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Carbonate Platforms

This document discusses types of carbonate platforms based on a genetic approach. It describes three groups of carbonate producing biota - euphotic, oligophotic, and photo-independent - and how their distributions are controlled by light availability. The variability in carbonate platform depositional profiles is determined by a balance between sediment production, location of production, and hydraulic energy. Examples are given of different platform types including coral reef-dominated platforms with rigid margins, platforms dominated by microbially-bound sediments at the shelf-slope break, and platforms dominated by large skeletons in shallow waters producing an open shelf morphology.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
106 views6 pages

Carbonate Platforms

This document discusses types of carbonate platforms based on a genetic approach. It describes three groups of carbonate producing biota - euphotic, oligophotic, and photo-independent - and how their distributions are controlled by light availability. The variability in carbonate platform depositional profiles is determined by a balance between sediment production, location of production, and hydraulic energy. Examples are given of different platform types including coral reef-dominated platforms with rigid margins, platforms dominated by microbially-bound sediments at the shelf-slope break, and platforms dominated by large skeletons in shallow waters producing an open shelf morphology.
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Géologie Méditerranéenne

Types of carbonate platforms : a genetic approach


Luis Pomar

Citer ce document / Cite this document :

Pomar Luis. Types of carbonate platforms : a genetic approach. In: Géologie Méditerranéenne. Tome 28, numéro 1-2, 2001.
Anatomy of Carbonate Bodies / Anatomie des corps carbonates. International Meeting / Colloque international. Marseille, 9-12
mai 2001, France. pp. 139-143;

doi : https://doi.org/10.3406/geolm.2001.1706

https://www.persee.fr/doc/geolm_0397-2844_2001_num_28_1_1706

Fichier pdf généré le 18/09/2018


133

Géologie Méditerranéenne
Tome XXVIII, n° 1-2, 2001, pp. 139 - 143.

Types of carbonate platforms :


L. POMAR*
a genetic approach

INTRODUCTION CARBONATE PRODUCTION

Many terms exist in the literature to describe Carbonate production (sediment supply) mainly
carbonate platforms - from homoclinal ramps to rimmed depends on biological systems, and consequently on
shelves and a full spectrum of variations in between. intrabasinal conditions (nutrient availability,
Classification of carbonate platforms is not just a temperature, salinity, water energy, etc.). Location of
semantic or academic issue and it is clearly important to sediment input occurs throughout the shelf. In addition,
interpret accurately the seismic imaging of facies biological evolution has greatly affected carbonate
geometry and the potential of stratigraphie traps. production throughout the Phanerozoic. Sediment
Nevertheless, there are still several major uncertainties dispersal depends of the interaction between the type of
about the role of the controlling factors on the sediment (relative-density, size and shape of grains) and
development of the different depositional profiles and the hydraulic energy on the production loci, and it is
distribution of facies belts, and the distinction between frequently modified by biological processes (binding,
different types of carbonate platform may be baffling, etc) and even cementation. Accordingly,
problematic (WRIGHT & BURCHETTE, 1996). sediment sorting may reflect the size-range of local
Over geological time scales, the shelf can be viewed organisms rather than hydrodynamic conditions.
as a surface of dynamic equilibrium controlled by the Additionally, accommodation and carbonate-production
variables of relative sea-level changes, the rate and are inter-dependent factors in carbonates. Sea-floor
character of sediment input and rate of sediment bathymetry/physiography and relative sea level
transport. On siliciclastic shelves, base level for determine the area of the water-depth zones occupied by
sediment to accumulate (accommodation) tends to be the different types of carbonate-producing biota, and
the shelf equilibrium profile, which is a balance influences the net production of carbonate.
between sediment input and fluid power (SWIFT & Three groups of carbonate producing biota are
THORNE, 1991). In carbonates, the greater diversity of distinguished according to their dependence upon light.
depositional profiles and distribution of facies-belts 1) Euphotic biota refers to organisms (autotrophs and
reflect major differences in the genetic factors. Because mixotrophs) that need good light conditions and live in
hydraulic energy depends on oceanographic conditions shallow-water environments (the euphotic zone). This
on the shelf, the existing differences between carbonate zone may either be wave agitated or low energy
and terrigenous systems should relate to differences in (lagoons). 2) Oligophotic biota refers to organisms
sediment input. (autotrophs and mixotrophs) requiring poor light
conditions. They may either live in shaded shallow-
water zones or deeper on the shelf. On the shelf, this
zone is the "oligophotic zone" and it is characterized by
a decrease in light and temperature. The lower limit of
* Departament
BalearsE-07071de Ciències
Palma dedela Terra,
Mallorca,
Universitat
Spain.de lesEmail:
Illes this zone depends on the light-penetration coefficient in
seawater. 3) Photo-independent biota refers to
[email protected] _ heterotroph organisms that do not require light.
140

