Lithofacies, diagenetic spectra and sedimentary cycles of messinian (Late Miocene) evaporites in SE Spain

Biological influences on modern sulfates: Textures and composition of gypsum deposits from Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico

“…The petrology of classical ancient gypsum deposits such as the Miocene and Permian successions has been systematically studied (i.e. Hardie et al, 1985;Spencer and Lowenstein, 1988;Michalzik, 1996) but reports describing textural and compositional characteristics of primary sulfates forming in modern environments are relatively scarce. The discovery of gypsum on Mars by the Mars Express Orbiter (Bibring et al, 2006) and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (Murchie et al, 2007) underscores the need to identify factors that influence gypsum morphology and mineral associations.…”

Lithofacies and water-body record of Messinian evaporites in Nijar Basin, SE Spain

“…Carbonates are present as discontinuous lines or faint thin layers between selenite crystals. No current-associated depositional features have been observed in this lithofacies (e.g., Schreiber et al, 1976;Michalzik, 1996).…”

“…At least three main subaqueous settings based on sedimentary structures/fabrics were established (Schreiber et al, 1976;Schreiber, 1989): (1) shallow-water high-energy zone with current activity (< 5 m) and ripple marls and desiccation features; (2) photic zone with cyanobacterial activity and without evident current activity (20 m); and (3) deep-water subphotic zone with gravity structures based on modern non-marine turbidites that require a minimum of 20-30 m to form. These criteria are widely used to determine water depth of gypsum deposits for Messinian and other ancient evaporites (Schreiber, 1989;Michalzik, 1996;Peryt, 1996;Babel, 2004Babel, , 2005, and are used here along with the data of modern gypsum analogues, marl deposits, basin configuration, and gypsum geochemistry to estimate water depth for each of the Nijar gypsum lithofacies.…”

Selenite facies in marine evaporites: a review

“…Several of these record evaporite units that have been studied in a number of papers, including: Montenat (1973); Dronkert (1976Dronkert ( , 1977Dronkert ( , 1985; Rouchy (1976Rouchy ( , 1982 Shearman (1977); Michalzik (1996); Rosell et al (1998); Play a et al (2000); and Fortuin & Krijgsman (2003). Some of the basins, the so-called inner basins, are located near the present Mediterranean coast, the: Sorbas, Carboneras, N ıjar, San Miguel de Salinas, and Palma de Mallorca basins.…”