Modeling the Feedback Between Glaciation, Geochemical and Mechanical Compaction on Sedimentary Basin Evolution

ABSTRACTWe present a computational modeling approach aimed at providing a preliminary description of the coupled effects of alternation of glaciation cycles, geochemical and mechanical compaction on the analysis of sedimentary basin formation spanning geological time scales. Our approach considers the complex interactions amongst Thermal-Hydrological-Mechanical-Chemical (THMC) processes across relevant temporal and spatial scales of a sedimentary basin evolution.INTRODUCTIONWe provide a conceptual and mathematical description of the coupled phenomena affecting hydrodynamics, solid matrix deformation, heat and mass transfer and geochemical evolution in a sedimentary basin subject to cycles of glaciation. The relevant processes are depicted through key dimensionless quantities. The latter are formulated on the basis of representative scaling factors. We then outline a computational modeling strategy (based on a simplified geometrical setting) to quantify the relative strengths of the diverse components of Thermal-Hydrological-Mechanical-Chemical (THMC) processes on basin evolution.From a methodological standpoint, the preliminary results of our simulations: (a) enable us to quantitatively study the role of THMC processes induced by glaciations, (b) yield information on the diverse and somehow competing aspects of the problem and (c) contribute to elucidate the main computational challenges associated with the system behavior. We then elaborate a set of criteria for the selection of appropriate computational tools for the implementation of an improved and fully three-dimensional time-dependent simulator to be deployed for practical applications.From an operational standpoint, our study contributes to elucidating how cycles of glaciations may influence thermal fluxes, mechanical stresses, pressure gradients, changes in salinity, and induce variations of the strength of geochemical compaction processes that can possibly alter the migration of hydrocarbons generated in the basin. Finally, we discuss on future perspectives of application of the computational model to study the basin evolution across the significant spatiotemporal scales associated with such scenarios.