Which process can enhance the permeability of sedimentary rock?

Diagenesis refers to the physical and chemical processes that sediments undergo after deposition and during and after lithification, which can include compaction, cementation, and physical changes. In the context of sedimentary rocks, diagenesis can enhance permeability through several mechanisms.

For example, during diagenesis, mineral changes can occur where grains may dissolve and subsequently reprecipitate in a way that opens up pore spaces. Additionally, the breakdown of certain minerals can lead to the formation of secondary porosity, which increases the spaces available for fluids to flow through the rock. These changes can create pathways for fluids to move more easily, thereby enhancing the overall permeability of the sedimentary rock.

Cementation, while a part of diagenesis, often refers to the process that can reduce permeability by filling up pore spaces with mineral matter that binds sediments together. Metamorphism generally alters rock structure and mineral content due to heat and pressure, often resulting in a decrease in permeability. Weathering, while it does affect rocks and can lead to the breakdown of material, is primarily a surface process and does not directly enhance the permeability of consolidated sedimentary rocks like diagenesis does. Hence, diagenesis is the primary process that can lead to enhanced