The study of diagenesis—the physical, chemical, and biological changes occurring in sediments after deposition—is pivotal in unraveling the history and evolution of sedimentary basins. Diagenetic processes profoundly influence porosity, permeability, fluid migration, reservoir quality, and the geomechanical properties of rocks. Understanding the relationships between diagenetic evolution, fluid flow dynamics, and sedimentary basin development has significant implications for strategic resource exploration and management, including hydrocarbons, groundwater, geothermal energy, and ore deposits. Additionally, insights into diagenetic processes inform the safe storage of anthropogenic gases (e.g., CO2, H2) and enhance our understanding of risk factors such as groundwater contamination and fault reactivation.
This session, therefore, aims to explore these relationships from initial sediment deposition to deep burial, with a strong emphasis on the multidisciplinary nature of diagenesis and its integration with various geological processes. We invite contributions that advance our knowledge through:
• Diagenetic processes across varying depths and time scales, focusing on their temporal and spatial variability and their impact on the evolution of sedimentary basins, as well as the prediction and modeling of reservoir quality.
• Investigations of the mechanical and chemical compaction of sedimentary rocks, including the role of cementation, clay mineral formation, mineral replacement and dissolution, in shaping reservoir quality and fluid pathways.
• Examinations of geobiochemical alterations in sedimentary rocks, tracing the evolution of organic and inorganic processes from initial deposition through to deep burial, and their effects on mineralogy, fluid composition, and mechanical properties.
• Quantification and modeling of fluid flow patterns within sedimentary basins, integrating field data, laboratory measurements, and numerical simulations to elucidate the controls on fluid distribution and pathways.
• Exploration of the impact of diagenesis on the long-term stability and integrity of subsurface storage sites for CO2, hydrogen, and other gases, as well as implications for groundwater systems.