Efects of secondary late dolomitization on 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratio; examples from Ossa-Morena Zone carbonates

Abstract

The 87Sr/86Sr ratio is usually used in stratigraphy to correlate and even date marine carbonate sedimentation events. The variation of the 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratio along the geological time scale combined with the fact of this isotopic ratio could be considered uniform in all ocean at a given geological moment, opens a thematic for the investigation and characterization of carbonate sedimentation and as well it sedimentation environment. Therefore, it is important to understand the inherent limitations to the use of this isotope ratio as a method of correlation. For the present work, the Cambrian (or Cambrian attributed) carbonates from the Ossa-Morena Zone were sampled in several sectors. These samples present distinct metamorphic features and their litho-facies were been characterized, as well as the presence of late dolomitization processes (i.e. post-metamorphic). The data show that the late dolomitization processes induce a significant increase of the 87Sr/86Sr ratio, when compared with the calcitic carbonates (marbles and limestones) collected in the same units.