GEOCHEMICAL CLASSIFICATION OF TERRIGENOUS SANDS AND

SHALES FROM CORE OR LOG DATA 1

M I C H A E L M. H E R R O N
Schlumberger-DoU Research
OM Quarry Road
Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877-4108

ABSTRACT: A means of relating geochemical concentrations to existing sandstone classification schemes is based on three chemical
parameters: the SiO2/A1203 ratio, the Fe203/K20 ratio, and the Ca content. In terrigenous sands and shales, the 5iO2/A1203 ratio
separates Si-rich quartzarenites from Al-rich shales, with other sand types showing intermediate values. The ratio of total iron (as
Fe203) to K20 separates lithic sands (lilharenites and sublitharenites) from feldspathic sands (arkoses and subarkoses). In addition,
very high Fe203/K20 ratios indicate Fe-rich shales (e.g., pyritic, sideritic, hematitic) or Fe-rich sands (e.g., glauconitic) depending
on the silica/alumina ratio. The Ca content is used to differentiate noncalcareous from calcareous sandstones and shales and to
separate siliciclastic from carbonate rocks. Sandstones are classified the same by this scheme as by petrographic analysis about 84%
of the time, and shales are effectively discriminated from sandstones. The requisite input data can be accurately supplied by
geochemical well-logging measurements, enabling unbiased sandstone classification to be displayed on a continuous basis with depth.

