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Authigenesis

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Sedimentology

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Science ((EESS))

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Overview

Authigenesis refers to processes by which minerals form, in place, within sediments and sedimentary rocks. Such minerals are referred to as authigenic minerals. In contrast, detrital minerals are erosion products deposited in the depositional environment. Diagenesis refers to the physical and chemical changes that occur in sediments after they are deposited (or precipitated). All authigenic minerals form within this context. The formation of authigenic minerals is a result of the presence of unstable mineral grains, biological modification of the sediment, grain deformation and fracturing, flux of various fluids through the sediment, and changing burial conditions. The intrinsic value of most sediments is their ability to hold fluid such as water and hydrocarbons. From an economic viewpoint, authigenesis is important because it influences the porosity (void volume in the rock) and permeability of the rock (ability of the rock to transmit fluid).

Authigenic minerals can reveal...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA

    James R. Boles

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  1. James R. Boles
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© 1978 Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, Inc.

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Boles, J.R. (1978). Authigenesis. In: Sedimentology. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg . https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-31079-7_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-31079-7_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-87933-152-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-31079-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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