indicate that the mass breakthrough efficiency of particles and particle plume distribution in a randomly-orientated rough fracture are significantly influenced by different factors when particle gravity settling occurs. In addition, particle attachment consisting of reversible and irreversible adsorptions on an aperture surface is quantified applying the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) kinetics. With sensitivity analysis performed, the impacts of different factors on particle attachment are found to vary with each other through non-unique patterns. By integrating the Perkins-Kern-Nordgren-Carter (PKN-C) fracture propagation model and the particle tracking algorithm, a novel Eulerian-Lagrangian (E-L) model has been developed and validated to simulate field-scale proppant transport during hydraulic fracturing operations. Such an E-L model incorporates pertinent empirical correlations determined from regressing experimental measurements regarding the proppant settling velocity and the drag/lift forces, which is applicable to both the Newtonian and non- Newtonian fluid conditions. The non-Newtonian fluid is usually found to yield a less “heel-biased” pattern of proppant distribution in a hydraulic fracture, e.g., a larger slurry coverage together with a longer proppant dune, while distinct patterns of the dominant factors are observed and evaluated. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geology, University of Regina. xiii, 317 p. Unconformity-related uranium (URU) deposits in the Athabasca Basin occur within certain segments of basement-rooted reverse faults near the basin-basement unconformity. It is widely accepted that these deposits formed through interaction between oxidized basinal fluids and reduced basement-derived fluids or reducing lithologies. However, the factors that control localization of orebodies within limited areas along the structures remain to be determined. This study tackles this problem by examining the spatial and temporal variation of composition and pressure-temperature conditions of ore-forming fluids along two major URU-controlling structures, the Patterson Lake corridor (PLC) in the southwestern margin of the basin and the P2 fault in McArthur River area in the eastern Athabasca Basin. The results provide new insights on the sources and paths of the ore-forming fluids, ore deposition mechanisms, and the role of structures in controlling the localization of mineralization. Fluid inclusion analyses indicate that the pre-Athabasca fluids have lower salinities and higher homogenization temperatures (average salinity of 9.0 wt.% NaCl equivalent and average Th of 147 ̊C) than syn-mineralization fluids (average salinity of 25.4 wt.% NaCl + CaCl2 and average Th of 128 ̊C). The overall similarities in fluid composition between the syn-mineralization fluids and fluid inclusions recorded within the basin, including elevated salinities, NaCl and CaCl2 as dominant solutes, and variable Ca/Na ratios from Ca-dominated to Na-dominated varieties, supports the general hypothesis that ore-forming fluids were derived from basinal brines. Microthermometric analyses on fluid inclusions from syn-mineralization drusy quartz veins indicate that fluids with similar Th, salinity, and Ca/Na values were present in mineralized zones and areas distal to mineralization: over ~31 km strike length and up to ~900 m vertical extent in the PLC and ~4.3 km strike length of the P2 fault. Coexistence of liquid-dominated, vapor-dominated, and vapor-only fluid inclusions in fluid inclusion assemblages indicate that fluid boiling, which is interpreted to be related to low fluid pressure caused by episodic fracturing, occurred in both mineralized and distal areas along the ore-hosting structures. Laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) of individual fluid inclusions indicate that U-rich fluids were present in both mineralized segments (0.4 to 213.9 ppm) and distal areas (0.3 to 144.2 ppm). Uraniumrich fluids were also detected by ICP-MS analysis of bulk fluid inclusions from both mineralized zones (0.4 to 1562 ppm) and distal areas (0.1 to 1.5 ppm), as well as by synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (SXRF). These results suggest that uraniferous fluids with similar thermal and compositional characteristics circulated along the entire structures and at different depths. The formation of a significant U mineralization at a given locality is therefore not determined by the presence or absence of U-rich fluids, but rather by the abundance or flow rate of uraniferous fluids and reducing fluids as well as their relative timing. The differences in fluid flow rate and timing of different fluids in different parts of a given structure may be related to factors such as heterogeneous permeabilities, variations in lithology and fault geometry that control fluid flow mechanisms. