Date of Award
12-1982
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Geological and Environmental Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. Raymond Freeman-Lynde
Second Advisor
Dr. William Harrison III
Third Advisor
Dr. John Grace
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Limestones recovered from Bahama Escarpment dives (DSRV Alvin, 1978) were expected to contain shallow marine, freshwater, and deep marine cementation since the limestones had been fractured, bored, and cemented at depth. Magnesium and trace element concentrations, carbon-oxygen composition, cathodoluminescence, and petrographic study indicated the presence of all three cement types.
Lithification may have proceeded by allochem deposition, major shallow marine cementation, sparse freshwater cementation leaving porosity, fracturing, and final deep marine cementation leaving minor porosity. According to this interpretation, the pore space remained open for an unlikely 75-115 million years. In an alternative interpretation, pore space is occluded after freshwater cementation. Fracturing and minor dissolution prior to deep marine cementation may enable overlapping or equilibration of cement compositions so they are not distinct groups.
More detailed sampling is needed to distinguish generations of cements. The porosity and occlusion by deep marine cements has interesting implications for petroleum research.
Recommended Citation
Fulker, Katharine D., "The Origin of Carbonate Cements in Bahama Escarpment Limestones" (1982). Masters Theses. 1693.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/1693