The relationship between dolomite textures and their formation temperature: a case study from the Permian-Triassic of the Sichuan Basin and the Lower Paleozoic of the Tarim Basin

Abstract

Study of dolomite texture can contribute to understanding the process of dolomitization. This research reports textures and homogenization temperatures of dolomites from the Permian-Triassic strata in the Sichuan Basin and the Lower Paleozoic strata in the Tarim Basin, which provided insights into relationships between dolomite textures and their formation temperatures. Our results are summarized as follows: 1) dolomites with well-preserved texture indicate low dolomitization temperature. However, in certain diagenetic environments, the hydrothermal dolomitization may completely or partially preserve the original texture of dolomites. 2) The formation temperatures of non-planar dolomites are always higher than those of planar dolomites. 3) The formation temperatures of dolomite cements are generally higher than those of replacive dolomites. 4) Although the formation temperatures of saddle dolomite cements have a wide range, they show higher values than those of the planar subhedral to euhedral dolomite cements. Thus, saddle dolomites could generally be an indicator of high precipitation temperature. 5) The fluid Mg/Ca ratio is another element controlling dolomite morphology. Micritic dolomites, which precipitate from hypersaline fluids with a high Mg/Ca ratio in a subaerial environment could also have features of non-planar anhedral crystal shape because of rapid nucleation and crystallization during dolomitization.