6. MARINE SEDIMENTATION
FACIES & DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Definition
Physical Marine Process
•Wave
•Tidal Current
•Wave Associated Current
•Ocean Current Systems
•Tides
•Storms as Geological Agents
•Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
•Tsunamis
Marine Facies & Depositional Environment
•Coastal Environment & Facies Model
•Barrier Environment & Facies Model
•Beach Environment & Facies Model
•Continental Margine Environment & Facies
Model
•Deep Marine Environment & Facies Model
Marine Sedimentary Characteristic
FACIES & DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Reef / Bioclastic Limestone
Mouth Bar
Distributary Channel
LEGENDA
SA
: Sub Aerial
UDP
: Upper Delta Plain
LDP
: Lower Delta Plain
UDF / Lit : Upper Delta Front
LDF / IS
: Lower Delta Front /
Litoral
UPD /IS : Upper Prodelta /
Inner Shelf
LPD /MS : Lower Prodelta /
MId Shelf
CS / R
: Carbonate Shelf / Reef
Physical Marine Process
WAVE PROCESS
Wave shoaling and breaking. As deep-water waves are transformed by
interaction with the bottom, the wave length is reduced and height increased
until they reach a maximum peak. The wave then collapse in the form of
breakers, whih are classed as surging, spiling or plunging
Physical Marine Process
Wave Associated Current
TIDES
Worldwide distribution of coastal tidal ranges
Davis 1964 classified the world's shorelines as either
microtidal (tidal range = 0-2m);
mesotidal (tidal range = 2-4m) or
macrotidal (tidal range greater than 4m).
Physical Marine Process
Ocean Current Systems
Major ocean current and climate zones
Physical Marine Process
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
Westward moving tropical waves are
best known for the "low" part of the
surface pressure cycle. Tropical lows
generally exhibit variable weaker winds
and increased cloudiness and
precipitation. Wave conditions under a
tropical low are usually calmer on the
average, except near centers of strong
precipitation, which are accompanied
by strong winds (and large seas) of
short duration.
Coastal erosion from Hurricane surge and
waves
Physical Marine Process
Tsunamis are much less frequent
than hurricanes, but the size and
power of the wave forces is
devastating (Wave Spectra). Faulting
(earthquakes), massive submarine
slope failure and volcanic activity can
generate a tsunami that can
propogate over an entire ocean basin.
These are essentially high speed tidal
waves that are modified in deep water
because of the extreme wave length.
The high wave crest breaking and
falling onshore can create major
damage and modify sediment
patterns.
Spectrum of wave energy in the ocean
MARINE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT & FACIES MODEL
BARRIER ENVIRONMENT
The major sedimentary environments of a
barrier island consists of:
•The mainland,
•Backbarrier lagoon,
•Barrier island,
•Inlets and inlet deltas,
•Barrier platform, and
•The shoreface
MARINE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT
& FACIES MODEL
COASTAL
ENVIRONMENT
Fig 34 .
MARINE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT
& FACIES MODEL
BARRIER
FACIES
MODEL
Three “end-member” facies successions associated
with regressive and transgressive barrier island, and
inlet migration. After Reinson (1984)
MARINE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT
& FACIES MODEL
LAGOON FACIES MODEL
Generalized lagoonal sequence through back barrier deposits in the Carboniferous of eastern
Kentucky and southern West Virginia. Such sequences range from 7.5 to 24 m thick. From
Horne and ferm (1978)
MARINE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT
& FACIES MODEL
Tidal Channel
FACIES MODEL
Tidal channel-fill sequences for an inlet
channel located along an active barrier-island.
After Moslow an Tye (1985)
MARINE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT
& FACIES MODEL
BEACH ENVIRONMENT
The beach has
three major parts:
beach face,
berm and
backbeach
The beach consist of a shorface,
nearshore zone, and dune associated
with a beach. Not all of these element
are present in many beaches.
SHORELINE-SHALLOW MARINE PROFILE
VERTICAL SCALE GREATLY EXAGGERATED
WAVES BEGIN TO BUILD UP
SPILLING BREAKERS
SHOALING WAVES
L
HIGH TIDE
SURF ZONE
5 –15 M
LOW
L
2
LONGSHORE BARS
FORESHORE
FAIRWEATHER WAVE BASE
LOWER
MIDDLE
UPPER
SHOREFACE
STORM WAVE BASE
OFFSHORE
MUDDY SUBSTRATE
SANDY SUBSTRATE
Skolithos
Cruziana
Zoophycos
Ichnofacies
RUNNEL SYSTEM IN THE BEACH ENVIRONMENT
MARINE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT
& FACIES MODEL
BEACH FACIES MODEL
MARINE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT
& FACIES MODEL
BEACH ENVIRONMENT
Consists Of:
continental rise
continental slope
continental shelf
Generalized cross section of continental margin shows
deep basin, buried beneath the shelf and slope, which is
filled with sediments. A buried reef mark an old shelf
edge.
