ASTM D7708-14

Standard Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the Reflectance of Vitrinite Dispersed in Sedimentary Rocks

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The mean reflectance of the vitrinite maceral in sedimentary rocks as determined by this test method is used as an indicator of thermal maturity, that is, the progressive geochemical alteration of dispersed organic material experienced during diagenesis, catagenesis, and metagenesis. In the case of hydrocarbon source rocks, three major categories of thermal maturity are defined by vitrinite reflectance: immature (Roran ≤0.5%), mature (Roran ≈ 0.5-1.35%), and overmature (Roran ≥ 1.35%) with respect to the generation of liquid hydrocarbons. Thermal maturity as determined by the reflectance of vitrinite dispersed in sedimentary rocks is similar to the rank classification of coals as presented in Classification D388 and measured similarly to the reflectance of vitrinite in coal as presented in Test Method D2798. The mean reflectance of the vitrinite maceral in sedimentary rocks correlates with geochemically determined parameters of thermal maturity and can be used to characterize thermal maturation history, to calibrate burial history models, and to better understand the processes of hydrocarbon generation, migration, and accumulation in conventional and unconventional petroleum systems.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the microscopical determination of the reflectance measured in oil of polished surfaces of vitrinite dispersed in sedimentary rocks. This test method can also be used to determine the reflectance of macerals other than vitrinite dispersed in sedimentary rocks.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2014
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: D05 - Coal and Coke
• Drafting Committee: D05.28 - Petrographic Analysis of Coal and Coke

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D7708 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Microscopical Determination of the Reflectance of Vitrinite
1
Dispersed in Sedimentary Rocks
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7708; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2.1 R ran—mean random reflectance measured in oil.
o
Other organizations may use other abbreviations for mean
1.1 This test method covers the microscopical determination
random reflectance.
of the reflectance measured in oil of polished surfaces of
vitrinite dispersed in sedimentary rocks. This test method can 3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
also be used to determine the reflectance of macerals other than 3.3.1 alginite, n—a liptinite maceral occurring in structured
vitrinite dispersed in sedimentary rocks. morphologies, telalginite, and unstructured morphologies, la-
malginite.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.3.2 bituminite, n—an amorphous primary liptinite maceral
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
with low reflectance, occasionally characterized by colored
standard.
internal reflections and weak orange-brown fluorescence, de-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
rived from bacterial biomass and the bacterial decomposition
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
of algal material and faunal plankton. Bituminite is equivalent
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
to the amorphous organic matter recognized in strew slides of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3
concentrated kerogen (1).
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.3.2.1 Discussion—Bituminite may be distinguished from
vitrinite by lower reflectance, as well as higher fluorescence
2. Referenced Documents
intensity if fluorescence is present in vitrinite. Bituminite has
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
poorly-defined wispy boundaries and may be speckled or
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
unevenly colored whereas vitrinite has distinct boundaries and
D388 Classification of Coals by Rank
is blockier and evenly colored. The occurrence of bituminite in
D2797 Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Microscopi-
association with lamalginite and micrinite is common. Rock
cal Analysis by Reflected Light
type, thermal maturity, and geologic occurrence can be used to
D2798 Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the
interpret the potential presence of bituminite; for example,
Vitrinite Reflectance of Coal
bituminite may be expected to occur in lacustrine or marine
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
settings. It is less commonly present in fluvial or similar
ASTM Test Methods
proximal depositional environments, where vitrinite may be
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
expected to occur in greater abundance.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3.3.3 chitinozoan, n—a group of flask-shaped, sometimes
ornamented marine microfossils of presumed metazoan origin
3. Terminology
which are composed of ’pseudochitin’ proteinic material and
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms, refer to Terminol-
which occur individually or in chains. Chitinozoan cell walls
ogy D121.
are thin, opaque to translucent, and range from dark gray to
3.2 Abbreviations:
white in reflected white light similar to vitrinite. Chitinozoans
are common in Ordovician to Devonian marine shales.
3.3.4 conodont, n—the phosphatic, tooth-like remains of
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal
marine vertebrate worm-like animals present from the Cam-
and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.28 on Petrographic
brian through Triassic, composed predominantly of apatite
Analysis of Coal and Coke.
Current edition approved May 1, 2014. Published May 2014. Originally appeared
with subordinate amounts of organic matter. Conodont mor-
in 2011 as D7708-11. DOI: 10.1520/D7708–14.
phology is variable, but often well-defined denticles and blades
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D7708 − 14
are preserved. I
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D7708 − 11 D7708 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Microscopical Determination of the Reflectance of Vitrinite
1
Dispersed in Sedimentary Rocks
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7708; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the microscopical determination of the reflectance measured in oil of polished surfaces of vitrinite
dispersed in sedimentary rocks. This test method can also be used to determine the reflectance of macerals other than vitrinite
dispersed in sedimentary rocks.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
D388 Classification of Coals by Rank
D2797 Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Microscopical Analysis by Reflected Light
D2798 Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the Vitrinite Reflectance of Coal
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms, refer to Terminology D121.
3.2 Abbreviations:
3.2.1 R ran—mean random reflectance measured in oil. Other organizations may use other abbreviations for mean random
o
reflectance.
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.3.1 alginite, n—a liptinite maceral occurring in structured morphologies, telalginite, and unstructured morphologies,
lamalginite.
3.3.2 bituminite, n—an amorphous primary liptinite maceral with low reflectance, occasionally characterized by colored internal
reflections and weak orange-brown fluorescence, derived from bacterial biomass and the bacterial decomposition of algal material
and faunal plankton. Bituminite is equivalent to the amorphous organic matter recognized in strew slides of concentrated kerogen
3
(1).
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.28 on Petrographic Analysis
of Coal and Coke.
Current edition approved April 1, 2011May 1, 2014. Published April 2011May 2014. Originally appeared in 2011 as D7708-11. DOI: 10.1520/D7708–11.10.1520/
D7708–14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this standard.
3.3.2.1 Discussion—
Bituminite may be distinguished from vitrinite by lower reflectance, as well as higher fluorescence intensity if fluorescence is
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7708 − 14
present in vitrinite. Bituminite has poorly-defined wispy boundaries and may be speckled or unevenly colored whereas vitrinite
has distinct boundaries and is blockier and evenly colored. The occurrence of bituminite in association with lamalginite and
micrinite is common. Rock type, thermal maturity, and geologic occurrence can be used to interpret the potential presence of
bituminite; for example, bituminite may be expected to occur in lacustrine or marine settings. It is less commonly present in fluvial
or similar proximal depositional environments, where vitrinite may be expected to occur in greater abundance.
3.3.3 chitinozoan, n—a group of flask-shaped, sometimes ornamented marine microfossils of presumed metazoan origin which
are composed of ’pseudochitin’ proteinic material and which occur individually or in chains. Chitinozoan cell walls are thin,
opaque to translucent, and range from dark gray to white in reflected white light similar to vitrinite. Chitinozoans are common in
Ordovician to Devonian marine shales.
3.3.4 conodont,
...