Sedimentation differences and depositional model in slope‐controlled travertine precipitation stream in Huanglong, China

A novel depositional model for travertine formation reveals how slope gradients and hydrodynamic conditions shape the growth of continental carbonate deposits. Research at Huanglong, China, demonstrates that steep slopes induce water jumps and jagged fluctuations in calcium carbonate concentrations, leading to distinct lamination structures characterized by alternating dense calcite and sparse calcite–microbial assemblages. The interplay between topography, hydrodynamics, and microbial activity regulates travertine aggradation and progradation, influencing the curvature of arc structures. This study integrates sedimentological analysis, hydrodynamic modeling, and regional hydrochemical variability to elucidate morphological evolution in slope-controlled travertine systems, offering insights applicable to other continental carbonate depositional areas.

Zhang, T., Dai, Q., Guo, X., Jiang, R., Cai, J., Li, Q., Zhang, Q., Luo, X., Jiang, Z., & Dong, F. (2025). Sedimentation differences and depositional model in slope‐controlled travertine precipitation stream in Huanglong, China. Sedimentology, 72(6), 1786–1804. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/sed.70021