Kansas Geological Survey
Open-file Report 2003-82
Very thin laminations (less than 3 mm), fissility, black color, and phosphatic nodules, characterize this facies (Figure 2.12). Phosphatic nodules are abundant and also vary in size (0.1 to 1 inch; 0.2 to 2.54 cm). Sparse pyrite and calcite concretions are also present. Planktonic organisms (such as conodonts) and disarticulated brachiopods are the only fauna observed in the black shale facies. No trace fossils or bioturbation were observed. The phosphatic black shale facies ranges in thickness from 1 to 10 feet with and average of 5 feet (0.3 to 3 m; average of 1.5 m). Upper and lower contacts are usually sharp, but the upper contact can be gradational.
The black shale facies was deposited by sediment fallout in either low energy shallow marginal marine or deep marine environments. The dark black color, fissility, absence of bioturbation and presence of phosphatic nodules are indicative of anoxic conditions. Heckel (1977) proposed that upwelling or pseudo-estuarine circulation would support anoxic conditions in relatively shallow water. The widespread occurrence of the black shale facies across the Cherokee basin and into adjacent states suggests a relatively deep marine environment. The presence of normal marine planktic fauna (i.e. conodonts) supports an anoxic deep-water environment. This facies is interpreted as deposited in a shelf environment under anoxic conditions and far removed from sources of sediment supply. Historically, the phosphatic black shale facies would be interpreted as part of the "core shale" in the cyclothem model (Heckel, 1977).
|Figure 2.12 - Polished core section showing the phosphatic black shale facies. Note the abundance of authigenic phosphate nodules (light gray) that widely vary in size. Sample from 414' in the Cooper CW#1 well, 11-T35S-R18E, Labette County, Kansas|
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Last updated January 2004