Facies Controlled Diagenetic Evolution of the Delhi Group Sandstones, Bayana Basin, Rajasthan

The Bayana Basin forms the eastern most limit of north Delhi fold belt covering parts of northeastern Rajasthan. The deposition of sediments took place during middle Proterozoic in fluvial and shallow marine environments. The rocks are mainly clastics and include conglomerate, sandstone and shale. During mechanical compaction rearrangement of grains took place and point and long contacts were formed. The sandstones are cemented by iron oxide, silica, carbonate and barite. The porosity has developed due to dissolution of iron, carbonate cement and feldspar grains. Dissolution of quartz along grain boundaries and silica rich compaction pore water seems to be the main source of silica. These observations suggest progressive compaction which initiated at the sediment water interface and continued till deep burial diagenesis in a rapidly subsiding basin.