Molar tooth structures of the Neoarchean Monteville Formation, Transvaal Supergroup, South Africa. II: A wave-induced fluid flow model

Sedimentological, morphological, and geochemical characteristics of molar tooth (MT) structures in the ca 2·6 Ga Monteville Formation suggest a new fluid flow model for MT formation: (i) intercalated shales and carbonate sands were deposited near to above storm wave base; (ii) sediments cracked, forming an interconnected network of MT cracks that were also open to pores in sand lenses; (iii) storm waves pumped sea water into open MT crack networks, causing rapid microcrystalline carbonate nucleation, Ostwald ripening of nuclei, and growth of granular carbonate cores; some of these cores were transported by water flowing through the cracks; (iv) unfilled MT cracks collapsed, and filled MT ribbons deformed plastically as host sediments compacted and dewatered; (v) carbonate cores were overgrown by polygonal rims; and (vi) MT structures deformed brittlely with additional compaction and produced pebbly lags if reworked. MT cracks may have formed by multiple mechanisms; however, expansion of gas from organic decay and sediment heaving due to wave loading best explain MT crack morphology and are most consistent with the fluid flow model for MT CaCO₃ presented here.     

Tomographic study of Paleoproterozoic carbonates as key to understanding the formation of molar-tooth structure

X-ray computed tomographic studies of relatively pure Paleoproterozoic limestones from the George Formation, Muskwa Assemblage, northern British Columbia, Canada indicate that molar-tooth structures developed along linked fractures in gel-like semi-plastic carbonate mud, with a high organic content. Where pore fluid and/or gas pressures matched confining loads, MT blobs developed. Where pressure exceeded loads, cracks propagated into adjacent semi-elastic sediment and were rapidly filled by clusters of uniform, equant, microcrystalline carbonate. Where abundant carbonate was not precipitated, incipient cracks and sheets collapsed leaving residual trains of microcrystalline carbonate with similar density to the molar-tooth carbonate. Tomographic studies show that the density of calcite domains within petrographically uniform sheets of MT void-filling calcite is uneven, suggesting that precipitation was not instantaneous, but was propagated from discrete centres.

It is here suggested that carbonate production and sediment rheology were both strongly influenced by organic matter. During early sea-floor diagenesis microcrystalline carbonate precipitated within organic-rich sediment with high water content, possibly within decomposing mats of microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). When pore pressures in the host sediment increased in response to cyclic loading by long-period waves, pore fluids containing EPS were injected into newly created fractures, allowing rapid precipitation of molar-tooth carbonate. Because tomographic studies allow detailed resolution of minor density differences, they provide a useful method of evaluating structures in relatively uniform carbonate rocks of any age.     

Tomographic study of Paleoproterozoic carbonates as key to understanding the formation of molar-tooth structure

X-ray computed tomographic studies of relatively pure Paleoproterozoic limestones from the George Formation, Muskwa Assemblage, northern British Columbia, Canada indicate that molar-tooth structures developed along linked fractures in gel-like semi-plastic carbonate mud, with a high organic content. Where pore fluid and/or gas pressures matched confining loads, MT blobs developed. Where pressure exceeded loads, cracks propagated into adjacent semi-elastic sediment and were rapidly filled by clusters of uniform, equant, microcrystalline carbonate. Where abundant carbonate was not precipitated, incipient cracks and sheets collapsed leaving residual trains of microcrystalline carbonate with similar density to the molar-tooth carbonate. Tomographic studies show that the density of calcite domains within petrographically uniform sheets of MT void-filling calcite is uneven, suggesting that precipitation was not instantaneous, but was propagated from discrete centres.It is here suggested that carbonate production and sediment rheology were both strongly influenced by organic matter. During early sea-floor diagenesis microcrystalline carbonate precipitated within organic-rich sediment with high water content, possibly within decomposing mats of microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). When pore pressures in the host sediment increased in response to cyclic loading by long-period waves, pore fluids containing EPS were injected into newly created fractures, allowing rapid precipitation of molar-tooth carbonate. Because tomographic studies allow detailed resolution of minor density differences, they provide a useful method of evaluating structures in relatively uniform carbonate rocks of any age.     

