Three-terraced evaporated ramp model for differentiation of the massive dolomitization process: Insights from the Lower Cambrian Longwangmiao Formation in the Sichuan Basin
Abstract
Within carbonate strata across the globe, dolostone reservoirs hold paramount importance in the realm of petroleum development. The genesis of dolostone has long perplexed geologists; however, despite the proliferation of various dolomitization models, the origin of dolostone and its capacity to elucidate the extensive dolomitization processes of the Lower Paleozoic on a platform scale remain subjects to debate. The present study endeavors scrutinizing the dolomitization process of the Lower Cambrian Longwangmiao Formation, with a particular emphasis on the impact of paleogeomorphology on platform- or basin scale dolomitization. Through meticulous field observations, petrological examinations and geochemical analyses, the correlation between the distribution of dolostones and paleogeomorphological features is elucidated, thereby establishing a dolomitization model that considers paleogeomorphological features. In contrast to prior investigations, this study discerns that the dolomitization process of the Longwangmiao Formation is not only governed by depositional facies environments and sea-level fluctuations but also markedly influenced by paleogeomorphological factors. Specifically, a distinct compositional and distributional gradient of dolomite is observed from the higher terrace to the lower terrace. These findings not only provide novel insights into the dolomitization process within the Sichuan Basin but also serve as a useful reference for analogous processes at the basin or craton scale in other sedimentary basins. The proposed three-terraced evaporated seepage reflux dolomitization model offers a fresh vantage point for describing the extensive dolomitization processes of the Lower Paleozoic on a global platform scale, and underscores the pivotal role of paleogeomorphology in the dolomitization process.
Document Type: Original article
Cited as: Jin, X., Song, J., Liu, S., Li, Z., Yang, D., Wang, H. Three-terraced evaporated ramp model for differentiation of the massive dolomitization process: Insights from the Lower Cambrian Longwangmiao Formation in the Sichuan Basin. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2025, 15(3): 216-229. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2025.03.05
Keywords:
Evaporated ramp, seepage reflux, stable isotopes, dolomitization model, Longwangmiao Formation, Sichuan BasinReferences
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