Sandstone Explained

Sandstone
Type:Sedimentary
Composition:Typically quartz and feldspar; lithic fragments are also common. Other minerals may be found in particularly mature sandstone.

Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized (0.0625 to 2 mm) silicate grains, cemented together by another mineral. Sandstones comprise about 20 - 25% of all sedimentary rocks.[1]

Most sandstone is composed of quartz or feldspar, because they are the most resistant minerals to the weathering processes at the Earth's surface. Like uncemented sand, sandstone may be any color due to impurities within the minerals, but the most common colors are tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, pink, white, and black. Because sandstone beds can form highly visible cliffs and other topographic features, certain colors of sandstone have become strongly identified with certain regions, such as the red rock deserts of Arches National Park and other areas of the American Southwest.

Rock formations composed of sandstone usually allow the percolation of water and other fluids and are porous enough to store large quantities, making them valuable aquifers and petroleum reservoirs.[2] [3]

Quartz-bearing sandstone can be changed into quartzite through metamorphism, usually related to tectonic compression within orogenic belts.[4]

Origins

Sandstones are clastic in origin (as opposed to either organic, like chalk and coal, or chemical, like gypsum and jasper).[5] The silicate sand grains from which they form are the product of physical and chemical weathering of bedrock.[6] Weathering and erosion are most rapid in areas of high relief, such as volcanic arcs, areas of continental rifting, and orogenic belts.[7]

Eroded sand is transported by rivers or by the wind from its source areas to depositional environments where tectonics has created accommodation space for sediments to accumulate. Forearc basins tend to accumulate sand rich in lithic grains and plagioclase. Intracontinental basins and grabens along continental margins are also common environments for deposition of sand.[8]

As sediments continue to accumulate in the depositional environment, older sand is buried by younger sediments, and it undergoes diagenesis. This mostly consists of compaction and lithification of the sand.[9] [10] Early stages of diagenesis, described as eogenesis, take place at shallow depths (a few tens of meters) and are characterized by bioturbation and mineralogical changes in the sands, with only slight compaction.[11] The red hematite that gives red bed sandstones their color is likely formed during eogenesis.[12] [13] Deeper burial is accompanied by mesogenesis, during which most of the compaction and lithification takes place.[14]

Compaction takes place as the sand comes under increasing pressure from overlying sediments. Sediment grains move into more compact arrangements, ductile grains (such as mica grains) are deformed, and pore space is reduced. In addition to this physical compaction, chemical compaction may take place via pressure solution. Points of contact between grains are under the greatest strain, and the strained mineral is more soluble than the rest of the grain. As a result, the contact points are dissolved away, allowing the grains to come into closer contact.[10]

Lithification follows closely on compaction, as increased temperatures at depth hasten deposition of cement that binds the grains together. Pressure solution contributes to cementing, as the mineral dissolved from strained contact points is redeposited in the unstrained pore spaces.[10]

Mechanical compaction takes place primarily at depths less than 1000meters. Chemical compaction continues to depths of 2000meters, and most cementation takes place at depths of NaNmeters.[15]

Unroofing of buried sandstone is accompanied by telogenesis, the third and final stage of diagenesis.[11] As erosion reduces the depth of burial, renewed exposure to meteoric water produces additional changes to the sandstone, such as dissolution of some of the cement to produce secondary porosity.[10]

Components

Framework grains

Framework grains are sand-sized (0.0625to diameter) detrital fragments that make up the bulk of a sandstone.[16] [17] Most framework grains are composed of quartz or feldspar, which are the common minerals most resistant to weathering processes at the Earth's surface, as seen in the Goldich dissolution series.[18] Framework grains can be classified into several different categories based on their mineral composition:

Matrix

Matrix is very fine material, which is present within interstitial pore space between the framework grains.[1] The nature of the matrix within the interstitial pore space results in a twofold classification:

Cement

Cement is what binds the siliciclastic framework grains together. Cement is a secondary mineral that forms after deposition and during burial of the sandstone.[1] These cementing materials may be either silicate minerals or non-silicate minerals, such as calcite.[1]

Sandstone that becomes depleted of its cement binder through weathering gradually becomes friable and unstable. This process can be somewhat reversed by the application of tetraethyl orthosilicate (Si(OC2H5)4) which will deposit amorphous silicon dioxide between the sand grains.[21] The reaction is as follows.

