Sequential growth of deformation bands in carbonate grainstones in the hangingwall of an active growth fault: Implications for deformation mechanisms in different tectonic regimes

Deformation bands in porous sandstones have been extensively studied for four decades, whereas comparatively less is known about deformation bands in porous carbonate rocks, particularly in extensional settings. Here, we investigate porous grainstones of the Globigerina Limestone Formation in Malta, which contain several types of deformation bands in the hangingwall of the Maghlaq Fault: (i) bed-parallel pure compaction bands (PCB); (ii) pressure solution-dominated compactive shear bands (SCSB) and iii) cataclasis-dominated compactive shear bands (CCSB). Geometric and kinematic analyses show that the bands formed sequentially in the hangingwall of the evolving Maghlaq growth fault. PCBs formed first due to fault-controlled subsidence and vertical loading; a (semi-)tectonic control on PCB formation is thus documented for the first time in an extensional setting. Pressure solution (dominating SCSBs) and cataclasis (dominating CCSBs) appear to have operated separately, and not in concert. Our findings therefore suggest that, in some carbonate rocks, cataclasis within deformation bands may develop irrespective of whether pressure solution processes are involved. We suggest this may be related to stress state, and that whereas pressure solution is a significant facilitator of grain size reduction in contractional settings, grain size reduction within deformation bands in extensional settings is less dependent on pressure solution processes.     

The role of sulphide and carbonate minerals in the concentration of chalcophile elements in the bituminous coal seams of a paralic series (Upper Carboniferous) in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB), Poland

Sulphide and carbonate minerals from nine bituminous coal seams of a Paralic Series were investigated by means of polished-section microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and absorption spectral analyses. In addition to syngenetic accumulations of kaolinite, illite and quartz, diagenetic veinlets of subhedral pyrite and marcasite most often occur in vitrinite clast fissures and in post-tectonic fissures, nests and lenses with fusinite. Epigenetic anhedral and subhedral grains of ankerite, dolomite, siderite and calcite are also frequently found in post-tectonic veins. Pyrite replaced some of the marcasite grains and it dominates in older coal seams in the Flora Beds as compared with the Grodziec Beds. Occasionally there are anhedral and subhedral galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite grains among coal macerals as well as cerussite among post-tectonic carbonate veins. They all represent the only minerals that are abundant in definite chalcophile elements (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn). In addition to the minerals just mentioned, the elements occurred in pyrite and ankerite grains, which contained inclusions of fusinite and other minerals (among others, clay and carbonate minerals in pyrite, pyrite in carbonates). Although there is a low content of minerals accumulating Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, the minerals significantly influence the average concentration of elements in the coal seams. In the Grodziec Beds, mineral matter, especially carbonates and sulphides, determines (>50%) the concentration of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in coal. The basic part of Cd, Co and Ni in the coal seams of the Grodziec Beds and of Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in coal seams of the Flora Beds originates from organic matter. These regularities can be important, from an ecological perspective, in stating whether the coals investigated are useful for combustion and in chemical processing.     

Early and Middle Permian paleoclimates of the Baoshan Block, western Yunnan, China: insight from carbonates

In Permian times the Baoshan Block of western Yunnan, southwest China formed the eastern part of the Cimmerian Continent. Most biogeographical and sedimentological data indicate that the Early Permian Dingjiazhai Formation formed on the block under conditions strongly influenced by the Permo-Carboniferous glaciation. After Early Permian rifting, with post-glaciation climatic amelioration, and as the Baoshan Block drifted northwards to approach South China and Indochina, faunal elements characteristic of Gondwana affinity decreased, while those of Cathaysian affinity increased. Finally, Late Permian faunas are characterized by exclusively Cathaysian elements. This shift of marine provinciality becomes an important indicator in understanding the Permian paleoclimatic evolution of the region. This research investigated the composition of carbonate grain associations and the early diagenetic features of limestones from the upper part of the Dingjiazhai Formation, and from the overlying Yongde and Shazipo formations. A sharp distinction in petrological and diagenetic features is recognized between the Dingjiazhai Formation and the two overlying formations. The Dingjiazhai carbonates are characterized by the bryonoderm (bryozoan-echinoderm)-extended facies of the heterozoan association, with no non-skeletal grains. Because early diagenetic cement was rarely formed, the Dingjiazhai carbonates experienced strong diagenetic compaction. In contrast, the Yongde and Shazipo carbonates show a chloroforam facies of photozoan association, with the common occurrence of non-skeletal grains. These carbonates were well cemented during early diagenetic processes. From comparison with Permian cool-water carbonates from northern Pangea and Tasmania, Australia, the Dingjiazhai carbonates are interpreted as deposits of warm-temperate conditions, while the overlying carbonates are considered to be deposits of subtropical or tropical conditions. This climatic interpretation, based on the petrographic features of the Permian carbonates, agrees well with existing biogeographical data from the region.     

