Geochemistry of Carboniferous Sandstones (Sardar Formation), East‐Central Iran: Implication for Provenance and Tectonic Setting

Geochemical analysis of sandstones from the Sardar Formation (from two stratigraphic successions) in east-central Iran were used for identification of geochemical characterization of sandstones, provenance and tectonic setting. Sandstones in the two lithostratigraphic successions have similar chemical compositions suggesting a common provenance. Bulk-rock geochemistry analysis of Carboniferous sandstones from Sardar Formation indicates that they are mainly quartz dominated and are classified as quartzarenites, sublitharenites and subarkoses, derived from acid igneous to intermediate igneous rocks. Discrimination function analysis indicates that the sandstones of Sardar Formation were derived from quartzose sedimentary provenance in a recycled orogenic setting. Also, major and trace elements in sandstones of Sardar Formation (e.g., K2O/Na2O vs. SiO2) indicate deposition in a stable passive continental margin (PM). Chemical index of alteration (CIA) for these rocks (> 65%) suggests a moderate to relatively high degree of weathering in the source area.     

Geochemical characteristics of Holocene sediments from Chuadanga district,Bangladesh: Implications for weathering,climate, redox conditions,provenance and tectonic setting

The present research deals with the geochemical characteristics of the Holocene sediments from Alamdanga area, Chuadanga district, Bangladesh. Main goals of the study are to delineate source rock characteristics, degree of chemical weathering and sorting processes and behavior of redox conditions during deposition of the sediments. Geochemical characteristics of the sediments show comparatively a wide variation in accordance with stratigraphy in their major element contents （e.g. SiO2 69.46-82.13, A1203 2.28-8.88 in wt%）, reflecting the distinctive provenance and in part an unstable period in terms of tectonic activity. Geochemical classification of the sediments shows mostly sub-arkose with few sub-litharenites. Some major and trace elements display comprehensible correlation with A1203 confirming their possible hydraulic fraetionation. The chemical index of alteration （CIA＊）, W＊ index, index of compositional variability （ICV）, plagioclase index of alteration （PIA＊） values and the ratio of SIO2/Al2O3, suggest low degrees of chemical weathering in the source areas as well as immature to moderately mature the sediments. The sediments suggest semi-arid climatic trends within oxic deltaic depositional conditions during the Holocene, at 3-12 ka. Whole rock geochemistry and discrimination diagrams demonstrate the continental signature derivatives, which might have been derived from the felsic to intermediate igneous rocks （granitic plutonic rocks） as well as from quartzose sedimentary/metamorphic provenance. These typical sources are present in a vast region of the Himalayan belt and catchment areas of Ganges. The tectonic setting of the sediments demarcates typically passive margin with slightly continental arc system.     

Petrology and geochemistry of sandstones in the southern Benue Trough of Nigeria： Implications for provenance and tectonic setting

Petrographic and geochemical analyses of three Cretaceous lithostratigraphic sandstone units were undertaken to constrain their provenance and tectonic setting. Petrographic analysis showed that there are differences in composition between the three sandstone bodies, which can be attributed to differences in provenance relief, transport distance and geology of the terrain. Composition of the three lithostratigraphic sandstone bodies fall within the craton interior field.
Framework mode and chemical features indicated their derivation from basaltic volcanics, source rocks during the early rifting stage, and felsic, intermediate and mafic igneous source rocks located at the southeast basement complex terrain, with minor sedimentary components from the uplifted and folded older Cretaceous strata.
The chemical composition of the sandstones is mainly related to source rocks, chemical weathering conditions and transport agents. The source rocks were derived mainly from the southeastern Precambrian basement of Nigeria. Through examination of the sandstones, the tectonic setting was modeled. The Benue Trough belongs to a continental sedimentary basin of the passive margin type.
The tectonic evolution from Albian to Maastrichtain of the trough is contributed to the difference in framework mode and chemical composition of the sandstones. The evolution of the basin was reconstructed in terms of sandstone petrology and geochemistry. The tectonic evolution can be subdivided into three stages from the petrology and geochemistry data. The first stage covers Albian; the second stage the Turonian-Coniacian, and the third stage the Campanian-Maastrichtain. These are the three mega discontinuities in the sandstone composition among these three stages. These three discontinuities signify the influence of tectonism.     

