海南岛北西部邦溪地区奥陶纪火山-碎屑沉积岩岩石学、矿物学和地球化学:源区及构造环境暗示

海南岛奥陶纪火山-碎屑沉积岩矿物、地球化学成分与源区岩性质和沉积构造环境密切相关.岩相学观察和矿物化学分析表明,所研究的岩石主要碎屑矿物由石英、绿泥石(Si:5.8～6.2 a.p.f.u.、Mg/(Mg Fe):～0.45)和自色云母(Si:6.2～6.8 a.p.f.u.、Al:4.5～5.7 a.p.f.u.)组成,含少量的长石(主要为钾长石)、黑云母(Mg/(Mg Fe)=0.43、TiO2=0.01%)和磷灰石等矿物.地球化学特征上,这些岩石普遍具有高SiO2含量(Al2O3/SiO2=0.07～0.19)、相对高的K2O/Na2O比值(1.25～14.71)和高的FeOtotal MgO含量(普遍大于5%,最高达11.5%),但微量元素(含REE)含量普遍低于PAAS(NASC),且REE分布模式显示LREE富集((La/Yb)N=6.1～12.5)、Eu负异常或弱负异常(δEu=0.57～0.86).高的前交代CIA(～84)和PIA(～85)指数、A-CN-K分布模式以及可变的Th/U(2.9～25)比值还说明源区已经历强烈的化学和机械风化作用.低的Ce/Pb比值(2.1～2.8)则反映海南岛早古生代地壳已经历过Pb的富集事件.结合矿物化学成分和区域地质对比,研究区奥陶纪火山-碎屑沉积岩源区主要由变质的岩浆弧花岗闪长岩和弧长英质火山岩组成,少量的铁镁质成分不能排除,因而暗示一个从活动大陆边缘到被动大陆边缘的过渡性沉积构造环境.同时,推测海南岛在早古生代和晚古生代-早中生代可能分别存在一次俯冲增生-碰撞造山事件;海南岛(可能包括华夏地块)应于晚奥陶世后才脱离东冈瓦纳大陆的澳大利亚边缘.     

鄂西南利川三叠纪须家河组地球化学特征及其对风化、物源与构造背景的指示

鄂西南利川地区三叠纪须家河组砂岩碎屑颗粒富石英(Q),贫岩屑(L)与长石(F),平均值分别为:76.23%、7.08%与4.88%,Q/(Q+F+L)平均值为0.86,具有锆石-板钛矿-磁铁矿-电气石重矿物组合,指示源岩以酸性岩或低级变质岩为主。砂岩主量元素Si O2含量高(77.14%~92.79%,平均84.14%),Al2O3次之(3.86%~14.15%,平均9.69%),(Fe2O3T+Mg O)*(0.98%~3.20%,平均1.50%)、Ti O2*(0.09%~1.09%,平均0.39%)含量低,Al2O3/Si O2比值低(0.04~0.18,平均0.12),K2O/Na2O比值高(4.90~82.41,平均40.01),最接近被动大陆边缘特征值。样品具有与上地壳相似的高场强元素与大离子亲石元素组成,ΣREE分布于62×10-6~495×10-6之间,平均181×10-6,球粒陨石标准化配分型式与上地壳极为相似,呈现轻稀土富集、重稀土平坦、中度Eu、Ce负异常特征,特征微量、稀土元素含量及比值,如:Th、La、Ce、Rb/Sr、Th/U、La/Sc,指示了晚三叠世构造背景为被动与活动大陆边缘。样品成分变异指数ICV均1(0.18~0.68,平均0.45),指示物源主要为再循环的沉积物,而沉积物再循环会导致粘土矿物比例增加,从而使化学风化指标CIA值得到累积。较高的CIA值(72.10~96.28,平均81.18)表明沉积物累积经历的化学风化作用强烈,而CIA与ICV强烈负相关,则表明CIA值的变化主要是由不同时期输入碎屑物成分不同引起的。结合物源、构造背景判别图解,上述特征综合表明研究区须家河组形成于被动大陆边缘(为主)与活动大陆边缘环境,其物源来自东南的雪峰隆起区(为主)与北侧的秦岭造山带。     

