Primary dolomite in the Late Triassic Travenanzes Formation,Dolomites, Northern Italy: Facies control and possible bacterial influence

In the late Carnian (Late Triassic), a carbonate‐clastic depositional system including a distal alluvial plain, flood basin and sabkha, tidal flat and shallow carbonate lagoon was established in the Dolomites (Northern Italy). The flood basin was a muddy supratidal environment where marine carbonates and continental siliciclastics interfingered. A dolomite phase made of sub‐micrometre euhedral crystals with a mosaic microstructure of nanometre‐scale domains was identified in stromatolitic laminae of the flood basin embedded in clay. This dolomite is interpreted here as primary and has a nearly stoichiometric composition, as opposed to younger early diagenetic (not primary) dolomite phases, which are commonly calcian. This primary dolomite was shielded from later diagenetic transformation by the clay. The stable isotopic composition of dolomite was analyzed along a depositional transect. The δ¹³C values range between ca ?6‰ and +4‰, with the most ¹³C‐depleted values in dolomites of the distal alluvial plain and flood basin, and the most ¹³C‐enriched in dolomites of the tidal flat and lagoon. Uniform δ¹⁸O values ranging between 0‰ and +3‰ were found in all sedimentary facies. It is hypothesized that the primary dolomite with mosaic microstructure nucleated on extracellular polymeric substances secreted by sulphate reducing bacteria. A multi‐step process involving sabkha and reflux dolomitization led to partial replacement and overgrowth of the primary dolomite, but replacement and overgrowth were facies‐dependent. Dolomites of the landward, clay‐rich portion of the sedimentary system were only moderately overgrown during late dolomitization steps, and partly retain an isotopic signature consistent with bacterial sulphate reduction with δ¹³C as low as ?6‰. In contrast, dolomites of the marine, clay‐free part of the system were probably transformed through sabkha and reflux diagenetic processes into calcian varieties, and exhibit δ¹³C values of ca +3‰. Major shifts of δ¹³C values strictly follow the lateral migration of facies and thus mark transgressions and regressions.     

四川盆地西部中二叠统白云岩/石的主要结构类型——兼论其与川东北上二叠统—三叠系白云岩/石的差异

白云岩/石的结构在白云岩成因研究中具有重要意义。四川盆地西部中二叠统栖霞组的白云岩具有与盆地东北部上二叠统长兴组-三叠系不同的结构:盆地西部中二叠统栖霞组除存在一部分斑状晶白云岩以外,总体上缺乏原始结构保存的白云岩,白云石具有特征的非平直晶面他形晶和鞍形晶,且晶体较大;盆地东北部上二叠统长兴组-三叠系非常发育原始结构保存的白云岩,结晶白云岩也以晶体较小的平直晶面自形晶-半自形晶为主。对碳酸盐岩中白云石含量的分布模式而言,盆地西部中二叠统栖霞组出现频率最高的是白云石含量40%~60%的过渡岩石类型,这是一种非经典的分布模式,而盆地东北部上二叠统长兴组-三叠系则缺乏这样的过渡岩石类型,出现频率最高的是白云石含量大于90%和小于10%的端元岩石类型,这是一种经典的分布模式。白云岩/石的结构特征的差异反映盆地西部中二叠统栖霞组白云岩较高的结晶温度、较低的流体Mg/Ca比值、较短的白云化作用持续时间和不彻底的回头白云化作用;盆地东北部上二叠统长兴组-三叠系则主要是相对低温的,高Mg/Ca比值海源流体的彻底白云化作用。     

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.     