Detrital Mode and Geochemistry of the Shurijeh Formation (Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous) in the Central and Western Parts of the Intracontinental Kopet-Dagh Basin, NE Iran: Implications for Provenance, Tectonic Setting and Weathering Processes

Petrographical and geochemical methods were combined to investigate the provenance, geodynamic and weathering history of the Shurijeh sandstones, Kopet-Dagh Basin. The point-counting method and XRF technique are used for modal and geochemical analyses. Based on petrographical examinations, it seems that the Shurijeh sandstones are mainly deposited in the craton interior and recycled orogen belts. In addition to petrographical investigation, geochemical analyses (major oxides and trace elements) of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous rocks reveal that the sedimentation processes are performed in a passive continental margin. Such interpretation is supported with geodynamic and paleogeographical studies of the Kopeh-Dagh basin during this time. The geochemical investigations suggested that the composition of probable source rocks mostly was acidic-intermediate with minor mafic igneous rocks. Based on the above, Paleo-Tethys remnants and their collision-related granitoids, in the south and west of Mashhad, may have been the source area for these rocks. CIA values, which range from 63.8 to 94.9 in samples, are suggesting a moderate to relatively high degree of alteration (weathering) in the source area. Therefore, petrographical and paleogeographical studies of siliciclastic rocks can be used for the provenance, tectonic setting and paleoweathering studies in the source area.     

Evaluating the Provenance of Metasedimentary Rocks of the Jiangxian Group from the Zhongtiao Mountain Using Whole-Rock Geochemistry and Detrital Zircon Hf Isotope

Abstract：In this study, whole-rock geochemical and Nd isotopic data, as well as detrital zircon Hf isotopes of Palaeoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks from the Jiangxian Group are presented to evaluate the characteristics of their provenance and the tectonic history. The major and trace element compositions are comparable to Post-Archean upper continental crust (PA-UCC), but have slight enrichment in the LILE, with the exception of Cs and Sr, and a slight depletion in ferromagnesian elements, HFS elements, such as Nb and Ta, and some major elements, such as CaO and Na2O. The geochemical data reveal that the collected metasedimentary rocks have experienced intermediate source weathering with chemical index of alteration values ranging from 72 to 78, varying degrees of K-metasomatism, and post-depositional loss of Na, as well as negligible sorting, and are derived from the weathering of mostly felsic and non-mafic rocks. The selected Lu–Hf isotopic analysis on detrital zircon points to both the Trans-North China Orogen and Eastern Block of the north China craton as the most likely sources for the metasedimentary rocks of the Jiangxian Group. However, a contribution of detritus from the Western Block of the north China craton can be ruled out. The sediments were probably deposited in a back-arc basin within an active continental margin setting.     

Geochemical Characteristics of Early Permian Pyroclastic Rocks in the Jimunai Basin,West Junggar,Xinjiang(NW China): Implications for Provenance and Tectonic Setting

During the Late Paleozoic, West Junggar(Xinjiang, NW China) experienced a shift in tectonic setting from compression to extension. Ha'erjiao is an important area for investigating collisional structures, post–collisional structures, and magmatic activities. Based on the petrological and geochemical characteristics of pyroclastic and other volcanic rocks in the Permian Kalagang Formation from the borehole ZKH1205 in the Jimunai Basin, the main types of source rock for the pyroclastic rocks deposited in the basin are identified and their implications for the Early Permian tectonic setting examined. The abundance of basalt and andesite lithic fragments in the pyroclastic rocks, together with the REE characteristics and the contents of transition and high field strength elements show that the source rocks were chiefly intermediate–basic volcanic rocks. High ICV values, low CIA values, low Rb/Sr ratios, low Th/U ratios and the mineralogical features suggest weak chemical weathering of the source rocks; the geochemical patterns of the pyroclastic rocks might not only have been impacted by crustal contamination but also might be related to the nature of the magma from the source area. The geochemical properties of the pyroclastic rocks distinguish them from arc-related ones, and such samples plot in the within-plate basalt(WPB) field in some diagrams. This is consistent with the formation background of the Early Permian volcanic rocks in this region.     

