南羌塘盆地江鱼玛洛地区中侏罗统雀莫错组砂岩地球化学及源区环境

南羌塘盆地江鱼玛洛地区发育中侏罗统雀莫错组,通过岩石地球化学分析,对砂岩源区环境进行恢复. 化学风化作用指标(CIW)、化学蚀变作用指标(CIA)和A-CN-K图解反映砂岩的碎屑成分遭受过较强烈的风化. 化学组分指标(ICV)和Th/Sc-Zr/Sc图解指示主要为第一沉积旋回产物,伴有少量沉积再循环物质. 岩石元素Al₂O₃/TiO₂、Th/Sc、Cr/Zr比值和La/Th-Hf源岩判别图解反映砂岩的碎屑主要来源于上地壳长英质源区,并混入少量基性铁镁质岩石. 砂岩的微量元素特征及SiO₂-K₂O/Na₂O、La-Th-Sc、Co-Th-Zr/10、Sc-Th-Zr/10判别图解均表明该砂岩形成于大陆边缘裂陷构造背景.     

柴北缘大煤沟组七段页岩地球化学特征——对中侏罗世晚期物源及风化作用的指示及意义

柴达木盆地北缘中侏罗世晚期沉积的大煤沟组七段页岩（J₂d7）记录了该地质历史时期的物源、风化作用及对应的气候和构造特征信息。对钻井岩芯样品进行元素地球化学分析,结果显示,较高的Al₂O₃/TiO₂,La/Sc,Th/Co,较低的TiO₂/Zr,以及TiO₂-Zr、La/Sc-Th/Co、La/Th-Hf、La-Th-Sc组成表明大煤沟组七段页岩物源主要为长英质花岗闪长岩。A-CN-K组成特征指示钾交代作用对页岩的影响有限,整体较高化学蚀变指数（CIA）、化学风化指数（CIW）、斜长石蚀变指数（PIA）表明物源区经历了中等-强烈的化学风化作用,且自下而上,风化作用逐渐减弱,结合逐步降低的古气候指数C值及增高的Sr/Cu值,可得出在中侏罗世晚期柴北缘地区的古气候条件由温暖潮湿向干旱炎热明显转变,为该时期我国西北地区"干热化"事件在柴北缘的具体表现,同期构造沉降幅度大于因气候变干导致的湖平面下降速率,为有机质的富集提供了有利条件。     

大兴安岭中段索伦地区林西组岩石地球化学特征与沉积构造环境

大兴安岭中段林西组是重要的含烃源岩层位,烃源岩的形成与生烃母质生物活动和埋藏时的古气候、古构造、古环境息息相关。通过岩石地球化学分析可以恢复林西组沉积时期的气候与构造环境,利用Sr、Li、Ga 含量、Sr/Ba 值、U/Th 值、δU及Sr/Cu 值,从古盐度、氧化还原环境、古气候等方面分析了索伦地区林西组的沉积环境,认为林西组沉积时可能经历了中等—较强风化后的再沉积作用,总体为淡水—微咸水的氧化环境,气候温湿; Al₂O₃/(Al₂O₃+Fe₂O₃)值、K₂O/Na₂O- SiO₂关系以及稀土元素特征表明: 林西组形成于靠近大陆岛弧的活动大陆边缘,由早期弧后盆地的海陆过渡相半咸水环境向陆相的淡水环境演变,有利于有机质的富集和保存,是寻找烃源岩的有利层位。研究成果可为该区烃源岩勘查提供指导。     

