Clumped Isotope Reordering and Kinetic Differences in Co-Hosted Calcite and Dolomite Minerals throughout Burial Diagenesis and Exhumation

The clumped isotope paleo-thermometer has become a valuable proxy for the burial history reconstruction of carbonate formations. To maximise the accuracy of these reconstructions, post-depositional alterations, such as recrystallisation and Δ<sub>47</sub> isotope exchange reactions, must...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Qi Adlan, Stephen E. Kaczmarek, Cédric M. John
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-11-01
Series:Minerals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/12/1466
Description
Summary:The clumped isotope paleo-thermometer has become a valuable proxy for the burial history reconstruction of carbonate formations. To maximise the accuracy of these reconstructions, post-depositional alterations, such as recrystallisation and Δ<sub>47</sub> isotope exchange reactions, must be understood. In this study, we examine the isotopic behaviour of calcites and early dolomite samples from the same stratigraphic intervals, and thus with similar burial history. This approach provides additional constraints on the kinetics of Δ<sub>47</sub> reordering in dolomite during exhumation. Clumped isotope measurements were performed on 19 calcites and 15 early dolomites from the Permian, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods from four locations in Oman spanning different burial regimes. The calcite and dolomite samples were collected from the rock matrix, based on the assumption that fine material was more susceptible to recrystallisation. Our results show that calcites and dolomites record different Δ<sub>47</sub> values despite being subjected to the same thermal history. The maximum Δ<sub>47</sub> temperature recorded in dolomites (181 ± 13 °C) corresponds to the oldest and most deeply buried Permian rock. This value is approximately 35 °C higher than those measured in the co-located and coeval calcite matrix (145 ± 14 °C). This discrepancy suggests that calcite and dolomite have different kinetic parameters. Our data confirm (1) that dolomite Δ<sub>47</sub> values are more resistant to alteration during burial and exhumation than Δ<sub>47</sub> calcite values, and (2) that dolomite has a higher Δ<sub>47</sub> closing temperature than calcite during cooling. The presence of two mineral phases with distinct kinetic parameters in the same stratigraphic unit provides additional constraints on models of burial and uplift. In addition, mineralogical data coupled with Δ<sub>47</sub> and burial depths suggest that the progressive development of dolomite cation ordering is driven by temperature elevation, as previously suggested.
ISSN:2075-163X