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A comparative study of the Rare Earth Element (REE) distributions within the Lower Cretaceous dolomites and limestones of Central Tunisia
Author(s) -
TLIG SAĪMD,
M'RABET ALI
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
sedimentology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.494
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1365-3091
pISSN - 0037-0746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3091.1985.tb00739.x
Subject(s) - geology , dolomitization , dolomite , sabkha , geochemistry , cretaceous , rare earth element , fractionation , mineralogy , strontium , evaporite , paleontology , facies , rare earth , sedimentary rock , chemistry , organic chemistry , structural basin
REE distribution, strontium content and oxygen isotopic composition have been studied in the Lower Cretaceous dolomites and their interbedded and/or parental limestones of Central Tunisia. Dolomites, as indicated by previous sedimentologic, geochemical and isotopic study, are different in origin. Environments of dolomite formation include: evaporitic sabkha, deep phreatic, karst and lacustrine. With the exception of the sabkha environment, dolomitizing fluids presumably have been essentially meteoric. The comparison between REE distributions in dolomites and limestones clearly suggests that the general shapes of the REE patterns are preserved during dolomitization. Nevertheless, the total REE amounts are somewhat lowered in dolomites comparatively to parental limestones. Moreover, within the dolomites, the total REE contents are positively correlated to the Sr and δ 18 O contents; thus indicating that the decrease in REE, Sr, and δ 18 O contents is related to a decrease in the salinity of dolomitizing fluids. In addition, dolomites associated with emergence surfaces (karst) are the most impoverished in REE. Furthermore, they are relatively enriched in light REE, indicating a more or less important fractionation with the REE distributions. This enrichment has been related to the influence of the inorganic complexes which favours the greatest solubility of the heavy REE in basic solution with respect to the lightest members of the REE group.