Abstract The bulk of the replacive dolomite in the Lower Carboniferous (Dinantian) of Ireland is characterized by planar texture and (C, O) isotope signatures that are consistent with a modified Dinantian seawater origin at near-surface temperatures. Only a volumetrically minor (~ 5%) part of the dolomite is characterized by nonplanar texture. Petrographic evidence for fabric-preserving neomorphism of mimetic replacement planar dolomite is the preservation of concentric ooid textures and planar dolomite zonation (in plane-polarized light) retained within mosaics of mainly planar/nonplanar and nonplanar crystals. Neomorphosed dolomite commonly forms an interlocking mosaic of planar/nonplanar crystals and appears to have slightly increased crystal size relative to fine crystalline planar dolomite. In cathodoluminescence, neomorphosed dolomite tends to possess a uniform medium-intensity red color that lacks zonation. The oxygen isotope data from the planar and neomorphosed dolomites (planar and planar/nonplanar morphologies) further supports the petrographically defined division of the two dolomite types.

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