Abstract:
Pedogenic carbonates in paleosols are typically dominated by calcite, whereas dolomite is rare and often attributed to detrital inputs. This paper reports the pedogenic dolomite in the Late Permian paleosols of the Shichuanhe section, Shaanxi, with aims to elucidate its origin by using optical microscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and carbon and oxygen isotopes analyses methods. Pedogenic carbonates in paleosols were observed in white reticulate veins, concretions, and laminates. The white reticulate carbonates contain mainly ~49% dolomite and ~47% quartz, with trace calcite. The carbonate concretions are consisted of ~19% dolomite, ~40% calcite, and ~41% quartz, while the carbonate laminates comprise dominantly calcite (~93%) and trace quartz and dolomite. Dolomite of reticulate vein and concretion displays euhedral rhombohedra morphology and exhibit microcrystalline to micro‐sparry textures. Detrital quartz in these samples forms characteristic corona rims due to dissolution and precipitation of carbonates on the surfaces. Calcite in laminates occurs as pore‐filling materials cement between the paleosol matrixes and exhibits usually well‐crystallized rhombohedra morphology. Carbonate of reticulated has δ
13C of -6.07‰~-5.71‰ and and δ
18O of -5.85‰~-5.13‰. Concreted samples has δ
13C of -9.18‰ and δ
18O of -7.35‰. However, those of cemented veins in the concretions are much more depleted in light C and O, with a δ
13C of -11.39‰ and δ
18O of -8.29‰. The δ
13C and δ
18O of carbonate laminates are -6.08‰~ -6.34‰ and -11.79‰~ -11.60‰, respectively. Based on the textural, spatial, and isotopic composition, the dolomite in white reticulate veins and concretions precipitated in situ from pore-water solution of soil during pedogenesis, while laminated carbonate as well as the cemented veins in the concretions formed from groundwater during post‐pedogenesis to early diagenesis. Our findings unravel the formation of pedogenetic dolomite and provide a robust framework for reconstructing paleoclimate by using carbonate records.