Genesis of Dolomite from Ma55–Ma510 Sub-members of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the Jingxi Area in the Ordos Basin

We clarified three stages of dolomitization and secondary changes by studying the petrology and geochemistry characteristics of dolomite from the Ma55–Ma510 sub-members of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the Jingxi area in the Ordos Basin: (1) Syngenetic microbial dolomitization is characterized by formation of dolomite with a mainly micrite structure and horse tooth-shape dolomite cements. (2) Seepage reflux dolomitization during the penecontemporaneous period superposed adjustment functions such as recrystallization and stabilization in the middle-deep burial stage, forming dolomites mainly consisting of micro crystal and powder crystal structure. (3) Powder dolomite, fine dolomite, and medium-coarse crystalline dolomite formed in pores and fractures in the middle-deep burial stage. The secondary concussive transgression-regression under a regressive background is an important condition for the occurrence of many stages of dolomitization in the study area. The basin was an occlusive epicontinental sea environment in the Ma5 member of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation sedimentary period. In the sediments, sulfate content was high, which is conducive to the preservation of microbial activity and microbial dolomitization. Micritic dolomite formed by microbial dolomitization provides good migration pathways for seepage reflux dolomitization. Affected by evaporation seawater with increased Mg/Ca ratio, seepage reflux dolomitization was widely developed and formed large-scale dolomite, and underwater uplifts and slopes are favorable areas for dolomite. In the middle-deep burial stage, dolomitizing fluid in the stratum recrystallized or stabilized the previous dolomite and formed a small amount of euhedral dolomite in the pores and fractures.     

Nanotopography of synthetic and natural dolomite crystals

Examination with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning force microscopy (SFM) revealed etch pits, layers and islands on dolomite crystal faces synthesized from calcite in Ca‐Mg‐Cl solutions at 200 °C and a wide variety of natural dolomites. Layers are broad, flat structures bounded by steps less than 100 nm high and greater than 1 μm wide. Islands are rounded topographic highs <20 nm high and <200 nm wide. The nanotopography of synthetic dolomite changed from islands throughout most of the reaction to layers at 100% dolomite. Island nanotopography formed on both Ca‐rich and near‐stoichiometric dolomite. Analyses of reaction products from dolomite synthesis indicates that there are no SFM‐detectable products formed in <10 h. SEM‐detectable products formed in 15 h. X‐ray diffraction (XRD)‐detectable products formed in ≈18 h, and the reaction went to completion in ≈40 h. Based on SFM analyses, the induction period for dolomitization in these experiments accounts for ≈20% of the total reaction time necessary to dolomitize CaCO₃ completely under the experimental conditions used here. Island nano‐ topography is inferred to occur at higher degrees of supersaturation than layer nanotopography for three reasons. First, island nanotopography on synthetic calcite and gypsum forms at higher supersaturations than layer nanotopography. Secondly, island nanotopography formed in solutions with higher degrees of supersaturation with respect to dolomite. Thirdly, the greater surface roughness of a crystal face composed of islands compared with layers indicates that island surfaces have higher surface energy than layer surfaces. Therefore, the stability of island surfaces requires a higher degree of supersaturation. Because islands and layers form under a wide range of conditions, their presence provides broadly applicable criteria for evaluating relative degrees of supersaturation under which ancient dolomite formed. Comparison of synthetic dolomites with natural dolomites demonstrates (1) similar nanotopography on natural and synthetic dolomites and (2) both natural planar and non‐planar dolomite may have island nanotopography.     

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。     

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。     

Direct physical evidence of dolomite recrystallization

The possibility of recrystallization is a long‐standing barrier to deciphering the genetic origin of dolomites. There is often uncertainty regarding whether or not characteristics of ancient dolomites are primary or the consequence of later recrystallization unrelated to the original dolomitization event. Results from 65 new high‐temperature dolomite synthesis experiments (1 m , 1·0 Mg/Ca ratio solutions at 218°C) demonstrate dolomite recrystallization affecting stoichiometry, cation ordering and nanometre‐scale surface texture. The data support a model of dolomitization that proceeds by a series of four unique phases of replacement and recrystallization, which occur by various dissolution–precipitation reactions. During the first phase (induction period), no dolomite forms despite favourable conditions. The second phase (replacement period) occurs when Ca‐rich dolomite products, with a low degree of cation ordering, rapidly replace calcite reactants. During the replacement period, dolomite stoichiometry and the degree of cation ordering remain constant, and all dolomite crystal surfaces are covered by nanometre‐scale growth mounds. The third phase (primary recrystallization period), which occurs in the experiments between 97% and 100% dolomite, is characterized by a reduced replacement rate but concurrent increases in dolomite stoichiometry and cation ordering. The end of the primary recrystallization period is marked by dolomite crystal growth surfaces that are covered by flat, laterally extensive layers. The fourth phase of the reaction (secondary recrystallization period) occurs when all calcite is consumed and is characterized by stoichiometric dolomite with layers as well as a continued increase in the degree of cation ordering with time. Inferences of recrystallization, in natural dolomite, based on cation order or stoichiometry of dolomite, usually depend on assumptions about the precursor dolomite subjected to recrystallization. If it is assumed that the experimental evidence presented here is applicable to natural, low‐temperature dolomites, then the presence of mounds is direct evidence of a lack of recrystallization and the presence of layers is direct evidence of recrystallization.     

