ANALES DEL CENTRO DE CIENCIAS DEL MAR Y LIMNOLOGA SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS AND DIAGENESIS OF A CRETACEOUS REEF COMPLEX, EASTERN

MEXICO
Trabajo recibido el 28 de marzo de 1977 y aceptado para su publicacin el 13 de junio de 1977.
J. EDUARDO AGUAYO C.

Subdireccin de Tecnologa de Exploracin, Instituto Mexicano del Petrleo. Av. Cien Metros 152, Mxico 14, D. F.

RESUMEN
El complejo arrecifal de la Caliza El Abra se encuentra en la margen oriental de la plataforma cretcica Valles-San Luis Potosi, en el Este de Mxico. La edad de la formacin comprende desde el Albiano hasta el Turoniano, en base a un depsito de foraminferos planctnicos localizados en la zona de post-arrecife. Se reconocen dos ambientes sedimentarios mayores y cinco subambientes en las calizas de El Abra: 1) El arrecife, caracterizado por una gran diversidad de fauna y 2) El post-arrecife, constitudo por calizas micrticas ricas en mililidos y en estructuras estromatolticas. El complejo arrecifal contiene fbricas diagenticas que reflejan los ciclos repetidos, tanto de sumersin como de emersin de la plataforma cretcica. Se analizaron geoqumicamente diferentes constituyentes calcreos. Aquellos que forman el arrecife tienen valores menores a 2000 ppm de magnesio. Por otro lado, aquellos de la zona postarrecifal tienen un promedio mayor a 2 000 ppm del mismo elemento. Por lo tanto, se concluye que, por medio de litologa, estructuras sedimentarias primarias, palcontologa, fbricas diagenticas y diferencia en el contenido de magnesio, es posible descriminar los ambientes sedimentarios de la Formacin El Abra, asi como los procesos de diagnesis que afectaron al complejo arrecifal durante su formacin.

ABSTRACT
The reef complex El Abra Limestone is at the eastern margin of the Cretaceous Valles-San Luis Potosi platform in eastern Mexico. The age of this formation is from Albian to Turonian on the basis of a layer rich in planktonic foraminifera, located at the back-reef zone. Two major sedimentary environments and five sub-environments are present within the El Abra Limestone: 1) The rudistreef environment characterized by its great faunal diversity, and 2) The back-reef environment that contains micritic limestones rich in miliolids and stomatolitic structures. The reef complex contains diagenetic fabrics showing the repeated cycles of emersions and immersions of the Cretaceous platform. Several calcareous constituents were geochemically analized. In reef samples, the magnesium content averaged less than 2000 ppm. On the other hand, back-reef samples averaged more than 2000 ppm of the same element. Therefore, by means of lithology, primary sedimentary structures, paleontology, diagenetic fabrics and magnesium concentration, it is possible to discriminate El Abra sedimentary environments and the diagenetic processes which affected the reef complex during its formation.

INTRODUCCIN
The purpose of this paper is: 1) to establish the sedirnentary environments of the El Abra Li mestone reef complex at its type locality, 2) to establish the diagenetic fabrics in each environ ment, 3) to develop a diagenetic model of the area within more detailed facies may be considered in future work. Quarry exposures of the El Abra Limestone in East Mexico afford an excellent opportunity to examine a complete suite of platform facies which range from a shallow, protected lagoonfacies to near-back reef facies and reef facies in an interval of 7 to 8 kilometers, along a trend normal to the edge of the Cretaceous VallesSan Luis Potos Platform. The carbonate sequence is well-preserved and most of the skeletal and non-skeletal grains are not strongly altered. Hence, the lithology and the faunal distribution are clearly discernable in terms of their position within the reef complex. A study of this type should provide a better understanding of the influence of the diagenetic processes taking place at different rates in laterally adjacent sedimentary environments. Attention was devoted to mineralogical stabilities and textual properties. This type of study should also shed light on how various carbonate particles were affected by the processes of dissolution and neomorphism. Other processes, such as biologic disruption, internal erosion, and nontectonic fracturing were also considered. GEOLOGIC SETTING The type locality of the El Abra Limestone in the Sierra de El Abra is situated at El Abra Station along the National Railroad, about 9 kilometers east of Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosi State (Fig. 5) . The Sierra de El Abra is, an elongate carbonate complex on the easternmost side of the Sierra Madre Oriental (Fig. 1) It extends about 150 kilometers in the northeast-southwest direction, and about 7 to 15 kilometers from east to west. The Sierra de El Abra rises abruptly, rough1y 250 to 300 meters above the coastal plain in the east and some 100 to 150 meters above the rolling hill country in the west. It forms the eastern side of a Cretaceous platform known as the Valles-San Luis Potosi Platform (Carrillo, 1969 and 1971), which divides the Mesozoic Basin of Central Mexico to the west from the Tampico Embayment Region to the east. The Tampico Embayment Region is the zone of major negative gravity anomalies in the coastal province of eastcentral Mexico. It is bordered to the north by the Burgos Basin and by the Tamaulipas Arch, which includes the Sierra de San Carlos and Las Cruillas, and by the associated eastern San Jose de las Rusias homocline. This Embayment is bounded to the south by the uplifted pre-Mesozoic Teziutlan and Jalapa igneous massifs. The Embayment extends westward to the Sierra Madre Oriental and eastward to the Gulf of Mexico. The basement beneath the Tampico Embayment consists of a series of structural highs formed by a large chain of folded and faulted Paleozoic rocks, which extend across eastern Mexico from Tamaulipas to Yucatan. These features are part of the Yucatan Archipelago (Murray, 1961). STRATIGRAPHY The Cretaceous Valles-San Luis Potosi Platform consists of a sequence of marine rocks underlain by fluvial-marine Jurassic rocks and by igneous and metamorphic rocks of Paleozoic age. The stratigraphic sequence of the Platform. This sequence exhibits repetitive vertical patterns of facies distributions as a consequence of the discontinuous subsidence of the platform during deposition. The subsurface stratigraphic sequence has a thickness of about 1 800 meters (Carillo, 1971; Moya, personal communication). An average of approximately 50 meters is visible in quarry exposures in the study area. The El Abra Limestone is laterally adjacent to the "Tamabra" Limestone, a

transitional fore-reef to basinal deposit. The "Tamabra" interfingers with carbonate pelagic sediments of the Tamaulipas Superior Limestone to the east (Fig. 2) On the basis of lithologic and paleontologic attributes two members are recognized in the El Abra Limestone at the type locality. These are the El Abra and the Taninul Members (KeIlum, 1930; Muir, 1936; Bonet, 1952 and 1963). According to Kellum (1930) and Muir (1936), the El Abra Member is underlain by the Taninul Member. Bonet (1952; 1963) considers the members to be stratigraphic correlatives; the two members are therefore contemporaneous and represent only a lateral change of facies. The latter agrees with the observations made during this study.

Fig. 1. Reference map showing location of the studied area.

Fig. 2. Generalized stratigraphic column of the easternmost portion of the Valles-San Luis Potosi Platform in the Tampico Region.

The El Abra Member consists of light cream to gray interlayered mudstone and wackestone with wellstratified beds from 1 to 5 meters thick, all rich in miliolids ( Nummoloculina) and stromatolitic layers. Other benthonic organisms in subordinate numbers are: gastropods, pelecypods, ostracods, as well as several planispiral and hiserial benthonic microforaminifera. Collectively, the low faunal diversity, as well as the lithology and the sedimentary structures observed within the El Abra Member suggest that it was deposited in a back-reef environment. The Taninul Member, located along the eastern border of the Cretaceous platform, consists of a complex of rudist banks associated with mudstone, wackestone and packstone. Principal components of these banks are rudist shells, colonial and solitary corals, encrusting stromatoporoids, gastropods, pelecypods, and benthonic and planktonic foraminifera within the matrix. Rudists are quantitatively the most important group in the Taninul Member. No biostratigraphic zonation was attempted in this study and only those fauna reported from previous work will be mentioned. Bonet (1963) cited the following taxa from G. Boehm, E. Bse, and W. S. Adkins: Toucasia texana (Roemer), Eoradiolites aff., E. quadratus (Hill), E. cf. davisoni (Hill), Caprina (sphaerucaprina) occidentalis Conrad, Caprinula cf., C. anguis Roemer. Lamellibranchs include: Pecten cf., P. bonellensis Kuiller, Pecten sp., Lima waconensis Roemer, and Chondrodonta cf., C. munsoni Hill. Gastropods include: Tronchus, Cerithium, Turritela, Actaeonella and Nerinea; and brachiopods include: Kingena cf. wacoensis (Roemer).

Coogan (1973) reported the radiolitid rudist Radiolites abraensis Coogan, Sauvagesia texana (Roemer), Caprinuloidea multitubifera Palmer, other species of Caprinuloidea, and the new genus Mexicaprina. He also reported Pecten roemeri Hill and the stromatoporoid Parkeria sphaerica Carpenter. On the basis of the presence of Pecten roemeri, Kingena wacoensis and Chondronta cf. munsoni, Muir (1936) stated that the El Abra Limestone is Albian to lower Cenomanian. Bonet (1963) stated that the benthonic foraminifera Dictyoconus and Orbitolina are abundant in the Golden Lane, which is stratigraphically lower than the Sierra de El Abra. Coogan (1973) suggested that the El Abra Limestone is Cenomanian and probably early Cenomanian at the 'Taninul" quarry. He stated that the El Abra Limestone contains neither characteristic older middle Albian rudists nor foraminifera. Furthermore, the fauna of the El Abra Limestone is different from the late Albian fauna in south Texas, and the. fauna Pecten roemeri, Radiolites and Dicyclina are not known to appear in strata older than Cenomanian. During this investigation a thin, wavy, planktonic foraminifera-rich layer 1 to 10 cm thick, was found in the El Abra Member at outcrops within the back-reef environment, approximately at the middle of the measured stratigraphic sections: VI, VII and VIII (Figs. 10, 11, 12 and Plate 21-E, F). According to determinations by Dr. Emile A. Pessagno, Jr. and Mr. Kunio Kanamori (University of Texas at Dallas) , this horizon is late Turonian. They found the following planktonic foraminiferal assemblage: Heterohelix reussi (Cushman), Marginotruncana canaliculala (Reuss), M. helvetica (Bolli), M. Pseudolinneiana Pessagno, M. sigali (Reichel). These new data suggest that the upper two thirds of exposed section is late Turonian or younger. The uppermost surface of the Taninul Member has a karst appearance and is distinguished by several voids and collapse-breccias formed by leaching during episodes of exposure. Some of these voids are filled with rudist-limestone fragments surrounded by a planktonic foraminiferarich argillaceous matrix impregnated with asphalt (Plate 13-A, B) . According to Mr. Kunio Kanamori and Dr. Emile A. Pessagno, Jr. (ibid.), the argillaceous matrix contains fauna attributable to the early Campanian. The assemblage found is as follows: Heterohelix globulosa (Ehrenberg), Pseudotextularia elegans (Rzehak), Marginotruncana sp. cf. angusticarenata (Gandolfi), Globotruncana arca (Cushman), G. Bulloides (Vogler), G. fornicata (Plummer), G. lapparenti Brotzen, G. rosetta (Carsey), G. stuartiformis Dalbiez, G. ventricosa White, Rugoglobigerina sp. cf. tradinghousensis Pessagno. Along the easternmost side of the Sierra de El Abra at Taninul Station, the late Campanian "Tamuin" Member of the Mendez Shale dips to the east, according to Aguayo and Kanamori (1976), and rests disconformably on the Taninul Member of the El Abra Limestone. Limestone and marl of the early to late Campanian San Felipe Formation dip to the southwest (ibid.), in thrust fault contact with th e "Tamuin" Member. The Turonian Agua Nueva Formation does not crop out in the area under study although it has been reported to crop out, further to the north (Bonet, 1952). PREVIOUS WORK This paper concerns only the shelf-edge limestone facies of the El Abra Limestone in outcrops of the Sierra de El Abra at the type locality. Almost all previous work in this area has been lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic in nature (Kellum, 1930; Muir, 1936; Im1ay, 1944; Bonet, 1952 and 1963; Rose, 1963; Griffith et al., 1969; Carrillo, 1971; Coogan, 1973; and others). Prior to this study little attention has been given to diagenesis in this unit. Roehl (unpublished report) describes the diagenesis and porosity in relation to the migration of oil. Perkins (1970) recognized in the El Abra Limestone several subaerial and related features as evidence of continuous exposure-and resubmergence of the Cretaceous platform during the deposition of the reef complex. METHODS Field work included the measurement and description of eight stratigraphic sections in quarry

exposures. Systematic sampling was performed in selected localities considered to be representative of each specific bed, and in those areas containing obvious facies changes. A total of 650 polished slabs were prepared in order to observe large scale relationships. between sedmentary structures, lithology, and biota. The conventional petrographic microscope was used for the examination of textures, and for identification of the constituents in 380 uncovered thinsections. Following Friedman's (1959) method for calcitedolomite differentation, 40 thin sections were treated with alizarin red-s solution. A Nuclide Corporation Luminoscope model ELM-2A was used on 20 uncovered thin-sections to examine diagenetic textures as well as those fabrics invisible under ordinary white or polarized light. The operating conditions ranged above 16 kV, with discharge currents from 60 microamperes to 0.5 milliamperes. Using the JEOL-JSM-1 scanning electron mi'29 fresh1y fractured, micritic chips croscopel were magnified to 1000x and 3000x, in order to examine the textural variations and diagenetic alterations of samples. Prior to examination under the electron microscope the samples had been prepared by cementing then to aluminum mounting plugs, and then vacuum coating them, with gold-palladium (40:60) in order to insure that the surface of the limestone chips would have proper electrical contact with the plugs.

