Petrographic analysis of Oligocene carbonates of Kachchh basin

Abstract

The Kachchh basin is located on the northwestern margin of India. The basin consists of a relatively continuous sequence of sediments from the Mesozoic, followed by the Deccan Traps and finally a complete sequence of the Cenozoic sediments. The Cenozoic sediments of Kachchh basin are mainly shallow marine deposits characterised by five formations viz. Matanomadh, Naredi, Harudi, Fulra Limestone and Maniyara Fort Formation. The Maniyara Fort Formation belongs to the Oligocene age. The field and petrographic characteristics of the Oligocene limestones from the Golay river section were studied in order to understand the depositional environment. The petrographic investigation of the carbonate rocks of three members of the Maniyara Fort Formation, namely Lumpy Clay Member, Coral Limestone Member and Bermoti Member provides important information for understanding the depositional facies and diagenetic signatures. The Lumpy Clay Member has shale-siltstones with interbedded limestones, characteristically composed of a significant proportion of detrital grains of quartz and some lithic fragments. The lithic fragments are sub-angular to rounded, which indicates substantial transport. They are also worn down and broken, bear small cracks which are filled by micritic matrix or mud. The presence of stylolitic seams within the limestone (though not significant) along with mud filling is also noticed. The dissolution is not prominent, pointing towards shallow burial of the sediments. Paucity of marine fossils as well as the rarity of foraminifera in the Lumpy Clay Member indicate a restricted to semi-restricted shallow marine environment. The limestones of the Coral Limestone Member are petrographically classified as packstone, wackestone and mudstone. Thus, the environment of deposition seems to have varied from restricted lagoonal to shallow marine environment. The Bermoti Member is characterised by a lens of claystone, which consists of both greyish to yellow coloured claystones interbedded with limestones. The Bermoti limestones are petrographically classified as packstone, wackestone and mudstone assemblage. The limestones were observed to be highly micritised, which indicates open, shallow marine settings. The Maniyara Fort Formation, thus characterised by wackestone-packstone-mudstone facies of carbonates, is interpreted to be part of a carbonate ramp system. The limestones from Maniyara Fort Formation exhibit signatures of marine as well as meteoric diagenesis.