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Upper Thanetian microbialite-coral mounds from the Adriatic Carbonate Platform (SW Slovenia) are described herein for the first time, representing an important case study of extensively microbially-cemented boundstones in the Early Paleogene. The mounds are constructed primarily by microbialites associated to small-sized coral colonies, forming metric bioconstructions in a mid-ramp setting. Detailed macroscopic and microscopic studies show that microbes are the major framework builders, playing a prominent role in the stabilization and growth of the mounds, with corals being the second most important component. Microbial carbonates represent up to 70% of the mounds, forming centimetric-thick crusts alternating with coral colonies. The microbial nature of the crusts is demonstrated by their growth form and internal microfabrics, showing accretionary, binding, and encrusting growth fabrics, often with gravity-defying geometries. Thin sections and polished slabs reveal a broad range of mesofabrics, with dense, structureless micrite (leiolite), laminated crusts (stromatolites), and clotted micritic masses (thrombolites). A first layer of micro- encrusters, including leiolites and thrombolites, occurs in cryptic habitats, whereas discontinuous stromatolites encrust the upper surface of corals. A second encrustation, the major mound construction phase, follows and is dominated by thrombolites, encrusting corals and other micro-encrusters. This sequence represents the basic constructional unit horizontally and vertically interlocked, in an irregular pattern, to form the mounds. The processes, which favored the deposition of these microbial carbonates, were mainly related to in situ precipitation, with minor evidences for grain agglutination and trapping processes. Scleractinian corals comprise moderately diversified community of small (centimetric) colonial, massive, platy encrusting, and branching forms. Coral colonies are distributed uniformly throughout the mounds without developing any ecological zonation. These features indicate that coral development remained at the pioneer stage throughout the mound growth. The spatial relationships between corals and microbialites, as well as the characteristics of microbial crusts and coral colonies, indicate a strong ecological competition between corals and microbes. A model for the evolution of the trophic structures during the mound growth is proposed, with changes in the paleoecology of the main bioconstructors triggered by frequent environmental perturbations. Turbidity and nutrient pressure, interpreted here as related to frequent recurrences of wet phases during the warm, humid climate of the Uppermost Thanetian, might have promoted temporary dominance of microbes over corals, causing rapid environmentally- driven "phase shifts" in the dominant biota.
Triassic Latemar cycle tops - Subaerial exposure of platform carbonates under tropical arid climate
(2012)
The Triassic Latemar platform in the Dolomites, Italy, is the site of several ongoing controversies. Perhaps the most interesting debate focuses on apparent cyclic deposition within the Latemar platform, whose nature and duration are still open to debate. Further disagreement concerns the lack of meteoric diagenesis-related isotope shifts at cycle tops that bear circumstantial petrographic evidence for subaerial emergence. Here, an evaluation of the nature of Latemar cycle tops is presented combining evidence from previous work and new field, petrographic and geochemical data. Cycle tops are ranked according to increasing exposure duration and spatial extent: type I surfaces lacking unequivocal evidence of prolonged supratidal conditions; type II dolomite caps formed in warm, evaporitic, intertidal lagoonal waters followed by exposure of perhaps intermediate duration; type III clastic-rich, red calcareous horizons with some showing platform-wide extent, representing prolonged supratidal conditions, and type IV discontinuities in tepee belts, genetically related to type II and III surfaces, but likely representing shorter-lived exposure stages. Petrographic and geochemical criteria indicate that most diagenesis occurred in the shallow marine and burial domain whilst an extensive meteoric overprint of cycle tops is lacking. This is underlined by the scarcity of meteoric diagenetic fabrics such as gravitational cements that, where present, are here interpreted as marine-vadose in origin. The scarcity of carbon and oxygen isotope signatures commonly assigned to subaerial exposure stages is best explained in the context of mid-Triassic climate. The low latitude, tropical but arid setting of the Latemar, situated in the western extension of the Tethys ocean, its isolation from nearby continental areas and overall short-term emergence episodes are in agreement with a limited degree of meteoric alteration of most cycle tops. High amounts of aeolian clastic material beneath some cycle tops, along with high Fe and Mn elemental abundances argue for intermittent subaerial conditions. This study proposes an enhancement of the classical Allan and Matthews (1982) isotope model for subaerial exposure under strongly arid climates. As the subaerial exposure nature of Latemar cycle tops, and therefore eustasy as the cause for cyclicity, have been previously challenged due to the lack of meteoric-induced isotopic signatures, the outcome of this study is of significance for the ongoing Latemar stratigraphic controversy.