Fig. 3. Conceptual model of the reef complex: El Abra Limestone showing the distribution of the principal lithologic, paleontologic and diagenetic parameters and their relative frequency of occurrence in each subenvironment.

A thin-section was prepared for microprobe analysis in order to examine the trace element variations in the neomorphic fibrous calcite and the radiaxial and drusy calcite cements. The thinsection was polished and carbon-coated. The instrument used was an ARL probe, type EMX, with and accelerating voltage of 15 kV and a beam current of 0.1 microampere.

DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS Two major and distinctive sedimentary environments are recognized within the El Abra Limestone: 1) the reef environment and 2) the back-reef environment (Fig. 3). The first comprises two subenvironments: 1a) the foreslope reef zone and lb) the shelf-edge reef sone. The back-reef environment comprises three subenvironments: 2a) the nearback reef/lagoon zone, 2b) the tidalflat/lagoon zone and 2c) the lagoon zone. Environmental differentiation within the formation is based upon criteria derived from the study of modern carbonate platforms. Studies of recent carbonates during the last 15 years have led to the establishment of criteria for differentiating depositional environments and diagenetic effects which can reliably be used as analogs for ancient carbonate sequences. Depositional environments of a modern reef complex can be distinguished by their fauna, lithology, and primary sedimentary structures. In addition, lateral and vertical facies relationships and the diagenetic features were used to interpret the sedimentary environments of the El Abra Limestone reef complex and its diagenetic history using criteria given by Folk (1965), Dunham (1969), Bathurst (197la) and others. The environmental stratigraphy based upon individual beds is shown in the eight measured stratigraphic sections (Figs. 4 and 6-12). Two major diagenetic stages are distinguished: an early diagenetic stage, and a late diagenetic stage. Both stages are recognized on the basis of their diagenetic fabrics and diagenetic successions during the evolution of the reef complex. The early diagenetic stage is here defined by the physical and chemical changes occurring to the sediment during the transition from deposition to lithification at the sediment-water inter face or just below it. The early diagenetic stage includes constructional processes, resulting. from sedentary, frame-building organisms, addition of internal sedimentation and cementation. Destructional processes resulted from burrowers, borers, grazers, browsers and predators, and by mechanical breakdown. The late diagenetic stage is defined by the physical and chemical changes occurring to the sediment after lithification but before metamorphic changes. According to Schmidt (1965) late diagenesis is not influenced by the environment of deposition or by the physico-chemical conditions of the supernatant water. Late diagenesis may take place in the subsurface, in the subaerial or vadose zone, in the subaqueous or phreatic zone, or in surface exposures in which weathering is one the most important processes. FORE-SLOPE REEF ZONE The fore-slope reef zone is exposed along the foot hills of the easternmost part of the Sierra de El Abra at "Cementos Anahuac" quarry (Fig. 4), 9 kilometers northeast of the Taninul Station (Fig. 5). This zone is distinguished by its complex overlapping of lenses, layers and wedges of biomicritic lithofacies and scattered colonies of rudist bioherms 3 to 8 meters high. Some rudists are still in their growth position (Plate 1-B) , and are attached to the substrate by their conical lower valve by means of encrusting organisms such as red coralline algae and stromatoporoids, or by a combination of several generations of neomorphic fibrous calcite cement and intemal sediment which lithified the framework. Simultaneously, boring and burrowing organisms and mechanical breakdown caused by hydrodynamic forces partially destroyed the framework. Such processes formed numerous cavities which were subsequently filled with syngenetic cement and internal

sediment that protected the biologic framework from total destruction.

Fig. 5. Stratigraphic cross-section in quarry exposures of the reef complex: El Abra Limestone, showing the lithofacies arid the faunal distributions across (he Sierra de El Abra. Location: approximately 9 kilometers east of Ciudad-Valles, San Luis Potosi on Mexican Highway 70.

Fig. 5. Stratigraphic cross-section in quarry exposures of the reef complex: El Abra Limestone, showing the lithofacies and the faunal distributions across the Sierra de el Abra. Location: approximately 9 kilometers east of Cuidad/Valles, San Luis Potosi on Mexican Highway 70.

Sedimentary Facies-Description and Interpretation Three sedimentary facies are evident in the foreslope reef zone: 1) the reef-core facies, 2) the interreef facies and 3) the fore-slope facies. The reef-core facies consists of knoll-shaped to lensoidal rudist biolithites 3 to 8 meters high, and 10 to 25 meters in lateral extent. These are elongated parallel to the edge of the Cretaceous platform. The biolithite lenses are formed of small colonies of rudist attached to a calcarenitic substrate by means of neomorphic fibrous calcite cement and by encrusting organisms. These lenses are intercalated with layers of texturally angular and unsorted biomicrite and biomicrudite made up of broken rudists shells. Caprinid-rudists are the most important framework building contributors. Radiolitids are rare, and other organisms such as thin shelled ostracods and scattered benthonic and planktonic foraminifera are distributed sparsely throughout the micrite and pelmicrite internal sediment (Plate. 2-A, B). The inter-reef facies consists of overlapping layers and wedges of texturally angular and unsorted packed rudist biomicrite (Fig. 4), indicating the lack of permanent water agitation and transportation. These lithic bodies vary from a few centimeters to 2 meters in thickness, and from 1 meter to 25 meters in lateral extent. In this protected zone whole gastropod and pelecypod shells appear frequently than in the reefcore, although caprinid shell fragments predominate. The fore-slope facies consists of a complex overlapping of layers and wedges ranging from a few centimeters to 3 meters in thickness, and from 5 to 30 meters or more in lateral extent (Fig. 4). Lithologically they consists of: 1) texturally angular, unsorted mollusk biomicrudite and biomicrite; 2) angular, moderately-sorted mollusk biomicrudite and biomicrite, in successive order from bottom. to top. The layers at the bottom consist predominantly of autochthonous, reefal broken shells overlain by the layers with a more diverse allochthonous, fauna.

Diagenetic Description and Interpretation The occurence of the different diagenetic fabrics does not show a systematic pattern within the rudist reef complex. This fact is attributable to differences in the distribution of biogenic communities, and in the size, arrangement, and composition of the calcareous constituents. During the reef-growth period and early submarine cementation of fibrous calcite and various sequences of micritic rind in voids and cavities were significant, as well as the internal sediment composed of micrite, pelmicrite, and biomicrite which simultaneously filled primary voids. This sequence usually occurred in the following manner: a) the rudist shells were initially bounded by micritic alteration rind (Plate 1-E), probably generated by encrusting algae which bored into the substrate (Plate 2-D). After decay of the algal tissue, the algal borings presented microenvironments in which micritic rind could form, thus filling the voids and resulting in the formation of a cryptocrystalline rind, as suggested by Bathurst (1966), Schroeder and Ginsburg (1971), Schroeder (1972), Lloyd (1971), and Alexanderson (1972). Crusts of neomorphic fibrous calcite cement succeeded and resulted in concentrically bound shells and vug linings. The fibrous crystals, grew normal to the substrate (Plate I-D, E). c) Both types of constituents alternated until the central portions of the cavities were finally filled, thus interfering with other rim cements precipitating concentrically and in opposite directions around neighboring grains (Plate 1-F). Other combinations are, observed in some voids between the micritic rind, the fibrous cement and the fine-grained internal sediment. These alternated successively until the voids and cavities were filled (Plate 2-A). The surfaces of some fibrous crystals were truncated and bored, forming either flat tops (Plate 2-C, D, E), or embayraents (Plate 2-F). The fibrous crystals suffered several interruptions during the growing stage within this micro-environment, as are evident under cathodoluminiscence (Plate 3-A, B, C, D) . Six fairly prominent altered zones are characterized by their darker parallel bands due to lack of luminescence, while the lighter zones show an orange luminescence, and are interpreted to represent normal growing stages. The interruptions of cementation may have been caused by temporal changes in water chemistry or bioturbation, which micritized and bored the substrate. Also, evidence of interruptions during the deposition of the finegrained internal sediment were recorded. Several erosional disconformities and bioturbation cut across fibrous cement and internal sediment layers (Plate 1-C). These observational facts indicate that discontinuous cementation and internal sedimentation occurred within the biologic framework during the reef-growth period. In a later stage of diagenesis, the remaining voids were filled with drusy and blocky sparry calcite cement forming geopetal fabrics. In addition, calcite veins indiscriminately crossed mollusk shells, fibrous cements, finegrained internal sediments and blocky calcite cements (Plate 1-C) .

Environment of Lithification The processes of cementation in modern and ancient reef rocks are well documented and established (Ginsburg, et al., 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973; Land and Goreau, 1970; Shinn, 1971; Schroeder, 1972b; Krebs, 1972; and others). Fibrous cements in modern, shallow marine environments are precipitated as aragonite. Because those described in the El Abra fore-slope reef zone have similar fabrics, it is possible that its original fibrous cement was also aragonite and then converted to neomorphic fibrous calcite in a later stage of diagenesis. The internal sediment contains planktonic and benthonic microfossi1s. The absence of caliche, bored surfaces, vadose sediment, or other subaerially formed or related features, all constitute evidence for submarine mechanical deposition and for the chemical precipitation of carbonate cements alternating with the growth of organisms in this facies.

SHELF-EDGE REEF ZONE The shelf-edge reef zone is exposed at the "Taninul" quarry, on the easternmost side of the Sierra de El Abra (Fig. 5), adjacent to the Taninul Station, 14 kilometers east of Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potos. Sedimentary Facies-Description and Interpretation The sedimentary environments in the shelfedge reef zone were influenced by the tectonic setting which controlled the rate of submergence and emergence of the Cretaceous platform. This resulted in the formation of a complex biologic framework composed of frame-builders and repeated cycles of internal sedimentation, cementation, bioturbation and leaching. The biota was zoned ecologically within the frarnework due to local changes in the sedimentary environment during a submergent stage. Four prominant sedimentary facies can be recognized in the shelf-edge reef zone on the basis of their biofacies, lithofacies, and stratigraphic position. From bottom to top these are: 1) monopleuridrequieniid-coral biolithite facies, 2) monopleurid-caprinid-requieniid biolithite facies, 3) caprinidradiolitid biolithite facies, and 4) the shelf-margin calcarenite facies. Two additional facies, interlayered within the above facies, are composed of unsorted rudist biomicrudite and biomicrite of the inter-reef and fore-reef facies (Plate 5-A). These facies form a very complex overlapping of banks, reef-cores, lenses, layers, and wedges. They vary from a few centimeters to several meters in thickness and lateral extent. 1) the monopleurid-requieniid coral biolithite facies consists of small colonies of rudists and corals occurring in lenses 1 to 2 meters high and 8 to 30 meters in length. Layers and wedges of unsorted, commutated, mollusk-rich biomicrudite, coraline algae, echinoid fragments, encrusting stromatoporoids, and other miscellaneous organisms are also present (Fig. 6; Plates 6 and 7-A). Monopleurid rudists are abundant within this facies. Some shells still remain attached to the calcarenitic substrate and in growth position (Plate 6-A). Requiend shells are locally abundant although, like colonial corals composed of Cladophyllia, they are subordinant components of the biostromes (Plate 6-B, E). Gastropods and pelecypods are also locally abundant. Encrusting organisms and calcite cement played an important role in the lithification of these biostromes. The most abundant encrusting forms are coralline algae, stromatoporoids while bryozoans are rare. Thin-shelled ostracods and other benthonic: organisms are present with the micrite and biomicrite interna] sediment deposited in the numerous cavities of the framework. Hence, the monopleuridrequieniid-coral biolithite facies is interpreted to represent a protected shallow-water marine environment of deposition.

