On the delimitation of the carbonate burial realm

Over the past decades, burial realm, most prolonged and arguably least well-understood diagenetic environment, has received significant research attention. Despite remarkable progress driven by exploratory drilling, outcrop analogue studies experimental work, scientific theories defining sub-domains are inconsistently presented in literature. This paper reviews concepts, processes products that characterise realm from viewpoint of carbonate geoscientist. Typical features (fluid types, porosity evolution, fabrics, patterns isotope geochemistry) epicontinental marine basins discussed. A step towards an improved conceptual delimitation a subdivision is taken, intuitive terminology proposed. The very shallow limit placed within upper sediment column (redox boundary; centimetres to tens metres). In (marine) domain (down depths many hundreds metres), dissolution reprecipitation, dewatering grain reorganisation take place. Interstitial waters mainly (and subordinate meteoric) origin system fluid-dominated. Under ongoing burial, physical chemical compaction reduces pore space. At ca 750 m, initial porosities (40–80%) reduced about 30%. intermediate (hundreds metres 2 km; T < 100°C) characterised transition fluid-buffered rock-buffered diagenesis. deep-burial (ca 2–12 > 100°C), formation fluids increasingly modified rock–fluid interaction replaced saline brines. deep low-grade metamorphic at 12–15 km (T 250°C). Here, carbonates undergo recrystallisation into meta-carbonate equigranular marble fabrics.