Enhancing SEM Grayscale Images Through Pseudocolor Conversion: Examples from Eagle Ford, Haynesville and Marcellus Shales

Camp, Wayne

The ability to visualize and interpret standard grayscale scanning electron microscope (SEM) images is limited by image contrast, magnification level, and the capability of the human eye to distinguish between subtle shades of gray. A pseudocolor conversion technique is described using freely available Image J digital image processing and analysis program that can improve the ability to interpret and communicate information contained within SEM images of shales. This technique is most suitable for backscattered electron images to enhance contrast variations to aid compositional interpretations, as illustrated by examples from the Eagle Ford, Haynesville and Eagle Ford shales.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90163©2013AAPG 2013 Annual Convention and Exhibition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 19-22, 2013