塔里木盆地和田1井中寒武统膏岩层段发现原生白云石

岩石学与地球化学研究表明,塔里木盆地和田1井中寒武统膏岩层中白云石为原生白云石。岩石学特征上,白云石晶体微小,属隐晶—微晶(5μm),呈他形—次圆形,并且不含灰质前驱物。白云石与自生石膏有密切联系,根据其与石膏的关系及岩石学特征,可以将其分为两类:A类原生白云石,包裹在石膏内,晶体较大,一般大于3μm;B类原生白云石,石膏分散在其中,具有极好的长柱状晶形,白云石晶体较小,一般小于3μm。地球化学特征上,两类白云石差别也较明显。A类白云石具有高的n(Mg)/n(Ca)比,平均为0.96,接近化学计量白云石。Na_2O,Sr O,Fe O,Mn O平均含量分别为160μg/g,270μg/g,2250μg/g,120μg/g。δ~(13)C(PDB)与δ~(18)O(SMOW)平均值分别为0.3‰,24.6‰;与A类原生白云石相比,B类原生白云石n(Mg)/n(Ca)比较低,平均值为0.90。具有较高的Na_2O,Fe O,Mn O含量与稍低的Sr O含量,平均值分别为290μg/g,2540μg/g,200μg/g,200μg/g。δ~(13)C(PDB)与δ~(18)O(SMOW)变化不大,δ~(13)C稍低,平均值为-0.3‰,δ~(18)O值较高,平均值为25.2‰。研究表明,文中白云石为原生沉淀,而非交代前驱物灰岩形成,Mg的来源为强烈蒸发形成的高盐度咸水。微生物可能参与了白云石沉淀过程。     

微生物成因白云石研究进展

"白云岩问题"一直是沉积地质学研究的热点和难点之一,白云岩在我国和世界范围内都是重要的油气储层。因此,深入认识白云岩成因对于碳酸岩油气勘探具有重要参考意义。白云岩成因有多种解释模式,如萨布哈蒸发模式、渗透回流模式、埋藏调节模式、混合水模式、潮汐泵模式等。近几十年来,随着低温白云石研究的不断深入,微生物白云石模式作为一种新的成因模式被提出并不断被完善。本文回顾了微生物成因白云石的研究进展,总结了低温白云石形成的3个动力学障碍(镁离子的高水合能、硫酸根的存在、碳酸根离子的低浓度和低活度),简要介绍了微生物成因白云石模式的建立、微生物成因白云石的生长过程及发育特征,系统分析了微生物在白云石形成过程中的调节作用,指出微生物(如硫酸盐还原菌、古甲烷菌)的存在可以改变溶液中的离子平衡,进而有利地克服白云石形成过程中的动力学障碍,并列举了低温微生物成因白云石的氧同位素指标在古温度恢复和过去气候变化研究中的应用,最后对微生物成因白云石相关研究方向(如多学科交叉、新技术应用等)加以展望。对微生物成因白云石模式的深入认识,将为正确解释"白云岩问题"提供新的途径,也将为石油学家关心的白云岩储层问题提供新的理论基础和研究思路。     

“白云岩问题”与“前寒武纪之谜”研究进展

白云岩的成因是沉积学界倍受关注的研究主题;众多的白云岩化模式可以用来解释各种成岩白云岩的成因;然而原生白云岩的成因一直是困扰沉积学界的难题,被称为“白云岩问题”。究其原因主要在于：在近地表环境的常温、常压实验条件下不能生成完美有序的白云石矿物。近年来,野外观测和实验模拟研究发现某些微生物的生命活动可导致白云石于地表常温、常压条件下发生沉淀。如硫酸盐还原细菌和产烷菌的调节作用可以克服白云石晶核形成的动力学障碍,在这些厌氧菌的参与下,白云石晶核形成和沉淀并不需要高镁离子和过饱和状态的溶液环境。这种微生物学和沉积学的结合代表了一个新的研究方向,同时也为解决“白云岩问题”带来了新希望。泥晶白云岩化作用（mimetic dolomization）可以保留原矿物（文石或方解石）的晶形、原岩的微细组构,对解释地史时期保存原生构造的白云岩具重要的启示。“前寒武纪之谜”是指前寒武纪叠层石中缺乏钙化蓝细菌化石的现象。参与碳酸盐岩叠层石建造的微生物群组成可能随着地质历史的演化发生变化,蓝细菌在显生宙的叠层石建造过程中起主导作用,细胞体积更小的真细菌很可能是参与前寒武纪叠层石建造的主要微生物。     

