Multistage dolomitization of deeply buried dolomite in the Lower Cambrian Canglangpu Formation, central and northern Sichuan Basin

The dolostone units in the Cambrian Changlangpu Formation of the Sichuan Basin have demonstrated substantial potential for natural gas exploration. A systematic understanding of the various dolomite (and non-carbonate) phases that build these rocks and the diagenetic pathways of the Canglangpu Formation carbonates still needs to be developed. This study combines the petrographic properties of dolomite (and non-carbonate) phases with their geochemical evidence (carbon, oxygen and 87Sr/86Sr isotope data). Moreover, fluid inclusion evidence and in situ rare-earth element (REE) data are presented. The samples studied were taken from hand specimens collected in the field and plugs from cores to explore the properties and evolutions of dolomite in the Cambrian Canglangpu Formation in the central-northern Sichuan Basin. Six dolomite phases are identified: silty crystalline dolomite (D1), fabric-retentive dolomite (D2), fabric-destructive dolomite (D3), fine crystalline dolomite (D4), medium to coarse crystalline dolomite cement (C1a and C1b) and saddle dolomite cement (C2). Silty crystalline dolomite represents the earliest dolomitization and shows δ18O values comparable to those of Cambrian seawater. Fabric-retentive dolomite, fabric-destructive dolomite and fine crystalline dolomite represent reflux dolomitization during shallow burial. Specifically, Fine crystalline dolomite with a turbid-core and clean-rim may have recrystallized from secondary dolomitization of marine-derived porewater. Fabric-destructive dolomite shows the depleted δ13C values, resulting from the secondary dolomitization involving organics degradation in medium to deep burial environment. The fluid inclusion data demonstrates that the medium to coarse crystalline dolomite cement (C1a) formed in relatively elevated temperature and salinity brines. Intrusion of sulfur- and metal-rich (Zn and Fe) medium-temperature hydrothermal fluids gave rise to the formation of medium to coarse crystalline dolomite cement (C1b) and sphalerite mineralization. Cementation of saddle dolomite was promoted by sulfate-rich reducing hydrothermal fluids. δ13C depletion, extremely low REE content and positive δEu in the saddle dolomite cement suggest the presence of thermal sulfate reduction.