川西地区中二叠统栖霞组中—粗晶白云岩成因

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

塔里木盆地古城低凸起中下奥陶统白云岩稀土元素地球化学特征及其成因

中下奥陶统白云岩是塔里木盆地古城低凸起主要的天然气储集层,按结构特征将其分为粉-微晶白云石、粉-细晶级他形脏白云石、粉-中晶级自形白云石、中-粗晶脏白云石、中-粗晶干净白云石和鞍形白云石等6种类型,对不同类型白云岩的稀土元素分析结果表明,研究区样品的ΣREE总体含量偏低,与La_N/Yb_N、LREE/HREE大致呈正相关,与δEu、δCe的相关性较差。不同类型白云石稀土元素配分曲线差别不大,均为总体平缓、略向右倾,显示轻稀土略微富集。不同类型白云石成因类型略有不同,主要为同生期蒸发泵成因、同生期渗透回流成因、浅埋藏成因和热液成因等4种成因类型。     

羌塘盆地昂达尔错地区白云岩成岩结构特征及其成因意义

通过薄片、阴极发光、背散射和扫描电镜等特征分析,根据白云石的晶体颗粒的形态、大小、晶面、接触关系等特征,兼顾白云石的成因信息,将羌塘盆地昂达尔错地区古油藏中白云石划分为粉-细晶曲面它形结构、粉-细晶曲面它形雾心亮边结构、细-中晶直面半自形-自形结构、细-中晶直面半自形-自形雾心亮边结构、细-中晶直面半自形-自形环带结构、中-粗晶曲面它形结构。成岩结构特征反映了成岩期不同成岩流体作用叠加的多成因模式,包括准同生阶段蒸发咸化海水成因、浅埋藏阶段蒸发咸化海水的回流或下渗扩散交代成因、中-深埋藏阶段埋藏白云石化成因以及深埋藏阶段与构造运动相关的热液交代成因。白云岩中常见的残余粒屑结构和藻纹层结构反映出原始的浅滩相、潮坪相及生屑滩相等高能沉积环境更有利于该区白云岩的形成,原始的沉积微相控制着白云岩化作用的发育和白云岩的空间展布。     

中二叠统茅口组白云岩发育机理:以川中-川东地区为例

白云岩储层是茅口组一种重要的储层类型,其成因是研究重点。为此,以川中-川东地区茅口组白云岩为例,通过露头观测、岩心观察、岩石薄片鉴定及岩石地球化学分析的方法,分析了茅口组白云岩(石)的成因。结果表明:茅口组白云岩(石)可划分为层状粉晶白云岩、层状细-中晶白云岩、灰岩中零散分布的白云石、透镜状中-粗晶白云岩和鞍形白云石胶结物5种类型。其中,层状粉晶白云岩原始结构保存较好,地球化学特征与原始灰岩相似,是早期埋藏环境下形成的产物;层状细-中晶白云岩与层状粉晶白云岩相伴生,δ¹⁸O值较灰岩偏负,包裹体均一温度大于正常地层埋藏温度,部分样品可见Eu正异常,是由层状粉晶白云岩在热液作用下重结晶形成;灰岩中零散分布的白云石则与矿物的稳定化有关;透镜状中-粗晶白云岩和鞍形白云石胶结物镜下可见白云石晶面弯曲和波状消光,其δ¹⁸O值可达-10‰,包裹体均一温度高于正常地层埋藏温度,Eu正异常明显,是典型的热液白云岩(石)。     

