In structurally-controlled dolomitization systems, there is a general consensus that the formation of dolostone-limestone transitions, termed here as “dolomitization fronts”, is governed by either the presence of an ultra-low permeability zone (fluid barrier) or changes in dolomitization potential and kinetics. However, the actual processes controlling the abrupt termination of dolostone bodies, and their corresponding morphology and dimension, are still relatively poorly understood. To address these challenges, we aim to (i) review the different origin and styles of structurally-controlled dolomitization fronts in the stratigraphic record and (ii) provide a standardized framework and quantitative insight to describe and interpret dolomitization fronts.

To achieve this, field observations across geologic timescales and geodynamic settings are complimented with published data to document different styles of structurally-controlled dolomitization fronts. The results show that the following morphologies are associated with both tabular and columnar dolostone bodies: (i) lateral contact/bed-perpendicular fronts; (ii) vertical contact/bed-parallel fronts; and (iii) complex-shaped fronts at the distal part of dolostone bodies. This morphological information, when coupled with detailed petrography, mineralogical and geochemical data could help to accurately reveal the governing processes behind the termination of dolostone bodies and their corresponding reaction front geometries. Our review shows that the first front type is primarily controlled by the interplay between intrinsic properties of the host rocks, dolomitizing fluids, and self-organization process. In contrast, the second front type is governed by the presence of laterally continuous depositional, diagenetic, or structural fluid barriers, creating a significant permeability contrast across beds. The formation of complex-shaped fronts is interpreted to be controlled by a combination of original lithological composition and kinetics.

This overview provides the first multi-study categorisation of ancient dolomitization fronts and the controls on their formation at a range of scales. This improves our understanding of low temperature metasomatic processes, and their termination, in sedimentary systems. Furthermore, it highlights how accurate interpretation of the origin and styles of dolomitization fronts can improve our understanding of dolomitization processes, paleofluid flow, and distribution of economic resources in dolomitized carbonate platforms, which can be challenging to determine from the dolostone bodies themselves, where they have undergone multiple phases of recrystallization and diagenetic overprinting.

在结构控制的白云石化系统中，普遍认为白云石-石灰岩转变的形成，这里称为“白云石化前沿”，是由超低渗透带（流体屏障）的存在或白云石化的变化控制的潜力和动力学。然而，控制白云岩体突然终止的实际过程及其相应的形态和尺寸仍然相对较少。为了应对这些挑战，我们的目标是 (i) 审查地层记录中结构控制的白云石化锋的不同起源和样式，以及 (ii) 提供标准化的框架和定量见解来描述和解释白云石化锋。

为实现这一目标，跨地质时间尺度和地球动力学环境的现场观测与已发布的数据相辅相成，以记录不同类型的结构控制白云石化前沿。结果表明，以下形态与板状和柱状白云岩体有关：(i) 侧向接触/床垂直锋；(ii) 垂直接触/床平行锋；(iii) 白云岩体远端的复杂形状锋。这种形态信息与详细的岩石学、矿物学和地球化学数据相结合，可以帮助准确揭示白云岩体终止背后的控制过程及其相应的反应前沿几何形状。我们的评论表明，第一锋型主要受主岩固有性质、白云石化流体和自组织过程之间的相互作用控制。相比之下，第二种锋面类型受横向连续沉积、成岩或构造流体屏障的控制，从而在各层之间形成显着的渗透率对比。复杂形状锋的形成被解释为受原始岩性组成和动力学的组合控制。

本概述首次对古代白云石化锋面进行了多项研究分类，并在一系列尺度上对其形成进行了控制。这提高了我们对沉积系统中低温交代过程及其终止的理解。此外，它还强调了对白云石化锋的起源和样式的准确解释如何提高我们对白云石化碳酸盐台地中白云石化过程、古流体流动和经济资源分布的理解，这可能具有挑战性，从白云岩体本身确定它们的位置经历了重结晶和成岩叠印的多个阶段。