Complex carbonate mineral assemblages in modern sediments can undergo selective solution as a diagenetic approach to mineral stability. Oversaturation and undersaturation of associated sea water with respect to various mineral phases can be demonstrated by the use of pH-sensing techniques. Evidence for selective solution is found in decreases in the amount of more soluble phases, aragonite and, to some extent, magnesium calcites, in the finer fractions of the sediments.

Studies in Jamaica, Florida, Bermuda, and Maine suggest that submarine solution-diagenesis is active in most environments. Factors which control the amount of solution are temperature, salinity, and the amount and nature of associated organic material. Solution of soluble "fines" is most active in Maine and least active in impure carbonates of the north coast of Jamaica.

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