Microbial dolomite crusts from the carbonate platform off western India

Abstract The occurrence of Late Pleistocene dolomite crusts that occur at 64 m depth on the carbonate platform off western India is documented. Dolomite is the most predominant mineral in the crusts. In thin section, the crust consists of dolomitized microlaminae interspersed with detrital particles. Under scanning electron microscopy, these laminae are made up of tubular filaments or cellular structures of probable cyanobacterial origin. Dolomite crystals encrust or overgrow the surfaces of the microbial filaments and/or cells; progressive mineralization obliterates their morphology. Well-preserved microbial mats, sulphide minerals (pyrrhotite and marcasite) and the stable isotope composition of dolomite in the crusts indicate hypersaline and anoxic conditions during dolomite formation. The crusts are similar to dolomite stromatolites, and biogeochemical processes related to decaying microbial mats under anoxic conditions probably played an important role in dolomite precipitation. The dolomite is therefore primary and/or very early diagenetic in origin. The dolomite crusts are interpreted to be a composite of microbial dolomite overprinted by early burial organic dolomite. The results of this study suggest that a microbial model for dolomite formation may be relevant for the origin of ancient massive dolomites in marine successions characterized by cryptalgal laminites. The age of the crusts further suggests that the platform was situated at shallow subtidal depths during the Last Glacial Maximum.     

Porosity evolution of the Cambrian Bonneterre Dolomite, south-eastern Missouri, USA

The Cambrian Bonneterre Dolomite of south-eastern Missouri, USA, hosts the large Mississippi Valley type (MVT) lead-zinc-copper ore deposits of the region. The Bonneterre Dolomite consists of dolomitized algal bioherms, oolitic grainstone and associated lithologies that were deposited on a carbonate platform surrounding the Precambrian age St Francois Mountains. Porosity was determined by point counting thin sections from cores and mines in the Bonneterre Dolomite and by gas porosimetry. Volumes of epigenetic cements were estimated by point counting cement filling micro- and mesoporosity using cathodoluminescence. Cement volumes were added to present porosity to estimate porosities during various stages of mineralization. Prior to the onset of mineralization, micro- and mesoporosity in the Bonneterre Dolomite averaged approximately 19%. Precipitation of early dolomite cement (roughly concurrent with the main period of sulphide deposition) reduced average porosity to approximately 7% and closed off much of the intercrystalline pore space. Later cementation by dolomite (prior to late stage sulphides) reduced porosity to approximately 5%, and late cementation by quartz further reduced porosity to the present average value of <4%. Periods of carbonate dissolution during MVT mineralization enhanced large scale megaporosity associated with fractures and breccias but did not significantly increase smaller scale porosity. Dolomite cementation associated with MVT mineralization, porosity and permeability were facies controlled. Today, as a result of mineralization, large scale fractures and breccias control porosity and permeability. This study indicates that dolomite porosity may undergo significant change during basinal brine migrations associated with MVT mineralization.     

Origin,characteristics and distribution of fault‐related and fracture‐related dolomitization: Insights from Mississippian carbonates,Isle of Man