Tectonic Setting and Nature of the Provenance of Sedimentary Rocks in Lanping Mesozoic- Cenozoic Basin： Evidence from Geochemistry of Sandstones

The geochemical composition of sandstones in the sedimentary basin is controlled mainly by the tectonic setting of the provenance, and it is therefore possible to reveal the tectonic setting of the provenance and the nature of source rocks in terms of the geochemical composition of sandstones. The major elements, rare-earth dements and trace elements of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic sandstones in the Lanping Basin are studied in this paper, revealing that the tectonic settings of the provenance for Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary rocks in the Lanping Basin belong to a passive continental margin and a continental island arc. Combined with the data on sedimentary facies and palaeogeography, it is referred that the eastern part of the basin is located mainly at the tectonic setting of the passive continental margin before Mesozoic, whereas the western part may be represented by a continental island arc. This is compatible with the regional geology data. The protoliths of sedimentary rocks should be derived from the upper continental crust, and are composed mainly of felsic rocks, mixed with some andesitic rocks and old sediment components. Therefore, the Lanping Mesozoic-Cenozoic Basin is a typical continental-type basin. This provides strong geochemical evidence for the evolution of the paleo-Tethys and theb asin-range transition.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987112000266

Major,trace and rare earth element(REE) concentrations of Late Triassic sediments(finegrained sandstones and mudstones) from Hongcan Well 1 in the NE part of the Songpan-Ganzi Basin, western China,are used to reveal weathering,provenance and tectonic setting of inferred source areas. The Chemical Index of Alteration(CIA) reflects a low to moderate degree of chemical weathering in a cool and somewhat dry climate,and an A-CN-K plot suggests an older upper continental crust provenance dominated by felsic to intermediate igneous rocks of average tonalite composition.Based on the various geochemical tectonic setting discrimination diagrams,the Late Triassic sediments are inferred to have been deposited in a back-arc basin situated between an active continental margin(the Kunlun-Qinling Fold Belt) and a continental island arc(the Yidun Island Arc).The Triassic sediments in the study area underwent a rapid erosion and burial in a proximal slope-basin environment by the petrographic data. while the published flow directions of Triassic lurbidites in the Aba-Zoige region was not supported Yidun volcanic arc source.Therefore,we suggest that the Kunlun-Qinling tcrrane is most likely to have supplied source materials to the northeast part of the Songpan-Ganzi Basin during the Late Triassic.     

Composition and Provenance of Sandstones and Siltstones in Paleogene, Huimin Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, Eastern China

This study was conducted to distinguish the compositions and provenance of sandstones and siltstones in the Ek1-Es3 members of Huimin (惠民) depression. The samples have been analyzed for petrographic, major element and selected trace element compositions (including REE). The results show that the sandstones from the first member of Kongdian (孔店) Formation (Ek1) have higher quartz compositions than those from the fourth member (Es4) and the third member (Es3) of Shahejie (沙河街) Formation. The alkali feldspar/plagioclase ratio in the A-CN-K diagrams decreases in the order Ek1>Es4>Es3, which suggests that the Ek1 member had a more alkali feldspar-rich granitoid source and more intense weathering of the source than the Es4 and Es3 members. The mineral distributions in the A-CN-K diagrams also indicate that the sandstones and slltstones in the three members underwent K-metasomatism. Extrapolation of the sandstones and siltstones back to the plaginclase-alkali feldspar line in the A-CN-K diagram suggests a high average plagioclase to alkali feldspar ratio in the provenance (tonalite to granite). In addition, the chemical index of weathering (CIW) and chemical index of alteration (CIA) parameters of the sandstones and siltstones suggest that the weathering of the first cycle material was intense, and the CIW decreases in the order Ek1>Es4>Es3. Trace element ratios suggest all the sedimentary rocks were mostly derived from granitoids. Elemental ratio plots (e.g., Th/Sc vs. Eu/Eu*) of sandstones and siltstones suggest a mix of a granodiorite-tonalite source as a source of the sandstones and siltstones. The sandstones and siltstones of Es3 and Es4 members also contain higher Eu/Eu* and lower Th/Sc ratios than the sandstones and siltstones of Ek1 member. As is consistent with the petrography, it suggests that the sandstones and siltstones of Es3 and Es4 members are derived from a source with less granite and more granodiorite-tonalite than the sandstones and siltstones of Ek1 member.     