Introducing dolomite seams: hybrid compaction–solution bands in dolomitic limestones

Bedding‐parallel dolomite seams occur in a clay‐poor carbonate succession of the Apennines. The seams are composed of a high concentration of dolomite crystals compared to the hosting dolomitic limestone. SEM images document microcracking, and in many cases even crushing and fragmentation, of dolomite crystals and accumulation of non‐carbonate insoluble material both along micro‐stylolites within the seams and around dolomite crystals of the seams. We interpret the seams as hybrid structures between pressure‐solution seams and compaction bands, which formed during burial. The euhedral dolomite crystals scattered in the micritic matrix represent the insoluble residue produced by the progressive dissolution of calcite. As calcite dissolution proceeds, the concentration of dolomite crystals increases, eventually resulting in a dolomite seam in which locally a dolomite crystal‐supported texture is attained. At this stage, the dolomite crystals within the seam start to collide, crush and fragment, so that the dolomite seam behaves like a compaction band.     

Deformation bands in chalk,examples from the Shetland Group of the Oseberg Field,North Sea,Norway

Deformation bands are described in detail for the first time in carbonate rock from the subsurface and in chalk from the North Sea. The samples are from 2200 to 2300 m below sea level, in upper Maastrichtian to Danian chalk in the Oseberg Field. The deformation bands were investigated using thin-section analysis, SEM and computed tomography (CT). There is a reduction in porosity from 30 to 40% in the matrix to ca. 10% or less inside the deformation bands. They have apparent thicknesses ranging from less than 0.05–0.5 mm and have previously often been referred to as hairline fractures. Their narrowness is probably the reason why these features have not previously been recognised as deformation bands. The deformation bands in chalk are very thin compared to deformation bands in sandstone and carbonate grainstones which have mm to cm widths. This is suggested to be due to the fine grain size of the chalk matrix (2–10 μm), and it appears to be a positive correlation between grain-size and width of deformation bands. The deformation bands are suggested to have been formed as compactional shear bands during mechanical compaction, and also related to faulting.     

Diagenetic features of Jurassic Fort Member sandstone,Jaisalmer formation,western Rajasthan

Jaisalmer Formation consists of 360m thick succession of medium to coarse grained sandstones with interbeds of shale, claystone and occasional lignite that rest over Lathi Formation, is the basal part of the Jaisalmer basin. The rocks are exposed amidst desert, low mounds and shallow stone quarries. Sandstones were deposited in shallow marine to deltaic environments. The studied sandstones consist of abundant quartz followed by feldspar, mica, chert, rock fragments and heavy minerals. The study mainly deals with identification of various diagenetic features such as compaction, cementation and porosity evolution. During mechanical compaction rearrangement of grains took place and point, long and suture contacts were formed. The sandstones are cemented by iron oxide, silica overgrowth, carbonate and clay. Porosity has developed due to dissolution of iron, carbonate cement and feldspar grains. Dissolution and alteration of feldspar, lithic fragments and pressure solution were the main source of quartz cements. The sandstones show good amount of existing optical porosity with an average of 7.19%. Porosity reduction is mainly due to early stage of mechanical compaction and subsequent pervasive calcite and iron oxide cementation. Further, porosity reduced due to deposition of clay cement.     

