巴布亚新几内亚合恩半岛晚第四纪上升珊瑚礁造礁珊瑚的成岩历史

更新世以来,剧烈的构造运动已将巴布亚新几内亚合恩半岛东北海岸的晚第四纪珊瑚礁阶地抬升上千米.阶地中造礁珊瑚的成岩变化和成岩产物的组构特征反映了该礁的成岩历史,充分体现该区快速构造上升的影响.海水潜流带和淡水渗流带为上升礁的主要成岩环境.生物钻孔、生物碎屑填隙、珊瑚文石针粗化、珊瑚骨骼的溶解和新生变形转化,以及其不同矿物成分和组构的种种胶结物的胶结作用是造礁珊瑚经历的主要成岩作用.地球化学资料表明其成岩变化发生于开放的化学体系之中.     

早志留世埃隆期上扬子海洋生物礁发育过程及制约机制——以渝南—黔北地区石牛栏组为例

上扬子海洋经历奥陶纪冰期之后,早志留世气温回暖,生物大量繁殖,上扬子地台石牛栏组(埃隆期)发育一定规模的珊瑚—层孔虫礁,生物礁为一些规模较小的点礁。在大量野外地质观察的基础上,综合利用镜下薄片鉴定、碳氧同位素及元素分析等方法,对早志留世上扬子海洋生物礁的发育过程进行系统研究。研究表明,该生物礁主要发育于石牛栏组中上段,造礁生物主要为珊瑚和层孔虫,附礁生物为苔藓虫、腕足类、头足类、藻类、海百合及双壳类等,主要发育于碳酸盐缓坡地带,经历了4个演化阶段,分别为定殖期、拓殖期、泛殖期和衰亡期,自下而上泥质及砂质含量逐渐减少,灰质成分和生物种类逐渐增多。在加里东构造运动的影响下,石牛栏组生物礁的生长频频受到外来物源搅动、海平面升降、海水温度及盐度的影响,这些因素共同制约着石牛栏组生物礁的生长特征、演化、延伸规模及大小。全球同期生物礁对比表明,早志留世埃隆期生物礁发育具有全球性,主要发育于气候温暖(20~28℃)的南北纬25°~30°碳酸盐台地边缘上,主要分布在劳伦古陆、西伯利亚古陆和哈萨克斯坦板块等地区,但与上扬子海洋早志留世生物礁在发育特征、演化、延伸规模及大小都有较大的差异。     

安达曼海东部台缘阶地中新世生物礁演化特征及其古环境响应

新近纪以来,在大陆边缘以及火山基底隆起等构造背景下,安达曼海域广泛分布生物礁碳酸盐。为了更好地了解安达曼海域的构造演化以及区域古环境特征,通过高分辨率地震剖面,将台地边缘地层划分为5个地震层序。在建立的地震层序格架下,探讨了区域中新世生物礁演化模式及发育控制因素。研究认为安达曼海域东部台缘阶地中新世生物礁生长发育以及空间展布形态主要受中新世时期构造作用所形成的地势形态和海平面升降等因素联合控制。安达曼海中新世经历了裂谷期至弧后走滑拉分期,且伴随着海平面的上升。南部实皆断裂造成的东高西低的地势形态为东部阶地生物礁碳酸盐发育提供了有利场所,次级断裂造成了生物礁东西分割的格局,而海平面的稳定上升使得生物礁稳定生长。     

城口-鄂西海槽西侧晚二叠世碳酸盐台地边缘发育新认识

基于城口-鄂西海槽西侧地区详细的露头调查、钻井资料分析,结合古生物、古生态以及地层对比,对研究区晚二叠世长兴期碳酸盐台地边缘沉积相及其演化进行详细解剖,得出区内台地边缘骨架礁-凝块石灰泥丘生态-沉积演化对碳酸盐台地边缘构筑具有积极作用的认识。研究表明区内长兴期碳酸盐台地边缘礁滩经历了三个演化阶段:第一阶段,碳酸盐台地边缘坡折带尚未形成,台地边缘礁滩欠发育,且台地前缘斜坡坡度较缓;第二阶段,碳酸盐台地镶边开始形成,发育骨架礁及滩相沉积,垂向上构成进积-加积组合序列,台地前缘斜坡变陡;第三阶段,微生物逐渐占据后生造礁生物生态空间,发育台地边缘凝块石灰泥丘,与上覆台地边缘滩构成垂向加积组合序列,促进了台地边缘正向地貌的发育,使区内台地边缘更加陡峭,台地前缘斜坡发育滑塌角砾岩。造礁生物生态演替及相对海平面变化共同影响并控制长兴期碳酸盐台地边缘构筑过程。     