INTRODUCTION four parameters: quartz (Q), feldspars (F), rock or lithic

The recently introduced Geochemical Logging Tool
(GLT 2) logs provide measurements of concentrations of
AI, Si, Ca, Fe, S, Gd, Ti, Th, U, and K in boreholes
(Hertzog et al. 1987). These data promise to enhance
significantly the characterization of sedimentary forma-
tions with applications including the derivation of min-
eralogy, matrix density, and permeability (Herron 1987a).
One possible application of these data is sandstone clas-
sification, the next level of detail beyond lithological clas-
sification. Previous attempts to relate sandstone type and
chemical composition used Na concentrations as an input
variable (Garrels and Mackenzie 1971; Pettijohn et al.
1972). Unfortunately, sodium concentrations are not
available from the G L T logs.
A new scheme for relating chemical concentrations to
c o m m o n sandstone classifications, applicable for terrig-
enous sands and shales, is presented here. This scheme
uses the SiO2/AIzO3 and F e 2 0 3 / K 2 0 ratios and Ca con-
centrations available either from laboratory measure-
ments or from G L T log data. Where geochemical log data
are used, hundreds of meters of terrigenous sediments
can be classified on a continuous basis within hours of
logging. Such a characterization can be beneficial in well-
to-well correlation, depositional environment interpre-
tation, reservoir quality assessment, tectonic setting anal-
ysis, and general subsurface geology (Crook 1974; Schwab
1975; Dickinson and Suczek 1979; Selley 1982; Bhatia
1983; Roser and Korseh 1986; Herron 1987a).
SANDSTONE CLASSIFICATION
Numerous sandstone classification schemes exist, most
of them based on the work of Krynine (1948). Pettijohn
et al. (1972) reviewed twenty of the more notable schemes
and many of the ambiguities and shortcomings involved
in sandstone classification. In most schemes, the funda-
mental classification of sands and sandstones involves
Manuscript received 16 February 1987; revised 9 March 1988.
2 Trademark of Schlumberger.
JOURNAL OF SEDIMENTARYPETROLOGY,VOL. 58, NO. 5, SEPTEMBER, 1988, P. 820-829
Copyright © 1988, The Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists 0022-4472/88/0058-820/$03.00
fragments (R or L), and matrix (M). Quartz may include
chert as well as single-crystal grains of quartz (Dickinson
1970; Valloni and Maynard 1981). Feldspar refers to sin-
gle-crystal grains of potassium feldspars as well as pla-
gioclase. Lithic fragments may encompass all multi-crys-
tal grains, even if the individual minerals involved include
quartz, feldspar, or shale clasts; in Dickinson's (1970)
system, igneous fragments of quartz and feldspars are
counted as though they were individual grains. Chert is
considered as a lithic fragment in some schemes. Matrix
includes all material that is smaller than a given diameter,
usually between 20 and 62.5 #m, and thus not reliably
identifiable microscopically. Most or all of the silt-sized
material and all of the clay-sized particles fall in this
category. The variety of classification schemes, the com-
positional ambiguity of the matrix and lithic fragment
components, and differences in the size range of the ma-
trix, among other factors, preclude an exact relationship
between chemical composition and sandstone type, but
attempts have been made to derive useful, if inexact,
relationships.
For example, the concentration ratios SIO2/A1203 and
Na20/K20 or (Na20 + CaO)/K20 have been used to
differentiate major sandstone varieties (Middleton 1960;
Garrels and Mackenzie 1971; Pettijohn et al. 1972) and
tectonic settings of sandstones (Roser and Korsch 1986).
The 5 i O 2 / A 1 2 0 3 ratio separates Si-rich quartzaremtes from
more Al-rich intermediate sandstones. The Na20/K20
ratio has been observed to distinguish graywackes from
arkoses (Pettijohn 1943; Middleton 1960; Pettijohn et al.
19"72; Pettijohn 1975). Pettijohn et al. (1972) related the
SIO2/A1203 and Na20/K20 ratios to sandstone type as
displayed in Figure 1.
Unfortunately, the Na20/K20 ratio is not well suited
to distinguishing lithic fragments from feldspars, a fun-
damental part of most sandstone classifications. For ex-
ample, an arkose containing abundant albite will have a
high Na20/K20 ratio and be incorrectly classified as a
lithic arenite, whereas an arkose rich in a potassium feld-
spar such as orthoclase will have a low ratio and be cor-
rectly classified. For basic petrographic classification, the
 GEOCHEMICAL CLASSIFIC4 TION OF TERRIGENOUS SEDIMENTS
A O
" /,F/
0 O- ~ -
" //4:///
Z . /~ ( '¢a~" ( Ouertz
_0
° -I i """/ i i V
0 0.5 1 1.5
log (SiO2/A1203 )
FIG. l.--Geochemicai classification for temgenous sands from Pet-
tijohn et al. (1972).
type of feldspar is immaterial, and both sands should be
classified as arkoses. Thus, the N a 2 0 / K 2 0 ratio does not
have the ability to distinguish between lithic arenites and
feldspathic arenites, and this is probably the major short-
coming of past attempts to relate chemical composition
to sandstone type.
A new geochemical mapping system, the SandClass 3
system, has been constructed to allow reliable estimates
of sandstone type from geochemical data. The primary
parameters used are the SIO2/A1203 and Fe203/K20 ra-
tios. Figure 2 shows the sandstone fields defined by these
ratios according to the SandClass system. The use of the
SiO2/A1203 ratio follows many other geochemical schemes
and allows distinction between quartz-rich, high-ratio
sandstones and clay-rich, low-ratio shales. Wackes and
feldspathic and lithic sandstones have intermediate ra-
tios. The SiO2/A1203 ratio has been described as an in-
dicator o f mineralogical maturity (Pettijohn et al. 1972).
The ratio of total iron, expressed as Fc203, to K20 is
effective in distinguishing lithic fragments from feldspars
in a wide variety of sandstones. The F e 2 0 3 / K 2 0 ratio can
be thought of as an indicator of mineralogical stability.
At the low temperatures and pressures characteristic of
sedimentary environments, the most stable rock-forming
minerals are K-feldspar, muscovite mica, and quartz, the
first two of which are rich in potassium and all three of
which are low in iron content. In contrast, the less stable
rock-forming minerals, commonly occurring in lithic
fragments, tend to be richer in iron and magnesium.
Therefore, as a general rule: stable mineral assemblages
have low F e 2 0 3 / K 2 0 ratios; less stable mineral assem-
blages, located close to the sediment source and contain-
ing abundant lithic fragments, have high Fe20~/KzO ra-
tios. Only in the very mature quartzarenites, containing
little Fe or K, will the Fe203/K20 ratio become mean-
ingless.
There are a few iron-rich minerals which are stable at
low temperatures and pressures, but these tend to have
exceedingly high Fe203/K20 ratios (e.g., chlorite) or to
Trademark of Schlumberger.
821
04 1- Fe-Shele / Fe-Se.d
¢3
O / e/Ut, /
04 Subllth-
0-
enite _o Arkose Suberkoee
i "1
0 0.15
I
1,5
I
2 2.5
2 2.5
log (SiO2/A1203 )
FIG. 2 . - The SandClass system for geochemical classification of ter-
rigenous sands and shales. The third axis, not shown, is the Ca content,
dividing samples into noncalcareous (Ca < 4%), calcareous (4% < Ca
< 15%), and carbonate (Ca > 15%) sediments.
be devoid o f potassium entirely (e.g., siderite, pyrite, an-
kerite). In the SandClass system, the presence of these
minerals forces the F e 2 0 3 / K 2 0 ratios to very high values,
distinguishable from the moderate levels in litharenites.
One might expect the F e 2 0 3 / K 2 0 ratios to fail to identify
arkoses when the feldspars are not K-rich; however, even
in plagioclases, this ratio is generally less than unity (Pa-
pezik 1965; Smith 1974). Usually, feldspathic sands con-
tain some mixture of Na-rich and K-rich feldspars, re-
sulting in even lower values of the ratio. The F e E O 3 / K 2 0
ratio of I. 1 divides litharenites and sublitharenites from
arkoses and subarkoses (Fig. 2). We will see that for a
variety of arkosic arenites, the ratio of Fe203/K20 is less
than 1. l whether the dominant feldspar is potassic or
sodic. Field boundary lines for the SandClass system are
given in the Appendix.
A th'rd axis of total Ca, not shown in Figure 2, divides
samples in the SandClass system into noncalcareous (Ca
< 4%), calcareous (4% < Ca < 15%), and carbonate (Ca
> 15%). Calcite and dolomite are important diagenetic
components o f sandstones and may not properly belong
in a sandstone classification scheme. This axis is included
because of the importance of carbonate cementation to
formation properties such as porosity, permeability, and
rock strength. For many sandstones, Ca concentrations
above 1% strongly indicate some carbonate cementation;
for other sands, the source of the Ca may be noncarbonate
minerals including plagioclase. The dividing line of 4%
was deliberately chosen to avoid describing carbonate-
free sands as calcareous at the risk of missing some slightly
calcareous sands. The division between a calcareous sand
and a sandy carbonate is usually taken at 50% carbonate.
The division in this scheme at Ca = 15% reflects about
50% of a carbonate composed of equal parts o f calcite
and dolomite.
While most of the categories shown in Figure 2, in-
cluding quartzarenite, subarkose, arkose, sublitharenite,
litharenite, and wacke, follow according to the sandstone
classification schemes of Dott (1964), Folk (1968), and
Pettijohn et al. (1972), three additional categories are
822 MICHAEL M. HERRON

