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Title: Formation of diagenetic dolomite in coastal sabkha along Arabian (Persian) Gulf

Journal Article · · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5386129
 [1];
  1. Univ. of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Aragonitic intertidal sediments are being dolomitized in the subsurface supratidal environment of a sabkha along the south shore of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf as a result of the percolation of wind-driven marine-derived brines. The development of abundant diagenetic dolomite results from a optimum combination of high mMg/sup 2 +//mCa/sup 2 +/ ratio fluids, a rapid flow rate which is related to the flooding frequency and sediment permeability, and a shoreline configuration that maintains the proper conditions for a sufficient length of time. Most diagenetic dolomite forms at the expense of primary aragonite according to the reaction: Mg/sup 2 +/ + 2CaCO/sub 3/(arag) ..-->.. CaMg(CO/sub 3/)/sub 2/ + Ca/sup 2 +/. Dolomite forms under the following conditions: (a) chloride concentration between 3.25 and 3.75 mCl/sup -//Kg; (b) mMg/sup 2 +//mCa/sup 2 +/ greater than about 6; (c) pH between 6.3 and 6.9; (d) minimum P/sub CO2/ of 10/sup -2/ to 10/sup -3/ atm; (e) temperature between 25 and 40/sup 0/C; (f) saturation with respect to gypsum; and (g) reducing environment in association with hydrogen sulfide. Other recent dolomite occurrences in the Bahamas, Florida, and Bonaire are significantly different in terms of stratigraphy, degree of lithification, and evaporite mineral association from those in the Arabian Gulf.

OSTI ID:
5386129
Journal Information:
Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Vol. 66:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English