Molar Tooth Structure: a Contribution from the Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation, Tianjin City, North China

Molar-tooth (MT) structure is an enigmatic sedimentary structure consisting of variously-shaped cracks and voids filled with a characteristically uniform, equant calcite microspar. It is globally distributed but temporally restricted to rocks from Neoarchean to Neoproterozoic age. The origin of MT structures has been debated for more than a century and the topic continues to be highly contentious. Some features of MT structure occurring in micritic limestones of the Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation (ca. 1500 Ma to ca. 1400 Ma), Jixian section, Tianjin City, North China show that: 1) there is a definite interface or lining, rich in organic material and pyrite, between the MT crack-filling calcite microspar and the micritic host rock, which is also rich in organic matter; 2) the micritic host rocks are notable for the absence of stromatolites and microbial laminites; 3) distinctive conglomeratic lag deposits made up of intraclasts of MT microspar result from storm reworking of the MT structures; 4) the MT structure is associated with possible algal megafossils such as Chuaria; 5) the MT microspar is made up of the larger calcite crystal and the MT crack is marked by the diversity of configurations; 6) both the TOC content and the carbon-isotopic value (δ13CPDB) among the host rock, the MT microspar and the possible algae fossil are obviously different. For the forming mechanism of the Gaoyuzhuang MT structure, these features can still indicate that: A) the MT microspar was formed by rapid precipitation and lithification; B) the MT microspar precipitated directly within the cracks; C) the decomposition of organic matter within the host micrite might be the chief mechanism producing gas bubbles; D) microscale gas-sediment interaction led to the generation of the MT cracks and the precipitation of microspar therein; E) the MT cracks might represent the track of migration and expansion of gas bubbles, and that the recrystallization of host micrites cannot be eliminated during forming process of the MT microspar; F) the MT structure is occurred in early diagenetic period; and G) the formation of MT microspars is a complex diagenetic process. Therefore, model of the microbially-induced gas-bubble expansion and migration is the best interpretation for the formation of the MT structure. Effectively, MT structures are a type of sedimentary structure that is formed in the early diagenetic period and is related to microbial activities and organic matter degradation.     

Shallow-burial dolomite cement: a major component of many ancient sucrosic dolomites

Dolomite cement is a significant and widespread component of Phanerozoic sucrosic dolomites. Cements in dolomites that were never deeply buried are limpid, have planar faces (non‐saddle forms), often distinct zonation in cathodoluminescence and form syntaxial overgrowths on crystals facing pores. Five samples of sucrosic dolomites, interpreted as having had mostly lime‐mudstone or wackestone precursors in four carbonate aquifers, provide insights into the abundance of planar cements in sucrosic dolomites. Such cement comprises 11% to 45% (32% mean) of peritidal to sub‐tidal dolomites on an outcrop in the Edwards aquifer (Early Cretaceous) of central Texas; 19% to 33% (25% mean) of ramp dolomites in the Hawthorn Group (Oligo‐Miocene) and 50% to 70% in shelf dolomites of the Avon Park Formation (Eocene) in the Upper Floridan aquifer of sub‐surface peninsular Florida; 18% to 45% (32+% mean) of sub‐tidal shelf dolomites in quarry sections of the Burlington‐Keokuk Formation (Early Mississippian) in south‐eastern Iowa; and 18% to 76% (50% mean) in shallow cores and outcrops of outer‐shelf dolomites from the Gambier Limestone (Oligo‐Miocene) of South Australia. Backstripping the cement phases revealed by cathodoluminescence colour photomicrographs documents the effects of cements on textural coarsening, pore‐space reduction, induration and general ‘maturation’ of these dolomites. Most pre‐Holocene dolomites are multiphase crystalline rocks composed of: (i) seed crystals or ‘cores’; (ii) crystal cortices that concentrically enlarged the cores; and (iii) free‐space, syntaxial precipitates of limpid cement around the crystals. Remaining CaCO₃ grains and micrite can be replaced by dolomite, but typically they are dissolved between stages (ii) and (iii), creating systems of intercrystal and mouldic pores typical of sucrosic dolomites. Networks of cement overgrowths, aided by water‐filled pore systems under hydrostatic to lithostatic pressure, are judged to slow or prevent compaction in sucrosic dolomites. It can be argued that cortex growth involves both replacement of CaCO₃ particles and microcementation of their interparticle pores. This interpretation, and the abundance of cements in so many dolomites, would obviate the controversy over the volumetrics of ‘replacement dolomitization’. Limpid, planar and syntaxial dolomite cements of early diagenetic origin are interpreted to have precipitated from clear pore waters, at low temperatures (<30 to 35 °C) and shallow burial depths (<100 m), in water‐saturated networks of dolomite ‘silt’ and ‘sand’. Cements in many dolomites in island and continental–aquifer systems appear to result from event‐driven processes related to sea‐level highstands. Cementation events can follow ‘replacement dolomitization’ events by time intervals ranging from geologically ‘instantaneous’ to tens of million years.     