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina. xix, 287 p. This dissertation provides a comprehensive study on the development and application of multi-layer soil systems (MLSs) for wastewater treatment in rural areas. Considerable research efforts have been made in investigating the feasibility, compatibility, and capability of developed systems by considering the risks and enviroeconomic impacts under uncertain conditions. Likewise, the interactive effects of environmental factors and relationships of microbial function on pollutant removal have been further explored. In addition to this, fabricating emerging materials for enhancing the system performance, as well as toxic effects of such fabricated materials, have also been taken into account. An integrated gravity-driven MLS system has been functioned successfully for treating wastewater from agritourism activities. The system has demonstrated excellent pollutant removal and shock resistance capacities without consumption of electricity. Individual modules of the system can contribute to pollutant removal through distinctive biogeochemical processes. A stochastic MLS risk management system has been proposed to identify the systems risks under uncertain and interactive influent water quality/quantity conditions. The influent quality/quantity variations have demonstrated significantly relations with festival and seasonal activities and caused the risks of violating area loading rate threshold(s) of pollutants. A Copula-based stochastic management strategy for the MLS system has been suggested to mitigate such risks. Furthermore, an enviro-economic analysis has been conducted according to the embedded -water, -energy, and -GHG emissions footprints. A stepwise-clustered inference and factorial analysis approach has been developed to simulate the wastewater treatment performance of MLSs and analyze complicated interactive effects of uncertain factors. The interactive effects of influent total phosphorus and suspended solids on effluent ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen concentrations of the system have been revealed, and such interactions represent competitive relationships of nitrogen-related and phosphorus-related microbes. The system also has exhibited depth-related variations in microbial community structure and metabolic pathway. A robust ZnO-nanorod sponge has been fabricated through nanoparticle-seeding low-temperature hydrothermal reaction for enhancing the MLS performance, which displays an extraordinary oil-water separation capacity. The toxicity of fabricated sponges has been explored through synchrotron-based technologies. Although the ZnO nanoparticles can penetrate algae cells and cause damages to the biomacromolecules through triggering intercellular reactive oxygen species generation, the zinc concentration released from fabricated sponges is at the biosafety level. In view of the above-mentioned facts, the MLS system can be considered as a promising decentralized wastewater treatment technology. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geology, University of Regina. viii, 225 p. This regional-scale geochemical-isotopic study aims to constrain the igneous petrogenesis of west-southwest Rae granitoids to test if the Nolan-Zemlak domain boundary is an Arrowsmith-aged (2.5-2.3 Ga) suture zone. The oldest (3.0 Ga) granitoids in the region, located in the Beaverlodge domain, have a ‘subduction-like’ signature along with high Na2O concentrations, Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios and low Y and Yb concentrations indicative of a TTG (Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite) suite. The 2.6 Ga Nolan granitoids have similar geochemical signature suggestive of an ‘subductionlike’ tectonic environment for emplacement. However, they lack the high Na2O concentrations typical of a TTG suite. The ca. 2.52 Ga Zemlak suite can be distinguished from the adjacent 2.6 Ga Nolan suite by a lack of P and Ti anomalies; it also has elevated Gd/Yb and Nb/Y signatures characteristic of ‘slab-failure’ processes. With high Ba concentrations, low Al2O3/TiO2, and a highly fractionated HREE profile the ca. 2.3 Ga Zemlak granitoids are distinctive from the coeval North Shore plutons of the Beaverlodge domain. Three distinct subgroups of leucogranite were recognized. The first occurs in the vicinity of Tazin Lake and is characterized by highly fractionated REEs with a concaveup profile and a lack of an Eu anomaly. The second, located in the Beaverlodge, has a positively sloping LILE profile, flat to highly fractionated HREE profile and a strongly negative Eu anomaly. A third leucogranite subgroup located in the Beaverlodge domain has been reclassified as part of the North Shore suite based on geochemical similarities and a recent geochronological study. A tectonic model is developed in which a collision is proposed to have taken place between the 2.6 Ga Nolan domain and an exotic terrain of Paleo-Mesoarchean (ca. 3.0 Ga) crust that now resides in the Zemlak-Beaverlodge domains, or greater Taltson basement complex. Development of a cryptic suture occurred by ca. 2.52 Ga and was followed by emplacement of the ca. 2.52 Ga Zemlak suite. Emplacement of the Tazin Lake leucogranites was coeval with terminal collision of the Arrowsmith orogeny at ca. 2.37 Ga. Extension related to post-Arrowsmith orogenic collapse allowed for emplacement of ca. 2.3 Ga post-orogenic granites at variable crustal levels. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geology, University of Regina. xi, 170 p. The Athabasca Basin hosts numerous high-grade unconformity-related uranium (URU) deposits, which typically occur near the unconformity between the metamorphosed basement and the quartzose sedimentary rocks. Previous studies have generally agreed upon a diagenetic-hydrothermal model in which the URU mineralization occurred at elevated temperature (>200℃) and deep-burial (5-7 km) conditions under normal geothermal conditions. However, a recent study invoked that the URU mineralization may have occurred at a relatively shallow burial depth (200℃) throughout the basin as the result of higher-than-normal thermal gradient, which may be associated with deep-seated geodynamic processes. In consideration of this debate, this study investigated the compaction and cementation characteristics of the sandstones from four drill cores (Rumpel Lake, WC79-01, BL-08-01, DV10-001) located in the central