藏北索县—巴青地区中侏罗世生物礁古生态学研究

索县、巴青地区均位唐古拉山脉的南侧,属于羌塘地层区,其中,索县的桑卡拉佣组和巴青马如的布曲组中均发育有生物礁。造礁生物主要为六射珊瑚Schizosmilia、层孔虫Parastromatopora以及双壳类Liostrea。在分析造礁生物的个体生态特征基础上,根据研究区造礁生物类型及其组合特征,将生物礁划分为5个造礁群落,即SchizosmiliaParastromatopora,Parastromatopora,Schizosmilia,Liostrea和Cyanobacteria-Liostrea造礁群落,并阐述了各群落的组成、结构与功能以及生态环境特征。根据群落在纵向上的组合与发育特征,分析了造礁群落的演化与海平面的变化特征,其中,Schizosmilia-Parastromatopora,Parastromatopora和Schizosmilia三个群落构成了索县地区造礁群落的演化序列,Liostrea和Cyanobacteria-Liostrea构成了巴青地区造礁群落的演化序列,造礁群落演化分析表明,群落演化表现为两种形式,第一种形式为群落演替,这种形式主要发育于索县桑卡拉佣组生物礁中;第二种形式为群落取代,这种形式主要发育于巴青布曲组生物礁中。最后,阐述了研究区的生物礁的发育特征与成礁方式,认为研究区主要成礁方式有造架作用、障积作用和黏结—障积作用,其中前两者主要体现于桑卡拉佣组生物礁中,后两种主要见于巴青布曲组生物礁中。     

东昆仑马尔争早中二叠世生物礁及其层序地层研究

通过东昆仑马尔争地区早中二叠世生物礁地层剖面的深入研究, 详细阐述了东昆仑马尔争早中二叠世生物礁的基本特征、生物礁的演化和层序地层, 根据岩石组合特征、生物群落及海平面变化划分了12个造礁旋回, 归纳出5个三级层序, 并将东昆仑早中二叠世生物礁与扬子地台的二叠纪生物礁进行比较研究, 提出了造山带活动大陆边缘生物礁发育的基本规律.      

瓮安埃迪卡拉系灯影组叠层石磷块岩形成环境及成矿机制

瓮安地区埃迪卡拉系灯影组叠层石磷块岩是瓮安-福泉磷矿区新发现的含磷层位。磷块岩以典型的叠层石构造为主 要特征,呈透镜状生物礁（藻礁）形式产于灯影组顶部。叠层石磷块岩的矿物组成主要为磷酸盐矿物及碳酸盐矿物;白色 纹层富含磷酸盐矿物,而暗色纹层磷酸盐矿物含量较低,主要为碳酸盐矿物。通过对叠层石磷块岩矿物学及地球化学特征 进行研究,提出灯影组叠层石磷块岩属于潮下带半局限环境叠层石礁,是大量藻类通过生物或生物化学作用,将海水中磷 质富集-沉淀而形成磷质柱状叠层石礁;磷酸盐的矿化主要发生在沉积物-海水界面弱碱性次氧化环境,藻类在磷块岩形成 过程中起重要作用。     

