Stable oxygen and carbon isotopes of carbonate concretions of the Miocene Yeonil Group in the Pohang Basin, Korea: Types of concretions and formation condition

Carbonate concretions in the Miocene sedimentary rocks of the Yeonil Group in the Pohang Basin (Korea) were investigated in terms of stable oxygen and carbon isotope composition to delineate the origin and associated diagenetic environment for their formation. Carbonate concretions are widely distributed in all the sedimentary rocks in the Pohang Basin, showing that the calcitic concretions are preserved within the mass-flow deposits and the dolomitic ones mostly in the hemipelagic siliceous rocks (diatomites). Concretions can be classified into four different types, oil the basis of the stable isotopic signatures, each of which represents its own geochemical range. Type I concretions are calcitic and are composed of micrite to microspar. They occur in the conglomerates and sandstones which were deposited by mass flows (debris flow to turbidity current). It shows relatively lower delta O-18 (- 14.0 to - 9.3 parts per thousand) and delta C-13 (- 19.6 to - 8.4 parts per thousand) values. These concretions grew in a sulfate reducing zone under the influence of residual ambient seawater which had been significantly modified by volcanogenic sediments. Type 11 concretions are also calcitic, composed mostly of micrite with minor microspar and found in the sandstones. These concretions are characterized by relatively high delta O-18 (+1.8 to +2.4 parts per thousand) and variable (delta C-13 (- 17.3 to -0.4 parts per thousand) values. These isotopic signatures reflect that Type 11 concretions formed from just beneath the sediment/water interface down to the sulfate reducing zone through the early stage of methanogenesis. Type III concretions are also calcitic, and composed largely of micrite with a minor contribution of microspar. They are observed in hemipelagic mudrocks which were deposited under the influence of mass flows. They are characterized by intermediate to high delta O-18 (- 4.6 to + 1.6 parts per thousand) and high delta C-13 (- 1.3 to +8.8 parts per thousand) values. These concretions grew in a methanogenic zone by residual ambient seawater and/or seawater slightly modified by reaction with voicanogenic sediments. Type TV concretions are dolomite with calcite inclusion, and occur in hemipelagic siliceous rocks. These concretions are mostly composed of micrite and characterized by variable delta O-18 (-9.1 to +0.7 parts per thousand) and high (delta C-13 (+3.1 to +17.9 parts per thousand) values, suggesting formation in the methanogenic zone, although the residual ambient seawater is slightly modified by volcanogenic sediments. The same type of the concretions is widely distributed throughout the basin and always shows its own distinctive stable isotopic signature. This means that the formation of the given type depends upon the lithology and composition of host sediments that are closely related to the depositional process of the fan-delta systems regardless of their localities. Further, the different types of concretions are also found at the different, but closely spaced stratigraphic levels in the same locality, displaying the distinctive diagenetic conditions for each type. Such preservation of the unique diagenetic signatures in individual type of concretion suggests that the concretions formed in a completely closed diagenetic system. Therefore, caution should be made to simplify and generalize the diagenetic condition for the formation of any concretions in a large sedimentary basin. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.