part of the basin. Samples were collected from different stratigraphic levels, including the Read, Manitou Falls, Lazenby Lake, Wolverine Point, and Locker Lake formations. Three petrographic parameters, including contact index (CI), tight packing index (TPI) and intergranular volume (IGV), were used as indicators of the degree of compaction. Only moderately well- to well-sorted and matrix-poor quartz arenite samples were selected for point ii counting. It was found that below the mud-rich Wolverine Point Formation, the degree of compaction increases downward sharply from the Lazenby Lake Formation to the Read Formation, whereas the degree of quartz cementation decreases downward. However, high-degree compaction was also observed in the Locker Lake Formation above the Wolverine Point Formation. The dominance of point contacts and high abundance of quartz cement (up to 23%) in the Lazenby Lake Formation indicate a shallow burial condition at the time of quartz cementation. Reactive mass transport modeling results by using the TOUGHREACT program suggest that the petrographically discerned compaction and cementation pattern was controlled by fluid convection within sandstone successions that were confined by low-permeability aquitards. Combined with previous fluid inclusions studies indicating that the diagenetic fluid is relatively high-temperature (generally>120℃), high-salinity brine with high uranium concentration, this study further provides petrographic evidence supporting the notion that the shallow (

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Petroleum Systems Engineering, University of Regina. xix, 296 p. Fluids flow in porous media are usually affected by multiphysics domains. Thermal, mass transfer, and hydraulic domain will all significantly affect the features of fluids flow in porous media. Thermal fluids coupling problems occur almost in every area of reservoir engineering such as geothermal energy development, and heavy oil recovery. Mass transfer is another important mechanism that should be considered in solvent based heavy oil recovery and unconventional enhance oil recovery methods. This research focuses on using analytical source and sink function method applied in heat transfer and mass transfer to simulate two domain coupling model. Based on thermal source and sink function derived in this thesis, convective heat is treated as a simple special form of source and sink function. The calculation of transient convective heat amount in Laplace domain problem has also been solved innovatively in this dissertation. Sensitivity analysis on segment size from computing prospect, thermal diffusivity and velocity from system prospect are analyzed to help understand the heat transfer process integrating conduction and convection mechanism. Secondly, this convective source function methodology is applied in a 2D model of geothermal energy recovery process. A typical geothermal energy recovery well pair is simulated by the innovative coupling methodology. Different well pair locations and fractured wells are examined through this model referring to the enhanced geothermal system technology for hot dry rock reservoir. Big jumps from heat transfer to mass transfer are made to analytically model the solvent injection process for heavy oil recovery. Multi-mechanisms including diffusion and dispersion, viscosity reduction, oil swelling are considered analytically and integrated into the two domain coupling model. Solvent-based Post Cold Heavy Oil Production with Sand (CHOPS) with single fracture structure is also modeled by this methodology. The mass transfer proves to have significant influence on fluids flow in porous media. Heavy oil thermal based recovery methods such as SAGD have complicated interactions phenomenon between thermal domain and pressure domain. Viscosity reduction, fluids thermal expansion and heat loss to caprock will significantly affect the operation energy efficient and environment footprint. Sensitivity analysis of key parameters affecting the thermal injection process are also conducted. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Petroleum Systems Engineering, University of Regina. xxiv, 335 p. In this study, the nanoscale-extended theoretical models and experimental nanofluidic system are developed to calculate and measure the thermodynamic phase behavior and miscibility of confined pure and mixing fluids in tight formations. First, a new nanoscale-extended equation of state (EOS) is developed to calculate the phase behavior of confined fluids in nanopores, based on which two correlations are modified to predict the shifts of critical properties. The nanoscale-extended EOS model has been proven to accurately calculate the phase behaviour of confined fluids. The thermodynamic phase behavior of confined fluids in nanopores are substantially different from those in bulk phase. The confined critical temperature and pressure always decrease with the reducing pore radius. The shifts of critical properties are dominant factors for the phase changes of confined fluids from bulk phase to nanopores. Second, two new nanoscale-extended alpha functions in Soave and exponential types are proposed for calculating the thermodynamic and phase properties. A novel method is proposed to determine the nanoscale acentric factors. The new alpha functions are validated for the bulk and nanoscale calculations. Moreover, the acentric factors and intermolecular attractivities are increased with the pore radius reductions at most temperatures. It should be noted that the alpha functions decrease with the pore radius reduction at the critical temperature. Furthermore, the first