Carbonate platform dominated by peloidal sands: Lower Ordovician La Silla Formation of the eastern Precordillera,San Juan,Argentina

The Lower Ordovician La Silla Formation of the Precordillera of west‐central Argentina is part of the west‐facing early Palaeozoic, tropical carbonate platform succession that comprises the core of the Cuyania terrane. Up to 360 m thick, it is exposed in several thrust sheets over a distance of some 250 km along and across depositional strike over a palinspastically unrestored distance of about 35 km. La Silla Formation is a strikingly pure limestone with subordinate finely crystalline dolomite and rare chert. It accumulated on a more or less uniformly subsiding passive margin. Copious precipitation of microcrystalline calcite, probably influenced by microbial activity to varying degrees, led to the generation of peloids, ooids and aggregates of these grains, as well as small amounts of lime mud, intraclasts, stromatolites and thrombolites. Rare bioclasts are limited mostly to scattered gastropods and trilobite sclerites; bioturbation is present locally. The array of carbonate rock types is grouped into eight recurring lithofacies, in order of decreasing abundance: (i) peloidal grainstone; (ii) laminated dolostone; (iii) intraclastic rudstone; (iv) microbial laminite; (v) peloidal packstone; (vi) ooidal grainstone; (vii) thrombolite boundstone; and (viii) mudstone. These facies represent sediments that formed solely in a shallow subtidal marine environment, with no evidence of restricted conditions, hypersalinity or subaerial exposure. No events of eustatic sea‐level change are recorded. By far the dominant facies is grainstone composed of well‐sorted, fine sand‐sized peloids and peloidal aggregates in homogeneous, tabular to gently undulating, medium to thick beds; cross‐lamination is scarce. Clusters of sub‐metre‐sized microbial patch reefs developed sporadically. The shallow platform is envisaged to have been covered by extensive peloidal sand flats and low‐relief banks, and little lime mud was generated. The setting was probably microtidal and may not have been affected by strong trade winds. It was washed by frequent, relatively gentle wave action but without experiencing powerful storms. In the middle member, anomalous lenses of intraclastic rudstone and laminated dolostone occur as graded beds overlying sharply downcut scoured surfaces up to 20 cm deep; these are interpreted to indicate a phase when accretion was punctuated occasionally by tsunamis generated from rift‐faulting seaward of the platform margin. The remarkably uniform peloidal grainstone composition over a broad area shows that, given the appropriate combination of climate, environmental and ecological factors, large portions of some early Palaeozoic platforms were dominated by grainy sediment and remained under well‐agitated conditions within fair‐weather wave‐base, without distinct lateral facies differentiation or tidal‐flat aggradation.     

Upper Silurian lithistid sponge reefs on Somerset Island, Arctic Canada

The Upper Ludlow Douro Formation contains the first reported Silurian sponge reefs. These relatively small (5–35 m diameter), mound-shaped structures contain, on average, 35% lithistid demosponges. Reefs are surrounded by irregular haloes of crinoid debris; abundance and diversity of all fossil groups decreases away from the reefs. Each reef is underlain by a lens of crinoid wackestone to grainstone rich in crinoid holdfasts; trepostomate bryozoans, solenoporacean algae and rhynchonellid brachiopods are locally common. The bulk of each reef consists of lime mudstone with abundant lithistid sponges. This is capped by a thin layer of wackestone with abundant tabulate and rugose corals and fewer lithistid sponges, calcareous algae, trepostomate bryozoans and stromatoporoids. This zonation, in which a sponge colonization community was replaced by a coral diversification community, is similar to that reported from some Middle Ordovician, Upper Jurassic and Holocene sponge reefs. The Douro sponge reefs were relatively low structures, with about 3 m maximum topographic relief. They grew on a broad carbonate platform, probably in warm, tranquil, turbid waters of normal or near-normal marine salinity. Periodic influxes of terrigenous mud adversely affected reef size, and caused biotic changes. Some of the reef lime mud was derived from non-reef sources, but significant quantities were also produced on the reefs. Reefs underwent synsedimentary lithification, bioerosion and minor storm erosion. Fabrics and compositions of sparry calcite in cavities record three generations of meteoric cementation. Originally siliceous spicules of the lithistid sponges were dissolved and the moulds later filled with sparry calcite. Early dissolution of siliceous spicules is common in reef environments, and may have caused fossil sponges to be under-represented in ancient reefs.     