Provenance of Precambrian Fe- and Al-rich Metapelites in the Yenisey Ridge and Kuznetsk Alatau, Siberia： Geochemical Signatures

Major, trace and rare earth element contents of Fe- and Al-rich metapelites from the Korda （Yenisey Ridge） and Amar （Kuznetsk Alatau） formations were determined to examine the nature, origin and evolution of their protoliths. Results indicate that these rocks are the redeposited and metamorphosed products of Precambrian kaolinitic weathering crusts, while the geochemical distinctions between the studied metapelites are determined by different weathering conditions in the source area and tectonic settings. The protolith of the Korda Formation metapelites was produced by erosion products of the post-Archean granitoid rocks, which accumulated under humid climate conditions in shallow-water basins along the continental margin. The geochemical characteristics of the deeper primary deposits of the Amar Formation suggest that volcanogenic material of mafic composition derived from an island-arc environment had a major role in supplying the erosion zone. These results agree with lithofacies data and with the geodynamic reconstruction of the evolution of the Yenisey Ridge and Kuznetsk Alatau during the Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic, respectively. It was shown that REEs had limited mobility during contact metamorphism. The coherent mobility of REEs during collisional metamorphism may be attributed both to mineral reactions responsible for modal changes and to local chemical heterogeneity inherited from the initial protolith.     

广元恐龙化石埋藏地沙溪庙组地球化学特征及对物源区和古风化作用的指示

广元恐龙化石埋藏地是四川盆地中侏罗世重要的恐龙化石点,恐龙化石埋藏于中侏罗统沙溪庙组之中。笔者对该恐龙化石埋藏地沙溪庙组泥质岩的常量元素、微量元素和稀土元素特征进行了研究,并根据泥质岩的地球化学特征讨论了物源区性质、构造背景以及物源区的风化特征。主量元素和稀土元素表明其物源区以长英质岩石为主,构造背景为被动大陆边缘:指示化学风化程度的CIA指数及成分成熟度的ICV指数,表明物源区经历了中等的化学风化作用,反映了中侏罗世恐龙生活在半干旱的古气候环境之中。     

Geochemistry of Lower Jurassic sandstones of Shemshak Formation,Kerman basin,Central Iran: Provenance,source weathering and tectonic setting

Lower Jurassic sandstones of Shemshak Formation of Kerman basin, central Iran were analyzed for major and select trace elements to infer their provenance, palaeoweathering of source rocks and tectonic setting. Average modal framework components (Qt: F: L= 67.25: 2.41: 30.48) and chemical composition of the sandstones classify them as litharenites. The sandstones are quartz-rich (～ 67% quartz; 75.34 wt.% SiO₂) and derived from a recycled orogen composed of quartzose sedimentary rocks. Average CIA, PIA and CIW values (69%, 76% and 80%, respectively) indicate moderate to intense chemical weathering of the source material. The inferred index of weathering/alteration is the sum total of intensities of weathering witnessed by the lithocomponents during atleast two cycles of sedimentation involving (1) chemical weathering of the source rocks («ultimate» granodiorite source and «proximal» quartzose sedimentary source), (2) chemical weathering during fluvial transport of the detritus, (3) chemical weathering of the detritus in depocenters, and (4) chemical weathering during diagenesis. Sandstones exhibit moderate maturity and were deposited under humid climatic conditions. Plots of the chemical analyses data on tectonic setting discrimination diagrams indicate active continental margin setting, which is in agreement with the tectonic evolutionary history of the Central Iran during Jurassic period.     

