Petrographic-geochemical characterization of the dispersed organic matter in menilite shales from the Silesian Unit in the Carpathian Mountains of SE Poland

Abstract

This article is devoted to the issue of dispersed organic matter present in Menilite shales. A total of 27 samples collected from 8 outcrops, representing various lithological types (mainly shales and mudstones) types, were examined with the use of microscopic (optical microscopy) and geochemical (Rock-Eval pyrolysis) methods. Maceral composition in investigated rocks is relatively monotonous. Liptinite macerals are usually the most numerous, while vitrinite macerals are less common. Inertinite macerals are very rare. The maceral composition suggest brackish environment. Results of both the vitrinite reflectance and the Rock-Eval pyrolysis show that the maturity level of the organic matter changes from the immature to the oil window phase. Maturity increases towards the south-east.