Viséan limestones on the Isle of Man host numerous examples of fault‐controlled and fracture‐controlled dolomitization, which have been investigated to determine their macro‐scale to micro‐scale characteristics, geofluid origin, timing and relation to basin evolution. Geobodies composed of fabric destructive, ferroan, non‐planar dolomite range from several centimetres to >300 m wide and tens to hundreds of metres long parallel to faults and/or fractures; they have sharply defined margins, cross‐cut stratigraphy and locally finger out along beds or bed boundaries for tens of metres. Larger geobodies accompany NNE–SSW extensional faults with substantial breccia zones. One of these bodies hosts a sphalerite‐rich breccia deposit cemented by dolomite. Saddle dolomite lines or fills vugs and fractures within dolomite geobodies, and is a minor late diagenetic phase in undolomitized limestones. Replacive dolomite has low matrix porosity owing to non‐planar texture and associated cementation, and there is no evidence for subsequent leaching. Three dolomite stages are discriminated by texture, cathodoluminescence petrography and electron microscopy. Disseminated ‘Dolomite 1’ is substantially replaced and may be residual early diagenetic dolomite. Pervasive ‘Dolomite 2’ and ‘Dolomite 3’ have overlapping carbon–oxygen–strontium isotopic and fluid‐inclusion characteristics that indicate precipitation from allochthonous, high‐temperature (98 to 223°C) and high‐salinity (15 to 24 wt% NaCl eq.) brines. These variably equilibrated with host limestones and mixed with resident pore fluids. Overlying mudrocks formed a seal for ascending fluids. Integration of data from the mineral deposit suggests that fault‐fracture systems tapped different deep‐seated fluid reservoirs at different temperatures, and implies fluid interactions with both metamorphic basement and sedimentary cover in large‐scale circulation systems. This phenomenon probably took place during Mesozoic rifting, although an earlier event at the end of the Early Carboniferous cannot be discounted. In either case, a transient heat flow anomaly, previously unrecognized in the Irish Sea region, may be required to account for the hottest fluids.     

二连盆地巴音都兰凹陷下白垩统湖相云质岩成因研究

巴音都兰凹陷下白垩统发育的云质岩是一套具有特殊成因的重要标志层,且近年来在其中发现大量油气显示,但目前对这套云质岩成因研究程度较低。为此,通过岩芯观察、薄片鉴定、全岩分析、微量元素和碳氧同位素测定等方法,综合研究了云质岩的岩石学特征、古水介质、成因类型等。研究认为,本区古水介质为淡水-微咸水,而白云石中铁含量高,是埋藏白云化作用的产物,发生白云化作用的母质是凝灰物质,凝灰物质蚀变作用形成大量的斜长石和镁、铁离子,并在二氧化碳参与下发生水解,形成铁白云石,其中二氧化碳主要来源于埋藏条件下的有机质甲烷化作用。     

微生物白云岩模式研究进展

白云石（岩）问题一直是沉积学领域长期关注的研究主题之一。近年来,在研究含有白云石的现代自然环境和促进原生白云石的沉淀实验中,都加入了微生物因素,并取得了令世人关注的效果,这无疑为白云石（岩）的成因研究提供了新思路与新途径。在前人研究基础上,总结现有的观察资料和实验结果,将微生物促进白云石沉淀的机理模式归纳为厌氧模式和需氧模式2种,并分别介绍这两种模式中硫酸盐还原细菌、产甲烷菌和嗜盐好氧细菌促进白云石沉淀的机理;与微生物相关的矿物形态学特征中,球形和哑铃形白云石及白云石最初的成核阶段所形成的纳米球粒状结构具有一定代表意义,尤其是纳米球粒状结构可以作为生物矿物学上微生物白云石的标志性结构。通过这些特殊的形态特征来寻找微生物作用的证据,或可为古代相似成因白云石（岩）的成因研究提供一种标志。     

Origin of nodular chert in the carbonate rocks of the Kaladgi group (younger precambrian), Karnataka,India