不同地质储库中的镁同位素组成及碳酸盐矿物形成过程中的镁同位素分馏控制因素

镁同位素在低温地球化学过程中显著的分馏效应,是其示踪地球表生环境演化及物质循环的基础。本文在前人研究的基础上,对地球上不同地质储库中的镁同位素组成及碳酸盐矿物形成过程中的镁同位素分馏控制因素进行了总结:火成岩的镁同位素组成较均一;风化产物总体富集重的镁同位素,且变化较大;碳酸盐岩中灰岩相对白云岩富集轻的镁同位素,但总体上富集轻的镁同位素;岩石类型、风化强度以及植被等因素对河流地表水的镁同位素组成影响较大,导致地表水的镁同位素组成总体变化较大;海水的镁同位素组成均一,平均值约为-0.83‰;低温条件下,控制碳酸盐矿物无机成因过程中镁同位素分馏的因素有矿物相、沉淀速率和温度,其中矿物相是主要控制因素;生物成因碳酸盐矿物镁同位素组成与生物体对含镁碳酸盐矿物的利用形式有关,除了需考虑与无机碳酸盐沉淀类似的控制因素外,还需考虑不同物种对轻、重镁同位素的选择性吸收能力;因生物成因海相碳酸盐矿物几乎都是由最初的无定形相碳酸盐转变而来,故生物成因海相碳酸盐矿物的镁同位素特征不能代表生成无定形相碳酸盐的流体的镁同位素特征。镁同位素在低温条件下具有良好的分馏效应,随着分析测试技术的发展及不同地质储库中镁同位素组成数据的积累和完善,有关表生环境中镁同位素分馏机制的许多问题将逐步得到解决,镁同位素在揭示地球表生环境演化及物质循环方面将发挥更大的作用。     

生物礁的研究现状与发展趋势

生物礁是由固着生物所建造的本质上是原地沉积的碳酸盐建造。生物礁内部孔隙和空洞非常发育,从而成为油气和多种矿藏资源的有利富集场所,所以生物礁的研究具有重要的实际意义,而且越来越受到人们的关注。生物礁成分、构造以及形态复杂多样,研究历史非常久远并且充满了争论。在以前的研究中非常依赖于一些非常主观的特点,如抗浪性等来判断是否为生物礁,因此在生物礁100多年的研究中始终都存在着礁与非礁的尖锐争论。这一问题实际上涉及到生物礁的基本概念、定义以及各种术语的含义。这些方面的混乱严重的影响了生物礁的研究与发展。经过最近20年的研究,生物礁的国内外研究取得了很大的进展。对生物礁的判断现在主要根据生物礁客观和固有的特点,如生物礁内部的构造支撑以及构造支撑所决定的内部成分。这在很大程度上扩展了生物礁研究的广度和深度。对最新的研究成果的总结和介绍必将推动我国生物礁研究的发展。本文在参考国内外大量文献的基础上,主要介绍了生物礁研究的历史与最新成果;总结了生物礁概念与定义的最新认识以及建立在构造基础上的分类方案;对生物礁生长的过程与影响因素以及与环境的关系进行了论述;介绍了造礁生物在地质历史时期中的发展与演化,以及生物礁地化研究的成果与意义。     

碳酸盐矿物激光原位U-Pb定年基本原理、分析方法与地学应用

碳酸盐矿物作为地壳中沉积作用与流体活动的直接产物,记录了沉积、热事件的全过程,是进行同位素年代学研究的理想矿物。碳酸盐矿物传统的U系列定年法、同位素稀释法定年体系成功率低,耗时长,导致定年难度大,限制了碳酸盐矿物地质年代学的发展。近年来,碳酸盐矿物激光原位U-Pb定年技术取得重要进展,使低U碳酸盐矿物地质年代的精确测定成为了可能。碳酸盐矿物LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年代学具有空间分辨率高、耗时短等显著优势,被广泛应用于地学研究中。文章归纳总结了碳酸盐矿物同位素定年体系的基本原理及分析方法,回顾了近5年碳酸盐矿物LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年代学应用的研究进展,重点论述该方法在确定脆性变形时代、岩石破裂以及盆地流体流动时限、碳酸盐地层的成岩时代和成矿热液活动时限4个方面的应用,并梳理了该方法尝试解决的科学问题和取得的新认识。碳酸盐矿物定年方法的发展和应用,增强了人们对地壳变形和演化的理解,解决了部分迄今为止难以确定的地质体历史演化问题,为未来地质年代学的研究提供了新思路,在地球科学研究中具有重要潜力。     

显生宙海水成分、碳酸盐沉积和生物演化系统研究进展

简述了显生宙海水成分演化的特征、识别标志和成因解释模型以及存在的问题和今后研究的方向.不同时期海水的成分的差异,特别是海水的x(Mg)/x(Ca)值,导致了文石海、方解石海时期的碳酸盐沉积和早期成岩作用均存在差异,甚至影响了盆地深部成岩流体的特征.显生宙海生生物的演替和盛衰,特别是简单生物(如钙藻和海绵)和高产率生物(如造礁生物和碳酸盐沉积物主要生产者),明显体现了海水的x(Mg)/x(Ca)值周期性变化对海生生物的影响.这种影响也同样体现在古生代末期的生物大绝灭及随后的生物复苏样式上,在生物更替事件研究中应引起重视.因此,生物与环境的协同演化研究必须从地球系统科学的角度展开.     