北羌塘三叠系康鲁组沉积岩地球化学特征及其物源区和构造背景分析

沉积盆地中碎屑沉积岩的地球化学特征主要受物源区的制约。对北羌塘盆地三叠系康鲁组碎屑沉积岩进行全岩测试,分析表明,样品的成分变异指数(ICV)和化学蚀变指数(CIA)变化不大,反映其源区物质较新鲜,成熟度相对较低,化学风化作用较弱-中等。岩石SiO₂含量普遍较高,TFe₂O₃+MgO含量相对较高,但K₂O/Na₂O比值变化较大。微量元素标准化蛛网图与后太古代页岩和上地壳相似,且REE配分模式图显示富集LREE,δEu明显负异常以及δCe呈弱负异常。此外,Th/U、La/Sc、Th/Sc、Ba/Sr等微量元素比值以及TiO₂-Ni、La/Th-Hf、Co/Th-La/Sc和Th/Sc-La/Sc判别图表明沉积物物源具有浅源、长英质的特征。沉积岩的SiO₂-K₂O/Na₂O、La-Th、La/Y-Sc/Cr双变量图解和La-Th-Sc、Th-Sc-Zr/10、Th-Co-Zr/10三变量图解,以及Th/U、Rb/Sr等比值特征表明北羌塘三叠系康鲁组沉积砂岩的物源区构造背景以大陆岛弧为主,兼有大洋岛弧和被动大陆边缘构造背景特征。     

焦作煤田石炭-二叠纪泥质岩地球化学特征及古环境意义

泥质岩的地球化学特征蕴含了大量地质信息,在物源和沉积环境分析中的应用十分广泛。利用X射线荧光光谱仪和电感耦合等离子体质谱仪（ICP-MS）对华北板块南缘焦作煤田石炭-二叠纪泥质岩样品进行常量元素、微量元素（包括稀土元素）进行分析,并据此讨论泥质岩的物源性质、物源区岩石风化作用强度及当时古环境特征。研究区泥质岩的高Al₂O₃/TiO₂值及低Cr/Zr和K₂O/Al₂O₃值特征,以及泥质岩Zr-TiO₂和Th/Co-La/Sc源岩判别图、Ni-Cr图和（Gd/Yb）_N-Eu/Eu*图等的判别分析结果,都揭示了研究区泥质岩物源主要为后太古宙长英质岩石;Al₂O₃-CaO*+Na₂O-K₂O（A-CN-K）图和较高的黏土矿物成分反映了泥质岩源区受到钾交代作用的影响,致使CIA（化学蚀变指数）值被低估;高CIW（化学风化指数）值和Al₂O₃-CaO*-Na₂O（A-C-N）判别图分析结果表明泥质岩物源区母岩在石炭-二叠纪经历了强烈的风化作用;Sr/Ba和B/Ga比值变化指示本溪组沉积时期到太原组沉积早期为海相为主的沉积环境,太原组沉积中期到山西组沉积早期为海陆过渡相为主的沉积环境,山西组沉积中期到上石盒子组沉积时期为陆相沉积环境。     

鄂尔多斯盆地延长组长7段沉积岩元素地球化学特征及沉积环境分析

沉积岩的地球化学特征可以反映盆地沉积环境。为了探讨鄂尔多斯盆地延长组沉积时期古气候、氧化还原条件、古盐度等特征,对鄂尔多斯盆地东南部铜川延长组长7段的5个砂岩、8个页岩样品进行主量、微量以及稀土元素地球化学分析。结果显示,长7段细粒沉积物Al₂O₃/SiO₂值与K₂O/Na₂O值指示样品成分成熟度差别不大,黏土矿物含量较高。∑REE平均值为132.65×10^-6,明显低于北美页岩平均稀土元素含量,也低于全球平均大陆上地壳值;LREE分异程度较高,呈微弱的Eu正异常,无Ce异常。“C值”、Sr/Cu、Rb/Sr、Mg/Ca等指标显示延长组沉积期整体处于温暖潮湿的气候区。研究区样品富集微量元素U、Sc、Cs(平均20.11×10^-6、9.66×10^-6、6.08×10^-6),结合V、δU、Th/U、V/Cr、V/Sc、V/(V+Ni)等指标分析,结果指示延长组沉积期以底层水体呈强分层的还原环境为主。Li、Sr、Ni、Sr/Ba、(MgO/Al₂O₃)×100等值显示沉积期水体总体为淡水-微咸水。     

