Rhombic calcite microcrystals as a textural proxy for meteoric diagenesis
Abstract Numerous Phanerozoic limestones are comprised of diagenetic calcite microcrystals formed during mineralogical stabilization of metastable carbonate sediments. Previous laboratory experiments show that calcite microcrystals crystallizing under conditions similar to those that characterize me...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-04219-2 |
| _version_ | 1818750180495720448 |
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| author | Mohammed S. Hashim Stephen E. Kaczmarek |
| author_facet | Mohammed S. Hashim Stephen E. Kaczmarek |
| author_sort | Mohammed S. Hashim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Numerous Phanerozoic limestones are comprised of diagenetic calcite microcrystals formed during mineralogical stabilization of metastable carbonate sediments. Previous laboratory experiments show that calcite microcrystals crystallizing under conditions similar to those that characterize meteoric diagenetic settings (impurity-free, low degree of supersaturation, high fluid:solid ratio) exhibit the rhombic form/morphology, whereas calcite microcrystals crystallizing under conditions similar to those that prevail in marine and marine burial diagenetic settings (impurity-rich, high degree of supersaturation, low fluid:solid ratio) exhibit non-rhombic forms. Based on these experimental observations, it is proposed here that rhombic calcite microcrystals form exclusively in meteoric environments. This hypothesis is tested using new and previously published textural and geochemical data from the rock record. These data show that the vast majority of Phanerozoic limestones characterized by rhombic microcrystals also exhibit petrographic and/or geochemical evidence (depleted δ13C, δ18O, and trace elements) indicative of meteoric diagenesis whereas non-rhombic forms are associated with marine burial conditions. By linking calcite microcrystal textures to specific diagenetic environments, our observations bring clarity to the conditions under which the various microcrystal textures form. Furthermore, the hypothesis that rhombic calcite microcrystals form exclusively in meteoric environments implies that this crystal form may be a useful textural proxy for meteoric diagenesis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T04:15:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-678bf8fbb1ec40a0a5a87cfd4662f717 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T04:15:35Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-678bf8fbb1ec40a0a5a87cfd4662f7172022-12-21T21:21:21ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222022-01-011211810.1038/s41598-021-04219-2Rhombic calcite microcrystals as a textural proxy for meteoric diagenesisMohammed S. Hashim0Stephen E. Kaczmarek1Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan UniversityDepartment of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan UniversityAbstract Numerous Phanerozoic limestones are comprised of diagenetic calcite microcrystals formed during mineralogical stabilization of metastable carbonate sediments. Previous laboratory experiments show that calcite microcrystals crystallizing under conditions similar to those that characterize meteoric diagenetic settings (impurity-free, low degree of supersaturation, high fluid:solid ratio) exhibit the rhombic form/morphology, whereas calcite microcrystals crystallizing under conditions similar to those that prevail in marine and marine burial diagenetic settings (impurity-rich, high degree of supersaturation, low fluid:solid ratio) exhibit non-rhombic forms. Based on these experimental observations, it is proposed here that rhombic calcite microcrystals form exclusively in meteoric environments. This hypothesis is tested using new and previously published textural and geochemical data from the rock record. These data show that the vast majority of Phanerozoic limestones characterized by rhombic microcrystals also exhibit petrographic and/or geochemical evidence (depleted δ13C, δ18O, and trace elements) indicative of meteoric diagenesis whereas non-rhombic forms are associated with marine burial conditions. By linking calcite microcrystal textures to specific diagenetic environments, our observations bring clarity to the conditions under which the various microcrystal textures form. Furthermore, the hypothesis that rhombic calcite microcrystals form exclusively in meteoric environments implies that this crystal form may be a useful textural proxy for meteoric diagenesis.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-04219-2 |
| spellingShingle | Mohammed S. Hashim Stephen E. Kaczmarek Rhombic calcite microcrystals as a textural proxy for meteoric diagenesis Scientific Reports |
| title | Rhombic calcite microcrystals as a textural proxy for meteoric diagenesis |
| title_full | Rhombic calcite microcrystals as a textural proxy for meteoric diagenesis |
| title_fullStr | Rhombic calcite microcrystals as a textural proxy for meteoric diagenesis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rhombic calcite microcrystals as a textural proxy for meteoric diagenesis |
| title_short | Rhombic calcite microcrystals as a textural proxy for meteoric diagenesis |
| title_sort | rhombic calcite microcrystals as a textural proxy for meteoric diagenesis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-04219-2 |
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