Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic black shales that can be a potential source of energy and precious metals are widely distributed in Malaysia Peninsula, Sarawak and Sabah. These black shales cover wide range of geological ages as well as sedimentological settings. Palaeozoic black shales outcrops were reported in West Malaysia and range from Cambrian to Permian. Some of these black shales were deposited in tidal environment as indicated from the associated HCS sandstone and abundance of burrows. Triassic black shales both in West and East Malaysia associate the turbidites. Paleogene black shales outcrop in West Malaysia with coals beds suggesting deposition in delta environment. The Neogene black shales outcrop in East Malaysia either as non-marine black shales associated with coals beds or marine turbidites with sandstones. Mineralogical investigations indicated variations among the studied black shales. Although illite was identified in almost all black shales, other clay minerals show significant variations. Some of the studied black shales are composed entirely of illite, while others show abundance of kaolinite. Smectite has been reported only in the drop stone of the Devonian-Permian Singa Formation. The compositional variations among the studied black shale can be attributed mainly to the variations in the source rock composition and the study localities used to receive sedimentary supply from a local source(s).

Biography

Email: hassan.baioumy@petronas.com.my