川西卡拉地区晚古生代硅质岩成因及沉积环境

为了研究川西卡拉地区晚古生代沉积环境特征,以该地区下石炭统邛依组和上二叠统卡翁沟组中广泛分布的硅质岩为研究对象,开展了岩石学、地球化学特征等研究。结果表明: 研究区古生代硅质岩属纯硅质岩范畴,在沉积过程中有持续的陆源物质供给; Al/(Al+Fe+Mn)平均值0.62,结合Al-Fe-Mn三角图解,显示它们为生物成因硅质岩; Al₂O₃/(Al₂O₃+Fe₂O₃)、Th/U、Th/Sc、(La/Ce)_N、(La/Yb)_N等特征比值以及构造环境判别图,反映出硅质岩沉积环境为大陆边缘的浅海-斜坡; Ce_anom值为-0.04~0.07,从石炭纪—二叠纪逐渐增大,指示水体为缺氧环境,且还原性逐渐增强。结合区域地质演化,认为甘孜理塘洋在石炭纪时期已经打开,并在二叠纪时期持续扩张,区内沉积盆地的海水逐渐变深。     

南海北部中央峡谷水道的岩相-地球化学特征及其源区性质

峡谷水道是南海北部琼东南盆地深水区主要储集层,乐东-陵水凹陷黄流组储集岩以粉、细砂岩为主,储层物性好.然而目前针对不同期水道主要物源供给及水道形成的母岩区性质、古风化程度等研究甚少.对中央峡谷西段水道的砂泥岩进行了岩石薄片与重矿物成分观察统计、岩石主量、微量/稀土元素分析,结果表明:岩石类型以岩屑石英砂岩和长石岩屑砂岩为主,崖城、陵水区重矿物分别为磁铁矿、白钛矿、锆石、电气石与白钛矿、石榴石、电气石、锆石的组合;地球化学特征表现为泥岩较砂岩SiO₂含量低,Fe₂O₃、MgO、K₂O、稀土含量偏高,与其含有高粘土矿物有关.砂、泥岩Al₂O₃/TiO₂、K₂O/Al₂O₃、K₂O/Na₂O比值说明物源区富石英、贫钾长石,分别为石英质沉积与中性火成岩源区;砂岩较泥岩具有较高SiO₂/Al₂O₃比值、低ICV、CIA、CIW值,表明源区经历了低-中等程度的风化作用,是稳定构造环境再循环沉积而成,泥岩的形成环境较砂岩动荡.      

南堡凹陷新近系馆陶组砂岩地球化学、构造背景和物源探讨

对南堡凹陷馆陶组(粉)砂岩的主量、微量及稀土元素的地球化学特征研究表明：多数主量元素含量中等,SiO₂、Al₂O₃等主元素含量及其相关比值反映大多数砂岩属于岩屑砂岩和长石砂岩,个别为杂砂岩;镁铁族元素(Co,Cr,Ni,Sc,V)和大离子亲石元素(Rb,Cs,Ba,Sr)含量类似于上地壳。砂岩十分相似的REE分布模式显示了相似的物源和构造背景。SiO₂-K₂O/Na₂O图解、主元素双变量判别图解及Th-Sc-Zr/10和Th-Co-Zr/10等构造背景判别图解均表明,馆陶组物源区属于活动大陆边缘构造背景。根据主元素物源判别方程图、La/Sc-Co/Th和Th-Hf-Co图投影及(Gd/Yb)_N值,表明馆陶组物源主要来自由长英质岩石组成的后太古宙上陆壳。通过与燕山地区不同时代(期)中酸性火山岩和花岗岩REE的对比,表明母岩主要来自燕山褶皱带地区于燕山期发育的中酸性火山岩和/或花岗岩体。     

