Origin and characteristics of grain dolomite of Ordovician Ma55 Member in the northwest of Ordos Basin, NW China

Abstract

The origin of grain dolomite in M55 Member of Ordovician Majiagou Formation in northwestern Ordos Basin was studied by geochemical and petrological tests on core samples. Observation of cores, thin sections and casting thin sections, analysis of cathodoluminescence, X-ray diffraction, microscopic sampling of trace elements, laser sampling δ18O and δ13C, and fluid inclusion homogenization temperature were conducted. The results show that the dolomite is the product of recrystallization of micritic to crystal powder dolomite rather than the product of dolomitization of grain limestone. In the spherical grains are residual gypsum and halite pseudo crystals identical with those in the host micritic dolomite. The spherical particles of dolomite has similar trace elements and δ18O and δ13C characteristics to micritic dolomite. Furthermore, Mn/Sr ratio of the fine—medium dolomite between the dolomite grains is about 5-8, while Mn/Sr ratios of calcite in limestone, micritic dolostone in micritic dolomite, and micritic and powdery dolomite are about 0-2, indicating that the dolomite experienced strong diagenesis. Homogenization temperature of inclusions of fine—medium dolomite is about 148. 19 °C, higher than that of inclusions in micritic to crystal powder dolomite (about 122.60 °C), which also supports the conclusion that the grain dolomite experienced burial diagenesis and negative shift of δ18O and δ13C. The δ18O, δ13C values of micritic to crystal powder dolomite match with the negative migration, but those of calcite in limestone don't. It is of great significance to elucidate the genesis of “dolomite recrystallization” for the prediction of such dolomite reservoirs. Key words: Ordos Basin, Ordovician Majiagou Formation, trace element, δ13C, δ18O, fluid inclusions, diagenesis, grain dolomite, dolomite origin