河南嵩山地区元古宙五佛山群沉积岩的地球化学特征及其对物源区和构造环境的制约

河南嵩山地区位于华北克拉通南缘,保存有较为完整的太古宙-古元古代变质结晶基底和之后的沉积盖层。五佛山群直接角度不整合覆盖于新太古界登封群和古元古界嵩山群之上,为嵩山地区结晶基底之上分布广泛的第一沉积盖层。其主要由(长石)石英砂岩组成,夹少量的粉砂质页岩、泥岩和薄层灰岩。从下而上岩性相变明显,代表两次较大的沉积旋回。地球化学特征上,五佛山群砂岩的SiO₂含量(70.18%~95.21%)明显比泥质岩(20.79%~52.27%)高,但Fe₂O₃、MgO、CaO和K₂O含量比泥质岩低,表明泥质岩中含有较多的基性组分和富钾矿物。泥质岩的稀土总量(∑REE=131×10^-6~169×10^-6)比砂岩(∑REE=7.30×10^-6~158×10^-6)高,反映泥质岩中较高含量的粘土矿物对稀土元素具有较强的吸附作用。砂岩样品的成分变异指数(ICV=0.89~3.59)较低,说明其成熟度较高,为稳定构造环境下沉积的产物。泥质岩的ICV值为4.04~17.50,SiO₂/Al₂O₃比值(3.90~5.58)和La/V比值较低(0.45~0.65),说明其成熟度较低,形成环境相对比较活动。较低的化学蚀变指数(CIA=7.52~66.1)反映碎屑沉积岩 的源区遭受相对较弱的化学风化作用,其中砂岩(CIA=27.6~66.1)的化学风化强度比泥质岩(CIA=7.52~24.9)高。五佛山群碎屑沉积物主要来源于古元古代中酸性组分,有少量基性组分的加入。其下部和中部的砂岩与华北南缘同时代的沉积地层均形成于被动大陆边缘的沉积环境,说明华北克拉通南缘在熊耳群之后进入了一个稳定的沉积阶段。而五佛山群上部泥质岩形成于与大陆岛弧相关的沉积盆地,显示地壳活动性增强,沉积环境上暗示由被动大陆边缘向活动大陆边缘过渡的过程,可能与秦岭造山带形成初期的板 块活动有关。     

Depositional environment and tectono-provenance of Upper Kaimur Group sandstones,Son Valley,Central India

The Mesoproterozoic Upper Kaimur Group consists of Bijaigarh Shale, Scarp Sandstone, and Dhandraul Sandstone. Based on the lithofacies data set, two major facies associations were identified, namely—tidal sand flat/sand bar facies association (TSFA) and tidally influenced fluvial channel facies/tidal channel facies association (TIFCFA). The Dhandraul Sandstone has been interpreted as a product of TIFCFA and the underlying Scarp Sandstone in TSFA which endorses a tidal dominated estuarine setting. Detrital modes of the Dhandraul and Scarp Sandstones fall in the quartz arenite to sub-litharenite types. Petrographical data suggest that the deposition of the Upper Kaimur Group sandstones took place in humid climate and was derived from mixed provenances. The sandstone composition suggests detritus from igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks, and recycled sedimentary rocks. The sandstone tectonic discrimination diagrams suggest that the provenances of the Upper Kaimur Group sandstones were continental block, recycled orogen, rifted continental margin to quartzose recycled tectonic regimes. It is envisaged that the Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic granite, granodiorite, gneiss, and metasedimentary rocks of Mahakoshal Group and Chotanagpur granite–gneiss present in the western and northwestern direction are the possible source rocks for the Upper Kaimur Group in the Son Valley.     