The recognition of paleokarst in subsurface carbonate reservoirs is not straightforward because conventional seismic interpretation alone is generally not sufficient to discriminate karstified areas from their surroundings. In the Loppa High (Norwegian Barents Sea), a protracted episode of subaerial exposure occurring between the late Paleozoic and mid-Triassic-Late Permian to Anisian-resulted in a significant overprinting of the previously deposited carbonate units. Here, we map the extension of the karstified areas using an integrated approach consisting of (1) a core study of critical paleokarst intervals, (2) a three-dimensional (3-D) seismic stratigraphic analysis, and (3) a 3-D multiattribute seismic facies (SF) classification. A core retrieved in the flat-topped Loppa High revealed breccia deposits at least 50 m (164 ft) thick, which probably resulted from cave collapses following the burial of the karst terrain. The SF classification was tested on a 3-D cube to (1) discriminate the respective SF related to the breccia deposits compared with other SF and (2) to estimate their spatial extent. Seismic-facies analysis suggests that breccias occupied the topmost area of the structural high, extending up to 12 km (7 mi) in width, 46 km (29 mi) in length, and tens of meters in thickness. The inference of such a large amount of breccia suggests that a significant part of this terrain was derived from the amalgamation of successive cave-development events-including periods of subaerial exposure and subsequent burial and collapse-resulting in a coalesced collapsed paleocave system. Previous observations from the Loppa High revealed the presence of karst plains associated with sinkholes, caves, and other dissolution phenomena associated with the breccia facies, further suggesting that a large volume of carbonate rocks in this area was affected by subaerial exposure and karstification. Our integrated approach and proposed karstification model could be applied to similar sedimentary basins that accommodate deeply buried carbonate successions affected by protracted episodes of subaerial exposure, where only few wells as well as 3-D seismic data are available.
Considerable effort has been devoted to the development of simulation algorithms for facies modeling, whereas a discussion of how to combine those techniques has not existed. The integration of multiple geologic data into a three-dimensional model, which requires the combination of simulation techniques, is yet a current challenge for reservoir modeling. This article presents a thought process that guides the acquisition and modeling of geologic data at various scales. Our work is based on outcrop data collected from a Jurassic carbonate ramp located in the High Atlas mountain range of Morocco. The study window is 1 km (0.6 mi) wide and 100 m (328.1 ft) thick. We describe and model the spatial and hierarchical arrangement of carbonate bodies spanning from largest to smallest: (1) stacking pattern of high-frequency depositional sequences, (2) facies association, and (3) lithofacies. Five sequence boundaries were modeled using differential global position system mapping and light detection and ranging data. The surface-based model shows a low-angle profile with modest paleotopographic relief at the inner-to-middle ramp transition. Facies associations were populated using truncated Gaussian simulation to preserve ordered trends between the inner, middle, and outer ramps. At the lithofacies scale, field observations and statistical analysis show a mosaiclike distribution that was simulated using a fully stochastic approach with sequential indicator simulation.
This study observes that the use of one single simulation technique is unlikely to correctly model the natural patterns and variability of carbonate rocks. The selection and implementation of different techniques customized for each level of the stratigraphic hierarchy will provide the essential computing flexibility to model carbonate settings. This study demonstrates that a scale-dependent modeling approach should be a common procedure when building subsurface and outcrop models.
The Late Permian Zechstein Group in northeastern Germany is characterized by shelf and slope carbonates that rimmed a basin extending from eastern England through the Netherlands and Germany to Poland. Conventional reservoirs are found in grainstones rimming islands created by pre-existing paleohighs and platform-rimming shoals that compose steep margins in the north and ramp deposits in the southern part. The slope and basin deposits are characterized by debris flows and organic-rich mudstones. Lagoonal and basinal evaporites formed the seal for these carbonate and underlying sandstone reservoirs. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate potential unconventional reservoirs in organic-rich, fine-grained and/or tight mudrocks in slope and basin as well as platform carbonates occurring in this stratigraphic interval. Therefore, a comprehensive study was conducted that included sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, petrography, and geochemistry. Sequence stratigraphic correlations from shelf to basin are crucial in establishing a framework that allows correlation of potential productive facies in fine-grained, organic-rich basinal siliceous and calcareous mudstones or interfingering tight carbonates and siltstones, ranging from the lagoon, to slope to basin, which might be candidates for forming an unconventional reservoir. Most organic-rich shales worldwide are associated with eustatic transgressions. The basal Zechstein cycles, Z1 and Z2, contain organic-rich siliceous and calcareous mudstones and carbonates that form major transgressive deposits in the basin. Maturities range from over-mature (gas) in the basin to oil-generation on the slope with variable TOC contents. This sequence stratigraphic and sedimentologic evaluation of the transgressive facies in the Z1 and Z2 assesses the potential for shale-gas/oil and hybrid unconventional plays. Potential unconventional reservoirs might be explored in laminated organic-rich mudstones within the oil window along the northern and southern slopes of the basin. Although the Zechstein Z1 and Z2 cycles might have limited shale-gas potential because of low thickness and deep burial depth to be economic at this point, unconventional reservoir opportunities that include hybrid and shale-oil potential are possible in the study area.
The Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum represents one of the most rapid and extreme warming events in the Cenozoic. Shallow-water stratigraphic sections from the Adriatic carbonate platform offer a rare opportunity to learn about the nature of Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum and the effects on shallow-water ecosystems. We use carbon and oxygen isotope stratigraphy, in conjunction with detailed larger benthic foraminiferal biostratigraphy, to establish a high-resolution paleoclimatic record for the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum. A prominent negative excursion in delta C-13 curves of bulk-rock (similar to 1 parts per thousand-3 parts per thousand), matrix (similar to 4 parts per thousand), and foraminifera (similar to 6 parts per thousand) is interpreted as the carbon isotope excursion during the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum. The strongly C-13-depleted delta(1)d(3)C record of our shallow-marine carbonates compared to open-marine records could result from organic matter oxidation, suggesting intensified weathering, runoff, and organic matter flux.
The Ilerdian larger benthie foraminiferal turnover is documented in detail based on high-resolution correlation with the carbon isotopic excursion. The turnover is described as a two-step process, with the first step (early Ilerdian) marked by a rapid diversification of small alveolinids and nummulitids with weak adult dimorphism, possibly as adaptations to fluctuating Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum nutrient levels, and a second step (middle Ilerdian) characterized by a further specific diversification, increase of shell size, and well-developed adult dimorphism. Within an evolutionary scheme controlled by long-term biological processes, we argue that high seawater temperatures could have stimulated the early Ilerdian rapid specific diversification. Together, these data help elucidate the effects of global warming and associated feedbacks in shallow-water ecosystems, and by inference, could serve as an assessment analog for future changes.
The occurrence of neritic microbial carbonates is often related to ecological refuges, where grazers and other competitors are reduced by environmental conditions, or to post-extinction events (e.g. in the Late Devonian, Early Triassic). Here, we present evidence for Middle Jurassic (Bajocian) microbial mounds formed in the normal marine, shallow neritic setting of an inner, ramp system from the High Atlas of Morocco. The microbial mounds are embedded in cross-bedded oolitic facies. Individual mounds show low relief domal geometries (up to 3 m high and 4.5 m across), but occasionally a second generation of mounds exhibits tabular geometries (<1 m high). The domes are circular in plan view and have intact tops, lacking evidence of current influence on mound preferred growth direction or distribution patterns, or truncation. The mound fades consists almost entirely of non-laminated, micritic thrombolites with branching morphologies and fine-grained, clotted and peloidal fabrics. Normal marine biota are present but infrequent. Several lines of evidence document that microbial mound growth alternates with time intervals of active ooid shoal deposition. This notion is of general significance when compared with modern Bahamian microbialites that co-exist with active sub-aquatic dunes. Furthermore, the lack of detailed studies of Middle Jurassic, normal marine shallow neritic microbial mounds adds a strong motivation for the present study. Specifically, Bajocian mounds formed on a firmground substratum during transgressive phases under condensed sedimentation. Furthermore, a transient increase in nutrient supply in the prevailing mesotrophic setting, as suggested by the heterotrophic-dominated biota, may have controlled microbial mound stages.
