Application of trace-element and C-O-Sr isotope geochemistry to study the diagenesis of carbonates in Shuram/Buah formations, Jabal Akhdar, Oman

The current proposal focuses on the stable isotopes especially strontium isotope
systematic in carbonate rocks of the Shuram/Buah formations. These rocks were deposited in a shallow marine system. Carbonates of the Huqf area and Hadash cap are tentatively correlated, marking the end of the Fiq glacial epoch, and are incorporated in the Nafun Group. Emphasis will be given to the seawater because Sr isotope composition in the oceans have varied through time, which provides the opportunity to date and correlates sediments deposited in that particular time. The Buah Formation has been regarded as an active exploration site given the potential of exposed carbonate rocks to be used as a proxy for the hidden subsurface reservoir rocks. The integration of data from this study and those of the previous geochemical and isotopic datasets would be used to calculate the elemental abundances and isotopic values for rocks and fluid during water-rock interaction. The mass balance equations would provide important information regarding diagenetic alterations affecting the depositional facies, stratigraphic sequence and reservoir quality.