Burial diagenesis of Cenozoic carbonate oozes, Leg 79.

Abstract

Cenozoic and Cretaceous sediment recovered from Leg 79 shows distinct diagenetic zonation independent of age and composition. Cementation follows from compaction and growth of interstitial calcite and clay. Textures and diagenetic featurs result from burial and changes in pore water chemistry arising from the proximity of Mesozoic salt deposits. Ooze changes to chalk at approximately 200m in normal sequences when diagenetic clay combines with calcite to form cement. Where sediment overlies salt, cementation occur at much shallower depths.-Author