Fig. 6. Measured stratigraphic section II at "Taninul" quarry, showing the distribution patterns of the main lithofacies and biofacies forming the reecore, the fore-slope reef, and the shelf-margin calcarenite facies. Location: approximately 14 kilometers east of Ciudad-Valles, on railroad adjacent to the Taninul Station. 2) A transition zone is represented by the biocoenosis consisting of the monopleurid-caprinidrequieniid biolithite facies (Fig. 6) in which colonial corals have been replaced by isolated caprinid rudists. This facies consists of lenses of small rudist colonies. Monepleurids and caprinids are the most prominent rudists withing biostromes that are 1 to 3 meters high and about 10 meters or more in lateral extent. Sofitary corals, gastropods and pelecypods are locally abundant. Also, encrusting red coralline algae and stromatoporoids are present, either attached to rudist shells or as detrital sediments. These form part of the calciruditic inter-reef and forereef layers. Other organisms such as ostracods and biserial and uniserial microforaminifera are cornmon within the biomicritic and pelmicritic internal, cavity-filling sediments. In this facies, monopleurids dominate over the other groups. The disappearance of colonial corals can be explained by the competition between corals and rudists in this habitat, and/or the physical changes occurring in the environment in favor of the rudist group. All these observational facts suggest a protected and shallow marine environment of deposition. 3) The caprinid-radiolitid biolithite facies overlies the other two previously-described facies. It consists of biostromes of colonial caprinids and scattered radiolitids (Fig. 6). Some caprinid shells remain in their growth positions (Plate 5-B, C). Monopleurids, when present at all, are reworked. Gastropods and pelecypods are common. An abundance of encrusting forms such as coralline algae and stromatoporoids, combined with several generations of fibrous cements alternating with internal micrite sediments containing planktonic: and benthonic microfossi1s suggest an overlapping of unprotected and protected, shallow, normal marine environments. 4) The shelf-margin calcarenite facies consists of biosparite, biosparrudite, and poorly washed intraclastic biosparite (Fig. 6). Bedding is well-developed, and low angle cross-bedding is present mainly in those biosparites that are texturally well-sorted and rounded at the top of the stratigraphic

section (Plate 5-B) . This facies contains essentially the same organisms as the blostromes from which they were derived. In addition, reworked stromatoporoids ( Parkeria sp.) are also present in some layers (Plate 5-F) . The beds are laterally discontinuous along the shelf edge and vary from a few centimeters to 4 meters in thickness. Diagenetic Description and Interpretation The occurrence of the several overlapping diagenetic fabrics and, biologic communities in the reef zone reflects the complex relationship between "short periods of organically controlled growth in shallow water alternating with brief periods, of subaerial exposures and early diagenesis" (Perkins, 1970). Different diagenetic processes occurred simultaneously at different sites of a calcareous constituent. This is due to differences in the microenvironment; parts of the surfaces were bounded by algae and other organisms, and others were encrusting-free surfaces. Ginsburg et al. (1971) and Schroeder (1972 a, b) related cement differences to the substrate of a given specimen, concluding that variations in the substrate were a mechanism for micro-environmental change. In the shelf-edge reef zone of the El Abra Limestone the diagenetic sequence usually occurred in the following manner: a) one of the first vestiges of an early submarine cementation was that of encrusting organisms binding rudist shells and other biotic constituents (Plate 9-D). The borings presented micro-environments in which micritic alteration rind form around the skeletal particles. b) Crusts of fibrous calcite cement, and micritic rind succeeded, partially filling primary voids and cavities. c) The crusts of fibrous calcite cement lining voids were partially leached or replaced by radiaxial fibrous calcite by dissolution of aragonite with precipitation of calcite. d) A clear drusy calcite cement then grew with the same curved cleavage of the substrate (Plate 3-E; 7D, E; 12-A, B, C). e) The remaining voids were filled with vadose silt and with bocky sparry calcite cement forming geopetal fabrics (Plate 7-C). f) During later periods of submergence, encrusting organisms interrupted the process of vadose and phreatic sedimentation and cementation. Once again, marine cementation and internal sedimentation lithified the framework temporarily until the action of burrowers, borers, predators, mechanical breakdown, internal erosion, nontectonic fracturing and leaching acted as natural destroyers of the biologic framework. Final preservation of the skeletal frame resulted from the complex dynamic interplay between several combinations of processes and cycles such as constructional or depositional processes, and destructional or erosional processes. g) Later intense and permanent wave action swept the surface sediments, continuously reworking and sorting them to form the shelf margin calcarenite facies, generally composed of biosparite, with well developed bedding and low angle cross-bedding. h) In the final emergence of the platform during later periods of exposure, the limestones were extensively and nonselectively dissolved, creating karst topography, and the remaining voids were partially filled with vadose sediment, collapse breccias, and by drusy and blocky, sparry calcite cements. Three calcite cements were examined microscopically under cathodoluminescence (Plate 3-E, F) : 1) the neomorphic fibrous calcite cement, 2) the radiaxial fibrous calcite cement and 3) the drusy micrestalactitic calcite cement. The neomorphic fibrous calcite cement shows as orange luminiscence; on the other hand, the radiaxial fibrous calcite cement does not luminesce. The latter was described by Bathurst (1959, 1971) as being characterized by curved, twin lamellae with optic axes that converge in the same direction. Also, the drusy microstalactitic calcite cement does not luminesce. Sippel and Glover (1965) and Meyers (1974), stated that the orange cathodo-luminescence of calcite is due to the presence of divalent manganese lons within the calcite lattice. The absence of luminescence in calcite crystals in thought to be due to an enrichment, commonly in ron, in the lattice, or simply absence of manganese. Therefore, the three calcite fabrics were examined with the electronmicroprobe (Plate 4) in order to document the distribution pattems of manganese, ron and strontium. All three cements are poorly enriched in manganese and ron. Hence, neither the type of

activator ion responsible for producing orange luminescence in the neomorphic fibrous calcite cement, nor the ions for inhibiting luminescence in other calcite crystals were evident in this study. However, strontium is always distributed quite uniform1y in all three calcite mosaics. According to, Bathurst (1971), the strontium content in limestones decreases during diagenesis to common values which range from 160 to 380 ppm; similar concentrations were found for the several carbonate constituents analyzed here from different environments (Fig. 13). NEAR-BACK REEF/LAGOON ZONE The near-back reef/lagoon zone is represented by the stratigraphic sections III and IV (Figs. 7, 8), 12.5 and 11.5 kilometers east, respectively, of Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potos, on Mexican Highway 70. Sedimentary Facies-Description and Interpretation The near-back reef/lagoon zone is composed of a wide range of texturally angular and unsorted calcarenite and calcirudite derived from the peripheral reef-flat area and thrown back by ware action and during storms. These are interlayered and laterally interfingered with the lagoonal sediments composed of pelmicrite, micrite, and stromatolitic layers. The various sedimentary accumulations were controlled by normal tide levels and by storm washovers or by storm tides. Three tidal zones are distinguished on the basis of sediment type, faunal content, and sedimentary structures: 1) subtidal zonesediments deposited below low tide; 2) intertidal zone-sediments deposited between normal low and normal high tide; 3) supratidal zonese-diments deposited above normal high tide but within the range of spring and storm tides.

Fig. 7. Measured stratigraphic section III, showing the lithology, the primary sedimentary structures, the biota and the environments of deposition in the near-back reef/lagoon zone. Location: aproximately 12.5 kilometerseast of Ciudad-Valles. San Luis Potosi on Mexican Highway 70.

Fig.8. Measured stratigraphic section IV, showing the lithology, the primary sedimentary structures, the biota and the enviroments of deposition in near-back-reef/lagoon zone. Location: approximately 11.5 kilometers east of Ciudad-Valles, San Luis Potosi on Mexican Highway 70. The rocks in the subtidal zone are composed of interbedded massive, dark and light gray biomicrite and pelmicrite with nodular aspect attributable to burrowing. Most of the burrows are horizontally oriented, roughly parallel to bedding. Burrowers destroyed the primary laminations. The biomicrite includes abundant miliolids (Nummoloculina), scarce ostracods, and planispiral and biserial microfossi1s (Plate 14-F). The intertidal zone includes interbedded and wedged light to cream biomicrite, pelmicrite, and intramicrite with a wide range of texturcs depending on local conditions of bioturbation and flow regime. Elsewhere, primary laminations generally are lacking due to burrowing organisms. The most noticeable structures are root hairlike structures similar to those described by Shinn et al. (1969) from the modern tidal-flat of Andros Island, Bahamas. Weathered intraclasts, as weIl as reworked rudist shells, red coralline algae, bryozoans, echinoids and corals, are found interlayered within the lagoonal sediments. These were probably deposited during washover stages of by action of storm tides. The indigenous fauna consist of requieniids forming banks, gastropods such as Nerinea (Plate 15-D), scattered pelecypods, miliolids, ostracods, and other benthonic microfossils. Stromatolites and pelmicrite are interlayered in the upper intertidal zone. The stratigraphic sequence in the supratidal zone includes a wide textural range of intramicrite and biomicrite, commonly associated with weathered intraclasts, and weathered surfaces (Plates 14-B, 15-A, C). The lightcolored biosparitic layers, probably of storm origin, alternate with dark-colored micrite, which could have been deposited originally in shallow and stagnate water. Such dark color

may be the- result of the presence of organic matter causing reducing conditions in local subenvironments. The fauna is restricted to scattered, gastropod and pelecypod shells, weathered and reworked rudist shells, corals, red-coralline algae, and stromatolites of probable blue-green algal origin. Diagenetic Description and Interpretation Most of the processes that acted during diagenesis in the near-back reef /lagoon zone accomplished the following four operations: bioturbation, dissolution, internal sedimentation, and cementation. They either alternated or acted simultaneously during and after the deposition of the stratigraphic sequence. Bioturbation by burrowers was the first mechanism to destroy primary laminations; lime mud was expelled by the organisms and then removed by local currents. The burrows acted as sediment traps; therefore, they were filled with finer particles than those in the surrounding matrix. Birdseye voids occurring between algal laminations also served as sediment traps. Calcareous constituents such as miliolids, pellets, and intraclasts were held by the filamentous framework while the remaining interparticle porosity was fully cemented. The cavities in both cases were first filled with fine-grained internal sediment and later with drusy and blocky sparry calcite cement (Plate 16-A, B). Biological erosion by borers including plantroots and some mollusks are commonly observed. Plantroots penetrated into the cemented substrate and into partially lithified sediments. The resulting bores were filled with the overlying sediment after decay of the organic matter, and those which remained empty were lined with drusy sparry calcite cement and later filled with asphalt (Plate 14B). During short periods of subaerial exposure, fresh water partially dissolved existing carbonate sediments. The resulting voids were formed with little discrimination between one part of the rock fabric to another. During another period of submergence the cavity walls were lined with fibrous cement, and the floor was lined with micrite and pelmicrite internal sediment con taining thin-shelled ostracods and other benthonic microorganisms Alternating neomorphic fibrous calcite cement, internal sediment, drusy sparry calcite cement, vadose silt and blocky sparry calcite cement are commonly observed. These formed during cycles of emergence and submergence of the Cretaceous platform. The final configurations of such vugs are digitate tops and flat-laminated floors described as "stromatactis" by Lowenstam. (1950), Bathurst (1959), Schwarzacher (1961), Shinn (1968c), Heckel (1972), and others. Two theories have been formulated to explain the origin of such structures: 1) the biologic theory states that stromatactis are recrystallized remains of framebuilding sediment trappers or the decay of soft organisms, 2) the inorganic theory explains stromatactis as being due to a non-uniform compaction and collapsin of loosely-packed lime mud sediment. An intermediate point of view is given by Shinn (1968c). He suggested that stromatactis formed by selective leaching of burrowfilling after lithification. Stromatactis-like structures may have different origins in different places. These in the nearback rcef/lagoon zone probably formed by dissolution of previously lithified carbonate sedments. Originally the voids were formed by dissolving the limestone indiscriminately, irrespective of the texture or the primary environment of deposition. They were observed in unsorted intramicrudite of the supratidal environment (Plate 14-C, E); in pelmicrite of the intertidal environment (Plate 14-D, G); and in miliolid biomicrite of the subtidal environment (Plate 14-F). Apparently the voids originally had an irregular configuration. During successive stages of ernergence and submergence, the voids were filled with cement and internal sediment in the three diagenetic zones: marine, phreatic and vadose zones. The resulting structures are characterized by

flatlaminated floors and irregular roofs. They contain several cycles of sedimentation and cementation patterns, according to their stratigraphic position. At lower stratigraphic levels, several cements and internal sediments were deposited in the solution voids formed from the marine zone to the phreatic and vadose zones due to vertical fluctuations of the water-table. At upper stratigraphic levels the vadose zone only sporadically became the phreatic zone when the level of the water-table rose during short periods of submergence. Vadose internal sediment was overlain by fibrous calcite cement and internal sediment containing benthonic microorganisms. The remaining voids were filled later with microstalactitic drusy calcite and with blocky calcite cement (Plate 16-C). The cements and internal sediments deposited in the stromatactis-like structures were examined under catholuminescence. The neomorphic f ibrous calcite cement shows luminescence similar to the neomorphic fibrous calcite cement interpreted to be of marine origin in the foreslope reef zone (Plate 3-A, C) . In both cases, the fibrous cement shows interruptions during growth stages (Plate 17C, D and E, F). Finally, a clearer crystalline sparry calcite cement developed with a curved cleavage which is characteristic of the radiaxial-fibrous mosaic. Excluding the fibrous cement, all others lack luminescence. Therefore, from these results and by their petrographic association it is suggested that the fibrous cementation occurred during the early submarine diagenetic stage, alternating with micrite internal sediment containing benthonic microfossils. During the late subaerial diagenetic stage the other cements and the associated reddish-vadose internal sediment and the vadose calcite silt were deposited in the phreatic and vadose environments, which were controlled largely by repeating emergence and submergence of the Cretaceous platform. TIDAL-FLAT AND LAGOON ZONES The tidal-flat and the lagoon zones are represented by the stratigraphic sections V, VI, VII and VIII (Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12) 11.0, 10.5, 10.0 and 9.6 kilometers east, respectively, of Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potos, on Mexican Highway 70.

Fig. 9. Measured stratigraphic section V, showing the lithology, the primary sedimentary structures, the biota and environments of deposition in the tidal-flat lagoon zone.