Mg fractionation in crustose coralline algae: Geochemical, biological, and sedimentological implications of secular variation in the Mg/Ca ratio of seawater

The Mg/Ca ratio of seawater has varied significantly throughout the Phanerozoic Eon, primarily as a function of the rate of ocean crust production. Specimens of the crustose coralline alga Neogoniolithon sp. were grown in artificial seawaters encompassing the range of Mg/Ca ratios shown to have existed throughout the Phanerozoic. Significantly, the coralline algae’s skeletal Mg/Ca ratio varied in lockstep with the Mg/Ca ratio of the artificial seawater. Specimens grown in seawater treatments formulated with identical Mg/Ca ratios but differing absolute concentrations of Mg and Ca exhibited no significant differences in skeletal Mg/Ca ratios, thereby emphasizing the importance of the ambient Mg/Ca ratio, and not the absolute concentration of Mg, in determining the Mg/Ca ratio of coralline algal calcite. Specimens grown in seawater of the lowest molar Mg/Ca ratio (mMg/Ca = 1.0) actually changed their skeletal mineralogy from high-Mg (skeletal mMg/Ca > 0.04) to low-Mg calcite (skeletal mMg/Ca < 0.04), suggesting that ancient calcitic red algae, which exhibit morphologies and modes of calcification comparable to Neogoniolithon sp., would have produced low-Mg calcite from the middle Cambrian to middle Mississippian and during the middle to Late Cretaceous, when oceanic mMg/Ca approached unity. By influencing the original Mg content of carbonate facies in which these algae have been ubiquitous, this condition has significant implications for the geochemistry and diagenesis of algal limestones throughout most of the Phanerozoic. The crustose coralline algae’s precipitation of high-Mg calcite from seawater that favors the abiotic precipitation of aragonite indicates that these algae dictate the precipitation of the calcitic polymorph of CaCO₃. However, the algae’s nearly abiotic pattern of Mg fractionation in their skeletal calcite suggests that their biomineralogical control is limited to polymorph specification and is generally ineffectual in the regulation of skeletal Mg incorporation. Therefore, the Mg/Ca ratio of well-preserved fossils of crustose coralline algae, when corrected for the effect of seawater temperature, may be an archive of oceanic Mg/Ca throughout the Phanerozoic. Magnesium fractionation algorithms that model algal skeletal Mg/Ca as a function of seawater Mg/Ca and temperature are presented herein. The results of this study support the empirical fossil evidence that secular variation of oceanic Mg/Ca has caused the mineralogy and skeletal chemistry of many calcifying marine organisms to change significantly over geologic time.     

Effects of secular variation in seawater Mg/Ca ratio (calcite–aragonite seas) on CaCO3 sediment production by the calcareous algae Halimeda, Penicillus and Udotea– evidence from recent experiments and the geological record

Independent lines of geological evidence suggest that fluctuations in the Mg/Ca ratio of seawater between 1.0 and 5.2 have caused the oceans to alternate between favouring the precipitation of the aragonite and high-Mg calcite polymorphs of calcium carbonate ( m Mg/Ca > 2; aragonite seas) and the low-Mg calcite polymorph ( m Mg/Ca < 2; calcite seas) throughout Phanerozoic time. The rise of aragonite-secreting bryopsidalean algae as major producers of carbonate sediments in middle Palaeogene time, a role that they maintained through to the present, has been attributed to a transition from calcite-to-aragonite seas in early Cenozoic time. Recent experiments on the modern, carbonate-sediment-producing bryopsidales Halimeda , Penicillus and Udotea reveal that their rates of calcification, linear extension and primary production decline when reared in experimental calcite seawaters ( m Mg/Ca < 2). These normally aragonite-secreting algae also began producing at least one-quarter of their CaCO₃ as calcite under calcite sea conditions, indicating that their biomineralogical control can be partially overridden by ambient seawater chemistry. The observation that primary production and linear extension declined along with calcification in the mineralogically unfavourable seawater suggests that photosynthesis within these algae is enhanced by calcification via liberation of CO₂ and/or H⁺. Thus, the reduced fitness of these algae associated with their low rates of calcification in calcite seas may have been exacerbated by concomitant reductions in tissue mass and algal height.     

