Sedimentology (1980) 27, 63 1-650

Stages in a Precambrian dolomitization, Scotland: cementing versus

replacement textures

I A N J. F A I R C H I L D *
Department of Geology, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, and
Department of Geology, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EQ

ABSTRACT

Dolomitization in member 1 of the Dalradian Bonahaven Formation of lslay was sequential. The
sediments studied are siliciclastic tidal flat deposits, which originally contained pebbles of ferroan
dolomicrite and sandy dolomicrite (type 1 dolomite). Following burial, both dolomicrite and clay-
stone pebbles, and possibly other carbonates, were replaced by coarser, fluid-inclusion-bearing,
chemically zoned (type 2) dolomite. Ferroan, inclusion-free, intergranular dolomite (type 3) in
sandstones may be synchronous with late zones of type 2 dolomite which it closely resembles.
Cathodoluminescence and microprobe analyses of type 2 dolomite characterize four ubiquitous
growth stages within which there was considerable fluctuation in Fe and Mn content. There was much
variation between and within samples in terms of timing of nucleation, absolute speed of growth and
relative growth rate of crystals. Type 2 dolomite displays two types of intracrystalline truncation
surfaces explicable by dissolution followed by overgrowth, or by replacement by a moving solution
film. Type A is characterized by a single later zone cutting across earlier ones along the line of an
irregular truncation surface which developed from the edges of the crystals. In type B truncations it is
the interior, rather than the edges of crystals which show truncation, the truncations forming smooth
closed surfaces which enclose areas filled centripetally with new zones. In general, dolomite has a
pronounced tendency to form crystal faces, and thus compromise crystal boundaries, during replace-
ment as well as during cementation. Thus, if nucleation of crystals is restricted to the margins of an
area to be replaced, replacive dolomite is capab!e of completely mimicking a vug-filling texture.

INTRODUCTION

This paper examines a case of diagenetic dolomitiz-
ation which seems atypical in that it occurs within a
siliciclastic sequence and does not fit any current
large-scale dolomitization model. Its wider sig-
nificance relates to features on the microscopic scale
illustrating the intricate history of progressive
dolomitization. This paper is one of the first studies
to utilize a combination of cathodoluminescence
petrography and microprobe analysis in a diagenetic
problem. The complex nature of dolomitization o n a
small scale in terms of timing and spatial distribution
* Present address : Department of Geology, University
of Birmingham, P.O. Box 363, Birmingham B15 2TT.
0037-0746/80/1200-0631 $02.00
0 1980 International Association of Sedimentologists
of crystal nuclei, and the variable speed of crystal
growth, can thus be appreciated. This leads t o a
discussion of the possibility that replacive dolomite,
with its pronounced ability to form crystal faces, can
in some circumstances mimic cement textures. I n
addition, two types of intracrystalline truncation
texture are recognized, one of which broadly
resembles the truncations caused by corrosion and
overgrowth in cements recorded by Meyers (1978),
the other seems completely new.
The dolomitized strata lie a t the top of member 1
of the Bonahaven Formation (Fig. 1; Spencer &
Spencer, 1972) which belongs t o the Dalradian
Supergroup and is probably of latest Precambrian
(Vendian) age (Harris & Pitcher, 1975). The rocks
632 I. J. Fairchild
have suffered chlorite-grade regional metamorphism,
but the particular horizon described here shows no
trace of deformation and metamorphism, except
within some claystone pebbles (see caption to
Fig. 5d).
The member 1 dolomite forms pebbles and inter-
granular material and is mostly coarsely crystalline.
It forms a stratigraphically distinct occurrence from
the highly dolomitic member 3 where the dolomite is
overwhelmingly fine-grained (Fairchild, 1980).
METHODS
About thirty samples were studied in thin section,
about half of these using cathodoluminescence
petrography. Thin sections from four of the speci-
mens (all from the top 5 rn of member 1 in Section B)
were analysed by an electron microprobe prior to
luminescence.
.,....
.....
44
.....
.....
...:.
11
6 dolomite in sandstones
SECTION A SECTION B
Fig. 1. General lithology and distribution of dolomite in the coastal sections of member 1 of the Bonahaven Formation.
Scales of sections indicate metres above the base of the Bonahaven Formation. National Grid references of tops of
sections: A, NR 4290 7040; B, NR 4235 7284.
Microprobe analysis was carried out on gold-
coated polished thin sections on a Cambridge
Microscan V housed in the Wolfson Institute of
Interfacial Technology at Nottingham University.
As carbonates decompose under the electron beam
they present special problems in quantitative analy-
sis, which become more acute when analysing finely
zoned crystals. The method employed in this work
makes use of continuous scans and a high specimen
current under which the specimen visibly decom-
poses. However, by using carbonate standards of
similar minor element content to that of the speci-
men, both specimen and standard decompose to a
similar degree and the necessity for a ZAF correc-
tion procedure is eliminated. The scan lines are
visible optically and allow a ready comparison of the
microprobe results with the zonal stratigraphy
revealed by luminescence. The detection limits are
also very low (calculated by the method of Reed,
1973, to be about 20 p.p.m. for Fe and Mn in
J u r a Ouortzite
Formation
Port Askaig
T i l l i t e Formation
sandstone
intruformational conglomerate
snndstone with slit a n d mud
i n t e r b ed s ( 3 - 50c m thic k l
occurrence of type 1 & 2
dolomite
?
occurrence of type 3
- ubiquitous
- patchy
r7
V
 Dolomite textures
dolomite). Operating conditions : accelerating volt-
age 15-16 kV, specimen current 380 nA, beam size
4 4 . 5 pm (focused), specimen scan mode (usually at
10 pm min-l). Totals deviating from 100% were
attributed to differential decomposition of standard
and specimen and were recalculated to 100% as was
done by Moberly (1968, 1970).
Cathodoluminescence petrography was carried
out on home-made instruments at the Universities
of Nottingham and Cambridge. Experimental details
for photomicrography (after Marshall, 1978): 30
kV; 8 mA; 1 cm diameter beam; twin cold-cathode
guns; hydrogen atmosphere; l o x ocular; 2.5 or
6.3 x objective; 35 pm thick polished thin sections;
Zeiss photomicroscope; exposure times typically
6-9 min on 400 ASA film, developed normally. The
presence or absence of luminescence is determined
by the chemical composition of the carbonate, being
activated by Mn (Sippel & Glover, 1965) and
quenched by Fe (Sommer, 1972; Pierson, 1977). In
the suite of dolomites described here, 1 wt% Fe is
sufficient to damp out luminescence and about
0.02 wt% Mn is required to activate luminescence at
lower Fe concentrations.
STRATIGRAPHIC SETTING
Member 1 of the Bonahaven Formation is restricted
to the Isle of Islay and is best exposed in two sections
on the east coast (Fig. 1). The lithologies are
dominantly siliciclastic: towards the top of the
member, parallel-laminated siltstones and mud-
cracked claystones pass upwards into sandstones
showing small-scale cross-stratification, siltstones,
claystones, and conglomerates of intraformational
pebbles. This is interpreted as a back-barrier
sequence, washover fan and pond deposits passing
up into tidal flat sediments (Fairchild, 1977, 1978).
The succeeding member 2 consists of siliceous
sandstones, mostly parallel-laminated, but cross-
stratified at the base of the member. Member 2 is
regarded as a transgressive sub-tidal deposit (Fair-
child, 1978). No important breaks in sedimentation
can be recognized within member 1 or above it for
at least several hundred metres.
Dolomite is present in clasts and intergranular
material in the upper part of member 1 (Fig. 1). Pure
dolostone beds appear to be present in the field, but
invariably prove on laboratory examination to be
tightly packed conglomerates of dolostone frag-
633
ments, or highly dolomitic sandstones. The upper
limit of dolomite occurrence, unlike the lower is
rather sharp, but does not appear to mark a change
in environmental conditions since it occurs within an
otherwise uniform sequence of cross-stratified sand-
stones.
Member 1 wedges out to the west between
siliceous sandstones above and pebbly sandstones
and mixtites below and is not present further than
5 km inland; dolomitic sediments occur at the top of
the member wherever it is seen.
GENERAL L I T H O L O G Y AND
PETROGRAPHY
Dolomite occurs as clasts and intergranular material.
There are three petrographic varieties of dolomite:
fine-grained (5-15 pm), type 1; inclusion-bearing,
chemically zoned, 15-300 pm, type 2 ; inclusion-free,
30-300 pm, type 3. Their properties are summarized
in Table 1 and their stratigraphic distribution indi-
cated on Fig. 1 .
Claystone, as layers 1-50 mm thick, is the only
lithology lacking dolomite. Claystones consist largely
of phengite (illitic mica) together with detrital quartz,
microcline and magnetite. Those claystones near the
top of the member (top 4 m in Section B) contain
50-150 pm spherules of phengite interpreted as
glauconitized microfossils (Fairchild, 1977). In
contrast, claystone pebbles do sometimes contain
dolomite crystals (type 2). Claystone pebbles are
often rather deformed by compaction (Fig. 2a).
Siltstones occur interlaminated on a mm-scale
with claystones and as 1-6 cm beds grading up to
claystone. Sandstone beds vary from very fine- to
coarse-grained and are 1-200 cm thick. Both silt-
stones and sandstones consist of clasts of quartz,
microcline and subordinate magnetite. Intergranular
material is mica (representing squashed clay clasts),
or type 2 or 3 dolomite.
Conglomerates ( 3 4 0 cm thick) contain various
intraformational pebbles (Fig. 2) : claystone, silty
claystone, and dolostone (consisting of type 1 and/or
type 2 dolomite with or without sand or silt im-
purities). The conglomerate matrix is dolomitic sand
like that of interbedded sandstones.
Peculiar features of sandy dolostone pebbles (Figs
2b and 3c) and the sandy matrix of conglomerates
(Fig. 3e) are discrete areas of sparry dolomite.
Crystal growth zones (see later) always indicate an
634 I. J . Fairchild

