Geometric and fractal characterization of pore systems in the Upper Triassic dolomites based on image processing techniques (example from Žumberak Mts, NW Croatia)

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Ivica Pavičić
• Author: Zlatko Briševac https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7810-8255
• Author: Anja Vrbaški
• Author: Tonći Grgasović
• Author: Željko Duić https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5077-5985
• Author: Deni Šijak https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3834-6034
• Author: Ivan Dragičević
• Author's institution: Croatian Geological Survey
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering; (Department of Geology and Geological Engineering)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering; (Department of Mathematics, Informatics and Descriptive Geometry)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering; (Department of Mining and Geotechnical Engineering)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Geology
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: TECHNICAL SCIENCES; Mining, Petroleum and Geology Engineering

Abstract (english)

Karst aquifers are important sources of thermal and groundwater in many parts of the world, such as the Alpine–Dinaric–Carpathian region in Europe. The Upper Triassic dolomites are regionally recognized thermal and groundwater aquifers but also hydrocarbon reservoirs. They are characterized by predominantly fractured porosity, but the actual share of depositional and diagenetic porosity is rarely investigated. In this research, we presented the geometric characterization of the measured microporosity of the Upper Triassic dolomites of the Žumberak Mts (Croatia), through thin-section image processing and particle analysis techniques. Pore parameters were analyzed on microphotographs of impregnated thin sections in scale. A total of 2267 pores were isolated and analyzed. The following parameters were analyzed: pore area, pore perimeter, circularity, aspect ratio (AR), roundness, solidity, Feret AR, compactness, and fractal dimension. Furthermore, porosity was calculated based on the pore portion in each image. The effective porosity on rock samples was determined using saturation and buoyancy techniques as an accompanying research method. We analyzed distributions of each parameter, their correlation, and most of the parameters are characterized by an asymmetric or asymmetric normal distribution. Parameters that quantify pore irregularities have similar distributions, and their values indicate the high complexity of the pore geometry, which can significantly impact permeability.

• Keywords (english): Upper Triassic; dolomites; porosity; image processing; fractal dimension
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Sustainability
• Numbering: vol. 13, no. 14, 7668
• e-ISSN: 2071-1050
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147668
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:169:857763
• Publication: 2021-07-09
• Project: Number: UIP-2019-04-1218; Title (croatian): Multidisciplinarni pristup izradi konceptualnih modela hidrotermalnih sustava; Title (english): Multidisciplinary Approach to Conceptual Modelling of Hydrothermal Systems; Acronym: HyTheC; Leader: Staša Borović; Jurisdiction: Croatia; Funding stream: UIP
• Document URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/14/7668
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2021-09-10 12:22:20