Depositional environments and facies of the Late Triassic Abu Ruweis Formation, Jordan

The Abu Ruweis Formation is composed of carbonates, evaporites, and mudstones, with some locally developed pelletic, oolitic and stromatolitic limestones. The lateral persistence of bedding, the purity of the evaporite rocks, the alternating arrangement of marine carbonates and evaporites indicates periodic deposition in subaqueous conditions (salina). Petrographic investigations, X-ray diffraction analysis as well as chemical analysis have shown that the outcropping evaporite beds are mainly composed of secondary gypsum, with rare anhydrite relics. Five microfacies of gypsum were recognized according to their fabrics: porphyroblastic and granoblastic gypsum showing polarization texture, gypsum pseudomorph after anhydrite laths, and satin spar gypsum. The textures they display indicate a hydration origin of precursor anhydrite, which is in turn rehydrated from primary gypsum. Some of these anhydrites were formed as a result of replacement processes of the carbonate sediments associated with the evaporites, as evidenced from the textural relationships of the carbonate and sulfate minerals. The O¹⁸ content ranges from 1.45 to 8.38% PDB and the C¹³ content ranges from −1.52 to 4.73% PDB. Trace elements analysis has shown that the Abu Ruweis dolomites are rich in strontium (up to 600 ppm), and sodium (up to 835 ppm). The isotope composition and trace elements content, as well as the petrographic characteristics point to a penecontemporaneous hypersaline dolomitization origin for the Abu Ruweis dolomites. The evaporites were deposited during a regressive lowstand systems tract, whereas the carbonates were deposited under shallow water marine conditions during a highstand systems tract. The Abu Ruweis succession represents a relatively stable arid climate within a rapidly subsiding basin. Restricted conditions were provided by the development of beach barriers.     

The Development of Stylolites in Carbonate Formation: Implication for CO2 Sequestration

The impact of CO2 sequestration on the host formation is an issue occurring over geologic time. Laboratory tests can provide important results to investigate this matter but have limitations due to a relatively short timeline. Based on literature review and core sample observation, naturally occurred geological phenomena, stylolites are studied in this paper for understanding CO2 sequestration in deep carbonate formations. Stylolites are distinctive and pervasive structures in carbonates that are related to water-assisted pressure solution. Pressure solution involving stylolitization is thought to be the main mechanism of compaction and cementation for many carbonates. In parallel, CO2 sequestration in carbonate formation involves extensive chemical reactions among water, CO2 and rock matrix, favoring chemical compaction as a consequence. An analogue between stylolites and CO2 sequestration induced formation heterogeneity exists in the sense of chemical compaction, as both pressure solution in stylolites and CO2 enriched solution in CO2 sequestration in carbonate formations may all introduce abnormal porous regions. The shear and/or tension fractures associated with stylolites zones may develop vertically or sub-vertically; all these give us alert for long-term safety of CO2 sequestration. Thus a study of stylolites will help to understand the CO2 sequestration in deep carbonate formation in the long run.     

Primary diagenetic copper carbonate at the Malbunka copper deposit,Amadeus Basin,Northern Territory,Australia

The Malbunka copper deposit, located about 220 km west of Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory of Australia, may be a rare example of primary formation of copper carbonate mineralization. This deposit consists of unusual azurite disks up to 25 cm diameter, and lesser amounts of secondary azurite crystals and malachite. Carbon isotope values of the copper carbonate minerals are consistent with formation from groundwater-dissolved inorganic carbon. Oxygen isotope thermometry formation temperature estimates are 5–16 °C above ambient temperatures, suggesting the copper carbonates formed at a depth between 0.3 and 1.6 km in the Amadeus Basin. Azurite fluid inclusion waters are rich in boron, chlorine, and other elements suggestive of dilute oil basin formation fluids. In addition, presence of euhedral tourmaline with strong chemical zonation suggest that this was a low temperature diagenetic setting. The strong correlation of structures associated with hydraulic fracturing and rich copper carbonate mineralization suggest a strongly compartmentalized overpressure environment. It is proposed that copper carbonates of the Malbunka deposit formed when deep, copper-rich formation fluids were released upward by overpressure-induced failure of basin sediments, permitting mixing with carbonate-rich fluids above. This work bears directly upon exploration for a new type of primary copper deposit, through understanding of the conditions of genesis.     