Lensoid, irregular nodules and laminations of chert appear along the bedding planes and laminations of the Vidyanagar Dolomite Member of the Kaladgi Group, Karnataka, India. The field relations of the chert nodules with the host dolomite and evidence on polished hand-specimens clearly demonstrate that the cherts are secondary after dolomite. This contention finds extensive support from thin-sections which reveal floating relict dolomite fragments on a microcrystalline quartz mat, dolomite rhombs in various stages of progressive replacement, polycrystalline quartz rhombs apparently after dolomite. Chertification has also resulted in an aggrading neomorphic recrystallization of dolomicrite into dolomicrospar which rims the dislodged floating fragments of dolomite.Scanning electron microscopic studies revealed three distinct types of surfaces of chert; the polyhedral surface characteristic of microcrystalline quartz, the spongy surface characteristic of chalcedonic quartz (documented in thin-sections as semi-radiating to radiating aggregates of elongated crystals growing on the rhombic surfaces of dolomite, and the intermediate type showing both. The microcrystalline quartz seems to have originated through multinucleation at equally spaced centres on the dolomite mat, whereas the chalcedonic quartz originated by slow but direct and unhindered precipitation into cavities and residual pore-spaces, following dolomitisation. The silica invasion seems to have been accomplished by alkaline interstitial waters charged with silica.The occurrence and relation of chert-nodules with the host dolomite not only helps in unravelling their own origin, but also aids in drawing the dolomitisation curtain and in turn the post-dolomitisation diagenetic modifications of the host carbonates. It may be added, however, that the Kaladgi Carbonates have undergone mineralogical/textural modifications during diagenesis with superimposition of changes affected later, i.e. during tectonism which folded and cross-folded these sediments.     

Microbially mediated dolomite in Cambrian stromatolites from the Tarim Basin,north‐west China: implications for the role of organic substrate on dolomite precipitation

Dolomite [CaMg(CO₃)₂] is abundant in sedimentary rocks throughout the geological record, but it is rarely found in modern sediments. Also, it cannot be precipitated under low‐temperature conditions in the laboratory without microbial mediation and, as a result, its origin remains a long‐standing enigma. This study reports biologically mediated dolomite precipitation in ancient microbial mats and biofilms from the Cambrian Tarim Basin. The ambient temperature at the time of dolomite precipitation was estimated from δ¹⁸O values from early diagenetic dolomite, and the presence of structures associated with extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), is composed of fibres arranged in a reticular pattern, would favour epitaxial crystallization of dolomite on an organic substrate. In addition, poorly crystallized dolomite formed nanocrystal aggregates that strongly resemble the morphology and size distribution observed in microbial culture experiments. These lines of evidence confirm that microbial structures can be preserved in ancient dolomite and validate their use as biosignatures.     

湖相原生白云石的微生物成因机理探讨*

近年来,随着对微生物白云石模式研究的不断深入,为解释“白云石问题”提供了新思路。前人对微生物白云石成因研究侧重于微生物对未固结沉积物的改造,即有机准同生白云石化作用,这与实验室中以微生物为媒介形成的“有机原生白云石”在成因机理上存在差异。笔者将微生物白云石机理引入湖相原生白云石成因解释中,认为在湖水—沉积物交界处也会发生微生物成因的原生白云石沉淀,即有机原生白云石。湖水与沉积物交界处的微环境存在明显区别,总体可分为有氧和缺氧2种亚环境,不同亚环境中生活有不同的微生物群落。根据湖泊亚环境特性和微生物种类及其在白云石形成过程中所发挥的作用,可以区分出细菌有氧氧化模式、硫酸盐还原模式和产甲烷模式3种微生物白云石模式。不同模式对应于不同的湖泊环境: 细菌有氧氧化模式主要发生于有氧、高Mg/Ca值的咸水/盐湖环境;硫酸盐还原模式主要发生于缺氧、高Mg/Ca值的咸水/盐湖环境;产甲烷模式主要发生于缺氧、低Mg/Ca值的淡水/咸水湖环境。另外,还探讨了pH值变化、SO42-的存在和硫化物对镁水合物脱水的影响以及微生物白云石沉淀的环境因子。对微生物成因的原生白云石模式的深入认识,将为湖相白云石成因研究提供新的理论基础和研究思路。     

Genesis of evaporite-associated platform dolomites: case study of the Main Dolomite (Zechstein, Upper Permian), Leba elevation, northern Poland

