Environmental and sequence stratigraphic implications of anhydrite textures: A case from the Lower Triassic of the Central Persian Gulf

The Lower Triassic Kangan Formation in the Persian Gulf (South Pars Gas Field) and its adjacent areas are composed of carbonate–evaporite sequences. These sediments were deposited in a shallow marine homoclinal ramp. Study of the anhydrite-bearing intervals shows various structures and textures. The anhydrite structures are mainly bedded, massive, chicken-wire and nodular type and the main textures are felted, sparse crystal, needle shape, lath shape, equant and fibrous. Pervasive and poikilotopic cement together with replacement and porphyroblastic gypsum are accounted as the most common diagenetic features in anhydrite. Evaluation of anhydrite occurrences and features support both primary and secondary formations. The nodular to chicken-wire anhydrite formed under synsedimentary sabkha conditions, whereas anhydrite cements occurred during the late stages of diagenesis (shallow burial stage). Massive to bedded anhydrite could have been formed under subaqueous conditions or originated by coalescing and continued growth of anhydrite nodules in the sabkha zone. Anhydrite fabrics impose a significant control on the reservoir quality of the Kangan carbonates at the South Pars Gas Field. Thick massive and bedded anhydrite could have been formed as an intraformational seals and anhydrite cements occluded pore spaces and reduced the poroperm values. The sequence stratigraphic analysis revealed two depositional sequences in the studied intervals, which are composed of TST and HST. Investigation of anhydrite throughout depositional sequences indicates a change in the content and style of anhydrite texture. Anhydrite content (volume) decreases upward through transgressive system tract (sea-level rise) whereas, it enhances during highstand system tract (sea-level fall). Pervasive and poikilotopic anhydrite cements together with replacement by anhydrite are prevalent features during transgressive and early highstand system tract. At the late HST, with a progradational stacking pattern, anhydrite value increases and felted, radial, equant, crystalline and mosaic texture are the most common anhydrite fabrics. Sequence boundaries that indicate maximum sea level fall and exposure of successions are marked by the broad anhydrite deposits with massive to bedded and chicken-wire structures and various textures that located in late HST package. There is an unambiguous relationship between the microfacies associations, the evaporite textures, and the sea-level fluctuations. This relationship could lead to a predictable pattern that can be of use as a general guide for the sequence stratigraphic interpretations in the area.     

Eogenetic diagenesis of Chinle sandstones,Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona,USA): A record of Late Triassic climate change

Fluvially derived tuffaceous Chinle sandstones from Petrified Forest National Park provide a well‐preserved Late Triassic archive of climate information. Petrographic analysis of 38 Chinle sandstones provides new insight into the depositional history and evolution of palaeoclimate during Chinle deposition. This study focuses on the relationship between climate and meteoric diagenesis as a guide for constraining climate change in western equatorial Pangea during the Late Triassic. Petrographic analysis of Chinle sandstones reveals their wide range of textural attributes, as well as pedogenic and shallow burial diagenetic features that occurred during the Late Triassic. These diverse petrological characteristics are indicative of the evolving Late Triassic climate, when placed into a well‐constrained stratigraphic and geochronological framework. The stratigraphic succession is characterized by variations in the abundance of framework grains, detrital matrix, weathering intensity of feldspar and volcanic rock fragments, and the mineralogy of clay cements. Climate records from Chinle palaeosol geochemistry indicate a progression from wet to dry conditions. This trend is also reflected in the meteoric diagenetic features of Chinle sandstones. During deposition of the lower Chinle, elevated rainfall promoted the weathering of labile volcanic detritus to kaolinite, whereas feldspars (especially plagioclase) were partially or completely dissolved. In the upper Chinle, a trend towards drier conditions favoured the formation of smectite and less feldspar dissolution resulting in a higher abundance of well‐preserved plagioclase grains. Shallow burial meteoric weathering reactions in Chinle sandstones reflect the evolving climate during the Late Triassic.     