Fig. 2. Thin sections of conglomerates showing most of the pebble types. c, claystone; SIC, silty claystone; 2, type 2
dolomite; sd, sandy dolostone (overwhelmingly type 1 dolomite in (a), mixture of type 1 and type 2 dolomite in (b) where
arrows also point to pseudo-vug-fills). The sd pebble in (a) is outlined for clarity. Such diffuse outlines are a common
feature of these intraformational pebbles. The claystone pebbles in (a) show very irregular outlines due to compaction
between more resistant clasts. Bars are 2 mm long.

inward (centripetal) growth style of dolomite and so
these areas resemble cavity- or vug-fillings. However
as will be seen later, their origin needs to be inter-
preted with care. They are thus referred to as pseudo-
vug-fills.
TYPE 1 DOLOMITE
Table 1 summarizes the information on this fine-
grained dolomite. It forms xenotopic mosaics which
occur either alone or with terrigenous impurities in
pebbles (Fig. 3a). Type 1 mosaics also occur as
poorly defined and irregular patches within coarser,
type 2 dolomite (Fig. 3b, c).
In the areas of patchy type 1 and type 2, all
crystals in the areas of type 2 contain abundant
fluid inclusions. In the areas of type 1 dolomite, only
a few crystals contain abundant fluid inclusions, and
these crystals are never less than 15 [Lm in size. It was
possible to analyse type 1 chemically only in areas in
which it occurred in patches in type 2. Microprobe
traverses across such areas show a bimodal distri-
bution of Fe and Mn (Fig. 4A and 4B). The patches
of type 1 are dominantly high in Fe and Mn, areas
low in Fe and Mn being about the same size as
individual crystals. The type 2 dolomite is mostly
low in Fe and Mn, but with narrow peaks. Three
possibilities for the relative ages of type 1 and type 2
dolomite are now evaluated.
(1) Type 1 dolomite replaced type 2 dolomite. This
seems unlikely since, during prograde diagenesis,
steadily increasing temperatures normally prevent
decreases in crystal size. The pattern of occurrence of
type 1 dolomite (never preferentially on pebble
margins) rules out an origin by algal or fungal
micritization of type 2 dolomite. Crystal size
diminution is possible within high strain areas (e.g.
twin lamellae), but such a mechanism could hardly
account for equant diffuse patches of fine-grained
dolomite.
(2) Type 1 and type 2 formed simultaneously, the
variation in crystal size reflecting pre-existing tex-
tural variations in precursor material. The chemical
differences between type 1 and type 2 could be
explained if the type 1 crystals were zoned, with rims
low in Fe and Mn equivalent to the dominant
composition of the type 2 crystals. However, the
rims of the type 1 crystals are not rich in fluid
inclusions and so are distinct from the type 2
dolomite.
( 3 ) Type 2 replaced type 1. The distinct crystals
rich in fluid inclusions within the type 1 dolomite
 Dolomite textures 635

Table 1. Summary description of dolomites

Type Occurrence Fluid inclusions Luminescence Fe-Mn chemistry
Type 1 Pebbles of Occasional, Uniform, very Inferred to be ferroan
5-15 pm dolostone, never arranged dull red and manganoan =
(Figs 2, 3a, silty dolostone in growth zones 0.5 wt% MnCO,,
b and c) 2 wt% FeCO,
Within pebbles, Occasional, Dull red Dominantly ferroan/
intergranular never arranged manganoan (as above).
in sandstones in growth some areas low in Fe/Mn
(as patches zones (interpreted as type 2
within dolomite crystals =
type 2 0.07 wt% MnCO,,
dolomite) 0.3 wt% FeCO,)

Type 2* Pebbles of Abundant in Abundant zones, Always chemically

15-300 pm pure and early growth dull to bright, zoned:
(Figs 2, impure stages; larger mostly red, 0.02-1 wt% MnCO,,
3b-e, 5, dolostone; crystals zoned some yellowish 0.07-3 wt% FeCO,
6, 7, 8, intergranular by variation
and 9) in sandstones in inclusion
and siltstones abundance

Type 3 Intergranular Occasional, not Dull red or 0.5 wt% MnCO,,

30-300 pm in sandstones arranged in none 0.5-2 wt% FeCO,
(Fig. 3f) growth zones
~

* Type 2 displays four growth stages (1-4); truncation textures developed at the end of stage 1 (Type B truncations)
and at the end of stage 3 (Type A truncations).

