An Integrated Ichnological Perspective for Carbonate Diagenesis
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UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA AN INTEGRATED ICHNOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE FOR CARBONATE DIAGENESIS BY ARJUN DIPCHAND KESWANI A THESIS SUBMïI"ïED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH IN PARTLAL FULFTLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEP-NT OF GEOLOGY EDMONTON, ALBERTA SPRING, 1999 National Library Bibliothèque nationale I*m of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Otiawa ON K1A ON4 OnawaON K1AON4 Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, han, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in rnicroform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/fdm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format élecîronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts £i=omit Ni la thése ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. It is not possible to solve n pmblern within the same conscioz~snessthat prodrtced it. - ALBERT EINSTEIN The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscnpes, btït NI hmkg new eyes. - MARCEL PROUST Science is the knowledge of consequences, and dependence of one fact upon anothe,: - THOMAS HOBBES ABSTRACT An ichnologic-sedimentologicstudy of the subsurface Mississippian Midale Beds, in the Radville area, Saskatchewan, shows two distinct texturd facies associations in carbonate detritus: a muddy facies association and a bioclastic facies association. Trace fossil suites. typical of the Cruziam ichnofacies characterized these sedirnentary facies associations. respectively: (1) a distal Cmiana ichnocoenose, and (2) a proximal Cnrjmta ichnocoenose. Such physical and paleobiological data suggest deposition in a deep subtidal, quiescent outer-to-inner shelf marine environment, infiuenced episodically by high-energy stom regimes. These subtidal deposits showed an overall shallowing- upward trend, where regression culrninated in progradation of the sabkha. and in restricted intertidal paleoenvironments. To understand the nature of intrinsic paleobiological controls on diagenetic mechanisms, behaviounl dynamics manifested in both discrete trace fossils and indiscrete bioturbate textures have been rnodelled as equivalent genetic entities that influenced fabric evolution. This represents an extension of genetic principles inherent in the ichnofacies concept to indiscrete bioturbate textures, and an integnted ichnological perspective for modelling effects of bioturbation. Such genetic requirernents for indiscrete bioturbate textures prompted a review of previous classification schemes and applications. This review showed inconsistencies in use of terminology; and simple, descriptive, semiquantitative, and complex mathematical and cornputer-based rnodels lacked biologicall y-si pif kant cri teria as the basis of classification, which rendered the ichnofabric concept pnetically incongnious to the ichnofacies model. To rectify this incompatibility, a conceptuai model depicted an hierarchy for the equivalence of discrete acefossils in ichnofacies and indiscrete bioturbate textures in the genetic-spatiotemporal frarneworks proposed and restricted scales of applications to outcrop/drill core studies and to petrographic analysis, respectively. Integration of ichnological parameters facilitated construction of a cornprehensive model for texture genesis and diagenesis. The proposed mode1 consists of conceptual frarneworks for genetic and spatiotemporal relationships manifested in both the physical and mineralogicai characteristics of fabncs and textures. Correlations of unique and overlapped spatiotemporal dimensions on (1) paleobiologically-sedimentologically-,and on (2) diagenetically-significant scdes links genetic aspects of paleoecologicai-geochemical dynamics in textural evolution. DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my beloved parents, my rnother Meryl Hiett Keswani and to my late father, Dr. D.G. Keswani. 1 will be forever grateful to my parents for their foresight, hard work and sacrifices to bring our family to Canada, and to give me opportunities that 1 would not have enjoyed othenvise. The love, support, understanding and encouragement my parents bestowed, gave me the courage and confidence to take advantage of the opportunities Our wonderful adopted country offered. 1 would not be the man 1 am today without the contribution my parents have made to enrich my life. 1 salute my parents, for they are a part of every effort and success in my life. AI1 my love. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In modem scientific research, wr arduous joumey in the search for the mth requires opportunity, inspiration, time, and above all, passion. These eiements set the stage for ideas to be developed, where penonal philosophy and experiences influence considerably the nature of tmths denved in research. These truths form merely part of a continuum of ideas that have evoived through history. Therefore, 1 must pay homage to those who made my research possible, especially to my supervisor Dr. S. George Pemberton who had that special foresight to recognize the potential and passion in me, and to provide the opportunity and inspiration necessary. George is the only Professor of Geology who really undentands me and knows how to supervise me. George had the faith and patience in me to work toward the development of another genention of truths in the evoiutionary stages that constitute scientific research. George's unwavenng belief in me, and the freedom he gave me were instrumental factors in the successful pursuit of my passion for science. George believed in me, when few others did; even myself, at times. For George's faith and patience in me. and for the opportunity to punue my passion for research in paleoecology and paleontology, 1 will be etemally grateful. 1 thank George frorn the bonom of my heart for the priviiedge to work for him, and for the opportunity to conduct scientific research. Indeed, his supervision, guidance and financial support are deeply appreciated. 1 am in awe of George's breadth of knowledge on ichnology, papalntology, paleoecology, sedimentology, and marine biology and ecology. 1s it any wonder that George is such an inspirational figure to me? However, my admiration of George extends beyond the professional realm. I know the REAL George Pemberton, both outside and inside. My reflections on George's personal history leaves me astounded The obstacles he faced, and yet triumphed is tnily inspirational to me. I cm relate personally to much of what George has faced. At times, 1 see myself in the same shoes that George has walked His penonal tnurnphs gives me hope that hard work and perserverence in scientific endevours are worthwhile. Yet, the success George enjoys presentl y has not changed fundarnenta11 y, the decent, compassionate and down-to-earth man he has always ken. He will always be a "students'" professor. George's humility deserves equal recognition in defining the inspirational qudities of his persona1 attributes. These attributes, both personai and professional, has left one ovenll impression on my mind: 1 am a very lucky man because George has touched my life! 1 feei tmly honoured to be one of George's graduate students. A thesis is rarely the product of a gnduate student-supervisor relationship alone. It is a product of supportive contributions from colleagues, friends and family, also. My supponen include many fine graduate students both past and present in the Ichnology Research Group, and fnends at the Univenity of Alberta in Edmonton; Saskatchewan Energy and Mines, Saskoil and consultants in Regina, and my family. A number of fellow graduate students from the Ichnology Research Group have encounged me in my work through the past several years. 1express my deep appreciation to Dr. James MacEachem (Simon Fraser Univenity) for introducing me to the carbonates in the subsurface of Saskatchewan, and for his assistence in teaching me how to recognize biogenic sedimentary structures, and for core photography in early stages of research. I extend gratitude to Tom Saunders and Murray Gingras for sharing their passion and enthusiasm for research in marine ecology, biology and ichnology. Tom and Murray's passion and enthusiasm was both inspirational and very contagious! At times, these were the oniy motivations that kept me going. Also, 1 would like to thank other mernbers of the ichno- group, especially Dr. Mike Ranger, John Bourak, Howard Brekke, Dave Bechtel, Mke Gier, Indy Raychadhuri, Demian Robbins, Stephen Hubbard, Eric Hanson, and Jason Lavigne for their friendship, advice, help, and mostly for the laughs we shared over a nice cold beer! Furthemore, Dr. Mike Ranger is gratefully acknowledged for use of his AppleCore logging program. Specific chapten in my thesis benefitted from the input of many colleagues and associates. These individuals are gratefully acknowledged for their unique contributions. Chapter 2. Paul Blanchon and Inciraneel Raychadhuri are thanked for suggesting numerous improvements to the original manuscript. Ian Hunter and Howard Brekke are acknowledged