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Dolomite and Dolomitization

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Encyclopedia of Geochemistry

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS))

Definition

Dolomite is a trigonal–rhombohedral, ordered Ca, Mg carbonate mineral (CaMg (CO3)2) occurring primarily in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Dolomitization is the process in which Mg ions replace Ca ions in a calcium carbonate mineral.

Crystal Structure and Geochemistry

The crystal structure of dolomite is similar to calcite with Mg ions substituting for Ca in every other layer. To accommodate this substitution, due to differences in bond lengths between Ca–CO3 and Mg–CO3 (238 pm versus 208 pm, respectively), CO3 in the Mg layer is uniformly rotated about the threefold axis relative to calcite (Reeder and Wenk 1983).

Stoichiometric dolomite (50:50 CaCO3:MgCO3) is part of a solid solution between calcite (CaCO3), magnesite (MgCO3), and ankerite (FeCO3). Iron substitution as well as Mg substitution greater than ~10 mol% will lead to disordering and expansion of the unit cell (Antao et al. 2004; Carmichael and Ferry 2008). These disordered phases are thermodynamically...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA

    Jennifer A. Roberts

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  1. Jennifer A. Roberts
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Correspondence to Jennifer A. Roberts .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

    William M. White

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Roberts, J.A. (2018). Dolomite and Dolomitization. In: White, W.M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Geochemistry. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39312-4_93

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