Dolomite characteristics and diagenetic model of the Calcari Grigi Group (Asiago Plateau,Southern Alps – Italy): an example of multiphase dolomitization

A multidisciplinary study, conducted over the carbonate platform deposits of the Liassic Calcari Grigi Group (Southern Alps), highlighted how the use of outcrop analogues can contribute to better define the distribution of dolomitic bodies related to fault networks, to characterize the petrophysical properties of the dolomitic sequence and unravel a complex diagenetic history. This study was carried out in the Asiago Plateau (southernmost part of the eastern Southern Alps, northern Italy) which provides excellent outcrops of the Jurassic Calcari Grigi Group. The dolomitization of the Jurassic sequence is variable in terms of stratigraphic extension and geographic distribution. In the studied localities the dolomitization is generally limited to the Mount Zugna Formation and is characterized by an undulatory front, with ‘sub‐vertical dolomitic chimneys’ along the major faults. Within this unit, and often associated with faults, stacked high‐porosity and permeability bed‐parallel dolomitic bodies are developed that show excellent petrophysical properties. The dolomitic intervals are characterized by pervasive unimodal and patchy polymodal dolomite crystals. Thin section, cathodoluminescence, isotopic and fluid inclusion analyses were used to constrain the paragenetic evolution of the sequence which is similar in all the studied localities. The first dolomitization stage is marked by zoned dolomite crystals with a dull luminescent core. The porosity is thought to have increased after this stage, with dark blue luminescent dolomite accompanied by the corrosion of older crystals. The appearance of saddle dolomite marks the onset of the porosity reduction stage, ending with the infilling of vugs and the remaining open pores with calcite cement. The diagenetic evolution locally stopped at the saddle dolomite stage with the complete occlusion of the remaining pores. Paragenetic and fluid‐inclusion data suggest an evolutionary trend of increasing temperatures and decreasing salinity toward brackish fluids responsible for dolomite and calcite precipitation. The integration of the available data seem to indicate that the diagenetic evolution of the study area is related to: (i) the interplay between evolving fluids (from marine to brackish); (ii) the burial of the sequence (increasing temperature); and (iii) the evolution of the hydrogeological system (fault and fracture network, fluid mixing). This complex paragenetic evolution is strongly linked to the evolution of the porosity framework that evolved from a good, widespread network in the early stages of the burial history to a confined system in the later stages due to reduction of porosity by the deposition of late calcite and dolomite cements.     

中国三叠纪钾盐沉积——以四川为例

中国三叠系蒸发岩分布于华南,面积超过100×10⁴km²,发现硫酸钾盐及富钾卤水,钾盐矿物有杂卤石、无水钾镁矾、硫锶钾石及多钙钾石膏等,富钾卤水矿化度255~382g/l,含钾量4~49g/l。蒸发盆地的发展受控于古构造及古地理,经历了开放台地一局限台地一堰塞湖一盐湖的发展阶段。钾盐沉积后,经历多阶段的复杂演变。富钾卤水中的钾主要来自硫酸钾盐的深滤,其次来自蒸发浓缩卤水及火山灰吸附钾的释放。杂卤石与富钾卤水的钾同位素测年值分别为210~150Ma及264~150Ma,说明固液相钾盐同源。从地质背景及成矿环境预测,三叠系的钾盐类型只能是硫酸钾盐,主要目的层为T₁j^5~2及T₂l^4~2,主要成矿带为构造分异及钾异常明显的四川盆地东、西部,富钾卤水的储集取决于蒸发岩地层的含钾性、碳酸盐夹层的裂隙发育程度及构造控矿条件。找矿模型应是油气钾卤兼探。     

Evaporative systems and diagenetic patterns in the Calatayud Basin (Miocene,central Spain)

