Empirical Calibration for Dolomite Stoichiometry Calculation: Application on Triassic Muschelkalk- Lettenkohle Carbonates (French Jura)

Abstract : This study concerns an approach for dolomite quantification and stoichiometry calculation by using X-ray diffractometry coupled with cell and Rietveld refinements and equipped with a newly substantial database of dolomite composition. A greater accuracy and precision are obtained for quantifying dolomite as well as other mineral phases and calculating dolomite stoichiometry compared to the classical "Lumsden line" and previous methods. The applicability of this approach is verified on dolomite reference material (Eugui) and on Triassic (Upper Muschelkalk-Lettenkohle) carbonates from the French Jura. The approach shown here is applicable to bulk dolostones as well as to specific dolomite cements and was combined with petrographical and isotopic analyses. Upper Muschelkalk dolomites were formed during burial dolomitization under fluids characterized by increased temperature and variable isotopic composition through burial. This is clear from their Ca content in dolomites which gradually approaches an ideal stoichiometry (from 53.16% to 51.19%) through increasing dolomitization. Lettenkohle dolostones consist of near-ideal stoichiometric (51.06%Ca) and well-ordered dolomites associated with anhydrite relicts. They originated through both sabkha and burial dolomitization. This contribution gives an improved method for the characterization of different dolomite types and their distinct traits in sedimentary rocks, which allows a better evaluation of their reservoir potential.