The molecular composition of ambers

Bulk (elemental composition, IR, CP/MAS ¹³C NMR) and molecular (GC-MS) analyses have been performed on a series of ambers and resins derived from different locations (Dominican Republic, Philippines, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Chile) having diverse botanical affinities (Araucariaceae, Hymenaea) and variable age (from Holocene to Early Cretaceous). No major differences have been observed from the elemental composition and the spectroscopic data; however, the molecular analyses of the solvent extractable fraction show that a specific mixture of components is present in each sample. These are mainly diterpenoid products that in general are also found abundantly in the higher plants from which the ambers and resins originate. Nevertheless, a direct relationship between major terpenoid constituents in fossil resins and precursor plant materials can only be established for the younger samples.Irrespective of the geographical or botanical origin of the ambers and resins, several common age-dependent molecular transformation trends can be recognized: (1) progressive loss of olefinic bonds (especially those located in exocyclic positions), (2) decrease of functionalized products, and (3) increasing proportion of aromatized components. However, even in the samples of older age (Cretaceous) the degree of aromatization is very low when compared with that of other higher-plant related materials such as fossilized woods or low rank coals. This indicates that maturation must involve essentially olefin polymerization processes instead of extensive aromatization.     

Analysis of chlorophyll diagenesis—I. Kinetics of the phorbide to porphyrin transition

The objective of this project is to quantify selected transitions in the diagenetic pathways of chlorophyll in deep ocean sediments, initially the aromatization from phorbides (unstable) to porphyrins (stable), using a model system which closely resembles the compounds identified in oceanic sediments. We determined the kinetic parameters for the aromatization of deoxomesopyropheophorbide a methyl ester (DOMPP) to deoxophylloerythrin methyl ester (DPE) in the presence of Cu(II) in a series of solvents ranging from highly polar and protic to nonpolar and aprotic, representing varying sedimentary environments. With Cu(II) in ethanol, the aromatization occurs through a pathway which involves a relatively slow initial formation of CuDOMPP, rapid aromatization to CuDPE, and finally an equilibrium reaction in the presence of clay which induces demetalation to form the free base DPE. Based on our model studies, only DOMPP, CuDPE and some DPE would be detected in significant quantities in more polar, protic sedimentary environments on a geologic time scale, although the story might be different with changed environment polarity. Our model studies may ultimately reconcile laboratory observations with those based on DSDP cores which appear to indicate that the diagenetic sequence proceeds from phorbide to free base porphyrin, followed by metalation of the porphyrin.     

塔里木盆地西北缘下寒武统黑色岩系差异性成岩演化及其影响因素

尽管泥页岩在埋藏过程中经历的复杂成岩改造会显著影响页岩油气储层发育潜力,但对其成岩作用,特别是泥页岩中成岩矿物的类型、成岩演化及其影响因素、成岩矿物元素在低孔低渗孔隙系统中的迁移等问题的认识仍很薄弱,因而制约了对泥页岩储层的深入认识。为此,本文以塔里木盆地西北缘下寒武统玉尔吐斯组发育的两套黑色岩系为例,在沉积环境认识的基础上,通过矿物组分、黏土矿物组合、有机碳含量及有机质成熟度等测定分析,着重研究了黑色岩系自生矿物的分布及在成岩演化阶段的变化特征,阐述了成岩变化的时空分布及其影响因素。研究结果表明：（1）在浅水缓坡台地环境下,玉尔吐斯组受两个较为完整的海进-海退沉积旋回控制而形成的两套黑色岩系主要经历了早成岩阶段和中成岩阶段;（2）受沉积环境和热液作用的影响,这两套黑色岩系在石英、重晶石、碳酸盐胶结物和黏土矿物等自生矿物的组合、分布及形成顺序上存在显著的差异,呈现出差异性成岩演化的特点;（3）伊利石、伊蒙混层、绿泥石、白云石、石英胶结等中成岩阶段成岩产物的广泛分布,反映出在成岩过程中特别是中成岩阶段低孔低渗的泥页岩仍存在一定程度的内部和外部来源的矿物元素迁移。本次研究对深入认识塔里木西北缘下寒武统黑色岩系成岩机制,以及分析页岩储层发育特征提供了重要的依据。     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Australian coals. I. Angularly fused pentacyclic tri- and tetraaromatic components of Victorian brown coal

