Degree of supersaturation and precipitation of organogenic dolomite

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 1988 Degree of supersaturation and precipitation of organogenic dolomite John S. Compton John S. Compton 1Department of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1988) 16 (4): 318–321. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1988)016<0318:DOSAPO>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation John S. Compton; Degree of supersaturation and precipitation of organogenic dolomite. Geology 1988;; 16 (4): 318–321. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1988)016<0318:DOSAPO>2.3.CO;2 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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract This paper integrates the degree of carbonate saturation into a general model for the origin of dolomite in organic-rich marine sediments. Degradation of organic matter by sulfate-reducing bacteria promotes early dolomite precipitation by simultaneously increasing the carbonate alkalinity and lowering the sulfate ion concentration to near zero. The interstitial water in organic-rich sediments of several Deep Sea Drilling Project sites where dolomite is believed to be precipitating is up to 103 times supersaturated with respect to near-ideal dolomite and up to 10 times supersaturated with respect to calcite. The highly supersaturated interstitial waters appear to overcome low temperature kinetic barriers to precipitate a nonideal, fine-grained calcian dolomite. The degree of supersaturation with respect to dolomite decreases, and the interstitial water approaches carbonate equilibrium with increasing burial depth at several of these sites. Removal of sulfate ion is important because sulfate ion may inhibit dolomite precipitation. A calcareous sediment is not required, but the presence of calcite or aragonite appears to greatly enhance dolomitization by providing an additional source of Ca and carbonate ions. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.