Although they may live in any environment, depending included most of the stromatoporoids, because it did not
of limiting factors as temperature, salinity or hydraulic affect the main reef-builders of the platform margin and
energy, they can either be abundant in the photic-or in slope.
the aphotic zones depending of food availability.
Sorting and dispersal of carbonates, however, can be Another different type of depositional profile can be
grasped in terms of the interaction between the size, seen in the upper Permian Capitan reef in New Mexico
shape and relative density of clasts, with the hydraulic and Texas, where the reef fades is composed of
energy. Thisrock
lithofacies: is particularly
textures andsignificant
structureswhen
are related
analyzing
to microbially-bound, marine-cemented calcareous
sponge, algal, bryozoan, framestone and bindstone, and
this interaction, whereas the amount of production was deposited at the shelf-slope break in water depths
influences the rock volume. ranging from 15 to 75 m, in a fair-weather- to sub-
storm-wave-base position (Tinker, 1998). In this
TYPES OF DEPOSITIONAL PROFILE example, although a rigid rim existed along the platform
margin, it was produced in the oligophotic zone and did
The variability of depositional profiles between not
shelfrestrict
as is characteristic
circulation and
of rimmed
wave action
shelves.on the adjacent
carbonate platforms can be considered as a balance
between the type of sediment produced, the locus of
sediment production and the hydraulic energy. Among A carbonate system dominated by up to gravel-sized
the panoply of possibilities, and for simplification skeletons in the euphotic zone is another possible
purposes,
them in wave-dominated
only some scenarios
seas. are considered and all of scenario to consider (Figure 1). These large skeletons
may have been produced by soft-substrate platform
dwellers, like the rudists, corals and stromatoporoids in
A first scenario to consider is the euphotic some Mesozoic platforms. Depending on the hydraulic
framework-building biota, like modern coral reefs. The regime, fine-to-coarse sand-grained bioclasts may be
framework produced by large-sized skeletons and shed off the platform building out a depositional slope
encrusting organisms will resist the wave action and, whereas gravel- (granule to cobble or even boulder)
consequently, a rigid buildup may develop in the sized skeletons will mostly remain on the platform top.
highest-wave energy zone up to sea level. Finer-grained An open-shelf flat-topped type of carbonate platform
sediments, if uncemented, will be shed-off the reef and will result from this scenario of sediment production
accumulate to form a depositional slope. Depending on and dispersion. Open shelves with steep margins having
inherited topography, type of biota and changes of sea grainy slopes with angles in excess of 10°, are common
level, the rim may produce a barrier along the shelf in the upper Cretaceous (ROSS & SKELTON, 1993).
margin and restrict circulation in the back-reef area and Examples of this type of open shelf can be seen in the
a lagoon may develop. A good example is the upper upper Cretaceous successions of Sardinia, the
Miocene Reef Complex of Mallorca, Spain (POMAR et Apennines and Apulia, Italy (CARANNANTE et al.,
al, 1996). 1997, 1999 ; LAVIANO et al., 1998).