represent isolated crystals of type 2 dolomite. The TYPE 2 DOLOMITE

presence of such crystals, low in Fe and Mnj would
explain the low Fe-Mn areas in the microprobe
traverses across the type 1 areas. Thus, under this
interpretation, the type 1 dolomite was originally
ferroan and manganoan throughout.
An interpretation of type 1 dolomite formation as
a very early event is favoured by the occurrence,
slightly higher in the sequence (member 3 ) , of
abundant unaltered fine-grained dolomite. This is
identical in terms of crystal size and paucity of
inclusions to the type 1 dolomite as described above
and identical in terms of the original ferroan and
manganoan composition of type I dolomite inferred
above. The member 3 dolomite represents a pene-
contemporaneous replacement of calcium carbonate
(Fairchild, 1980), so the type 1 dolomite may well
have the same origin.
In summary, types 1 and 2 dolomite are quite
distinct in terms of chemistry and inclusion content
and so are unlikely to have formed at the same time.
The manner of association of type 2 with type 1 and
the coarser crystal size of the former indicates a
replacement of type 1 by type 2. The type 1 dolomite
compares with penecontemporaneous dolomite
higher in the sequence.
General features
Type 2 dolomite forms several different petrographic
growth forms : equant polygonal mosaics, isolated
rhombs, and intergranular material, including
pseudo-vug-fills.
Its characteristic fluid inclusions are mostly less
than 1 pm in diameter (Fig. 3d) and each contains
a vapour bubble displaying Brownian motion in a
liquid medium. Growth zonation is often displayed
by variation in abundance of these inclusions. The
incorporation of inclusions appears to depend on
crystal growth rate. Thus Valyashko (in Strakhov,
1970, p. 239) demonstrated that fluid-inclusion-rich
zones in halite crystals grew more quickly than those
lacking inclusions and Spry (1969) suggested that the
same rule applies to mineral inclusions in porphyro-
blasts.
The fluid inclusions provide potential for esti-
mating the formation temperature of the type 2
dolomite. They are so small that the technical
difficulties in determining homogenization tempera-
tures are considerable, although problems of leakage
of fluids from inclusions are minimized. Rough
636 I . J . Fnirchild

Fig. 3. Photomicrographs in plane-polarized light. (a) Part of pebble of silty dolostone (mostly type 1 dolomite). Bar,
500 pm. (b) Part of dolostone pebble with patches of type 1 dolomite (dark) in coarser, type 2 dolomite. Probe analysis
shown in Fig. 4A. Bar, 500 pm. (c) Part of sandy dolostone pebble (sand grains white) containing fine-grained (type I )
intergranular dolomite partly replaced by coarser, type 2 intergranular dolomite (probe analysis shown in Fig. 4E).
Early zones of the type 2 dolomite are inclusion-rich (dark; indistinguishable from type 1 dolomite in monochrome)
whilst later zones are inclusion-free (paler) forming areas referred to in the text as pseudo-vug-fills. These areas occur in
all orientations to the bedding and are arrowed (see also Fig. 3e). Bar, 500 pm. (d) Fluid inclusions in type 2 dolomite.
Vapour bubbles faintly visible in some inclusions (arrowed). Inclusion-free dolomite zone occupies top left area. Bar,
10 pm. (e) Sandy matrix of intraformational conglomerate. Intergranular material is mostly inclusion-rich (dark) type
2 dolomite. Large, sand-free area exhibits inward growth of dolomite by luminescence and thus resembles a filled vug.
Such pseudo-vug-fills are thought to have been originally intraformational pebbles. Left-hand box shows location of
Fig. 8b, right hand box shows location of Fig. 9. Bar, 1 mm. (f) Sandstone with intergranular, type 3 dolomire. Bar,
100 pm.
 Dolomite textures
estimates from the degree of filling (the proportion
of the volume of each inclusion occupied by liquid
rather than vapour, equal to less than 90% in this
case) suggest a formation temperature rather more
than 150-200C (from unpublished graphical plots
by A. H. Rankin of the data in Potter, 1977, and
Potter & Brown, 1977).
A pre-tectonic age is shown by the presence of
tectonic pressure shadows around dolomite crystals
in claystone pebbles (Fig. 5d). This also shows that
the dolomite crystals were more rigid than the
claystone.
Individual quartz clast grains often penetrate
claystone clasts around their margins (Fig. 2a)
because of compaction of these clasts. Dolomite
crystals do not penetrate claystone in this way
despite their rigidity demonstrated above. This
favours a post-compactional age for the type 2
dolomite. Formation before complete elimination of
lateral permeability is suggested by the stratigraphic
restriction of the type 2 dolomite occurrence (Fig. 1).
A series of rhomb-shaped luminescence zones
characterizes most type 2 dolomite (Figs 5b, 7 and 8)
even when no zonation is visible in plane polarized
light (Fig. 6). Crystals were euhedral until they met,
when compromise boundaries were formed. Zones
link from one crystal to another showing that
growth of a particular zone was synchronous.
Crystals larger than about 100 pm often display
undulose extinction, sometimes to the point of
developing sub-crystals. Although twinning is the
usual response of dolomite to tectonic stress (Spry,
1969), it is quite subordinate here. This implies that
the undulose extinction arose during crystal growth
(as can be inferred for the dolomite cements of
Scherer, 1977), rather than being of tectonic origin.
Crystals displaying undulose extinction also display
irregular crystal boundaries and growth zones show-
ing a complex zig-zag shape rather than the minimum
number of crystal faces. This is well displayed by the
bright zone running E-W near the bottom of Fig. 9b
(crystal boundaries shown in Figs 9c and 10). There
are a number of independent units, each apparently
containing a pair of crystal faces with constant Miller
indices, within each crystal. This is reminiscent of
the merging of crystallites of quartz and K-feldspar
overgrowing detrital grains (Waugh, 1970, 1978).
The textures also resemble the lateral coalescence of
crystallites in stalactites described by Kendall &
Broughton (1978), particularly in terms of the
presence of undulose extinction and irregular crystal
boundaries. These properties are dependent on the
637
lateral coalescence of crystallites with similar optical
orientation to form larger units (crystals).
Stages of type 2 dolomite growth
Luminescence observations and microprobe analyses
(Fig. 4) allow recognition of the relative time of
formation of the various petrographic forms of type
2 dolomite and provide evidence of the chemical
evolution of the interstitial fluids. Repeated probe
analyses across a given series of zones in different
crystals always show the same result: thus a corre-
lation of luminescence zones also represents a
chemical correlation. The correlation of the zones is
complicated by minor differences in the sequence of
zones in different specimens and variations in the
thickness of growth zones in different specimens or
in different petrographic forms such that very thin
zones are not always resolved. Nevertheless there are
four generally recognizable growth stages which can
be recognized by luminescence alone in the speci-
mens that were not microprobed.
The first stage is represented by inclusion-rich
dolomite which is dominantly poor in Fe and Mn,
although narrow zones (5-10 pm wide) richer in Fe
and/or Mn do occur. A large number of luminescence
zones is usually present, reflecting these chemical
variations. All the finer-grained mosaics of type 2
dolomite grew entirely within stage 1 (Fig. 4A, B, D
and E). Most crystal mosaics and isolated crystals
started to grow during this stage (Fig. 4C left, F and
G). The microprobe traverse shown in Fig. 4F shows
that there were two sub-stages of growth, the first
sub-stage exhibiting consistently low Fe; some
mosaics (Fig. 4D left) grew entirely within this first
sub-stage.
Stage 2 saw the formation of inclusion-free, only
dully luminescing zones (Fig. 4C left, F and G). Fe
and Mn are relatively low in abundance.
Stage 3 is represented by inclusion-rich zones,
mostly brightly luminescing (Fig. 4C left, F and G).
Fe, and particularly Mn, are considerably higher in
abundance than in stage 2.
Stage 4 is represented by moderately or dully
luminescing zones with only one broad zone rich in
inclusions (Fig. 4C, F and G).
The pattern of growth was thus clearly complex;
most crystals nucleated during stage I , although
others did not nucleate until stage 4 (Fig. 4C right).
Where nucleation sites were very closely spaced,
638 1. J . Fairchild

F
A l l stoge I A l l stage I
: t e l tt PP II t P 1I I pe Patchy fine-grained
:. .i ! 1 .: (type 11 and equant
5:
5:
.t-200 p m -- - ,,
I,
c
I:

200 p m
(type 2)
Z"er,me" I8

-
All stqe 4

Zoned rhombs

w,
+I+ t 2 + - * 3 + t - 4

n (type 21 StOgeS

replacing
mudstone 3 5 0 pm lntergranuhr
G - ^ , (type 2 )
-.___
, -.-~
>,.,"I___ <-*
I
- _ I
.
-..
spec men za