Fig. 10. Measured stratigraphic section VI, showing the lithology, the primary sedimentary structures, the biota and the enviroments of deposition in the tidal-flat/lagoon zone. Location: apprximately 10.5 kilometers east of Ciudad-Valles, San Luis Potosi on Mexican Highway 70.

Fig. 11. Measured stratigraphic section VII, showing the lithology, the primary sedimentary structures, the biota and the environments of deposition in the tidal-flat/lagoon zone. Location: approximately 10.0 kilometers east of Ciudad-Valles, San Luis Potosi on Mexican Highway 70.

Fig. 12. Measured stratigraphic section VIII, showing the lithology, the primary sedimentary structures, the biota and the enviroments of deposition in the tidal-flat/lagoon zone. Location: approximately 9.6 kilometers east of Ciudad-Valles, San Luis Potosi on Mexican Highway 70.

Sedimentary Facies-Description and Interpretation The tidal-flat zone is composed of a stratigraphic sequence of pelmicrite, biomicrite and stromatolitic layers in association with subaerially formed features and bioturbated horizons. The sediments deposited in this environment are interlayered and laterally discontinuous. The lagoon zone is composed of pelletal-biomicrite and biomicrite rich in miliolids and other scattered benthonic microfossi1s. The rocks are gray because their high content in organic matter causing reducing conditions in local subenvironments, or in part, because of asphalt impregnation. The bedding is quite uniform, reflecting continuous sedimentation, which was only disrupted by wide-spread bioturbation and sporadic storm disturbances (Plate 20-F). In the tidal-flat zone, three environments are distinguished: 1) the subtidal, 2) the intertidal, and 3) the supratidal. The subtidal rocks consist, of pelmicrite and miliolid biomicrite interlayered with other beds ranging from the intertidal to supratidal environments. The bedding is not well developed; instead it is wedged or lens-shaped. Again, bioturbation is apparent in every layer (Plate 19-A); therefore, primary laminations are absent due to burrowing organisms. The sediments deposited in the intertidal environment consist of light cream colored pelmicrite, biomicrite and intramicrite, with a wide range of textures. They are wedgeshaped and bedded. Laterally, the rocks show continuous changes of lithofacies, probably reflecting local variations in water conditions. The biota, at the lower intertidal zone, is composed of small banks of Toucasia (Plate 19-D), scattered accumulations of gastropod and pelecypod shell fragments broken and unsorted to

various degrees due to bioturbation. Other benthonic organisms are commonly associated with them, such as thin-shelled ostracods and miliolids. Also, mixtures of planktonic microfauna of the normal marine environment, and miliolids of the back-reef environment were deposited in a thin and wavy layer 1 to 10 cm thick (Plates 19-F and 21E, F). This layer perhaps was deposited during springhigh tide washover. The upper intertidal zone is composed of laminated stromatolites interlayered with biomicrite, intramicrite and pelmicrite (Plates 18-A, F and 19-E), associated with birdseye vugs. The supratidal environment consists of stromatolitic crusts, and thin layers of biomicrite, light colored, poorly washed biosparite, and intrasparite which perhaps represent storm deposits. The rocks are commonly associated with birdseye vugs, root-like structures, weathered surfaces, mudcracks, and other subaerially formed features (Plates 18-C, D, E and 20-A, D). The supratidal horizons are laterally discontinuous and interfingered with rocks deposited in the intertidal and subtidal environments. The biota is restricted to scattered gastropods and other reworked and weathered mollusk shells, echinoids, red coralline algae, bryozoan and rudist fragments. These were transported from the peripheral reef flat area and thrown back during spring tides or during storm washovers.

Diagenetic Description and Interpretation Sediments and primary sedimentary structures in the tidalflat and lagoon zones were modified and partially destroyed initially by bioturbation, early compaction and desiccation and later by leaching. Most parts of the tidal-flat and lagoon layers were high1y bioturbated by bottom-dwelling organisms destroying almost any vestige of primary laminations (Plate 19-A). Root-like structures in association with weathered stromatolitic crusts are evident. They show a preferential vertical orientation (Plate 18-C). Early compaction is noticed in sediments of the intertidal environment (Plate 20-E). Toucasia shells. were crushed in place after partial filling with micrite internal sediment. During later periods of lithification, the remaining voids were filled with drusy and blocky sparry calcite cements. Desiccation features are common in the upper intertidal and supratidal environments. Polygonal mud-cracks are present in pelmicrite and in biomicrite containing miliolids interlayered with stromatolites of the upper intertidal zone (Plates 18-A, B, F). Weathered stromatolite crusts interlayered with discontinuous micrite laminations, lacking organisms, and layers of intramicrite and poorly washed biosparite, which probably represent storm. deposits, are common depositional features of the supratidal environment (Plates 18-D, E and 20-A). Primary diagenetic features, common in both environments, include birdseye vugs cemented early in diagenesis after previous deposition of micrite internal sediment and vadose calcite silt. lt is presumed that the vadose silt washed down through the vadose zone and accumulated within the pore space (Dunham, 1969). The remaining voids were filled with drusy and blocky sparry calcite cements (Plates 20-D and 21A, B). Stromatactis-like structures are found in rocks of the subtidal erivironment (Plates 18-A and 19-B) They are not as abundant and not as complex internally as those from the near-back reef/lagoon zone. The peripheral configuration of the stromatactis-like structures is a flat-laminated floor and digitate top. However, these structures described herein are flatter and smal ler than in the nearback reef/lagoon zone. Their walls were rimmed with a first generation of fibrous cement. During diagenesis, the fibrous crystals became neomorphically radiaxial-fibrous cement. At the top of the cavity a drusygravity and clear sparry calcite cement grew after radiaxial crystals with similar curved

cleavege of the substrate. On the floor of the cavity the radiaxial-fibrous cement was overlain by vadose calcite silt. Remaining voids were filled with clear blocky sparry calcite cement (Plate 21-C). Finegrained sediments were modified by leaching of micrite aggregates. Resulting pores are larger than the original grain size (Plate 22). Pressure-solution features are characteristic in both the lagoon zone and tidal-flat zone. Basical, ly, two systems of stylolites are evident; one cutting transverse to the bedding, and the other parallel to the bedding. Late diagenetic features are represented by solution caverns and collapsebrecciation whicli developed during the latest period of surface exposures, forming a karst-like surface.

DIAGENETIC SUMMARY OF THE EL ABRA LIMESTONE REEF COMPLEX Submarine and subaerial diagenesis occurred during, the reef-growth period. These were controlled largely by repeating emergence and submergence of the Cretaceous platform. A summary of the petrographic criteria considered most important for distinguishing between and early submarine diagenesis and a late subaerial diagenesis in the several sedimentary environments of the El Abra Limestone are stated in Table 1.

TABLE 1 PETROGRAPHIC CRITERIA FOR DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN AN EARLY SUMARINE DIAGENESIS AND A LATE SUBAERIAL DIAGENESIS DIAGENISIS IN THE EL ABRA LIMESTONE

GEOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS A total of 105 samples of - different carbonate constituents from the El Abra Limestone reef complex were analyzed for concentrations of the minor elements magnesium and strontium, and the concentration of the major element calcium. A Perkin-Elmer 303 atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for the chemical determinations; the precision is considered reliable to 5%. Sample Preparation Samples were extracted from the matrix with a dental drill and dried in an oven for about two hours at 110 C. After drying, the samples were placed in a desiccator for approximately 30 minutes. Then 0.5 g of each sample was weighed and dissolved in 1N hydrochloric acid. The insoluble residue was removed by filtering through preweighed fiber glass filters, which were dried for about two hours at 110C and then placed in a desiccator for cooling. The filters were weighed again, and the weight percent insoluble residue was calculated. The determination of strontium and magnesium in carbonates by atomic absorption spectrophotometry is interference~free (Angino and Billings, 1967). The method of analysis was that described in the Perkin-Elmer handbook. Standard solutions were prepared and diluted to the proper concentrations for the detection limits of the instrument, then analyzed together with the samples. Results The results of the samples analized are plotted in Figure 13. Carbonate constituents from both reef and back-reef environments were analyzed for calcium, magnesium and strontium. No significant correlation is found among the three ions in a particular carbonate constituent collected in diferent environments. The magnesium content in most reef samples is generally less than 2 000 ppm. In back-reef samples magneslum generally exceeds 2 000 ppm. The blocky calcite cements have a greater enrichment in calcium (38.5 percent average) than other carbonate constituents in both reef and back-reef environments. Strontium ranges from 76 ppm to 458 ppm in both reef and back-reef samples. It does not exhibit diagnostic trends that would permit the identification of either major depositional environment. Weight-percent of insoluble residue obtained from samples of both major sedimentary environments was. insignificant in terms of total weigth-percent (1.5 weigth-percent average). Asphalt residue was the major contributor. Discussion of Results Although five sub-environments are identified on the basis of stratigraphic position, lithofacies, biofacies, primary sedimentary structures, and diagenetic fabrics, only the two major sedimentary environments (the reef environment and the back-reef environment) are distinguishable by means of their chemical composition. The back-reef environment has higher magnesium content (> 2 000 ppm) than the reef environment (< 2 000 ppm) . Strontium concentrations display no diagnostic patterns that would permit the discrimination of either major sedimentary environment. Bathurst (197la) and Kinsman (1969) stated that ancient limestones have normal strontium concentrations ranging from 160 to 380 ppm; however, some range from 70 to 630 ppm. The El Abra Limestone samples did, in fact, range from 76 to 458 ppm.

There are three possibilities for the present distribution of magnesium in the two major sedimentary environments of the El Abra Limestone: 1) the magnesium content in both environments was initially similar, 2) the magnesium content -was initially higher in the reef environment than in the backreef environment, 3) the magnesium content was initially higher in the back-reef area. The third possibility seems to be the best explanation because the back-reef environment was shallow, protected and somewhat restricted, as evidenced by the type of sedimentary structures, micritic and pelmicritic sediments, abundance of miliolids, and stromatolites of probable blue-green algal origin. The back-reef environment was not hypersaline as indicated by the lack of dolomite crusts and evaporites. It was, however, shallow enough to facilitate formation of mud-cracks, birdseye vugs and other envidences of exposure.

Fig. 13. Variations of magnesium and strotium contents in various carbonate constituents, from the reef and back-reef environments. In reef samples, the magnesium content generally averaged below 2000 ppm while back-reef samples averaged more than 2000 ppm. Strontium does not

exhibit variations in concentration sufficiently diagnostic to permit discrimination of either major depositional environment.

Initial concentration of magnesium in stromatolites could occur by alternate wetting during tidal flooding and drying during subaerial exposure. The gelationus layers of blue-green algae are suggested to precipitate high magnesian calcite containing 15 to 20 mole percent of MgCO3 in modern carbonate platforms (Shinn et al., 1965; Gebelein and Hoffman, 1971; 1973). Another possible means for concentratinomagnesium in the carbonate sediments includes the accumulation of benthonic organisms. Miliolids in modern environments, in fact, are composed of high magnesian calcite. Blackmon and Todd (1959) and Chave (1954) noted that foraminifera increase their magnesium content when water temperature increases. Generic factors may also play a significant role in determining the magnesium content at any given temperature as noted by Pilkey and Hower (1960); Lowenstam (1961); and Dodd (1965). According to Schroeder (1969), the magnesium and strontium contents in invertebrate shells from both marine and fresh water environments are controlled by the availability of these elements, skeletal mineralogy, phylogenetic effects, and the temperature and salinity of the environment. He stated that shells change chemically as soon as the organism dies, establishing a chemical equilibrium with the surrounding water. This probably occurred in the biologic community in the back-reef environment of the El Abra Limestone. However, it is also expected that a general decrease of magnesium occurred in the skeletal constituents during diagenesis (Lowenstam, 1961; Schroeder, 1969; and others). This decrease is directly related to the degree of shell alteration occurring after the death of the organism (Pilkey, 1964; Schroeder, 1969; and others). On the other hand, Griffith et al. (1969) estimated that the reef environment of the El Abra Limestone contains abouth 40 percent rudist shells, 20 percent void-filling calcite cement, 10 percent each of coralline algae and stromatoporoids, and 5 percent corals. Although no quantitative analysis was made in this study, their estimations are considered reasonable on the basis of field and hand specimen observations. Due to the scarcity of major suppliers of magnesium in this environment, including coralline algae, echinoids, stromatoporoids (?) , and benthonic foraminifera, and also because of the abundance of mollusk shells and neomorphic fibrous calcite cement probably composed originally of aragonite, it is suggested that in the reef environment the magnesium content was initially lower than in the back-reef environment. Since the magnesium and strontium contents of high magnesian and aragonitic constituents tend to be reduced during diagenesis, it is unlikely that the concentrations determined (Fig. 13) for the different carbonate particles represent the original concentrations.