Dolomitization of the Zechstein (Late Permian) Main Dolomite carbonates of northern Poland was penecontemporaneous and/or very early diagenetic. Well-ordered, stoichiometric dolomites are associated with the basinal facies. The platform dolomites are relatively poorly ordered and usually non-stoichiometric. Most samples are highly enriched in ¹³C, as in other Zechstein carbonates. δ¹⁸O values show large variations from -5·1%0 to + 7·4%. There is an isotope zonation of the examined dolomites. The isotope signature indicates that dolomites formed from variable solutions of meteoric water, seawater, and evaporitic brines of possible marine or continental origin. Once initiated, dolomitization proceeded despite the evolution of dolomitizing brines. This evolution explains the occurrence of lagoonal dolomites with common evidence for dissolution in the lower part of sections compared with well-developed rhombohedra in the upper part. Crystal zoning suggests the initiation of dolomite growth in hypersaline water and progressive dilution by fresh water. There is isotopic evidence for migration of continental waters into the basin, presumably following sea-level fall at the end of the deposition of the Main Dolomite. Influence of fresh water on syndepositional dolomitization, well established in the Main Dolomite, strongly suggests that similar relationships may be characteristic for other evaporite-associated dolomites as well.     

“白云石（岩）问题”与湖相白云岩研究

 近30年来,微生物白云石模式推动“白云石（岩）问题”前进了一大步,大量的实验和实例证明微生物（硫酸盐还原菌、产甲烷古菌、中度嗜盐有氧细菌等）的代谢活动对于促进白云石低温沉淀起了关键作用。微生物白云石特殊的微结构、微形貌和稳定同位素特征是其主要识别标志。然而,该模式在微生物成岩规模、诱导机制、是否存在纳米细菌化石以及现代微生物白云石成因模式能否用来解释古代白云石的成因等方面仍存在较大争议。我国古代湖相白云岩因其时空分布广、成因机制多样等特点可为“白云石问题”的研究提供良好的条件。     

安徽含山县汤山白云石矿产地质特征及综合利用

随着社会主义经济建设的发展,白云石应用领域不断扩展,广泛用于建材、冶金、化工等行业;寻找白云石矿已成为经济建设不可或缺的一部分.汤山白云石矿的发现,对它的地层、构造、断层等矿床地质特征等的研究,为我们找寻类似白云石矿产指明了一条捷径.     

塔里木盆地下奥陶统蓬莱坝组白云岩成因及储层主控因素分析——以巴楚大班塔格剖面为例

寒武系-下奥陶统白云岩是塔里木盆地非常重要的勘探接替领域,但由于白云岩埋藏深度大,勘探和研究程度低,目前的认识程度无法满足勘探的需求,尤其是白云岩储层成因和分布的认识。本文以巴楚地区大班塔格剖面蓬莱组白云岩的精细解剖为例,测制解剖剖面9条,采集样品195块,系统的开展了岩石薄片、物性及地球化学特征分析,取得了两个方面的新的认识。1)是塔里木盆地蓬莱坝组发育粉晶、细晶、中晶和粗晶四种白云岩,主要形成于早-中埋藏期与海源流体有关的白云石化作用中,局部受到热液改造,其晶粒大小与原岩结构的粗细及孔隙空间的大小有关,原岩结构粗,形成的白云石晶粒就粗,原岩孔隙空间大,白云石晶粒就大。2)是白云岩储层的分布具成层性和旋回性,孔隙发育段总体位于向上变浅旋回的顶部,与高频旋回的暴露面有关,其载体以细-粗晶白云岩为主,孔隙主体来自原岩孔隙的继承和再调整,少量来自埋藏(热液)溶蚀作用,而并不是传统观点所认为的白云石化作用建造孔隙,这一认识对塔里木盆地深层白云岩有效储层预测具重要的指导意义。     

