Linking early diagenesis and relative sea-level changes in ancient corals : a multiproxy approach from the Benassal Formation (Lower Cretaceous, Maestrat Basin, E Spain)
Tomás, Sara (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
Parcerisa Duocastella, David (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya)
Cantarero, Irene (Universitat de Barcelona. Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada)
Baqués, Vinyet (Universitat de Barcelona. Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada)
Salas, Ramon (Universitat de Barcelona)
Travé i Herrero, Anna (Universitat de Barcelona. Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada)

Date:	2025
Abstract:	The Aptian shallow-water carbonate platform of the Benassal Formation in eastern Spain (Maestrat Basin) contains facies dominated by scleractinian corals. Corals and coral reefs are widely used as environmental archives; however, the effects of their complex diagenetic evolution are a major factor impacting reliable reconstructions of the environments. This study addresses the environmental signatures (i. e. relative sea-level changes) and burial conditions that controlled the various diagenetic minerals present in the Aptian coral facies. A multiproxy approach including petrographic and geochemical evaluation reveals the diagenetic pathways, fluid compositions and timing accounting for the syn- to post depositional history of this ancient coral facies. Cc1, which shows low Fe and Mn content and high Na content, precipitated within the primary porosity, alongside the replacement of coral skeletons, in a mixing zone dominated by marine waters. Cement Cc2, characterized by its higher Fe and Mn content and low Na values, precipitated in the mixing zone dominated by meteoric waters related to a relative sea-level drop. Cement Cc3, distinguished by low Fe and Mn content and high Na content, reflects a subsequent phase of increased marine influence, likely associated with a relative sea-level rise. Silica and isolated rhombohedral dolomite crystals formed concurrently in this mixing zone. During intermediate burial, saddle dolomite and cement Cc4 precipitated from high-temperature formation brines. Finally, during uplift, meteoric fluids caused the calcitization of previously formed dolomite rhombohedra.
Grants:	Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades PID2021-12246NB-C22 Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca 2021/SGR-00349
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, sempre i quan aquestes es distribueixin sota la mateixa llicència que regula l'obra original i es reconegui l'autoria.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Maestrat basin ; Coral facies ; Sea-level changes ; Diagenesis ; Silicification
Published in:	Geologica acta, Vol. 23 (2025) , p. 1-18 (Carbonate successions from Iberia and the Caribbean - Homage to Ramon Salas) , ISSN 1696-5728

Adreça original: https://revistes.ub.edu/index.php/GEOACTA/article/view/49269
DOI: 10.1344/GeologicaActa2025.23.19

18 p, 11.9 MB

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