Heap, MJ;
Baud, P;
Reuschle, T;
Meredith, PG;
(2014)
Stylolites in limestones: Barriers to fluid flow?
GEOLOGY
, 42
(1)
51 - 54.
10.1130/G34900.1.
![[thumbnail of Geology-2014-Heap-51-4.pdf]](https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/style/images/fileicons/application_pdf.png) Preview |
PDF
Geology-2014-Heap-51-4.pdf Download (937kB) |
Abstract
Stylolites—products of intergranular pressure-solution—are laterally extensive, planar features. They are a common strain localization feature in sedimentary rocks. Their potential impact on regional fluid flow has interested geoscientists for almost a century. Prevalent views are that they act as permeability barriers, although laboratory studies are extremely rare. Here we report on a systematic laboratory study of the influence of stylolites on permeability in limestone. Our data demonstrate that, contrary to conventional wisdom, the studied stylolites do not act as barriers to fluid flow. In detail, when a stylolite occurs perpendicular to the direction of flow, the permeability simply follows the same power law permeability-porosity trend as the stylolite-free material. We show, using a combination of high-resolution (4 µm) X-ray computed tomography, optical microscopy, and chemical analyses, that the stylolites of this study are not only perforated layers constructed from numerous discontinuous pressure solution seams, but comprise minerals of similar or lower density to the host rock. The stylolites are not continuous high-density layers. Our data affirm that stylolites may not impact regional fluid flow as much as previously anticipated.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Stylolites in limestones: Barriers to fluid flow? |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1130/G34900.1 |
| Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G34900.1 |
| Additional information: | © 2013 Geological Society of America. Gold Open Access: This paper is published under the terms of the CC-BY license. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Earth Sciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1431674 |
Loading...
Loading...Loading...Loading...Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