苏北盆地高邮凹陷古近系戴南组一段元素地球化学特征及其地质意义

苏北盆地高邮凹陷所经历的风化作用以物理风化为主,化学风化程度很弱。其中南部陡坡带的大部分地区所经历化学风化程度相对北部缓坡带较强,说明古气候条件更为温暖潮湿;北部缓坡带及黄珏、邵伯地区所经历的物理风化作用相对较强且差异较大,说明曾经历较强的构造运动。研究区源岩主要为长英质物质和再旋回沉积物质,受中基性物质的影响较小。高邮凹陷边缘及吴堡低凸起附近地区戴一段下部地层具有下伏阜宁组地层的海相地化特征,因此研究区物源中可能有较多部分来自基底母岩被剥蚀和再旋回沉积的产物。地化数据反映研究区构造背景为安第斯型活动大陆边缘,由于地史及动力学机制的差异,其构造背景有别于东太平洋典型的安第斯型活动大陆边缘,可反映我国东部大陆边缘特殊的地体构造特征。     

Detrital mode, mineralogy and geochemistry of the Sidi Aïch Formation (Early Cretaceous) in central and southwestern Tunisia: Implications for provenance, tectonic setting and paleoenvironment

The chemical and mineralogical composition of the Sidi Aïch Formation sandstones in central and southwestern Tunisia has been investigated in order to infer the provenance and tectonic setting, as well as to appraise the influence of weathering. The sixteen studied samples are mainly composed of quartz, feldspar, kaolinite and/or illite. Sidi Aïch sandstones are mainly arkosic, potassic feldspar-rich and immature. Much of the feldspar was transformed to kaolinite. Concerning the relation between sandstone detrital composition and their depositional setting, the Sidi Aïch Formation sandstone in the major studied localities, probably accumulated in relatively proximal small basins within the continental interior. However, for the Khanguet El Ouara study site, sandstones may have been deposited in a foreland basin which received recycled sediments from an adjacent orogenic belt.The source area may have included quartzose sedimentary rocks. The dominance of quartz and enrichment in immobile elements suggest that the depositional basins were associated with a passive margin. The petrography and geochemistry reflect a stable continental margin and sediments were derived from granitic and pegmatitic sources located in the southern parts of the Gafsa basin. High values for the chemical index of alteration (CIA) indicate that recycling processes might have been important. Particularly high CIA values in the Garet Hadid locality indicate more intense chemical alteration, either due to weathering processes or tectonic control.     

准噶尔盆地玛湖凹陷晚二叠世至中三叠世古气候、物源及构造背景

二叠纪-三叠纪之交重大地质转折期,海相地质记录指示全球发生了一系列显著的生物和环境事件, 但是,该时期陆相古气候、古风化作用等方面的研究还很薄弱,争议较大.为了恢复新疆准噶尔盆地玛湖凹陷上二叠统乌尔禾组至中三叠统克拉玛依组的古气候、物源特征等, 本研究对玛湖凹陷钻井岩心中的泥岩样品开展了全岩主量和微量元素测试,采用多种化学风化指数判定源区风化程度及古气候条件,通过多种地球化学比值及图解来恢复源岩岩性及其构造背景.化学蚀变指数(Chemical Index of Alteration, CIA)、化学风化指数(Chemical Index of Weathering, CIW)、Parker风化指数(Weathering Index of Parker, WIP)和斜长石蚀变指数(Plagioclase Index of Alteration, PIA)等多种化学风化作用指标均指示,玛湖凹陷自晚二叠世至早三叠世发生显著的风化作用变化,由低等程度的化学风化作用转变为中等程度的化学风化作用,某些季节可能会较为温暖湿润,且在整个早三叠世保持大致稳定,在早三叠世晚期稍减弱,这与锶同位素反映的全球风化作用变化趋势一致.中三叠世时的化学风化作用与早三叠世相比,并未降低,反而稍有增加,这可能代表了地区性事件.早三叠世化学风化作用显著增强的原因可能在于全球变暖、植被破坏及季节性降雨增加等.此外,上二叠统乌尔禾组至中三叠统克拉玛依组的物源岩性主要为长英质火成岩,源岩形成时的构造背景可能为大洋岛弧环境.      

松辽盆地南部钱家店铀矿床姚家组砂岩地球化学特征及地质意义

沉积物的地球化学成分在沉积岩物源分析及构造背景的研究中具有重要的作用.对研究区4口钻孔中的姚家组砂岩进行了详细的岩石学和地球化学研究,结果显示,砂岩碎屑颗粒石英含量最高,长石次之,岩屑含量最低,平均值分别为42%、37%和21%,具有锆石+钛磁铁矿+石榴子石的重矿物组合,反映源岩以酸性岩浆岩或变质岩为主,Dickinson判别图解表明物源主要来自于大陆物源区;姚家组砂岩的稀土元素以轻稀土富集、重稀土平坦、中度铕负异常为特征.砂岩CIA值为52.02~60.16,平均值为56.69,反映了干燥气候背景下弱的化学风化作用.源岩属性判别图解表明源岩为再旋回的古老沉积物及长英质火山岩.主量、微量和稀土元素的构造背景判别图解综合表明姚家组砂岩物源区为被动大陆边缘构造环境,结合区域构造演化,认为姚家组砂岩的物源为华北克拉通北缘燕山陆内造山带发育的火山-沉积岩系.      