Burial-dominated cementation in non-tropical carbonates of the Oligocene Te Kuiti Group, New Zealand

Cementation of bryozoan-echinoid-benthic foraminiferal temperate shelf carbonates of the Oligocene Te Kuiti Group, North Island, New Zealand, occurred mainly during subsurface burial. The calcite cements in the limestones are dominated by equant and syntaxial rim spar which typically becomes ferroan (given an iron supply) and, compared to the skeletal material with normal marine δ¹⁸O values from +2 to −1‰, more depleted in ¹⁸O with depth of burial, the δ¹⁸O composition of bulk cement samples ranging from −1 to −7‰. These trends reflect the establishment in pore waters during sediment burial of reducing conditions and gradually increasing temperatures (20–50°C), respectively. The δ¹³C values (0 to +3‰) of the cements remain the same as the host marine shells, suggesting the source of carbon in the cements was simply redistributed marine carbonate derived from shell dissolution.

Two gradational burial diagenetic environments influenced by marine-derived porewaters are arbitrarily distinguished: shallow burial phase and moderate burial phase. During the shallow burial phase, down to 500–600 m sub-bottom depth, the carbonates lost at least 25% of their original porosity by mechanical compaction and were selectively cemented by non-ferroan or usually ferroan, variably luminescent, slightly ¹⁸O-depleted sparry calcite cement (δ¹⁸O −2 to −4‰), mainly as syntaxial rims about echinoid grains. These shallow-burial cements form less than about 10% of total cement in the majority of the limestones and their source was probably mainly mild intergranular dissolution of calcitic skeletal fragments accompanying the onset of chemical compaction. During the moderate burial phase, between about 600 and 1100 m sub-bottom depth, porosity loss continued (typically to about 70% of its original value) as a result of pressure-solution of calcitic bioclasts associated with more advanced stages of chemical compaction. This involved development of a wide variety of non-sutured and microstylolitic solution seams, including both single and composite, wispy or continuous, bedding-parallel types and non-parallel reticulate forms. The released carbonate was precipitated as ferroan (or non-ferroan where iron supply was negligible), dull luminescent, strongly ¹⁸O-depleted (δ¹⁸O −4 to −7‰), mainly equant calcite spar cement, occluding available pore space in the limestones.     

Insights into the mechanics of en-échelon sigmoidal vein formation using ultra-high resolution photogrammetry and computed tomography

Two novel techniques, photo based reconstruction (photogrammetry) and computed tomography (CT), are used to investigate the formation of an exceptional array of sigmoidal veins in a hand sample from Cape Liptrap, Southern Victoria, and to provide constraint on models for their development. The accuracies of the photogrammetric models were tested by comparison with a laser scan generated three dimensional (3D) model. The photogrammetric model was found to be accurate to at least 0.25 mm and substantially more detailed than the laser scan. A methodology was developed by which 3D structural measurements could be extracted from the photogrammetric model. This was augmented with the CT model which, through its capacity to elucidate internal structure, was used to constrain the geometry and linkage of structures within the rock volume. The photogrammetric and CT data were then combined with detailed photomicrographs to evaluate the evolution of the sigmoidal veins in the sample.The angle between the sigmoidal vein margins and an inferred shear zone, as well as the orientations of the crystal fibres, were found to imply a rotation of >27°. However coeval pressure solution seams and older veinlets in the rock bridges between the veins were only found to have rotated by ∼10°, an observation not easily explained using existing models for sigmoidal vein formation.A new model is proposed in which a significant component of sigmoidal vein geometry is due to localised dilation caused by slip on the pressure solution seams. The process involves strain partitioning onto pressure solution seams, which leads to exaggeration of sigmoidal vein geometries. If not accounted for, the apparent vein rotation due to slip partitioning introduces errors into calculations of simple shear and volume strain based on sigmoidal arrays of this type. Furthermore, the CT data demonstrated that in 3D the veins are continuous and channel-like, implying a far higher degree of connectivity and fluid transport than is suggested by their 2D form.     