TABLE 1.-- Comparison of sandstone classifications according to the

SandClass and Pettijohn et al. (1972) presentations
A
A
0 S a m p l e Set (# S a m p l e s ) SandClass P e t t i j o h n et al. (1972)
cq Fe-Shele Fa-Sand
~Z Benchmark Sandstones (33)
o3 OO Correct 29 24
0 ~=~.
'~xuth" [
/ Sublith-
are~ita
Incorrect 4 7
04
Shale / ,/~ra~ite / u O
Off-scale 0 2
o .- Quartz
j / • w el + Arenita Other Sandstones (15)
*./+
_9
co
~°"/s"-'~°' 7 Correct
Incorrect
12
2
6
6
Off-scale i 3
Kern Co. Arkoses(38)
Correct 31 0
Incorrect 7 38
Off-scale 0 0
A Shales, Slates, Illite (34)
0
,o° ~@U.,Y / Correct
Incorrect
33
I
--
--
0 0 Off-scale 0 7
cq I ~ ~'/e ~ I
¢1 Total Sands (86)
z //V7 o° Correct 72 (84%) 30 (35%)
Ark(lie ~ [ ~,,a,- ( OU:~;~. Incorrect 13 (15%) 51 (59%)
Off-scale 1 (1%) 5 (6%)

-1 I I I I
0 0.5 1 1.5
log (SiO2/AI 2° 3 )
0 Quartz A t e n i t l x Litherenite
0 Sublithlrenite • Arkose
+ SublrkOla ~ Gtaywecke
FIG. 3. -- Benchmark sandstone chemical compositions (Pettijohn 1963;
Pettijohn et al. 1972) plotted for the SandCiass scheme (A), and the
Pettijohn scheme (B).
included. Shale, not present in the Pettijohn geochemical
scheme, is distinguished from wacke primarily by a lower
SIO2/A1203 ratio. Samples with very high Fe203/KzO ra-
tios (> 4) are classified as iron-rich or ferruginous, and
are further broken down as Fe-rich sands (e.g., glauconite-
rich) or Fe-fich shales (e.g., containing abundant pyrite
and/or siderite) on the basis of the SiO2/A1203 ratio.
COMPARISON OF CLASSIFICATION SCHEMES
Pettijohn ~ Benchmark Sandstones
The Pettijohn sandstone classification (Fig. 1) was es-
sentially constructed from the chemical composition of
several "benchmark" sandstones that were also petro-
graphically classified (Pettijohn 1963; Pettijohn et al.
1972). The SandClass system was constructed in a similar
fashion. Because of the compositional ambiguity of ma-
trix and lithic fragments, exact compositional boundaries
cannot be derived for either scheme.
The chemical data for the benchmark sandstones are
plotted in the SandClass format and the Pettijohn format
in Figure 3. Quartzarenites are classified solely on the
basis of high SIO2/A1203 ratios; both the Pettijohn and
SandClass schemes correctly classify these samples. Pet-
tijohn (1963, table 4) gives compositional data on a c o m -
2 2.5
posite of 96 sublitharenites from the Colorado Plateau
and both schemes place this composite in the proper cat-
egory. Similarly, both schemes place eight of ten wackes
in the proper category. All of the litharenite samples fall
in the proper area of the Pettijohn presentation, while
two are misplaced as wackes in the SandClass presenta-
tion. Two arkoses are misclassified in the Pettijohn for-
mat, while all eight are properly placed in the SandClass
format. Two of three subarkoses fall in the sublitharenite
category of the Pettijohn format, while all are in the prop-
er SandClass category. One of the subarkoses, a Berea
sandstone, was previously identified as a sublitharenite.
We reanalyzed a Berea sample chemically and petro-
graphically. While the chemical analysis was similar to
that previously reported, the Qa6FsL6 analysis indicates
a subarkose.
Overall, the SandClass system generally classifies the
Pettijohn benchmark sandstones in agreement with their
petrographic classification. For the 33 benchmark sand-
stones, counting composites as individual samples, 29 are
correctly identified by the SandClass classification com-
pared to 24 in the Pettijohn scheme (Table 1). The SiO2/
A1203 ratio permits separation of quartzarenites from in-
termediate sand types in the suite of rocks examined,
while the FezO3/K20 ratio allows a meaningful distinc-
tion between lithic and feldspathie sandstones. No lith-
arenites or sublitharenites had Fe203/KzO ratios less than
1.1; no arkoses or subarkoses had ratios greater than 1.1,
even when the dominant feldspar phase was clearly so-
dium-rich, as evidenced by the Na20/K20 ratio.
Additional Samples
The SandClass system has been applied to additional
samples beyond the Pettijohn benchmark sandstones.
Figure 4 shows data for subarkoses from the Bradore
 GEOCHEMICAL CLASSIF1CA TION OF TERRIGENOUS SEDIMENTS 823