塔中-巴麦地区下古生界不同结构类型白云岩元素地球化学特征

在岩芯观察、薄片分析、阴极发光分析、全岩微量元素测试以及微组构电子探针分析的基础上,对塔里木盆地塔中-巴麦地区下古生界不同结构类型的基质白云岩和缝洞充填白云石的成因进行了详细研究。结果表明,泥-粉晶白云岩具有较高的Sr、Na含量和低的Fe、Mn含量,结合其多与蒸发岩相伴生的特征认为,该类白云岩主要形成于蒸发海水成岩环境中。颗粒白云岩的Na、Fe、Mn含量与泥粉晶白云岩相似,说明两者形成环境相近,但其Sr含量较低,可能与微生物作用有关。晶粒白云岩中具有平直晶面结构的细晶、自形白云岩和细晶、半自形白云岩的Sr、Na含量相对较低,而Fe、Mn含量略有升高,表明其形成于成岩温度相对较低的浅埋藏阶段;而具有非平直晶面特征的中-粗晶、他形白云岩的Sr、Na含量最低,Fe、Mn含量增加,但Fe-Mn相关性较差,且明显低于其他地区典型深埋藏白云岩的Fe、Mn含量,因此认为其形成环境为温度逐步升高的中埋藏阶段。鞍形白云石充填物Sr含量较低、Fe、Mn、Ba和Zn含量明显增高,反映深部热液活动影响,但由于流体来源不同和后期构造活动存在差异,不同地区鞍形白云石充填物的形成机制各异。     

基于LA-ICP-MS的微量元素分析对白云岩成岩流体性质的示踪研究——以川西南P1井栖霞组白云岩为例北大核心CSCD

四川盆地西南部P1井在中二叠统栖霞组钻遇厚层优质白云岩储层。在显微岩石学分析、阴极发光研究基础上,基于LA-ICP-MS手段对不同类型碳酸盐矿物进行原位微量元素分析。结果表明灰岩中方解石Sr含量高达254×10^(-3)~823×10^(-3)、Mn/Sr比值低至0.02~0.07,较低的总稀土含量(0.067×10^(-3)~2.100×10^(-3))与较低的LREE/HREE比值(1.43~4.56)。各类白云石具有较低的Sr含量(16×10^(-3)~48×10^(-3))与较高的Mn/Sr比值(0.54~3.70),随着白云石晶体增大Mn/Sr比值总体增大。粉晶白云石具有最高的总稀土含量(2.364×10^(-3)~3.950×10^(-3))与较高的LREE/HREE比值(7.11~9.55),而细晶白云石与中晶白云石的总稀土含量与LREE/HREE比值相对偏低。鞍形白云石Fe含量高达708×10^(-3)~1217×10^(-3)、最大的LREE/HREE比值(6.61~15.00)与明显的正Eu异常。白云岩至少经历了两期白云石化过程,白云石化流体均具有强烈的轻重稀土分异特点。早期白云石化过程导致Sr的流失与Mn/Sr比值的增加,随着重结晶等成岩作用的加强进一步导致Mn/Sr增加、稀土元素的流失等。晚期白云石作用形成了标志性热液矿物—粗晶鞍形白云石胶结物。     

川西地区中二叠统栖霞组白云岩成因分析

川西地区栖霞组白云岩成因及其与峨眉山玄武岩喷发热事件关系颇有争论。在野外剖面、岩心观察基础上,通过岩石学、全岩及矿物微区地球化学分析方法对其研究,结果表明川西地区栖霞组白云岩（石）可分为残余砂屑白云岩、晶粒白云岩以及鞍状白云石、脉体充填白云石四类。残余砂屑白云岩与晶粒白云岩均呈块状,阴极发光较暗,稀土配分模式与泥微晶灰岩相似,δ13C、87Sr/86Sr多处于同期海水范围内,δ18O略偏负,Ce负异常,残余砂屑白云岩Eu呈负异常,而晶粒白云岩Eu多为正异常。微区δ13C、δ18O分析显示,残余砂屑白云岩的白云石雾心与亮边内δ13C均处于同期海水范围内,δ18O亮边较雾心偏负;晶粒白云岩中不同大小的晶粒白云石微区δ13C、δ18O显示相近特征,表明这两类白云岩均为海水浅埋藏成因,但受到后期热流体叠加改造。曲面他形粗晶鞍状白云石充填于裂隙与溶蚀孔洞内,镜下具波状消光特征,发亮红色光,δ13C与二叠纪海水相近,δ18O明显负偏,Eu呈正异常,指示鞍状白云石为热液成因。脉体白云石岩石学与地球化学特征表明其为晚期埋藏成因。川西地区栖霞组白云岩主体为浅埋藏成因,峨眉山玄武岩喷发期热液对其叠加改造,仅西南地区充填裂隙与溶洞的鞍形白云石为热液成因。     