All Itoge I
I
Equant
replacive
. .-
(type 21 H: --- : 3.. >,.
I Intergranular
.. ... 2
-., -.; (type 31

Sper~man 27

A l l stage I

Intergranular (type 2)
t"iE
::2s
ipe: llSI 11
.:j
a 01

Fig. 4. Microprobe analyses (scans) of Fe and Mn in dolomite (A-H) and relation to inclusion and luminescence zones
Mn
Fe

t--,q
,
l i r P I

f yen;y inllUI,anr

(C, F, G); note key at lower right of figure. The horizontal scales on C , F and G are inexact since these diagrams were
constructed from scans across several crystals; the scale indicates the minimum distance (equivalent to a section at a
high angle to the zones). Fe and Mn had to be scanned on separate lines so their distribution could only be superimposed
in the case of the larger crystals (C, F and G ) . Spot checks show that Fe and Mn vary sympathetically in A, B and D,
and to some extent in E. In the case of H, the diagram shows the results of analysis of five crystals, two of which are
zoned with the rims richer in Fe; each crystal is 50-150 pm wide. Specimens 2, 27 and 28 are intraformational con-
glomerates and specimen 29 is a sandstone. Relevant photomicrographs: A, Fig. 3b; C, left, Fig. 5a; D, left, Fig. 6a
and b ; D, right, Fig. 6c and d ; E, Fig. 3c; F, Fig. 7 ; G, Figs 3e, 8 and 9.

growth ceased in stage 1. Conversely, a more wide REPLACIVE CRYSTALS I N

or less regular distribution of nucleation sites allowed C L A Y S T O N E S A N D REPLACIVE
growth to continue t o stage 4. Different petrographic DOLOMITE MOSAICS
forms grew a t different rates (cf. Fig. 4C left and G).
Also the relative rates of growth of crystals a t Type 2 dolomite forms euhedral crystals and poly-
different times were variable. Thus for example gonal mosaics within claystone pebbles (Figs 5 and
growth stage 3 was relatively thicker compared with 6a). As only pebbles of claystone contain dolomite
growth stage 2 in some samples (e.g. Fig. 4F) than crystals, these crystals clearly formed by replacement
in others (e.g. Fig. 4G). These features will be of claystone. A complete range from unreplaced to
discussed further later. nearly completely replaced pebbles may occur, even
 Dolomite textures 639

Fig. 5. Partial replacements of claystone by type 2 dolomite. (a, b) Zoned dolomite rhombs within claystone pebble
under transmitted light and by luminescence respectively. Probe scan lines (analysis shown in Fig. 4C, left) running
NE-SW are visible. Crystals have a dark line of insolubles, beyond which is non-luminescing dolomite forming a tectonic
pressure shadow. Bars, 100 pm. (c) Claystone pebble partly replaced around its margins by clear (type 2 or 3) dolomite
(plane polarized light). Bar, 500 pm. (d) Zoned type 2 dolomite which has replaced claystone (plane-polarized light).
Dark line of insolubles visible at the margins of diagenetic (cf. tectonic) growth. Tectonic pressure shadows (sense of
Spry, 1969) of dolomite are visible at top and bottom of each crystal with characteristic intergrowth with mica (best
displayed at base of photograph) accompanied by dissolution of dolomite on N-S-trending margins in the photograph.
Occasional aligned trains of mica are the only other evidence of tectonic deformation in these beds. Bar, 100 pm.

within a single thin section (e.g. fig. 4 of Fairchild,
1977). Fig. 5 illustrates partial replacements of
claystone pebbles by relatively large dolomite
crystals, and Fig. 6a shows near complete replace-
ment of a claystone pebble by smaller, polygonal
crystals of dolomite. In each case there is dark
insoluble matter (oxides and some mica) at the
margins of crystals (except where modified by later
tectonic solution transfer, Fig. 5d), indicating a
displacive component as well as the main replacive
action. Despite the fact that not all of the consti-
tuents of the claystone could be dissolved as growth
proceeded, dolomite crystals in claystone always
developed crystal faces until they met others of their
own kind. The dolomite rhombs in claystone grew
more slowly than intergranular rhombs in the same
rock (cf. Fig. 4C left and F) since all the growth
stages are thinner in the former.
Unconnected with claystones are pebbles of 30-
100 pm mosaics of type 2 dolomite which lack dark
insoluble matter at their crystal boundaries (Fig. 6c).
All transitions exist from such dolomite to similar
mosaics containing patches of type 1 dolomite (Fig.
3b), to mosaics of type 1 dolomite, with (Fig. 3a) or
without floating quartz silt. The type 2 dolomite here
clearly must be replacive. The evidence is consistent
with replacement of type 1 dolomite in each case,
since this is the only other material present, although
complete replacement of another carbonate or even
non-carbonate material cannot be excluded,
640 I . J . Fairchild

Fig. 6. Equant, polygonal type 2 dolomite in pebbles. (a, b) Dolomite that has replaced claystone seen under transmitted
light and by luminescence respectively. Concentration of insolubles along crystal boundaries is visible in (a). Internal
rhombic zones are visible in (b). Probe analysis shown in Fig. 4D, left. Bars, 200 pm. (c, d) Dolomite interpreted as a
replacement of type 1 dolomite seen under transmitted light and by luminescence respectively. Extensive linking of
later zones is visible in (d) with one area (labelled X) showing only late zones. Probe analysis shown in Fig. 4D,right.
Bars, 100 pm.

adjacent to them (Figs 7 and 8). (4)The margins of

Intergranular dolomite
The intergranular type 2 dolomite in sandstones
and in sandy dolostone pebbles varies in crystal size
from 15 to 300 pm, although less variable in crystal
size in small areas. The following points are particu-
larly crucial for understanding its genesis. (1) The
sand grains are always completely surrounded by
dolomite which typically occupies about 70% of a
given area. (Figs 2a, 2b, 3c, 3e and 7). (2) Ill-defined
patches of type 1 dolomite are often present within
the type 2 dolomite (e.g. Fig. 9c top). (3) I n most
cases, including all examples where type 1 dolomite
is absent, the points of origin of the dolomite
crystals are always between sand grains rather than
sand grains are fretted by dolomite (Figs 7 and 9).
Even the late zones of the dolomite crystals show
this feature.
These observations demonstrate a replacive origin
for a t least the earlier zones, but would not rule out
the formation of cavities during the later stages of
dolomite growth if partial etching of quartz clasts
also occurred in contact with pore fluid. The evidence
is consistent with all the intergranular material prior
to type 2 dolomite formation being type 1 dolomite,
perhaps in the form of compressed primary sand
sized grains. However, the former presence of, for
example, another carbonate again cannot be ruled
out.
 Dolomite textures 641

Fig. 7. Intergranular dolomite in sandstone. Inclusion and luminescence zones, and microprobe analyses are shown in
Fig. 4F. (a, b) Transmitted light and luminescence respectively. Arrowed crystal shows probe scan lines (WNW-ESE)
and type A truncation surface cutting the composite bright zone. c = quartz and microcline clasts (the latter luminesce
uniformly in b). Bars, 200 pm.