DOLOMITIZATION OF THE EL ABRA LIMESTOME IN THE SUBSURFACE The El Abra Limestone in the subsurface is dolomitized (Carrillo, 1971; Moya, 1974). A possible mechanism for such dolomitization during a late stage of diagenesis is suggested herein. Harmon (1971) determinated magnesium and other ions in the groundwater of the Sierra de El Abra. He found that most waters were saturated with respect to calcite and undersaturated with respect to dolomite. Therefore, the process of leaching limestone with meteoric water, vadose percolation, and groundwater reflux does not appear to be the only mechanism involved in dolomitization of the El Abra Limestone, because a requirement for regional dolomite formation is a large supply of magnesium ions. Hanshaw et al. (1971) found that most carbonate aquifers in the Bahamas and Yucatan platforms are lacking sufficient magnesium to cause extensive dolomitization. They

proposed that dolomitization could occur in the brackish water zones. Such water comes from mixing of fresh water with subsurface brines or ocean water. Land (1973) stated that dolomitization is favored in the zone of mixing between sea water and meteoric water. He suggested that sea water was the source of magnesium ions to dolomitize Pleistocene limestones. Deffeyes et al. (1965) suggested a mechanism of seepage reflux. A brine produced by evaporation is denser than sea water and flows downward into the carbonate sediments and dolomitizes the permeable sediments. Fisher and Rodda (1969) proposed that dolomitization in the Edwards Limestone resulted from metasomatism due to the action of magnesium-enriched brine on calcium carbonate sediment. The source of magnesium ions is an extensive evaporite facies located at the center of a former lagoonal area, a process which probably also happened to the El Abra Limestone. Carrillo (1971) reported a maxium thickness of 3 000 meters on Neocomian-Aptian evaporites located in the central portion of the Cretaceous Valles-San Luis Potosi Platform. He stated that such a thickness may be exaggerated due to intense folding. However, magnesium could have been removed from such evaporites by dissolution from percolating meteoric waters moving into the subsurface. In this manner groundwater reflux, rich in magnesium ions, partially dolomitized the rocks of the El Abra Limestone, "Tamabra" Limestone, and Tamaulipas Superior Limestone in the subsurface.

GEOLOGIC EVOLUTION OF THE SIERRA DE EL ABRA The basement in eastern Mexico consists of Precambrian and Paleozoic igneous and metamorphic rocks, which were folded and faulted in Late Triassic and Early Jurassic times, resulting in a chain of horst and graben structures. The uplifted blocks were irregularly peneplained by the processes of subaerial erosion as the Jurassic sea transgressed the alluvial peneplains. These were slowly modified by subaerial processes to form a set of broad hills bounded by shallow carbonate shelves. One of these shelves is known as the Cretaceous Valles-San Luis Potosi Platform (Carrillo, 1971). Early carbonate sedimentation was strongly influenced by the influx of terrigenous sediments and fresh water, forming a brackish, restricted marine environment and also evaporite zones on the interior of the platform, while oolite bars and calcarenite blankets were deposited at the seaward margin. Deposition of shallow marine sediments was controlled largely by a series of transgressions and minor regressions. Reef complex growth was intimately related to normal faulting. The El Abra Limestone was deposited on an upfaulted block, while on the downfaulted block the "Tamabra" Limestone, a transitional fore-reef to basinal pelagic sediments of the Tamaulipas Superior Limestone to the east through late Aptian (?) -Albian and Cenomanian time (Fig. 14). During Turonian time the Agua Nueva Formation was deposited, interfingering with the "Tamabra" Limestone to the west. The reef complex was exposed and a karst surface formed during Coniacian-Santonian time while deposition of the San Felipe Formation began to the east. The Valles-San Luis Potosi Platform was subjected to renewed subsidence in early Campanian time. The karst surface of the El Abra Limestone was covered with pelagic sediments, which filtered into the solution voids. At this time, due to oil migration, the finegrained pelagic sediments filling the cavities were impregnated with asphalt. Throughout late Campanian time the platform was tilted slight1y eastward. Those sediments resting on the platform slid eastward under the influence of gravity (Carrillo, 1971). As a result, a distal turbidite, the "Tamuin" Member, was deposited along the eastern margin of the Valles-San Luis Potosi Platform. The "Tamuin" Member interfingers with the uppermost San Felipe Formation and with the middle Mendez Shale. The upper Mendez Shale and the Chicontepec-Velasco Formations were deposited through Maestrichtian and Eocene time, respectively. Later the stratigraphic sequence was intensively

deformed by Laramide stresses (Fig. 15), giving rise to faulted synclines and anticlines of the Sierra Madre Oriental. The overall depositional history in this arca, in brief, has been one of regression with minor transgressions since the Laramide orogeny.

Fig. 14. Generalized geologic evolution of the easternmost portion of the Valles-San Luis Potosi platform in the Tampico Region.

Fig. 15. Three generalized stratigraphic cross-sections of the eastern margin of the Cretaceous Valles-San Luis Potosi Platform at different sites; based on surface and subsurface data.

Conclusiones
1) The El Abra Limestone reef complex was deposited on the Cretaceous Valles-San Luis Potosi Platform, and is underlain by rocks of Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous age. The El Abra Limestone was deposited on an upfaulted block, while the "Tamabra" Limestone and the Tamaulipas Superior Limestone were deposited on the downfaulted block to the east. 2) The continuous subsidence of the Cretaceous platform caused the El Abra Limestone to be deposited as repeated shallow marine carbonate facies, reaching about 1800 meters thickness at the eastern edge of the platform. 3) The El Abra Limestone is Albian to late Turonian or younger in age. A younger age for the upper two thirds of the exposed El Abra Limestone on the basis of a thin and wavy layer 1 to 10 cm thick containing planktonic foraminifera. This diagnostic bed is interlayered with biomicrite containing miliolids present in quarry exposures in the back-reef environment.

4) Two major sedimentary environments are defined within the El Abra Limestone: 1) the reef environment and 2) the back-reef environment. These are subdivided into five sub-environments: la) the fore-slope reef zone, lb) the shelf-edge reef zone, 2a) the near-back reef/lagoon zone, 2b) the tidalflat/lagoon zone, and 2c) the lagoon zone. Each zone is recognized by means of stratigraphic position, lithofacies, biofacies, primary sedimentary structures, and diagenetic fabrics. 5) The fore-slope reef zone is distinguished by its complex overlapping of biomicrudite and scattered colonies of rudist bioherms. Caprinids and scarce radiolitids are present and are encrusted by several generations of fibrous and micritic cements and internal sediment, containing planktonic and benthonic microfossi1s deposited in the interior of the voids. The shelf-edge reef zone is distinguished by a greater diversity of skeletal forms than the other subenvironments. The biota is zoned ecologically according to local changes in the sedimentary environments. The interaction between biologic communities and sediments, and subsequent diagenesis of these resulted in the formation of a complex biogenic framework. exhibiting repeated cycles of internal sedimentation, cementation, bioturbation, and leaching. The near-back reef/lagoon zone is composed of unsorted biomicrudite and intramicrudite derived from the peripheral reefflat arca and thrown back by wave action and during storms. These are interlayered and laterally interfingered with the lagoonal sediments composed of biomicrite and stromatolitic layers. The diagenetic processes were largely controlled by the repeated emergence and submergence of the platform. The tidal-flat zone and lagoon zone are composed of stromatolitic layers, pelmicrite and biomicrite containing abundant miliolids. These subenvironments were subjected to normal tidal fluctuations and storm washovers which resulted in a complex interlayering of sediments deposited in the various local subenvironments. Most of the prominent diagenetic features are attributable to bioturbation, early cementation and early compaction, which alternate with other subaerial features associated with lowered stands of sea level. 6) Although two major sedimentary environments and five sub-environments are recognized on the basis of their physical and paleontological attributes, only the reef environment and the back-reef environment have recognizable differences from measurements of their chemical composition. Of the three elements analyzed only magnesium exhibited significant concentration differences in the two environments. The magnesium content of most carbonate constituents is generally less than 2000 ppm in the reef environment, and greater than 2000 ppm in the back-reef area. Variations in the strontium concentration do not permit its use as a discriminating criteria between these two major environments. 7) The metastable carbonate constituents, aragonite and high magnesian calcite, converted neomorphically to calcite. Magnesium and strontium were lost by pluvial leaching and vadose percolation through the El Abra Limestone. 8) The El Abra Limestone has been dolomitized in the subsurface because a generous supply of magnesium ions was available from evaporites in the central portion of the Cretaceous platform. The magnesium in solution was carried downward by groundwater reflux.

Agradecimientos
The author offers special thanks to Richard M. Mitterer, David E. Eby, Emile A. Pessagno ir., and Mark Landisman from The University of Texas at Dallas; to Jerry Namy from Baylor University; to James L. Wilson from Rice University; to Paul Enos from New York State University at Binghamton, and Baldomero Carrasco V. from the Instituto Mexicano del Petrleo for critically reading the manuscript; to James L. Carter and James Toney for their gracious help with the use of the scanning electron microprobe; to W. Thomas Rothwell for his valuable he1p with the use of the scanning electron microscope. The author also acknowledge to Fernando Moya from Petrleos Mexicanos for suggestions related

to the work; to Alfredo Laguarda-Figueras and Alejandro Yez Arancibia from the Centro de Ciencias del Mar y Limnologa, UNAM, for giving facilities to publish this work. Finally, the author extends thanks to his wife for her patience and understanding, and to Rosamara Hefferan who typed the final copy. This project was supported in part by the Institute for Geosciences of The University of Texas at Dallas and by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologa de Mxico.

LITERATURA
AGUAYO C., J. E., Sedimentary environments and diagenetic implications of the El Abra Limestone at its type locality, East Mexico. Ph. D. Dissertation. The University of Texas at Dallas 1975 159 AGUAYO C., J. E. and K. KANAMORI, Mexico. Soc. Geol. Mexicana, The Tamuin Member of the Mendez Shale along the eastern fiank of the Sierra de El Abra, S. L. P., 1976 11-17 1 ALEXANDERSON, T. Micritization of carbonate particles; processes of precipitation and dissolution in modern shallowmarine sediments. Geol. Instn. Univ. Uppsalla N. L. 3, H. 1972 201-236 ANGINO, E. and G. BILLINGS Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in Geology. Elsevier New York 1967 144 BATHURST, R. G. C. Jour. Geology The cavernous structure of some Mississippian stromatactis reefs in Lancashire, England. 1959 506-521 67 Geol. J. Boring algae, micrite envelopes and lithification of molluscan biosparites. 1966 15-32 5 Carbonate Sediments and Their Diagenesis. Elsevier Amsterdam 1971a 620 Carbonate Cements Radiaxial fibrous mosaic. In: Bricker, O. P. Johns Hopkins University Press. Studies in Geology 1971b 292-293 19 BECERRA H., A. Revista del Inst. Mex. del Petrleo Estudio bioestratigrfico de la Formacin Tamabra del Cretcico en el Distrito de Poza Rica 1970 21-25 2 3 BLACKMON, P. D. and R. TODD Jour. Paleontology Mineralogy of some Foraminifera as related to their classification and ecology. 1959 1-15 33 BONET, F., Bol. Asoc. Mex. Geol. Petrol., La Facies Urgoniana del Cretcico Medio de la Regin de Tampico. 1952 153-262 4 5-6 Internat. Geol. Cong. 20th. Mxico Zonificacin microfaunstica de las calizas cretcicas del Este de Mxico. 1956 102 Geology of Peregrina Canyon and Sierra de El Abra, Corpus Christi Geol. Soc., 15 Ann. Field Trip Biostratigraphic notes on the Cretaceous of eastern Mexico. In: Boyd, D. R. 1963 36-48 CARRASCO, B., Revista del Inst. Mex. del Petrleo Litofacies de la Formacin El Abra en Plataforma de Actopan, Hgo. 1971 5-26 3 1 Revista del Inst. Mex. del Petrleo Catodoluminescencia y diagnesis de rudistas dolomitizados y

su relacin con desarrollos de porosidad. 1973 5-14 5 1 CARRILLO, J. Exploracin geolgica y posibilidades petroleras de la Plataforma Valles-San Luis Potos (Sierra Madre Oriental-Altiplano Mexicano). Mesa Redonda No. 6, Inst. Mex. del Petrleo. 1969 Bol. Asoc. Mex. Geol. Petrol., La Plataforma Valles-San Luis Potos. 1971 1-102 13 1-6 CHAVE, K. E., Jour. Geology Aspects of the biogeochemistry of magnesium. 1954 266-283 62 COOGAN, A. H. Revista del Inst. Mex. del Petrleo, New rudists from the Albian and Cenomanian of Mexico and South Texas. 1973 51-83 5 2 COOGAN, A. H., D. G. BEBOUT and C. MAGGIO Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Depositional environments and geologic history of Golden Lane and Poza Rica Trend, Mexico, an alternative view. 1972 1419-1447 56 DEFFEYES, K. S., F. J. LUCIA and P. K. WEYL Soc. Econ. Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Spec. Publ., Dolomitization of Recent and Plio-Pleistocene sediments by marine evaporite waters on Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. 1965 71-88 13 DODD, J. R. Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta Environmental control of strontium and magnesium in Mytilus 1965 383-398 29 Jour. Paleontology Magnesium and strontium in calcareous skeletons. A review. 1967 1313-1329 41 DUNHAM, R. J., Soc. Econ. Paleontologists and Mineralogists. Spec. Publ. Early vadose silt in Towsend Mound (reef) New Mexico. 1969 139-181 14 FISHER, W. L. and P. U. RODDA, Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists, Edwards Formation (Lower Cretaceous), Texas; dolomitization in a carbonate platform system. 1969 55-72 53 FOLK, R. L. Soc. Econ. Paleontologists and Mineralogists. Spec. Publ. Some aspects of recrystallization in ancient limestones. 1965 14-48 13 Jour. Sed. Petrology, The natural history of crystalline calcium carbonate; effect of magnesium content and salinity. 1974 40-53 44 FOLK, R. L. and L. S. LAND, Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists, Mg/Ca ratio and salinity: two controls over crystallization of dolomite. 1975 60-68 59 FRIEDMAN, G. M., Jour. Sed. Petrology ldentification of carbonate minerals by staining methods. 1959 87-97 29 Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists, Coral reef rock from Red Sea, sequence and time scale for progressive diagenesis and its effect on porosity and permeability (abst.). 1972 618 56 GAVISH, E. and G. M. FRIEDMAN . Jour. Sed. Petrology, Progressive diagenesis in Quaternary to Late Tertiary carbonate sediments, sequence and time scale. 1969 980-1006 39 GEBELEIN, C. D. and P. HOFFMAN Carbonate Cements. The Johns Hopkins University Studies in

