Petrography and geochemistry of early-stage, fine- and medium-crystalline dolomites in the Middle Devonian Presqu'ile Barrier at Pine Point, Canada

The petrography and geochemistry of fine- and medium-crystalline dolomites of the Middle Devonian Presqu’ile barrier at Pine Point (Western Canada Sedimentary Basin) are different from those of previously published coarse-crystalline and saddle dolomites that are associated with late-stage hydrothermal fluids. Fine-crystalline dolomite consists of subhedral to euhedral crystals, ranging from 5 to 25 μm (mean 8 μm). The dolomite interbedded with evaporitic anhydrites that occur in the back-barrier facies in the Elk Point Basin. Fine-crystalline dolomite has δ¹⁸Ο values between ?1·6 to –3·8‰ PDB and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios from 0·7079–0·7081, consistent with derivation from Middle Devonian seawater. Its Sr concentrations (55–225 p.p.m., mean 105 p.p.m.) follow a similar trend to modern Little Bahama seawater dolomites. Its rare earth element (REE) patterns are similar to those of the limestone precursors. These data suggest that this fine-crystalline dolomite formed from Middle Devonian seawater at or just below the sea floor. Medium-crystalline dolomite in the Presqu’ile barrier is composed of anhedral to subhedral crystals (150–250 μm, mean 200 μm), some of which have clear rims toward the pore centres. This dolomite occurs mostly in the southern lower part of the barrier. Medium-crystalline dolomite has δ¹⁸O values between ?3·7 to ?9·4‰ PDB (mean ?5·9‰ PDB) and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios from 0·7081–0·7087 (mean 0·7084); Sr concentrations from 30 to 79 p.p.m. (mean 50 p.p.m.) and Mn content from 50 to 253 p.p.m. (mean 161 p.p.m.); and negative Ce anomalies compared with those of marine limestones. The medium-crystalline dolomite may have formed either (1) during shallow burial at slightly elevated temperatures (35–40 °C) from fluids derived from burial compaction, or, more likely (2) soon after deposition of the precursor sediments by Middle Devonian seawater derived from the Elk Point Basin. These results indicate that dolomitization in the Middle Devonian Presqu’ile barrier occurred in at least two stages during evolution of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. The geochemistry of earlier formed dolomites may have been modified if the earlier formed dolomites were porous and permeable and water/rock ratios were large during neomorphism.     

川北元坝地区长兴组白云石化作用机制及其对储层形成的影响

通过岩心观察和薄片鉴定,在岩石学和矿物学特征分析基础上,结合白云石有序度测定,碳、氧同位素、锶同位素和稀土元素组成及配分模式分析,详细研究了川北元坝地区长兴组白云石化作用的特征、机制及模式,结果表明长兴组发育微晶白云石(岩)、粉-中晶他形白云石、粉-中晶自形白云石和异形白云石等四种类型,它们的有序度由低变高;白云石的碳、氧同位素、锶同位素和稀土元素组成及配分模式特征表明,长兴组微晶白云石(岩)、粉-中晶他形白云石、粉-中晶自形白云石主要形成于浓缩海水环境、正常海水环境、或者与正常海水相似的地层水环境中,并遭受过热液地质作用的改造,从微晶白云石(岩)→粉-中晶他形白云石→粉-中晶自形白云石是一个沉积埋藏过程中多阶段白云石化作用的产物,异形白云石则由热液作用形成;根据长兴组白云石的矿物学和地球化学特征及白云石化作用与层序和沉积相之间的关系,分别可以用准同生期蒸发泵白云石化作用模式、准同生期渗透回流白云石化作用模式、成岩早期浅埋藏状态下地层水白云石化作用模式和成岩晚期热液白云石化作用模式来解释微晶白云石(岩),粉-中晶他形白云石、粉-中晶自形白云石和异形白云石的形成。白云石化作用是有利于长兴组储层形成的建设性成岩作用。     