This paper concerns the evaporite units, depositional systems, cyclicity, diagenetic products and anhydritization patterns of the Calatayud Basin (nonmarine, Miocene, central Spain). In outcrop, the sulphate minerals of these shallow lacustrine evaporites consist of primary and secondary gypsum, the latter originating from the replacement of anhydrite and glauberite. In the evaporative systems of this basin, gypsiferous marshes of low salinity can be distinguished from central, saline lakes of higher salinity. In the gypsiferous marsh facies, the dominant, massive, bioturbated gypsum was partly replaced by synsedimentary chert nodules and siliceous crusts. In the saline lake facies, either cycles of gypsiferous lutite‐laminated gypsarenite or irregular alternations of laminated gypsum, nodular and banded glauberite, thenardite and nodular anhydrite precipitated. Early replacement of part of the glauberite by anhydrite also occurred. Episodes of subaerial exposure are represented by: (1) pedogenic carbonates (with nodular magnesite) and gypsiferous crusts composed of poikilitic crystals; and (2) nodular anhydrite, which formed in a sabkha. Additionally, meganodular anhydrite occurs, which presumably precipitated from ascending, highly saline solutions. The timing of anhydritization was mainly controlled by the salinity of the pore solutions, and occurred from the onset of deposition to moderate burial. Locally, a thick (>200 m) sequence of gypsum cycles developed, which was probably controlled by climatic variation. A trend of upward‐decreasing salinity is deduced from the base to the top of the evaporite succession.     

碳酸盐岩成岩作用与层序地层学关系研究--以鄂尔多斯盆地寒武系为例

本文从准同生成岩作用、成岩作用类型及其强度、成岩环境演化等方面探讨了成岩作用与海平面升降、层序地层学的关系。研究指出,准同生期成岩作用反映海平面升降、层序界面的形成最敏感;成岩作用的类型及其成岩强度反映了海平面升降幅度、层序边界的类型：体系域的演化控制了成岩环境的演化,不同的体系域其成岩作用类型及其组合不同。成岩作用研究在白云岩地层中对层序边界及其类型的识别、体系域的划分具有重要的意义。     

鄂尔多斯盆地姬源—陇东地区三叠系延长组长7段致密储层成岩作用

鄂尔多斯盆地姬源—陇东地区三叠系延长组长7段致密储层主要为发育在深湖亚相中的浊积岩,部分为三角洲前缘亚相中的水下分流河道砂体。前人对致密储层成岩作用的研究较少,需弄清成岩作用对致密储层孔隙发育的影响。通过铸体薄片与扫描电镜对大量钻井取心样品进行观察与分析,认为影响研究区长7段致密储层孔隙类型与规模的成岩作用主要包括压实压溶作用、胶结作用与溶解作用3种类型,压实作用是储层致密的主要因素,特别是发育在三角洲前缘分流间湾和浊积扇边缘的薄层砂体,在压力作用下更易受到泥岩排出孔隙水的影响,形成方解石胶结。伊利石胶结与方解石胶结进一步使得储层致密。少量的绿泥石薄膜成为残余粒间孔保留与包裹岩屑颗粒后期溶蚀的基础,溶蚀作用是研究区储层孔隙形成的主要作用。成岩作用的研究为储层物性的研究提供了进一步依据。     

成岩作用对河流-三角洲相砂岩储层物性演化的影响--以延长油区上三叠统延长组长2砂岩为例

延长油区上三叠统长 2地层河流相-三角洲相砂岩储层的物性明显受埋藏-成岩作用事件的影响。埋藏压实作用是导致砂岩孔隙丧失的主要原因,造成的平均孔隙度丧失为 17.8%。其中黑云母的早期成岩蚀变是造成原生孔隙丧失的一个重要原因。胶结作用造成的平均孔隙度丧失为 7.1%。其中碳酸盐胶结物和次生石英加大是造成砂岩物性降低的主要胶结物。碎屑颗粒周围绿泥石薄膜的存在阻止了一部分石英次生加大及碳酸盐胶结物的沉淀,使一部分原生粒间孔隙得以保存。晚期成岩阶段有机质分解形成的酸性流体及表生成岩作用阶段的大气降水是形成次生孔隙的主要原因,从而使长 2砂岩的物性得到改善     