Si(OC2H5)4 (l) + 2 H2O (l) → SiO2 (s) + 4 C2H5OH (g)

Pore space

Pore space includes the open spaces within a rock or a soil.[22] The pore space in a rock has a direct relationship to the porosity and permeability of the rock. The porosity and permeability are directly influenced by the way the sand grains are packed together.[1]

Types of sandstone

Sandstones are typically classified by point-counting a thin section using a method like the Gazzi-Dickinson Method. This yields the relative percentages of quartz, feldspar, and lithic grains and the amount of clay matrix. The composition of a sandstone can provide important information on the genesis of the sediments when used with a triangular Quartz, Feldspar, Lithic fragment (QFL diagrams). However, geologist have not been able to agree on a set of boundaries separating regions of the QFL triangle.[1]

Visual aids are diagrams that allow geologists to interpret different characteristics of a sandstone. For example, a QFL chart can be marked with a provenance model that shows the likely tectonic origin of sandstones with various compositions of framework grains. Likewise, the stage of textural maturity chart illustrates the different stages that a sandstone goes through as the degree of kinetic processing of the sediments increases.

Dott's classification scheme

Dott's (1964) sandstone classification scheme is one of many such schemes used by geologists for classifying sandstones. Dott's scheme is a modification of Gilbert's classification of silicate sandstones, and it incorporates R.L. Folk's dual textural and compositional maturity concepts into one classification system.[24] The philosophy behind combining Gilbert's and R. L. Folk's schemes is that it is better able to "portray the continuous nature of textural variation from mudstone to arenite and from stable to unstable grain composition".[24] Dott's classification scheme is based on the mineralogy of framework grains, and on the type of matrix present in between the framework grains.

In this specific classification scheme, Dott has set the boundary between arenite and wackes at 15% matrix. In addition, Dott also breaks up the different types of framework grains that can be present in a sandstone into three major categories: quartz, feldspar, and lithic grains.[1]

Quartzite

See main article: Quartzite. When sandstone is subjected to the great heat and pressure associated with regional metamorphism, the individual quartz grains recrystallize, along with the former cementing material, to form the metamorphic rock called quartzite. Most or all of the original texture and sedimentary structures of the sandstone are erased by the metamorphism.[25] The grains are so tightly interlocked that when the rock is broken, it fractures through the grains to form an irregular or conchoidal fracture.[26]

Geologists had recognized by 1941 that some rocks show the macroscopic characteristics of quartzite, even though they have not undergone metamorphism at high pressure and temperature. These rocks have been subject only to the much lower temperatures and pressures associated with diagenesis of sedimentary rock, but diagenesis has cemented the rock so thoroughly that microscopic examination is necessary to distinguish it from metamorphic quartzite. The term orthoquartzite is used to distinguish such sedimentary rock from metaquartzite produced by metamorphism. By extension, the term orthoquartzite has occasionally been more generally applied to any quartz-cemented quartz arenite. Orthoquartzite (in the narrow sense) is often 99% SiO2 with only very minor amounts of iron oxide and trace resistant minerals such as zircon, rutile and magnetite. Although few fossils are normally present, the original texture and sedimentary structures are preserved.[27] [28]

The typical distinction between a true orthoquartzite and an ordinary quartz sandstone is that an orthoquartzite is so highly cemented that it will fracture across grains, not around them.[29] This is a distinction that can be recognized in the field. In turn, the distinction between an orthoquartzite and a metaquartzite is the onset of recrystallization of existing grains. The dividing line may be placed at the point where strained quartz grains begin to be replaced by new, unstrained, small quartz grains, producing a mortar texture that can be identified in thin sections under a polarizing microscope. With increasing grade of metamorphism, further recrystallization produces foam texture, characterized by polygonal grains meeting at triple junctions, and then porphyroblastic texture, characterized by coarse, irregular grains, including some larger grains (porphyroblasts.)[26]

Uses

Sandstone has been used since prehistoric times for construction,[30] [31] decorative art works[32] and tools.[33] It has been widely employed around the world in constructing temples,[34] churches,[34] homes and other buildings, and in civil engineering.[35]

Although its resistance to weathering varies, sandstone is easy to work. That makes it a common building and paving material, including in asphalt concrete. However, some types that have been used in the past, such as the Collyhurst sandstone used in North West England, have had poor long-term weather resistance, necessitating repair and replacement in older buildings.[36] Because of the hardness of individual grains, uniformity of grain size and friability of their structure, some types of sandstone are excellent materials from which to make grindstones, for sharpening blades and other implements.[37] Non-friable sandstone can be used to make grindstones for grinding grain, e.g., gritstone.