豫西南淅川震旦系灯影组白云岩特征及成因分析

晚前寒武纪扬子克拉通及其周缘保存了一套比较完整的白云岩地层（灯影组）。扬子北缘（南秦岭） 地区的灯影组白 云岩与典型灯影组白云岩在成岩组合和沉积序列有较大差别，有待进一步研究。该研究在野外剖面实测、镜下鉴定基础 上，运用阴极发光和X射线衍射有序度分析对扬子北缘（南秦岭） 淅川地区灯影组白云岩进行了岩石学分类及成因机制研 究。研究区灯影组白云岩类型主要为泥—粉晶他形白云岩、细晶自形—半自形白云岩、以中—粗晶白云石为主的细—粗晶 半自形—他形白云岩、鞍形白云岩和岩溶角砾白云岩。其中泥—粉晶他形白云石为准同生阶段蒸发海水白云石化作用产 物；细晶自形—半自形白云石形成于早成岩浅埋藏阶段，成岩过程与蒸发海水回流渗透白云石化作用有关；细—粗晶半自 形—他形白云石和鞍形白云石属晚成岩期中—深埋藏环境下由碳酸盐岩矿物经过热液白云石化或重结晶作用所形成；岩溶 角砾白云岩是通过白云岩层的溶蚀—垮塌和砾间胶结作用形成。因此，由于相对海平面升降、上覆地层沉积厚度增加引起 的成岩环境变化以及后期流体的改造作用促使了研究区不同类型白云岩的发育。     

塔里木盆地中央隆起区寒武-奥陶系白云岩结构特征及成因探讨

白云岩研究的关键在于对白云石化作用的理解,而岩石结构作为白云石化作用分析的基础,不仅对白云岩的成因具有指示意义还深刻地影响着白云岩储层的质量。通过岩芯、薄片、扫描电镜、阴极发光以及碳、氧、锶同位素等测试手段,结合国际上常用的分类术语,对塔里木盆地中央隆起区寒武-奥陶系白云岩按结构进行了分类,并探讨了不同结构类型与其成因之间的关系。研究表明,白云岩结构与其形成环境和形成过程密切相关,其中保留原始结构的白云岩（包括泥-粉晶白云岩和颗粒白云岩）属于同生或准同生阶段、与蒸发海水有关的拟晶白云石化作用的产物,大量过饱和白云石化流体的通过有利于原始结构的保存;晶粒白云岩中,具有平直晶面结构的细晶、自形白云岩和细晶、半自形白云岩与浅埋藏成岩阶段的低温白云石化作用有关,云化流体以轻微蒸发的海源流体为主,浅埋藏晚期的过度白云石化作用导致晶体由平面-自形向平面-半自形转化;中-粗晶、他形白云岩是中或深埋藏成岩阶段的高温/热液白云石化或重结晶作用的结果,较高的形成温度导致晶体发生曲面化。     

豫西南淅川震旦系灯影组白云岩特征及成因分析

晚前寒武纪扬子克拉通及其周缘保存了一套比较完整的白云岩地层（灯影组）。扬子北缘（南秦岭） 地区的灯影组白 云岩与典型灯影组白云岩在成岩组合和沉积序列有较大差别,有待进一步研究。该研究在野外剖面实测、镜下鉴定基础 上,运用阴极发光和X射线衍射有序度分析对扬子北缘（南秦岭） 淅川地区灯影组白云岩进行了岩石学分类及成因机制研 究。研究区灯影组白云岩类型主要为泥—粉晶他形白云岩、细晶自形—半自形白云岩、以中—粗晶白云石为主的细—粗晶 半自形—他形白云岩、鞍形白云岩和岩溶角砾白云岩。其中泥—粉晶他形白云石为准同生阶段蒸发海水白云石化作用产 物;细晶自形—半自形白云石形成于早成岩浅埋藏阶段,成岩过程与蒸发海水回流渗透白云石化作用有关;细—粗晶半自 形—他形白云石和鞍形白云石属晚成岩期中—深埋藏环境下由碳酸盐岩矿物经过热液白云石化或重结晶作用所形成;岩溶 角砾白云岩是通过白云岩层的溶蚀—垮塌和砾间胶结作用形成。因此,由于相对海平面升降、上覆地层沉积厚度增加引起 的成岩环境变化以及后期流体的改造作用促使了研究区不同类型白云岩的发育。     