2
A A
0
Fc-Shala r Fe-Scnd l ~z 1- Fa-Shcle Fa-Sand

~ o.s 1 c0
0 0 h- / Subllth-
Sha[a ~ ~ranitl! arenitl
~" -0. • Ark01e/ Sublrk+ola
¢)
O- /3 o~ [ Quartz
Arenite
+ _o
-1.5 !
/A rions~t suberk°le
-1 I i i
1

B a Non-Calcareous
0.5-
A0 ¢ • Calcareous
0

0
0
~
g
-0.5 - Cq
g
o
Arkoae

-1.5 t
0 0 .'5 1' 1.5~ 2 2.5 -I I
0 0.'5 1 1.5 2 2.5
log (SiO2/A1203 )
log (SiO2/AI 2 0 3)
O Sublithersnite × Litherenite
+ Subsrkose V Greywecke FIG. 5.--Chemical compositions of a Santa Fe Energy well in Kern
County, California (Herron and Grau 1987) plotted for the SandClass
FIo. 4.--Additional sandstone chemical compositions plotted for the scheme (A), and th e Pettijohn scheme (B).
SandClass scheme (A), and the Pettijohn scheme (B). The Berea Sand-
stone sample has been reclassified as a subarkose.

outside the normal boundaries of the Pettijohn system

Formation in Labrador; wackes from the Cacouna For-
mation in Gaspr, Quebec; Amazon and Danube river
sediments classified as litharenites (Potter 1978); Harz
graywackes (Blatt et al. 1980); a Nugget sandstone clas-
sified as a subarkose; and a Massillon sublitharenite. In
the Pettijohn classification (Fig. 4B), both Bradore sam-
ples have lower Na20/K20 ratios than 0.1, and so they
are off the original presentation field but are close to the
subarkose/sublitharenite border in terms of their SIO2/
AI203 ratios; the SandClass system (Fig. 4A) correctly
identifies these samples as subarkoses. The SandClass
system correctly identifies two of the Cacouna samples
as wackes, but two are in the adjacent litharenite field. In
contrast, in the Pettijohn scheme, all the Cacouna samples
are misidentified as arkoses, with one falling near the
litharenite border. The SandClass system correctly iden-
tifies both river samples (duplicate analyses) as lithar-
enites (Potter 1978). The Danube samples, with over 4.7%
Ca and over 5% CO2, are further characterized as cal-
careous. The Pettij ohn presentation correctly classifies the
Amazon samples but misplaces the Danube samples on
the arkose/subarkose border. Both the Pettijohn and
SandClass presentations correctly identify the Harz sam-
ples as wackes. The SandClass presentation correctly clas-
sifies both the Nugget and Massillon sandstones. The
Massillon sample is correctly identified as a sublitharenite
in the Pettijohn presentation, but the Nugget sample is
and is difficult to classify.
Kern County, California
Sixty-four samples of whole core from a Santa Fe En-
ergy well in Kern County, in the southeastern San Joaquin
basin of California, were analyzed chemically (Herron
and Grau 1987) and optically. Stained thin sections of
loose grain mounts were prepared and analyzed for modal
content according to Dickinson (1970). Thirty-eight sand
intervals identified in the well are all clearly arkoses. O f
the more argillaceous samples, 11 contain between 50%
and 75% matrix, almost all of which have been identified
as clay minerals by X-ray diffraction (Herron and Grau
1987). These samples are then paradoxically classified as
wackes from the petrographic data (< 75% matrix) and
as shales because the clay mineral content exceeds 50%
(Potter et al. 1980, p. 13). Only three samples are classified
as shales by both conventions.
The chemistry data are plotted in the SandClass and
Pettijohn formats in Figure 5. The SandClass presentation
shows arkosic arenites grading into a few shales with some
transitional wackes, in general accord with the petro-
graphic assessment. Ignoring the ambiguous clay-rich
samples, the SandClass scheme properly classified 31 of
the 38 arkosic arenites (Table 1), with some disagreement
clearly due to sample inhomogeneity. In contrast, the
824 M I C H A E L M. H E R R O N

