In terms of porosity, how do clastic sedimentary rocks generally compare to chemical sedimentary rocks?

Clastic sedimentary rocks generally exhibit higher porosity compared to chemical sedimentary rocks. This is primarily due to the nature of their formation and composition. Clastic rocks are formed from the accumulation and lithification of sediment particles, which can create spaces, or pores, between the grains that allow for fluid storage. The arrangement and size of the grains, along with the degree of compaction and cementation, contribute to their overall porosity.

In contrast, chemical sedimentary rocks originate from the precipitation of minerals from solution, often filling in any potential voids with tightly interlocking crystals, which can result in a denser structure with fewer pores. As a result, these types of rocks typically have lower porosity. Thus, the characteristics of how clastic sedimentary rocks are formed lead them to have a greater potential for porosity compared to chemical sedimentary rocks.