Multiple dolomitization events along the Pozalagua Fault (Pozalagua Quarry,Basque–Cantabrian Basin,Northern Spain)

The Pozalagua Quarry in the Basque–Cantabrian Basin of northern Spain exposes a unique set of fault‐associated dolomites that can be studied on a decametre scale. The dolomites developed along the Pozalagua Fault system in slope‐deposited limestones of Albian age. Following marine phreatic diagenesis, the limestones were subject to meteoric karst formation. The resulting cavities were filled either by angular limestone fragments in a black clay‐rich matrix, or by cave floor/pond (now dolomitized) sediments. The subsequent diagenetic history reflects repeated periods of fracturing, fluid expulsion, dissolution and cementation. Contrasting fluid pulses resulted in the formation of a network of hydrothermal karst and the subsequent development of coarse‐crystalline calcite cement, zebra dolomite, recrystallized coarse‐crystalline dolomite, elongated blue–grey coarse‐crystalline dolomite cement in the open fault and, finally, coarse‐crystalline saddle dolomite. Decimetre‐size reworked host‐rock fragments present in the latter two dolomite phases probably reflect roof collapse fragments of a cave system that developed along the Pozalagua Fault system. However, there are also metre‐scale host‐rock fragments that apparently ‘float’ in the coarse‐crystalline saddle dolomites, implying that either fragment assimilation was a widespread process or violent expulsion of fluids occurred along the Pozalagua Fault system. The presence of pre‐dolomite and post‐dolomite stylolites, parallel to bedding, supports a linkage between the diagenetic events and the Late Albian tectonism that affected the region.     

川西地区中二叠统栖霞组中—粗晶白云岩成因

通过野外剖面、岩心、薄片的观察及地球化学分析等手段,对川西地区栖霞组中—粗晶白云岩成因进行了研究。结果表明,中—粗晶白云石晶形呈自形、半自形及他形,可见残余生物(碎屑)幻影,裂缝发育,白云石被缝合线切割,储集空间以溶蚀孔洞和晶间孔为主,孔洞内充填有自形白云石及鞍状白云石。中—粗晶白云岩的碳同位素值处于二叠系海相碳酸盐岩的范围;川西的南部地区中—粗晶白云岩氧同位素相对于川西的北部地区更偏负;川西的北部中—粗晶白云岩锶同位素比值处于二叠系海相碳酸盐岩的范围,而川西的南部则高于此范围;稀土元素配分模式显示白云岩基本继承了石灰岩特点;白云岩Ce显示正异常,Eu无明显正异常,川西的南部地区具有较明显的La负异常。综合研究得出:颗粒滩相是白云石化作用发生的有利相带,浅埋藏阶段的海水白云石化作用是中—粗晶白云岩的主要成因,后期局部遭受热液改造作用,孔洞内充填的自形白云石也为浅埋藏阶段的海水白云石化作用所形成,而鞍状白云石为后期热液成因。     

Tectonically driven dolomitization of Cambrian to Lower Ordovician carbonates of the Quruqtagh area,north‐eastern flank of Tarim Basin,north‐west China