I-
AI Si Fo K Co
A (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
20 0 50 0 10 0 5 0 15
0 540
f'4 Fe-Shalee Fe-Send
A
CO
0 "/Uth- / Subllth-

i
O4 560 -
4) renil./ ,remit. Quertz
O- Aremtte
u~
o ~rko|e/ Sublrk°l I 580 -

-1
600 -

!I
B p ~
~ r
e20-
0 Q. =I
¢'4 4)
b~
c~
0 0- 640-
O4 - / /
¢0
g
C3~ .~
V?--C//.0 /
t ( ,~ : ou,,,,

T-'L/7
660
L
-1
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 6
680 < ¢ ;
log (SiO2/AI 2 ° 3 ) J
Shale • Vsnezuels 700
• NASC • Texas FIG. 7.--Elemental concentraUon logs calculated on a "dry" basis
(Grau and Herron 1987) for the Santa Fe Energy well and whole-core
FIG. 6.--Chemical compositions of average shales and slates (Petal- analyses by X R F as a function o f depth: A) aluminum, B) silicon, C)
john 1975), the North American Shale Composite (Gromet et al. 1984), iron, D) potassium, and E) calcium.
Venezuelan shales (Herron 1986), and Texas shales ploned for the
SandClass scheme (A), and the Pettijohn scheme (B).

monly, siderite or pyrite (Herron 1986). Figure 6A shows

Pettijohn format shows populations only of litharenites
and graywackes with no samples identified as arkoses.
This again demonstrates the inability of the Na20/K20
ratio to identify properly arkosic arenites when the pri-
mary feldspar is sodium-rich plagioclase.
Shales and Slates
Shales were not considered in the Pettijohn scheme,
but it would be useful to be able to distinguish rapidly
argillaceous sediments from sandstones, as well as dif-
ferent sand types from chemical data. Chemical com-
positions of average shale and slate (Pettijohn 1975, table
8-7), the North American Shale Composite (Gromet et
al. 1984), shale samples from a Venezuelan well (Herron
1986) and from a Texas well have been plotted in Figure
6. The shale and slate averages are fairly tightly bunched
in the shale category o f the SandClass presentation (Fig.
6A) with significantly lower values of the SIO2/A1203 ratio
than the graywacke samples in Figure 3. The Pettijohn
classification, which was not intended to identify shales,
does not clearly distinguish these argillaceous samples
from either graywacke or litharenite (Fig. 6B).
The Venezuelan shales are described as being com-
posed of kaolinite, illite, quartz, K-feldspar, and com-
that all samples are correctly identified in the SandClass
presentation as shales with about half of the samples fall-
ing in the Fe-rich shale category. The SandClass presen-
tation correctly identifies ten of 11 Texas samples as shales,
two as Fe-rich, with one sample misidentified as a wacke.
In summary, the SandClass system of mapping chem-
ical data to petrographic classification agrees with the
thin-section analysis for about 84% of the sandstones
(Table 1), while the Pettijohn classification agrees only
30 times or 35o/o of the time. I f the California samples
are excluded, the Pettijohn scheme correctly identifies
63% of the sandstones. Table 1 also shows that the
SandClass presentation correctly identifies 33 of 34 shams,
effectively distinguishing argillaceous samples from ar-
enites. These results lend a degree of confidence to clas-
sifications by the SandClass scheme that has been missing
in previous attempts to map geochemical content to pet-
rographic classification.
THE SANDCLASS SYSTEM WITH LOG DATA
Recent advances in geochemical well-logging tech-
niques (Hertzog et al. 1987) have made it possible to
provide continuous logs of concentrations of several in-
organic elements, including those required for the
 GEOCHEMICAL CLASS1FICA T/ON OF TERR1GENOUS SEDL~IENTS 825

