Stable isotope geochemistry of magnesite from Holocene salt lake deposits,Taoudenni, Mali     

Florias Mees  Eddy Keppens 《Geological Journal》2013,48(6):620-627

Stable isotope data (δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C) were obtained for magnesite (MgCO₃) from Holocene salt lake deposits of the Taoudenni–Agorgott basin, Mali, in which it is the only carbonate mineral present. The deposits have a high glauberite content (Na₂Ca(SO₄)₂), representing a type of continental evaporite formation that is commonly magnesite‐bearing. Samples from seven different levels in a 5 m long sequence were analysed. δ¹⁸O_V‐PDB values are between +3.17 and +5.91‰, which is lower than might be expected for evaporitic environments, recording reduced ¹⁸O enrichment at high salinity. δ¹³C_V‐PDB values are between −1.32‰ and −4.79‰, showing an influence of carbon derived from the decomposition of organic matter rather than from exchange with atmospheric CO₂. Covariance between δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C is strong for the lower part of the sequence, recording coupled ¹⁸O and ¹³C enrichment as commonly observed for closed basins. Covariance is lacking for the upper part of the sequence, with only periodic massive magnesite deposition in a more shallow lake. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献