Abstract
A variety of fine-grained carbonate minerals, including dolomite, magnesite, hydro-magnesite, magnesian calcite and aragonite are found in association with the Coorong Lagoon, in southeast South Australia. These minerals occur in definite associations on lake and lagoon floors, as well as along stranded marginal flats. A relationship is shown to exist between the environment and carbonate mineral assemblage in each situation. Radiocarbon age determinations on dolomite from two lakes have verified the fact that this mineral is in the process of forming at the present day. From a series of lake water analyses over a two-year period, it is possible to broadly outline the conditions necessary for formation of dolomite in such an environment. It is concluded that this mineral is currently forming by extremely slow nucleation and crystal growth in the shallow ephemeral lakes marginal to the Coorong Lagoon. Better crystallized and partially ordered dolomites are associated with lake waters of significantly higher pH and Mg/Ca ratio than poorly crystallized protodolomite-magnesian calcite assemblages in the area.
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