Geology, Algal origin of dolomite in interlaminated limestone-dolomite sedimentary rocks. In: Bricker, O. P. 1971 319-236 19 Jour. Sed. Petrology Algal origin of dolomite lamination in stromatolitic limestone. 1973 603-613 43 GINSBURG, R. N., E. A. SHINN and J. H. SCHROEDER America, Spec. Paper Submarine cementation and internal sedimentation within Bermuda reefs (abstract). Geol. Soc. 1967 78-79 115 GINSBURG, R. N. and J. H. SCHROEDER, Carbonate Cements. Bermuda Biol. Station for Research, Spec. Publ. Recent synsedimentary cementation in subtidal Bermuda reefs. In: Bricker, O. P. 1969 31-34 3 GINSBURG, R. N., D. S. MARZALEK and N. SCHNEIDERMAN Jour. Sed. Petrology . Ultrastructure of carbonate cements in a Holocene algal reef of Bermuda. 1971 472-482 41 GINSBURG, R. N. and J. H. SCHROEDER, Sedimentology Growth and submarine fossilization of algal cup reefs, Bermuda. 1973 575-614 20 GOODELL, H. G. and R. K. GARMAN Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Carbonate geochemistry of Superior deep test well, Andros Island, Bahamas. 1969 513-536 53 GRIFFITH, L. S. M. G. PITCHER and G. W. RICE Soc. Econ. Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Spec. Publ. Quantitative environmental analysis of a Lower Cretaceous reef complex. 1969 120138 14 HANSHAW, B. B., W. BACK and R. G. DEIKE Economic Geology A geochemical hypothesis for dolomitization by groundwater. 1971 710-724 66 HARMON, R. S., The Nat. Speleological Soc. Preliminary results on the groundwater geochemistry of the Sierra de El Abra Region, North-Central Mexico. 1971 73-85 33 HECKEL, P. H. Jour. Sed. Petrology Possible inorganic origin for stromatactis in calcilutite mounds in the Tully Limestone, Devonian of New York. 1972 1-7 42 Soc. Econ. Paleontologists and Mineralogists. Spec. Publ. Carbonate buildups in the geologic record, a review. 1974 90-154 18 HOSKIN, C. M., Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists, Magnesium and strontium in mud fraction of Recent carbonate sediment, Alacran Reef, Mexico. 1968 2170-2177 52 IMLAY, R. W. Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Cretaceous formations of Central America and Mexico. 1944 1077-1195 28 8 KELLUM, L. B. Fields Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Similarity of surface geology in front ranges of Sierra Madre Oriental to subsurface in Mexican South Fields 1930 73-91 140 KENDALL, A. C. and M. E. TUCKER Nature Phys. Sci., Radiaxial fibrous calcite as a replacement after synsedimentary cement. 1971 62-63 232 Sedimentology. Radiaxial fibrous calcite; a replacement after acicular carbonate 1973 365-389 20 KINSMAN, D. J. J. Jour. Sed. Petrology, Interpretation of Sr+ concentrations in carbonate minerals

and rocks. 1969 486-508 39 LAND, L. S., Jour. Sed. Petrology Diagenesis of skeletal carbonates. 1967 914-930 37 LAND, L. S. and T. F. GOREAU, Jour. Sed. Petrology Submarine lithification of Jamaican reefs. 1970 456-462 40 LAND, L. S. Sedimentology Phreatic versus vadose meteoric diagenesis of limestones; evidence from a fossil water table. 1970 175-185 14 LAND, L. S. and S. EPSTEIN Sedimentology Late Pleistocene diagenesis and dolomitization, North Jamaica. 1970 187-200 14 LAND, L. S. Sedimentology Holocene meteoric dolomitization of Pleistocene limestones, North Jamaica. 1973 411-424 20 LLOYD, M. R. Carbonate Cements. The Johns Hopkins University, Studies in Geology Some observations on Recent sediment alteration ("micritization") and the possible role of algae in submarine cementation. In: Bricker, O. P. 1971 72-75 19 LOWENSTAM, H. A. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., Environmental relations of modification compositions of certain carbonate secreting marine invertebrates. 1950 39-48 40 Jour. Geology Mineralogy, O8/O6 ratios and strontium and rmagnesium contents of Recent and fossil brachiopods and their bearing on the history of the oceans. 1961 241-260 69 The Earth Sciences, The Univ. Chicago Press Biological problems relating to the composition and diagenesis of sediments. In: T. W. Donnelly 1963 137-165 MATTHEWS, R. K., Jour. Sed. PetrologyJour. Sed. Petrology Genesis of Recent lime mud in southern British Honduras. 1966 428-454 36 Soc. Econ. Paleontologists and Mineralogists. Spec. Publ. A process approach to diagenesis of reefs and reef associated limestones. 1974 234-256 18 MEYERS, W. J., Jour. Sed. Petrology Carbonate cement stratigraphy of the Lake Valley Formation (Mississippian) Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico. 1974 837-861 44 MITTERER, R. M. Science Amino acid composition of organic matrix in calcareous oolites. 1968 1498-1499 62 Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta, Biogeochemistry of aragonite mud and oolites. 1972 1407-1422 36 MOORE, C. H., Jr. Carbonate Cements. The Johns Hopkins University Studies in Geology Beach rock cements, Grand Cayman, B. W. I. In: Bricker, O. P. 1971 9-12 19 MOYA, F., Asoc. Int. Petrleos Mexicanos, XII Congreso Estudio estratigrfico y sedimentolgico de los sedimentos cretcicos depositados en el rea pre-arrecifal de la margen oriental de la Plataforma de Valles-San Luis Potos. 1974 14 MUIR, J. M. Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Geology of the Tampico Region, Mexico. Tulsa Oklahoma 1936 280

MURRAY, G. E., Geology of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Provinces of North America. Harper Bros New York 1961 692 NEWELL, N. D., and J. K. RIGBY Soc. Econ. Paleontologists and Mineralogists. Spec. Publ. Geological studies on the Great Bahama Bank. 1957 13-72 5 PERKINS, B. F., Geol. Soc. America Program 1968 Ann. mtg., Mexico City Geology of a rudist-reef complex. (abst.). 1968 233 Jour. Paleontology Cretaceous reefs, on the Gulf of Mexico Region. (abst). 1969 894-895 Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Genetic implication of rudist reef architecture. (abst.) 1970 863864 54 PESSAGNO, E. A. PESSAGNO, E. A. Upper Cretaceous stratigraphy of the Western Gulf Coast Area of Mexico, Texas, and Arkansas. 1969 139 111 PILKEY, O. H., and J. HOWER, Jour Geology The effect of environment on the concentration of skeletal magnesium and strontium in Dendraster. 1960 203-216 68 ROEHL, P. O. Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Stony Mountain (Ordovician) and interlake (Silurian) facies analogs of Recent lowenergy marine and subaerial carbonates, Bahamas. 1967 1979-2032 51 Union Research Center Preliminary guidebook to selective features of the El Abra Limestone outcrops in the Sierra Madre Oriental Mexico. Union Oil. Co. of California (Report). ROSE, P. R. Geology of Peregrina Canyon and Sierra de El Abra, Corpus Christi Geol. Soc., 15 Ann. Field Trip. Comparison of the El Abra of Mexico with "Edwards Reef Trend" of South-Central Texas. In: Boyd, D. R. 1963 SCHMIDT, V. Soc. Econ. Paleontologists and Mineralogists. Spec. Publ. Facies, dagenesis, and related reservoir properties in the Gigas Beds (Upper Jurassic), Northwestern Germany. 1965 125168 13 SCHWARZACHER, W., Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Petrology and structures of some Lower Carboniferous reefs in Northwestern Ireland. 1961 1481-1503 45 SCHROEDER, J. H. Jour. Sed. Petrology, Experimental dissolution ol calcium, magnesium, and strontium from Recent biogenic carbonates, a model of diagenesis. 1969 1057-1073 39 SCHROEDER, J. H. and R. H. GINSBURG Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Calcified algae filaments in reefs criterion of early diagenesis (abst.). 1971 364 55 SCHROEDER, J. H. Geol. Palaont. Mh., H. Calcified filaments of an ondolithic algae in Recent Bermuda reefs. N. Jb. 1792a. 16-33 1 SCHROEDER, J. H., Geologische Rundschau. Band 61, H. Fabrics and sequences of submarine carbonate cements. 1972b. 708-729 2 SHEARMAN, D. J., and N. H. SHIRMOHAMMADl, Nature Distribution of strontium in dedolomites from the French jura. 1969 606-608 223

SHINN, E. A., R. N. GINBURG, and R. M. LLOYDU Soc. Econ. Paleontologists and Mineralogists. Spec. Publ. Recent supratidal dolomite from Andros Island, Bahamas. 1965 112-123 13 SHINN, E. A., Jour. Sed. Petrology Practical significance of birdseye structures in carbonate rocks. 1968a. 215-223 38 SHINN, E. A., Jour. Sed. Petrology Selective dolomitization of Recent sedimentary structures. 1968b. 611-616 38 SHINN, E. A., Jour. Peleontology, Burrowing in Recent lime sediments of Florida and the Bahamas. 1968c. 879-894 42 SHINN, E. A. Sedimentology Submarine lithification of Holocene carbonate sediments in the Persian Gulf. 1969 109-144 12 SHINN, E. A., R. M. LLOYD and R. N. GINSBURG, Jour. Sed. Petrology Anatomy of a modern, carbonate tidal-flat, Andros Island, Bahamas. 1969 1202-1228 39 SHINN, E. A., Gulf Coast Assoc. Geol. Soc. Transations, Aspects of diagenesis of algal cup reefs in Bermuda 1971 387-394 21 SHOJI, R., and R. L. FOLK, Jour. Sed. Petrology Surface morphology of some limestone types as revealed by electron microscope. 1964 144-155 34 SIEGEL, F. R. Jour. Sed. Petrology The effect of strontium on the aragonite calcite ratios of Pleistocene corals. 1960 294-304 34 SIPPEL, R. F., and E. D. GLOVER Science, Structures in carbonate rocks made visible by luminescence petography. 1965 1283-1287 150 TAYLOR, J. C. M., and L. V. ILLING, Sedimentology, Holocene intertidal calcium carbonate cementation, Qatar, Persian Gulf. 1969 69-107 12

Plate 1. A. Taninul Member at "Cementos Anahuac" quarry ( S-I). Notice wedges and lenses of inter-reef biomicrudites with steep dip due to fault. Scale bar-12 m. B. Cross-sectional view of a colony of caprinids in growth position forming the reef frarnework at "Cementos Anahuac" quarry (S-I). Scale bar-10 cm. C. Reef-core facies (S-I). Notice rudist shells and multiple stages of neomorphic fibrous calcite cementation and internal pelletal sediments containing microfossils. Cut and fill microchannel and synsedimentary disconformities are shown by arrow. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample I-195. D. Reefcore facies (S-I). Notice multiple generations of fibrous cement and micritic rind rimming rudist shells, which are impregnated with asphalt. See arrow. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample I-209. E. Reefcore facies (S-I). Rudist shell (s) rimmed with several generations of micritic rind and neomorphic fibrous calcite cement. Scale bar-0.3 mm (thinsection, crossed nicols). Sample I-27. F. Reef-core facies (S-I). Interference of neomorphic fibrous calcite cements filling interpartide porosity. Notice micrite rind rimming leached rudist shell(s). Scale bar-0.3 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample I-209.

Plate 2. A. Reef-core facies (S-I). Alternating neomorphic fbrous cacite cement and internal pelletal sediment bearing microfossils, filling interparticle porosity. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample I-208. B. Reef-core facies (S-I). Geopetal structure formed by pelmicrite, pelmicrosparite, and blocky sparry calcite cement, filling rudist void. Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample I-7. C. Reef-core facies (S-I). Rudist shell (s) rimmed with neomorphic fibrous calcite, which is overlain with pelmicrite bearing microfossi1s. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thinsection, crossed nicols). Sample I-18. D. Reef-core facies (S-I). Rudist shell (s) encrusted by an unidentified algae(a), then rimmed with neomorphic fibrous calcite crust, which is overlain with pelmicrite internal sediment. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample I-18. E. Reefcore facies (S-I). Notice degrading neomorphism on top of neomorphic fibrous calcite crystals, shown by arrows, then overlain by pelmicrite internal sediment. Scale bar-0.2 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample I-18. F. Reef-core facies (S-I). Notice degrading neomorphism on top of neomorphic fibrous calcite crystals, Pelmicrite internal sediment filling inter particle porosity. Scale bar-0.2 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample I-18.