Dolomites occur extensively in Cambrian to Lower Ordovician carbonates in the Tienshan orogen of the Quruqtagh area, north‐east Tarim Basin, where thick (up to 1 km), dark grey lenticular limestones of semi‐pelagic to pelagic origin are prominent. The dolomites generally occur as beige, anastomosed geobodies that cross‐cut well‐stratified limestones. Based on detailed field investigations and petrographic examination, three types of matrix dolomite are identified: fine crystalline planar‐e (Md1), fine to medium crystalline planar‐s (e) (Md2) and fine to coarse crystalline non‐planar‐a (Md3) dolomites. One type of cement dolomite, the non‐planar saddle dolomite (Cd), is also common. The preferential occurrence of Md1 along low‐amplitude stylolites points to a causal link to pressure dissolution by which minor Mg ions were probably released for replacive dolomitization during shallow burial compaction. Type Md2, Md3 and Cd dolomites, commonly co‐occurring within the fractured zones, have large overlaps in isotopic composition with that of host limestone, implying that dolomitizing fluids inherited their composition from remnant pore fluids or were buffered by the formation water of host limestones through water–rock interaction. However, the lower δ¹⁸O and higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of these dolomites also suggest more intense fluid–rock interaction at elevated temperature and inputs of Mg and radiogenic Sr from the host limestones with more argillaceous matter and possibly underlying Neoproterozoic siliciclastic strata. Secondary tensional faults and fractures within a compressional tectonic regime were probably important conduits through which higher‐temperature Mg‐rich fluids that had been expelled from depth were driven by enhanced tectonic compression and heating during block overthrusting, forming irregular networks of dolomitized bodies enclosed within the host limestones. This scenario probably took place during the Late Hercynian orogeny, as the Tarim block collided with Tienshan island arc system to the north and north‐east. Subsequent downward recharges of meteoric fluids into the dolomitizing aquifer probably terminated dolomitization as a result of final closure of the South Tienshan Ocean (or Palaeo‐Asian Ocean) and significant tectonic uplift of the Tienshan orogen. This study demonstrates the constructive role of notably tensional (or transtensional) faulting/fracturing in channelling fluids upward as a result of intense tectonic compression and heating along overthrust planes on the convergent plate margin; however, a relatively short‐lived, low fluid flux may have limited the dolomitization exclusively within the fractured/faulted limestones in the overthrust sheets.     

Fault-controlled dolomitization at Swan Hills Simonette oil field (Devonian), deep basin west-central Alberta, Canada

The partly dolomitized Swan Hills Formation (Middle‐Upper Devonian) in the Simonette oil field of west‐central Alberta underwent a complex diagenetic history, which occurred in environments ranging from near surface to deep (>2500 m) burial. Five petrographically and geochemically distinct dolomites that include both cementing and replacive varieties post‐date stylolites in limestones (depths >500 m). These include early planar varieties and later saddle dolomites. Fluid inclusion data from saddle dolomite cements (T_h=137–190 °C) suggest that some precipitated at burial temperatures higher than the temperatures indicated by reflectance data (T_peak=160 °C). Thus, at least some dolomitizing fluids were ‘hydrothermal’. Fluorescence microscopy identified three populations of primary hydrocarbon‐bearing fluid inclusions and confirms that saddle dolomitization overlapped with Upper Cretaceous oil migration. The source of early dolomitizing fluids probably was Devonian or Mississippian seawater that was mixed with a more ⁸⁷Sr‐rich fluid. Fabric‐destructive and fabric‐preserving dolostones are over 35 m thick in the Swan Hills buildup and basal platform adjacent to faults, thinning to less than 10 cm thick in the buildup between 5 and 8 km away from the faults. This ‘plume‐like’ geometry suggests that early and late dolomitization events were fault controlled. Late diagenetic fluids were, in part, derived from the crystalline basement or Palaeozoic siliciclastic aquifers, based on ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values up to 0·7370 from saddle dolomite, calcite and sphalerite cements, and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 22·86 from galena samples. Flow of dolomitizing and mineralizing fluids occurred during burial greater than 500 m, both vertically along reactivated faults and laterally in the buildup along units that retained primary and/or secondary porosity.     

