G. Kontakiotis
M. Shah
S. Ahmad
A. Antonarakou
M. S. Mugual
H. T. Janjuhah5- 1Department of Historical Geology-Paleontology, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, School of Earth Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- 2Department of Earth Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- 3Department of Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
- 4Institute of Geology, Azad Jammu and Kashmir University, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
- 5INTI International University, Nilai, Nagri Sembilan, Malaysia
Editorial on the Research Topic
Advancements in carbonate geology: depositional settings, sedimentology, chemostratigraphy, reservoir characterization, and environmental sustainability
Carbonate rocks are one of the main components of the Earth’s surface accounting for 15%–20% of all sedimentary rocks. They also represent a vital component of the Earth’s geological framework, serving as archives of past climates and related paleoceanographic events (Shackleton and Opdyke, 1977; Lear et al., 2000; Zachos et al., 2001; Cornacchia et al., 2021; Preiss-Daimler et al., 2021; Kontakiotis et al., 2016; 2019; 2022; Besiou et al., 2024), as well as biological evolution (Wood, 1998; Grotzinger and Knoll, 1999; Grotzinger and James, 2000; Kiessling et al., 2005; Pomar and Hallock, 2008; Reijmer, 2021; Antonarakou et al., 2018; Brandano et al., 2022; Besiou et al., 2023; Agiadi et al., 2024a; b; Ali et al., 2025; James and Pufahl, 2025), while playing significant roles in natural resources (e.g., hydrocarbon reservoirs; Kontakiotis et al., 2021; Janjuhah et al., 2021; Ahmad et al., 2022; Bilal et al., 2023; Qureshi et al., 2023; Ibrar et al., 2024; Khattak et al., 2024), construction industries and engineering applications (Kamran et al., 2022; Ahmed et al., 2023; Bukhari et al., 2023; Hussain et al., 2024; Ibrahim et al., 2024; Okewale et al., 2024), sedimentary processes (James, 1977; Tucker and Wright, 1990; Pomar and Ward, 1995; Schlager, 2005; Pomar, 2020; Bilal et al., 2022; Moforis et al., 2022; Mehmood et al., 2023; Rehman et al., 2023), stratigraphic correlations (Qamar et al., 2023; Shahzad et al., 2024; Khan et al., 2025) and subsequent paleoenvironmental reconstructions (Purdy, 1963; Swart, 2015; Bosellini, 1984; Schlager, 2005; James and Jones, 2015; Pomar, 2020; Rahim et al., 2022; Ali et al., 2021; 2023). Comprehending adequately the diverse and dynamic nature of carbonate successions is reliant on the intricate interplay between their depositional processes, diagenetic alterations and geochemical signatures. Despite considerable progress and numerous achievements, advanced technologies and innovative multifaceted methodologies (e.g., facies distribution, well logging, seismic stratigraphy) are crucial for unravelling their geological significance and economic potential in a sustainable energy future.
On this regard, the vast field of research related to the carbonate systems needs regular update by integrating sedimentological observations with petrological and geochemical data and covering thus noted gaps as well as the breath of new relevant Research Topic and directions in the ongoing exploration of carbonate geology (Kontakiotis et al., 2022; 2024a; Kontakiotis et al., 2024b). This Research Topic comprises eleven insightful original contributions presenting the latest advancements and challenges in carbonate geology, focusing on deposition, sedimentology, geochemistry, stratigraphy, and reservoir characterization. Carbonates studied in this volume encompass both shallow and deep marine as well as continental mudstones from different settings globally, spanning strata from the Archean to the Cenozoic, adding a dual broader spatiotemporal dimension to this topic.
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.
Author contributions
GK: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing – original draft. MS: Investigation, Writing – review and editing. SA: Investigation, Writing – review and editing. AA: Investigation, Writing – review and editing. MM: Investigation, Writing – review and editing. HJ: Investigation, Writing – review and editing.
Funding
The author(s) declared that financial support was not received for this work and/or its publication.
Conflict of interest
The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Keywords: carbonate factory, chemostratigraphic correlations, depositional environments, diagenetic alterations, marine sedimentology, petroleum (oil) hydrocarbons, reservoir quality assessment, sedimentary facies
Citation: Kontakiotis G, Shah M, Ahmad S, Antonarakou A, Mugual MS and Janjuhah HT (2025) Editorial: Advancements in carbonate geology: depositional settings, sedimentology, chemostratigraphy, reservoir characterization, and environmental sustainability. Front. Earth Sci. 13:1754794. doi: 10.3389/feart.2025.1754794
Received: 26 November 2025; Accepted: 02 December 2025;
Published: 10 December 2025.
Edited and reviewed by:
Marco Brandano, Sapienza University of Rome, ItalyCopyright © 2025 Kontakiotis, Shah, Ahmad, Antonarakou, Mugual and Janjuhah. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: G. Kontakiotis, Z2tvbnRha0BnZW9sLnVvYS5ncg==