Stereo (right) and polarizing microscopes equipped with digital SLR cameras provide 6X to 400X viewing and presentation of borehole and outcrop samples, as chips and in thin sections. Also shown are fiber optic lamps, LCD viewer, and ceramic hot plates.

Sandstone chip viewed through stereomicroscope. Sandstone thin section viewed through polarizing microscope.

Western Groundwater Services provides detailed geological analysis of borehole cuttings and field samples. This work maximizes the information potential of field data collected prior to drilling, and borehole cuttings once drilling is underway.

Careful and systematic geological analysis takes no more site time than a poor quality analysis. Good analysis is critical to identify formations, plan screen/casing depths, interpret geophysical logs, and document geology for use during future well projects.

Borehole cuttings samples are examined for lithology, porosity, grain size, roundness, and cementation. This process is conducted on-site for deep boreholes, or in the lab for shallower wells. Samples are rinsed, dried and examined using a stereomicroscope, applying hot/cold acid and hardness-tests. Sample archives are saved for the project owner. There is no better practical method to provide detailed data on cuttings samples.

Logging data is directly entered into a specialized software system that can be customized for individual project needs. STRIPLOG can directly import geophysical data for plotting along side of lithology descriptions, enhancing log interpretation.

Selected samples are examined in thin section using a polarizing microscope. Petrographic analysis is used to determine mineralogy, assess cementation history (i.e., rock diagenesis), and through image analysis of digital photos, calculate rock porosity.

Detailed borehole logging of samples is entered directly into logging software. Geophysical logs are imported and shown along side of lithology data. Symbols and nomenclature are developed for consolidated bedrock and unconsolidated alluvium.