and second derivatives of the Soave and exponential alpha functions to the temperatures are continuous at T  4000 K. Third, the equilibrium two-phase compositions are analyzed to elucidate the pressure dependence of the interfacial tensions (IFTs), and the confined fluid IFTs in nanopores are calculated. The phase density difference is found to be a key factor in the parachor model for the IFT predictions, which results in three distinct pressure ranges of the IFT vs. pressure curve. The IFTs in bulk phase of the hydrocarbon systems are always higher than those in nanopores. The feed gas to liquid ratio (FGLR), temperature, pore radius, and walleffect distance are found to have different effects on the IFTs in bulk phase and nanopores. Fourth, a new interfacial thickness-based diminishing interface method (DIM) and a nanoscale-extended correlation are developed to determine the minimum miscibility pressures (MMPs) in bulk phase and nanopores. Using DIM, the MMP is determined by extrapolating ( / P)T to zero. Physically, the interface between fluids diminishes and the two-phase compositional change completes at the determined MMP from the DIM. The developed correlation is proposed as a function of the reservoir temperature, molecular weight of 5 C  , mole fraction ratios of volatile to intermediate components in oil and gas samples, and pore radius. The new correlation provides the accurate MMPs with overall percentage average absolute deviations (AADs%) of 5.21% in bulk phase and 6.91% in nanopores. Fifth, thermodynamic miscibility of confined fluids in nanopores are studied. The thermodynamic free energy of mixing and solubility parameter are quantitatively determined to evaluate the fluid miscibility in nanopores. The liquid‒gas miscibility is beneficial from the pore radius reduction and the intermediate hydrocarbons perform better with the liquid C8 in comparison with the lean gas (e.g., N2 and CH4). Moreover, the molecular diameter of single liquid molecule is determined to be the bottom limit, the pore radius above which is concluded as a necessary condition for the liquid‒gas miscibility. Last, a series of nanofluidic experiments were conducted to measure the static phase behavior of confined fluids and verify the calculated data from some theoretical models. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geology, University of Regina. x, 182 p. The Kiggavik uranium deposits are located in the north-central Rae Subprovince of the Western Churchill Province and are hosted in highly deformed Archean and Paleoproterozoic basement rocks proximal to, and underlying the Thelon Basin. This field-based study documents the lithostratigraphic and structural character of Kiggavik’s basement rocks and their controls on the uranium deposits. Field investigation, coupled with structural analysis, geochemistry and geochronology indicates that the basement rocks comprise two main tectonostratigraphic packages: a structurally ‘lower-package’ comprising ~2.71 Ga Pipedream assemblage metagreywacke and a structurally ‘upper-package’ consisting of multiple intervals of ~2.6 Ga Snow Island Suite felsic epiclastic and metarhyolite intercalated with less than 2.3 Ga quartzite of the Ketyet River group. Of particular significance are the epiclastic rocks, which, based on their textural variability, felsic composition, negative europium anomaly and association with metarhyolite, are correlated with previously identified epiclastic volcanic rocks in the western part of the area, rendering this the most spatially extensive rock unit at Kiggavik. Further, field investigation, coupled with structural analysis, confirms that all units form a homoclinal sequence that dips gently NNW in the eastern map area (Domain 1) and ENE in the western map area (Domain 2). Based on regional stratigraphic relationships, down-section profiles in both domains contain multiple younging direction reversals. This, coupled with strongly transposed bedding, ubiquitous foliation and highly strained contacts, plus the direct observation of isoclinal, recumbent folds in both outcrop and drill core, indicates that these repetitions are tectonic. In addition, across both domains, all units carry a well-developed stretching lineation. The collective 3D geometry and associated fabric elements are diagnostic of sheath folding and related thrusting under an ENE-WSW tectonic transport direction during DP1 when the upper (epiclastic-metarhyolite-quartzite) package is interpreted to have been translated over the more competent metagreywacke below. Although once misunderstood, the difference in dip direction between domains is ascribed to a domain-bounding NNW-trending fault that misoriented blocks, causing late-stage dragging and down-dropping of all units in the east during late, dip-slip motion along the Thelon Fault. In general, late brittle deformation is manifested by ENE-trending regional-scale Group 1 faults and local-scale Group 2 faults that collectively define a Riedel shearing system driven by dextral strike-slip displacement along the Thelon Fault. Detailed study at the Centre Zone deposit revealed that during Phase 1 mineralization steeply dipping D- and P-shears served as conduits for fluids to move through and penetrate earlier-formed ductile structures. The fluids preferentially infiltrated through, and precipitated uranium in, the more porous-permeable epiclastic and metagreywacke, while the quartzite served as an overlying aquitard. Phase 2 mineralization resulted from the reactivation of these structures, when remobilizing fluids redistributed uranium along planar brittle structures. In addition to the Hudson and Kivalliq granites, felsic Snow Island Suite rocks may have also been a significant source of uranium. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geology, University of Regina. xi, 263 p. Albitization has long been noted as having a spatial association with uranium mineralization in the Beaverlodge uranium district; however, a genetic relationship between the two has yet to be demonstrated. Previous studies mainly focused on albitization in 1.94-1.92 Ga granite, but new field and petrographic studies have shown that albitization is found to also occur in the ca. 2.33 Ga Murmac Bay Group amphibolite and the ca. 1.82 Ga Martin group sedimentary rocks. There are two types of albitization: pervasive, replacement-type (R) and vein-type (V), which are grouped into two generations: generation 1 (Ab1-R and Ab1-V) and generation 2 (Ab2-R and Ab2-V). The pervasive, replacement-type albitization occurs primarily as extensive alteration zones in granitic rocks (Ab1-R-G) and as irregular patches in amphibolite (Ab1-R-A) near albite-bearing veins (Ab1-V-A). The massive albitization zones in granites are composed dominantly of albite (Ab1-R-G), which mimics the original grain size in the unaltered granites and is characterized by an abundance of microscopic red iron oxide inclusions. The Ab1-R-G postdates the regional foliation in the granites, but shows varying degrees of deformation. Along some grain boundaries, and internally, Ab1-R has locally been deformed and polygonized. New growth of finer grained, subhedral albite (Ab2-R) characterized by fewer or no microscopic iron oxide inclusions, specular hematite, subhedral rutile and local subhedral-euhedral apatite, followed by carbonate (cab1) is spatially associated with these deformed grain boundaries. The vein-type albitization is divided into two generations (Ab1-V and Ab2-V) that are considered coeval with the replacement generations, based on petrographic similarities and timing relationships. Ab1-V veins are essentially monomineralic, composed of albite grains typically containing abundant microscopic iron oxide inclusions and exhibiting evidence of brittle-ductile deformation. Ab2-V veins are characterized by euhedral albite crystals that are relatively free of hematite inclusions and have grown perpendicular to, and lining, the straight-sided vein margins. The cores of Ab2-V veins are typically filled by carbonate (cab2). Ab1-V and Ab2-V veins are developed in Murmac Bay Group amphibolite, Martin group sedimentary rocks and granites of several ages. Ab1-V veins are crosscut by Ab2-V veins, some of which are anomalously radioactive in amphibolite-hosted uranium occurrences. Chlorite grown before, after and between Ab1-V and Ab2-V vein generations in the amphibolite has temperatures in the range of 202-329°C, which partially overlaps temperatures reported by previous workers (238 to 310°C) based on chlorite geothermometry for the vein-type uranium mineralization in the Beaverlodge uranium district. Uranium mineralization in the district occurs as veins, breccia ores in a variety of rock types and in Martin group conglomerate units. The main ore mineral is pitchblende. Mineralized veins include quartz, quartz-carbonate, carbonate and quartz-carbonate-albite types that locally cross cut pervasive type albitization (Ab1-R). Pitchblende in breccias is commonly patchy and irregular, cements breccia clasts, and is associated with chlorite and other gangue minerals, including carbonate and quartz. Dating of these breccia-type pitchblende occurrences from four thick sections by LA-ICP-MS (laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry) techniques during this study gave a wide array of ages (~200-1500 Ma). Alkaline mafic volcanic rocks emplaced during Martin group deposition provide a maximum age constraint for mineralization hosted by the Martin group at 1.82 Ga. When impurities from these breccia-type uraninites are plotted versus their calculated chemical ages, a reference line can be drawn to give an age just over 1800 Ma. This age is broadly consistent with the timing of D4 deformation and Martin volcanism. At least one generation of mineralization is broadly coeval with the second generation of albitization (Ab2-R and Ab2-V) and is syn- to post-Martin group. Student yes

A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina. xvii, 185 p. The purpose of this research is to develop a fundamental understanding of the characteristics and behaviour of clayey slurries. A comprehensive research methodology consisting of laboratory investigations and computational analyses was adopted. A clayey slurry (uranium leach residue) was selected from the extraction process to capture the distinct slurry features at the onset of deposition. The practical impact of this research is that the investigated slurry (new waste stream) exhibited various components of settling that are important for developing depositional plans and determining storage capacity of the containment facility. Likewise, the scientific contribution is the understanding that solid-liquid composition influences settling of clayey slurries such that the effects are dominant during sedimentation and the initial phase of consolidation. More importantly, the conceptual model of flow through settling clayey slurries confirms that Poiseuille’s law of water flow through porous media is applicable to this class of materials in the transition zone between sedimentation and consolidation. The slurry (containing 28% clay size) comprised both non-clay minerals (46% muscovite and 30% quartz) and clay minerals (8% illite, 5% chlorite and 2% kaolinite) and acidic pore water with large amounts of SO42- (22600 