Geological significance of Coorong dolomites

Microcrystalline dolomite and related carbonate minerals have been forming throughout the Quaternary in shallow ephemeral alkaline lakes on the coastal plain of the Coorong area in southern Australia. These Coorong dolomites differ significantly from sabkha-type dolomites. They form in areas where evaporation rates during summer months exceed groundwater inflow rates to a series of alkaline lakes. This results in the lakes becoming desiccated during summer months. Brines resulting from this drying phase are then refluxed out of the system into seaward-flowing groundwaters of an unconfined coastal aquifer. Dolomites and other fine-grained carbonates remain behind, whilst saline and sulphate evaporite minerals are flushed out of the system. Progressive restriction by sedimentation in and around the Holocene coastal dolomite lakes results in an upward-shoaling sedimentary cycle. Basal sediments which formed in a restricted marine environment pass upwards to lacustrine dolomites or magnesites exhibiting desiccation and groundwater resurgence structures such as mudcracks and teepees. The upper Proterozoic Skillogallee Dolomite Formation, an early rift basin unit of the Adelaide Supergroup, contains dolomites which show many of the features characteristic of the peculiar groundwater hydrology which plays an important role in Coorong dolomite genesis. These features include aphanitic dolomites which lack relict saline or sulphate evaporite minerals. The Skillogallee Dolomite Formation in some areas overlies an earlier dolomitic unit, informally named the Callanna Beds, typified by abundant pseudomorphs after sulphate minerals. Sabkha style dolomites characterizing the Callanna Beds are replaced up-section by the Coorong-type dolomite of the Skillogallee Dolomite Formation. This implies the development of an increasingly more active groundwater regime. The ultimate source and mode of concentration of the necessary Mg required to form both the modern and ancient dolomites remain imperfectly understood.     

山西省盂县羊泉冶镁白云岩矿床地质特征、成因及经济意义研究

金属镁是新世纪重要的绿色金属能源,而冶镁白云岩是生产金属镁不可缺少的原料,是山西省能源重化工基地的一种十分重要的矿产资源.盂县羊泉冶镁白云岩矿床位于吕梁、太行断块-五台山块隆东侧,白云岩矿体赋存于寒武系上统-奥陶系下统三山子组,总体上呈走向NW、倾向SW的单斜构造.含矿岩石主要为中-厚层细-粗晶白云岩,粉晶-细晶或中粗晶粒状结构,块状或薄层状构造.矿床的形成演化经历了沉积-白云岩化-重结晶三个阶段.矿体平均品位ω(MgO)为21.20％、ω(SiO2)为0.67％、ω(K2O+ Na2O)为0.076％,品位变化较均匀.该区共求得冶镁用白云岩矿资源量约3.45亿吨,属一大型矿山,具有较大的开发前景.     

Origin of dolomite in the Late Jurassic platform carbonates,Bolkar Mountains,Central Taurides,Turkey: Petrographic and geochemical evidence

The Late Jurassic-early Senonian Cehennemdere Formation extending in an E-W direction in a wide area at the south of the Bolkar Mountains (Central Taurides, Turkey) is composed of platform carbonates. The formation was deposited in an environment that was being transformed from a shallow carbonate platform to an open shelf and a continental slope, and was buried until late Paleocene uplift. The formation, with a thickness of about 360 m, was chiefly developed as textures consisting of mudstone and wackestone and has been commonly dolomitized. Based on petrographic and geochemical properties, four types of replacement dolomites and two types of dolomite cements were distinguished. Replacement dolomite (RD), which is cut by low-amplitude stylolites developed as (1) fine crystalline planar-s dolomite (RD1); (2) medium crystalline planar-s dolomite (RD2); (3) medium-coarse crystalline planar-e dolomite (RD3) and; (4) coarse crystalline planar-s (e) dolomite (RD4). Two types of dolomite cements (CD) observed in low abundance and overlie low-amplitude stylolites: (1) coarse crystalline dolomite cement (CD1) filling dissolution voids and fractures in RD1 dolomites, and; (2) rim dolomite cement (CD2) that commonly develops on the space-facing surfaces of RD4 dolomite. Replacement dolomites are non-stoichiometric (Ca_54–59Mg_41–46), have similar geochemical properties, and are generally dull red/non luminescent in appearance. Replacement dolomite is represented by δ¹⁸O values from −4.5 to −0.5‰ VPDB, δ¹³C values of −0.7 to 2.7‰ VPDB, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios ranging from 0.707178 to 0.707692. Petrographic and geochemical data indicate that replacement dolomite (particularly RD2, RD3, and RD4 dolomite) was formed at shallow-intermediate burial depths during the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous, from seawater and/or from slightly modified seawater. The replacement dolomite (RD) was then recrystallized at increased burial depths and temperatures. Dolomite cements are similar to replacement dolomites in that they are non-stoichiometric (Ca₅₅Mg₄₅) and have similar trace element compositions. CD1 dolomite, which cuts low-amplitude stylolites, was formed during intermediate to deep burial following stylolite development. CD2 dolomite was precipitated in intercrystal pores in association with RD4 dolomite. Remaining pore space was filled with bitumen.     