The Upper Cambrian Lower Qiulitag Group in the Tarim Basin, NW China, is overwhelmingly composed of cyclic dolomites. Based on extensive field investigations and facies analysis from four outcrop sections in the Bachu-Keping area, northwestern Tarim Basin, four main types of facies are recognized: open-marine subtidal, restricted shallow subtidal, intertidal, and supratidal facies, and these are further subdivided into ten lithofacies. In general, these facies are vertically arranged into shallowing-upward, metre-scale cycles. These cycles are commonly composed of a thin basal horizon reflecting abrupt deepening, and a thicker upper succession showing gradual shallowing upwards. Based on the vertical facies arrangements and changes across boundary surfaces, two types of cycle: peritidal and shallow subtidal cycle, are further identified. The peritidal cycles, predominating over the lower-middle Lower Qiulitag Group, commence with shallow subtidal to lower intertidal facies and are capped by inter-supratidal facies. In contrast, the shallow subtidal cycles, dominating the upper Lower Qiulitag Group, are capped by shallow-subtidal facies. Based on vertical lithofacies variations, cycle stacking patterns, and accommodation variations revealed by Fischer plots, six larger-scale third-order depositional sequences (Sq1-Sq6) are recognized. These sequences generally consist of a lower transgressive and an upper regressive systems tract. The transgressive tracts are dominated by thicker-than-average cycles, indicating an overall accommodation increase, whereas the regressive tracts are characterized by thinner-than-average peritidal cycles, indicating an overall accommodation decrease. The sequence boundaries are characterized by transitional zones of stacked thinner-than-average cycles, rather than by a single surface. These sequences can further be grouped into lower-order sequence sets: the lower and upper sequence sets. The lower sequence set, including Sq1-Sq3, is characterized by peritidal facies-dominated sequences and a progressive decrease in accommodation space, indicating a longer-term fall in sea level. In contrast, the upper sequence set (Sq4-Sq6) is characterized by subtidal facies-dominated sequences and a progressive increase in accommodation space, indicating a longer-term rise in sea level.
Discontinuity surfaces are widely recognized but often poorly understood features of epeiric carbonate settings. In sedimentary systems, these features often represent hiatus surfaces below biostratigraphic resolution and may represent a considerable portion of the time contained in the sediment record. From an applied perspective, discontinuities may represent horizontal flow barriers and result in reservoir compartmentalization. Here, a total of 80 condensed surfaces (S1), firmgrounds (S2) and hardgrounds (S3) from a Jurassic (Middle and Upper Bajocian Assoul Formation) ramp setting of the High Atlas in Morocco are carefully documented with respect to their morphology, their secondary impregnation by Fe and Mn oxides and phosphates and their palaeoecological record. A statistical frequency distribution of two surfaces of the S1 type, 1.1 surfaces of the S2 type and 0.4 surfaces of the S3 type per 10 section metres is observed along a 220 m long carbonate succession. Based on two stratigraphically and spatially separated study windows and correlative sections, the stratigraphic frequency distribution, the lateral extent and the nature of facies change across discontinuities are documented in a quantitative manner. Specific features of the study site include the considerable stratigraphic thickness of the Assoul Formation and the conspicuous absence of subaerial-exposure-related features. Based on the data presented here, firmground and hardground surfaces are best interpreted as maximum-regression-related features. Relative sea-level lowstand results in a lowered wave base, and wave orbitals and currents result in sea floor omission and lithification. Care must be taken to avoid overly simplistic interpretations, as differences in bathymetry and carbonate facies result in marked changes in discontinuity characteristics in proximal-distal transects. The data shown here are of significance for those concerned with the interpretation of shoal water carbonate environments and are instrumental in the building of more realistic carbonate reservoir flow models.
Shallow-water carbonates are invaluable archives of past global change. They hold the record of how neritic biologic communities reacted to palaeoenvironmental changes. However, attempts to decipher these geological archives are often severely hampered by the low stratigraphic resolution attained by biostratigraphy. This is particularly the case for the Upper Cretaceous carbonate platforms of the central Tethyan realm: their biostratigraphy suffers from very low resolution and poor correlation with the standard biochronologic scales based on ammonites, planktic foraminifers and calcareous nannoplankton.
In this paper we show how this problem can be tackled by integrating biostratigraphy with isotope stratigraphy. We present a detailed record of the benthic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and carbon and strontium isotope stratigraphy of three upper Cenomanian-middle Campanian sections belonging to the Apennine Carbonate Platform of southern Italy. For the upper Cenomanian-Turonian interval, the carbon isotope curves of the studied sections are easily correlated to the reference curve of the English Chalk. The correlation is facilitated by the matching of the prominent positive excursion corresponding to the Oceanic Anoxic Event 2. For the Coniacian-middle Campanian interval, the correlation is mainly based on strontium isotope stratigraphy. We use the Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios of the low-Mg calcite of well preserved rudist shells to obtain accurate chronostratigraphic ages for many levels of the three studied sections. The ages obtained by Sr isotope stratigraphy are then used to better constrain the matching of the carbon isotope curves.
From the high-resolution chronostratigraphic age-model stablished by isotope stratigraphy, we derive the chronostratigraphic calibration of benthic foraminiferal biostratigraphic events. For the first time the benthic foraminiferal biozones of the Apennine Carbonate Platform can be accurately correlated to the standard ammonite biozonation. This result is of great relevance because the biostratigraphic schemes of other carbonate platforms in the central and southern Tethyan realm are largely based on the same biostratigraphic events. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.