Dolomite cements in Cenomanian continental sand deposits: Time evolution and significance (Zoovch Ovoo U-deposit, East Gobi Basin, Mongolia)

Abstract Shallow buried unconsolidated sands generally provide very little information about diagenesis as most detrital minerals remain unchanged. However, in rare cases carbonate cemented nodules or sandstone layers may occur inside unconsolidated series. These cements could help to reconstruct the chronology of events from early to late phase stages of diagenesis. The Late Cretaceous sequence of the Zoovch Ovoo depocenter in East Gobi Basin is represented by 600 m of clastic deposits. The 60–80 m of Cenomanian unconsolidated sands and clays, deposited in alluvial-deltaic to lacustrine settings, compose the upper part of the post-rift medium-grained siliciclastic reservoir, the Sainshand Formation which hosts uranium roll-front systems. Dolomite cemented sandstone layers with 10–20 cm thickness occur among the unconsolidated rock facies. Calcite is absent from this formation, but is present only in the overlying, also outcropping, Bayanshiree Formation. Samples from the dolomite cemented sandstone layers were investigated in detail to uncover their origin and diagenetic history. Four dolomite cement types were recognized that indicate recrystallization episodes and were classified based on the size and shape of the crystals, namely: (i) microcrystalline dolomite frequently associated with siderite, (ii) euhedral dolomite also associated with siderite, (iii) subhedral dolomite and (iv) finally anhedral dolomite. Their REE content varies significantly from dolomite I to IV, in particular by a strong depletion in LREE about 30 times, associated with a relative enrichment in HREE. The contrasted precipitation of calcite in Bayanshiree and dolomite cements in Sainshand formations could be attributed to contrasted Mg/Ca ratio of the circulation fluids in the two aquifers. Both carbonates display however rather homogenous oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions for δ18O (−10 ± 1‰ V-PDB) and δ13C (−7 ± 1‰ V-PDB). The δ18O values are interpreted as typical of meteoric waters quite close to present day waters. The δ13C values indicate a mixed source of both organic and mineral carbon. All data taken into account, a full paragenetic succession was constructed. It includes the evolution of dolomite during burial diagenesis and the effects of the oxidizing roll-front uranium rich waters in the system. The latter induces partial dissolution followed by precipitation of a dolomite phase typical of roll-front zones. Carbonate cements can be thus considered as the best and rather unique geochemical indicators for the recognition of a burial history framework to paleofluid circulations and fluid-rock interactions in these intracontinental series of unconsolidated sands.