Authigenic carbonates in Upper Miocene sediments of the Tertiary Piedmont Basin (NW Italy): Vestiges of an ancient gas hydrate stability zone?

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 2010 Authigenic carbonates in Upper Miocene sediments of the Tertiary Piedmont Basin (NW Italy): Vestiges of an ancient gas hydrate stability zone? Francesco Dela Pierre; Francesco Dela Pierre † 1Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Torino, Via Valperga Caluso, 35–10125 Torino, Italy2Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Via Valperga Caluso, 35–10125 Torino, Italy †E-mail: francesco.delapierre@unito.it Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Luca Martire; Luca Martire 1Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Torino, Via Valperga Caluso, 35–10125 Torino, Italy Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Marcello Natalicchio; Marcello Natalicchio 1Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Torino, Via Valperga Caluso, 35–10125 Torino, Italy Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Pierangelo Clari; Pierangelo Clari 1Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Torino, Via Valperga Caluso, 35–10125 Torino, Italy Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Catalin Petrea Catalin Petrea 1Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Torino, Via Valperga Caluso, 35–10125 Torino, Italy3Institul de Speologic Emil Racovita, Calea 13 Septembrie 13, 50711 Bucuresti, Romania Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2010) 122 (7-8): 994–1010. https://doi.org/10.1130/B30026.1 Article history received: 09 Feb 2009 rev-recd: 29 Jun 2009 accepted: 10 Jul 2009 first online: 08 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Francesco Dela Pierre, Luca Martire, Marcello Natalicchio, Pierangelo Clari, Catalin Petrea; Authigenic carbonates in Upper Miocene sediments of the Tertiary Piedmont Basin (NW Italy): Vestiges of an ancient gas hydrate stability zone?. GSA Bulletin 2010;; 122 (7-8): 994–1010. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B30026.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract A wide array of carbonate-rich rocks has been recognized in the Tertiary Piedmont Basin (NW Italy), hosted in lower Messinian slope deposits. Carbonate cements show negative δ13C values and positive δ18O values, suggesting that carbonate precipitation was induced by microbial degradation of methane produced from gas hydrate destabilization. Two groups of rocks have been distinguished: (1) Lucina-bearing mud breccias, representing the seafloor product of an ancient seepage site; and (2) Lucina-free concretions, originating below the sediment-water interface. Within this group, two subtypes have been further distinguished: stratiform concretions and cylindrical concretions. Stratiform concretions result from precipitation of dolomite in the pores of muddy sediments. Some of them display a brecciated structure; others show a network of septarian-like cracks that are empty, filled with sediments, or zoned carbonate cements. Their internal features are related to the formation of gas hydrates within the sediments and to their destabilization. Thus, these rocks mark a portion of the sedimentary column located within a (paleo) gas hydrate stability zone. Cylindrical concretions represent ancient fluid conduits related to the upward migration of CH4-rich fluids subsequent to gas hydrate destabilization.The carbonate-rich rocks of the Tertiary Piedmont Basin stand as one of the first examples of methane-derived rocks that record successive episodes of dissociation and re-formation of gas hydrates, and they provide precious elements to model the general evolution of a portion of the sedimentary column located within the hydrate stability zone. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.