CARBONATE SEDIMENTOLOGY

CARBONATE
SEDIMENTOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
Dolomite And Dolomitization Models

Assignment submitted by:

Bilal Khan roll no 22 semester 7th

Assignment submitted to:

Nasar Khan
Session:2013-2017
Bilal.khan3534@gmail.com
 Physical Properties of Dolomite
CARBONATE SEDIMENTOLOGY

Color White,grey to pink,yellow

Hardness 3.5 to 4

Streak White

Crystal Trigonal
system
Vitreous to Pearly
Luster
brittle
Tenacity

Table No 1.2

Department of Geology, UOM

Dolomite
Dolomite is an carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium
carbonate CaMg(Co3-2).

Dolostone is a termed use for a sedimentary rock which is formed from

such a mineral.

Crystal Structure

DEPARTMENT OF
It is a rhombohedra carbonate consisting of alternating layers of
carbonate anions and the cations.

GEOLOGY
In the crystal structures there is a Ca and Mg ions arranged with Co3-2 .

UNIVERSITY OF

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CARBONATE SEDIMENTOLOGY

Fig 1 showing the crystal lattice

of dolomite.

Formation of Dolomite
Dolomite is formed by the replacement of the calcite ions by the
magnesium ions.

Depending upon the ratio of the mg ions in the crystal lattice they
have different names.
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P
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o
h
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o
i
D
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CARBONATE SEDIMENTOLOGY

Fig 2 showing the stages of Dolomite

formation.

Fig 3 showing the formation of high ordered

dolomite from high-mg calcite.
In the high-Mg calcite there is a 0-32 mol% of Mg substitution for Ca.

In the Protodolomite there is roughly 55-60 Mol% Cain the lattice with
incomplete segregation of Ca and Mg into separate layers

In the stoichiometric dolomite has a 50:50 of Ca to Mg Ratio with near

perfect ordering of the Mg ad Ca in alternate cation layers.

Anciently Primary dolomite is very rare only forming in certain lakes

and lagoons while most of the dolomite is from the replacement origin.

Two major considerations in the formation of dolomite are:

The source of the Mg+ ions.

The process whereby the dolomitizing fluid is pumped

through the carbonate sediments.

Dolomitization models
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CARBONATE SEDIMENTOLOGY

To study the ancient dolomite five broad categories of dolomitization

models are currently available which are given below:

1. Evaporative Dolomitization

2. Seepage-reflux Dolomitization

3. Mixing-Zone Dolomitization

4. Burial Dolomitization

5. Seawater Dolomitization

Each involves different type of dolomitizing fluid, mode of flow and geological
settings.

Evaporative Dolomitization:

o Dolomite is being precipitated within high intertidal

supratidal and sabkhas enviornment.

o Dolomitic that formed in supratidal enviornment are precipitated

from evaporated sea water.

o Early formation of aragonite and gypsum leading to a higher

Mg/Ca ratio of porewater to facilitate the dolomitization.

Seepage-reflux Dolomitization:

o This involves the generation of dolomitizing fluids through

evaporation of lagoon water or tidal flat pore water and then
descent of these fluids into underlying carbonate rocks.

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CARBONATE SEDIMENTOLOGY

Mixing Zone dolomitization:

o This type of dolomite formed by the mixing of sea water with the
fresh water.

Burial Dolomitization:

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CARBONATE SEDIMENTOLOGY

o The principal mechanism is the compactional dewatering of

basinal mudrocks and the expulsion of Mg rich fluids into
adjacent shelf edge.

o The transformation of clay minerals with increased burial and

rising temperature suggest that it would liberate Mg ions along
with Fe ion.

o Basinal shales are commonly organic rich and the diagenesis

would contribute to Co3 ions.

Seawater Dolomitization:

itself can also be a source of Dolomite because it contains the

sufficient amount of Mg ions with little modification if there is an
efficient mechanism for pumping it.

Uses of Dolomite

Dolomite serves as an oil and gas resorvior rock.

Dolomite is used in the construction industry.

Dolomite is used in a steel industry.

Dolomite is used as a source of Magnesia.

Dolomite serves as the host rock for many lead,zinc and copper
deposits.

Dolomite used as a pigments,paints.

Dolomite is used in making of bricks.

Conclusions

Dolomite is a major carbonate mineral.

Its formation from secondary origin is common.

Dolomite is generally formed from the replacement of the Ca ions with

the Mg ions.

In the ancient dolomite the type of its formation can be of different

mechanisms it could not be easily understood.

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CARBONATE SEDIMENTOLOGY

Dolomite can behave as the resorvoir rocks.

Dolomites have wide uses.

References

CARBONATE SEDIMENTOLOGY
Maurice E. Tucker, V. Paul Wright,

Bathurst, R. G. C., 1975, Carbonate Sediments and their Diagenesis:

Developments in Sedimentology, v. 12: Amsterdam, Elsevier, 658 p.

Wilson, J. L., 1975, Carbonate Facies

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