鄂尔多斯盆地姬源-陇东地区三叠系延长组长7段致密储层成岩作用

鄂尔多斯盆地姬源-陇东地区三叠系延长组长7段致密储层主要为发育在深湖亚相中的浊积岩,部分为三角洲前缘亚相中的水下分流河道砂体。前人对致密储层成岩作用的研究较少,需弄清成岩作用对致密储层孔隙发育的影响。通过铸体薄片与扫描电镜对大量钻井取心样品进行观察与分析,认为影响研究区长7段致密储层孔隙类型与规模的成岩作用主要包括压实压溶作用、胶结作用与溶解作用3种类型,压实作用是储层致密的主要因素,特别是发育在三角洲前缘分流间湾和浊积扇边缘的薄层砂体,在压力作用下更易受到泥岩排出孔隙水的影响,形成方解石胶结。伊利石胶结与方解石胶结进一步使得储层致密。少量的绿泥石薄膜成为残余粒间孔保留与包裹岩屑颗粒后期溶蚀的基础,溶蚀作用是研究区储层孔隙形成的主要作用。成岩作用的研究为储层物性的研究提供了进一步依据。     

封闭系统中的白云石化作用及其石油地质学和矿床学意义——以四川盆地东北部三叠系飞仙关组碳酸盐岩为例

作为优质储层的四川盆地东北部三叠系飞仙关组的结晶白云岩是通过埋藏成岩过程的封闭条件下的白云石化作用形成的.岩石所具有的高孔隙度与封闭体系中的白云石化反应2CaCO3 Mg2 =CaMg(CO3)2 Ca2 有关.埋藏成岩体系中的高锶流体是该封闭条件下白云石化作用的产物,深埋藏条件下的热化学硫酸盐还原作用是锶进一步富集的原因,因而三叠系的大型和超大型天青石矿床的成因与这些因素有关.结晶白云岩极低的锰含量、与同期海水类似的δ13C值表明白云石化流体具有强烈的海源色彩,同时也说明白云石化过程没有与大气水交换;相对较低的δ18O值表明白云石化发生在较晚的埋藏成岩阶段.大多数已有的白云石化机制都是基于近地表成岩条件建立的,系统具有良好的开放性,但开放体系中的白云石化(或白云石沉淀)作用对油气储集空间和与成岩过程元素迁移有关的沉积层控矿床的形成没有多少实际意义.在四川盆地东北部三叠系飞仙关组地层中,作为非储层的微晶或泥晶白云岩以及原始结构保存的粒屑白云岩的白云石化作用主要是在有大气水介入的开放体系中发生的.     

Distribution of diagenetic alterations in fluvial and paralic deposits within sequence stratigraphic framework: Evidence from the Petrohan Terrigenous Group and the Svidol Formation, Lower Triassic, NW Bulgaria

Elucidation of diagenetic alterations in the Petrohan Terrigenous Group (fluvial; highstand systems tract HST) sandstones and Svidol Formation (tide-dominated deltaic and tidal flat, transgressive systems tract TST and highstand systems tract HST, respectively) sandstones and calcarenite, Lower Triassic, NW Bulgaria was constrained within a sequence stratigraphic framework. Eogenetic alterations in the fluvial HST sandstones include (i) formation of grain-coating infiltrated clays as a result of percolation of mud-rich surface waters into underlying coarse-grained and permeable channel-fills and crevasse splay sandstones; (ii) formation of pseudomatrix by mechanical compaction of mud intraclasts that were incorporated into the coarse-grained channel sandstones during their lateral avulsion; and (iii) cementation by calcite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 6.5‰ to − 3‰; δ¹³C_VPDB = − 5.1‰ to + 0.6‰) and dolomite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 6.1‰ to − 0.3‰; δ¹³C_VPDB = − 7.2‰ to − 5.8‰) in the crevasse splay and floodplain sediments. Mesogenetic alterations that are encountered in the fluvial HST sandstones include (i) illitization of grain-coating clays, mud intraclasts, and mica, possibly because of simultaneous albitization of feldspars; (ii) cementation by calcite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 14.5‰ to − 8.4‰; δ¹³C_VPDB = − 7.7‰ to + 0.6‰) and dolomite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 15.8‰ to − 5‰; δ¹³C_VPDB = − 7.9‰ to + 1.5‰); and (iii) limited amounts of quartz overgrowths in the channel sandstones owing to occurrence of thick grain-coating clays.

