Thermoluminescence:An New Tool for Natural Gas Hydrate Exploration

doi:10.19657/j.geoscience.1000-8527.2018.05.21

Abstract

Abstract:

The development of geochemical exploration technologies unaffected by marsh microorganisms is necessary to improve the prediction of wells and to explore natural gas hydrates in mid-latitude permafrost areas. The potential of thermoluminescence as a new tool for the investigation of gas hydrates in permafrost areas was studied in this paper. The study area, 150 km² in size, is located in the alpine-arctic swamp landscape of the Qilian Mountains. The sampling density and depth were 2 points/km² and 60 cm, respectively. In total, 300 soil samples were collected and the Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD) was used in measurement of soil natural thermoluminescence. The results indicated that thermoluminescence anomalies were identified in the gas hydrate deposits. A comprehensive interpretation was conducted based on geological and geochemical survey results. The relationship between the hydrocarbon of gas hydrates anomalies and thermoluminescence anomalies was further explored. We proposed a geogas migration mechanism of soil thermoluminescence in the soil above the natural gas hydrate deposits. The soil thermoluminescence anomalies near the ground surface of the Muli Coalfield in the Qilian Mountains, derived from the deep hydrate deposits and fault structure, are not affected by marsh microorganisms; they are effective tools for natural gas hydrate exploration in permafrost areas.

Key words: thermoluminescence, natural gas hydrate, alpine swamp, permafrost, Qilian mountains

CLC Number:

P595
P618.1

ZHANG Fugui, WANG Chengwen, ZHANG Shunyao, ZHOU Yalong, TANG Ruiling. Thermoluminescence:An New Tool for Natural Gas Hydrate Exploration[J]. Geoscience, 2018, 32(05): 1080-1088.

Figures/Tables 7

Fig.1 Geological map of the gas hydrate deposits in Juhugeng in the Qilian Mountains (modified from Qinghai No. 105 Coal Geological Exploration Team①, 2006)

Fig.2 Contour map of thermoluminescence in Juhugeng in the Qilian Mountains

Table 1 Values of soil geochemical indications of the study area

指标	位置	最大值	最小值	平均值	衬值	异常面积/km²	NAP
酸解烃甲烷	全区	1 687.86	1.17	55.5	—	—	—
酸解烃重烃	全区	487.39	5.45	29.35	—	—	—
热释光	全区	237.60	12.56	35.91	—	—	—
	水合物上方	79.82	50.86	65.21	1.32	1.9	2.51
	中部异常区	184.07	49.31	73.84	1.5	10.4	15.6

Fig.3 Contour map of acid extracted methane in Juhugeng in the Qilian Mountains

Fig.4 Contour map of acid extracted heavy hydrocarbons in Juhugeng in the Qilian Mountains

Fig.5 Correlation between hydrocarbon and thermoluminescence in the abnormal area

Fig.6 Identification of hydrocarbon gases from cores samples in the study area

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