Siderite concretions: indicators of early diagenesis in the Gammon shale (Cretaceous).

The Gammon member of the Pierre shale of the northern Great Plains, USA, contains abundant siderite concretions. The relative depth and time of siderite precipitation can be inferred from the structure, mineralogy and isotopic composition of these concretions. Concretions that formed at shallow depths, early in the history of the sediment, contain a high percentage (75-85%) of carbonate, preserve uncompacted structures and have oxygen isotopic ratios similar to that of sea-water. In contrast, concretions that formed later and/or at greater depths have lower carbonate content and lower 18O/16O ratios. Concretions in rapidly deposited sediments formed at shallow depths (