塔里木盆地下奥陶统白云岩化流体来源的地球化学分析

塔里木盆地是中国重要的含油气盆地,其中奥陶系白云岩是主要储层之一,然而有关白云岩成因的问题众说纷纭,其中的关键是对于白云岩化流体性质的认识不一。元素地球化学和同位素测试分析表明,白云岩的稀土元素来源大部分继承原始灰岩,具有与海水类似的配分特征,只不过稀土元素的含量明显增高了;Sr、Ti含量和Sr/Ba比值较高,且Sr和Mn都具典型的埋藏演化特征;碳、氧同位素分布于正常海相范围内,与典型的埋藏白云岩特征类似;在局部发育一些与断裂相关的铁(锰)白云岩和鞍状白云岩,显示明显的Eu正异常,具相对较高的Fe-Mn-Ba-Si(-Zn-Pb)元素含量及Sr/Ba比值。分析结果说明塔中和塔北下奥陶统的白云岩化流体主要为正常或浓缩了的海水,白云岩形成于准同生和/或埋藏环境,局部发育与断裂相关的热液白云岩,而前人强调的大气淡水或混合水作用对白云岩的形成并不重要。     

Dolomite textures in the Upper Cretaceous carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposits,Zakho, Northern Iraq

In the northeast of Zakho City, Northern Iraq, the host rocks of Pb–Zn deposits are composed predominantly of dolomites with subordinate dolomitic limestone intervals. This study is focused on the dolomites of the Bekhme Formation (Upper Campanian) carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposits. The amount of dolomites, however, increases toward the mineralized zone. Dolomites are dominated by replacement dolomite with minor dolomite cements. Petrography study allowed identification of six different dolomite textures. These are (1) fine crystalline, planar-s (subhedral) dolomite, RD1; (2) medium to coarse crystalline, planar-e (euhedral) to planar-s (subhedral) dolomites, RD2; (3) medium crystalline, planar-s (subhedral) to nonplanar-a (anhedral) dolomites, RD3; (4) coarse crystalline, planar-s (subhedral) to nonplanar-a (anhedral) dolomites, RD4; (5) planar (subhedral) void-filling dolomite cements, CD1; and (6) nonplanar (saddle) void-filling dolomite, CD2. The RD1, RD2, RD3, and RD4 dolomite textures are replacive in origin and are volumetrically the most important types, whereas CD1 and CD2 dolomites with sparry calcite are commonly cements that fill the open spaces. Although the dolomites of the Bekhme Formation are not macroscopically observed in the field, their different types are easily distinguished by petrographic examination and scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that the dolomites of the Bekhme Formation are formed in two different diagenetic stages: the early diagenetic from mixing zone fluids at the tidal–subtidal (reef) environments and the late diagenetic from basinal brines which partially mixed with hydrothermal fluids at the shallow-deep burial depths. The latter occurs often with sphalerite, galena, and pyrite within mineralized zone. These dolomite types are associated base-metal mineralization (Mississippi Valley type).     

塔里木盆地古城地区鹰山组白云岩稀土元素地球化学特征及成因

白云岩成因一直是地质学研究的热点领域。塔里木盆地塔东低隆起古城低凸起中—下奥陶统鹰山组发育厚层白云岩。为研究这些白云岩的成因,在岩心、薄片观测基础上,按照晶体粒度大小将白云岩分为泥晶白云岩、粉晶白云岩、细晶白云岩、中晶白云岩、粗晶白云岩,并对各类白云岩及缝洞充填物进行了稀土元素地球化学特征的研究。结果表明,各类白云岩及缝洞充填物稀土元素NASC配分模式分为6种类型：δCe弱正异常δEu正异常型、δCe负异常δEu强正异常型、δCe强负异常型、微右倾型、微左倾型和平坦型。分析上述6种白云岩及缝洞充填物的成因为：前2种类型形成于两期热液或不同演化阶段的同一期热液环境;第3种类型形成于蒸发泵模式;第4和第5种形成于两种性质不同的埋藏白云化流体;第6种则由渗透回流作用形成。古城地区鹰山组白云岩的成因非常复杂,成因模式多样,包括蒸发泵模式、渗透回流模式、埋藏白云化模式、热液白云化模式4种。     