MARINE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT & FACIES MODEL
CONTINENTAL SHELF
FACIES MODEL
Vertical sequences produced
through transgression of different
types of coastal environments.
Modified from Demarest and Kraft
(1987)
MARINE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT
& FACIES MODEL
Submarine canyons are common along the
continental slope. They are ubiquitous on
both active and passive margins. Some
extend landward across the continental
shelf. They typically cut through the edge of
the continental shelf and terminate on the
deep abyssal floor, some 5,000 or more
feet below sea level.
DEEP MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Turbidity currents intermittently flush
sediments through the canyons building up
depositional fans where the currents reach
the lower gradient of the ocean floor.
The abyssal plain is the deep ocean floor. It
is basically flat, and is covered by very finegrained sediment, consisting primarily of
clay and the shells of microscopic
organisms (such as foraminifera,
radiolarians, and diatoms).
Generalized three-dimension is showing submarine
canyon and deep sea environment
MARINE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT
& FACIES MODEL
DEEP MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Stratigraphic section of deep marine
facies, showing basin floor, channels
and levee deposits.
MARINE SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENT
REEF
CONTINENTAL
SHELF
CONTINENTAL SLOPE
AND RISE
ABYSSAL PLAIN
Fossiliferous
limestone
Sandstone, shale,
siltstone, fossiliferous
limestone, oolitic
limestone
Litharenite, siltstone, and
shale (or limestone)
Shale, chert, micrite,
chalk, diatomite
Carbonate
Terrigenous or
carbonate
Terrigenous or carbonate
Terrigenous or
carbonate
Gray to white
Gray to brown
Gray, green, brown
Black, white red
Variable,
frameworks, few
to no grains
Clay to sand
Clay to sand
Clay
Grain Shape
---
---
---
---
Sorting
---
Poor to good
Poor
Good
Lamination
Rock Type
Composition
Color
Grain Size
Inorganic
Sedimentary
Structures
---
Lamination, crossbedding
Graded bedding, crossbedding, lamination, flute
marks, tool marks
(turbidites)
Organic or
Biogenic
Sedimentary
Structures
---
Trails, burrows
Trails, burrows
Trails, burrows
Corals, marine
shells
Marine shells
Marine shells, rare plant
fragments
Marine shells (mostly
microscopic)
Fossils
SEA WATER COMPOSITION
TRANSITIONAL SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENT
BARRIER BEACH
LAGOON
TIDAL FLAT
Quartz arenite, coquina
Siltstone, shale,
limestone, oolitic
limestone or gypsum
Siltstone, shale,
calcilutite, dolostone or
gypsum
Terrigenous or carbonate
Terrigenous, carbonate,
or evaporite
Terrigenous, carbonate,
or evaporite
White to tan
Dark gray to black
Gray, brown, tan
Sand
Clay to silt
Clay to silt
Rounded to angular
---
---
Good
Poor
Variable
Inorganic
Sedimentary
Structures
Cross-bedding,
symmetrical ripples
Lamination, ripples,
cross-bedding
Lamination, mudcracks,
ripples, cross-bedding
Organic or
Biogenic
Sedimentary
Structures
Tracks, trails, burrows
Trails, burrows
Stromatolites, trails,
tracks, burrows
Marine shells
Marine shells
Marine shells
Rock Type
Composition
Color
Grain Size
Grain Shape
Sorting
Fossils
MINERAL OF MARINE DEPOSIT
FUNDAMENTAL DEFINITIONS
A "mineral occurrence" is a concentration of a mineral (usually, but not
necessarily, considered in terms of some commodity, such as copper, barite or
gold) that is considered valuable by someone somewhere, or that is of scientific
or technical interest. In rare instances (such as titanium in a rutile-bearing black
sand), the commodity might not even be concentrated above its average crustal
abundance.
A "mineral deposit" is a mineral occurrence of sufficient size and grade that it
might, under the most favorable of circumstances, be considered to have
economic potential.
SAMPLE OF MARINE DEPOSIT MINERALS
Glauconite
(K,Na)(Al,Fe3+,Mg)2(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2
System. Monoclinic.
Appearance. Very tiny crystals.
Usually in spherulitic, earthy
aggregates, sometimes platy, light
blue-green
Physical properties. Soft (2-2.5), light,
perfect basal cleavage. Transculent
with rather greasy luster.
Environment. A mineral of marine
origin, found in sedimentary deposits
of various kinds (sands, sandstones,
silts, impure limestones), probably as
a diagenetic mineral.
SAMPLE OF MARINE DEPOSIT MINERALS
Sulfur - S
System. Orthorhombic.