Conversely, the tide-dominated deltaic TST sandstones and the tidal flat HST calcarenite were pervasively cemented by calcite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 6.6‰ to − 3.1‰; δ¹³C_VPDB = − 5.1‰ to + 0.6‰) and siderite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 7.2‰ to − 5.7‰; δ¹³C_VPDB = + 0.3‰ to + 0.9‰) particularly below marine and maximum flooding surfaces, due to the presence of abundant bioclasts and prolonged residence time of the sediments under certain geochemical conditions along these surfaces. The remaining open pores were cemented during mesodiagenesis by calcite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 6.6‰ to − 3.1‰ and δ¹³C_VPDB = − 5.1‰ to + 0.6‰) and dolomite (δ¹⁸O_VPDB = − 6.6‰ to − 3.1‰ and δ¹³C_VPDB = − 5.1‰ to + 0.6‰).

This study shows that constructing a conceptual model for the distribution of diagenetic alterations is possible by integration of diagenesis with sequence stratigraphy. The model shows that tide-dominated deltaic TST sandstones and tidal flat HST calcarenite were pervasively cemented by carbonates during near-surface eodiagenesis, owing to the presence of abundant bioclasts. Conversely, fluvial LST sandstones remained poorly cemented during near-surface eodiagenesis due to the lack of bioclasts, but were cemented by mesogenetic calcite, dolomite and quartz overgrowths instead.     

三叠纪扬子板块的漂移导致下扬子区石膏、硬石膏矿床的形成

下扬子区中一下三叠统广泛分布一套厚几十至数百米的石膏、硬石膏矿层，具较大的经济价值。笔者经多年野外工作，在掌握大量第一手资料的基础上，研究发现：由于扬子板块在三叠纪期间从赤道附近的暖湿气候带向北回归线附近的干热气候带漂移，并与亚洲板块碰撞抬升，造成其地理环境由热带陆表海向亚热带潮坪一泻湖转变，同时导致其生物群、沉积相及地球化学等发生一系列演变，是这套石膏、硬石膏矿床形成的重要原因。     

Carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of the carbonate facies in the Vindhyan Supergroup, central India

The Vindhyan sedimentary succession in central India spans a wide time bracket from the Paleoproterozoic to the Neoproterozoic period. Chronostratigraphic significance of stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of the carbonate phase in Vindhyan sediments has been discussed in some recent studies. However, the subtle controls of facies variation, depositional setting and post-depositional diagenesis on stable isotope compositions are not yet clearly understood. The Vindhyan Supergroup hosts four carbonate units, exhibiting a wide variability in depositional processes and paleogeography. A detailed facies-specific carbon and oxygen isotope study of the carbonate units was undertaken by us to investigate the effect of these processes and to identify the least altered isotope values. It is seen that both carbon and oxygen isotope compositions have been affected by early meteoric water diagenesis. The effect of diagenetic alteration is, however, more pronounced in case of oxygen isotopes than carbon isotopes. Stable isotope compositions remained insensitive to facies only when sediments accumulated in a shallow shelf setting without being exposed. Major alteration of original isotope ratios was observed in case of shallow marine carbonates, which became exposed to meteoric fluids during early diagenetic stage. Duration of exposure possibly determined the magnitude of alteration and shift from the original values. Moreover, dolomitization is found to be accompanied by appreciable alteration of isotope compositions in some of the carbonates. The present study suggests that variations in sediment depositional settings, in particular the possibility of subaerial exposure, need to be considered while extracting chronostratigraphic significance from δ¹³C data.     

