Origin of calcareous concretions in marine sedimentary rocks
LIU Chao
LIANG Tian
LIU Xiaoxiao
AN Haihua
CHEN Hao
LI Xin
Abstract：Objective As a common sedimentary structure in deep-time marine strata,calcareous concre-tions,which is mainly composed of authigenic carbonate mineral aggregates,have become an important ar-chive for studying sedimentary environment,paleoclimate,and sedimentary pore fluid evolution due to their special growth conditions.In order to deeply understand the genesis of different calcareous concretions and highlight their geological significance,Methods this paper reviews the macroscopic morphology,micro-fabrics,and isotopic characteristics of different calcareous concentrations,and elaborates the timing and mode of concretionary growth,and the related biogeochemical processes during their formation.Results Cal-careous concentrations can be formed in the quasi-syndepositional stage,early or late diagenetic stage,with concentric or pervasive growth mode.Its formation mechanism mainly have three ways:(1)In anaerobic envi-ronment,organic matters in the sediment are oxidized by providing electron donors for sulfate-reducing bac-teria,which undergo oxidation and generate bicarbonate ions,leading to an increase in alkalinity in pore wa-ter and the formation of calcareous concentrations;(2)Methane in cold-seep fluids upward to the seafloor is oxidized via consortia of methanotrophic archaea and sulfate-reducing bacteria,increasing carbonate alkalin-ity in sediment porewaters,and promoting in-situ carbonate precipitation;and(3)In deep burial settings,over-pressured porewaters in the sediment trigger the formation of late digenetic carbonates in fractures,which are characterized by the development of"beef"and"cone in cone"structures.Conclusion In recent years,microbial processes involved in the formation of calcareous concentrations have been extensively stud-ied,but more high resolution in-situ analysis is needed to clarify how different biogeochemical processes(e.g.,organic mineralization,sulfate reduction and methane anaerobic oxidation coupling)control on calcare-ous concretion growth,and to further indicate its genetic mechanism.
Keywords：calcareous concretionisotopic characteristicanaerobic oxidation of methanebiogeochemical processdiagenesis
Publication Date：2024-02-28
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：10( 51-60 )