Appearance. Frequently in fine,
dipyramidal crystals, granular
aggregates, impregnations and
incrustations. Color varies from the
characteristic lemon-yellow, when the
mineral is pure, to brown and black.
Physical properties. Very soft to soft
(1.5-2.5), very light, fragile, with poor
cleavage. Transparent to translucent
with resinous to greasy luster.
Environment. A mineral associated with
sedimentary deposits of the evaporite
type and with oil-bearing deposits.
Believed to be a product of the
dissociation of sulfates (especially
gypsum) caused by the action of certain
bacteria.
Siderite – FeCO3
System. Hexagonal.
Appearance. Rhombohedral crystals with
curved, striated faces. Sometimes with tabular
habit and in saddle-shaped aggregates.
Botryoidal, compact, oolitic, concretionary
masses common, varying in color from pale
yellow to dark brown or almost black when a
large amount of manganese is present.
Physical properties. Semi-hard (3.5-4), heavy,
fragile, perfect rhombohedral cleavage.
Transparent or translucent with bright vitreous
luster. White streak. Alters readily on the
surface, becoming coated by brown goethite.
Practically infusible. Decomposes at a moderate
temperature, turning brown and becoming
magnetic.
Environment. Formed in environment of
continental waters with low oxygen content,
associated with clay and carbonaceous material.
SAMPLE OF
MARINE DEPOSIT
MINERALS
SAMPLE OF MARINE DEPOSIT MINERALS
Pyrite - FeS2
System. Isometric
Appearance. Striated, cubic,
octahedral or pyritohedral crystals,
sometimes occuring as “iron cross”
twins. Compact, granular aggregates.
Concretions, mammilated and
stalactitic nodules. Always fairly dark
yellow, sometimes with an iridescent
yellowish-brown film.
Physical properties. Hard (6-6.5), very
heavy, very fragile, with poor
cleavage. Opaque with very bright
metallic luster. Greenish-black streak.
Environment. Pyritized
concretionsformed by chemical
deposition under the water.
SAMPLE OF MARINE DEPOSIT MINERALS
Halite – NaCl
System. Isometric.
Appearance. Cubic crystals,
sometimes distorted with cavernous
faces, “hopper” crystals. Colorless to
white, yellow, red, brown, and even
black.
Physical properties. Soft (2.5), very
light, fragile with perfect cubic
cleavage. Transparent to translucent
with vitreous luster. White streak.
Environment. As a precipitate in
sedimentary deposit caused by the
evaporation of saline water. Often
interbedded with clay.
Fluorite - CaF2
System. Isometric.
Appearance. Cubes, octahedrons,
and dodecahedrons, other forms
rarer. May be large. Penetration twins
sometimes occur. Color extremely
variable (allochromatic), colorless
and completely transparent when
pure, but may be yellow, green, blue,
pink, purple, or even black. Campact,
banded and concretionary masses
are frequently found.
Physical properties. Semi hard (4),
heavy, fragile, perfect octahedral
cleavage. Transparent to translucent
with vitreous luster.
Environment. In sedimentary origin
probably by deposition in enclosed
basins from saline waters possibly
of volcanic origin.
SAMPLE OF
MARINE DEPOSIT
MINERALS
SAMPLE OF MARINE DEPOSIT MINERALS
Magnetite - Fe2+Fe3+2O4
System. Isometric
Appearance. Black, shiny, perfect
octahedrons or dodecahedrons with
striated faces . Iron-black, campact
and granular masses with bluish
iridecence.
Physical properties. Hard (5.5-6.5),
very heavy, no cleavage, but exhibits
octahedral parting. Opaque with
metallic luster. Black streak. Strongly
magnetic and sometimes act as a
natural magnet (Iodostone).
Environment. Large masses found in
sedimentary rocks (alluvial and
marine sands).
Hematite - Fe2O3
System. Hexagonal.
Appearance. Stubby, black, rhombohedral
crystals, often with individual crystal
arranged like the petals of rose. More
commonly in massive, granular masses,
compact, sometimens with iridescence
surface, soft and earthy. Often oolitic,
botryoidal or concretionary in
appearance. Often colors both rocks and
minerals shade of red and reddish brown.
Physical properties. Hard (5.5-6.5), very
heavy, fragile, no cleavage.
Opaque with metallic luster, blood red
tints in thin section. Streak dark-cherry
red.
Environment. Formed under sedimentray
conditions through diagenesis of
“limonite” retaining its concretionary and
oolitic foems.
SAMPLE OF
MARINE DEPOSIT
MINERALS
Ilmenite - FeTiO3
System. Hexagonal.
Appearance. Very flat, taabular,
black or dark brown,
rhombohedral crystals. Also in
compact or granular aggregates.
Physical properties. Hard (5-6),
heavy, no cleavage, but fairly
good pseudo-rhombohedral
fracture. Opaque, even in thin
section, with sub metallic luster.