Analysis of the tri- and tetraaromatic hydrocarbon fractions of a brown coal sample from the Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia indicate the predominance of pentacyclic hydroaromatic components. Many of these have not been previously reported in the literature, but are obviously diagenetically related to triterpenoids naturally occurring in the biosphere. The components whose molecular structures have been confirmed, together with those for which tentative structural assignments are given, offer strong support for a theory of progressive diagenetic aromatization of C-3 oxygenated triterpenoids, commencing from ring A. Other compounds present in smaller amounts suggest that 1,2-methyl shift reactions also occur prior to or during aromatization. There is a notable absence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's) which can be diagenetically related to the steroid or extended-side-chain hopane skeletons.     

安塞油田长2油层成岩作用及其对储层物性的影响

安塞地区长2油层储层以中细粒长石砂岩为主，主要成岩矿物为绿泥石环边、方解石胶结物、石英和长石加大生长、伊利石、伊一蒙混层、钠长石和高岭石等。绿泥石环边的发育对原生粒间孔的保存起到有利的作用。石英加大级别达Ⅲ级，加大边含有丰富的有机包体，均一温度范围48．1～76．5℃，烃类进入储层的时间为早白垩世中期至晚白垩世。储层发育多种孔隙类型，面孔率平均为11．60％．主要类型有粒间孔、骨架颗粒溶孔和微裂缝等。残余粒间孔和骨架颗粒溶孔是本区长2储层的主要孔隙类型。根据成岩作用的矿物岩石学标志、有机质成熟度及古温度，将长2油层砂岩的成岩作用划分为3个成岩阶段：早成岩阶段、晚成岩阶段和表生成岩阶段。储层性质明显地受到沉积微相和成岩作用的影响，沉积物粒度较粗、厚度较大的分流河道储集物性明显优于各种粒度较细、厚度较薄的分流间席状砂体。     

13C‐rich marbles from the Proterozoic Einasleigh metamorphics,northern Queensland

Four samples of dolomitic marble from the Proterozoic Einasleigh Metamorphics of northern Queensland contain unusually high δ¹³C (5.1 to 5.9‰ PDB). A hyper‐saline depositional and diagenetic environment for these rocks adequately explains the available field and chemical evidence, and the heavy carbon signature.     

Influence of maceral content on δ13C and δ15N in a Middle Pennsylvanian coal

Using density-gradient centrifugation, within-sample heterogeneity in C/N, δ¹³C, and δ¹⁵N was determined for a sample of the Blue Gem coal bed (Middle Pennsylvanian, Duckmantian (Westphalian B), Breathitt Formation) and related to maceral (petrographically identifiable organic component) composition. Relatively pure macerals were separated by density, with purities up to 99% in the case of vitrinite in fractions around 1.3 g/mL. Lower density fractions (∼ 1.2 g/mL) contain predominantly liptinite (∼ 75%) but also significant amounts of vitrinite (∼ 20%). Denser fractions contain increasing amounts of inertinite, with several fractions between 1.37 and 1.44 g/mL containing > 98% total inertinite. Within these denser fractions, semifusinite concentrated at lower densities than did fusinite. The separation of macerals by density allowed a more detailed evaluation of the isotopic composition of relatively pure macerals within a single coal. δ¹³C becomes increasingly heavy across the density gradient, with δ¹³C values being lightest in the liptinites, followed by vitrinite, and then semifusinite and fusinite; by contrast, δ¹⁵N becomes lighter across the same density range. C/H increases with density, reflecting a general decrease in aliphatic components and increase in aromatic components. C/N follows a similar pattern, ranging from < 40 to over 100, increasing significantly at densities > 1.32, the point at which inertinite macerals begin to predominate over vitrinite.The isotopic composition of macerals reflects chemical composition, which in turn reflects: 1) the original composition of plant tissues from which the macerals originated; 2) early diagenetic changes; and 3) changes during coalification. Macerals derived from lipid-rich precursor materials (liptinites) have more depleted δ¹³C values (∼ 2‰) relative to those derived from woody tissues (vitrinite). Fusinized material, derived from fossil charcoal, has δ¹³C values enriched by ∼ 0.5‰ compared with the vitrinite, consistent with the results from combustion experiments using modern plant tissues. Vitrinite fractions have enriched δ¹⁵N values relative to inertinite fractions, which may reflect early diagenetic changes in woody tissues involving preferential loss of ¹⁴N, possibly due to bacterial activity during the peat-forming stage. Due to the within-sample variability in carbon isotopic composition reported here, it is suggested that chemostratigraphic studies based on Type III kerogen (including both dispersed organic matter and coals) carefully consider the associated effects of variability in maceral composition.     