塘沽地区沙河街组下部含云质泥岩主微量元素地球化学特征及地质意义

细粒泥岩记录并反映着源区及沉积区的重要地质信息.塘沽地区沙河街组下部发育一套湖相含云质泥岩, 为了解该地区的构造背景、沉积背景、风化程度以及物源属性, 对25块含云质泥岩的地球化学特征进行了全面的分析.经"去白云石"调整后, 各类元素地球地化参数及图解反映出了一致的地质信息.其中, 高∑REE值(154.0×10-6~219.3×10-6)、中等强度的负铕异常(0.64~0.73)以及包括K₂O/Na₂O-SiO₂, SiO₂/Al₂O₃-K₂O/Na₂O和判别函数几类双变量图解均指示塘沽地区具有主动大陆边缘(安第斯型)的构造背景; SiO₂-(K₂O+Na₂O+Al₂O₃)图解指示岩石沉积期气候干旱, 相当B(200.17~313.21)指示沉积水体为咸水类型, 近似黄铁矿矿化度(approximate degree of pyritization, 简称DOP_apx)(0.02~0.38)、自生铀(0.14~1.22)及U/Th(0.17~0.44)指示水体具备常氧属性; 化学蚀变指数(chemical index of alteration, 简称CIA)(51.26~65.74), 长石蚀变指数(plagioclase index of alteration, 简称PIA)(51.65~78.06), 修正成分变异指数(modified index of composition variation, 简称ICV_m)(0.67~1.24)及A-CN-K图解反映了母岩经受了弱-中等强度的风化程度; 判别函数图解、K-Rb双变量判别图解、A-CN-K图解、Al₂O₃/TiO₂指标(23.37~28.58)、与上地壳(upper continental crust, 简称UCC)相似的稀土配分模式及负铕异常则共同确定长英质岩石为含云质泥岩的母岩来源.在上述背景条件的约束下, 研究表明塘沽地区沙河街组含云质泥岩的物质来源应主要由燕山褶皱带提供.      

Petrography and geochemistry of Jurassic sandstones from the Jhuran Formation of Jara dome,Kachchh basin,India: Implications for provenance and tectonic setting

Sandstones of Jhuran Formation from Jara dome, western Kachchh, Gujarat, India were studied for major, trace and rare earth element (REE) geochemistry to deduce their paleo-weathering, tectonic setting, source rock characteristics and provenance. Petrographic analysis shows that sandstones are having quartz grains with minor amount of K-feldspar and lithic fragments in the modal ratio of Q ₈₉:F ₇:L ₄. On the basis of geochemical results, sandstones are classified into arkose, sub-litharenite, wacke and quartz arenite. The corrected CIA values indicate that the weathering at source region was moderate to intense. The distribution of major and REE elements in the samples normalized to upper continental crust (UCC) and chondrite values indicate similar pattern of UCC. The tectonic discrimination diagram based on the elemental concentrations and elemental ratios of Fe₂O₃ + MgOvs. TiO₂, SiO₂ vs. log(K₂O/Na₂O), Sc/Cr vs. La/Y, Th–Sc–Zr/10, La–Th–Sc plots Jhuran Formation samples in continental rift and collision settings. The plots of Ni against TiO₂, La/Sc vs. Th/Co and V–Ni–Th ?10 reveals that the sediments of Jhuran Formation were derived from felsic rock sources. Additionally, the diagram of (Gd/Yb) _N against Eu/Eu ^? suggest the post-Archean provenance as source possibly Nagar Parkar complex for the studied samples.     

