Strontium, boron, oxygen, and hydrogen isotope geochemistry of brines from basal strata of the Gulf Coast sedimentary basin, USA

Abstract

Significant spatial heterogeneities exist in the stable isotopic composition of saline formation waters from reservoirs of the Smackover Formation (Upper Jurassic). We focused on the southwest Arkansas shelf, a structurally simple portion of one of the interior basins of the northern Gulf Coast sedimentary basin. Here, faulting and facies changes juxtapose dominantly oolitic carbonate strata against basal evaporites, red beds, and siliciclastics, as well as metamorphosed basement rocks. Brines from this area have exceptionally high Br and alkali element concentrations and have spatially heterogeneous hydrogen sulfide concentrations. Strontium, boron, oxygen, and hydrogen isotope compositions exhibit coherent relations with other aspects of brine geochemistry. Sr isotope compositions range from those expected for carbonates and evaporites deposited from Jurassic seawater (0.7071) to radiogenic ratios as high as 0.7107. Generally, most radiogenic Sr isotope values are associated with H 2S-rich waters which also have elevated alkali element (Li, B, K, Rb) concentrations. These alkali element-rich waters are associated with portions of the South Arkansas fault system which reach basement. Boron isotope compositions are similarly heterogeneous, ranging from values of +26 to +50%.. Brines with highest B contents are most depleted in 11B, consistent with boron input from brines generated from high-temperature siliciclastic diagenetic reactions. Normalizing B contents to Br in the brines reveals a reasonable mixing trend between a Dead Sea-type composition and Texas Gulf Coast-type shale/sand reservoir waters. Oxygen and hydrogen isotope data exhibit regional variations which are controlled by meteoric water invasion along the northern limb of the southwest Arkansas Fault, which has surface expression. Although oxygen isotope compositions are often near equilibrium with respect to reservoir carbonate, it is more difficult to ascribe trends in δD values to local water-rock interaction. The stable isotope trends can be explained either in terms of an evolved marine evaporite brine or a water evolved via water-rock interaction, and mixing with meteoric water in the vicinity of the southwest Arkansas Fault. Spatial heterogeneity in isotopic composition of formation waters from this relatively restricted study area suggests that assumptions of a homogeneous Sr reservoir in dating regional mineralization events require careful assessment in ancient systems.