塔里木盆地北部丘里塔格群(寒武系至奥陶系)白云岩的成因

本文通过详细岩石学及地球化学研究,探讨了塔里木盆地丘里塔格群(寒武至奥陶系)白云岩的成因。研究表明藻纹层白云岩、微晶白云岩及颗粒白云岩中的颗粒为近地表准同生白云化的产物。结晶白云岩(细晶以上)及颗粒白云岩中的中粗晶白云岩胶结物是深埋藏成岩环境的产物。并对埋藏白云化的镁离子来源及搬运机理进行了探讨。     

A comparative study of the Rare Earth Element (REE) distributions within the Lower Cretaceous dolomites and limestones of Central Tunisia

REE distribution, strontium content and oxygen isotopic composition have been studied in the Lower Cretaceous dolomites and their interbedded and/or parental limestones of Central Tunisia. Dolomites, as indicated by previous sedimentologic, geochemical and isotopic study, are different in origin. Environments of dolomite formation include: evaporitic sabkha, deep phreatic, karst and lacustrine. With the exception of the sabkha environment, dolomitizing fluids presumably have been essentially meteoric. The comparison between REE distributions in dolomites and limestones clearly suggests that the general shapes of the REE patterns are preserved during dolomitization. Nevertheless, the total REE amounts are somewhat lowered in dolomites comparatively to parental limestones. Moreover, within the dolomites, the total REE contents are positively correlated to the Sr and δ¹⁸O contents; thus indicating that the decrease in REE, Sr, and δ¹⁸O contents is related to a decrease in the salinity of dolomitizing fluids. In addition, dolomites associated with emergence surfaces (karst) are the most impoverished in REE. Furthermore, they are relatively enriched in light REE, indicating a more or less important fractionation with the REE distributions. This enrichment has been related to the influence of the inorganic complexes which favours the greatest solubility of the heavy REE in basic solution with respect to the lightest members of the REE group.     

Dolomite-rock textures and secondary porosity development in Ellenburger Group carbonates (Lower Ordovician), west Texas and southeastern New Mexico

Pervasive early- to late-stage dolomitization of Lower Ordovician Ellenburger Group carbonates in the deep Permian Basin of west Texas and southeastern New Mexico is recorded in core samples having present-day burial depths of 1.5–7.0 km. Seven dolomite-rock textures are recognized and classified according to crystal-size distribution and crystal-boundary shape. Unimodal and polymodal planar-s (subhedral) mosaic dolomite is the most widespread type, and it replaced allochems and matrix or occurs as void-filling cement. Planar-e (euhedral) dolomite crystals line pore spaces and/or fractures, or form mosaics of medium to coarse euhedral crystals. This kind of occurrence relates to significant intercrystalline porosity. Non-planar-a (anhedral) dolomite replaced a precursor limestone/dolostone only in zones that are characterized by original high porosity and permeability. Non-planar dolomite cement (saddle dolomite) is the latest generation and is responsible for occlusion of fractures and pore space. Dolomitization is closely associated with the development of secondary porosity; dolomitization pre-and post-dates dissolution and corrosion and no secondary porosity generation is present in the associated limestones. The most common porosity types are non-fabric selective moldic and vuggy porosity and intercrystalline porosity. Up to 12% effective porosity is recorded in the deep (6477 m) Delaware basin. These porous zones are characterized by late-diagenetic coarse-crystalline dolomite, whereas the non-porous intervals are composed of dense mosaics of early-diagenetic dolomites. The distribution of dolomite rock textures indicates that porous zones were preserved as limestone until late in the diagenetic history, and were then subjected to late-stage dolomitization in a deep burial environment, resulting in coarse-crystalline porous dolomites. In addition to karst horizons at the top of the Ellenburger Group, exploration for Ellenburger Group reservoirs should consider the presence of such porous zones within other Ellenburger Group dolomites.     