Petrography and geochemistry of Silurian Niur sandstones,Derenjal Mountains,East Central Iran: implications for tectonic setting,provenance and weathering

Petrographical and geochemical studies of Silurian Niur sandstones, Derenjal Mountains, Central Iran, were carried out to infer their provenance and tectonic setting. Modal analysis data of 37 medium sand size and well-sorted samples revealed that most quartz is composed of monocrystalline grains with straight to slightly undulos extinction and about 3 % polycrystalline quartz has inclusions, such as rutile needles. The sandstones are classified as quartzarenite, sublitharenite, and subarkose types based on framework composition and geochemistry. Petrographic studies reveal that these sandstones contain quartz, feldspars, and fragments of sedimentary rocks. The detrital modes of these sandstones indicate that they were derived from recycled orogen and stable cratonic source. Major and trace element contents of them are generally depleted (except SiO₂) relative to upper continental crust which is mainly due to the presence of quartz and absence of Al-bearing minerals. Modal composition (e.g., quartz, feldspar, and lithic fragments) and discrimination diagrams based on major elements, trace elements (Ti, La, Th, Sc, and Zr), and also such ratios as La/Sc, Th/Sc, La/Co, and Th/Co, in sandstones suggest a felsic igneous source rock and quartzose polycyclic sedimentary provenance in a passive continental margin setting. Furthermore, high Zr/Sc values in these sandstones are considered as a sign of recycling. We indicated paleo-weathering conditions by modal compositions, the CIA index and Al₂O₃?+?K₂O?+?Na₂O% vs. SiO₂% bivariate for these sandstones. Based on these results, although recycling is important to increase the maturity of the Niur sandstones, humid climate conditions in the source area have played a decisive role.     

Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of the Paleogene sedimentary rocks from the North Jiangsu Basin,Eastern China: implications for provenance and tectonic setting

The petrography and geochemistry (major, trace, and rare earth elements) of clastic sedimentary rocks from the Paleogene Dainan Formation (E₂ d) in the North Jiangsu Basin, eastern China, are investigated to trace their provenance and to constrain their tectonic setting. The studied samples are characterized by LREE enrichment, flat HREE, and negative Eu anomaly similar to the upper continental crust composed chiefly of felsic components in the source area. Petrographic observation indicates that the sandstones contain predominant metamorphic and sedimentary clasts that were derived from peripheral recycled orogen and intrabasinal materials. The trace element ratios (Co/Th, La/Sc, La/Th, and Th/U) and the La-Th-Sc ternary plot further confirm that the sandstones are derived from granitic gneiss sources from recycled orogen and the intrabasinal mixed sedimentary provenance. The granitic gneiss source rocks may have derived from the Proterozoic granitic gneiss denuded in the eastern Dabie-Sulu orogen; and the intrabasinal provenance may come from the underlying strata during the Late Paleocene Wubao movement. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) and A-CN-K plot show that these source rocks may have experienced weak to medium chemical weathering. Analysis on tectonic setting of the source area suggests an active continental margin, which is intimate with tectonic feature of the Dabie-sulu orogen and the Yangtze block. In summary, we suggest that the North Jiangsu Basin is an ideal site for the study of the coupling between the uplift of the orogen and the subsidence of the foreland basin.     

Evaluating the provenance of Archean sedimentary rocks of the Diemals Formation (central Yilgarn Craton) using whole-rock chemistry and precise U – Pb zircon chronology

Whole-rock chemistry and precise U – Pb zircon chronology have been used to determine the provenance of Archean greenschist-facies siliciclastic sedimentary rocks of the Diemals Formation in the Marda – Diemals area of the central Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia. Field evidence shows that these siliciclastic rocks are, at least in part, derived from uplift and erosion of underlying greenstones, and this is borne out by the similar La/Sc, Cr/Th and REE chemistry of Diemals Formation siltstones and some sandstones to mafic volcanic rocks of the underlying greenstones. The higher Cr/V and lower Y/Ni of some siltstones is consistent with input from ultramafic and mafic rocks. Diemals Formation sandstones and siltstones cannot be separated in terms of ratios such as Zr/La, and siliciclastic rock chemistry reflects provenance rather than the effects of transport and depositional processes, such as sorting. Chemistry does not support input to Diemals Formation sedimentary rocks from the Marda volcanic complex despite both units being close to each other, and having overlapping maximum depositional and crystallisation ages, respectively. Instead, it is likely that detritus for the two units was deposited in adjacent, physically discrete basins. Some Diemals Formation sandstones are geochemically similar to felsic rocks intruding the underlying greenstone succession, with higher La/Sc and lower Cr/Th, and LREE-enriched patterns with negative Eu anomalies. Support for a genetic relationship is shown by the overlap in the maximum depositional age of these sandstones with the crystallisation age of the geochemically identical Pigeon Rocks Monzogranite. Combined whole-rock chemistry and precise U – Pb zircon chronology indicates that Diemals Formation sedimentary rocks were in large part derived from the underlying mafic volcanic rocks, with progressive unroofing of this succession leading to erosion of felsic intrusive rocks, now represented by sandstones found at various levels in the Diemals Formation.     

