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Pedogenic, palustrine and groundwater dolomite formation in non-marine bentonites (Bavaria, Germany)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

M.H. Köster  and
H.A. Gilg
M.H. Köster*
Affiliation:
Lehrstuhl für Ingenieurgeologie, Technische Universität München, Arcisstr. 21, 80333 Munich, Germany
H.A. Gilg
Affiliation:
Lehrstuhl für Ingenieurgeologie, Technische Universität München, Arcisstr. 21, 80333 Munich, Germany
*
*E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Dolomite and calcite in Bavarian bentonites, southern Germany, were investigated using petrography, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and stable isotope geochemistry to explore the role of authigenic carbonate formation during bentonitization. Pedogenic, palustrine and groundwater carbonates were distinguished on the basis of X-ray diffraction, micromorphological and stable isotope analysis. The δ13CV-PDB and δ18OV-PDB values of dolomite range from −8.0% to −6.1% and −5.4% to −3.4%, respectively. Calcites show a range from −11.9% to −8.1% for carbon and from −9.1% to −6.2% for oxygen. Carbon isotope compositions imply a C3-plant-dominated carbon source and repeated wetting and drying cycles. The oxygen isotope data points to an evaporation and temperature controlled δ18OV-SMOW value of meteoric water of −7.0% to −4.8%. A syngenetic to early diagenetic timing of dolomitization is indicated, suggesting both dolomite and bentonite formation in non-saline, non-arid and repeatedly partially-oxygenated and reducing soil and groundwater environments during pedogenesis.

Keywords

bentonitesmectitedolomitecalcitepalaeosolfreshwater environment
Type
Research Article
Information
Clay Minerals , Volume 50 , Issue 2 , June 2015 , pp. 163 - 183
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2015

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