川西南中二叠统中粗晶白云石流体来源分析

四川盆地西南地区中二叠统地层在埋藏过程中发生了较高程度的白云岩化。通过野外剖面观察和详细的薄片岩石学研究，在中二叠统白云岩储层中识别出了四种类型的白云石（包括三种基质交代白云石和一种白云石胶结物）:1）粉晶白云石，宏观上主要呈层状发育，晶粒小于50 μm，平直镜面半自形晶-非平直晶面它形晶；2）细晶白云石，晶粒大小为50~250 μm，平直晶面半自形晶-自形晶；3）中粗晶白云石，宏观上可见溶蚀孔洞和裂缝发育，其中充填白色的白云石胶结物、方解石胶结物等，晶粒大小为250 μm~2 mm，非平直晶面它形晶；4）白云石胶结物，以胶结物的形式在裂缝和溶蚀孔洞中发育，晶粒大小变化较大，具有明显的波状消光。利用不同矿物之间的接触和切割关系，结合阴极发光和扫描电镜等手段，确定了几种白云石和相关成岩矿物的形成时序，确立四川盆地西南地区中二叠统白云岩的成岩演化序列。即从成岩早期到晚期，依次形成（或发生成岩作用）了粉晶白云石、早期溶蚀作用、细晶白云石、中粗晶白云石、水力压裂缝、白云石胶结物、石英、方解石脉、缝合线、晚期溶蚀和沥青充填。通过地球化学和包裹体分析，发现中粗晶白云石和白云石胶结物具有相似的地球化学特征，即明显偏负的氧同位素、大于同期海水的Sr同位素，成岩流体具有较高的温度和盐度，表明其成岩流体具有典型的热液性质。原始灰岩和早期白云岩经热液改造，重结晶为中粗晶白云石，并在裂缝和溶蚀孔洞中沉淀鞍形白云石胶结物。     

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。     

塔里木盆地玉北地区蓬莱坝组白云岩类型及成因

塔里木盆地玉北地区蓬莱坝组发育粉-细晶自形白云岩、中晶自形-半自形白云岩、粗晶自形-他形白云岩三种白云岩类型。粉-细晶白云岩具纹层状构造,稀土元素配分模式、总稀土含量与同期灰岩相似,氧同位素组成与同期海水成因的白云岩相近,表明白云岩化流体为同期海水,较高的盐度指数指示了相对浓缩的海水条件,较低的有序度值反应出快速的白云岩化过程,为准同生白云岩化的产物,白云石晶间均匀充填富Fe、富Si及高~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr比值的陆源物质,表明玉北地区在蓬莱坝组粉-细晶白云岩沉积期由于相对海平面较低从而受到陆源物质混入的影响。中晶白云岩和粗晶白云岩的稀土元素配分模式、总稀土含量、~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr比值等与同期海水特征相似,表明白云岩化流体为海水,可见残余颗粒结构,成岩温度较低,埋藏较浅,为埋藏的海水以及沿原始颗粒灰岩的粒间孔及可能存在的裂缝等通道向下运移的海水提供的Mg~(2+)导致的白云岩化,后期重结晶作用破坏了粗晶白云岩中的残余颗粒结构并导致其Fe、Mn含量及成岩温度、有序度值高于中晶白云岩,Sr含量及δ~(18)O值低于中晶白云岩。部分中-粗晶白云石边缘可见加大边,表明后期存在少量他源流体导致的次生加大作用。     

沉积钙质白云石带状面缺陷的择优取向

作者用透射电子显微镜研究了沉积钙质白云石中的带状面缺陷。在衍衬象中面缺陷呈现出特有的条纹衬度,并具有一定的择优取向,它们沿着｛018｝面排列。面缺陷也可分叉,分枝部分平等于｛2－／10｝面。根据白云石面缺陷的取向,本文提出了鞍状白云石宏观弯曲面和微观面缺陷的取向关系。     