Pseudo-vug-fills of dissolution of the pebble and cavity-filling by late

The origin of dolomite in the pseudo-vug-fills pro-
vides distinct problems. Pseudo-vug-fills are nearly
always elongate and occur at all angles to the
bedding. They are often an order of magnitude larger
than the sand-grain-supported interstices (Fig. 3e).
There is often some type 1 dolomite present within
their margins (e.g. Fig. 9c, top), but it is only
associated with the inclusion-rich early growth stage
of the type 2 dolomite. Fig. 8 shows that early
zones of crystals (forming the cores of rhombs) are
only present near the margins of pseudo-vug-fills,
and conversely that the latest zones occur only near
centres. The pseudo-vug-fills are thus the products
of inward (centripetal) growth of dolomite.
An origin of pseudo-vugs as primary cavities or as
vugs formed by gas generation or differential lithi-
fication seems most unlikely. This is because of their
large size, elongate shape at all angles of bedding and
occurrence solely within arenites and rudites. The
absence of nodular shapes or crystal pseudomorphs
rules out any origin connected with evaporites. The
presence of some fine-grained dolomite and the
shape of the pseudo-vug-fills rules out an origin
by formation of fracture cavities. However, pebbles
occur in the same rocks with similar sizes, shapes and
orientations to the pseudo-vug-fills. It is thus
probable that the latter were originally tabular
pebbles containing some type 1 dolomite, at least
near their margins. The interior portions of pseudo-
vug-fills, lacking inclusions of fluid, or of type 1
dolomite could be regarded as providing evidence
dolomite zones, or for slow ordered growth by
dolomite giving rise to a complete replacement
lacking inclusions. This is discussed further in the
next section.
Truncation textures and pseudo-vug-fills: cementing
or replacement origin?
The type 2 intergranular dolomite displays two kinds
of intracrystalline truncation surfaces, here named
types A and B, separating inclusion-rich from
inclusion-free dolomite. Type A are described first
as they are the simpler geometrically.
Type A truncation surfaces
In Fig. 7b, the dully luminescing initial zone of
growth stage 4 (Fig. 4F) clearly truncates earlier
zones along a very irregular line, nearly cutting out
growth state 3 altogether in places in the arrowed
area of Fig. 7b. Identical features are shown in other
specimens (Fig. 8a), where they are displayed all the
way around the pseudo-vug-fills. Fig. 8b shows a
very well developed example of truncation where, in
the bottom left area, all previous growth stages are
truncated by the first zone of growth stage 4. Such
truncations are seen in a number of other specimens,
but the degree of truncation is not usually so pro-
nounced. The truncation surfaces never coincide with
crystal boundaries.
Two hypotheses are now put forward for the
642 I . J. Fairchild

Fig. 8. Photomicrographs of luminescence of parts of the pseudo-vug of Fig. 3e showing zonal sequence and type A
truncations. Quartz clasts are non-luminescing. (a) Truncation surfaces are visible, e.g. in the arrowed area. Probe scan
lines (analysis of Fig. 4G) run NE-SW in the centre of the photograph. Bar, 100 pm. (b) Location of this photograph
with respect to the pseudo-vug is shown in Fig. 3e. The brightly luminescing zones are cut out (centre) by a later zone
and are absent throughout the bottom left region above and to the left of the large quartz clast. This is a type A trun-
cation texture. Early dolomite zones (centres of rhombs) are restricted to the margins of the pseudo-vug-fill (cf. Fig. 3e).
Growth was thus inward (centripetal). Bar, 200 pm.

formation of these textures. The dissolution-over-
growth hypothesis proposes that the crystals were
partly dissolved adjacent to a cavity and later over-
grown in optical continuity (Fig. 11D, E and K).
Although this is the most obvious and familiar
possibility, an alternative should be considered
bearing in mind that the earlier growth stages of the
intergranular crystals have been shown to be
replacive in origin. Thus the solution film hypothesis
proposes that the crystals were dissolved and
reprecipitated by a solution film migrating towards
the older zones, in doing so changing their chemical
composition to that of the stage 4 zone immediately
following the truncation surface (Fig. 11H, I/J and
K).
Considering the first hypothesis, the textures seem
broadly geometrically comparable with truncations
in cements described by Meyers (1978) which he
attributed to dissolution between phases of cement
precipitation. Fracturing was sometimes associated
with this dissolution. However the textures now
being described seem much less irregular than these
examples except when solution was extensive(Fig. 5b.
of Meyers, 1978). The type A truncations are
extremely irregular with very sharp re-entrants, even
where the amount of truncation is very small (Fig.
7b) and are never associated with fracturing. Disso-
lution surfaces might be expected to be more smooth
(cf. e.g. Graf & Lamar, 1950). Scherer (1977) con-
sidered that an example of irregular dissolution of
dolomite that he discovered was a special phenome-
non caused by high Eh conditions under which Fe
in the lattice was oxidized creating local weaknesses
and hence non-uniform solution ;there is no evidence
 Dolomite textures
from the example now being described that such
conditions existed. Another point is that the onset
of dissolution rather than precipitation of dolomite
requires a drastic change in solution chemistry, yet
there is no circumstantial evidence (such as the
association with unconformities in the case of
Meyers, 1978) to suggest why this should happen.
The second hypothesis, involving a moving
solution film (e.g. as suggested by Kinsman, 1969)
would involve a similar process to that operating
when aragonite is replaced by calcite without loss of
crystal texture (Bathurst, 1971, p. 347) and possibly
that operating when Mg is lost from Mg-calcite
(Bathurst, 1971, p. 337). The replacement would
occur at the onset of, or during the precipitation of,
the zone following the truncation surface (Fig. I11
and J). The pattern is always of inclusion-rich
dolomite being truncated by inclusion-free dolo-
mite; a lower solubility of the latter could provide
the driving force for the replacement. Uncertainty as
to the effectiveness of this driving mechanism is a
clear weakness in this hypothesis. It is difficult to
assess whether the form of the truncation surface is
consistent with a solution film because preserved
solution films are uncommon. Pingitore (1976) did
record such features, but did not indicate the degree
of irregularity of the solution film surface. He
indicated that a narrow, texture-retentive film, such
as that required here could operate below the vadose
zone as long as diagenesis was not very rapid.
Wardlaw, Oldershaw & Stout (1978) illustrated
extremely irregular calcite-aragonite contacts com-
parable with the type A truncations, but these
authors took the view that it was conceivable that
solid-state inversion rather than a solution film
process had operated in their case.
One certain way of disproving the dissolution-
overgrowth hypothesis would be to find truncations
completely surrounding growth stage 3 of dolomite
crystals isolated within claystone, since such crystals
could never have been suspended in mid-air.
However, as the zones in such crystals are relatively
thin (Fig. 5a) it is not possible to distinguish trun-
cation of the latest of three bright zones of growth
stage 3 (as Figs 4G and Sa) from loss of resolution of
this zone because it is so thin! The two hypotheses
thus both remain applicable.
Type B truncation textures
These form a number of smooth, closed surfaces
distributed along the margins of the pseudo-vug of
643
Fig. 3e (Figs 9 and 10) and elsewhere in the same
specimen.
In plane-polarized light a pattern of anastomosing
areas of inclusion-rich dolomite separating domi-
nantly inclusion-free areas (Figs 9a and 10) can be
seen. Luminescence reveals no distinct zones within
the inclusion-rich dolomite (Fig. 9b) presumed to be
of growth stage 1. The lack of obvious growth zones
means that the presence of truncations ha3 to be
deduced rather than simply observed. The fact that
growth of the inclusion-free dolomite was always
away from adjacent inclusion-rich dolomite is shown
by the shape of the crystallite faces. Sharp re-entrants
always face towards the inclusion-rich areas, crystal-
lite faces always face away from the inclusion-rich
areas. This growth took place in two distinct ways.
Firstly there is the usual growth into the pseudo-vug
(with a prominent narrow (red) bright zone of
growth stage 3). This is seen near the bottom of Fig.
9b (line of downward-pointing arrows in Fig. 10).
Secondly, in the centre of Fig. 9b there are a number
of small areas of centripetal growth containing a
thicker bright zone (seen in colour to be a triplet
red-yellow-red) also representing growth stage 3 (see
later for evidence for this). These small areas are
called small centripetal fills to distinguish them from
the pseudo-vug-fills. The remarkable thing about the
small centripetal fills is that in general a single
crystal spans their width (Fig. 10). Normally, in
other rocks when growth zones indicate convergent
growth, a crystal boundary will lie at the centre of
the area which has been grown into, representing the
line where the converging crystals met. This is not
the case here. Growth zones within single crystals are
normally divergent, here they are convergent !
How can this be explained?
One possibility is that initially a number of small
crystals of various optical orientations grew in-
wards, forming the luminescence zones, and estab-
lishing the existence of the small centripetal fills.
Later they would have been replaced by the large
crystals now seen to be spanning the small centri-
petal fills. However the Miller indices of crystal
faces seen by luminescence appear to be constant
within each of the large crystals as was pointed out
earlier. There are thus no grounds for supposing
that variably orientated crystals were replaced. In
any case, if this later process were one of wet
boundary (solution film) migration then the earlier
zonal sequence could not have been preserved.
Neither does a dry process of grain growth seem
possible, since the crystals contain distinct areas of
644 I . J . Fairchild
 Dolomite textures 645

