Editorial: Advancements in Carbonate Geology: Depositional settings, Sedimentology, Chemostratigraphy, Reservoir Characterization, and Environmental Sustainability

George Kontakiotis^1*Mumtaz Shah²Sajjad Ahmad³Assimina Antonarakou¹Muhammad Saleem Mughal⁴Hammad Tariq Janjuhah⁵

• ¹Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
• ²Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
• ³University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
• ⁴The University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
• ⁵INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia

Generally, three main thematic sections can be outlined, namely sedimentary dynamics in carbonate factories, paleoceanography, and potential reservoir quality. The first thematic section addresses the imprint of sedimentary characteristics and related depositional or diagenetic processes in carbonate successions. Yang et al. reconciled petrological and petrophysical analyses of the Cretaceous Itapema and Barra Velha Formations in Santos Basin (Brazil) and developed the evolution of that giant rift lacustrine carbonate factory. Based on the observed reservoir properties and distribution of carbonate facies, this study has a considerable potential for oil and gas exploration in rift lake basin reservoirs globally. He et al. studied the mineralogical, petrographic, and geochemical characteristics of sand-like calcium carbonate particles in the high-calcium cold springs of Huanglong, China. This study highlights the complexity and diversity of localized travertine deposition, bridging the gap between macroscopic sedimentary frameworks and localized depositional processes. This research provides fundamental insights into the complex interplay between inorganic processes (hydrochemical precipitation) and organic mediation (microbial activity and extracellular polymeric substances) in such unique calcium-rich spring environments worldwide.The second thematic section is notable because several applications of the marine geological knowledge are demonstrated. Chen et al. investigated the optimization of sedimentary tank through both numerical results and experimental measurements. The design of such a sedimentation tank is of key importance in water diversion projects. In their research, both physical and numerical models were conducted for assessing the hydrodynamics and sediment transport in the sedimentation tank of the Oujiang Water Diversion Project. Wang et al. examined the characteristics of the terrestrial heat flow and lithospheric thermal structure in the southern Jizhong Depression by using geothermal well logging and the tests of rock thermophysical properties in the Gaoyang geothermal field. As a result of the distribution of calculated temperatures at depth and thickness of the thermal lithosphere in the region, this work established a conceptual model for the lithospheric thermal structure along with the estimated deep geothermal distribution in the study area. Majeed et al. investigated the petrography and geochemistry of soapstone-bearing dolomite within the Sherwan Formation, Hazara Basin highlighting the complex interplay of tectonic, metamorphic, and geochemical processes in its evolution. Integrated geochemical, microscopy and petrographic data discerned the complete understanding of the hydrothermal dynamic metamorphism and further resolved the age controversy surrounding the host rock.The third thematic section represents diversity of geological processes related to the reservoir quality of carbonates, including formation mechanisms, properties, controlling factors and genetic models. Li et al. performed a comprehensive analysis of the controlling factors for dolomite reservoir development (e.g., reservoir space, physical properties and geochemical characteristics) and presented a reservoir genetic model through thin-section observations, C-O isotope analysis, and rare earth element analysis with the case study of the dolomites of the Qigebulak Formation in Tarim Basin, China. Tian et al. examined the characteristics and the formation mechanism of the dolomite reservoirs for Lower Ordovician Majiagou Formation, central Ordos Basin, China. This study provides novel geochemical and sedimentary insights for predicting dolomite reservoirs in anhydrite-depleted settings, aiding global hydrocarbon exploration in similar basins. Barbosa et al. employed a novel methodology for analyzing petroleum system elements (static and dynamic), particularly focusing on analogous microbialite reservoirs in Brazil and Portugal. The authors compared the efficiency of petroleum systems in the Santos Basin (Brazil) and Lusitanian Basin (Portugal) and demonstrated the processes and factors controlling their effectiveness on hydrocarbon accumulation. Messaoud et al. studied one of the primary conventional carbonate oil/gas reservoirs in Tunisia, the Early Bartonian Reneiche/Siouf member and identified various (e.g., depositional, diagenetic, and stratigraphic) factors affecting its reservoir quality and porosity. Accurate zonation and modeling of this reservoir through integrated surface-subsurface analysis provide valuable insights into the primary controls on facies and petrophysical heterogeneity of similar reservoirs characterized by carbonate facies deposited in relatively shallow-water settings. Li et al. traced Late Ediacaran to Early Cambrian stratigraphic correlations based on the characteristics of elements, isotopes, and small shelly fossils found in the Dengying Formation and further discussed their geological implications in the northwestern Sichuan Basin. The results offer new insights for deep oil and gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin and for the tectonic-depositional-environmental-biological synergistic evolution in the Late Ediacaran to Early Cambrian transition. Tian et al. focused on the pore structure characteristics and influencing factors of dolomite reservoirs. Particularly the evaluation of the dolomite pore structure, with regard to pore heterogeneity, geometry, and connectivity, is crucial for oil and gas field production and reservoir prediction in the lower Ordovician Majiagou Formation, Ordos Basin, China.