鲕粒原生矿物识别及对海水化学成分变化的指示意义

鲕粒是碳酸盐沉积过程中一类非常特殊的颗粒类型, 为研究当时的沉积背景、水动力条件、气候环境, 甚至储层特征提供了重要线索。然而, 鲕粒的矿物组成及控制因素问题, 长期受到忽视。组成鲕粒的原生矿物类型在地质历史时期呈周期性变化, 在显生宙表现为三个以文石和高镁方解石占主导的时期以及两个以低镁方解石占主导的时期, 这也被称作“文石海”和“方解石海”时期。原生矿物的组成, 制约着鲕粒的纹层结构、保存程度以及成岩特征, 还蕴含着海水化学成分变化的线索。鲕粒原生矿物识别主要依据:①原生纹层结构;②保存程度;③微量元素浓度, 尤其是Sr-Mg的浓度。文石质鲕粒受文石不稳定性的影响, 原生结构保存程度较差;一般保存有典型的文石残余纹层结构(例如砖砌结构、溶解变形结构以及偏心结构等);在封闭成岩环境下原生矿物为文石质的鲕粒Sr浓度往往大于2 000 ppm;纹层结构主要为切线状(占主导)和放射状。方解石质鲕粒包括低镁方解石和高镁方解石两种类型:低镁方解石为稳定矿物, 原生结构一般保存良好。尽管高镁方解石也为亚稳定矿物, 但成岩转换后的保存程度好于文石。两者Sr含量一般均低于1 000 ppm, Mg含量一般在0~20 mol % MgCO₃(两者以4 mol % MgCO₃为界)。高镁方解石受成岩作用影响, 在纹层中往往保留有微粒白云石包裹体;海相地层中保存的方解石质鲕粒为放射状或同心-放射状结构。另外还存在一类由两种矿物共同构成的双矿物鲕粒, 可以通过分析两类纹层在结构和保存特征上的差异进行区分。鲕粒原生矿物成分随时间的波动变化受到海水化学条件, 尤其是Mg/Ca比值, 大气二氧化碳分压以及碳酸盐饱和度的控制。Mg/Ca比值的波动决定着鲕粒原生矿物类型的长期变化规律。一些突发性事件可能会扰动(区域)短时间尺度下鲕粒原生矿物的组成, 造成鲕粒原生矿物的转换。通过研究碳酸盐鲕粒原生矿物特征以及控制因素进而了解海水的化学特征, 是独立于古生物学和地球化学分析之外的一种较为可靠的沉积学方法。     

Application of calcite Mg partitioning functions to the reconstruction of paleocean Mg/Ca

Calcite Mg/Ca is usually assumed to vary linearly with solution Mg/Ca, that a constant partition coefficient describes the relationship between these two ratios. Numerous published empirical datasets suggests that this relationship is better described by a power function. We provide a compilation of these literature data for biotic and abiotic calcite in the form of Calcite Mg/Ca = F(Solution Mg/Ca)^H, where F and H are empirically determined fitting parameters describing the slope and deviation from linearity, respectively, of the function. This is equivalent to Freundlich sorption behavior controlling Mg incorporation in calcite. Using a power function, instead of a partition coefficient, lowers Phanerozoic seawater Mg/Ca estimates based on echinoderm skeletal material by, on average, 0.5 mol/mol from previous estimates.These functions can also be used to model the primary skeletal calcite Mg/Ca of numerous calcite phases through geologic time. Such modeling suggests that the Mg/Ca of all calcite precipitated from seawater has varied through the Phanerozoic in response to changing seawater Mg/Ca and that the overall range in Mg/Ca measured among various calcite phases would be greatest when seawater Mg/Ca was also high (e.g., “aragonite seas”) and lowest when seawater Mg/Ca was low (e.g., “calcite seas”). It follows that, during times of “calcite seas” when the seawater Mg/Ca is presumed to have been lower, deposition of calcite with low Mg contents would have resulted in a depressed drive for diagenetic stabilization of shelfal carbonate and, in turn, lead to greater preservation of crystal and skeletal microfabrics and primary chemistries in biotic and abiotic calcites.     