Microtextural Characteristics and Origin of Dolomites in the Tepearasi Formation, SW of Beysehir-Konya, Turkey

The Tepearasi Formation of the autochthonous Geyikdagi Group in the Central Tauride Belt, SE of Beysehir, is Dogger in age and consists dominantly of massive limestones and greyish dolomites occurring within the middle to upper sections. The total thickness of the dolomitic levels ranges from 100-300 m and laterally extends 500-700 m. Three types of dolomite were distinguished through petrographic analyses: homogeneous, mottled (saddle-crystalline) and joint-filling dolomite, which were interpreted to have formed in two different stages, early diagenetic and late diagenetic. The homogeneous dolomite of the early diagenetic stage is light-coloured and monotonous-textured and shows the form of a dolosparite mosaic. The mottled dolomite formed in the late diagenetic stage is light- to dark-coloured and coarsely granular idiomorphic. The other type of late diagenetic dolomite, described as the joint-filling type, presents a crystal growth pattern from the joint walls towards the centre of the joint space. I     

长江口及其邻近陆架区沉积物的早期成岩作用

通过水下浅层及近岸钻探取样,对样品的pH值与Eh值,有机碳、细菌、孔隙水化学组份、自生矿物标型特征以及碳氧同位素等的分析。研究了沉积物孔隙水的化学反应过程,及其离子交换与反应物的关系。对早期成岩作用过程与机理进行了探讨.提出河口地区以泥质为主和以沙质为主的两种早期成岩作用基本类型及其特征与标志。为研究古代类似沉积物早期成岩作用的识别提供了依据。     

现代沼泽沉积物中三、四环萜类的分布及演化特征

对甘南和滇池现代沼泽沉积物中三、四环萜类的研究表明:在现代沼泽沉积物中,具类海松烷骨架的化合物以海松烷型化合物数量最多,而松香烷型化全物数量较少;长链三环萜烷中存在C₂₁C₂₃和C₂₄化合物以C₂₃为顶点的倒“V”字型分布,正常四环萜烷呈以高碳数为主峰的“阶梯型”分布,有意义的的是样品中均含脱-A-羽扇烷和壳松烷四环萜烷。在早期成岩过程,海松烷型二萜类主要是形成烯烃和烷烃,而松香烷型二萜类主要是芳构化作用。     

Sesquiterpenoids in sediments of a hypersaline lagoon: A possible algal origin

Core samples were collected in Lagoa Vermelha, a hypersaline lagoon located about 100 km east of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The sediment composition is predominantly carbonate in amounts up to 93%. Analysis of δ¹³C of the total organic matter in the sediments showed that marine organic matter predominates throughout the core (δ¹³C ranges from −15.84 to −22.64‰ vs. PDB). Organic carbon contents (TOC) ranged from 0.81 to 13.28%. A series of cadinane-type sesquiterpenoids can be recognized in the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry data. Essentially the same components are present in all the samples, with variations only in their relative abundances. The most abundant compounds are α- and β-cubebene, α- and β-cedrene, cadinenes (different isomers), α-curcumene and calamenene, with minor amounts of calarene, humulene, calacorene and cadalene. Since this lagoon is surrounded by dunes with only minor vegetation typical of this environment (grasses, small non-resinous shrubs and no forest) with no potential source for sesquiterpenoids, a terrestrial origin for these compounds is excluded and an algal origin is more consistent with the locale and the recognition of sesquiterpenoids (including cadinol) in microbial mats from the lagoon. Only the natural product precursor sesquiterpenoids are present in the microbial mats with no detectable diagenetic derivatives (e.g. calamenene and cadalene). This indicates that the compounds in the mats are from recent input and those found in the sediments are most likely derived from former algal biomass in this lagoon, a fact confirmed by the recognition of a series of diagenetic aromatic components in the sediments. Surface sediments contain n-alkanes with no even-to-odd predominance indicating that microbial activity is higher in shallower sediments. Moreover, mass fragmentograms (m/z 191) of biomarkers revealed the presence of 17α(H),21β(H)-hopanes, the mature isomers, together with their ββ precursors and low amounts of the intermediates with the βα configuration (moretanes). This indicates a contribution of mature organic matter to these immature sediments.     