塔中地区良里塔格组碳酸盐岩储层特征及成岩作用

塔中地区良里塔格组发育巨厚的礁滩相碳酸盐岩,为碳酸盐岩储层的形成提供了有利条件。通过对钻井岩心和薄片分析,系统研究了研究区良里塔格组碳酸盐岩的储层岩石学、成岩作用类型和特征,总结了各类成岩作用的识别标志、发育规律及对储集体形成的影响。研究区碳酸盐岩储层的成岩作用包括泥晶化作用、白云石化作用、方解石胶结作用、溶蚀作用、硅化和硅质充填作用,以及压实、压溶作用、破裂作用和自生黄铁矿作用。在此基础上,总结了良里塔格组碳酸盐岩成岩序列及储层孔隙演化规律,认为早期强烈的方解石胶结作用和压实压溶作用降低了储层的孔隙度和渗透率,而溶蚀作用和构造破裂作用对良里塔格组礁滩相碳酸盐岩优质储层的形成具有明显控制作用。     

Compaction in halite-cemented carbonates – the Dawson Bay Formation (Middle Devonian) of Saskatchewan, Canada

Halite-impregnated carbonates in the Dawson Bay Formation of Saskatchewan lie between beds of halite and are buried to a depth of 1 km. They exhibit two different diagenetic styles – some resisted compaction and had high pre-salt porosities; others contain compaction-broken fossils and pressure-solution seams. The uncompacted rocks, together with the difficulty of explaining how halite cement could enter the Dawson Bay after overlying bedded halites were deposited, suggest that halite cementation occurred early with only a few tens of metres of overburden. Early diagenetic compaction is suggested by the presence of unbroken, displacive skeletal halite crystals, which cross-cut compaction structures, and by the difficulty of explaining how (1) later compaction could occur in halite-cemented rocks and (2) how pore-fluids could be expelled after surrounding rocks lost their permeability. The organic-rich nature of many carbonates may explain why compaction was both early and extensive, but this explanation fails to explain how similar compaction developed in horizons with lower organic contents. Chemical compaction may also have been enhanced by aragonite dissolution during seawater evaporation or brine dilution. Early chemical compaction in Dawson Bay carbonates indicates that compaction in other carbonates need not signify deep burial diagenesis; neither can compaction be used indiscriminately to identify other diagenetic events as being of deep burial origin. Early halite cementation, as in the Dawson Bay Formation, preserves carbonates at early diagenetic stages and may thus preserve geochemical information unmodified by later diagenesis.     

Recycled insular phosphates and coated grains: Case study from Little Cayman,British West Indies

Phosphatic limestones on the west end of Little Cayman, at an elevation of 3 to 4 m above sea level and ca 320 to 550 m inland of the coast, lie on top of a phytokarst surface that defines the upper boundary of the Pedro Castle Formation (Pliocene). These phosphatic limestones are formed of phosphatic lithoclasts, detrital phosphate grains, coated grains (glaebules), composite coated grains, biofragments and phosphate rafts that are held in a matrix that is formed of micrite, calcite cement, and non-crystalline masses formed of P, Al, Si and Fe. The phosphate in these limestones is primarily hydroxylapatite, whereas the overlying soils, found in some areas, are formed of hydroxylapatite, crandallite and minor amounts of boehemite, kaolinite and quartz. Textures in the lithoclasts and detrital phosphate grains indicate that they were derived from older insular phosphates that that were largely removed by mining in 1890 to 1895. The coated grains (glaebules) typically have nuclei formed of a detrital phosphate grains that are encased by non-crystalline cortical laminae that are composed primarily of Al with their variable red colour reflecting the variable Fe content. The phosphatic limestones developed in a low-lying coastal area where the guano produced by a large seabird colony that was close to or mixed with terra rossa and marine carbonates that were washed onshore during storms/hurricanes. The Al, Fe, Si and rare earth elements found in the phosphatic limestones came from the terra rossa. Critically, this study documents the complex depositional regimes and diagenetic processes that can exist at the interface of marine carbonates, coastal phosphates and terrestrial soils as sea-level fluctuations control phases of sediment accumulation that were periodically interrupted by periods of non-deposition.     

