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Petrological and geochemical constraints on the origin of dolomites: a case study from the early Cambrian Qingxudong Formation, Sichuan Basin, South China

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Abstract

Several types of dolomite had occurred pervasively in the lower Cambrian Qingxudong Formation in the Sichuan Basin. However, the origin of these dolomites remains particularly controversial until now. Here, we describe the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of dolomites from the lower Cambrian Qingxudong Formation in the southeastern Sichuan Basin, which can potentially provide useful information to constrain the origin and evolution of dolomitization fluid. Three fabric types and five dolomite generations were identified in this study: fabric-retentive dolomites (dolomicrite, Dol-1, and dolomitic microbialite, Dol-2), fabric-destructive dolomites (sucrosic dolomite, Dol-3) and pore-filling dolomites (medium- to coarse-crystalline dolomite, Dol-4, and saddle dolomite, Dol-5). The δ13C and δ18O values, 87Sr/86Sr ratios and rare earth element (REE) pattern of Dol-1, Dol-2 (except the δ13C values) and Dol-3 are approximately consistent with original seawater values, suggesting that the dolomitization fluids were mediated by seawater. The calculated dolomitization temperature (25.66 °C) and Z values (125.2) of Dol-1 with evaporite minerals indicate that the dolomitization fluid was high-salinity concentrated seawater derived from evaporation. The calculated dolomitization temperature (24.20 °C) and Z value (121.8) of Dol-2, and no traces of evaporite minerals in Dol-2 imply that the dolomitization fluid was slightly hypersaline seawater. The more negative δ13C and abundant microbial features of Dol-2 indicate that microbial mats were involved in dolomite formation. The dolomitization temperature (30.55 °C) and Z value (125) of Dol-3 also indicate that the dolomitization fluid was high-salinity concentrated seawater. However, Dol-3 is commonly distributed in reef and shoal facies (high porosity and permeability) throughout the Qingxudong Formation. Moreover, the abundant organic matters in the dolomitization fluid likely overcame the kinetic and thermodynamic barriers in the process of dolomitization. The geochemical data (except the δ18O values) of Dol-4 are approximately consistent with fabric-retentive dolomites, suggesting that the Dol-4 had been inherited from precursor carbonates. The negative δ18O values of Dol-4 revealed a further burial environment. High LREE/HREE ratios, positive europium anomalies and negative δ18O values of Dol-5 suggest that these dolomites were affected by hydrothermal fluids under deep burial conditions. Thus, Dol-1, Dol-2 and Dol-3 are likely attributed to sabkha, organogenic (microbial) and seepage-reflux dolomitization models during early-stage diagenesis, respectively. Dol-4 and Dol-5 are commonly attributed to burial and hydrothermal dolomitization models during deep burial diagenesis. This study provides new insights into the origin of dolomites and is especially useful for the further understanding of dolomite reservoir formation in the Qingxudong Formation.

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(modified after Tan et al. 2018a)

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41872137 and 40739903). Prof. Xu Jinyong of the Chengdu University of Technology (CDUT) helped measure the carbon and oxygen isotope and rare earth element values of the marine carbonates. Thanks to Dr. Yang Di and Prof. Feng Minshi (CDUT) for their assistance in measuring the Sr isotope ratios and identifying the SEM photomicrographs. Senior Engineer Peiquan Kang (CDUT) and Prof. Haiqin Tian of the Sinopec Exploration and Production Research Institute helped us with sample collection in the field. Thanks to Zehua Niu and Prof. Changcheng Wang for their assistance in the experimental analysis. The authors greatly appreciated all those mentioned above.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China

    Qian Tan & Zejin Shi

  2. College of Energy Resources, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China

    Qian Tan, Zejin Shi & Wenjie Li

  3. College of Earth Sciences, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China

    Yaming Tian & Yong Wang

  4. Key Laboratory of Tectonic Controls on Mineralization and Hydrocarbon Accumulation of Ministry of Natural Resources, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China

    Yaming Tian

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  1. Qian Tan
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Tan, Q., Shi, Z., Tian, Y. et al. Petrological and geochemical constraints on the origin of dolomites: a case study from the early Cambrian Qingxudong Formation, Sichuan Basin, South China. Carbonates Evaporites 34, 1639–1656 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-019-00513-3

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