Aluminum Silicon log (Si02/AI203) log (Fe20~K20)

15 80
25 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 -1 0 1

~ 4O-

8' ~ 20-

0 0
0 16 o 2'0 go 8o
Core (%) Core (%)

coeee j D3/
A
Iron Potassium .g
10 0

Q
,~ 4
v
oeee
o
--I 2.,2
•Q•o
• • • eeQ• °

0 10
Core (%) Core (%)

Calcium , v v
OA A/L Sh Feld Lith Fe-rich
20 Sub W
FIG. 9.--Logarithms of the SiO2/AlzO3 and Fe203/K20 ratios for the
Santa Fe Energy well and whole-core analyses by XRF as a ffimctionof
depth: A) SiO2/AlzO3, and B) Fe203/K20. Also shown are the approx-
imate boundaries between various sand tyoes, according to the SandClass
presentation.

• • •

0 large difference in the formation volume sampled by the

0 10
Core (%)
FIG. 8.--Elemental concentration logs calculated on a "dry" basis
(Grau and Herren 1987) for the Santa Fe Energy well and whole-core
analyses by XRF: A) aluminum, B) silicon, C) iron, D) potassium, and
E) calcium.
SandClass classification system. Elemental concentration
logs from the Santa Fe Energy well (Grau and Herren
1987) are shown along with core concentrations measured
on the 64 samples as a function of depth in Figure 7 and
in crossplot in Figure 8. The logarithms of the SiO2/A1203
and F e 2 0 3 / K 2 0 ratios were also calculated and are shown
with the corresponding core data in Figure 9. The log
concentrations were all computed on a "dry" basis, that
is, per gram of dry rock, so as to be directly comparable
to the core data (Hertzog et al. 1987).
The core and log data are statistically compared at the
matching depths in Table 2. The comparisons have been
made assuming that listed core depths, rounded to the
nearest six inches (15 cm), are exactly on depth with the
logs. Such comparisons will overestimate the true error
because of possible depth mismatches and because of the
20 geochemical logs and the whole-core plugs (Herren 1987b).
Table 2 shows that the agreement between the two chem-
ical analysis methods is nevertheless good, with essen-
tially equivalent means and standard deviations for core
and log data. Correlation coefficients are somewhat low
because of the relatively small variance in the data. A
more meaningful comparison measure in such a case may
be the standard error or the average absolute difference
between core and log values. Standard errors range from
0.30% for K to 2.2% for Si, only slightly greater than the
standard deviation of the log data on replicate runs (Hert-
zog et al. 1987).
The standard errors for the logarithms of the SIP2/
A1203 and Fe203/K20 ratios are 0.10 and 0.28, respec-
tively. The standard error for the Iog(SiO2/A1203) term is
only 4% of the range in values in the SandClass presen-
tation of Figure 3 and will only result in misidentification
for samples very close to one of the boundaries, or for
waekes which have a narrow range of values. The stan-
dard error of the log(FezOJK20) term is about 9% of the
range in Figure 3, and about one-third of the total lith-
arenite and sublitharenite range.
At every log-data-depth interval, the SIO2/A1203 and
826 MICHAEL M. HERRON

TABLE 2.--Comparison of core and log measurements of elemental concentrations and oxide ratios used in the SandClass presentation. These
calculations assume that the listed core depth is exactly on depth with recorded log depth

Mean Std. Dev. Assumed on Depth

Core : Log Pair Core Log Core Log r SE aad

AI (wt. %) 7.0 7.6 1.7 1.6 0.70 1.26 1.10

Si (wt. %) 33.0 32.7 4.1 3.4 0.85 2.18 1.66
Fe (wt. %) 2.2 i.8 1.6 1.3 0.74 1.07 0.74
K (wt. %) 2.1 2.1 0.4 0.4 0.71 0.30 0.23
Ca (wt. %) 1.9 1.8 1.0 0.5 0.36 0.91 0.54
Log(SiOz/AI203) 0.74 0.69 0.16 0.14 0.78 0.10 0.09
Log(Fe:O3/KzO) - 0.03 -0.12 0.39 0.42 0.77 0.28 0.20
Abbreviations: r = correlation coefficient;SE = standard error; aad = average absolute difference.