Velocity dependence of strength and healing behaviour in simulated phyllosilicate-bearing fault gouge

Despite the fact that phyllosilicates are widespread in fault zones, little is known about the strength of phyllosilicate-bearing fault rocks under brittle–ductile transitional conditions. In this study, we explored the steady state strength and healing behaviour of a simulated phyllosilicate-bearing fault rock, i.e. muscovite plus halite and brine, at room temperature, normal stresses of 1–9 MPa, atmospheric fluid pressure and sliding velocities of 0.001–13 μm/s, using a rotary shear apparatus. While 100% halite and 100% muscovite samples exhibit rate-independent frictional/brittle behaviour, the strength of mixtures containing 10–50% muscovite is both normal stress and sliding velocity dependent. At low velocities (< 1 μm/s), strength increases with increasing velocity and normal stress, and a mylonitic foliation develops. This behaviour results from pressure solution in the halite grains, which accommodates frictional sliding on the phyllosilicate foliation. The pervasive muscovite foliation, which coats all halite grains, prevents significant healing. At high velocities (> 1 μm/s), velocity-weakening frictional behaviour occurs, along with the development of a structureless, intermixed, cataclastic microstructure. The steady state porosity of samples deformed in this regime increases with increasing sliding velocity. We propose that this behaviour involves competition between dilatation due to granular flow and compaction due to pressure solution. Towards higher sliding velocities, dilatation increasingly dominates over pressure solution compaction, so that porosity increases and frictional strength decreases. During periods of zero slip, pressure solution compaction occurs, causing a significant strength increase on reshearing. Our results imply that cataclastic overprinting of mylonitic rocks in natural fault zones does not require any changes in temperature or effective pressure conditions, but can simply result from oscillating fault motion rates. Our healing data suggest that foliated, aseismically creeping fault segments will remain weak and aseismic, whereas segments that have slipped seismically will rapidly re-strengthen and remain in the unstable, velocity-weakening regime.     

Shear-enhanced compaction bands formed at shallow burial conditions; implications for fluid flow (Provence,France)

Field observations of highly porous and permeable sandstone in the Orange area (S-E Basin, France) show that networks of shear-enhanced compaction bands can form in a contractional regime at burial depths of about 400 m ± 100 m. These bands show equal compaction and shear displacements, are organized in conjugate and densely distributed networks, and are restricted to the coarse-grained (mean grain diameter of 0.6 ± 0.1 mm) and less porous (porosity of 26 ± 2%) sand layers. The bands are crush microbreccia with limited grain comminution and high grain microfracture density. They show reductions of permeability (mD) ranging from 0 to little more than 1 order of magnitude. They show no control on the alteration products related to meteoric water flow, which suggests that these shear-enhanced compaction bands have no or only negligible influence on subsurface fluid flow. Their selective occurrence and small (20%) reduction in transmissibility in densely populated layers prevented them from compartmentalizing the sandstone reservoirs. A comparison with compaction-band populations in the Navajo and Aztec sandtsones (western U.S.) emphasizes the role of burial depth and the presence of chemical compaction processes for the sealing potential of deformation bands.     