Before proceeding to a discussion of the relative

merits of the hypotheses, two minor points need t o
be cleared up. The first point relates to the lowest
(dashed and dotted) line drawn in o n Fig. 9a. This
represents the boundary between inclusion-rich and
inclusion-free dolomite (i.e. between growth stages
1 and 2) around the margins of a pseudo-vug, rather
than around a small centripetal fill. This stage 1/
stage 2 interface is demonstrably one of truncation
within the small centripetal fills, but truncation
cannot be proved for thedashedand dotted line. This
is because individual crystals d o not span the width
of pseudo-vug-fills (unlike the small centripetal fills)
Fig. 10. Explanatory line diagram of the area shown in so the evidence necessary t o establish the presence
Fig. 9. Symbols as for Fig. 1 1 . The lower part of the area,
with downward-pointing arrows represents crystal of truncation is not present.
growth into the pseudo-vug. The central area shows a The second minor point relates to the assumption
number of areas (bounded by the type B truncations made above that the bright zones in the pseudo-vug-
indicated in Fig. 9a) of inward growth: these are the fills and the small centripetal fills were synchronous
small centripetal fills. For clarity two features are omitted :
(growth stage 3). They appear somewhat dissimilar
crystal boundaries within dolomite near the top of the
field of view (because of the presence of fine-grained at first sight since the zones in the small centripetal
dolomite there) and inclusions within dolomite showing fills are thicker. However this is simply explained by
bright marker zones (growth stage 3 ; the relation of dolomite in the small centripetal fills having grown
inclusion zones to luminescence zones is however shown more quickly than in the pseudo-vug-fills. Each zone
in Fig. 4G). These omissions are also made in Fig.
1 IA-C, F and G. is thus wider in the small centripetal fills, several very
thin zones (including the central yellow part of the
fluid inclusions. There is a n alternative possibility main bright zone) being visible here, but not
which can explain the textures of Fig. 9: this requires resolved in the thinner sequence in the pseudo-vug-
truncation surfaces t o be present. There would first fills. T h e sequence o f inclusion-rich and inclusion-
have been a stage of growth of inclusion-rich free zones (growth stages 2-4 of Fig. 4G) is the same
crystals spanning the areas now occupied by the in both.
small centripetal fills. If each of these crystals then Compared with the type A textures, the type B
suffered internal dissolution, they could be recon- truncation surfaces are rather smooth (Figs 9a and
structed by centripetal syntaxial growth. That is, the lo), consistent with being the walls of dissolution
original crystals acted as a template t o determine cavities (e.g. Graf & Lamar, 1950), but there is n o
the optical orientation of the crystals making u p the reason why a solution film could not have had such a
small centripetal fills. The outer margins of the small smooth form originally.
centripetal fills are represented by a boundary Both hypotheses suffer from difficulties in moving
between inclusion-rich dolomite outside and domi- fluid and/or ions t o the sites of re-growth since these
nantly inclusion-free dolomite inside (indicated by sites would be isolated. The problem is more acute
dashed lines in Fig. 9a). The original inclusion-rich than the usual one in carbonate petrology in plugging
crystals were truncated along this boundary : these the last remaining pores in limestones since the small
boundaries are the type B truncation surfaces. centripetal fills occur entirely within single crystals :
Having established the existence of truncations, material diffusing along crystal boundaries alone
both the dissolution-overgrowth hypothesis and the would not have reached the sites of growth. How-
solution film hypothesis can be invoked to explain ever, as the crystals seem t o have formed from co-
them. This is demonstrated in the caption to Fig. 11. alescing crystallites and exhibit undulose extinction,
Fig. 9. (a) Transmitted light; (b) luminescence; (c) crossed polars. Part of the margin of the pseudo-vug-fill of Fig, 3e
showing type B truncations. The trace of the truncation surfaces are shown dashed in (a). They enclose dominantly
inclusion-free areas which are the small centripetal fills. The dashed and dotted line is the boundary between growth
stages 1 (inclusion-rich) and 2 (inclusion-free) around part of the pseudo-vug-fill; it is not possible to tell whether
growth stage 1 has been truncated here or not. Patchy fine-grained (type 1) dolomite is visible (e.g. where arrowed) in
the upper part of (c). Further explanation is given in Figs 10 and 11 and the text. Bars, 200 pm.
646 I . J . Fairchild

.Y Crystal boundaries

Inclusion-rich dolomite
C Quartz or microline clast
V vu9
Tabular pebble being
X
replaced by dolomite

4 (( Growth directions of dolomite

I , and marker bright zone (s)

Fig. 11. Interpretations of type B and type A truncations. (A) Growth of inclusion-rich type 2 dolomite into a tabular
pebble (pseudo-vug) from around the pebble margins. (B-E) Dissolution-overgrowth hypothesis. (B) Vugs are formed
by leaching within pre-existing dolomite crystals. The tabular pebble may or may not be leached out at this time. The
leached surfaces are the type R truncations. ( C ) Residual dolomite is overgrown in optical continuity to form small
centripetal fills as well as to further fill the pseudo-vug (bottom). (D, E) Following growth of a second bright zone
within the dolomite growing into the pseudo-vug, leaching causes corrosion of the crystal surface of the inclusion-rich
dolomite (type A truncation surface). Later, growth in optical continuity takes place filling the remaining cavity (K).
(F-J) Solution film hypothesis. (F, G) A series of inwardly-moving solution films dissolve inclusion-rich dolomite and
precipitate inclusion-free dolomite within the small centripetal fills. At the same time, growth continues into the pseudo-
vug (bottom). The initial configurations of the solution films are the type B truncation surfaces. (H, 1, J) Following
growth of a second bright zone within the dolomite growing into the pseudo-vug (H), a solution film (moving upwards
in the diagram) dissolves inclusion-rich dolomite and precipitates inclusion-free dolomite. The type A truncation
surfaces are the final positions of the solution films. Migration of the solution film could take place before any further
downward growth of dolomite into the pseudo-vug (I) or simultaneously with such downward growth (J). Later growth
in optical continuity takes place completing the pseudo-vug-fill (K).

