The rocks of interest in the present study (mudstones) show inherently a heterogeneous pore-size distribution in the matrix. They can present organic and inorganic pores and the transport mechanism through pores is different, and, therefore, it is necessary to describe their organic and inorganic porosity. This work uses different microscopy techniques to characterize mudstones from the Galembo Member of the Cretaceous La Luna Formation, Middle Magdalena Valley Basin, Colombia. These rocks present several pore types, including interparticle pores due to flocculation of clay minerals, organoporosity due to burial and thermal maturity, intraparticle pores from organisms, intraparticle pores within mineral grains, and microchannels and microfractures. The existence of interconnected pores in such complex fracture-pore system provides effective pathways for primary gas migration and it also provides a storage space for the residual hydrocarbon in mudstones, which is important for the primary migration and storage in gas reservoir rocks. The pore connectivity is high and increases towards the top of the sedimentary sequence.
This paper discusses the petroleum geology-related sites along the Middle Magdalena Valley Basin (Colombia) and their potentials as geotourism resources. This initiative is based on the experience of the authors over several years of fieldwork in this region. There are different geological and anthropic features in this region, which are closely related to petroleum geology. The geotourism represents a strategic alternative for the promotion of sustainable tourism. The present work refers to geotourism in regions with influence of the oil industry, which would constitute a pioneering example in Latin America from the development of a scenic georoute for those who visit the operations of the oil industry through tourism programs. The region of interest has beautiful landscapes and is very useful for performing different geoeducation and geotourism activities for geoconservation purposes. All these sites and features can attract people to visit this region, not only geologists and geology students who want to study the petroleum geology of this region, but also the local communities and tourists who are interested in visiting it.
Es necesario extraer una gran cantidad de roca para obtener una cantidad mínima de oro, debido a que el oro se encuentra diseminado en parte por miles en el yacimiento. El proceso de extracción genera de manera significativa producto de desecho sólido debido al triturado del material, lo que genera desechos desde el tamaño bloque hasta la granulometría arenosa y fina. La mayoría de residuos terminan como depósitos en la superficie o en taludes que generan peligro de deslizamientos o daños en el suelo, otra gran parte del material del suelo termina siendo vertido en ríos y arroyos, lo que aumenta la tasa de sedimentación y la deposición de metales pesados. Las áreas que se dedican a la explotación de oro en Colombia se encuentran sobre las Cordilleras de los Andes, cerca nacimientos de agua, lo que genera que una cantidad importante de fuentes de agua se vean afectadas, además, las minas se encuentran en algunos casos cercanas a los páramos como el páramo de Santurban, una importante fuente de agua en el norte de Colombia. Las minas generan entre 5 y 8 toneladas diarias de residuo, lo que hace inmanejable la ubicación del material. Por medio de la petrografía y la difracción de rayos x se encontró un contenido importante de sílice proveniente del cuarzo, plagioclasas y micas.
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