Late Pleistocene mixing zone dolomitization, southeastern Barbados, West Indies

ABSTRACT Field, geochemical, and petrographic data for late Pleistocene dolomites from southeastern Barbados suggest that the dolomite precipitated in the zone of mixing between a coastal meteoric phreatic lens and normal marine waters. The dolomite is localized in packstones and wackestones from the algalAmphistegina fore-reef calcarenite facies. Stable isotopic evidence suggests that meteoric water dominated the diagenetic fluids responsible for dolomitization. Carbon isotopes in pure dolomite phases average about -15%₀ PDB. This light carbon is attributed to the influence of soil gas CO₂, and precludes substantial mixing with seawater. A narrow range of oxygen isotopic compositions coupled with a wide range of carbon compositions attest to the meteoric diagenetic overprint. Dolomitization likely occurred with as little as a five per cent admixture of seawater. Strontium compositions of the dolomites indicate probable replacement dolomitization of original unstable mineralogy. The dolomite is characterized by low sodium values. Low concentrations of divalent manganese and iron suggest oxidizing conditions at the time of dolomitization. A sequence of petrographic features suggests a progression of diagenetic fluids from more marine to more meteoric. Early marine diagenesis was followed by replacement dolomitization of skeletal grains and matrix. Limpid, euhedral dolomite cements precipitated in primary intra- and interparticle porosity subsequent to replacement dolomitization. As waters became progressively less saline, dolomite cements alternated with thin bands of syntaxial calcite cement. The final diagenetic phase precipitated was a blocky calcite spar cement, representing diagenesis in a fresh-water lens. This sequence of diagenetic features arose as the result of a single fall in eustatic sea-level following deposition. A stratigraphic-eustatic-diagenetic model constrains both the timing and rate of dolomitization in southeastern Barbados. Dolomitization initiated as sea-level began to fall immediately following the oxygen isotope stage 7–3 high stand, some 216 000 yr bp . Due to the rapidity of late Pleistocene glacio-eustasy, dolomitization (locally complete) is constrained to have occurred within about 5000 yr.     

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。     

西沙群岛西科1井中新统-上新统白云岩微观特征及成因

西科1井白云岩主要分布于上中新统黄流组, 在上新统莺歌海组二段和中中新统梅山组有零星分布; 主要的白云岩层段一般发育在褐色铁质矿物浸染的古暴露面之下.根据岩石铸体薄片观察、阴极发光及扫描电镜测试分析, 西科1井白云岩中白云石总体上呈微晶及细粉晶双峰态结构, 微晶白云石为灰岩基质经选择性白云石化的结果, 呈平直晶面半自形晶, 主要为泥微晶基质白云石化的结果; 粉晶-细晶白云石呈平直晶面自形晶, 为胶结物白云石或过度白云化结果, 过度白云化雾心亮边白云石的"亮边"与胶结物白云石成分一致, 阴极发光下二者显示同样的光性特征.微量元素测试及碳氧同位素测试表明: 白云岩一般具有低铁、低锰含量, δ18O_PDB均为正值, 变化于2.293‰~5.072‰之间, δ13C_PDB变化于1.214‰~3.051‰之间; 西科1井白云岩与西琛1井白云岩具有相似的层位分布特征和碳、氧同位素特征, 可能反映着相同或相似的成因.回流渗透模式可能适用于西沙地区白云岩, 频繁的海平面升降、环礁内蒸发环境及与中新世末期构造运动有关的热流体上涌促进了西沙地区白云岩的形成, 高渗透性礁相碳酸盐岩沉积为高Mg/Ca比值的蒸发水回流渗透提供了运移通道.      

