Characteristics and genesis of the inter-salt dolostones in the Jianghan Basin

A succession of inter-salt non-sandstones occurs on a wide range of scales in the Palaeogene Qianjiang Formation in the Qianjiang depression,Jianghan salt lake basin.The present paper deals,in detail,with the distribution,type,mineralogy,geochemistry and genesis of the dolostones in the inter-salt non-sandstones from the basin.The inter-salt dolostones dominated by micritic dolostones are characterized by complex mineral compositions,lower ordering degree,rich Fe and Na and high Fe/Mn ratios,and thus interpreted as the products deposited in the sedimentary environment of salt lake basin during the primary-penecontemporaneous stages.