The effects of solution during diagenesis are observable in which of the following?

The effects of solution during diagenesis are notably observable in stylolites. Stylolites are formations that occur in sedimentary rocks as a result of the dissolution of certain minerals, typically during the compaction phase of diagenesis. The process involves the selective dissolution of carbonate minerals in a rock, which can lead to the development of these irregularly shaped features or layers that extend through the rock. These forms are often characterized by dark, wavy lines that represent the remaining insoluble residues left behind after the mineral dissolution. Through this process, stylolites indicate the history of pressure, fluid movement, and mineral chemistry during the rock’s burial and alteration.

In contrast, while sedimentary layers themselves can reflect processes of diagenesis, they do not specifically showcase the solution features like stylolites do. Fossil assemblages provide insights into past biological activity and environmental conditions, but do not directly indicate the chemical changes associated with the dissolution process. Mineral coatings can form from various diagenetic processes, but their formation does not specifically highlight the effects of solution during diagenesis as emphatically as stylolites do. Therefore, stylolites serve as a clear manifestation of the impact of solution during the diagenetic process.