Silicification of Wood: An Overview

For many decades, wood silicification has been viewed as a relatively simple process of permineralization that occurs when silica dissolved in groundwater precipitates to fill vacant spaces within the porous tissue. The presence specific minerals is commonly ascribed diagenetic changes. possibility rapid inferred from evidence modern hot springs. Extensive examination silicified worldwide localities spanning long geologic time suggests these generalizations are not dependable. Instead, may occur via multiple pathways, being rare. Mineralization involves precipitation successive episodes, where changes geochemical environment cause various polymorphs coexist single specimen. Diagenetic later change mineral composition, but for specimens diagenesis dominant controls distribution. Rates primarily related levels and permeability sediment encloses buried wood. Rapid deposition takes place on springs, occurrences have dissimilar physical chemical conditions compared those exist most environments. times required variable, cannot be described by any generalization.