中扬子台地北缘灯影组白云岩研究

研究区白云岩成因类型可划分出准同生白云石化、回流渗透白云石化、混合水白云石化、压溶白云石化和埋藏白云石化。本文详细研了各成因类型的白云岩矿物岩石学特征和地球化学特征，重点探讨了埋藏白云石化Ｍｇ２＋来源及其搬运机理。认为埋藏白云石化Ｍｇ２＋来自粒间残留古海水，迁移机制与地下异常高压孔隙流体的驱动和襄樊－广济同沉积断裂的活动有关。五类白云岩中以混合水白云石化和埋藏白云石化的岩石类型储集性能最好。     

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。     

川中磨溪—高石梯地区栖霞组白云岩特征及成因机制

川中磨溪—高石梯地区栖霞组发育滩相白云岩,目前对滩相中差异白云石化机理不明确,导致难以预测优质白云岩储层的分布。在岩石学和地层特征研究基础上,通过分析不同类型白云岩的微量元素及碳、氧、锶同位素特征,结合颗粒滩类型和构造背景,系统研究了该区不同类型白云岩的成因机理及模式。结果显示:研究区栖霞组白云岩中白云石以细晶为主,中晶和粗晶次之,晶形多为半自形—自形。白云岩具有明显的残余颗粒结构,表明原始岩性为颗粒灰岩。细晶、细—中晶白云岩的阴极发光整体较暗,呈暗红色至红色,稀土元素配分模式与同期灰岩相似,白云岩的87Sr/86Sr比值大部分落于二叠纪海水的87Sr/86Sr比值范围之内,表明白云岩的成岩流体与海水沉积的灰岩具有同源性。白云岩的δ13C值（3.73‰~4.19‰）与同期灰岩δ13C值（3.61‰~4.93‰）相近,表明白云岩与灰岩具有一致的碳源。从灰岩到白云岩,Sr含量明显减少且Mn含量有所增加,说明灰岩经过一定的成岩作用被交代形成白云岩,该类白云岩为埋藏条件下地层中富Mg2+的流体交代孔隙型颗粒灰岩而成;中—粗晶白云岩的阴极发光呈红色,具明显环带特征,且具有高的Mn含量、低Sr/Ba比值及铕的正异常,87Sr/86Sr比值高于同期海水值,δ18O值在-8.06‰~-8.52‰,为颗粒灰岩在埋藏期受持续、充足的云化流体供给而成,较高的包裹体均一温度和δ18O值明显偏负均指示埋藏白云化作用过程还受到局部高温的影响。总体而言,埋藏白云岩化是该区白云岩的主要成因,地层中富镁的流体在压力和热对流的双重影响下进行迁移,促进白云岩化流体的运移,但局部地区鞍形白云石的形成遭受了后期不同程度的热液改造作用。     

塔里木盆地塔中地区下奥陶统白云岩成因

塔里木盆地塔中地区下奥陶统白云岩广泛发育,岩石类型复杂多样,主要包括结晶白云岩、残余颗粒白云岩、残余灰质白云岩、藻云岩、亮边雾心白云岩、环带白云岩及少量膏云岩等结构类型。白云岩交代现象明显,δ18O普遍为中—高负值（-3.2‰～-8.7‰）;δ13C值基本为低中负值（-3‰～-0.77‰）,Z值大多集中在118～123...     

Electron optical investigation of sedimentary dolomites

Transmission electron microscope studies demonstrate a structural distinction between stoichiometric and ancient calcian dolomites of sedimentary origin. A modulated or tweed structure similar in appearance to spinodal microstructures characterizes ancient calcian dolomites, whereas stoichiometric dolomites are homogeneous. Recent calcium-rich dolomites lack a modulated structure, but have a heterogeneous microstructure with high densities of growth defects. Electron and optical diffraction and lattice imaging suggest a fluctuation in interplanar spacing in a coherent lattice. In addition, lattice imaging also reveals discontinuous faults throughout the modulated structure. Ordering and possibly incipient exsolution are suggested, c reflections in SAD patterns of calcian dolomites document a new superstructure in at least part of the lamellar structure and raise questions of different ordering states throughout the structure.The results provide new insight regarding the formation of sedimentary dolomites     

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.     

