沉积学报2025，Vol.43Issue(6)：1919-1934,16.DOI:10.14027/j.issn.1000-0550.2024.122
白云石成因中的"硫酸根之谜":回顾与展望
'Sulfate Enigma'in Dolomite Genesis:Review and Perspectives
摘要
Abstract
[Significance]The dolomite problem remains one of the most contentious and prominent issues in the field of sedimentology.Previous studies have demonstrated that the direct precipitation of ordered dolomite under low-temperature,inorganic conditions is challenging both in laboratory settings and modern natural sedimentary environ-ments.The formation of dolomite is a kinetically controlled process,and several crucial factors have been identified,including the hydration of Mg2+,presence of sulfate inhibitor,nucleation sites,and ordering of cations.The role of sulfate in the formation of dolomite has garnered considerable attention,yet it remains a subject of substantial debate.The hypothesis that sulfate inhibits the formation of dolomite has long been widely accepted by geologists,serving as an explanatory framework for determining the evolution of dolomite abundance and seawater properties throughout geological history.With the advancement of research,particularly in ongoing investigations into the formation mecha-nism of microbial dolomite,a contentious debate has arisen regarding the role of sulfate,as several scholars have ar-gued that the presence of sulfate does not inhibit low-temperature dolomite precipitation.The controversy regarding the role of sulfate arises from:(1)the large variation in SO42- concentration in modern natural sedimentary environ-ments where dolomite is precipitated;(2)the distinct roles of SO42- that vary under inorganic and organic,high-temperature and low-temperature conditions;and(3)the limitations of applying conceptual patterns derived from laboratory contexts with singular factors to complex sedimentary environments.The'sulfate enigma'remains an unre-solved issue in understanding the dolomite genesis.[Progress]Here,we present a systematic review of the diverse perspectives regarding the role of sulfate in dolomite formation from the past 60 years.First,we elaborate on the two prevailing perspectives regarding how SO42- inhabits dolomite formation.Subsequently,we assess the efficacy of SO42- as an inhibitor under various conditions and reinterpret its role within the microbial dolomite model.Finally,we sum-marize the role of sulfate in the laboratory synthesis of dolomite analogs while addressing existing challenges and limi-tations.[Conclusions and Prospects]The role of sulfate in dolomite formation is not simply inhibitory or promotive but highly dependent on environmental conditions(e.g.,temperature,concentration,and microbial activity).Future research should focus on the following aspects:(1)Re-evaluating the effectiveness of sulfate in inhibiting dolomite formation under low-temperature conditions;(2)Investigating whether microbial activity can override the inhibitory effect of sulfate;(3)Clarifying whether sulfate itself plays a role or whether its derived substances(e.g.,H2S)con-tribute to dolomite precipitation;(4)Based on a deeper understanding of the role of sulfate,uncovering the coupling relationship between the abundance of dolomite in geological history and the evolution of paleo-ocean properties(e.g.,sulfate concentration,redox state),thereby providing new theoretical support for resolving the"dolomite problem".关键词
白云岩问题/动力学障碍/硫酸根/抑制机理/促进机理/微生物白云石Key words
dolomite problem/kinetic barrier/sulfate/inhibiting mechanism/facilitating mechanism/microbial dolomite分类
天文与地球科学引用本文复制引用
LIANG ZiHeng,NING Meng,WEN HuaGuo,SHEN Bing..白云石成因中的"硫酸根之谜":回顾与展望[J].沉积学报,2025,43(6):1919-1934,16.基金项目
国家自然科学基金项目(42102136,42225304,42472156,42272133) （42102136,42225304,42472156,42272133）
四川省天然气成藏物质基础青年科技创新团队基金(2022JDTD0004)[National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.42102136,42225304,42472156,42272133 （2022JDTD0004）
Sichuan Provincial Youth Science&Technology Innovative Research Group Fund,No.2022JDTD0004] （）