A type of pure quartz sandstone, orthoquartzite, with more of 90–95 percent of quartz,[38] has been proposed for nomination to the Global Heritage Stone Resource.[39] In some regions of Argentina, the orthoquartzite-stoned facade is one of the main features of the Mar del Plata style bungalows.

Bibliography

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Book: Boggs . Sam . Principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy . 2006 . Pearson Prentice Hall . Upper Saddle River, N.J. . 0131547283 . 119–135 . 4th.
  2. Swanson . Susan K. . Bahr . Jean M. . Bradbury . Kenneth R. . Anderson . Kristin M. . Evidence for preferential flow through sandstone aquifers in Southern Wisconsin . Sedimentary Geology . February 2006 . 184 . 3–4 . 331–342 . 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.11.008. 2006SedG..184..331S .
  3. Book: Bjørlykke . Knut . Jahren . Jens . Petroleum Geoscience . Sandstones and Sandstone Reservoirs . 2010 . 113–140 . 10.1007/978-3-642-02332-3_4. 978-3-642-02331-6 .
  4. Web site: Quartzite. Powell. Darryl. Mineral Information Institute. 2009-09-09. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090302072709/http://www.mii.org/Minerals/photoquartzite.html. 2009-03-02.
  5. "A Basic Sedimentary Rock Classification", L.S. Fichter, Department of Geology/Environmental Science, James Madison University (JMU), Harrisonburg, Virginia, October 2000, JMU-sed-classif (accessed: March 2009): separates clastic, chemical & biochemical (organic).
  6. Book: Leeder . M. R. . Sedimentology and sedimentary basins : from turbulence to tectonics . 2011 . Wiley-Blackwell . Chichester, West Sussex, UK . 9781405177832 . 3–28 . 2nd.
  7. Book: Blatt . Harvey . Tracy . Robert J. . Petrology : igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. . 1996 . W.H. Freeman . New York . 0716724383 . 241–242, 258–260 . 2nd.
  8. Blatt and Tracy 1996, pp. 220-227
  9. Blatt and Tracy 1996, pp. 265-280
  10. Boggs 2006, pp. 147-154
  11. Choquette . P.W. . Pray . L.C. . Geologic Nomenclature and Classification of Porosity in Sedimentary Carbonates . AAPG Bulletin . 1970 . 54 . 10.1306/5D25C98B-16C1-11D7-8645000102C1865D.
  12. Walker . Theodore R. . Waugh . Brian . Grone . Anthony J. . Diagenesis in first-cycle desert alluvium of Cenozoic age, southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico . GSA Bulletin . 1 January 1978 . 89 . 1 . 19–32 . 10.1130/0016-7606(1978)89<19:DIFDAO>2.0.CO;2. 1978GSAB...89...19W .
  13. Boggs 2006, p. 148
  14. Boggs 2006, pp. 147-154
  15. Stone . W. Naylor . Siever . Naylor . Quantifying compaction, pressure solution and quartz cementation in moderately-and deeply-buried quartzose sandstones from the Greater Green River Basin, Wyoming . 1996 . Special Publications of SEPM. 2 October 2020.
  16. Book: Dorrik A. V. Stow. Sedimentary Rocks in the Field: A Colour Guide. 11 May 2012. 2005. Manson Publishing. 978-1-874545-69-9.
  17. Book: Francis John Pettijohn . Paul Edwin Potter . Raymond Siever . Sand and Sandstone . 11 May 2012 . 1987 . Springer . 978-0-387-96350-1.
  18. Book: Prothero & Schwab, Donald R. & Fred . Sedimentary Geology . 1996 . W. H. Freeman . 0-7167-2726-9. 24.
  19. Prothero, D. (2004). Sedimentary Geology. New York, NN: W.H. Freeman and Company
  20. Prothero, D. R. and Schwab, F., 1996, Sedimentary Geology, p. 460,
  21. Zárraga . Ramón . Alvarez-Gasca . Dolores E. . Cervantes . Jorge . Solvent effect on TEOS film formation in the sandstone consolidation process . Silicon Chemistry . 1 September 2002 . 1 . 5 . 397–402 . 10.1023/B:SILC.0000025602.64965.e7. 93736643 .