Origin and modification of Cambrian dolomites (Red Heart Dolomite and Arthur Creek Formation), Georgina Basin, central Australia

The Early to Middle Cambrian Red Heart Dolomite and lower Arthur Creek Formation of the southern portion of the Georgina Basin, Australia, is an entirely dolomitized succession of shallow-water evaporitic mudflat and deeper-water subtidal lithologies. Three types of dolomite have been identified and are interpreted as: (1) syndepositional dolomite; (2) regional replacement dolomite; and (3) void-filling dolomite (cement). Syndepositional dolomite, derived from saline pore fluids developed in a sabkha environment, is a minor dolomite type with very fine crystal mosaics and has a mottled, non-zoned cathodoluminescence. The widespread regional replacement dolomite ranges from fine- to medium-crystalline forming mainly planar-s and non-planar-a crystal mosaics, and displays blotchy, mottled, non-zoned cathodoluminescence. Void-filling dolomite commonly forms planar-s to planar-e, medium to very coarse crystal mosaics. Rare non-planar-c, very coarsely crystalline saddle dolomite also exists. Void-filling dolomite has a successively zoned cathodoluminescence pattern from non-, to brightly, to dully luminescent. Geochemically, the syndepositional dolomite has δ¹⁸O (PDB) values ranging between ? 5.3 and ? 8.6%_o. Regional replacement dolomites exhibit a wide range of δ¹⁸O values from ? 3.3 to ? 10.9%_o whereas void-filling dolomite has δ¹⁸O values ranging from ? 10.8 to ? 14.3%_o. All three dolomite types have similar δ¹³C (PDB) values, in the range between +1.7 and ?1.7%_o. Three initial dolomitization episodes are interpreted: (1) a sabkha stage, forming the syndepositional dolomite and dolomitizing the evaporitic mudflat lithologies; (2) a brine-reflux stage, replacing the subtidal lithologies; and (3) a burial stage, forming the void-filling dolomite type. Final dolomite stabilization occurred during burial, at elevated temperatures, in the presence of basinal fluids, resulting in progressive recrystallization and stabilization of the earlier-formed syndepositional and replacement dolomites. Both textural and geochemical evolution should be taken into account when studying the origin of dolomites, based on their present geochemical composition. Sulphates are represented by very fine-crystalline syndepositional anhydrite in association with the syndepositional dolomite, and coarse to very coarse anhydrite cement. Evaportic mudflat (sabkha) and burial environments are inferred for the origin of the former and the latter anhydrite types, respectively. Evaporite dissolution breccias, indicative of the former presence of evaporites, are common throughout the succession.     

Microbial dolomite in the sabkha environment of the middle Cambrian in the Tarim Basin,NW China

In the Tarim Basin, dolomite, which formed during the middle Cambrian associated with evaporites, has been attributed to the sabkha-style dolomite formed during the syndepositional period. The sedimentary microfacies suggests dolomite formation in the middle Cambrian is an ancient analogue of the sabkha of Abu Dhabi. Poorly crystallised dolomite spheroids or ovoids within or on the surface of dolomite crystals are a common phenomenon that can be widely observed in different stromatolites in the upper part of the intertidal zone and strongly resemble the morphology in modern sabkha dolomite-producing microbial mats and in microbial culture experiments. These lines of evidence suggest organic substrates for dolomite nucleation. Dolomite formation in the middle Cambrian in the Tarim Basin has been considered a classic analogue for carbonate and evaporate assemblages. The extent of microbial dolomite in ancient sabkha environments is proposed as an alternative model for dolomite formation, in which the mineral properties of organic substrates play a crucial role.