Publication Date

1983

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Weiss, Malcolm P. (Malcolm Pickett), 1921-

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Geology

LCSH

Limestone--Illinois; Dolomite--Illinois; Geology; Stratigraphic--Ordovician

Abstract

Mottled dolomitic limestones are a characteristic feature in rocks of Ordovician age throughout the Upper Mississippi Valley. Several hypotheses have been presented concerning the origin of these limestones and recent theories favor a combination of processes. Previous work dealing with mottled dolomitic has been summarized to note similarities and differences in hypotheses of origin. From this summary an "idealized" mottled dolomitic has been constructed. Recent theories favor a burrow origin for the mottles. The burrows later influenced dolomiting fluids through a permeability control. Data collected from a suite of samples in the Platteville Formation of northern Illinois lead to similar conclusions. Samples were analyzed by serial sectioning, thin sections, microprobe analysis and X-ray analysis of insoluble residue. From this analysis the following hypothesis is presented. Mottles are of organic origin and probably represent burrows of sediment-eating organisms. Synsedimentary lithi- fication of the sediment produced a marked heterogeneity between sediment filling the burrows and sediment surrounding burrows. Burrows during this time also became outlined with pyrite. During late diagenesis movement of dolomitizing fluids passing through the sediment was influenced by the burrows. Being less permeable the burrows were dolomitized first.

Comments

Bibliography: pages 169-175

Extent

xi, 175 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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