Fabrics,facies control and diagenesis of lacustrine ooids and associated grains from the Upper Triassic,southwest England

Petrographic analysis of ooids from the Upper Triassic (Mercia Mudstone Group) of southwest England provides an opportunity to assess in detail the origins, transport pathways and diagenesis of an ancient oolite. The Clevedon Oolite is dolomitized and contains a variety of dissolved ooids (oomoulds) and associated grains. The oomoulds occur in well‐sorted, planar and cross‐stratified grainstones, packstones, sandstones and conglomerates associated with shoreface, intershoal, foreshore, beachrock and littoral strandplain deposits. The ooids grew in suspension in the shoreface zone and developed a radial aragonite microstructure. The ooids grew to 0.80 mm in diameter, after which they fractured or ceased growing. Broken grains deposited on or near mobile shoals were rapidly recoated, while other grains, deposited in less agitated, intershoal and lower foreshore areas, were micritized or microbially bound into grapestone aggregates. Locally peloids, intraclasts, quartz grains and micritized grains from intershoal areas supplied nuclei for ooids on nearby shoals. Grains deposited in foreshore areas were rapidly cemented into beachrock and reworked into conglomerates. Soon after deposition, the ooids were subjected to widespread aragonite dissolution followed by dolomitization. The lack of pre‐dolomitization calcite, together with the abundance of early (pre‐compaction) dolospar cements and fabric‐selective dolomitization of micritic fabrics, suggest aragonite dissolution by dolomitizing fluids. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Sedimentology and geochemistry of fluvio-lacustrine tufa deposits controlled by evaporite solution subsidence in the central Ebro Depression, NE Spain

The Urrea de Jalón tufa deposits constitute the 20‐ to 50‐m‐thick caprock (0·3 km²) of an isolated mesa. They disconformably overlie horizontal strata of the Tertiary Ebro Basin (NE Spain), which contains a thick succession of lacustrine gypsum and marls, followed by limestones, marls and, locally, fluvial sandstones and mudstones. The tufa deposits show a complex, large‐scale framework of basin‐like structures with centripetal dips that decrease progressively from the base to the top of the tufa succession, and beds that thicken towards the centre of the structure (cumulative wedge‐out systems). These geometries reveal that the tufa deposits were affected by differential synsedimentary subsidence. Distinct onlapping depressions reflect time migration of the subsiding areas. The studied carbonates are composed mostly of low‐Mg calcite, with minor quartz. Some samples have anomalously high contents of Fe, Mn and Ba that may exceed 1% (goethite, haematite and barite are present). Carbonate facies are: (a) macrophyte encrustation deposits; (b) bryophyte build‐ups; (c) oncolite and coated grain rudstones; (d) non‐concentric stromatolite‐like structures; (e) massive or bioturbated biomicrites; and (f) green and grey marls. Facies a and c show a great variety of microbial‐related forms. These facies can be arranged in dm‐ to 2‐m‐thick vertical associations representing: (i) fluvial–paludal sequences with bryophyte growths; (ii) pond‐influenced fluvial sequences; and (iii) lacustrine–palustrine sequences. The Urrea de Jalón tufa deposits formed in a fluvio‐lacustrine environment that received little alluvial sediment supply. Isotope compositions (δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) reveal meteoric signatures and accord with such a hydrologically open system of fresh waters. The Fe, Mn and Ba contents suggest an additional supply of mineralized waters that could be related to springs. These would have been discharge points in the Ebro Depression of a regional aquifer of the Iberian Ranges. Rising groundwater caused the solution of the underlying evaporites and the synsedimentary subsidence of the tufa deposits.     