Petrographical and geochemical signatures of Jurassic rocks of Chari Formation,Western India: implications for provenance and tectonic setting

The sandstones of the Ridge and Athleta members of Chari Formation (Callovian-Oxfordian) exposed at Jara have been analyzed for their petrographical and geochemical studies. Texturally, these sandstones are medium to coarse grained, poorly to well sorted, sub-angular to sub-rounded, and show low to medium sphericity. These sandstones were derived from a mixed provenance including granites, granite-gneisses, low and high-grade metamorphic, and some basic rocks of Aravalli range and Nagarparkar massif. The petrofacies analysis reveals that these sandstones belong to the continental block and recycled orogen tectonic regime. The studied sandstones are modified by paleoclimate, distance of transport, and diagenesis. Mineralogically and geochemically, sandstones are classified as quartzarenite, subarkose, arkose, sublithic arenite, and wacke, respectively. The A-CN-K ternary plot and CIA, CIW, PIA, and ICV values suggest that the similar source rocks suffered moderate to high chemical weathering under a hot-humid climate in an acidic environment with higher \({\text{P}}_{{{\text{CO}}_{ 2} }}\). Generally good to strong correlations between Al₂O₃ and other oxides in these sediments indicate clay mineral control. The K₂O/Na₂O versus SiO₂ diagram indicates that the studied samples occupy passive margin fields but the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ versus K₂O/Na₂O plot suggests that the Athleta Sandstone and Ridge Sandstone fall within the passive margin field, while Ridge Shale falls within the active continental margin field.     

Petrography and geochemistry of Eocene sandstones from eastern Pontides (NE TURKEY): Implications for source area weathering,provenance and tectonic setting

Subaerial weathering level, source area and tectonic environments were interpreted by using petrographic and geochemical characteristics of Eocene age sandstones found in the eastern Pontides. The thickness of Eocene age clastic rocks in the eastern Pontides ranges from 195 to 400 m. Mineralogical components of sandstones were mainly quartz, feldspar, rock fragments, and opaque and accessory minerals. Depending on their matrix and mineralogical content, Eocene age sandstones are identified as arkosic arenite-lithic arenite and feldspathic wacke-lithic wacke. CIA (Chemical Index of Alteration) values observed in the Eocene age sandstones (43–55) suggest that the source terrain of the sandstones was not affected by intense chemical weathering. Low CIW/CIA (Chemical Index of Weathering/Chemical Index of Alteration) values of the sandstones studied here suggest only slightly decomposed material and having undergone little transport until final deposition. Zr/Hf, Th/Sc, La/Sc and CIA ratios are low and demonstrate a mafic source; on the other hand, high LREE/HREE ratios and a slightly negative Eu anomaly indicate a subordinate fclsic source. Modal mineralogical and SiO₂/Al₂O₃ and K₂O/Na₂O and Th, Zr, Co, Sc of Eocene age sandstone contents indicate that they are probably magmatic arc originated and deposited in the back arc basin.     

Marbles and carbonate rocks from central Morocco: a petrographic,mineralogical and geochemical study

Petrographic, mineralogical, and stable isotopes (δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O values) compositions were used to characterise marbles and sedimentary carbonate rocks from central Morocco, which are considered to be a likely source of ornamental and building material from Roman time to the present day. This new data set was used in the frame of an archaeometric provenance study on Roman artefacts from the town of Thamusida (Kenitra, north Morocco), to assess the potential employment of these rocks for the manufacture of the archaeological materials. A representative set of samples from marbles and other carbonate rocks (limestone, dolostone) were collected in several quarries and outcrops in the Moroccan Meseta, in a region extending from the Meknes–Khenifra alignment to the Atlantic Ocean. All the samples were studied using a petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical methods. The petrographic and minerological investigations (optical microscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction) allowed to group the carbonate rocks in limestones, foliated limestone, diagenetic breccias and dolostone. The limestones could be further grouped as mudstones, wackestones–packstones, crinoid grainstones, oolitic grainstone and floatstones. Textural differences allowed to define marbles varieties. The stable carbon and oxygen isotope composition proved to be quite useful in the discrimination of marble sources, with apparently less discriminatory potential for carbonate rocks.     