surfaces of high lattice misfit could have pro- tures (in excess of 150-200C) suggested earlier t o
vided diffusion channelways, especially if crystallite have been involved.
coalescence had not been completed. This would A n argument against one version (V a t base of
have been assisted by the relatively high tempera- Fig. 11B and C ) of the dissolution-overgrowth
 Dolomite textures
hypothesis is the fact that the growth rate was faster
within the small centripetal fills (isolated within
crystals) than into the main pseudo-vug (large
cavity). This does not apply to the other version (X
of Fig. 11B and C) which does not postulate disso-
lution of the pebble occupying the pseudo-vug at the
time the type B truncations formed.
In summary, there is insufficient evidence to rule
out either hypothesis for the formation of the type B
truncation textures.
TYPE 3 DOLOMITE
Type 3 dolomite (Fig. 3f; 30-300 pm) is inclusion-
free and occurs as intergranular material in sand-
stones. It is usually anhedral, but crystals sometimes
show some rhombic faces. Unlike type 2 dolomite
it typically forms an inconzplete intergranular border
to clasts. It corrodes quartz clasts, but only to the
extent of an irregular fretting of grains. It shows an
antipathetic relationship to sand-sized clay clasts.
Occasionally, it occurs as the only intergranular
material in millimetre-sized patches independent of
the sedimentary lamination and surrounded by sand
containing clay clasts as the only intergranular
material.
Microprobe analyses of type 3 dolomite in one
sample (Fig. 4H) showed it to be ferroan and
manganoan, and staining of other samples confirms
that type 3 dolomite is always ferroan. Two growth
zones are present in some crystals.
The occurrence in discrete patches and its anti-
pathetic relationship to sand-sized clay clasts is
evidence for an origin, at least in part, by replace-
ment of clay clasts. The similarity in terms of
chemistry and lack of inclusions between type 3
dolomite and growth stage 4 of type 2 dolomite
suggests that the two may have been synchronous.
DISCUSSION
Origin and chemistry of types 2 and 3 dolomite
The stratigraphic restriction of these dolomite types
coupled with the post-compactional age (at tem-
peratures higher than 150-200C) indicate that they
do not fit any of the normal dolomitization models
which refer to near-surface conditions or association
with fractures. The types 2 and 3 dolomite seem to
represent an example of dolomitization by deep
burial diagenesis. The lack of carbonate above or
647
immediately below member 1, or laterally adjacent
to it where it wedges out to the west suggests a source
of dolomitizing ions from the centre of the deposi-
tional basin to the east. The sharp top to the
dolomitic sediments could have arisen because of a
low permeability of the overlying silica-cemented
sandstones (member 2). The distribution of silica
cementation would ultimately have been determined
by the presence of clasts of type 1 dolomite in
member 1. These became squashed between quartz
clasts on compaction, thus inhibiting silica cemen-
tation. The nucleation of dolomite crystals at the top
of member 1 was probably aided by the fact that
there was so much fine-grained dolomite already
present as clasts at this horizon.
Control of the composition of type 2 dolomite
crystals by factors external to the sediments examined
is indicated by the fact the same growth stages can
be recognized in dolomite replacing claystone as for
the other examples of type 2 dolomite. The chemical
zones of the type 2 dolomite show extremely complex
zonation (Fig. 4), Fe and Mn showing at different
times, sympathetic, antipathetic and uncorrelated
co-variation. Such intricate crystal zonation seems
characteristic of carbonate cementation (Evamy,
1969; Meyers, 1974) and replacement (Katz, 1971;
this work) in the sub-surface. This presumably
relates to fluctuating availability of ions at source,
and in the case of Fe and Mn, fluctuating Eh en
route to the depositional site (Meyers, 1974, 1978),
although the ultimate cause of these variations is not
known.
The same four main stages of growth can be
recognized in all the samples examined by lumines-
cence petrography (all from Section B, except one
sampled 3 km inland to the west). Minor differences
in zonation do occur within these stages, but these
do not clearly relate to specific horizons. The most
clear difference between samples is in the relative
thicknesses of different growth stages (e.g. cf.
differences in relative thicknesses of growth stages
2 and 3 between Fig. 4 F and G). This indicates
temporal variations in the relative growth rate of
crystals in different specimens. Minor differences of
this sort occur even within different areas of the same
hand specimen. This feature may possibly be a
characteristic of replacive crystals contrasting with
the constant relative growth rates expected from
cements growing in interconnected pores.
The later stages of dolomitization (type 3 dolomite
and growth stage 4 of type 2 dolomite) are charac-
terized by crystals which are inclusion-free. This
648 I . J . Fairchild
presumably reflects slower growth under conditions
of reduced supersaturation compared with earlier
growth stages. The later stages are also characterized
by crystals with relatively high Fe and Mn content,
similar to the type 1 dolomite. In the growth of
garnet porphyroblasts (Edmunds & Atherton, 1971)
the incorporation of minor elements may sometimes
be controlled by their diffusion rates, minor element
content increasing when growth slows. In type 2
dolomite, however, decreasing quantities of in-
clusions never coincides with increasing Fe and Mn
(Fig. 4C, F and G) which suggests that diffusion-
limited supply was not an important factor. However
there is an intrinsic explanation for the high Fe and
Mn content of later growth stages. If it is accepted
that type 2 dolomite replaced type 1 dolomite then
during this process much Fe and Mn would have
entered the solution, and unless the system was
completely open some of this would have been
incorporated in the type 2 dolomite. Slower flow
rates, that is less introduction of allochthonous
material, causing a more closed system, would favour
a composition of type 2 dolomite close to that of
type 1 dolomite. This is the case for the later stages
of dolomitization.
Similarities between cementation and replacement by
dolomite
The foregoing discussion raised problems in deciding
whether or not dolomite had formed in pore space.
These features are highlighted below.
In terms of crystal growth patterns there may be
considerable similarities between cementing textures
and those of euhedral replacive crystals. The type 2
dolomite was apparently able to form crystal faces as
easily as if growing into a cavity. Katz (1971) con-
cluded that the material being: replaced must be soft
for this to happen, but this is certainly not necessary
as the crystals need not force aside the matrix, but
instead it may be dissolved at their periphery as
growth proceeds: that is, there is a chemical, not a
physical, control.
The crystal boundaries formed should be identical
to those of cements since, in the examples of replace-
ment described here, adjacent crystals show the same
growth zones and so grew synchronously. The
crystal boundaries are in places irregular because of
the development of coalescing crystallites, but this
can be a feature of cavity-fills also (Kendall &
Broughton, 1978). The normal neomorphic textures
of calcite with irregular crystal boundaries (Bathurst,
1971) arise because crystals tend not to develop
crystal faces and do not all grow at the same time.
Large numbers of crystallites are a feature of
dolomite forming after the type B truncations had
developed (Fig. 9b). Thus the presence of coalescing
crystallites, rather than being a normal feature of
dolomite growth, could be evidence for intermittent
growth, a new phase of growth being marked by the
development of numerous crystallites. Again this
could apply to cements or replacements.
The degree to which replacement textures can
mimic those of cements would depend on the
locations of nucleation sites during replacement. In
Fig. 6b the nucleation sites were very regularly
distributed and closely spaced so that the resulting
texture could not possibly be confused with a cement.
Fig. 6d shows an area (labelled X) which contains
only late zones and thus resembles a cavity-filling.
No such features are present in fine-grained dolo-
mite pebbles unreplaced by type 2 dolomite. Area X
is thus unlikely to represent a cavity-filling but rather
seems to be an example of local inhibition of
nucleation of crystals. Also, the pseudo-vug-fills
were proposed to be replaced pebbles and yet the
manner of growth was always inwards as for a
cement. If the replacement hypothesis is true, this
requires development of nucleation sites at the
pebble margins and inhibition of nucleation within
the pebble. Fig. 5c shows a claystone pebble
encroached upon around its margins by dolomite
which shows that such restricted nucleation is
possible. This demonstrates that considerable cau-
tion must be applied when interpreting dolomite
textures as cements.
CONCLUSIONS
Two distinct periods of dolomitization are recog-
nized in member 1: an early, ? penecontemporaneous
one (type 1 dolomite), and a later one (types 2 and
3 dolomite), a product of burial diagenesis. This later
period displays a number of remarkable and novel
features. Replacement of claystone occurred, crystal
faces always being present. Crystal growth rates in
claystone were slower than in crystals replacing
carbonate in the same rock. Inclusion-rich zones and
chemical zones of crystals can be correlated regard-
less of the nature of the material being replaced.
Crystal growth was interrupted at two stages and
crystals dissolved or cannibalized. On the first
occasion the inside of crystals was affected, giving
 Dolomite textures
rise t o previously undescribed textures (type B
truncations). O n the second occasion the free growth
surfaces of crystals were affected (type A trun-
cations). T h e rocks became closed t o F e and M n in
the final stages of dolomite growth.
Because of the euhedral form of dolomite crystals,
the distinction of cementing and replacement tex-
tures is much more difficult than for calcite. Replace-
ment can follow the same ruler of competitive
growth a s cementation. Restriction of nucleation of
crystals t o the margin of a n area t o be replaced
could lead t o a complete simulation of a vug-filling
texture by replacive crystals. Truncation textures
within crystals d o not necessarily indicate dissolution
adjacent t o pore space. Conversely the presence of
irregular crystal boundaries does not demonstrate
replacement. Perhaps the most useful line of evi-
dence relates t o the degree of correlatability of
crystal zones, a more widespread correlation being
expected from cements as associated rock per-
meabilities should be higher than when replacement
is occurring. Comparing any two samples in this
study, the relative rate of growth of replacive
dolomite crystals in the two samples is not constant:
this alone may prove to be a diagnostic criterion of
replacement.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author gratefully acknowledges receipt of a
N.E.R.C. studentship whilst a t Nottingham Uni-
versity. D r P. K. Harvey and P. O'Byrne gave
instruction and advice o n microprobe operation.
D r J . A. D. Dickson provided stimulating super-
vision of this study and did much of the work
involved in developing the microprobe technique.
Technical facilities were provided by the Universi-
ties of Nottingham and Cambridge. The manu-
script was much improved a t several stages by the
criticisms of Drs C. V. Jeans, J. A. D. Dickson, P. F.
Friend, R. G. C. Bathurst, two anonymous referees,
and Dr J. D. Hudson.
REFERENCES
BATHURST, R.G.C. (1971) Carbonate sediments and their
diagenesis. In : Developments in Sedimentology, 12.
Elsevier Publishing Co., Amsterdam.
EDMUNDS, W.M. & ATHERTON, M.P. (1971) Poly-
metamorphic evolution of garnet in the Fanad
aureole, Donegal, Eire. Lithos, 4, 147-161.
649
EVAMY, B.D. (1969) The precipitational environment and
correlation of some calcite cements deduced from
artificial staining. J . sedim. Petrol. 37, 1204-1215.
FAIRCHILD, I.J. (1977) Phengite spherules from the Dal-
radian Bonahaven Formation, Islay, Scotland :
glauconitized microfossils? Geol. Mag. 114, 355-364.
FAIRCHILD, I.J. (1978) Sedimentation and post-deposi-
tional history of the Dalradian Bonahaven Formation
of Zslay. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of
Nottingham.
FAIRCHILD, I.J. (1980) Sedimentation and origin of a late
Precambrian 'dolomite' from Scotland. J . sedini.
Petrol. SO, 423-446.
GRAF,D.L. & LAMAR, J.E. (1950) Petrology of Fredonia
Oolite in southern Illinois. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol.
Geol. 34, 23 18-2336.
HARRIS,A.L. & PITCHER,W.S. (19751 The Dalradian
Supergroup. In : A Correlation of Precambrian Rocks
o f the British Isles. Spec. Rep. geol. Soc. Lond. 6,
52-75.
KATZ,A. (1971) Zoned dolomite crystals. J. Geol. 79,
38-51.
KENDALL,A.C. & BROUGHTON, P.L. (1978) Origin of
fabrics in speleothems composed of columnar calcite
crystals. J . sedim. Petrol. 48, 519-538.
KINSMAN, D.J.J. (1969) Interpretation of Sr?+ concen-
trations in carbonate minerals and rocks. J. sedim.
Petrol. 39, 486-508.
MARSHALL, D.J. (1978) Suggested standards for the
reporting of cathodoluminescence results. 1. sedim.
Petrol. 48, 651-653.
MEYERS, W.J. (1974) Carbonate cement stratigraphy of
the Lake Valley Formation (Mississippian), Sacra-
mento Mountains, New Mexico. J . sedim. Petrol. 44,
837-861.
MEYERS, W.J. (1978) Carbonate cements : their regional
distribution and interpretation in Mississippian
limestones of southwestern New Mexico. Sedi-
mentology, 25, 371-399.
MOBERLY, R. (1968) Composition of magnesian calcites
of algae and pelecypods by electron microprobe
analysis. Sedimentology, 11, 61-82.
MOBERLY, R. (1970) Microprobe study of diagenesis in
calcareous algae. Sedimentology, 14, 113-1 23.
PIERSON, B.J. (1977) The control of'cathodo-luminescence
in dolomite by iron and manganese. Unpublished M.S.
thesis, University of Kentucky.
PINGITORE, N.E. (1976) Vadose and phreatic diagenesis:
processes, products and their recognition in corals.
J. sedim. Petrol. 46, 985-1006.
POTTER,R.W. (1977) Pressure corrections for fluid
inclusion homogenization temperatures based on the
volumetric properties of the system NaCI-H,O. US.
geol. Surv. J . Res. 5, 603-607.
POTTER,R.W. & BROWN,D.L. (1977) The volumetric
properties of aqueous sodium chloride solutions from
0" to 500C at pressures up to 2000 bars based on a
regression of available data in the literature. Bull.
US.geol. Surv. 1421C, 36pp.
REED,S.J.B. (1973) Principles of X-ray generation and
quantitative analysis with the electron microprobe.
In: Microprobe analysis (Ed. by C . A. Anderson).
Wiley & Sons, New York.
650 I . J. Fairchild