  22. Jackson, J. (1997). Glossary of Geology. Alexandria, VA: American Geological Institute
  23. Carozzi, A. (1993). Sedimentary petrography. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall
  24. Wacke, greywacke and matrix; what approach to immature sandstone classification?. Robert H. Dott. 1964 . 34. 3 . 625–32. 10.1306/74D71109-2B21-11D7-8648000102C1865D. SEPM Journal of Sedimentary Research.
  25. Book: Essentials of Geology . 3rd . Stephen . Marshak . 182.
  26. Howard . Jeffrey L. . The Quartzite Problem Revisited . The Journal of Geology . November 2005 . 113 . 6 . 707–713 . 10.1086/449328. 2005JG....113..707H . 128463511 .
  27. 10.1306/74D729F0-2B21-11D7-8648000102C1865D. Ireland, H. A.. 1974. Query: Orthoquartzite????. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology. 44. 1. 264–265.
  28. Book: Allaby . Michael . A dictionary of geology and earth sciences . 2013 . Oxford University Press . Oxford . 9780199653065 . Fourth.
  29. Book: Jackson . Julia A. . Glossary of geology. . 1997 . American Geological Institute . Alexandria, Virginia . 0922152349 . Fourth . 525.
  30. Book: Applegate . Alex . Zedeño . Nieves . Holocene Settlement of the Egyptian Sahara . Site E-92-8: A Late Prehistoric C-Group Component at Nabta Playa . 2001 . 529–533 . 10.1007/978-1-4615-0653-9_19. 978-1-4613-5178-8 .
  31. Web site: Royden . Mike . The Calderstones . Mike Royden . 2009-07-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20080725022240/http://www.btinternet.com/~m.royden/mrlhp/local/calders/calders.htm. 2008-07-25.
  32. Book: Bahn . Paul G. . The Cambridge illustrated history of prehistoric art . 1998 . New York . Cambridge, U.K. . 978-0521454735 . 84.
  33. Smith . Kevin N. . Vellanoweth . René L. . Sholts . Sabrina B. . Wärmländer . Sebastian K.T.S. . Residue analysis, use-wear patterns, and replicative studies indicate that sandstone tools were used as reamers when producing shell fishhooks on San Nicolas Island, California . Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports . August 2018 . 20 . 502–505 . 10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.05.011. 2018JArSR..20..502S . free .
  34. Saleh . Saleh A. . Helmi . Fatma M. . Kamal . Monir M. . E. El-Banna-a1 . Abdel-Fattah . Study and consolidation of sandstone: Temple of Karnak, Luxor, Egypt . Studies in Conservation . May 1992 . 37 . 2 . 93–104 . 10.1179/sic.1992.37.2.93.
  35. Grissom . Carol A. . Aloiz . Emily M. . Vicenzi . Edward P. . Livingston . Richard A. . Seneca sandstone: a heritage stone from the USA . Geological Society, London, Special Publications . 2020 . 486 . 1 . 163–176 . 10.1144/SP486.4. 2020GSLSP.486..163G . 134230768 .
  36. http://www.sci-eng.mmu.ac.uk/manchester_stone/images.asp?page1=2&vartype=building&id=&offset=0# Edensor, T. & Drew, I. Building stone in the City of Manchester: St Ann's Church
  37. Hannibal . Joseph T. . Berea sandstone: A heritage stone of international significance from Ohio, USA . Geological Society, London, Special Publications . 2020 . 486 . 1 . 177–204 . 10.1144/SP486-2019-33. 2020GSLSP.486..177H . 210265062 .
  38. Web site: Definition of orthoquartzite – mindat.org glossary. www.mindat.org. 2015-12-13.
  39. Web site: 'Piedra Mar del Plata': An Argentine orthoquartzite worthy of being considered as a 'Global Heritage Stone Resource'. 8 July 2014. 3 April 2015. Geological Society, London. Cravero. Fernanda . et al . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150409151134/http://www.segemar.gov.ar/bibliotecaintemin/LIBROSDIGITALES/GeologicalSocietyLondonSpecialPublications2014CraveroSP4079.pdf. 9 April 2015.