mg/L) and Mg2+ (1340 mg/L). Settling occurred through sedimentation (25% to 35% initial solids) and consolidation (40% to 50% initial solids). The average hydraulic conductivity during sedimentation reduced from 3.0 x 10-6 m/s to 5.3 x 10-8 m/s along with a void ratio reduction from 7.4 to 2.6. Likewise, volume compressibility during consolidation showed apparent pre-consolidation at low effective stress (0.3 kPa to 2 kPa) with a reduction in void ratio from 2.6 to 2.5. The hydraulic conductivity during consolidation decreased from 2.6 x 10-9 m/s (at e = 2.6) to 2.0 x 10-10 m/s (at e = 2.1). An image analysis method was developed to identify and quantify slurry constituents and to determine and validate index properties and hydraulic conductivity. It was found that the investigated clayey slurry comprised of free water, hydrated grains, and solids. The proposed solids ratio successfully separated the hydrated solids into water and solids thereby allowing an accurate and precise determination of index properties through image analysis (R2 ≥ 0.90). Likewise, the modified definition of hydraulic radius (average pore throat area divided by average perimeter of pore) adequately described the water flow mechanism through clayey slurries because pore area outside of the pore throat does not contribute to water migration. Furthermore, the proposed RH definition is independent of spatial distribution of pores and, as such, precludes the use of tortuosity in determining hydraulic conductivity. A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy *, University of Regina. *, * p. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geology, University of Regina. xi, 249 p. The Phoenix unconformity-related uranium (URU) deposit, located in the southeastern Athabasca Basin, is associated with a NE-trending, moderately SE-dipping reverse fault crosscutting the unconformity between the Proterozoic Athabasca Group and the Archean – Paleoproterozoic basement. The mineralisation occurs mainly along the faulted graphite zones or at the intersection of the faults and unconformity and is associated with pervasively developed tourmaline alteration. Primary aqueous fluid inclusions were studied in post-diagenetic, pre- to syn-mineralisation quartz overgrowths and vug-filling drusy quartz in sandstone (QBSN2), and syn- to post-mineralisation, veinfilling coarse-grained drusy quartz in both sandstone (QBSN3) and basement (QBSM4). Only a few liquid-dominant biphase aqueous fluid inclusions were found in QBSN2, while four types of aqueous fluid inclusions, including liquid-dominant biphase (liquid + vapour), vapour-dominant biphase (vapour + liquid), monophase (vapour-only) and triphase (liquid + vapour + solid) inclusions, were recognized in QBSN3 and QBSM4. The coexistence of multiple types of inclusions within individual fluid inclusion assemblages is interpreted to indicate fluid immiscibility and heterogeneous trapping. Microthermometric and cryogenic Raman spectroscopic analyses reveal that the highsalinity fluids in QBSN2, QBSN3 and QBSM4 belong to the H2O-NaCl-CaCl2 ± MgCl2 fluid system. The liquid-dominant inclusions in QBSN2 are interpreted to represent homogeneous trapping of the liquid phase show a high salinity of 27.9 wt% (NaCl+CaCl2; same for all the salinity values unless otherwise specified) and a moderate temperature of 128 °C, whereas those in QBSN3 indicate a wide range of salinities from 1.2 to 33.0 wt% and temperatures from 80 to 157 C for QBSN3. The inclusions of QBSM4 yielded high salinities from 26.0 to 30.1 wt% and low to moderate temperatures from 90 to 130 °C. Bulk fluid inclusion volatile analysis by mass spectrometry indicates H2O as the dominant species, with less than 1 mole% non-aqueous volatiles. The Raman spectroscopic study of the metamorphic graphite in metapelites (Gr1) suggests gradual structural disordering towards the mineralisation, reflected by an increasing percentage of disordered spectra (D1 and D2 bands at ~1350 cm–1 and ~1620 cm–1 other than prominent G band at ~1580 cm–1). Surficial defects appearing as hollow points were observed near the mineralisation zone and interpreted to be caused by oxidizing acidic brines. Secondary methane-dominant vapour inclusions associated with biphase aqueous inclusions in the pegmatitic or massive quartz in the basement (QBSM2) are considered to represent the basement derived C-O-H fluids, which may have served as reducing agents for U precipitation. The new data obtained in this study about fluid inclusions and graphite in the Phoenix uranium deposit are generally consistent with those from other unconformity-related uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin. However, our mineralising fluid temperatures are considerably lower than those reported in previous studies, and the depth of mineralisation, inferred from fluid immiscibility and pressure calculations, is significantly shallower than invoked in the conventional deep-burial hydrothermal model. Furthermore, the spatial association of graphite dissolution and structural disordering with mineralisation confirm the important role of graphite in mineralisation through fluid-graphite reaction and generation of hydrocarbons. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geology, University of Regina. XIII, 184 p. The Maw Zone REE deposit is located in the southern part of the basin between Key Lake and the McArthur River unconformity-related uranium (URU) deposits, stratigraphically about 130 meters above the basal unconformity and confined to the MFd member of the Manitou Fall Formation. The spatial association of this deposit with URU deposits led geologists to consider a genetic relationship between each. The present study aims to further understand the genesis of the Maw Zone and its relationship with URU deposits through detailed petrography, U-Pb isotopic dating of xenotime, O isotopic analyses of tourmaline and coexisting quartz, and microthermometry, Raman spectroscopy and gas analysis of fluid inclusions. Petrographic studies indicate that the tourmaline (mainly of magnesiofoitite composition), syntaxial quartz and drusy quartz in the Maw Zone is partly similar to those found in the McArthur River deposit in terms of composition, texture, and paragenetic position. Xenotime is shown to have formed after significant compaction rather than in early diagenesis, and it is paragenetically comparable with uranium mineralization in the McArthur River deposit. Secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) analysis of oxygen isotopes of co-existing drusy quartz and tourmaline suggests that the average temperature of the hydrothermal fluid is 163 °C, and the average δ18OVSMOW of the fluid is -1.8 ‰. U-Pb dating of xenotime by sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) indicates that the REE mineralization is of the same age as the major primary unconformity-related uranium mineralization in the eastern Athabasca Basin. Fluid inclusion analysis on drusy quartz indicates the presence of liquid-rich biphase inclusions, vapor-dominated inclusions, and solid phase-bearing inclusions. The co-existence of these inclusions with variable vapor/liquid ratios within individual fluid inclusion assemblages (FIAs) suggests fluid immiscibility and heterogeneous trapping. Homogenization temperatures of the liquid-dominated biphase inclusions measured from FIAs and isolated fluid inclusions range from 77 °C to 178 °C and 55 °C to 162 °C respectively. The range of salinity is from 24.8 to 33.6 wt.% NaCl + CaCl2 for FIAs and from 8.1 to 33.6 wt.% NaCl + CaCl2 for isolated inclusions. The microthermometric data are generally comparable to those reported for URU deposits. Based on the assumption of fluid immiscibility and low concentrations of non-aqueous volatiles (

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geology, University of Regina. xii, 154 p. The study area lies within the Pine Lake Greenstone belt of the Glennie domain, 125 km northeast of LaRonge, SK. The Santoy shear zone hosts the Santoy 7, Santoy 8/8 East, and “Santoy Gap” gold deposits. This shear zone was studied using a structural and geochronological (ID-TIMS) approach in order to decipher its complex relationship with plutonism, deformation, alteration, and gold mineralization. Surface and subsurface mapping reveals that the Santoy shear zone, and deposits therein, show a clear structural relationship with the Carruthers Lake synform. The Santoy 7, Santoy “Gap”, and Santoy 8 deposits lie along the western limb of this structure while Santoy 8 East has been re-oriented by north-trending, 45°-plunging, S folds. The development of a splay off the D3 Tabbernor fault, located approximately 8 km east of the deposits, influenced the localization of strain along the western limb of the Carruthers Lake synform. This strain localization, in tandem with elevated fluid pressures, emplaced auriferous fault-fill quartz veins along ore zone parallel dykes during D3 dextral-reverse oblique slip movement. The age of the Lizard Lake pluton (1874.6 ± 2.9 Ma) and the ore zone adjacent hanging wall dyke (1874.6 ± 1.9 Ma) serves as a maximum mineralization age for these deposits. Structural relationships suggest that the Packman Lake pluton acted as a buttress during D3 deformation and produced a compressional jog in the Santoy shear zone that may have increased fracture density and fluid flow during mineralization. The age of this intrusion (1807 ± 7 Ma) serves as a maximum age for the development of this flexure. Gold mineralization at Santoy is closely associated with a calc-silicate alteration assemblage. This assemblage formed synchronously with the main stage mineralization event. Titanite and zircon within this assemblage was dated to 1755.5 ± 8.4 Ma (titanite) and 1754.0 ± 1.8 Ma (zircon) indicating syn-D3 deposit formation. A beryliferous pegmatite dyke that displays an F3 axial planar cleavage and crosscuts the auriferous ore lens at Santoy 8A has an age of 1736.1 ± 1.9 Ma. This age represents a minimum mineralization age for this system and a minimum age for regional D3 deformation in the Glennie domain. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geology, University of Regina. xvii, 209 p. The Upper and Lower Members of the Bakken Formation (Late Devonian- Early Mississippian) are some of the most prolific petroleum source rocks of the Williston Basin. However, despite their excellent petroleum potential, the available geochemical data appears insufficient to provide a complete understanding of variations in organic matter content, kerogen Type and petroleum generative potential. Using a combination of bulk geochemical analysis, augmented by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses (GC-MS), as well as high-resolution sampling of drill core from 32 boreholes, results clearly show that a significant degree of variation exists in every geochemical parameter, both depth-wise and across the Bakken Formation sub-crop. For example, the total organic carbon (TOC) can vary from 8.0 wt.% to 35.0 wt.% within a single borehole and from less than 1.0 wt.% up to 35.0 wt.