Irregular Cathodoluminescent Banding in Late Dolomite Cements: Evidence for Complex Faceting and Metalliferous Brines
Abstract
Irregular cathodoluminescent growth banding occurs in late diagenetic dolomite cements in the Bonneterre Dolomite and Davis Formation (Cambrian), southeastern Missouri. The dolomite cements were precipitated by warm basinal brines and are paragenetically related to the sulfide mineralization of the Viburnum Trend Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc district. Universal stage microscopy has revealed that the irregular growth bands correspond to complex (non-cleavage rhombohedron) crystal faces that developed during growth of the dolomite cements. During later stages of crystal growth, the cleavage rhombohedron became the dominant morphological form, and the earlier complex faces disappeared. Similar complex faceting has been observed elsewhere, where dolomite and halite occur together. We speculate that metal cations in the chloride-rich, mineralizing brines had a "poisoning" effect on growing dolomite surfaces which allowed the complex crystal faces to develop.
Recommended Citation
J. M. Gregg and R. D. Hagni, "Irregular Cathodoluminescent Banding in Late Dolomite Cements: Evidence for Complex Faceting and Metalliferous Brines," Geological Society of America Bulletin, vol. 98, no. 1, pp. 86 - 91, Geological Society of America (GSA), Jan 1987.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1987)98<86:ICBILD>2.0.CO;2
Department(s)
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Brine; Cambrian; Cathodoluminescence; Cleavage; Crystal; Dolomite; Halite; Metal; Mineralization; Sulfide; Missouri; United States; Viburnum Trend
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0016-7606
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 1987 Geological Society of America (GSA), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 1987
