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EaES 350-6

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CHAP 3.4 Sedimentary rocks

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Sedimentary rocks composed of sediment (derived by weathering process, eroded from weathering site, transported elsewhere & deposited as a loose aggregate of particles) . Sediments accumulate at earths surface contain evidence of past events, e.g environment of particles deposited, mechanisms involved in transported & fossils to study geologic past . Sedimentary rock important in economic

Formation Sedimentary rocks

Sedimentary rocks are formed of the overburden pressure as particles of sediment are deposited out of air, ice, wind, or water flows carrying the particles in suspension. As sediment deposition builds up, the overburden pressure squeezes the sediment into layered solids in a process known as lithification and the original connate fluids are expelled. Sedimentary rocks are laid down in layers called beds or strata. Each new layer is laid down horizontally over older ones in a process called superposition.

What is diagenesis?

any chemical, physical, or biological change undergone by a sediment after its initial deposition and during and after its lithification exclusive of surface alteration (weathering) and metamorphism

CHAP 3.4 - Lithification

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Lithification transforming sediment sedimentar y rocks, involved of compaction and/or cementation. Compaction : from weight of overlaying sediment reduce pore spaces & volume. Cementation : consists of chemically precipitated minerals in pore spaces that bind the particles. E.g calcium carbonate (CaCO3), silicon dioxide (SiO2).

COMPACTION
Compaction occurs as the weight of accumulating sediment forces the rock and mineral grains together. This reduces pore space and eliminates some of the contained water

From weight of overlaying sediment compresses the deeper sediments. Reduce pore spaces Reduce volume.

Cementation

Cementation is a result of water circulating through the pore spaces of a sediment. If that water carries in it dissolved substances that then precipitate out during circulation, those substances left behind in the sediments can act as cementing agents. Calcium carbonate is one of the most common cements because it is found abundantly in seawater.

CAHP 3.4 T ypes of sedimentary rocks

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Materials accumulating as sediment have 2 principle sources: 1. Detrital sedimentary rocks. 2. Chemical sedimentar y rocks.

Detrital rock: made up of solid particles from parent material by mechanical & chemical weathering. - All have clastic texture. - Particle size : primary basis to distinguish the rock & relate to energy of
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Figure 2: Lithification of detrital sediments.

SHALE

Consist of silt and clay,shale covers over half of sedimentary rocks Particles is the smallest among other type of DSR Deposition occurs as a result of gradual settling from nonturbulent conditions. e.g lake,lagoons Deposition occurred in an oxygen-poor environment like swamp,where organic materials do not oxidize

SANDSTONE

After shale,sandstone is most abundant sedimentary rock (20 %) Sorting is degree of similarity in particle size in a sedimentary rock Well sorted all grains in sandstone are about same size Poorly sorted rock contains mixed large and small particles Poor sorting usually result when particles are transported for a short time and distance and quickly deposited

Shapes of sandstone can also determine the history of sandstone If the transportation is long,the grains lose their sharp edges and become more rounded. Its because they collide with other grains often enough. If the transportation is short,the grains tend to be more angular Length of trasportation also influence its mineral composition Long trasportation caused gradual destruction of weaker minerals. e.g feldspar Usually quartz mineral survive the long trip.Thats because the mineral is very durable Quartz sandstone sandstone that have many quartz mineral Arkrose sandstone contain feldspar,quartz and mica - poorly sorted and angular

CONGLOMERATE OR BRECCIA

Large enough to be identified as rock types Poorly sorted because contain sand or mud between the grains If the large particles is angular rather than rounded, it is called Breccia Breccia indicate that they did not travel far before they were deposited Particles size reveal the strength of the currents that carried them Degree of rounding indicate how far the particles travelled

CAHP 3.4 Detrital sedimentary rocks Current: the stronger current , the larger particle size carried. - e.g gravel moved by swiftly flowing rivers, landslide & glaciers.
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Less energy to transport sand common feature as windblown dunes, river deposits & beaches. Silt & clay settle very slow associated with quite water such as lake, lagoon &

CHAP 3.4 Sediment transport & deposition Sorting refer to particle size distribution in sedimentary deposit . - Well sorted : all particle about in same size. - Poorly sor ted : wide range of particle size.
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Rounding process of abrasion that size particles & sharp corner. Sorting & rounding important aspect in decipher the history of a deposit .

Figure 1: Depositional environments.

FIG 5.18A - 130

Table 2: Environment of deposition for detrital rocks.

Conglomerates

Sandstone

Shale

CHAP 3.4 Chemical sedimentary rocks Chemical s.r. : Derive from material that is carried in solution does not remain dissolved in water, some is precipitate to form chemical sediments. Chemical processes responsible for the origin, as when minerals form from inorganic chemical reaction/chemical activities of organisms. Texture: crystalline (gypsum) & clastic

Limestone
10% of all sedimentary rock Most abundant Composed of calcite (CaCO3) Form by biochemical processes Varies type because form under variety of condition Having 3 types: skeletal limestone, oolitic limestone, microcrystalline limestone

Dolostone
Composed of the mineral dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2 calcium magnesium carbonate From by direct precipitation from seawater Brownish yellow or light gray Form from biochemical rocks Most is ancient rock React with acid only

Chert
Very compact and hard rock made of microcrystalline silica (SiO2) Hard, dense and typically break like glass Usually white or shades of gray, tan, green, or red Found in 2 situation- irregularly shape nodules in limestone or as rock layer Flint- dark colour Jasper- red cause of iron oxide

Evaporates
Rock form from evaporation of seawater or saline lake example gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) have crystalline texture

ORGANIC SEDIMENTARY ROCK

Decay of plants and animal. Accumulation and lithification of plants and animals (shell) Swamp region, sea.

Australia Great Barrier Reef

Limestone

Chalk

Siliceous rock

Composed of silicon dioxide, (SiO2). Chemical precipitates. Chert

Chert

Very fine-grained quartz. Jasper Agate

Chert

Jasper

Agate

Carbonaceous rock

Coal Fossil fuel Combustible Swamp ecosystem Exp: lignite

Form from the compaction of plant material that has not completely decayed is a fossil fuel made more-or-less entirely of organic matter which is not crystalline Compose by carbon and sulfur biochemical rock brown or black Light weight Larger source of fuel

Coal

Shale

CHEMICAL SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

Rock Type Carbonate Limestone Dolostone Composed of Calcite (CaCO3) Dolomite [CaMg(CO3)2] Texture Varies Varies Crystalline Crystalline Crystalline -

Evaporite Rock gypsum Gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) Halite (NaCl) Rock salt Cherts Coal Silica (SiO2 )
Carbon from altered land plants

CHAP 3.4 Sedimentary structures 1. Graded bedding: - show upward decrease in grain size. - form by turbidit y current deposition (underwater flow sediment / water with greater densit y than sediment). - current flow downslope reaches flat sea/lakefloor begins deposit large particle folloed by smaller ones.

Figure 3: Graded-bedding

CHAP 3.4 Sedimentary structures 2. Cross-bedding: - layers are arranged at an angle to the surface deposited. - found : sand dunes, along shorelines. - cross-bed are inclined downward same direction of current flow (wind/water).

Figure 4: Cross-bedding

CHAP 3.4 Sedimentary structures 3. Ripple-marks: - small wave of sand that develop on surface on sediment layer. - current ripple marks : - asymmetrical in cross section, gentle slope at one side & steep slope at other side. - current flowing in 1 direction. - wave-formed ripple marks: - symmetrical cross section. - generated by to-and-from motion of waves.

Figure 4: Ripple marks

CHAP 3.4 Sedimentary structures 4. Mud cracks: - form when clay rich sediment dries & shrink develop intersecting features. - indicate sediment deposited in environment where periodic drying took place, e.g river floodplain, near lakeshore & muddy deposits exposed along seacoast at low tide.

Figure 5: Mud cracks