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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

West Texas Geological Society

Abstract


The Search Continues into the 21st Century: West Texas Geological Society Fall Symposium, 1998
Pages 67-72

Early Silica Mobilization and Chertification in the Thirtyone Formation, Bryant G Devonian Unit, Midland Co., TX

Frank H. Wind

Abstract

Analysis of limestone and chert in the Thirtyone Formation of the Bryant G Devonian Unit suggests that the dissolution of sponge spicules and the development of silicified beds and chert nodules was an extremely early diagenetic process. Grain packing within chert nodules and thick silicified limestones, and silicified exposure surfaces indicate that the onset of silica migration and precipitation was syndepositional or early post-depositional. Pelmatozoan grains and spicules have approximately the same effective grain density and should have been present in the same depositional settings. Therefore, the near complete absence of spicules or spicule molds in the platform carbonates that dominate the section indicates that the spicules were dissolved prior to compaction and the earliest carbonate cementation.


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