基于激光U-Pb定年的埋藏白云岩形成过程——以塔里木盆地永安坝剖面下奥陶统蓬莱坝组为例

埋藏白云石化作用是形成厚层块状白云岩的主要机制之一,但其形成过程一直存在争议。本文以塔里木盆地永安坝剖面蓬莱坝组为例进行解剖,在露头和薄片岩石学研究的基础上,利用激光U-Pb定年和同位素分析,剖析了蓬莱坝组白云岩形成时期及演化过程,取得三个方面的认识：（1）蓬莱坝组发育四种类型白云岩：藻纹层白云岩、自形-半自形细中晶白云岩、雾心亮边自形中晶白云岩和他形粗晶白云岩,不同类型白云岩垂向互层发育;（2）U-Pb定年结果显示蓬莱坝组受三期云化作用改造,分别为准同生期云化作用、晚奥陶世到志留纪浅埋藏云化作用（464±12Ma到433±22Ma）及泥盆纪埋藏云化作用（382±29Ma）,浅埋藏云化作用会对准同生白云石造成重结晶,而埋藏云化作用表现为白云石次生加大,存在寒武系云化流体卷入,影响U-Pb定年;（3）规模白云岩的发育为沉积环境和构造埋藏演化史共同作用的结果,提出塔中北斜坡和塔北南缘为规模白云岩发育区,这对本区油气勘探具有重要的指导意义。     

Dolomitization of the Waulsortian Limestone (Lower Carboniferous) in the Irish Midlands

The Waulsortian Limestone (Lower Carboniferous) of the southern Irish Midlands is dolomitized pervasively over a much larger region than previous studies have documented. This study indicates a complex, multistage, multiple fluid history for regional dolomitization. Partially and completely dolomitized sections of Waulsortian Limestones are characterized by finely crystalline (0·01–0·3 mm) planar dolomite. Planar replacive dolomite is commonly followed by coarse (≥0·5 mm) nonplanar replacive dolomite, and pervasive void‐filling saddle dolomite cement is frequently associated with Zn–Pb mineralization. Planar dolomite has average δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values (‰ PDB) of –4·8 and 3·9 respectively. These are lower oxygen and slightly higher carbon isotope values than averages for marine limestones in the Waulsortian (δ¹⁸O=–2·2, δ¹³C=3·7). Mean C and O isotope values of planar replacive dolomite are also distinct from those of nonplanar and saddle dolomite cement (–7·0 and 3·3; –7·4 and 2·4 respectively). Fluid inclusions indicate a complex history involving at least three chemically and thermally distinct fluids during dolomite cementation. The petrography and geochemistry of planar dolomites are consistent with an early diagenetic origin, possibly in equilibrium with modified Carboniferous sea water. Where the Waulsortian was exposed to hydrothermal fluids (70–280 °C), planar dolomite underwent a neomorphic recrystallization to a coarser crystalline, planar and nonplanar dolomite characterized by lower δ¹⁸O values. Void‐filling dolomite cement is isotopically similar to nonplanar, replacive dolomite and reflects a similar origin from hydrothermal fluids. This history of multiple stages of dolomitization is significantly more complex than earlier models proposed for the Irish Midlands and provides a framework upon which to test competing models of regional vs. localized fluid flow.     

Zebra and boxwork fabrics in hydrothermal dolomites of northern Canada: Indicators for dilational fracturing,dissolution or in situ replacement?

