Calcrete calcite cement

The discovery of the calcrete hosted surfical uranium deposits of Namibia demonstrated the presence of widespread uranium in calcrete filled palaeochannels (Hambleton-Jones 1984) and similar mineral deposits have been observed elsewhere in Southern Africa, USA and Australia (Carlisle 1978 Hambleton-Jones 1978 Mann Deutscher 1978). The host rocks are typically lenticular bodies of alluvium, soil or detritus material cemented by calcite, gypsum, palygorskite, and other mineral phases. Uranium mineralogy is dominated by the mineral Carnotite [K2(U02)2(V04)2.3(H20)] as the main mineral in these channels. However other phases such as andersonite (Na2K3U03(C03)3(H20)6), liebigite (Ca2U02(C03)3(H20)io ... 

Calcite precipitation can result in the formation of calcrete, soil horizons cemented by calcite which can be used as chmatic indicators (JaUlard et at, 1991 Wright et al, 1995). 

In addition to dissolution, the destabilization of carbonate cements may result in recrystallization and replacement by other carbonates. Microcrystalline calcite and dolomite are sensitive to recrystallization at various burial depths. The recrystallization of dolomite has been reviewed by Mazzullo (1992). Burial recrystallization of micritic/microsparitic cements in sandstones may result in the formation of poikilotopic calcite (Saigal Bjorlykke, 1987). However, poikilotopic calcite is also a common primary cement in calcretes (e.g. Knox, 1977 Tan-don Narayan, 1981). Recrystallized calcite and dolomite are recognized as patchily distributed, coarsened crystals. In contrast, precipitational vari-... 

In this paper the terms dolocrete and calcrete are used to indicate sediments extensively cemented by displacive dolomite and calcite under conditions ranging from the soil horizon to shallow phreatic. Conversely, we use the expression carbonate cement in sandstones where is no evidence of displacive, near-surface precipitation. Kaolin is used as a... 

Lateral variations in the eogenetic association may be related to changes in sedimentary conditions or to the starting mineral composition. The development of nitrates was probably controlled in part by sedimentary rhythms. In the border zones of the Triassic Basin of the Sahara where the source of supply (Hoggar Massif) was probably closer by, calcretes were formed and the deposits were cemented by calcite with a heterogeneous structure. In the case of farther removed source areas and a more stable sedimentation the sandstones are characterized by a poikilitic nodular dolomite cement. Variations in the composition of the sandstone cements between calcite and dolomite may be explained by the ionic composition of the solutions in the... 

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