Hyperspectral image analysis of different carbonate lithologies (limestone,karst and hydrothermal dolomites): the Pozalagua Quarry case study (Cantabria,North‐west Spain)

Ground‐based hyperspectral imaging combined with terrestrial lidar scanning is a novel technique for outcrop analysis, which has been applied to Early and Late Albian carbonates of the Pozalagua Quarry (Cantabrian Mountains, Spain). An image processing workflow has been developed for differentiating limestone from dolomite, providing additional sedimentary and diagenetic information, and the possibility to quantitatively delineate diagenetic phases in an accurate way. Spectral absorption signatures can be linked to specific sedimentary or diagenetic products, such as recent and palaeokarst, hydrothermal karst, (solution enlarged) fractures and different dolomite types. Some of the spectral signatures are related to iron, manganese, organic matter, clay and/or water content. Ground‐truthing accessible parts of the quarry showed that the classification based on hyperspectral image interpretation was very accurate. This technique opens the possibility for quantitative data evaluation on sedimentary and diagenetic features in inaccessible outcrops. This study demonstrates the potential of ground‐based imaging spectroscopy to provide information about the chemical–mineralogical distribution in outcrops, which could otherwise not be established using conventional field methods.     

Carbon content and carbonate 13C abundances in the Early Precambrian Swaziland sediments of South Africa

Carbon content (0.02–0.68% organic), carbonate content (0–69.7%) and carbonate ¹³C abundances (${}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{7.5?+2.3‰}$) were obtained on samples from the Swaziland sediments of South Africa, which are among the oldest known sedimentary rocks on earth (> 3·10⁹ years old). The carbon chemistry of these sediments may serve as evidence for early life and/or for products of chemical evolution. The variation of organic and carbonate carbon concentrations in different sedimentary horizons seems to be controlled by differences in depositional and diagenetic histories. The carbonate δ ¹³C values did not vary significantly from the ordinary range of Phanerozoic limestone values.     

枫江溪矿区煤层硅质煤核成因及其环境的探讨

近年来,笔者在湖南邵阳枫江溪矿区上二叠统龙潭组上段煤层中发现了大量硅质煤核。它是煤层对比的良好标志,探索成煤环境的重要依据,在煤田地质勘探和煤田开发工作中具有重要意义。     

Geochemical characteristics of sphagnum brown coal — A possible oil-generating precursor

A preliminary study of newly discovered sphagnum brown coal from the Jingsuo Basin, Yunnan Province, China, which is quite rich in montan wax, indicates the predominance of highern-alkane homologues and aromatized triterpenoid components. Aromatic hydrocarbons are composed mainly of pentacyclic and tetracyclic di-, tri- and tetra-aromatic components, which are obviously diagenetically related to higher plant-derived triterpenoids naturally occurring in the biosphere. Because the sphagnum brown coal still remains in the highly immature stage, it seems that the progressive diagenetic aromatization of the higher plant-derived triterpenoids may start at a very early stage.     

Silicification of sulphate evaporites and their carbonate replacements in Eocene marine sediments, Tunisia: two diagenetic trends