Facies analysis of the Trypali carbonate unit (Upper Triassic) in central-western Crete (Greece): an evaporite formation transformed into solution-collapse breccias

The Trypali carbonate unit (Upper Triassic), which crops out mainly in central‐western Crete, occurs between the parautochthonous series (Plattenkalk or Talea Ori‐Ida series, e.g. metamorphic Ionian series) and the Tripolis nappe (comprising the Tripolis carbonate series and including a basal Phyllite–Quartzite unit). It consists of interbedded dolomitic layers, represented principally by algally laminated peloidal mudstones, foraminiferal, peloidal and ooidal grainstones, as well as by fine‐grained detrital carbonate layers, in which coarse baroque dolomite crystals and dolomite nodules are dispersed. Baroque dolomite is present as pseudomorphs after evaporite crystals (nodules and rosettes), which grew penecontemporaneously by displacement and/or replacement of the host sediments (sabkha diagenesis). However, portions of the evaporites show evidence of resedimentation. Pre‐existing evaporites predominantly consisted of skeletal halite crystals that formed from fragmentation of pyramidal‐shaped hoppers, as well as of anhydrite nodules and rosettes (salt crusts). All microfacies are characteristic of peritidal depositional environments, such as sabkhas, tidal flats, shallow hypersaline lagoons, tidal bars and/or tidal channels. Along most horizons, the Trypali unit is strongly brecciated. These breccias are of solution‐collapse origin, forming after the removal of evaporite beds. Evaporite‐related diagenetic fabrics show that there was extensive dissolution and replacement of pre‐existing evaporites, which resulted in solution‐collapse of the carbonate beds. Evaporite replacement fabrics, including calcitized and silicified evaporite crystals, are present in cements in the carbonate breccias. Brecciation was a multistage process; it started in the Triassic, but was most active in the Tertiary, in association with uplift and ground‐water flow (telogenetic alteration). During late diagenesis, in zones of intense evaporite leaching and brecciation, solution‐collapse breccias were transformed to rauhwackes. The Trypali carbonate breccias (Trypali unit) are lithologically and texturally similar to the Triassic solution‐collapse breccias of the Ionian zone (continental Greece). The evaporites probably represent a major diapiric injection along the base of the parautochthonous series (metamorphic Ionian series) and also along the overthrust surface separating the parautochthonous series from the Tripolis nappe (Phyllite–Quartzite and Tripolis series). The injected evaporites were subsequently transformed into solution‐collapse breccias.     

Primary and diagenetic isotopic signals in fossils and hemipelagic carbonates: the Lower Jurassic of northern Spain

Stable isotope and trace element analyses of 230 Jurassic (Pliensbachian–Toarcian) samples from northern Spain have been performed to test the use of geochemical variations in fossils (belemnites and brachiopods) and whole‐rock hemipelagic carbonates as palaeoceanographic indicators. Although the succession analysed (Reinosa area, westernmost Basque–Cantabrian Basin) has been subject to severe thermal alteration during burial diagenesis, the samples appear to be well preserved. The degree of diagenetic alteration of the samples has been assessed through the application of integrated petrographic, chemical and cathodoluminescence analyses. It is demonstrated that brachiopods and whole‐rock carbonates, although widely used for palaeoceanic studies, do not retain their primary marine geochemical composition after burial diagenesis. In contrast, there is strong evidence that belemnite rostra preserve original isotopic values despite pervasive diagenesis of the host rock. Well‐preserved belemnite shells (non‐luminescent to slightly luminescent) typically show stable isotope values of +4·3‰ to –0·7‰δ¹³C, +0·7‰ to –3·2‰δ¹⁸O, and trace element contents of <32 μg g^–1 Mn, <250 μg g^–1 Fe, >950 μg g^–1 Sr and Sr/Mn ratios >80. This study suggests that the degree to which diagenesis has affected the preservation of an original isotopic composition may differ for different low‐Mg calcite fossil shells and hemipelagic bulk carbonates, behaviour that should be considered when marine isotopic signatures from other ancient carbonate rocks are investigated. Multiple non‐luminescent contemporaneous belemnite samples passed the petrographic and geochemical tests to be considered as palaeoceanic recorders, yet their δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values exhibited moderate scatter. Such variability is likely to be related to the palaeoecological behaviour of belemnites and/or high‐frequency secular variations in sea‐water chemistry superimposed on the long‐term isotopic trend. A pronounced positive carbon‐isotope excursion (up to +4·3‰) is documented in the early Toarcian serpentinus biozone, which correlates with the Toarcian δ¹³C maximum reported in other European and Tethyan regions.     

Karst subsidence as a control on the accumulation and preservation of aeolian deposits: A Pleistocene example from a proglacial outwash setting,Ebro Basin,Spain

Meltwater flows emanating from the Pyrenees during the Pleistocene constructed a braided outwash plain in the Ebro Basin and led to the karstification of the Neogene gypsum bedrock. Synsedimentary evaporite dissolution locally increased subsidence rates and generated dolines and collapses that enabled the accumulation and preservation of outwash gravels and associated windblown deposits that were protected from erosion by later meltwater flows. In these localized depocentres, maximum rates of wind deceleration resulted from airflow expansion, enabling the accumulation of cross‐stratified sets of aeolian strata climbing at steep angles and thereby preserving up to 5 m thick sets. The outwash plain was characterized by longitudinal and transverse fluvial gravel bars, channels and windblown facies organized into aeolian sand sheets, transverse and complex aeolian dunes, and loess accumulations. Flat‐lying aeolian deposits merge laterally to partly deformed aeolian deposits encased in dolines and collapses. Synsedimentary evaporite dissolution caused gravels and aeolian sand deposits to subside, such that formerly near‐horizontal strata became inclined and generated multiple internal angular unconformities. During episodes when the wind was undersaturated with respect to its potential sand transporting capacity, deflation occurred over the outwash plain and coarse‐grained lags with ventifacts developed. Subsequent high‐energy flows episodically reached the aeolian dune field, leading to dune destruction and the generation of hyperconcentrated flow deposits composed in part of reworked aeolian sands. Lacustrine deposits in the distal part of the outwash plain preserve rhythmically laminated lutites and associated Gilbert‐type gravel deltas, which developed when fluvial streams reached proglacial lakes. This study documents the first evidence of an extensive Pleistocene proglacial aeolian dune field located in the Ebro Basin (41˙50° N), south of what has hitherto been considered to be the southern boundary of Pleistocene aeolian deposits in Europe. A non‐conventional mechanism (evaporite karst‐related subsidence) for the preservation of aeolian sands in the stratigraphic record is proposed.     

川东三叠系飞仙关组白云岩锶含量、锶同位素组成与白云石化流体

川东飞仙关组白云岩包括微晶白云岩、具原始结构的粒屑白云岩和结晶白云岩等3种主要的结构类型,其中结晶白云岩是重要的天然气储集岩。根据白云岩的锶含量和锶同位素组成,结合相关岩石学和地球化学资料,本文研究了白云石化过程中锶的迁移和相应的同位素变化。三种类型白云岩具有类似的锶含量,但其^87Sr/^86Sr比值均不同程度地高于同期海水值,锶在白云石和方解石（或文石）中分配系数的差别是影响白云石化过程中白云石锶含量最为重要的因素。不同流体中锶的混合方程计算表明：如果白云石化流体是大气淡水和海水的混合流体,则结晶白云岩的白云石化流体相当于94％的大气淡水和6％的海水混合,具原始结构的粒屑白云岩的白云石化流体相当于81％的大气淡水和19％的海水混合,微晶白云岩的白云石化流体相当于92％的大气淡水和8％的海水混合。但极低的锰含量、相对较高的锶含量和包裹体均一化温度等资料均不支持有94％的大气淡水参与了结晶白云岩的白云石化作用,其白云石化流体应是埋藏成岩过程中囚禁的近同期、但是非同期的海源流体,其来源可能与埋藏成岩过程中该时间段蒸发盐的溶解有关。锰含量、锶含量、^87Sr/^86Sr比值都表明具原始结构的粒屑白云岩和微晶白云岩的白云石化过程都存在大气淡水的介入,微晶白云岩的白云石化可能与潮坪环境的蒸发泵机理有关;具原始结构的粒屑白云岩的白云石化可能与混合水白云石化作用有关,这类白云岩分布于向上浅滩化旋回滩体的顶部,这是埋藏前或浅埋藏阶段大气淡水与海水混合白云石化作用最容易发生地带。