Zebra and boxwork fabrics in Manetoe and Presqu'ile hydrothermal dolomites provide critical data for discrimination between hypotheses for their origin. In a unique occurrence, sets of weakly imbricated, decimetre‐sized curvilinear lenticles of white dolospar are developed within sub‐metre sized tongues of greyish‐white dolomitized crinoidal packstone and grainstone. This nascent zebra fabric has developed along wavy to nodular intra‐bed sedimentary partings. Primary bedding can be traced through dolomitized masses containing these fabrics, into the surrounding undolomitized limestone. All zebra and boxwork fabrics are confined within single beds, consistent with an early burial time of origin. No change in bed thickness occurs across zebra or boxwork fabrics within beds; this indicates a dissolutional, rather than a dilational, origin for the creation of pore space partly cemented with white dolospar. The dolomitized groundmass displays an abruptly gradational or sharp transition to centripetal saddle dolomite cement, which partially to nearly completely, occludes vugs. Circulation of geothermally heated hypersaline Devonian Elk Point basinal sea water brines led to dissolution and replacive dolomitization of limestone adjacent to vugs, and near‐contemporaneous precipitation of white dolospar within dissolutional vugs, consistent with geochemical simulations. The presence of downward‐extending galleries of white dolospar‐cemented solution‐collapse breccia provides further support for an interpretation of regional thermally driven convection of hydrothermal evaporative sea water brines across a broad area of northern Canada. The absence of gases under pressure in vacuoles within fluid inclusions from Manetoe and Presqu'ile dolospars is also more consistent with a dissolutional and contemporaneous dolomitization origin for these fabrics, rather than an origin involving dilational fracturing for space creation and dolospar precipitation. The ubiquitous presence of zebra and boxwork fabrics in hydrothermal dolomite reservoirs indicates that they are not confined fault zones and instead occur wherever precursor limestones had relatively greater porosity and permeability prior to dolomitization.     

湖北秭归地区震旦系灯影组白云岩地球化学特征及其成因意义

白云岩化流体性质与成岩作用是近年来碳酸盐岩成岩作用研究的热点,研究白云岩的成因有利于进一步认识白云岩储层的形成机制并为优质储层的预测提供依据。通过岩石学、矿物学(X射线衍射)、地球化学(微量元素、稀土元素、碳氧同位素)方法,系统研究湖北秭归地区灯影组不同类型白云岩的成因,并分析了可能的白云岩化模式。样品的微量元素特征显示,秭归地区白云岩未受到陆源碎屑物质的影响,形成于气候干旱、海水咸度较大且氧化的沉积环境中;Sr含量特征显示白云岩发生了较为彻底的白云岩化,其成岩环境为温度较高的埋藏环境,成岩过程中未受到淋滤作用的影响;秭归地区白云岩化流体主要来源于海水。结合蒸发白云岩(萨布哈)及埋藏白云岩化模式解释了秭归地区泥微晶白云岩及晶粒白云岩的形成过程。     

Origin of dolomitization on the Barbwire Terrace, Canning Basin, Western Australia

A thick, areally extensive subsurface sequence of Upper Devonian carbonates occurs on the Barbwire Terrace in the Canning Basin of Western Australia. It is a platform sequence in which most of the shallow water lithologies have been thoroughly dolomitized. Slightly deeper water marls have remained as limestones. The major, regional dolomite type in the sequence is not restricted to peritidal lithologies and forms large thicknesses of dolomite (up to 600 m) with no primary calcite. A small volume of evaporitic, supratidal dolomite is present at one location. This dolomite is derived from highly saline fluids developed in an arid supratidal environment. Replacement dolomite of the regional dolomite type has a xenotopic form, with undulose extinction, and irregular crystal boundaries. In addition, saddle dolomite cements appear to have precipitated contemporaneously with the major phase of replacement dolomite. This suggests the regional dolomite type was precipitated at slightly elevated temperatures. Dolomitized stylolites and cements appear to indicate that dolomitization occurred after cementation and pressure solution. Geochemically, the synsedimentary supratidal and regional dolomite types are quite distinctive. Supratidal dolomites have δ18O values which are significantly higher (δ18O=?2 to +1‰ (PDB)) than the regional dolomite type (δ18O=?9 to ?2‰ (PDB)). Assuming the lowest δ18O values for the sabkha dolomite represent replacement in marine waters, the oxygen isotopic composition for Upper Devonian Canning Basin marine dolomite would be around δ18O=?2‰ (PDB). The petrographic and geochemical characteristics of the regional dolomite type support a burial diagenetic origin. However, sources of magnesium in current burial dolomitization models appear insufficient to account for the large volume of dolomite on the Barbwire Terrace. Therefore, it is suggested that dolomitization may have taken place in a near-surface environment with a major recrystallization event superimposed during burial diagenesis.