碳酸盐岩断裂相分类特征——以新疆塔里木盆地柯坪露头为例

断裂相的概念为断裂带的内部结构研究提供了新的思路与建模方法,通过塔里木盆地柯坪露头断裂带的分析,碳酸盐岩断裂相特征有别于碎屑岩.柯坪露头碳酸盐岩断裂带不连续构造以滑动面、裂缝带和变形带发育为特征.根据形态识别出平直截切型、弯曲起伏型、渐变条带型三种类型滑动面.破碎带中裂缝带发育,裂缝充填少,是良好输导通道;断层核部存在...     

Late Quaternary core stratigraphy of the northern New South Wales continental shelf

On the southeast Australian continental margin, mixed siliciclastic and temperate carbonate sediments are presently forming along the narrow 20–35 km‐wide northern New South Wales shelf over an area of 4960 km². Here, year‐round, highly energetic waves rework inner and mid‐shelf clastic sediments by northward longshore currents or waning storm flows. The strong East Australian Current flows south, sweeping clastic and outer shelf biogenic sands and gravels. Quaternary siliciclastic inner shelf cores consist of fine to medium, lower shoreface sand and graded storm beds of fine to coarse sand. Physically abraded, disarticulated molluscs such as Donacidae and Glycymeridae form isolated gravel lags. Highstand inner shelf clastics accumulate at 0.53 m/10³ y in less than 50 m water depth. Clastic mid‐shelf cores contain well‐sorted, winnowed, medium shoreface sands, with a fine sand component. Fine sand and mud in this area is discharged mainly from New South Wales’ largest river, the Clarence. The seaward jutting of Byron Bay results in weakened East Australia Current flows through the mid‐shelf from Ballina to Yamba allowing the fine sediments to accumulate. Quaternary carbonate outer shelf cores have uniform and graded beds forming from the East Australian Current and are also influenced by less frequent storm energy. Modern clastic‐starved outer shelf hardgrounds are cemented by coralline algae and encrusting bryozoans. Clay‐sized particles are dominantly high‐Mg calcite with minor aragonite and smectite/kaolinite. Carbonate sands are rich in bryozoan fragments and sponge spicules. Distinctive (gravel‐sized) molluscs form isolated shells or shell lag deposits comprising Limopsidae and Pectinidae. The upper slope sediments are the only significant accumulation of surficial mud on the margin (18–36 wt%), filling the interstices of poorly sorted, biogenic gravels. Pectinid molluscs form a basal gravel lag. During highstand the outer shelf accumulates sediment at 0.40 m/10³ y, with the upper slope accumulating a lower 0.23 m/10³ y since transgression. Transgression produced a diachronous (14–10 ka) wave‐ravinement surface in all cores. Relict marine hardgrounds overlie the wave‐ravinement surface and are cemented by inorganic calcite from the shallow and warm East Australian Current. Transgressive estuarine deposits, oxygen isotope Stage 3–5 barriers or shallow bedrock underlie the wave‐ravinement surface on the inner and mid shelf. Northern New South Wales is an example of a low accommodation, wave‐ and oceanic current‐dominated margin that has produced mixed siliciclastic‐carbonate facies. Shelf ridge features that characterise many storm‐dominated margins are absent.     

前寒武纪“臼齿状构造谜”的一些认识：来自天津蓟县剖面高于庄组的信息

臼齿状构造是一种主要分布在前寒武纪非叠层石碳酸盐岩中的、特殊的“谜”一样的沉积构造,以发育一系列奇形怪状、大大小小的裂缝和裂隙为特征,这些裂缝和裂隙由等粒和均匀的微亮晶方解石充填。臼齿状构造时代分布的特殊性（新太古代至新元古代）以及分布的全球性,使其在显生宙还未发现类似的对等物。对臼齿状构造成因的不同认识使其成为“臼齿状构造谜”。天津蓟县剖面中元古界高于庄组（1600 Ma 至 1400 Ma）第3段隐晶质泥晶灰岩序列中的臼齿状构造,以其特别的沉积特征为了解“臼齿状构造谜”提供了一些有用的信息。这些特征包括：(1)臼齿状构造特别的形态学特征,(2)由微亮晶所充填的臼齿状裂缝具有明显的边界（以富集残余有机质和黄铁矿为特点）,(3)臼齿状构造的宿主岩石是不发育叠层石和纹理化构造的隐晶质泥晶灰岩,(4)与臼齿状构造常常共生的极为特别的宏观藻类化石等。因此,臼齿状构造可以解释为一种发育在席底生境中、由一系列复杂的作用过程所形成的、与微生物相关的原生沉积构造。作为前寒武纪最普遍的沉积现象,臼齿状构造为更好地理解复杂多变的前寒武纪碳酸盐岩提供了许多有意义的信息。     

