Paleosalinity and dolomitization of a Lower Paleozoic carbonate sequence, Somerset and Prince of Wales Islands, Arctic Canada

Abstract

Trace element study of Lower Paleozoic carbonate formations on Somerset and Prince of Wales Islands (Arctic Canada) suggests the following interpretation: (1) Na contents of the formations studied reflect the paleosalinities of their depositional and (or) early diagenetic environments; (2) K is not suitable as a paleosalinity indicator; (3) the post-Allen Bay limestones studied were probably originally (bio)chemical aragonitic muds associated with environments having hypersaline tendencies; (4) Sr distribution of penecontemporaneous – early diagenetic dolostones (Cape Storm, Somerset Island, Peel Sound Formations) suggests that they are replacements of aragonitic muds, frequently in hypersaline settings; (5) the late diagenetic dolostones (Lang River and Allen Bay Formations) are probably hyposaline replacements of CaCO 3 precursors deficient in high-Sr aragonite; aragonite may have undergone diagenetic transformation into calcite prior to dolomitization.