Geochemical characteristics of sandstones from Cretaceous Garudamangalam area of Ariyalur,Tamilnadu, India: Implications of provenance and tectonic setting

The Trichinopoly Group (later redesignated as Garudamangalam) has unconformable relationship with underlying Uttatur Group and is divided into lower Kulakanattam Formation and upper Anaipadi Formation. These calcareous sandstones are analysed major, trace and rare earth elements (REEs) to find out CIA, CIW, provenance and tectonic setting. The silica content of fossiliferous calcareous sandstone show wide variation ranging from 12.93 to 42.56%. Alumina content ranged from 3.49 to 8.47%. Higher values of Fe₂O₃ (2.29–22.02%) and low MgO content (0.75–2.44%) are observed in the Garudamangalam Formation. CaO (23.53–45.90) is high in these sandstones due to the presence of calcite as cementing material. Major element geochemistry of clastic rocks (Al₂O₃ vs. Na₂O) plot and trace elemental ratio (Th/U) reveal the moderate to intense weathering of the source rocks. The Cr/Zr ratio of clastic rocks reveal with an average of 1.74 suggesting of felsic provenance. In clastic rocks, high ratios of \(\sum \)LREE/\(\sum \)HREE, La/Sc, Th/Sc, Th/Co, La/Co and low ratios of Cr/Zr, and positive Eu anomaly ranges from (Eu/Eu* = 1.87–5.30) reveal felsic nature of the source rocks.     

豫西伊川地区中元古界兵马沟组泥质岩地球化学特征及其环境与物源示踪

华北克拉通南缘古-中元古代构造-沉积演化的俯冲说、裂解说之争由来已久,兵马沟组作为熊耳群形成后的第一套碎 屑沉积岩层,对解释上述过程有重要意义。该文通过对豫西伊川地区的兵马沟组泥质岩微量及稀土元素的地球化学特征分析, 探讨了其沉积环境、物源,进而揭示了其发育的大地构造背景。结果表明：（1）兵马沟组泥质岩稀土元素含量高,球粒陨石标准 化后轻重稀土分异明显,δEu负异常,δCe异常不明显,富集Rb、Th、La、Ce、Nd、Zr、Hf 等,较上地壳平均值富集Sc、V、Cr、Co、Ni、 Rb;（2）Ceanom指数、V/V + Ni反映了泥质岩沉积时的还原环境,Sr/Ba、B/Ga表明其为由陆相至海相的过渡型沉积;（3）Cr/Zr、Th/U 等元素比值关系反应其物源无深部物质加入,La/Yb-Ce、Co/Th-La/Sc图解表明物源为中酸性火山岩及少量稳定陆壳物质; （4）Th-Sc-Zr/10、Th-Co-Zr/10图解表明其物源主要来自大陆岛弧。综合上述分析结果,结合区域地质信息,可以得出中元古界 兵马沟组形成于大陆岛弧弧后盆地,熊耳群分布区为中元古代俯冲成因的大陆岛弧区。     

西藏羌塘盆地古近纪康托组沉积物源及构造背景分析

沉积岩中的主微量元素和稀土元素特征可以指示其物源、构造背景和沉积环境等.康托组地层沉积时代为古近纪,是青藏高原早期隆升后首先沉积的陆相碎屑岩,对该地层的物源信息及构造背景分析对于研究羌塘盆地新生代演化和高原隆升过程具有积极意义.本文对羌塘盆地半岛湖地区康托组地层进行了地层学、岩石学、元素地球化学和黏土含量分析,研究了其...     