Fe203/K20 ratios and Ca concentrations were translated eous samples are displaced one-half division to the right.
according to the SandClass scheme into rock classifica- It is clear from Figure 10 that the sandstone classifications
tions. These classifications and the core petrographic derived from the geochemical log data and the SandClass
analyses for nonargillaceous samples are shown as a func- presentation are in close agreement with the thin-section
tion o f well depth in Figure 10. The classifications in this data. The few disagreements, at 560 m, 620 m, and 650
presentation are ordered roughly according to decreasing m, are probably due to thin strata, reflecting the difference
reservoir quality, with highest-quality quartzarenite at the in volumes sampled by the logs and in thin section. There
left, grading through sublitharenite and subarkose, through are also borderline cases between wackes and arkoses. In
litharenite and arkose to wacke and shale. Noncalcareous this well, the gamma-ray curve (Fig. 10B) somewhat de-
samples are plotted on the main class divisions; calcar- lineates sands from more argillaceous sediments. Figure
10A also shows that these same boundaries are clearly
defined in the SandClass presentation.
Classification GR Figure 1 1 is a similar presentation o f geochemical log
(API) data processed through the SandClass system and petro-
I I I ~ I I I
lOO 200 graphic analyses o f thin sections from a nearby well in
540
the same Kern Front field. Only a few samples o f sands
from this well were analyzed. As in Figure 10, there is
essential agreement between the sand type determined
560.
from thin section and from the SandClass expression o f
geochemical log data. However, Figure 1 I B shows that
the gamma-ray curve does not clearly distinguish sands
580 -
from argillaceous sediments. This is a c o m m o n problem
in eastern Kern County and in many other locations where
sands typically have high feldspar abundances and sig-
600 - nificant clay abundances. Potassium from the K-feldspars
often gives gamma-ray logs in such sands a high, shale-
like appearance, thus making it difficult to distinguish
620 -
sands from shales. In contrast, the geochemical log data,
El
(D
combined with the SandClass system, not only permit an
E3 accurate distinction o f sands from shales, they also cor-
640 - rectly identify the sand type as arkosic arenite.
For studies o f depositional environment and tectonic
significance, population histograms o f the various sand
660 -
types and shales identified by the SandClass expression
o f geochemical log data m a y be useful presentation for-
mats to complement the depth presentations in Figures
10 and 11. The great advantage o f utilizing geochemical
680 -
log data in such investigations is that the logs provide an
-J = unbiased sampling o f the formations as a function o f
depth. Figure 12 shows the histograms for the two Kern
700
County wells. There are two main populations in both
FIG. 10.--Santa Fe Energy well. A) Arkose samples identified from wells, arkosic arenites and shales, with wackes occupying
thin section and SandClass classification from geochemical log data a minor, transitional role. Both wells intersected alluvial
plotted as a function of depth. The SandClass classifications have been
ordered approximately according to reservoir quality, from quartzare- fan depositional environments fed by the nearby Sierra
nite to shale. B) Gamma-ray curve in this interval can be qualitatively Nevada range, in accord with Selley's (1982) observation
interpreted in terms of sands (Iow-GR)and argillaceous(high-GR)strata. of the environment associated with most arkoses. The
 G E O C H E M I C A L CLASSIF1CA T I O N O F T E R R I G E N O US S E D I M E N T S
Classification GR
(API)
10 0 200
700 I I I ~ I I
t O
720 - < .D
F
I ..
A
740-
[ o.
K 211
a
700 -
780 -
800
F]o. i l.--Second Kern County well. A) Arkose depths from thin
section and SandClass classifications from geochemical log data for the
second Kern County well plotted as a function of depth. B) G a m m a -
ray curve in this well is relatively featureless and cannot be readily
interpreted in terms of lithology.
differences in population distributions between the two
wells may reflect differences in subenvironment or dis-
tance from the sediment source. Interestingly, wells in
deep-water turbidite facies that have been processed
through the SandClass presentation using G L T data show
the expected major population ofwackes and shales, with
minor arkose populations. These differences in deposi-
tional environment are readily discernible from classifi-
cation population histograms such as Figure 12.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The SandClass system, based on SiO2/A1203 and Fe203/
K20 ratios and Ca concentrations, is a useful advance in
geochemical sandstone classification schemes. While no
perfect m a p between petrographic and geochemical clas-
sification can be expected, the FeEOJK20 ratio does dis-
criminate better between lithic and feldspathic types than
does the Na20/K20 ratio. This has been demonstrated
for the benchmark sandstones and additional samples,
including the California arkosic sands. The inclusion of
Ca content in the SandClass scheme permits distinction
of calcareous from noncalcareous sandstones, which is
useful information for reservoir quality assessment. The
additional classifications of ferruginous shale and fen'u-
827
1000
03 A
.9.
Non-calcareous
E 601
¢o Calcareous
t.O
500 -
