Subaerial diagenesis of carbonate sediments: efficiency of the solution-reprecipitation process

Science. 1968 Apr 5;160(3823):77-9. doi: 10.1126/science.160.3823.77.

Abstract

Interaction between percolating groludwaters and aragonitic carbonate sediments within the vadose zone of the coral cap of Barbados, West Indies, results in dissolution of aragonite and concurrent reprecipitation as low-magnesium calcite. Comparison of the ratios of strontium to calcium in groundwater, aragonitic carbonate, and recrystallized calcite indicates that locally the solution-reprecipitation process is operating at an efficiency greater than 90 percent.