The rigid rim at the platform margin, nevertheless, Another possible scenario to consider is a carbonate
can be produced either by organic skeleton-built system producing coarse-grained sediment deeper in the
framestone, by chemical/biochemical cementstone, or oligophotic zone, as could be the case with red algae
by both. Through the Phanerozoic, different types of and some larger foraminifera, particularly during the
frame-rimmed platforms are unlike modern reef-rimmed Tertiary. In this context, fine-grained skeletal
platforms and have developed as a result of the existing components produced in the shallow euphotic zone may
differences in both types of frame-producing processes aggrade until they reach the shelf-equilibrium profile,
(biotic and/or chemical) and production loci. The but they will be subsequently moved down-shelf and
Devonian carbonate platforms from Canning basin, offshore in response to storms and currents.
Western Australia, are mostly reef-rimmed platforms Nevertheless, gravel-sized skeletons produced in the
flanked by steep marginal slopes (PLAYFORD, 1980 ; deeper oligophotic zone will mostly accumulate in situ,
PLAYFORD et al, 1989 ; WARD, 1999). In this case, being only episodically moved by currents or during
whereas platform-building stromatoporoids and corals exceptional storms. In this scenario, the main locus of
seems to have been limited to shallow water, other reef- deposition will be located down-shelf, at a particular
builders extended into deeper water. This extended water as
form depth,
a result
in theofoligophotic
increased zone.
sedimentation
There, a slope
rate. Hie
will
depth range of frame-building organisms, together with
the strong early submarine cementation around the resulting depositional profile will be a distally-
platform margins and upper slopes, was very important steepened ramp, with the angle of the slope obviously
in developing and maintaining the high-relief margins depending of the sediment fabric and the storm/current
intensity and frequency (reworking processes).
and very that
extinction steepoccurred
reefal atslopes.
the end
Theof worldwide
the Frasnianmass
did The lower Tortonian (upper Miocene) ramp
not much affect the type of platform margin, although it cropping out on the southern sea cliffs of Menorca,
141

Spain (Pomar, in press), is a good example of a distally- organisms. They may live and be abundant in the
steepened ramp resulting from high rates of sediment shallow and wave-agitated photic zone or in the low-
production/accumulation in the oligophotic zone, energy aphotic zone depending of food supply. If the
forming large-scale rhodolithic-rudstone clinoforms. carbonate production occurs in the shallow-agitated
Nummulites, and other larger foraminifera, common in zone, reworking and downshelf shedding will produce a
the Eocene marginal shelves bordering Tethys, should depositional profile intermediate between open shelf
be related to a system dominated by coarse-grained and homoclinal ramp, depending on the dominant size
skeletal carbonate production in the oligophotic (or of skeletal components and the hydraulic regime. The
mesophotic) zone and a distally-steepened ramp profile Tierra Blanca Shelf in the Sacramento Mountains, New
can be expected. The lower Eocene El Garia Formation Mexico, is a good example, where thick-encrinite
in Tunisia (LOUCKS et al., 1996) is a good example. sedimentary prism with a definite slope break formed by
Larger Permo-Carboniferous fusuline foraminifera were passive deposition during a period of relative tectonic
bathymetrically sensitive and abundantly widespread in stability (AHR, 1989). If carbonate production occurs
shallow-marine carbonates. In the well-documented below the base of wave/current sweeping, the resulting
example of the Permian Upper San Andres Formation of product will be a mound that will aggrade until it
Last Chance Canyon, New Mexico (SONNENFELD & reaches the sweeping level and, at this level, flanks will
CROSS, 1993), depositional topography and time- start to prograde. Carbonate buildups of early
significant surfaces directly reveal a distally-steepened Mississippian (Tournaisian to Visean) age occur
type of ramp. worldwide as frameless, lime mud/cementstone mounds
with abundant primary cavities, resulting from in situ
Another possible scenario to consider is a carbonate mud/peloid production and multiple generations of
system dominated bv fine-grained carbonate production. submarine cement (AHR & STANTON, 1996). Not
Sediment produced in the shallow euphotic zone will be wishing to enter on the controversy about the origin of
easily shed downshelf but sediment produced in the the Waulsortian-type of mounds, die growth phases of
oligophotic or aphotic zone may remain mostly in place. the mounds in die Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico,
Notwithstanding, low-velocity currents may move fines can be approached by using the model of interaction
down into deeper water. The angle of repose of fine¬ between light penetration, type of carbonate production
grained sediment is veiy low and the resulting and hydrodynamic energy.
depositional profile of the mud-dominated system will
be an homoclinal ramp. And in fact, this is the common DISCUSSION
pattern in many ancient ramp successions, on which the
volume of carbonate sediment in the mid-ramp zone is Current difficulties in the study of carbonate
largely composed of mud and exceeds that in the inner platforms are the uncertainties in identification of the
ramp (BURCHETTE & WRIGHT, 1992). According to particular type of platform and its coeval distribution of
the hydraulic regime and energy-dissipation processes facies belts and the fact that more than one morpho-
on the wave-friction-dominated zone, coarse-grained sedimentary system can occur within a carbonate-rock
components may accumulate in shallow-water settings succession. Some of these difficulties also may result
as beach- or shoal-deposits. These characteristics are from defining the type of platform only from the facies
well documented in the late Jurassic carbonate ramp of array found from shore to basin. Notwithstanding these
the Iberian basin, NE Spain, by AURELL et al. (1998), problems, the genetic approach helps to identify the
as well as the Hungarian Muschelkalk (TÔRÔK, 1998) essential factors controlling depositional profiles and
and the Mississippian Caballero-Andrecito platform in facies distribution and helps to detect needs for
New Mexico, the last showing many similarities with improving models of carbonate platform development
others from Western Europe and Montana (AHR, 1989). and evolution. In any case, predictive efficiency of
conceptual models depends on the degree of
Heterotroph organisms that do not require light like comprehension of the genetic factors controlling
bryozoans, crinoids, brachiopods and sponges have been developmentof the
distribution of facies
different
belts.depositional profiles and
important carbonate producers through the Phanerozoic,
particularly during times of absence of frame-building
142