Plate 3. A. Reef-core facies (S-I). On top, neomorphic fibrous calcite. Below right, pelmicrite filling interparticle porosity. Notice degrading neomorphism at the contact o the neomorphic fibrous calcite and pelmicrite internal sediment. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample I18. B. Same as above, photographed by luminescent light revealing 6 growth bands. The light areas correspond to bright orange luminiscence, and the dark areas are lacking luminiscence. Reference points shown by arrows. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section). C. Reef-core facies (S-I). On top, neomorphic fibrous calcite. Below right, pelmicrite filling interparticle porosity. Notice degrading neomorphism at the contact of neomorphic fibrous calcite and internal sediment. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample I-18. D. Same as above, photographed by luminescent light revealing 5 growth bands. Reference points shown by arrows. Scale bar-5 mm (thin-section). E. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Neornorphic fibrous calcite cement (f) lining voids became radiaxial fibrous calcite (r) in early diage nesis, then clear drusy sparry calcite (d) growth in continuity with substrate. The zones A, B, and C were analyzed with electron microprobe, see Plate 4. Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols) Sample II-11. F. Same as above, neomorphic fibrous calcite cement shows orange luminescence (light areas). Radiaxial and drusy sparry calcites are lacking luminescence (dark areas) . Reference points shown by arrows. Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section, luminescent light photograph).

Plate 4. Electron beam scanning photographs of neomorphic fibrous calcite (A), radiaxial calcite (B) and clear drusy sparry calcite (C), lining a void. Notice enrichment in strontium, which shows quite nuniform distribution in the three different calcite cements, and poor enrichment in manganese and iron in the cements. See Plate 3-E for reference. Scale bar-90 microns (thin-section).

Plate 5. A. Wedges and lenses of biomicrudite in the fore-reef facies. Taninul Hotel. See man for scale. B. Caprinid-lenses overlain by low angle cross-bedded calcarenitic blankets. "Taninul" quarry (S-II). Scale bar-20 m. C. Close-up of a caprinid biolithite (S-II). Notice rudist colony in growth position. See hammer for scale. D. Shelf-margin calcarenite facies (S-II). Synsedimentary fractures filled with permicrite internal sediment which bears marine microfossils. See hammer for scale. E. Shelf-margin calcarenite facies (S-II). Solution void in unsorted mollusk biomicrudite. Floor of the cavity is lined with neomorphic fibrous calcite cements (f) overlain with biomicritic and pelmicritic internal sediment (i). Above laminations were destroyed by bioturbation. Scale bar-1 cm (polished slab). Sample II-29. F. Shelf-margin calcarenite facies (S-II). Strom aroporoid (Parkeria sp) abundant in calcarenites. Notice cephalopod shell as nucleous shown by arrow. Scale bar-1 cm (polished dab), Sample II-26.

Plate 6. A. Monopleurid biolithite at "Taninul" quarry (S-II). Notice rudist colony in growth position. Scale bar-5 cm. B. Colonial coral (Cladophyllia) at "Taninul" quarry (S-II). Coin diameter-2.5 cm. C. Monopleurid biolithite (S-II). Solution void lined with neomorphic fibrous calcite cement (f) and filled with pelmicrite and biomicrite internal sediment (i). Coin. diameter-2.5 cm. D. Same as above. Notice abundance of ostracods and other microfossi1s within pelmicritic: matrix. Neo morphic fibrous calcite crust lines walls (9. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section). Sample II-20. E. Monopleuridrequieniiid bio lithite (S-II). Notice Toucasia shell (t) with black, outer layer. Scale bar-10 cm (polished slab). Sample II-72. F.Sediments containing gastropods, miliolids, ostracods, and intraclasts transported frora back-reef lagoon zone to the shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section). Sample II-71.

Plate 7. A. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Mollusk biomicrudite composed of gastropods and rudist fragments. Notice above left, synsedimentary fracture filled with pelmicrite bearing marine microfossils. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample II-68. B.Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Disconformity surface between molluscan coarse biomicrite (below) and bioturbated pelmicrite (above). Thin crust of neomorphic fibrous calcite is shown by arrow. Cakite veins were tectonically formed. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample II-60. C.Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Bioturbated biomicrudite composed of rudist fragments, gastro pods, encrusting stromatoporoids (st), and other miscellancous shells. Notice solution void with pelmicritic internal sediment bearing microfossils (i) followed by a fibrous calcite crust (f) and filled with pelmicrite (p) , lining of drusy sparry calcite (d), vadose silt (v) and blocky sparry calcite (b). Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample II-56. D.Sheifedge reef zone (S-II). Close-up of neomorphic fibrous calcite cement (f), radiaxial fibrous cement (r), and blocky sparry calcite (b). Notice curved cleavage in radiaxial crystals. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thinsection, crossed nicols). Sample II-63. E.Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Close-up of clear drusy sparry calcite (d) , which grew after the radiaxial fibrous cement (r). Notice the curved cleavage, shown by arrow. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample II-63. F. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Close-up of blocky sparry calcite showing overgrowth (o) . Notice the straight cleavage in blocky calcite, shown by arrow. Scale bar 0.250 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample II-63.

Plate 8. A. Inter-reef packed biomicrudite (S-II). Leached solitary coral internally filled by clear calcite cement. Notice geopetal microspar, shown by arrow, overlain by drusy calcite cement. Scale bar-3 mm (thin section) . Sample II-70. B. Monopleurid-requieniid biolithite (S-II). Unidentified organism associated with serpulid worm tubes, Toucasia shells, gastropods,and other miscellaneous shells. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section). Sample II-73. C. Serpulid worm tubes associated with Toucasia, gastropods, pelecypods and ostracods, from protected inter-reef environment (S-II). Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section). SampleII-75. D. Inter-reef facies (S-II). Syntaxial rim cement (o) on an echinoderm fragment. The rim appears. to be formed by aggra ding neornorphism at the periphery of the skeletal fragment. Scale bar-0.3 mm (thin-section). Sample II41. E. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Syntaxial rim cement (o) of an echinoderm fragment (e) which was trapped inside the fracture, so that only the exposed surface was rimmed with fibrous cement. The rim appears to be a space- filling cement. Scale bar-0.2 mm (thin-section, cros sed nicols) . Sample II-50. F. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Rudist shell filled with drusy calcite cement, which increases crystal size away from the surface of the shell. Seale bar-0.3 mm (thin-section, crossed. nicols) . Sample II-48.

Plate 9. A. Monopleurid-requieniid -coral biolithite (S-II). Colonial coral (Cladophyllia). Its galleries are filled by clear calcite cement and trapped micrite internal sediment. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thinsection). Sample II-62. B. Inter-reef facies (S-II). Boring into red coralline algae, Walls are lined by micrite rim cement (m) followed by biosparite containing ostracods, Shown by arrow. Scale bar-0.15 mm (thin-section). Sample II-53. C. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Leached stromatoporoid (st). Its galleries were initially filled with micrite internal sediment, which neomorphically converted to microsparite. Scale bar-0.3 mm (thin-section) . Sample II-55. D. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Molluscan shells (s) were bored and, micritized. by endo lithic algae, show by arrow; a first generation of fibrous calcite cement (f) precipitated, which was partially leached; then a second generation of drusy sparry calcite (d) filled the remaning space. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample II-14. E. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Mollusk shell (s) in optical continuity with a space-filling calcite cement (c). Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample II-18. F. Shells-edge reef zone (S-II). Leached rudist shell (s) filled with pelmicrosparite. Notice asphalt impregnation shown by arrow. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section). Sample II-33.

Plate 10. A. Caprinid-radiolitid biolithite. Caprinid shells (s) rimmed with several generations of neomorphic fibrous calcite cement (f). The cavities are filled with pelmicrite internal sediment containing marine microfossi1s (i) . Primary laminations have been destroyed by gastropod burrowers. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample II-52. B. Caprinid-radiolitid biolithite (S-II). Endolithic algae (a) encrusting rudist shell (s), and drusy calcite cement filling rudist chambers. Notice geopetal fabric, shown by arrow. Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section). Sample II-49. C. Caprinidradiolitid biolithite (S-II). Molluscan shell (s) bound with micrite envelope (m), then encrusted by stromatoporoid (st). Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section). Sample II-52. D. Caprinid radiolitid biolithite (SII). Leached stromatoporoid (st) encrusted by algae (a) . Intervening sparry calcite filled voids whicb possibly represented gas bubbles, shown by arrow. Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section). Sample II-52. E. Inter-reef facies (S-II). Boring in biomicrite with walls lined with neomorphic fibrous cement (f) . Pelmicrite internal sediment bearing marine micro fossi1s filled the cavity. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thinsection). Sample II-42. F. Inter-reef facies (S-II). Boring in biomicrite. Walls were lined with neomorphic fibrous cement (f). Pelmicrite bearing ostracods infiltered, and the remaining space was filled with drusy sparry calcite cement (d). Scale bar-0.3 mm (thin-section). Sample II-47.

Plate 11. A. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Bored and micritized grains of mol luscan shells. The dissolved cores of aragonitic shells were filled with drusy calcite cement (c) . Notice borings in red coralline algae, shown by arrows near bottom of photomicrograph. Scale bar-2 mm (thin-section). Sample II-8. B. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Pelecypod-shell trapped into rudst shell (s). Borings are filled with pelmicrite internal sediment. Scale bar-2 mm (thin-section). Sample II-9. C. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Internal sediment composed of biomicrite. Notice the abundance of microforaminifera and disarticulated ostracods. Neomorphic fibrous cement (f) lines the wall, to the upper left. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section). Sample II-21. D. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Leached rudist shell with geopetal fabric, internal sediment composed of pelmicrite. Drusy cement (d) has replaced the dissolved core of aragonitic molluscan shell. Scale bar-3 mm (thin-section). Sample II22. E. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Rudist chamber with geopetal fabric; the internal sediment is composed of micritized grains of molluscan shell. The remaining void was filled drusy sparry calcite. Other rudist voids were filled with drusy (d) and blocky calcite cement (b) . Scale bar-3 mm (thinsection). Sample II-25. F. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Molluscan shell (s) rimmed with neomorphic fibrous cement (f) in sheltered porosity. The shell was covered with pelmicrite internal sediment. Notice borings with geopetal fabric. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section). Sample II-44.

Plate 12. A. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Molluscan shells (s) bound with neomorphic fibrous calcite cement (f) that par tially altered to radiaxial calcite mosaic (r). The remaining void was filled with neomorphic pseudospar (p) and blocky calcite cement (b). Scale bar-0.3 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample II-15. B. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Close-up of the radiaxial mosaic (r) from above. Notice a veinlet (v) probably formed by aggrading neornorphism of the radiaxial and fibrous calcite groundrnass (f). Scale bar-0.1 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample II-15. D. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Close-up of neomorphic pseudospar (p) derived from radiaxial mosaic. Notice the curved cleavages that trend into pseudospar. The remaining void was filled with blocky calcite cement (b). Scale bar-0.1 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample II-15. D. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Leached red coralline algae (a) bound with a first generation of neornorphic fibrous calcite cement (f) , which was interrupted by mcritic alteration rind (m) (Probably algal in origin). A second generation of neo morphic fibrous calcite precipitated (f). Scale bar-0.3 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample II-12. E. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Leached stromatoporoid (st) bound with alternating neornorphic fibrous calcite cement (f) and micritic alteration rind (m). Scale bar-0.3 mm (thin-section). Sample II-46. F. Shelf-edge reef zone (S-II). Rudist shell embedded in sparry calcite cement. The thin lines separating the chambers are possibly micrite envelopes which remained due to their high content of organic matter. Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section). Sample II-19.

Plate 13. A. "Cementos Anahuac" quarry (S-I). Matrix supported breccia filling karstic: voids. Clasts are composed of rudist biomicrudite embedded in asphalt-impregnated, argillaceous matrix, which is rich in planktonic foraminifera of early Campanain age. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample I187. B. Close-up of asphalt-impregnated, argillaceous matrix containing planktonic foraminifera. Scale bar-0.3 mm (thin-section). Sample I-187. C.Shelf-edge reef zone at "Taninul" quarry ( S-II). Composite grains. Notice micrite envelope and leached neomorphic fibrous rim cement, shown by arrows. Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section). Sample II-7. D. Shelf-edge reef zone at "Taninul" quarry ( SII). Neornorphic fibrous calcite binding peloids of unknown origin. Notice micrite envelope around some of these peloids, shown by arrows. Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section). Sample II-1. E. Shelf-edge reef zone at "Taninul" quarry (S-II). Solution void in intraclastic biosparite rock. Notice vadose internal sediment (i) overlain by vadose calcite silt (c) , and by blocky sparry calcite (b). Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample II-4. F. Same as above. Close-up of solution void with sparry calcite (d) overlain by vadose internal sediment (i), drusy sparry calcite (d) , vadose calcite silt (c) , and blocky sparry calcite (b) . Scale bar-0.3 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols).

