Dolomitization and Neomorphism of Irish Lower Carboniferous (Early Mississippian) Limestones: Evidence from Petrographic and Isotopic Data

Abstract

The bulk of the replacive dolomite in the Lower Carboniferous (Dinantian) of Ireland is characterized by planar texture and (C, O) isotope signatures that are consistent with a modified Dinantian seawater origin at near-surface temperatures. Only a volumetrically minor ( ∼5 %) part of the dolomite is characterized by nonplanar texture. Petrographic evidence for fabric-preserving neomorphism of mimetic replacement planar dolomite is the preservation of concentric ooid textures and planar dolomite zonation (in plane-polarized light) retained within mosaics of mainly planar/nonplanar and nonplanar crystals. Neomorphosed dolomite commonly forms an interlocking mosaic of planar/nonplanar crystals and appears to have slightly increased crystal size relative to fine crystalline planar dolomite. In cathodoluminescence, neomorphosed dolomite tends to possess a uniform medium-intensity red color that lacks zonation. The oxygen isotope data from the planar and neomorphosed dolomites (planar and planar/nonplanar morphologies) further supports the petrographically defined division of the two dolomite types.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Carboniferous; Cathodoluminescence; Dolomite; Limestone; Oxygen Isotope; Petrography; Seawater; Surface Temperature; Eurasia; Europe; Ireland; Western Europe

Geographic Coverage

Ireland

Time Period

Mississippian

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

1565760875

Document Type

Book - Chapter

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2005 American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2005

This document is currently not available here.

Share

 
COinS