(S11) Carbonates and Evaporites Flashcards
What is the Chemical equation for Calcium Carbonate?
CaCO3
What is the difference between calcareous and carbonaceous?
Calcareous is rich in Calcium Carbonate, Carbonaceous is rich in Carbon
What common elements are found in carbonates?
Magnesium, Iron, Copper
Give two examples of copper carbonates?
Malachite, Azurite
What is a carbonate?
Sediments and rocks made up of ___ Carbonate, e.g. Mg- Fe- Cu-
What rock has the same minerals as carbonates but is not infact called a carbonate?
Marble
What is the name for the uncommon carbonate-rich lava?
Carbonatite
What is the Moh’s hardness of Calcite?
3
What colour does Calcite have in hand sample?
White, Colourless
What are the two ways to distinguish Calcite in hand sample?
Moh’s hardness, Reaction to HCl (10% dilute)
Where does most Calcite come from?
Biogenic origin
What two elements can substitute calcium in Calcite?
Magnesium, Strontium
What are the two grades of Magnesium Calcite?
Low and high grade
What defines a low grade Magnesium Calcite?
Less than 4% Mg
What defines a high grade Magnesium Calcite?
11% - 19% Mg
Give three examples of marine organisms which create high-Mg Calcite
Echinoderms, Barnacles, Foraminifers
Why is strontium useful in calcite?
Use for dating rocks
What quantity can strontium be found in calcite?
<1%
How does the mineral form of Aragonite differ from Calcite?
Calcite is trigonal and aragonite is orthorhombic
Which is more dense, aragonite or calcite?
Aragonite
What is the density of aragonite and calcite respectively?
Aragonite = 2.95, Calcite = 2.72 - 2.94
What is the Moh’s hardness of Aragonite?
3.5 - 4
Give two examples of intvertebrets which use Aragonite to build their hard parts?
Bivalves and Corals
What is the chemical name and formula for Dolomite?
Calcium Magnesium Carbonate (CaMg(CO3)2)
What is the difference between Dolomite and Dolostone?
Dolostone is the rock which is made up of Dolomite
What is the distinguishing factor between Dolomite and Calcite/Aragonite?
Little or no reaction to the HCl acid test
How is Dolomite considered to be formed?
Diagenisis
What is the chemical name and formula for Siderite?
Iron Carbonate (FeCO3)
What impurities does Siderite often contain as a substitute for Iron?
Magnesium, Manganese
When does Siderite form?
As an early diagenic material in sediments
When do Molluscs date back to?
Cambrian
What do Molluscs usually create their form out of?
Calcareous
What does a Bivalve Molluscs shell layers look like?
Usually two or three layers of Calcite, Aragonite or both
What are most modern Molluscs made from?
Aragonite
Why are no pre-Jurassic bivalve shells preserved?
Instability of Aragonite compared to Calcite
What is the distinguishing difference between Gastopods and Cephalopods
Cephalopods are chambered
When were Ammonites most common?
Mesozoic
When were Brachiopods most common?
Palaeozoic and Mesozoic - Not seen modernly
What were the shells of Brachiopods made up of?
Low-Mg Calcite
What is the distinguishing feature of Echionoids and Crinoids?
Both create their bodies from entire calcite crystals
What are the two types of Forams?
Planktonic or Benthic
What is the main crystal form of Pre-Palaeozoic Corals?
Calcite
What is the main crystal form of Post-Palaeozoic Corals?
Aragonite