Grain growth kinetics of dolomite,magnesite and calcite: a comparative study

The rates of grain growth of stoichiometric dolomite [CaMg(CO₃)₂] and magnesite (MgCO₃) have been measured at temperatures T of 700–800°C at a confining pressure P _c of 300 MPa, and compared with growth rates of calcite (CaCO₃). Dry, fine-grained aggregates of the three carbonates were synthesized from high purity powders by hot isostatic pressing (HIP); initial mean grain sizes of HIP-synthesized carbonates were 1.4, 1.1, and 17 μm, respectively, for CaMg(CO₃)₂, MgCO₃, and CaCO₃, with porosities of 2, 28, and 0.04% by volume. Grain sizes of all carbonates coarsened during subsequent isostatic annealing, with mean values reaching 3.9, 5.1, and 27 μm for CaMg(CO₃)₂, MgCO₃, and CaCO₃, respectively, in 1 week. Grain growth of dolomite is much slower than the growth rates of magnesite or calcite; assuming normal grain growth and n = 3 for all three carbonates, the rate constant K for dolomite (≃5 × 10⁻⁵ μm³/s) at T = 800°C is less than that for magnesite by a factor of ~30 and less than that for calcite by three orders of magnitude. Variations in carbonate grain growth may be affected by differences in cation composition and densities of pores at grain boundaries that decrease grain boundary mobility. However, rates of coarsening correlate best with the extent of solid solution; K is the largest for calcite with extensive Mg substitution for Ca, while K is the smallest for dolomite with negligible solid solution. Secondary phases may nucleate at advancing dolomite grain boundaries, with implications for deformation processes, rheology, and reaction kinetics of carbonates.     

Experimental pressure solution compaction of synthetic halite/calcite aggregates

Experimental observations are reported of weakening of sediment-like aggregates by addition of hard particles. Sieved mixtures of calcite and halite grains are experimentally compacted in drained pressure cells in the presence of a saturated aqueous solution. The individual halite grains deform easily by pressure solution creep whereas calcite grains act as hard objects and resist compaction. The fastest rate of compaction of the mixed aggregate is not obtained for a 100% halite aggregate but for a content of halite grains between 45% and 75%. We propose that this unusual compaction behavior reflects the competition between two mechanisms at the grain scale: intergranular pressure solution at grain contacts and grain boundary healing between halite grains that prevent further compaction.     

Authigenic titanite in weathered basalts: Implications for paleoatmospheric reconstructions

The stability of titanite is sensitive to temperature and partial pressure of CO₂. The finding of authigenic titanite grains in weathering regolith formed on Paraná basalts, Brazil, under tropical climatic conditions, reveals the thermodynamically-driven conversion from calcite to titanite at elevated ambient temperatures. Being unusual nowadays, this phase transition provides important implications for the understanding of silicate weathering in earlier geological epochs.Two types of secondary titanites were identified in the weathering profile of the study area. The tiny grains of 10 ​μm are forming in the microscopic voids in the rock. Also, large fractures filled with Fe-rich clay minerals contain bigger specimens of up to 170 ​μm. The titanites of second type often coexist with chalcedony and barite. No carbonate minerals were found in the weathering profile. Weathering sphene can be discriminated from other titanite types by its strong positive Eu anomaly, increased Al₂O₃ content and low content of trace elements. Its specific chemical composition and reactive transport modeling link this secondary mineral with dissolution of plagioclase. The titanite precipitation is controlled by slow diffusion in poorly-aerated, highly-alkaline pore fluids.The subaerial weathering of basaltic rocks provides a significant reservoir for atmospheric CO₂. However, the deposition of carbonate minerals is thermodynamically avoided at the stability field of titanite. We demonstrate a complex feedback between CO₂ and soil carbonates. The rise in pCO₂ triggers the precipitation of calcite in the weathering regolith, but the greenhouse effect increasing the temperature can cease carbonate deposition. Secondary titanites were found in several paleosols and at least a part of them can be of weathering origin.     

Facies controlled diagenetic evolution of the Delhi Group Sandstones,Bayana Basin,Rajasthan

The Bayana Basin forms the eastern most limit of north Delhi fold belt covering parts of northeastern Rajasthan. The deposition of sediments took place during middle Proterozoic in fluvial and shallow marine environments. The rocks are mainly clastics and include conglomerate, sandstone and shale. During mechanical compaction rearrangement of grains took place and point and long contacts were formed. The sandstones are cemented by iron oxide, silica, carbonate and barite. The porosity has developed due to dissolution of iron, carbonate cement and feldspar grains. Dissolution of quartz along grain boundaries and silica rich compaction pore water seems to be the main source of silica. These observations suggest progressive compaction which initiated at the sediment water interface and continued till deep burial diagenesis in a rapidly subsiding basin.