In situ characterization of dolomite crystals: Evaluation of dolomitization process and its effect on zoning

Dolomitization is a dissolution–re‐precipitation process which proceeds via micrometre‐scale interface reaction horizons. However, the effect of this fundamental local medium of replacement process on precipitated dolomite crystals is rarely investigated. For this purpose, dolomite samples of Ordovician Boat Harbour Formation carbonates (Newfoundland, Canada) from Main Brook and Daniel's Harbour (about 150 km apart) were studied. The investigation used high‐resolution approaches to carry out imaging and elemental analyses of individual dolomite crystals, including scanning electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy‐based cathodoluminescence, secondary ion mass spectrometry and electron microprobe analysis. The purpose was to better understand geochemical variations across the crystal traverses and their association with dolomite replacement processes and conditions. The scanning electron microscopy‐based cathodoluminescence‐zoning character reveals three major crystal facies. Distinctly (planar boundaries) zoned core and indistinctly zoned core are zoned dolomite crystal facies in burial dolomite from Main Brook. Relatively unzoned crystal facies was identified in that of Daniel's Harbour. Compositionally zoned dolomite crystals are characterized by decreasing Sr, Na, Y and ∑REE but increasing Mn and Fe from core to rim sections. ‘Core to rim’ zoning was not found for major (Mg and Ca) elements. The zoning exhibited by the replacive dolomite crystals is interpreted to be, principally, a result of limited exchange between solutes of the bulk pore fluid and those of dissolving precursor marine carbonate. In tandem with petrographic features, the systematic compositional zoning character demonstrates that the effectiveness of the dolomitization process grades from indistinctly zoned core to relatively unzoned crystal facies via interface reaction horizons. Homogenization of major elements of core and rim sections, seen in distinctly zoned core crystal facies and to a much greater extent in relatively unzoned crystal facies, via a secondary reaction interface, is the first recognized stage of the ‘maturation process’ followed by homogenization of the trace elements seen largely in relatively unzoned crystal facies.     

四川甘溪泥盆系观雾山组白云岩特征与其形成条件的关系(英文)

本文通过沉积环境分析,X射线衍射、扫描电镜、同位素及阴极发光分析,讨论了甘溪泥盆系观雾山组白云石的晶体形态及大小、有序度、碳酸钙克分子含量,同位素特征及阴极发光特征与形成条件的关系。中晶白云岩及细晶白云岩分别产于生物层及潮坪环境,为成岩早期地下淡水与海水混合白云岩化作用的产物。低的碳酸钙克分子含量,中-弱的阴极发光强度及低的δ18O、δ13C值。微晶白云岩形成于泻湖环境。白云石具他形粒状晶,差的有序度,高的碳酸钙克分子含量,强的阴极发光强度及高的δ18O、δ13C值,为准同生期高Mg2+/Ca2+值卤水交代碳酸钙软泥形成。     

黄河口凹陷BZ34区古近系沙一二段储集层成岩相与有利储层预测

摘要：通过铸体薄片、扫描电镜、电子背散射、阴极发光等技术手段结合物性资料以及沉积(微)相划分,对研究区沙一二段储集层成岩作用类型及点(薄片)、线(单井)、面(平面展布)成岩相分布及有利储层分布进行了研究。结果表明：研究区沙一二段受同沉积火成岩喷发和水解的影响,广泛发育栉壳状白云石、钾长石钠长石化、石英溶蚀等碱性条件下发生的成岩作用,同时层状分布的火山岩对于下覆地层起到了保护作用,减弱了下覆地层的压实作用;此外,受后期酸性流体的影响,研究区也发育诸如长石、岩屑溶蚀等酸性条件下发生的成岩作用,沙一二段储层发育溶蚀孔,占比达到567%(均值)。采用“(微相)砂体部位+主体成岩现象+孔隙类型”的复合命名方式,对薄片、单井及平面区域进行了成岩相的命名和划分,共划分为三类：水下分流水道砂体侧翼细粉砂岩-菱铁矿胶结-低孔成岩相、三角洲前缘-中细砂岩-欠压实-白云石包壳-溶孔相、火山熔岩远端凝灰质中细砂岩-凝灰质胶结-致密相。欠压实-白云石包壳-溶孔相在测井响应上具有DT低、RD与RS间隔幅度较大、CNCF与RHOZ较为接近或交叉的特点;菱铁矿胶结-低孔成岩相具有DT高、RD与RS较为接近、CNCF与RHOZ间隔幅度较大的特点,测井解释的油层、油水同层与欠压实-白云石包壳-溶孔相具有较好的匹配关系。三角洲前缘-中细砂-欠压实-白云石包壳-溶孔相为有利储层发育区带。     

塔里木盆地中央隆起区寒武-奥陶系白云岩结构特征及成因探讨

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

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

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

海南岛排浦更新世现代白云岩特征及白云岩管成因探讨

海南岛排浦更新世白云岩系我国首次发现的现代白云岩。露头位于潮间-潮上带,剖面高约4米,分7层,白云石与陆源碎屑共生。经鉴定白云石为粉晶,具完好菱面体晶形,为含铁白云石,有序度0.4-0.64,为淡水白云石之特征。第三层中含有相当数量的白云岩管。岩管具圆及椭圆形管状,形态固定,大小相似,管壁光滑,单管状,管内白云石含量较管外高等特征,笔者认为其成因是虫孔先被方解石充填,成岩早期经白云石交代形成的。     

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.     

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

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

Microbial primary dolomite from a Norian carbonate platform: northern Calabria, southern Italy

The origin of fine‐grained dolomite in peritidal rocks has been the subject of much debate recently and evidence is presented here for a microbial origin of this dolomite type in the Norian Dolomia Principale of northern Calabria (southern Italy). Microbial carbonates there consist of stromatolites, thrombolites, and aphanitic dolomites. High‐relief thrombolites and stromatolites characterize sub‐tidal facies, and low‐relief and planar stromatolites, with local oncoids, typify the inter‐supratidal facies. Skeletal remains are very rare in the latter, whereas a relatively rich biota of skeletal cyanophycea, red algae and foraminifera is present in the sub‐tidal facies. Some 75% of the succession consists of fabric‐preserving dolomite, especially within the microbial facies, whereas the rest is composed of coarse dolomite with little fabric preservation. Three end‐members of dolomite replacement fabric are distinguished: type 1 and type 2, fabric retentive, with crystal size <5 and 5–60 μm, respectively; and type 3, fabric destructive, with larger crystals, from 60 to several hundred microns. In addition, there are dolomite cements, precipitated in the central parts of primary cavities during later diagenesis. Microbialite textures in stromatolites are generally composed of thin, dark micritic laminae of type 1 dolomite, alternating with thicker lighter‐coloured laminae of the coarser type 2 dolomite. Thrombolites are composed of dark, micritic clotted fabrics with peloids, composed of type 1 dolomite, surrounded by coarser type 2 dolomite. Marine fibrous cement crusts are also present, now composed of type 2 dolomite. Scanning electron microscope observations of the organic‐rich micritic laminae and clots of the inter‐supratidal microbialites reveal the presence of spherical structures which are interpreted as mineralized bacterial remains. These probably derived from the fossilization of micron‐sized coccoid bacteria and spheroidal–ovoidal nanometre‐scale dwarf‐type bacterial forms. Furthermore, there are traces of degraded organic matter, probably also of bacterial origin. The microbial dolomites were precipitated in a hypersaline environment, most likely through evaporative dolomitization, as suggested by the excess Ca in the dolomites, the small crystal size, and the positive δ¹⁸O values. The occurrence of fossilized bacteria and organic matter in the fabric‐preserving dolomite of the microbialites could indicate an involvement of bacteria and organic matter degradation in the precipitation of syn‐sedimentary dolomite.