productio
grain-sizen deposition
grain-size production
amount of grain-size
production deposition
grain-size
leuphoticl [platform
production carbonate Slope
production
(slope oligophotic Shallow
basin
ccompetence
hydraulic
hydraulic
competence

ATTACHED PLATFORMS

ii
framestone
boulder
gravel
sand
silt
mud

sediment
removed
sediment
"in situ"
sediment
transferred
transferred
in situ

grain-size grain-size grain-size


production gratn-size
production deposition deposition
ms SgbF m, s J5. g, b, F
euphotic Shallow
ramp
competence
hydraallc
homoclinal Ramp
ram p slope
oligophotic
Deep
ramp

Figure 1 - The spectrum of deposition*! profiles and fades belts existing in carbonate platforms can be grasped, in addition to
antecedent topography and geotectonic context, by means of the interaction between the different types of sediment being produced
and the hydraulic energy acting on the diverse loci of production. Four examples are presented here : 1 - Euphotic framework-producing
biota will create rimmed shelves. 2 - Gravel-sized skeletons produced in the euphotic zone by soft-substrate platform dwellers will create a
flat-topped type of carbonate platform. 3 - Coarse-grained sediment produced deeper in the oligophotic zone will produce a distally-
steepened ramp. 4 - Predominantly mud-producing biota will give rise to a homoclinal ramp resulting from the low angle of repose of fine¬
grained sediments.
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D.A. (1998) - Carbonate production and offshore transport on a Late
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Mountains area, New Mexico. In : Controls on Carbonate Platfonn Society Special Publication, 149, 137-161.
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Advances in Lower Carboniferous Geology (STROGEN P., Tethyan margins. In : Cool-Water Carbonates (JAMES N.P. &
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Examples from central Mediterranean areas. Fades, 40, 1-24. Scientific Publications, 73-91.
LAVIANO A., GALLO MARESCA M. & TROPEANO M. (1998) SONNENFELD M.D. & CROSS TA. (1993) - Volumetric
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Cenomanian successions of the Western Murge (Apulia, Southern Andres Formation of Last Chance Canyon, Guadalupe Mountains,
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& ROUCHY J.M., Eds.), S. E. P. M. Concepts in Sedimentology and Reef Complexes, Napier Range, Canning Basin, Western Australia. In
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