CASE
CASE is an acronym for Chemically Altered Soil Environment. I developed this test over
the past few years to complement the iodine analysis that I have been using for almost
30 years. Over the years I have developed a number of additional tools concentrating on
simplicity and repeatability.
the past few years to complement the iodine analysis that I have been using for almost
30 years. Over the years I have developed a number of additional tools concentrating on
simplicity and repeatability.
The CASE Tool is by far the most promising new soil tool that I have developed. The
magnitude of the soil modifications produced by seeping hydrocarbons is almost
unbelievable. Often the anomalies are 10 times background values. The CASE
anomaly is a bulk soil property effecting the soil in profound ways.
magnitude of the soil modifications produced by seeping hydrocarbons is almost
unbelievable. Often the anomalies are 10 times background values. The CASE
anomaly is a bulk soil property effecting the soil in profound ways.
Chemistry
Hydrocarbons in the soil, fuel a multitude of reactions. These reactions are both organic (microbes) and
inorganic (oxidation). Most of us, in the geochemical exploration community, have assumed that the
ultimate end product of these reactions would be primarily simple alkali carbonates. This is but one of a
number of important soil changes that can be detected in areas of hydrocarbon flux and these changes
can be tracked using the CASE tool.
inorganic (oxidation). Most of us, in the geochemical exploration community, have assumed that the
ultimate end product of these reactions would be primarily simple alkali carbonates. This is but one of a
number of important soil changes that can be detected in areas of hydrocarbon flux and these changes
can be tracked using the CASE tool.
Sodium and potassium carbonates are extremely soluble and can not be retained in the surface soils.
Although calcium carbonate is only slightly soluble it is soluble enough to be depleted from the surface by
multiple washes. Only in extremely dry conditions could carbonates be maintained at the surface without
constant replenishment.
Although calcium carbonate is only slightly soluble it is soluble enough to be depleted from the surface by
multiple washes. Only in extremely dry conditions could carbonates be maintained at the surface without
constant replenishment.
Areas of seepage have been associated with soil mineral decomposition. The chemistry behind this has
not been demonstrated but it is likely the negatively charged ions generated from the electron bearing
hydrocarbons "seek" the cations held between the mineral layers. Like water freezing in a crack the ions
move between the layers and pry them apart. Mineral decomposition associated with seepage has been
demonstrated and gamma lows in areas of seepage also supports this process. The only way to deplete
the potassium and produce gamma lows, in areas of seepage, is to free it from the mineral structure. The
freed potassium is washed from the soil most likely as the very soluble potassium carbonate.
not been demonstrated but it is likely the negatively charged ions generated from the electron bearing
hydrocarbons "seek" the cations held between the mineral layers. Like water freezing in a crack the ions
move between the layers and pry them apart. Mineral decomposition associated with seepage has been
demonstrated and gamma lows in areas of seepage also supports this process. The only way to deplete
the potassium and produce gamma lows, in areas of seepage, is to free it from the mineral structure. The
freed potassium is washed from the soil most likely as the very soluble potassium carbonate.
Excess electrons provided by the hydrocarbons not only effect the minerals but also the soil organic
matter. The organic matter in most soils is relatively depleted in electrons with few bonds that are not fully
oxidized. Hydrocarbons carrying up to eight available electrons per carbon atom reload the humic
fraction with electrons. These three processes all contribute to the CASE measurement. CASE numbers
are reported as centimoles/kg of dried soil.
matter. The organic matter in most soils is relatively depleted in electrons with few bonds that are not fully
oxidized. Hydrocarbons carrying up to eight available electrons per carbon atom reload the humic
fraction with electrons. These three processes all contribute to the CASE measurement. CASE numbers
are reported as centimoles/kg of dried soil.
| Surface GeoChemical Exploration Research |
Surface GeoChemical Exploration Research
Surface GeoChemical Exploration Research
Exploration Labs, Inc.
Exploration Labs, Inc.
Exploration Labs, Inc.
GrayStone
GrayStone
GrayStone
GrayStone