High spatial resolution investigation of nucleation, growth and early diagenesis in speleothems as exemplar for sedimentary carbonates

S Frisia; A Borsato; J Hellstrom

Journal article

High spatial resolution investigation of nucleation, growth and early diagenesis in speleothems as exemplar for sedimentary carbonates

S Frisia, A Borsato, J Hellstrom

Earth Science Reviews | ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV | Published : 2018

DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.01.014

Abstract

Investigation by high resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) and Synchrotron-Radiation based micro X-ray fluorescence (SR-μXRF) of diagenesis in carbonates imposes uncertainties on the boundary between stages of crystal growth and post-depositional processes. Speleothems and dolomite are exemplars of the entire range of processes that result in solid materials consisting of crystals. HR-TEM investigation of speleothems suggests that there are many possible pathways of crystallization comprising classical ion-mediated, particle-mediated and formation of metastable phases. Diverse pathways influence the potential of a primary carbonate to undergo post-depositional transformation,..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

John Hellstrom Author

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Grants

Awarded by Australian Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

The present research was partially funded by the Australian Research Council (grant DP160101058). The Authors are grateful T. Bontognali and P. Meister for their careful review and constructive criticism, which improved the original manuscript. We acknowledge H. Zhang and D. Phelan, of the Electron Microscope and X-Ray Unit of the University of Newcastle, for assistance at the HR-TEM and FESEM respectively. I. Baneschi, G. Betti, E. Norris, L. Piccin, E. Regattieri, R. Roach, and E. Wisemantel, are thanked for their valuable help in the caves. N. Preto provided the Triassic Travenanzes and Heiligkreuz formation samples. J. Woodhead and R.N. Drysdale provided speleothem samples from the Nullarbor. We acknowledge S. Rubanov and the Biol 21 Advanced Microscopy Facility at the University of Melbourne for access to the Tecnai F20 and induction to lattice imaging. M. Markowska and C. Tadros shared information about Yarrangobilly dripwater parameters.