Test Investigation on Liquefied Deformation Structure in Saturated Lime-Mud Composites Triggered by Strong Earthquakes

Three identical model boxes were made from transparent plexiglass and angle iron. Using the method of sinking water and according to the sedimentary rhythm of saturated calcium carbonate(lime-mud) intercalated with cohesive soil,calcites with particle sizes diameters of ≤ 5 μm,10–15 μm and 23–30 μm as well as cohesive soil were sunk alternatively in water of three boxes to build three test models,each of which has a specific size of calcite. Pore water pressure gauges were buried in lime-mud layers at different depths in each model,and connected with a computer system to collect pore water pressures. By means of soil tests,physical property parameters and plasticity indices(Ip) were obtained for various grain-sized saturated lime-muds. The lime-muds with Ip ranging from 6.3 to 8.5(lower than 10) are similar to liquid saturated silt in the physical nature,indicating that saturated silt can be liquefied once induced by a strong earthquake. One model cart was pushed quickly along the length direction of the model so that its rigid wheels collided violently with the stone stair,thus generating an artificial earthquake with seismic wave magnitude greater than VI degree. When unidirectional cyclic seismic load of horizontal compression-tension-shear was imposed on the soil layers in the model,enough great pore water pressure has been accumulated within pores of lime-mud,resulting in liquefaction of lime-mud layers. Meanwhile,micro-fractures formed in each soil layer provided channels for liquefaction dewatering,resulting in formation of macroscopic liquefaction deformation,such as liquefied lime-mud volcanoes,liquefied diapir structures,vein-like liquefied structures and liquefied curls,etc. Splendid liquefied lime-mud eruption lasted for two to three hours,which is similar to the sand volcano eruption induced by strong earthquake. However,under the same artificial seismic conditions,development of macroscopic liquefied structures in three experimental models varied in shape,depth and quantity,indicating that excess pore water pressure ratios at initial liquefaction stage and complete liquefaction varied with depth. With size increasing of calcite particle in lime-mud,liquefied depth and deformation extent increase accordingly. The simulation test verifies for the first time that strong earthquakes may cause violent liquefaction of saturated lime-mud composed of micron-size calcite particles,uncovering the puzzled issue whether seafloor lime-mud can be liquefied under strong earthquake. This study not only provides the latest simulation data for explaining the earthquake-induced liquefied deformations of saturated lime-mud and seismic sedimentary events,but also is of great significance for analysis of foundation stability in marine engineering built on the soft calcium carbonate layers in neritic environment.     

一种严格受控于环境和时间的特殊碳酸盐岩——臼齿构造碳酸盐岩

臼齿构造碳酸盐岩是一种具有类似于大象臼齿特征的特殊碳酸盐岩，其微亮晶脉由纯净的、基本等粒的方解石（或白云岩）构成，而基质物质则由细粒的、富泥质的灰岩组成。通过对中朝板块东部吉辽徐淮地区前寒武纪臼齿构造碳酸盐岩研究，结合国外研究资料，臼齿构造碳酸盐岩具有特定的生存时限，目前只在前寒武纪（主要发育在中、新元古代）地层中发现。研究表明，臼齿构造碳酸盐岩发育在缓坡型台地，宿主岩性以富含泥质的粉屑灰岩、泥晶灰岩为主，位于潮汐流、风暴流影响范围内，为浅潮下和环潮坪环境，潮上带与深缓坡均不发育，具有鲜明的环境和相指示意义。由于缺乏现代相似沉积物，臼齿构造碳酸盐岩的成因还是一个谜，需要进一步研究和探索。      