华北北部中元古界洪水庄组页岩地球化学特征： 物源及其风化作用

华北北部洪水庄组黑色页岩是中元古代的富有机质沉积,它可能记录了当时重要的地球化学信息。通过对洪水庄组页岩中的常量和微量元素特征的分析,研究了洪水庄组的物源及其风化作用。高Th/Sc、Al2O3/TiO2、La/Sc、La/Cr、La/Co、Th/Cr和Th/Co值,低Cr/Zr和TiO2/Zr比值,Euan值、Co/Y Ti/Zr关系和La Th Sc组成表明洪水庄组页岩物源主要为上地壳中的长英质花岗闪长岩。洪水庄组页岩的Al、Ca、Na和K组成表明其具有较高的化学蚀变指数（CIA）,同时,元素组成的化学风化作用轨迹反映了洪水庄组页岩受到钾交代作用的影响,可能导致CIA值被低估,其原始CIA值应在90以上。高的原始CIA、化学风化指数（CIW）和斜长石蚀变指数（PIA）表明洪水庄组物源区经历了强烈的化学风化作用。化学风化作用强度以及微量元素组成特征揭示了中元古代洪水庄组沉积时期可能处于温暖潮湿的气候条件,这与中元古代时期大气高CO2浓度以及华北板块古大陆当时位于低纬度地区重建的结果不谋而合。     

Petrography and geochemistry of clastic sedimentary rocks as evidences for provenance of the Lower Cambrian Lalun Formation, Posht-e-badam block, Central Iran

Petrography and geochemistry (major, trace and rare earth elements) of clastic rocks from the Lower Cambrian Lalun Formation, in the Posht-e-badam block, Central Iran, have been investigated to understand their provenance. Petrographical analysis suggests that the Lalun conglomerates are dominantly with chert clasts derived from a proximal source, probably chert bearing Precambrian Formations. Similarly, purple sandstones are classified as litharenite (chertarenite) and white sandstones as quartzarenite types. The detrital modes of purple and white sandstones indicate that they were derived from recycled orogen (uplifted shoulders of rift) and stable cratonic source. Most major and trace element contents of purple sandstones are generally similar to upper continental crust (UCC) values. However, white sandstones are depleted in major and trace elements (except SiO₂, Zr and Co) relative to UCC, which is mainly due to the presence of quartz and absence of other Al-bearing minerals. Shale samples have considerably lower content in most of the major and trace elements concentration than purple sandstones, which is possibly due to intense weathering and recycling. Modal composition (e.g., quartz, feldspar, lithic fragments) and geochemical indices (Th/Sc, La/Sc, Co/Th, Cr/Th, Cr/V and V/Ni ratios) of sandstones, and shales (La/Sc and La/Cr ratios) indicate that they were derived from felsic source rocks and deposited in a passive continental margin. The chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns of the studied samples are characterized by LREE enrichment, negative Eu anomaly and flat HREE similar to an old upper continental crust composed chiefly of felsic components in the source area. The study of paleoweathering conditions based on modal composition, chemical index of alteration (CIA), plagioclase index of alteration (PIA) and A–CN–K (Al₂O₃ − CaO + Na₂O − K₂O) relationships indicate that probably chemical weathering in the source area and recycling processes have been more important in shale and white sandstones relative to purple sandstones. The results of this study suggest that the main source for the Lalun Formation was likely located in uplifted shoulders of a rifted basin (probably a pull-apart basin) in its post-rift stage (Pan-African basement of the Posht-e-badam block).