The impact of solution chemistry on Mytilus edulis calcite and aragonite

Magnesium/calcium, Sr/Ca, and Na/Ca atom ratios were determined in the calcite and aragonite regions of Mytilus edulis shells which were grown in semi-artificial ‘seawater’ solutions having varying Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, and Na/Ca ratios. These ratios were measured by instrumental neutron activation, atomic absorption, and electron microprobe analytical techniques. Strontium/calcium ratios in both calcite and aragonite were linearly proportional to solution Sr/Ca ratios. Magnesium/calcium ratios in calcite increased exponentially when solution Mg/Ca ratios were raised above the normal seawater ratio; whereas in aragonite, Mg/Ca ratios increased linearly with increases in solution Mg/Ca ratios. Sodium/calcium and sulfur/calcium ratios in calcite covaried with Mg/Ga solution ratios. Conversely, in aragonite, Na/Ca ratios varied linearly with solution Na/Ca ratios.Magnesium is known to inhibit calcite precipitation at its normal seawater concentration. We infer from the results of the work reported here that Mytilus edulis controls the Mg activity of the outer extrapallial fluid, thus facilitating the precipitation of calcitic shell. Increases in sulfur content suggest that changes in shell organic matrix content occur as a result of environmental stress. Certain increases in Mg content may also be correlated to stress. Sodium/calcium variations, and their absolute amounts in calcite and aragonite, are best explained by assuming that a substantial amount of Na is adsorbed on the calcium carbonate crystal surface. Strontium/calcium ratios show more promise than either Mg/Ca or Na/Ca ratios as seawater paleochemistry indicators, because the Sr/Ca distribution coefficients for both aragonite and calcite are independent of seawater Ca and Sr concentrations.     

Formation of low‐magnesium calcite at cold seeps in an aragonite sea

This study investigates the conditions of occurrence and petrographic characteristics of low‐Mg calcite (LMC) from cold seeps of the Gulf of Mexico at a water depth of 2340 m. Such LMC mineral phases should precipitate in calcite seas rather than today's aragonite sea. The ¹³C‐depleted carbonates formed as a consequence of anaerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons in shallow subsurface cold seep environments. The occurrence of LMC may result from brine fluid flows. Brines are relatively Ca²⁺‐enriched and Mg²⁺‐depleted (Mg/Ca mole ratio <0.7) relative to seawater, where the Mg/Ca mole ratio is ~5, which drives high‐Mg calcite and aragonite precipitation. The dissolution of aragonitic mollusk shells, grains and cements was observed. Aerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons and H₂S is the most likely mechanism to explain carbonate dissolution. These findings have important implications for understanding the occurrence of LMC in deep water marine settings and consequently their counterparts in the geological record.     

New interpretations of Great Salt Lake ooids and of ancient non-skeletal carbonate mineralogy

Earlier interpretations of textural alteration affecting Great Salt Lake ooids have greatly influenced concepts of ooid diagenesis. Scanning electron microscope study shows, however, that the coarse radial aragonite rays are depositional, that no recrystallization of pellet cores has occurred, and that Great Salt Lake ooids have not suffered noticeable diagenesis. As suggested by Kahle (1974), radial texture in ancient calcitic ooids is probably mainly original, not diagenetic. Retention of such fine textures has been attributed to organic matter (since found to be equivalent in modern skeletal and non-skeletal grains) or to paramorphic replacement (proposed for non-skeletal grains whose original aragonite mineralogy was only inferred from modern analogs). Pleistocene ooids known to have been aragonite alter like aragonite shells to coarse neomorphic calcite, often with aragonite relics. The striking uniformity of that coarse texture in neomorphic calcite replacing known skeletal aragonites throughout the geologic record has been noted for over 100 years. In contrast, Mississippian ooids retain fine texture as do calcite layers of coexisting gastropods, but unlike the strongly altered aragonite layers of these same gastropods. Therefore, inferences of original aragonitic mineralogy of ancient non-skeletal carbonate grains (including muds) which are now calcite but retain fine texture appear unwarranted, as do assumptions of differential diagenetic behaviour of ancient aragonitic skeletal and non-skeletal grains. Accordingly, modern depositional environments of marine ooids and carbonate muds must be rejected as chemically unrepresentative of comparable ancient environments. It is inferred that ancient non-skeletal carbonates were originally predominantly or exclusively calcite because of an earlier lower oceanic Mg/Ca ratio (<2/1) which altered progressively to values favouring aragonite (modern Mg/Ca value = 5/1). Major influencing factors are: selective removal of calcium by planktonic foraminifers and coccolithophorids since Jurassic-Cretaceous time and by abundant younger, Mg-poor aragonite skeletons and an erratic trend toward decreasing dolomite formation (decreasing removal of oceanic Mg). The change to aragonite dominance over calcite for non-skeletal carbonates was probably during early to middle Cenozoic time.     