臼齿构造主要成因模式及时空分布意义

在综述臼齿碳酸盐岩成因研究历程和国内外最新研究成果的基础上,总结评述了6种主要的臼齿构造成因模式,其核心问题是在元古代正常潮下浅海环境中构建成岩作用早期臼齿构造裂缝形成及等粒微亮晶方解石快速沉淀充填的物理、化学及微生物条件。其中,气泡扩张裂缝模式、微生物-地球化学模式和同沉积地震脱水模式等具有一定的代表性。臼齿构造多产出于正常浅海潮下环境,并且呈幕式特点产出于前寒武纪地层记录中,其时空发育特点似乎表明与叠层石发育的不相容性。臼齿碳酸盐岩在中新元古代集中发育的事实可能反映了有利的物理、化学和生物条件在地质历史上的唯一结合。理清臼齿构造成因问题是认识前寒武纪复杂的碳酸盐岩世界的重要线索。     

Molar tooth structures: Formation and specificity of carbonate diagenesis in the Late Precambrian,Middle Riphean Sukhaya Tunguska Formation of the Turukhansk Uplift,Siberia

A new way of formation of the problematic Molar Tooth (MT) structures, which, along with stromatolites, could be considered as a “visiting card” of the Riphean, was examined on the example of carbonate sediments of the Riphean Sukhaya Tunguska Formation from the Turukhansk Uplift, Siberia. These structures were formed due to the consequent replacement of oozy constituent of carbonate sediments with calcitic microsparite in the course of diagenesis with substantial shift of the dynamic equilibrium toward the solution in the sediment—porous solution—microsparite system. An excess of soluble magnesium significantly hampering precipitation of crystal cores of the future calcitic microsparite could be one of the possible causes of the shift. It is suggested that magnesium mole fraction of the porous solutions was related to the early dissolution of the metastable high-Mg calcite of the silty sediment brought from the areas of active stromatolite formation. The facies occurrence of the MT-structures indicates that they occurred in descending trails of the most productive zones of carbonate platforms tapering toward the basin. The synchronism of stratigraphic trends of the MT-structures and stromatolites in the Precambrian resulted from the evolution of carbonate-productive microbe-mineral systems which were the immediate suppliers of fine-grained carbonate sediment into external zones of carbonate platforms.     

苏皖辽地区新元古代微亮晶构造碳酸盐岩的沉积岩相与环境约束

国内外元古代碳酸盐岩中常见席状、透镜状、脉状和块状等形态的微亮晶碳酸盐岩。微亮晶体宏观、微观边界清晰,内部充填均一等粒结构的方解石微亮晶。宿主岩相以含泥质或粉砂质的细砂屑、粉泥屑灰岩为主,经常与风暴岩共生。微亮晶构造碳酸盐岩发育在缓坡型台地,沉积层序中常见潮汐流、风暴流侵蚀-充填和浪成交错层理与递变层理。微亮晶构造碳酸盐岩发育严格受沉积环境和岩相约束,形成于 (内缓坡深部-中缓坡浅部 )潮下带和环潮坪,风暴浪基面是其发育的最大深度。垂向序列由高频潮下带和环潮坪微层序加积而成,单个微层序顶部通常为环潮坪为纹层状含铁质有机质泥屑碳酸盐岩披盖层,是一个向上沉积动力减弱、沉积物变细和水体变浅的沉积旋回。     

Deep-water stratigraphic cyclicity and carbonate mud mound development in the Middle Cambrian Marjum Formation, House Range, Utah, USA