Geochemistry of fine-grained clastic sedimentary rocks of the Neoproterozoic Ikorongo Group, NE Tanzania: Implications for provenance and source rock weathering

The Neoproterozoic Ikorongo Group, which lies unconformably on the late Archaean Nyanzian Supergroup of the Tanzania Craton, is comprised of conglomerates, quartzites, shales, siltstones, red sandstones with rare flagstones and gritstones and is regionally subdivided into four litho-stratigraphic units namely the Makobo, Kinenge, Sumuji and Masati Formations.We report geochemical data for the mudrocks (i.e., shales and siltstones) from the Ikorongo basin in an attempt to constrain their provenance and source rock weathering. These mudrocks are compositionally similar to PAAS and PS indicating derivation from mixed mafic–felsic sources. However, the siltstones show depletion in the transition elements (Cr, Ni, Cu, Sc and V) and attest to a more felsic protolith than those for PAAS and PS. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA: 52–82) reveal a moderately weathered protolith for the mudrocks. The consistent REE patterns with LREE-enriched and HREE-depleted patterns ((La/Yb)_CN = 7.3–38.3) coupled with negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.71 on average), which characteristics are similar to the average PAAS and PS, illustrate cratonic sources that formed by intra-crustal differentiation.Geochemical considerations and palaeocurrent indications suggest that the provenance of the Ikorongo Group include high-Mg basaltic-andesites, dacites, rhyolites and granitoids from the Neoarchaean Musoma-Mara Greenstone Belt to the north of the Ikorongo basin. Mass balance calculations suggest relative contributions of 47%, 42% and 11% from granitoids, high-magnesium basaltic-andesites and dacites, respectively to the detritus that formed the shales. Corresponding contributions to the siltstones detritus are 53%, 43% and 4%.     

Geochemistry of Mansar Lake sediments, Jammu, India: Implication for source-area weathering, provenance, and tectonic setting

The sediment geochemistry, including REE, of surface and core samples from Mansar Lake, along with mineralogical investigations, have been carried out in order to understand the provenance, source area weathering, hydrolic sorting and tectonic setting of the basin. The geochemical signatures preserved in these sediments have been exploited as proxies in order to delineate these different parameters.The major element log values (Fe₂O₃/K₂O) vs (SiO₂/Al₂O₃) and (Na₂O/K₂O) vs (SiO₂/Al₂O₃) demarcate a lithology remarkably similar to that exposed in the catchment area. The chondrite normalized REE patterns of lake samples are similar to Post Archaean Australian Shale (PAAS) with LREE enrichment, a negative Eu anomaly and almost flat HREE pattern similar to a felsic and/or cratonic sedimentary source. However, the La–Th–Sc plot of samples fall in a mixed sedimentary domain, close to Upper Continental Crust (UCC) and PAAS, suggesting sedimentary source rocks for the Mansar detritus. It also indicates that these elements remained immobile during weathering and transportation. The mineralogical characteristic, REEs, and high field strength elements (HFSE), together with the high percentage of metamorphic rock fragments in the Siwalik sandstone, support a metamorphic source for lower Siwalik sediments. A very weak positive correlation between Zr and SiO₂, poor negative correlation with Al₂O₃, negative correlation of (La/Yb)_N and (Gd/Yb)_N ratios with SiO₂ and positive correlation with Al₂O₃, suggest that Zr does not dominantly control the REE distribution in Mansar sediments. The petrographic character and textural immaturity indicate a short distance transport for the detritus. The distribution of elements in core samples reflect fractionation. The higher Zr/Th and Zr/Yb ratios in coarse sediments and PAAS compared to finer grained detritus indicate sedimentary sorting. Plots of the geochemical data on tectonic discrimination diagrams suggest that the sediments derived from the lower Siwalik were originated within a cratonic interior and later deposited along a passive margin basinal setting. It therefore reveals lower Siwalik depositional history.     