% in several boreholes across southern Saskatchewan. This depth-wise variability in TOC is echoed across the sub-crop with variations in sulphur, extractable organic matter (EOM), saturate, aromatic, nitrogen-, sulphur- and oxygen- (NSO) bearing compounds, biomarker compounds and biomarker ratios. Analysis of total sulphur, organic sulphur and alkylthiophene compounds suggests the localized presence of organic sulphur (i.e. Type II-S kerogen), which appears to influence Rock-Eval Tmax, with possible implications for the localized early generation of petroleum. Therefore depth-wise and spatial variations in Rock-Eval Tmax and biomarker thermal maturity appears to be governed by variations in kerogen composition with the kerogen Type being an assemblage of amorphous organic matter, as resolved using a multi-proxy biomarker approach. The GC-MS analyses of the saturate and aromatic fractions also clearly reflect variations within amorphous organic matter related to the influence of the depositional setting at the time of sedimentation. Variations in biomarker concentrations, biomarker ratios and the presence or absence of gammacerane and isorenieretane, augmented by trace element analyses, are resolved through the presentation of a descriptive model of the palaeodepositional environment that relates the periodic existence of photic zone anoxia, and the existence stratified water to variations in biologic precursor and preservation potential. Emerging patterns within the Upper and Lower Bakken palaeoecology, as interpreted through biomarker analysis, provides an understanding of the distribution and occurrence of organic matter within the Bakken Formation, with implication for petroleum potential within southern Saskatchewan. Keywords: Bakken Formation shale, hydrocarbon, organic matter, biomarkers, Tmax, TOC, photic zone anoxia A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy *, University of Regina. *, * p. Student yes

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geology, University of Regina. xx, 285 p. The Athabasca Basin and its crystalline basement host the largest high-grade unconformity-related uranium deposits in the world. It is generally agreed that the mineralizing fluids were basinal brines of evaporitic seawater origin, which became enriched in U and Ca through fluid-rock interactions. However, it remains controversial whether these metals were extracted from the basin or the basement, and what driving forces were responsible for fluid flows. A good understanding of the composition and temperature of the basinal fluids before they entered the sites of mineralization is important in order to address these problems. Detrailed petrographic, geochemical, fluid-inclusion, and illite geothermometric studies were carried out for sandstones from three drill cores in the central part of the Athabasca Basin (DV10-001, WC-79-1, and BL-08-01) to obtain thermal and compositional information about the basinal fluids. The strata in the Athabasca Basin are generally in reddish colour due to the common exsistence of iron oxides-hydroxides indicating overall oxidizing environment. A significant portion of the reddish strata was bleached to a variety of light colours and the contacts between the reddish and bleached rocks are generally straight and sharp, suggesting that the bleaching process may have taken place in late diagenesis (after deep burial and significant solidification). Mass balance calculations indicate that most metals, including Ca and U, do not show clear gain or loss patterns during the bleaching processes. Homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions from quartz overgrowths range from 50° to 235°C, whereas temperatures estimated from authigenic illite (paragenetically relatively late compared to quartz overgrowths) were from 212° to 298°C. No systematic changes in temperature were observed vertically within individual cores or laterally from core to core. Fluid inclusions have Tm-ice mainly from -20.0° to -40.0°C, with salinities from 22.4 to 28.6 wt. %. The low Tm-ice values suggest that many of the fluid incluisons are rich in Ca2+, which is confirmed by the CaCl2 hydrate peaks with cryogenic Raman spectroscopy. The paleo-temperatures of basinal fluids estimated from fluid inclusions and illite geothermometries from this study are generally higher than those expected for normal burial diagenesis. This, together with the quasi-homogeneous distribution of fluid temperatures and salinities in both horizontal and vertical directions suggests that the basin experienced extensive thermally-driven fluid convection. The absence of significant uranium gain or loss during the bleaching processes indicates that the basinal fluids were low in U in late diagenesis; if U was extracted from the sediments, this extraction likely took place in early diagenesis. The development of Ca-rich brines in the strata far above the basement, similar to those found in the unconformity-related uranium deposits, suggests that the precursor sediments of the Athabasca Basin were richer in Ca than the present-day quartz-dominated lithologies, or that the basinal fluids infiltrated into the basement and circulated back into the basin. Overall, the new thermal and compositional data of basinal fluids in the Athabasca Basin obtained from this study indicate that the basin experienced extensive fluid convection, which may have heated the basin, extracted U from the basin fill and / or the basement, and delivered the ore-forming components to the sites of mineralization near the basin – basement unconformity. Keywords: Fluid inclusions; Quartz overgrowths; Microthermometry; Illite; Bleaching; H2O-NaCl-CaCl2 fluids; Cryogenic Raman spectroscopy; Thermal profiles; Unconformity-related uranium; Athabasca Basin A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy *, University of Regina. *, * p. Student yes