Abstract In mid‐Middle Cambrian time, shallow‐water sedimentation along the Cordilleran passive margin was abruptly interrupted by the development of the deep‐water House Range embayment across Nevada and Utah. The Marjum Formation (330 m) in the central House Range represents deposition in the deepest part of the embayment and is composed of five deep‐water facies: limestone–argillaceous limestone rhythmites; shale; thin carbonate mud mounds; bioturbated limestone; and cross‐bedded limestone. These facies are cyclically arranged into 1·5 to 30 m thick parasequences that include rhythmite–mound, rhythmite–shale, rhythmite–bioturbated limestone and rhythmite–cross‐bedded limestone parasequences. Using biostratigraphically constrained sediment accumulation rates, the parasequences range in duration from ≈14 to 270 kyr. The mud mounds are thin (<2 m), closely spaced, laterally linked, symmetrical domes composed of massive, fenestral, peloidal to clotted microspar with sparse unoriented, poorly sorted skeletal material, calcitized bacterial(?) filaments/tubes and abundant fenestrae and stroma‐ tactoid structures. These petrographic and sedimentological features suggest that the microspar, peloids/clots and syndepositional micritic cement were precipitated in situ from the activity of benthic microbial communities. Concentrated growth of the microbial communities occurred during periods of decreased input of fine detrital carbonate transported offshore from the adjacent shallow‐water carbonate platform. In the neighbouring Wah Wah Range and throughout the southern Great Basin, coeval mid‐Middle Cambrian shallow‐water carbonates are composed of abundant metre‐scale, upward‐shallowing parasequences that record high‐frequency (10⁴?10⁵ years) eustatic sea‐level changes. Given this regional stratigraphic relationship, the Marjum Formation parasequences probably formed in response to high‐frequency sea‐level fluctuations that controlled the amount of detrital carbonate input into the deeper water embayment. During high‐frequency sea‐level rise and early highstand, detrital carbonate input into the embayment decreased as a result of carbonate factory retrogradation, resulting in the deposition of shale (base of rhythmite–shale parasequences) or thin nodular rhythmites, followed by in situ precipitated mud mounds (lower portion of rhythmite–mound parasequences). During the ensuing high‐frequency sea‐level fall/lowstand, detrital carbonate influx into the embayment increased on account of carbonate factory pro‐ gradation towards the embayment, resulting in deposition of rhythmites (upper part of rhythmite–mound parasequences), reworking of rhythmites by a lowered storm wave base (cross‐bedded limestone deposition) or bioturbation of rhythmites by a weakened/lowered O₂‐minimum zone (bioturbated lime‐ stone deposition). This interpreted sea‐level control on offshore carbonate sedimentation patterns is unique to Palaeozoic and earliest Mesozoic deep‐water sediments. After the evolution of calcareous plankton in the Jurassic, the presence or absence of deeper water carbonates was influenced by a variety of chemical and physical oceanographic factors, rather than just physical transport of carbonate muds.     

Discrete element modeling of shear wave propagation in carbonate precipitate–cemented particles

Bioremediation is widely used to improve ground soil by introducing calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Shear wave velocity (Vs) is usually adopted to evaluate effect but the microscopic mechanism is unclear. The discrete element method (DEM), a promising tool for simulating the behaviors of cohesive and noncohesive materials, was used in this study to simulate Vs evolution and wave propagation path of sand reinforced by calcite precipitates. Two basic calcite precipitate forms are proposed for representing individual calcite precipitation (CaCO₃-P) and calcite aggregation (CaCO₃-C). Contact cementation between adjacent sand grain pairs was the primary association pattern for calcite precipitates at a low calcite content. At a higher calcite content, the preferential shear wave propagation pathway is the clusters cemented by CaCO₃-C. With calcite content increasing from 0 to 9%, the coordination number and average contact force increased. Vs increased from 169.73 to 2132.64 m/s but had high variability due to the spatial distribution. The results suggest that the calibrated DEM model can elucidate the microscopic mechanisms and evaluate the enhancement effect of microorganism-reinforced soil.

     

湘鄂西奥陶纪宝塔组灰岩网纹构造成因及沉积环境探讨

网纹构造是宝塔组石灰岩地层中非常发育且分布广泛的一种构造形态 ,其成因一直存在争论和疑问。对湘鄂西地区宝塔组灰岩的研究表明 ,网纹构造的形成不是由于胶体凝缩、水下沉积物收缩或生物遗迹等原因 ,而是一种成岩早期形成的准同生变形构造。根据岩石性质及生物特征推断 ,宝塔组网纹状灰岩沉积于正常浪基面以下、风暴浪基面之上 (水深大约 5 0～ 15 0 m)的陆棚或台盆环境     

Expanding the spectrum of shallow‐marine,mixed carbonate–siliciclastic systems: Processes,facies distribution and depositional controls of a siliciclastic‐dominated example