Petrography and geochemistry of Jumara Dome sediments,Kachchh Basin: Implications for provenance,tectonic setting and weathering intensity

In the Kachchh Mainland, the Jumara Dome mixed carbonate-siliciclastic succession is represented by the Jhurio and Patcham formations and siliciclastic-dominating Chari Formation （Bathonian to Oxfordian）. The Ju- mara Dome sediments were deposited during sea-level fluctuating, and were interrupted by storms in the shallow marine environment. The sandstones are generally medium-grained, moderately sorted, subangular to subrounded and of low sphericity. The sandstones are mineralogically mature and mainly composed of quartzarenite and subar- kose. The plots of petrofacies in the Qt-F-L, Qm-F-Lt, Qp-Lv-Ls and Qm-P-K ternary diagrams suggest mainly the basement uplift source （craton interior） in rifted continental margin basin setting. The sandstones were cemented by carbonate, iron oxide and silica overgrowth. The Chemical Index of Alteration values （73% sandstone and 81% shale） indicate high weathering conditions in the source area. Overall study suggests that such strong chemical weathering conditions are of unconformity with worldwide humid and warm climates during the Jurassic period. Positive correlations between A1203 and Fe203, TiO2, Na20, MgO, K20 are evident. A high correlation coefficient between A1203 and K20 in shale samples suggests that clay minerals control the major oxides, The analogous con- tents of Si, A1, Ti, LREE and TTE in the shale to PAAS with slightly depleted values of other elements ascribe a PAAS like source （granitic gneiss and minor mafics） to the present study. The petrographic and geochemical data strongly suggest that the studied sandstones/shales were deposited on a passive margin of the stable intracratonic basin.     

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.     

Petrography and geochemical characteristics of the sediments of the small River Hemavati, Southern India: Implications for provenance and weathering processes

Small rivers (≤ 100 km length) are likely to drain fewer rock types. Therefore, their solutes and sediments are good indicators of weathering environments typical of their basins and help constraining the nature of their source rocks. To understand this, the texture, mineralogy, major and trace element compositions of the sediments deposited by the River Hemavati, a northern upland tributary of the Cauvery River in southern India, are analyzed and discussed.

The Hemavati sediments are overall of fine sand size (mean 2–3), and have high concentrations of FeO (≤ 7 wt.%), TiO₂ (≤ 1.2 wt.%), Cr (≤ 350 ppm) and Ni (≤ 125 ppm). Major and trace element distribution call for a binary source for the sediments, and particularly point to contrasting climatic conditions of their provenances. The source areas in the upstream and downstream parts are exposed to sub-humid high relief and sub-arid low relief conditions, respectively, with distinct weathering characteristics. The CIA values (85–48) decrease from near the source to downstream, suggesting that the downstream rain-shadow part of the catchment suffered only minor chemical weathering.

On the other hand, the REE distribution in the Hemavati sediments indicates contrasting lithologies in their provenance, and is not controlled by chemical weathering. On the basis of REE patterns, the sediments are divided into two compositional groups. The Type 1 sediments have a REE chemistry similar to the upper continental crust, and have been derived from the > 3.2 Ga composite peninsular gneisses occurring in the low-lying, semi-arid Mysore Plateau. The Type 2 sediments, however, have dominantly intermediate to mafic granulite contributions from the tectonically uplifted Western Ghats, weathered under sub-humid conditions. High concentrations of FeO, TiO₂, Cr and Ni in the sediments suggest mafic-dominated source lithologies in the upper catchment, a feature also confirmed by field observations and petrographic study.     

Geochemistry of shales from the Upper Miocene Samh Formation,north Marsa Alam,Red Sea,Egypt: implications for source area weathering,provenance, and tectonic setting

The Upper Miocene shales of the Samh Formation, North Marsa Alam along the Egyptian Red Sea coastal plain were analyzed for major and selected trace elements to infer their provenance, weathering intensity, and tectonic setting. The Samh Formation consists of sandstone underlies by shale and marl intercalations. The Samh shales are texturally classified as mudstones. Mineralogically, these shales consist mainly of smectite and kaolinite, associated with non clay minerals (abundant quartz and trace of plagioclase, microcline, and halite). Compared to post-Archaean Australian shales (PAAS), the Samh shales are highly enriched in SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and Fe₂O₃ and depleted in TiO₂, P₂O₅, Na₂O, MgO, and K₂O contents. The K₂O/Al₂O₃ ratio values indicate predominance of clay minerals over K-bearing minerals. Trace elements like zirconium (Zr), Cr, Pb, Sc, Rb, and Cs are positively correlated with Al₂O₃ indicating that these elements are likely fixed in K-feldspars and clays. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA), and Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW) values indicate moderate to intense weathering of the source material in a semiarid climate. The geochemistry results suggest that the Samh shales were deposited in a passive margin of a synrift basin and derived from felsic (granitic) source rocks. The inferred tectonic setting for the Upper Miocene Samh shales in Marsa Alam is in agreement with the tectonic evolutionary history of the Eastern Desert of Egypt during the Upper Miocene.     

