In dolomitization, which model involves dolomitization by burial fluids in a stratigraphic layer?

• A. Evaporative
• B. Seepage Reflux
• C. Burial
• D. Seawater

Answer: (C)

Dolomitization happens when magnesium-rich fluids move through a carbonate rock and replace calcium with magnesium to form dolomite, a diagenetic process tied to fluid flow within the rock’s pore system. The burial model specifically describes fluids generated or redistributed during burial diagenesis that percolate through a stratigraphic layer at depth, causing in-situ replacement and dolomite formation as the rock remains buried. This fits the description of dolomitization by burial fluids within a stratigraphic sequence, since the key idea is deep, layered fluid movement during burial.

The other models describe surface or near-surface processes—evaporative brines in sabkha environments, seepage reflux of fluids moving along stratigraphic interfaces near the surface, or seawater-driven dolomitization not tied to deep burial in a stratigraphic layer—so they don’t match the scenario described as well.