Most of the present knowledge of shallow‐marine, mixed carbonate–siliciclastic systems relies on examples from the carbonate‐dominated end of the carbonate–siliciclastic spectrum. This contribution provides a detailed reconstruction of a siliciclastic‐dominated mixed system (Pilmatué Member of the Agrio Formation, Neuquén Basin, Argentina) that explores the variability of depositional models and resulting stratigraphic units within these systems. The Pilmatué Member regressive system comprises a storm‐dominated, shoreface to basinal setting with three subparallel zones: a distal mixed zone, a middle siliciclastic zone and a proximal mixed zone. In the latter, a significant proportion of ooids and bioclasts were mixed with terrigenous sediment, supplied mostly via along‐shore currents. Storm‐generated flows were the primary processes exporting fine sand and mud to the middle zone, but were ineffective to remove coarser sediment. The distal zone received low volumes of siliciclastic mud, which mixed with planktonic‐derived carbonate material. Successive events of shoreline progradation and retrogradation of the Pilmatué system generated up to 17 parasequences, which are bounded by shell beds associated with transgressive surfaces. The facies distribution and resulting genetic units of this siliciclastic‐dominated mixed system are markedly different to the ones observed in present and ancient carbonate‐dominated mixed systems, but they show strong similarities with the products of storm‐dominated, pure siliciclastic shoreface–shelf systems. Basin‐scale depositional controls, such as arid climatic conditions and shallow epeiric seas might aid in the development of mixed systems across the full spectrum (i.e. from carbonate‐dominated to siliciclastic‐dominated end members), but the interplay of processes supplying sand to the system, as well as processes transporting sediment across the marine environment, are key controls in shaping the tridimensional facies distribution and the genetic units of siliciclastic‐dominated mixed systems. Thus, the identification of different combinations of basin‐scale factors and depositional processes is key for a better prediction of conventional and unconventional reservoirs within mixed, carbonate–siliciclastic successions worldwide.     

Sedimentation rates, basin analysis and regional correlations of three Neoarchaean and Palaeoproterozoic sub-basins of the Kaapvaal craton as inferred from precise U–Pb zircon ages from volcaniclastic sediments

Calculation of sedimentation rates of Neoarchaean and Palaeoproterozoic siliciclastic and chemical sediments covering the Kaapvaal craton imply sedimentation rates comparable to their modern facies equivalents. Zircons from tuff beds in carbonate facies of the Campbellrand Subgroup in the Ghaap Plateau region of the Griqualand West basin, Transvaal Supergroup, South Africa were dated using the Perth Consortium Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe II (SHRIMP II). Dates of Ma and Ma for the middle and the upper part of the Nauga Formation indicate that the decompacted sedimentation rate for the peritidal flat to subtidal below-wave-base Stratifera and clastic carbonate facies, southwest of the Ghaap Plateau at Prieska, was of up to 10 m/Ma, when not corrected for times of erosion and non-deposition. Dates of Ma for the upper Gamohaan Formation and for the upper Monteville Formation, indicate that some 2000 m of carbonate and subordinate shale sedimentation occurred during 16 Ma to 62 Ma on the Ghaap Plateau. For these predominantly peritidal stromatolitic carbonates, decompacted sedimentation rates were of 40 m/Ma to over 150 m/Ma (Bubnoff units). The mixed siliciclastic and carbonate shelf facies of the Schmidtsdrif Subgroup and Monteville Formation accumulated with decompacted sedimentation rates of around 20 B. For the Kuruman Banded Iron Formation a decompacted sedimentation rate of up to 60 B can be calculated. Thus, for the entire examined deep shelf to tidal facies range, Archaean and Phanerozoic chemical and clastic sedimentation rates are comparable. Four major transgressive phases over the Kaapvaal craton, followed by shallowing-upward sedimentation, can be recognized in the Prieska and Ghaap Plateau sub-basins, in Griqualand West, and partly also in the Transvaal basin, and are attributed to second-order cycles of crustal evolution. First-order cycles of duration longer than 50 Ma can also be identified. The calculated sedimentation rates reflect the rate of subsidence of a rift-related basin and can be ascribed to tectonic and thermal subsidence. Comparison of the calculated sedimentation rates to published data from other Archaean and Proterozoic basins allows discussion of general Precambrian basin development. Siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentation rates of Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic basins equivalent to those of younger systems suggest that similar mechanical, chemical and biological processes were active in the Precambrian as found for the Phanerozoic. Particularly for stromatolitic carbonates, matching modern and Neoarchaean sedimentation rates are interpreted as a strong hint of a similar evolutionary stage of stromatolite-building microbiota. The new data also allow for improved regional correlations across the Griqualand West basin and with the Malmani Subgroup carbonates in the Transvaal basin. The Nauga Formation carbonates in the southwest of the Griqualand West basin are significantly older than the Gamohaan Formation in the Ghaap Plateau region of this basin, but are in part, correlatives of the Oaktree Formation in the Transvaal and of parts of the Monteville Formation on the Ghaap Plateau.