398
E
Z 0 0 1 2
600
E 4oo-
.410
° t
200-
E
z 0 0 0 0 ~ ~ 0 0 0
0-
FIG. 12.--Histograms of sandstone populations: A) Santa Fe Energy
well, and B) second Kern County well
ginous sand also allow an improved assessment of the
reservoir.
The data in Table 1 indicate that the SandClass clas-
sification should agree with petrographic assessments
about 85% of the time for terrigenous sands and that
shales should he effectively discriminated from sands.
Misidentification by the SandClass scheme, meaning dis-
agreement with petrographic classification, is occasion-
ally observed. The most common discrepancy occurs when
shale clasts, which are classified as rock fragments, occur
in abundance. In such cases, litharenites may be classified
in the SandClass system as wackes, and wackes as shales,
reflecting the difference between compositional and tex-
tural information. The distinction between shale clasts
and matrix under the microscope, however, is frequently
subjective, particularly if some compaction has occurred.
It is apparent that siltstones with little clay will be clas-
sified by SandClass as though they were sandstones. How-
ever, it has been seen that the mineral assemblage and
elemental composition of siliciclastic sediments frequent-
ly contain significant textural information (Herron 1987a).
In the future, that textural information might be useful
for distinguishing siltstones from sandstones.
It has also been infrequently observed that the occur-
rence of Fe-rich minerals, such as pyrite, siderite, anker-
ite, and chlorite, pushes an otherwise feldspathic sand
into the neighboring lithic category but not fully into the
Fe-rich sand category. Pyrite iron can be subtracted from
total iron prior to SandClass computation, using the sul-
fur concentration log from the G L T data and the Fe/S
ratio of pyrite. As has been mentioned, the calcium con-
828 M I C H A E L M. H E R R O N
centration limit of 4% may misclassify truly calcareous
sands as noncalcareous. Despite these concerns, classifi-
cation o f sandstones and shales using the SandClass sys-
tem usually agrees with petrographic classifications.
The great utility of the SandClass system lies in the use
o f continuous geochemical log data for input. The geo-
chemical log data and the SandClass classifications can
be obtained within hours of logging a well. The log in
Figure 10 represents a 160-m-depth interval and contains
over 1,000 individual classifications derived from more
than 5,000 individual elemental concentration points.
Comparable data from laboratory analysis of core inter-
vals would be prohibitively expensive and time consum-
ing. On the other hand, the vertical resolution of GLT
data is about 0.5 m, so thin, alternating beds of sand and
shale may be mistakenly identified as wackes from GLT
data alone. The complementary use o f other, higher-res-
olution log data may help in recognizing these situations.
The geochemical log data not only provide a significant
enhancement over geophysical data in reservoir descrip-
tion, but they also permit meaningful selection of key
core samples for detailed petrographic analysis. Using
geochemical log data, the SandClass system will enhance
well-to-well correlation, reservoir quality assessment,
provenance studies, and depositional environment inter-
pretation.
Finally, it is anticipated that the SandClass system,
particularly using geochemical log data, will aid in re-
solving the degree of influence of such factors as source
material, tectonic setting, and depositional environment
in determining sandstone type (Pettijohn et al. 1972). This
paper has been concerned primarily with demonstrating
the fairly close agreement between the SandClass system
and standard petrographic classifications. Other maps have
been constructed relating sandstone type to tectonic en-
vironment (e.g., Dickinson et al. 1983). It is relatively
straightforward to extend these relationships to the
SandClass system. Sandstone type has been related to
influencing variables such as paleoclimate and tectonic
provenance (e.g., Schwab 1975; Dickinson and Suczek
1979; Dickinson et al. 1983; Yefino and Maynard 1984).
Many o f these studies, however, are plagued by a low
number of samples involved in the analyses (Schwab
1975). It also appears that classification population his-
tograms may prove useful in rapidly comparing and con-
strasting wells. Large, unbiased data sets in well-charac-
terized geologic environments will greatly enhance these
studies.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I thank J. Howard for making the petrographic analysis
of the Berea, Nugget, and Massillon samples and for many
fruitful discussions. S. Luthi provided the Bradore and
Cacouna samples and petrographic analysis. P. Schroeder
analyzed the Kern County thin sections. I also thank R.
Dott, J. Helwig, and J. Boles for helpful discussions. I am
indebted to H. Sugden and the Sante Fe Energy Company
for providing the Kern County well samples and for per-
mission to publish.
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ArPEUDIX 1.-- The pairs of points defining the SandClass field bound-
ary lines

Field Bounda~ LogSiOJA120~ Log Fe20~/K20

Quarlzarenite : Other 1.6 - 1.0
1.8 1.5
Ferruginous : Nonferruginous 1.72 0.6
0.0 0.6
Fe Sand : Fe Shale 0.71 0.6
0.71 1.5
Shale : Wacke 0.55 -0.1
0.71 0.6
Wacke : Litharenite/Arkose 0.643 -0.5
0.89 0.6
Feldspathic : Lithic 0.7605 0.05
1.68 0.05
Subarkose/Sublitharenite : 1.0 - 1.0
Litharenite/Arkose 1.1375 0.6