Samples of chert nodules, diagenetic carbonates and evaporites (gypsum/anhydrite) collected from the gypsiferous limestones of the Kef Eddour Member (Ypressian‐Priabonian) near Metlaoui and Sehib (Tunisia) show selective silicification with great variety in the silicified by‐products. Based on δ¹³C values, which support an organic origin for the carbon, carbonates replaced evaporites microbially through bacterial sulphate reduction. Observations and results suggest two scenarios for chert formation that are related to the rate and timing of diagenetic carbonate replacement of the evaporites (anhydrite/gypsum). In the absence of early diagenetic carbonate phases, silica with δ¹⁸O values from +25 to +28·6‰ [standard mean ocean water (SMOW)] replaced the outer parts of anhydrite nodules at pH < 9. In contrast, pore‐fluid pH values > 9 in the innermost parts of the anhydrite nodules prevented silica precipitation. The record of this chemical barrier is preserved in the microquartz rims and geode features that formed in the inner parts of the nodules after dissolution of the anhydrite nucleus. The microbial diagenetic replacement of evaporites (bacterial sulphate reduction) by carbonates (calcite, aragonite and dolomite) favoured silica replacement of carbonates rather than evaporites. Silica, with δ¹⁸O signature of +21 to +26‰ (SMOW), replaced carbonates on a volume‐for‐volume basis, yielding a more siliceous groundmass, and accounting for 90–95% of the nodules. The relatively higher δ¹⁸O values of quartz replacing anhydrite can be explained by a diagenetic fluid in equilibrium with mixed (meteoric/marine) to marine water. The lower δ¹⁸O values of the quartz that replaced the diagenetic carbonates are ascribed to flushing by meteoric water in a later diagenetic stage. The silica supply for chert formation could be derived from the reworked bio‐siliceous deposits (diatomites) to the west of the basin [vestiges of an opal‐CT precursor undetectable by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) were revealed by δ²⁹Si magic‐angle‐spinning nuclear magnetic resonance investigations], diagenesis of the extraformational and overlying clay‐rich beds (the host limestones are clay‐poor as shown by XRD measurements), and minor volcanogenic and hydrothermal contributions during early diagenetic stages.     

Diagenetic conditions and geological significance of weakly fractionation I -type granodiorite closely related to W-Mo mineralization in Zhuxiling,southern Anhui Province,ChinaSCIEI北大核心CSCD

江南钨矿带是近年来中国新发现W矿床最多的成矿区带之一,是近年研究热点地区。该钨矿带的东部主要发育与弱分异Ⅰ型花岗质岩石密切相关的W-Mo矿床,其成岩成矿机制和条件还不清楚,成岩条件研究是该类型矿床成岩成矿模型研究的基础。因此本文以竹溪岭W-Mo多金属矿床为例,利用角闪石-斜长石温度计、角闪石全Al压力计,角闪石氧逸度计算和黑云母氧逸度投图结果,限定花岗闪长岩的成岩条件,在此基础上,探讨成岩模式。结果显示:早期结晶的角闪石结晶温度为849-881℃,压力为241-330MPa,对应结晶深度9.11-12.4km,logf_(02)=-12.8--12.2;角闪石主结晶阶段的温度为774-841℃,压力为123-209MPa,对应结晶深度为4.40-7.90km, logf_(02)=-13.9--12.7;黑云母结晶时的氧逸度logf_(02)≈-15.0--13.0;显示岩浆从早期到晚期,由深而浅,温度不断降低,氧逸度不断升高。角闪石、黑云母矿物化学特征显示,壳幔岩浆混合作用是竹溪岭花岗闪长岩的主要成岩机制,岩浆上侵过程中经历了两期角闪石结晶事件。江南钨矿带W-Mo多金属矿床的成岩成矿与晚侏罗世古太平洋板块(Izanagi板块)的俯冲作用密切相关。     

Evidence for the rapid incorporation of hopanoids into kerogen

Hopanoids bound into the insoluble organic matter (kerogen) of Recent sediments from a freshwater lake (Priest Pot) and an anoxic sulphidic fjord (Framvaren) were released by hydropyrolysis and examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Bound hopanoids are present in high concentration (190-1400 μg/g TOC) and represent 22 to 86% of the total analysable hopanoids (i.e., bound and solvent-soluble), this proportion increasing with depth in Framvaren Fjord. The hopanes generated by hydropyrolysis contain higher amounts of the C₃₅, C₃₂, and C₃₀ homologues, reflecting the carbon number distribution of the bound hopanoids and indicating that both biohopanoids (C₃₀ and C₃₅) and their diagenetic products (dominated by C₃₂) are incorporated into the kerogen on a timescale of only 0 to 350 years. Sequential (multiple temperature) hydropyrolysis experiments gave an indication of the relative strengths of bonds being cleaved in association with hopane generation: The hopanoids of a sediment from Priest Pot are almost entirely bound by strong covalent bonds, interpreted to be mainly ether linkages, whilst a Framvaren sediment contains hopanoids that are bound by a mixture of weak di-/polysulphide linkages and stronger ether bonds. Labelling with deuterium indicated that the strong covalent linkages dominate, even for the Framvaren sediment.     