准噶尔盆地东部双井子地区上石炭统泥岩地球化学特征及其地质意义

准噶尔盆地东部石钱滩凹陷石炭系巴塔玛依内山组火山岩之后发育一套连续稳定的碎屑岩沉积。笔者等通过XRD、主微量元素分析等手段针对其中的细粒沉积岩开展元素地球化学研究,其结果对恢复准东地区晚石炭世源区风化特征、古气候、判断其源岩性质及源区构造背景具有重要意义。研究表明,巴山组—石钱滩组泥岩具有低石英含量特点,其中巴山组泥岩黏土含量稍高,而石钱滩组泥岩中长石含量高,两者黏土成份均为蒙脱石（>99%）,反映了干燥、寒冷的气候特征且沉积介质长期为碱性;CIA结果显示巴山组—石钱滩组时期经历了中等—弱化学风化作用,并具有干湿交替气候变化特征;主微量元素及相关判别图解显示巴山组—石钱滩组泥岩的源岩多以偏中性的长英质火山岩为主,少量中基性及少量偏酸性的火山岩物源,并且多数为未分异的弧;泥岩的地球化学特征反映了沉积物源区构造背景主要为大陆岛弧背景,结合石钱滩组碎屑锆石峰值年龄及主要物源区分析认为,野马泉地体与其南部的准噶尔地体东北缘于335 Ma左右开始由俯冲转变为碰撞造山。     

珙县恐龙化石埋藏地自流井组泥质岩地球化学特征及其对物源区和古风化作用的指示

四川珙县恐龙化石埋藏地是四川盆地早侏罗世重要的恐龙化石点,恐龙化石埋藏于下侏罗统自流井组之中。对该恐龙化石埋藏地自流井组泥质岩的常量元素、微量元素和稀土元素特征进行了研究,并根据其地球化学特征讨论了物源区性质、构造背景以及物源区的风化特征。常量元素和稀土元素表明其物源区以长英质岩石为主,构造背景为被动大陆边缘;反映化学风化程度的C IA指数及成分成熟度的ICV指数,表明物源区经历了较强的化学风化作用,反映了早侏罗世恐龙生活在一个温暖潮湿的古气候环境之中。     

Petrography and geochemistry of the Middle Miocene Gebel El Rusas sandstones,Eastern Desert,Egypt: Implications for provenance and tectonic setting

Petrography and bulk rock geochemistry of the Middle Miocene sandstones of the lower and upper members of Gebel El Rusas Formation along the Egyptian Red Sea Coastal plain, have been investigated to determine the provenance, tectonic setting, and weathering condition of this formation. The Lower Member is formed mainly of sandstones and conglomerates with clay interbeds. The Upper Member is more calcareous and formed mainly of sandstones and limestones with marls and clays intercalations. Petrographically, the Lower Member sandstones are mostly immature and classified as arkoses with an average framework composition of \(\hbox {Q}_{66}\hbox {F}_{29}\hbox {R}_{5}\), and the Upper Member sandstones are partly submature (more quartzose, less feldspathic) and classified as subarkoses with an average framework composition of \(\hbox {Q}_{80}\hbox {F}_{17}\hbox {R}_{3}\). The Gebel El Rusas sandstones are enriched in Sr, Ba, Zr and Rb and depleted in Co and U, as compared to UCC. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) values suggest moderate weathering conditions. The geochemistry results revealed that the Gebel El Rusas sandstones were derived from felsic-granitic source rocks and deposited in a passive margin of a synrift basin. The inferred tectonic setting for Middle Miocene Gebel El Rusas sandstones in the study area is consistent with the regional geology of the Eastern Desert of Egypt during Middle Miocene.