Formation and evolution of carbonate chimneys at the Lost City Hydrothermal Field

The Lost City Hydrothermal Field at 30°N, near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, is an off-axis, moderate temperature, high-pH (9-10.8), serpentinite-hosted vent system. The field is hosted on ∼1.5 Ma crust, near the summit of the Atlantis Massif. Within the field, actively venting carbonate chimneys tower up to 60 m above the seafloor, making them the tallest vent structures known. The chemistry of the chimneys and vent fluids is controlled by serpentinization reactions between seawater and underlying peridotite. Mixing of <40-91 °C calcium-rich vent fluids with seawater results in the precipitation of variable mixtures of aragonite, calcite, and brucite. The resultant deposits range from tall, graceful pinnacles to fragile flanges and delicate precipitates that grow outward from fissures in the bedrock. In this study, mineralogy, petrographic analyses, major and trace element concentrations, and Sr isotopic compositions are used to propose a model for the growth and chemical evolution of carbonate chimneys in a serpentinite-hosted environment. Our results show that nascent chimneys are characterized by a porous, interlacing network of aragonite, and brucite minerals that form extremely fragile structures. The chemistry of these young deposits is characterized by ∼10 wt% Ca and up to 27 wt% Mg, extremely low trace metal concentrations, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope ratios near 0.70760. During aging of the chimneys, progressive reactions with seawater result in the dissolution of brucite, the conversion of aragonite to calcite, and infilling of pore spaces with calcite. The oldest chimneys are dominated by calcite, with bulk rock values of up to 36 wt% Ca and <1 wt% Mg. These older structures contain higher concentrations of trace metals (e.g., Mn and Ti), and have Sr isotope ratios near seawater values (0.70908). Exposed ultramafic rocks are prevalent along the Mid-Atlantic, Arctic, and Indian Ocean ridge networks and it is likely that other Lost City-type systems exist.     

Shallow-marine carbonate cementation in Holocene segments of the calcifying green alga Halimeda

Early-diagenetic cementation of tropical carbonates results from the combination of numerous physico-chemical and biological processes. In the marine phreatic environment it represents an essential mechanism for the development and stabilization of carbonate platforms. However, diagenetic cements that developed early in the marine phreatic environment are likely to become obliterated during later stages of meteoric or burial diagenesis. When lithified sediment samples are studied, this complicates the recognition of processes involved in early cementation, and their geological implications. In this contribution, a petrographic microfacies analysis of Holocene Halimeda segments collected on a coral island in the Spermonde Archipelago, Indonesia, is presented. Through electron microscopical analyses of polished samples, this study shows that segments are characterized by intragranular cementation of fibrous aragonite, equant High-Mg calcite (3.9 to 7.2 Mol% Mg), bladed Low-Mg calcite (0.4 to 1.0 Mol% Mg) and mini-micritic Low-Mg calcite (3.2 to 3.3 Mol% Mg). The co-existence and consecutive development of fibrous aragonite and equant High-Mg calcite results initially from the flow of oversaturated seawater along the aragonite template of the Halimeda skeleton, followed by an adjustment of cement mineralogy towards High-Mg calcite as a result of reduced permeability and fluid flow rates in the pores. Growth of bladed Low-Mg calcite cements on top of etched substrates of equant High-Mg calcite is explained by shifts in pore water pH and alkalinity through microbial sulphate reduction. Microbial activity appears to be the main trigger for the precipitation of mini-micritic Low-Mg calcite as well, based on the presumable detection of an extracellular polymeric matrix during an early stage of mini-micrite Low-Mg calcite cement precipitation. Radiocarbon analyses of five Halimeda segments furthermore indicate that virtually complete intragranular cementation in the marine phreatic environment with thermodynamically/kinetically controlled aragonite and High-Mg calcite takes place in about 100 years. Collectively, this study shows that early-diagenetic cements are highly diverse and provides new quantitative constraints on the rate of diagenetic cementation in tropical carbonate factories.