SCHERER, M. (1977) Preservation, alteration and multiple
cementation of aragonitic skeletons from the Cassian
Beds (U. Triassic, Southern Alps) : Petrographic and
geochemical evidence. N . Jb. Geol. Palaont. Abh. 154,
213-262.
SIPPEL,R.F. & GLOVER,E.D. (1965) Structures in car-
bonate rocks made visible by luminescence petro-
graphy. Science, 150, 1283-1287.
SOMMER, S.E. (1972) Cathodoluminescence of carbon-
ates. I. Characterization of cathodoluminescence from
carbonate solid solutions. Chem. Geol. 9, 257-284.
SPENCER, A.M. & SPENCER, M.O. (1972) The late Pre-
Cambrian/Lower Cambrian Bonahaven Dolomite of
Islay and its stromatolites. Scott. J. Geol. 8, 269-282.
SPRY,A. (1969) Metamorphic Textures. Pergamon Press,
Oxford.
STRAKHOV, N.M. (1970) Principles of Lithogenesis, vol. 3
(English translation). Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh.
WARDLAW, N., OLDERSHAW, A. & STOUT,M. (1978)
Transformation of aragonite to calcite in a marine
gasteropod. Can. J. Earth Sci. 15, 1861-1866.
WAUGH,B. (1970) Formation of quartz overgrowths in
the Penrith Sandstone (Lower Permian) of northwest
England as revealed by scanning electron microscopy.
Sedimentology, 14, 309-320.
WAUGH,B. (1978) Authigenic K-feldspar in British
Permo-Triassic sandstones. J. geol. SOC.Lond. 135,
51-56,

(Manuscript received 8 April 1979; revision received 19 November 1979)