Black to brownish red streak.
Environment. Large
concentration found in marine
sand.
SAMPLE OF
MARINE DEPOSIT
MINERALS
Limonite
Appearance. Generally occurs as
botyoidal, stalactitic, oolitic, or
pisolitic, colloform, earthy or porous
masses, or in the form of a crust,
yellowish broen when loose, blackish
and iridencence when more coherent.
Physical properties. Very varied,
depending on the constituent or the
type of aggregations. Frequently semi
hard (5-5.5), and fragile, disintegrates
easily. Transcullent with semi opaque
with vitreous to earthy luster. Palebrown streak.
Environment. Form in the littoral
zones of marine basins as a result of
the flocculation of iron hydroxides
caused by electrolytic or bacterial
action
SAMPLE OF
MARINE DEPOSIT
MINERALS
SAMPLE OF MARINE DEPOSIT MINERALS
Calcite - CaCO3
System. Hexagonal.
Appearance. Rhombohedral, scalenohedral
or prismatic crystals, often intergrown or
twinned. Variable color (colorless, white,
pink, green, yellow, etc.). Occurs in masses,
compact, microcrystalline (limestones),
saccharoidal (marbles), fibrous (alabasters),
concretionary (stalactites and stalagmites),
pulverulent, oolitic, etc.
Physical properties. Semi hard (3), light, with
perfect rhombohedral cleavage.
Transparet with vitreous or iridescent pearly
luster depending on direction, transculent or
opaque. White streak
Environment. Typical sedimentary mineral
formed by chemical precipitation through the
evaporation of solutions rich in calcium
bicarbonate or by extraction through the
action of marine organisms
Dolomite - CaMg(CO3)2
System. Hexagonal.
Appearance. Usually in colorless,
white, pink, or yellowish
rhombohedral crystals. Aggregates
of crystals with curved “saddle”
faces frequent. Compact,
saccharoidal, sometimes dolomite
masses.
Physical properties. Semi-hard (3.54), not very heavy, fragile, perfect
rhombohedral cleavage. Transparent
or translucent with vitreous or
sometimes pearly luster. White
streak.
Environment. Basic constituent of
sedimentary carbonate rocks formed
under diagenetic conditions by the
action of sea water on calcareous
mud or by organogenetic formation
SAMPLE OF
MARINE DEPOSIT
MINERALS
Aragonite - CaCO3
System. Orthorombic.
Appearance. Small, elongated,
prismatic crystals. Concretionary,
pisolitic, stalactitic, fibrous and
radiating, or corraloid masses.
Colorless, white, yellow, reddish, and
various other colors.
Physical properties. Semi-hard (3.54), heavy, fragile, indistinct prismatic
cleavage. Transparent or translucent
with vitreous luster. White streak.
Environment. Formed easily in
sedimentary environmet, under
metastable conditions, helped by
biological action
SAMPLE OF
MARINE DEPOSIT
MINERALS
Gypsum - CaSO4.2H2O
System. Monoclinic.
Appearance. Clear, tabular crystals
often in swallowtail or spearhead
twins. Transparent crystals and
cleavage fragments. Fibrous
aggregates of elongated satiny
crystals. Granular and compact,
waxy-looking masses, sometimes
banded. White, gray, yellowish or
brown.
Physical properties. Soft (2) and
light. Perfect cleavage into slightly
flexible but inelastic plates and
very find flakes. Transparent, with
vitreous or silky luster, often pearly
on cleavage faces.
Environment. A typical sedimentary
evaporite minerals, formed through
direct precipitation from saline
waters or through alteration of
anhydrite
SAMPLE OF
MARINE DEPOSIT
MINERALS
Biotite K(MgFe)3(Al,Fe)Si3O10(OH,F)2
System. Monoclinic.
Appearance. Rarely in tabular
pseudo-hexagonal crystals,
black, brown or dark green.
Commonly in small
disseminated plates or platy
aggregates.
Physical properties. Soft (2.5-3),
heavy, perfect basal cleavage
into small, flexible, elastic,
transparent or translucent,
brownish sheets, with very
pronounced vitreous luster.
Environment. Widespread as a
sedimentary mineral in sand
and sandstones
SAMPLE OF
MARINE DEPOSIT
MINERALS
Quartz - α-SiO2
System. Hexagonal.
Appearance. May occur in wellformed crystal, compact oand
concretionary masses,
microcrystalline to
cryptocrystalline. Colorless
when pure.
Physical properties. Very hard
(7), and light. No cleavage, but
good conchoidal fracture.
Transparent with translucent
with vitreous luster.
Environment. Stable in
sedimentary conditions either
as a detrital mineral or as a
cement in consolidated rocks
(sandstones)
SAMPLE OF
MARINE DEPOSIT
MINERALS