Root‐related rhodochrosite and concretionary siderite formation in oxygen‐deficient conditions induced by a ground‐water table rise

Sedimentological, mineralogical, stable carbon and oxygen isotope determinations and biomarker analyses were performed on siderite concretions occurring in terrestrial silts to understand their formation and to characterize the sedimentary and diagenetic conditions favouring their growth. High δ¹³C values (6·4‰ on average) indicate that siderite precipitated in an anoxic environment where bacterial methanogenesis operated. The development of anoxic conditions during shallow burial was induced by a change in sedimentary environment from flood plain to swamp, related to a rise of the ground‐water table. Large amounts of decaying plant debris led to efficient oxygen consumption within the pore‐water in the peat. Oxygen depletion, in combination with a decrease in sedimentation rate, promoted anoxic diagenetic conditions under the swamp and favoured abundant siderite precipitation. This shows how a change in sedimentary conditions can have a profound impact on the early‐diagenetic environment and carbonate authigenesis. The concretions contain numerous rhizoliths; they are cemented with calcium‐rhodochrosite, a feature which has not been reported before. The rhodochrosite cement has negative δ¹³C values (?16·5‰ on average) and precipitated in suboxic conditions due to microbial degradation of roots coupled to manganese reduction. The exceptional preservation of the epidermis/exodermis and xylem vessels of former root tissues indicates that the rhodochrosite formed shortly after the death of a root in water‐logged sediments. Rhodochrosite precipitated during the initial stages of concretionary growth in suboxic microenvironments within roots, while siderite cementation occurred simultaneously around them in anoxic conditions. These suboxic microenvironments developed because oxygen was transported from the overlying oxygenated soil into sediments saturated with anoxic water via roots acting as permeable conduits. This model explains how separate generations of carbonate cements having different mineralogy and isotopic compositions, which would conventionally be regarded as cements precipitated sequentially in different diagenetic zones during gradual burial, can form simultaneously in shallow burial settings where strong redox gradients exist around vertically oriented permeable root structures.     

Microfacies and diagenesis of older Pleistocene (pre‐last glacial maximum) reef deposits,Great Barrier Reef,Australia (IODP Expedition 325): A quantitative approach

During Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 325, 34 holes were drilled along five transects in front of the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, penetrating some 700 m of late Pleistocene reef deposits (post‐glacial; largely 20 to 10 kyr bp ) in water depths of 42 to 127 m. In seven holes, drilled in water depths of 42 to 92 m on three transects, older Pleistocene (older than last glacial maximum, >20 kyr bp ) reef deposits were recovered from lower core sections. In this study, facies, diagenetic features, mineralogy and stable isotope geochemistry of 100 samples from six of the latter holes were investigated and quantified. Lithologies are dominated by grain‐supported textures, and were to a large part deposited in high‐energy, reef or reef slope environments. Quantitative analyses allow 11 microfacies to be defined, including mixed skeletal packstone and grainstone, mudstone‐wackestone, coral packstone, coral grainstone, coralline algal grainstone, coral‐algal packstone, coralline algal packstone, Halimeda grainstone, microbialite and caliche. Microbialites, that are common in cavities of younger, post‐glacial deposits, are rare in pre‐last glacial maximum core sections, possibly due to a lack of open framework suitable for colonization by microbes. In pre‐last glacial maximum deposits of holes M0032A and M0033A (>20 kyr bp ), marine diagenetic features are dominant; samples consist largely of aragonite and high‐magnesium calcite. Holes M0042A and M0057A, which contain the oldest rocks (>169 kyr bp ), are characterized by meteoric diagenesis and samples mostly consist of low‐magnesium calcite. Holes M0042A, M0055A and M0056A (>30 kyr bp ), and a horizon in the upper part of hole M0057A, contain both marine and meteoric diagenetic features. However, only one change from marine to meteoric pore water is recorded in contrast with the changes in diagenetic environment that might be inferred from the sea‐level history. Values of stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon are consistent with these findings. Samples from holes M0032A and M0033A reflect largely positive values (δ¹⁸O: ?1 to +1‰ and δ¹³C: +1 to +4‰), whereas those from holes M0042A and M0057A are negative (δ¹⁸O: ?4 to +2‰ and δ¹³C: ?8 to +2‰). Holes M0055A and M0056A provide intermediate values, with slightly positive δ¹³C, and negative δ¹⁸O values. The type and intensity of meteroric diagenesis appears to have been controlled both by age and depth, i.e. the time available for diagenetic alteration, and reflects the relation between reef deposition and sea‐level change.