Plate 14. A. Bedding is well-developed at near-bak reef/lagoon zone (S-III). Each bed is formed by complex changes of lithofaces. Dark zones are impregnated with asphalt. For scale, see man shown by arrow. B. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-III). Exposure surface, may be weathered and bored by root-plants. Below, some bores are impregnated with asphalt (dark), others are filled with micrite internal sediment (light) . Scale bar-10 cm C. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-III). Weathered intraclasts and solution voids filled with pelmicrite internal sediment and overlain with neomorphic fibrous calcite cement; remaining voids were filled with drusy and blocky sparry calcite cements. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample III-44. D. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-IV). Stromatactislike structure with flat floor and digitated top, developed in pelmicrite. Notice drusy sparry calcte (d) and asphalt (a) filling the remaining cavitv. Coin-diameter 2,5 cm. E. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-III) Solution voids in intramicrudite; below left, the void is lined with neomorphic fibrous calcite and filled with pelmicrite internal sediment contraining miliolids (p) , vadose internal sediment (i) impregnated with asphalt. The remaining space is filled with drusy sparry caIcite cement (d). Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample III-30. F. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-IV). Solution voids in biomicrite containing miliolids. Notice void at below right, filled with, in sequence: neomorphic fibrous calcite cement (f) , pelmicrite internal sediment containing microfossils (p), vadose internal sediment (i), drusy sparry calcite cement (d), vadose calcite silt (c) , drusy sparry calcite cement (d), vadose calcite silt (c) , vadose internal sediment (i) impregnated with asphalt. Final void was filled with drusy sparry calcite cement (d). Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). SampleIV-26. G. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-III). Stromatactis-like structure in pelmicrite containing miliolids. Notice asphalt impregnation in vadose internal sediment (i), overlain by drusy sparry calcite cement (d) ; remaining void was filled with asphalt (a). Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample III-34.

Plate 15. A. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-III). Exposure surface in the supratidal environment characterized by weathered algalstromatolitic crust binding small flat-chips. Note algal-like laminations shown by arrows. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample III-43. B. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-III). Packed intraclastic biomicrudite composed of rudis fragments (r) , stromatopcraid (Parkeria sp) , rugose coral fragments (c) representing a washover deposit derived from the reef zone. Note solution voids h3wn by arrow. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample III10. C. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-IV). Birdseye structures of planar vugs in pelmicrite containing miliolids, these may be formed by shrinkage during exposures at upper intertidal-lower supratidal zones. Notice vertical tubes (t) caused by burrowers or by roots. Calcite veins tentonically formed, are shown by arrows Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab) . Sample IV-24. D. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-III). Biomicrudite rich in Nerinea (?) gastropods in the intertidal zone. Scale bar2 cm (polished slab) . Sample III-46. E. Closeup from Fig. C. Miliolids and pellets trapped within the algal frarnework. Clear drusy sparry calcite filling voids in early stage of cementation. Note lack of compaction. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section). F. Same as above. Notice birdseye vugs (v) filled with drusy sparry calcite. Pellets and miliolids apparently were held in early stage of cementation. Note lack of compaction. Scale bar-1 mm (thinsection).

Plate 16. A. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-III). Close-up of birdseye vu-s within stromatolitic layers. Note geopetal fabric composed of micrite internal sediment bearing ostracods which is overlain with drusy sparry calcite. Scale bar-1 mm (thinsection). Sample III-47. B. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (SIV). Several planar birdseye vugs lacking compaction due to early cementation. Note geopetal fabrics, and miliolids trapped by mucilaginous-like algal framework; calcite veins tectonically formed cut the section transversally. Scale bar-3 mm (thinsection). Sample IV-23. C. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-III). Close-up of a stromatactis-like structure. From bottom to top: pelmicrite containing miliolids (p) , reddish to brownish vadose internal sediment (i), neornorphic fibrous calcite cement (f), brownish vadose internal sediment (i) , neornorphic fibrous calcite cement (f), micrite bearing ostracods and other benthonic micrafossils (m) , drusy sparry calcite cement (d) filled the remaining space. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample III-8. D. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-IV). Close up of the floor of a stromatactis-like structure. From bottom to top: micrite internal sediment bearing ostracods (m) , pelmicrosparite (p) , neomorphic fibrous calcite cement (f) , vadose internal sediment (i) impregnated with asphalt, vadose calcite silt (c) , and drusy sparry calcite cement (d) . Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample IV-14. E. Near-back reef/lagoon zone (S-III). Solution void. From bottom to top: neomorphic fibrous calcite cement (f) , pelmicrite internal sediment (p) , a second generation of neornorphic fibrous calcite cement (f) , reddish vadose internal sediment (i), asphalt rim shown by arrow, and drusy sparry cement (d). Above right, an intraclast (in) was rimmed with neornorphic fibrous calcite cement (f) , radiaxial fibrous calcite mosaic (r), and drusy sparry calcite with well formed scalenohedral terminations (dr) and with curved cleavages, then clear drusy sparry calcite (d) with the same curved cleavages of the radiaxial fibrous calcite mosaic. Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample III-32. F. Near-back reef/lagoon zone. Close-up from Fig. E, showing the radiaxial fibrous calcite mosaic (r); drusy sparry calcite terminated by obtusely pointed faces (dr) , and clear drusy sparry calcite (d) which grew with the same curved cleavage of the radiaxial fibrous mosaic. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thinsection, crossed nicols).

Plate 17. A. Photograph taken with crossed nicols (S-III). Reddish vadose internal sediment (i) is overlain by vadose calcite silt (c), and with blocky sparry calcite cement (b). Scale bar-0.5 mm (thinsection). Sample III-33. B. Same as Fig. A. The photograph was taken with luminescent ligth. Note total lacking of luminescence in the region. The arrows show reference points. Scale bar-0.5 mm. C. Photograph taken with crossed nicols (S-IV). Neomorphic fibrous calcite cement (f) is overlain by reddish vadose internal sediment (i), then by vadose calcite silt (c) . A calcite -vein crosses transversally (b). Arrows show thin asphalt films. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section). Sample IV- 14. D. Same as Fig. C. The photograph was taken with lumi nescent light. The light areas correspond to bright orange luminescence. Notice growth bands and partial leaching of neo morphic fibrous calcite, which is luminescence. Reference points are shown by arrows. ScaIe bar-0.2 mm. E. Photograph taken with crossed nicols (S-IV). Neomorphic fibrous clacite cement (f) is overlain by reddish vadose internal sediment (i), then by drusy sparry calcite. A thin asphalt-film is shown by the arrows. Scale bar-0.3 mm (thin-section). Sample IV-14. F. Same as Fig. E. The photograph was taken with luminescent light. Notice that neomorphic fibrous calcite is luminescent, while the other components are not. The arrows show reference points. Scale bar-0.3 mm,

Plate 18. A. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-V). Notice stromatolite structure from the upper intertidal environment as was inter preted herein. The stromatactis-like structures, shown by arrow, developed in miliolids-packed biomicrite from the subtidal environment. See hammer for seale. B.Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-V). Polygonal mud-cracks in pelmicrite, formed at the upper intertidal to lower supratidal environments. Pencil length-10 cm. C. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-VIII). Borings in weathered surface, which may represent root holes from the supratidal enviroment. Scale bar-3 cm. D. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-V). Weathered stromatolitic crust poorly dolomitized, which may be formed at the upper intertidal-lower supratidal enviroments. Scale bar-1 cm (polished sIab). Sample V-36. E. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-VII). Weathered stromatolitic crust interlayered with pelmicritic and micritic rocks from the upper intertidal-lower supratidal zone. Scale bar-1 cm (polished slab). SampleVII-50. F. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-VII). Stromatolitic layers and miliolid packed biomicrite, from the intertidal enviroment. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample VII-55.

Plate 19. A. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-VII). Burrows random1y oriented, filled with drusy sparry calcite, in miliolid-packed biomicrite from the subtidal environment. Coin diameter-2 cm. B. Tidalflat/lagoon zone (S-V). A system of stromatactis-like structures in miliolid-packed biomicrite from the subtidal environment. See hammer for scale. C. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-VII). Birdseye structures in intraclastic pelmicrite containing miliolids. Note birdseye voids filled with sparry calcite. At bottom of the photograph are bubble-like vugs (b). At top, the voids are planar (p), and are overlain by ripple marks shown by arrow. The sample is interpreted to represent sediments deposited in the upper-intertidal environment. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample VII-33. D. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-VI). Note blocky sparry calcite filling Toucasia shell from the intertidal environment, shown by arrow. Pelmicrite internal sediment containing miliolids filled the interior of the shells. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample VI-45. E. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-VI). Miliolid-packed biomicrite representing sediments deposited in the subtidal environment. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample VI-32. F. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (SVII). Poorly-washed biosparite containing planktonic foraminifera. Note below right, a rounded limestone fragment hearing miliolids. Scale bar-1 cm (polished slab). Sample VII-27.

Plate 20. A. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-V). Mud-cracked pelmicrite from the upper intertidal environment and a calcarenitic layer which may have been deposited during washover stage, shown by arrows. The layers with birdseye voids contain a framework which may be of algal origin. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample V-4. B. Oncolitic: rich layers found at the border of the tidalflat zone with the lagoon zone (S-VII). Notice oncolitic algal coats around nucleus, which are formed of miscellaneous calcarcous constituents. Scale bar-1 cm. (polished slab) . Sample VII-43. C. Tidalflat/lagoon zone (S-V). Biotur bated pelmicrite from the intertidal environment. Above, a stronatactislike structure lined with a first generation of neomorphic fibrous calcite cement, shown by arrows, then a thin layer of vadose internal sediment impregnated with asphalt, overlain with drusy sparry calcite filling the remaining void. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample V-23 D. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-VI). Bioturbated pelmicrite from the intertidal environment. Solution voids filled with micrite internal sediment bearing ben thortic microsfossi1s (m) , reddish vadose internal sediment (i) , and drusy calcite cement (d) . Scale bar-1 cm (polished slab). Sample VI-1. E. Tidal-flat/lagoort zone (SVII). Notice Toucasia shells crushed during early compaction in the intertidal environment, shown by arrows. Remaining voids were filled with drusy calcite cement. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). SampleVII-47. F. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-V). Coarse biomicrite possibly deposited during washover stage, overlain by miliolid packed biomicrite from the subtidal environment. Scale bar-2 cm (polished slab). Sample V-16.

Plate 21. A. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-VIII). Close-up of a planar birdseye void. Notice geopetal fabric: within voids, and lack of compaction due to an early cementation. Miliolids and pellets were trapped within mucilagenous-like algal matter. Scale bar-1 mm (thin-section). Sample VIII-42. B. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-VIII). Solution void and bubble-like birdseye vugs with geopetal fabric. The internal sediment is vadose calcite silt (c) overlain by drusy sparry calcite cement (d) . Scale bar-3 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample VIII-77. C. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-V). Solution void filled with a first generation of neornorphic fibrous calcite cement (f), radiaxial mosaic (r), reddish vadose internal sediment (i), vadose cal cite silt (c) , and with clear drusy sparry calcite cement (d) which grew with the same curved cleavage of the radiaxial mosaic. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thin-section, crossed nicols). Sample V-23 D. Tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-VI). Biomicrite containing milio lids and other benthonic foraminifera, such as Dicydina, in the subtidal environment. Scale bar-0.5 mm (thinsection). Sample VI-7. E. Contact between biomicrite containing miliolids and poorly washed biosparite containing planktonic micro foraminifera in the tidal-flat/lagoon zone (S-VII). Scale bar-I mm (thin-section). Sample VII-27. F. Same as Fig. E. Close-up photograph showing planktonic: foraminifera, shown by arrows, and a reworked miliolid within them. Scale bar-0.15 mm (thin section).

Plate 22. A. SEM photograph. Micrite grains showing overgrowths, which are weIded as the result of dissolution-precipitation processes. Vuggy porosity, shown by arrow, -svas formed by leaching of micrite grains resulting in the formation of pores larger than the original grain size. Scale bar-5 microns (fracture surface). Sample III-13. B. SEM photograph. Leached neomorphic fibrous calcite cement, which is overlain by partially weIded micrite internal sediment. Notice sharp contac between both constituents. Scale bar-25 microns (fracture surface). Sample IV-15. C. SEM photograph. Overgrowths in microsparite grains reduced the primary intercrystalline porosity. Asphalt impregnation in vuggy porosity, shown by arrows. Such porosity was formed by leaching of microsparite grains, and it was probably increased by fracturing, permitting oil migration. Scale bar7 microns (fracture surface). Sample IV-36. D. SEM photograph, Overgrowths in microsparite grains. Vuggy porosity highly impregnated with asphalt (dark areas). Scale bar-7 microns (fracture surface). Sample V-1. E. SEM photograph. Neomorphic fibrous calcite. Notice intense weIding due to solutionprecipitation processes. Scale bar-30 microns (fracture surface). SampleV-12. F. SEM photograph. Unidentified peloid within weIded microsparite matriz. Scale bar-30 microns (fracture surface).Sample VI-2.