Geochemistry of Renuka Lake and wetland sediments,Lesser Himalaya (India): implications for source-area weathering,provenance, and tectonic setting

The geochemical investigation of sediments deposited in the Renuka Lake basin and its adjoining wetland has shown variation in the distribution and concentration of major, trace and REEs. The major elements are depleted in the lake in relation to wetland and that of Post Archaean Australian, Shale (PAAS), except for CaO which is strikingly in excess and has a dilution effect on SiO₂ and other oxides and trace elements. The Wetland sediments, on the other hand, are enriched in Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, K₂O and TiO₂ and the latter three show a positive correlation with Al₂O₃ in both wetland and lake sediments suggesting their association with phyllosilicates and similar source rocks. The enrichment of Y, Zr, Ni, Th, U and Nb in wetland compared to lake and their similarity with PAAS in the former, suggests more clay fractions in the wetland. A high Zr/Hf ratio in wetland and lake sediments and a positive correlation of Zr with Y and HREE indicate Zr control on HREEs. However, higher Zr/Yb and Zr/Th ratios in wetland compared to lake indicate mineral sorting during the process of lighter particles (clays) being trapped in wetland soil. This is also reflected from negative correlation of Gd_N/Yb_N with Al₂O₃ and a strong positive correlation with SiO₂ in wetland sediments. The wetland in this context has a control on lake sediment chemistry. The chondrite normalized REE patterns are essentially the same for lake as well as wetland sediments but abundance decreases in the former. The similarity of pattern with that of PAAS and negative Eu anomaly indicates a cratonic source of sediments. In a plot of the individual samples, wetland samples cluster while lake samples are separated indicating fractionation of lake sediments. A strong positive correlation of La_N/Yb_N with Al₂O₃ and a positive correlation of Zr-∑LREE and Zr-La_N/Yb_N suggest that LREEs are controlled by both phyllosilicates and zircon. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) indices in lake sediments and in wetland are higher than PAAS indicating moderate chemical weathering in the source area. The petrography, lack of felsic magmatic rock fragments, and negative correlation between Zr-(Gd/Yb)_C indicate sedimentary source rocks for the detritus. This is in conformity with the Lesser Himalayan sedimentary sequence belonging to neo-Proterozoic–Proterozoic age and constituting lake catchment of Renuka. The tectonic delineation and discriminant function plots of lake and wetland sediments indicate their cratonic and/or quartzose sedimentary orogenic terrain source that has been deposited in a passive margin setting.     

Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of Mesoproterozoic Kumbalgarh clastic rocks,NW Indian shield: implications for provenance,tectonic setting,and crustal evolution

The Kumbalgarh Group of the south Delhi fold belt are the main bedrock series exposed in the axial region of the Aravalli craton. Quartzites and greywackes, the chief clastic constituents of this group, are well exposed. Petrographic and bulk-rock analyses of these rocks permit determination of their provenance, tectonic setting of the basin, and the Archaean to Proterozoic crustal evolution. Greywackes comprise quartz, plagioclase, amphiboles, K-feldspar, and rock fragments. Based on mineralogy, we divided the quartzites into three categories: QTZ1 is chiefly composed of quartz with a silty matrix and a minor quantity of feldspars and QTZ2 contains significant mafic minerals as well as quartz and feldspars, whereas QTZ3 is more feldspathic than the other groups. All the lithounits have SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios <～10 suggesting textural immaturity consistent with their sedimentary petrography. Greywackes display the least fractionated rare earth elements (REEs) (La/Yb _N : avg. 2.55) with positive Eu anomalies (avg. Eu/Eu* = 1.34). QTZ1 contains strongly fractionated REE patterns (avg. La/Yb _N : 13.56, avg. Eu/Eu* = 0.60), QTZ2 shows moderate REE fractionation (avg. La/Yb _N : 4.97, avg. Eu/Eu* = 0.61), and QTZ3 possesses the least fractionated V-shaped REE patterns (avg. La/Yb _N : 1.97, avg. Eu/Eu* = 0.51). Weathering attributes including chemical index of alteration (CIA), plagioclase index of alteration (PIA), chemical index of weathering (CIW), and A–CN–K plots assign a low to moderate degree of weathering to the Kumbalgarh sediments under a subtropical climate. Based on our synthesis of the petrographic and geochemical data, we suggest a provenance comprising basalts, tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG), and granite. Geochemical attributes indicate deposition of the detritus in an extensional backarc basin receiving sedimentary input from opposite directions. The opening and then closure of the South Delhi Basin was the last phase of the break-up of the supercontinent, columbia, which began by abortive rifting of the Udaipur belt and culminated in separation of the Aravalli–Bundelkhand–Dharwar block in the east and the East African orogen in the west.     

