Early-stage marine dolomite altered by hydrothermal fluids in the Middle Permian Maokou Formation in the eastern Sichuan Basin, Southern China

Deciphering the dolomitization process is the key to understanding the formation of massive dolostones on shallow-marine platforms, it also improves our understanding of dolostone reservoirs. Hydrothermal fluids are suggested to be a potential mechanism for dolomitization; however, determining whether hydrothermal fluids are responsible for dolomitization or the recrystallization of an early dolostones is poorly understood. The dolomite of Maokou Formation (Guadalupain) in the eastern part of the Sichuan Basin is a good case study on the hydrothermal dolomitization and recrystallization. Based on petrographic observation, the massive dolostone (MD) consists of fine-crystalline dolomite (D1), fine to medium crystalline dolomite (D2) and coarse-crystalline dolomite (D3), and the patchy dolostone (PD) which is composed of medium to coarse dolomite with an euhedral to subhedral texture. Since the fine-crystalline dolomite is cross-cut by low amplitude stylolites, and is composed of euhedral dolomite with a dull red luminescence, dolomitization is interpreted to have occurred in near surface condition. While the Fe, Mn, and FREE concentrations, 813CVPDB values, 87Sr/86Sr ratios, and REE Pattern of D1 are comparable to those of the coexisting limestone, and the 818OVPDB values are slightly higher than that of the coeval limestone, indicating that the dolomitization fluid of D1 was derived from Middle Permian seawater. In contrast, zebra fabrics and saddle dolomites are common in D2 and D3, and their geochemical characteristics and cathluminescence are quite different from those of D1 but they are similar to those of the saddle dolomites. Besides, the fluid inclusions in D2 and D3 have high homogenization temperatures and salinities, which are also similar to those of the saddle dolomite. Moreover, the D2 shows an inequigranular texture, and there are no obvious boundaries between D1, D2 and D3. Therefore, the D2 and D3 were recrystallized upon D1 by hydrothermal fluids related to the Emeishan magmatism. The patchy dolostone exhibits a non-stoichiometric composition and low degree of cation ordering, suggests rapid and incomplete dolomitization. The dolomitization of PD is interpreted to be the replacement caused by hydrothermal fluids as the PD exhibits negative 818OVPDB values, high homogenization temperatures and salinity, positive Eu anomalies and REE Patterns similar to those of the saddle dolomites. The porosity and stoichiometry of the D1 are higher and lower, respectively, than those of D2 and D3, and the vugs are almost entirely filled. Thus, the hydrothermal fluids were destructive for the formation of the dolostone reservoir of Maokou Formation in the study area.

Automated summary

Deciphering the dolomitization process of Maokou Formation in the Sichuan Basin provides insights into the role of hydrothermal fluids in dolomite formation, with some areas showing dolomitization and others indicating recrystallization due to hydrothermal fluids. This study highlights the complexity of dolomite formation in relation to hydrothermal processes in shallow-marine platforms.