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。根据白云岩的锶舍量和锶同位素组成,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(87)~Sr/(86)~Sr 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、(87)~Sr/(86)~Sr 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。     

Dolomitization by penesaline sea water in Early Jurassic peritidal platform carbonates, Gibraltar, western Mediterranean

Peritidal carbonates of the Lower Jurassic (Liassic) Gibraltar Limestone Formation, which form the main mass of the Rock of Gibraltar, are replaced by fine and medium crystalline dolomites. Replacement occurs as massive bedded or laminated dolomites in the lower 100 m of an ≈460‐m‐thick platform succession. The fine crystalline dolomite has δ¹⁸Ο values either similar to, or slightly higher than, those expected from Early Jurassic marine dolomite, and δ¹³C values together with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios that overlap with sea‐water values for that time, indicating that the dolomitizing fluid was Early Jurassic sea water. Absence of massive evaporitic minerals and/or evaporite solution‐collapse breccias in these carbonate rocks indicates that the salinity of sea water during dolomitization was below that of gypsum precipitation. The occurrence of peritidal facies, a restricted microbiota and rare gypsum pseudomorphs are also consistent with penesaline conditions (salinity 72–199‰). The medium crystalline dolomite has some δ¹⁸Ο and δ¹³C values and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios similar to those of Early Jurassic marine dolomites, which indicates that ambient sea water was again a likely dolomitizing fluid. However, the spread of δ¹⁸Ο, δ¹³C and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values indicates that dolomitization occurred at slightly increased temperatures as a result of shallow (≈500 m) burial or that dolomitization was multistage. These data support the hypothesis that penesaline sea water can produce massive dolomitization in thick peritidal carbonates in the absence of evaporite precipitation. Taking earlier models into consideration, it appears that replacement dolomites can be produced by sea water or modified sea water with a wide range of salinities (normal, penesaline to hypersaline), provided that there is a driving mechanism for fluid migration. The Gibraltar dolomites confirm other reports of significant Early Jurassic dolomitization in the western Tethys carbonate platforms.     

Early and pervasive dolomitization by near-normal marine fluids: New lessons from an Eocene evaporative setting in Qatar

The upper Palaeocene–lower Eocene Umm er Radhuma Formation in the subsurface of Qatar is dominated by subtidal carbonate depositional packages overlain by bedded evaporites. In Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, peritidal carbonate depositional sequences with intercalated evaporites and carbonates in Umm er Radhuma have been previously interpreted to have been dolomitized via downward reflux of hypersaline brines. Here, textural, mineralogical and geochemical data from three research cores in Qatar are presented which, in contrast, are more consistent with dolomitization by near-normal marine fluids. Petrographic relationships support a paragenetic sequence whereby dolomitization occurred prior to the formation of all other diagenetic mineral phases, including chert, pyrite, palygorskite, gypsum, calcite and chalcedony, which suggests that dolomitization occurred very early. The dolomites occur as finely crystalline mimetic dolomites, relatively coarse planar-e dolomites, and coarser nonplanar dolomites, all of which are near-stoichiometric (50.3 mol% MgCO₃) and well-ordered (0.73). The dolomite stable isotope values (range −2.5‰ to +1‰; mean δ¹⁸O = −0.52‰) and trace element concentrations (Sr = 40 to 150 ppm and Na = 100 to 600 ppm) are compatible with dolomitization by near-normal seawater or mesohaline fluids. Comparisons between δ¹⁸O values from Umm er Radhuma dolomite and the overlying Rus Formation gypsum further suggest that dolomitization did not occur in fluids related to Rus evaporites. This study provides an example of early dolomitization of evaporite-related carbonates by near-normal seawater rather than by refluxing hypersaline brines from overlying bedded evaporites. Further, it adds to recent work suggesting that dolomitization by near-normal marine fluids in evaporite-associated settings may be more widespread than previously recognized.