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.     

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.     

Petrography and geochemistry of Cretaceous to quaternary siliciclastic rocks in the Tarfaya basin,SW Morocco: implications for tectonic setting,weathering, and provenance

The petrography, heavy mineral analysis, major element geochemical compositions and mineral chemistry of Early Cretaceous to Miocene–Pliocene rocks, and recent sediments of the Tarfaya basin, SW Morocco, have been studied to reveal their depositional tectonic setting, weathering history, and provenance. Bulk sediment compositional and mineral chemical data suggest that these rocks were derived from heterogeneous sources in the Reguibat Shield (West African Craton) including the Mauritanides and the western Anti-Atlas, which likely form the basement in this area. The Early Cretaceous sandstones are subarkosic in composition, while the Miocene–Pliocene sandstones and the recent sediments from Wadis are generally carbonate-rich feldspathic or lithic arenites, which is also reflected in their major element geochemical compositions. The studied samples are characterized by moderate SiO₂ contents and variable abundances of Al₂O₃, K₂O, Na₂O, and ferromagnesian elements. Binary tectonic discrimination diagrams demonstrate that most samples can be characterized as passive continental marginal deposits. Al₂O₃/Na₂O ratios indicate more intense chemical weathering during the Early Cretaceous and a variable intensity of weathering during the Late Cretaceous, Early Eocene, Oligocene–Early Miocene, Miocene–Pliocene and recent times. Moreover, weathered marls of the Late Cretaceous and Miocene–Pliocene horizons also exhibit relatively low but variable intensity of chemical weathering. Our results indicate that siliciclastics of the Early Cretaceous were primarily derived from the Reguibat Shield and the Mauritanides, in the SW of the basin, whereas those of the Miocene–Pliocene had varying sources that probably included western Anti-Atlas (NE part of the basin) in addition to the Reguibat Shield and the Mauritanides.     

Late Cretaceous redbeds from the Gan-Hang Belt in Southeast China: petrography and geochemistry implications for provenance,source weathering,and tectonic setting

ABSTRACT

The distinct basin and range tectonics in Southeast China were generated by crustal extension associated with subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate during the late Mesozoic. Compared with adjacent granitoids of the ranges, the redbeds of the basins have not been well characterized. In this article, provenance, source weathering, and tectonic setting of the redbeds are investigated by petrographic and geochemical studies of sandstones from the Late Cretaceous Guifeng Group in the Yongchong Basin, Southeast China. Detrital grains are subangular to subrounded, poorly sorted, and rich in lithic fragments. Variable Chemical Index of Alternation values (59.55–79.82, avg. 66.79) and high Index of Compositional Variability (ICV) values (0.67–3.08, avg. 1.40) indicate an overall low degree of chemical weathering and rapid physical erosion of source rocks. Such features are consistent with an active extension tectonic setting. Other chemical indices (e.g. Al₂O₃/TiO₂, Th/U, Cr/Th, Th/Sc, Zr/Sc) also suggest significant first-cycle sediment input to the basin and a dominant felsic source nature. Thus, the Guifeng Group possibly underwent moderate to low degrees of weathering upwards. