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Petrography, diagenesis and isotope geochemistry of dolostones and dolocretes in the Eocene Dammam Formation, Kuwait, Arabian Gulf

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Abstract

Detailed petrographic and geochemical investigation of an exposed sequence of the Eocene Dammam Formation in Kuwait revealed significant gradational upward changes from friable chalky dolostone to hard dolocretic palaeoduricrust (karst carapace) passing through an extensively karstified dolostone enclosing cavity fill dolocretes. The dolostones were originally deposited as calcareous wackestone and mudstone within tidal flat and backshore lagoons that manifest cyclic sedimentation within minor sea regression and transgression cycles. Dolomitization of these sediments was early, pervasive, fabric selective and non-fabric destructive and it took place by Mg-rich sabkha brine mixed with meteoric fresh water. Regional sea regression was followed by chertification. Three sequential stages of dolocretization were identified within the karst dolostone and the karst carapace. Microscopic and SEM examination as well as stable isotopic analysis of Carbon and Oxygen indicate significant variation in the dolomite textures and genesis of the dolostone and the dolocretes. A suggested paragenesis model elaborated complex diagenetic processes. The results of this research may be applicable for analogues subsurface carbonate reservoir rocks.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Kuwait University research grant (SE03/11). The analytical services were provided by the Research Facility Unit (GS01/01). Nanoscopy Unit of the Faculty of Science, Kuwait University is acknowledged. The isotope analysis was carried out by the Environmental Isotope Laboratory of University of Arizona. The authors are grateful to the National Industrial Company in Kuwait and the management of Al Ahmadi quarry for their continued support. Special thanks are due to Dr. Maryam Alkuwairan for scientific discussion helping with editing the manuscript. The authors are grateful for Mr. N. Bassili and Mr. S. Chilwan for their assistance in the field and laboratory works. Mr. Y. Abdullah, Mr. H. Mahmoud and Ms. N. Al Motlak are also acknowledged for their help in the preparation of thin sections and sample grinding.

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  1. Earth and Environmental Science Department, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait

    Fikry I. Khalaf, Fowzia A. Abdullah & Ismail M. Gharib

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  1. Fikry I. Khalaf
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Khalaf, F.I., Abdullah, F.A. & Gharib, I.M. Petrography, diagenesis and isotope geochemistry of dolostones and dolocretes in the Eocene Dammam Formation, Kuwait, Arabian Gulf. Carbonates Evaporites 33, 87–105 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-016-0330-5

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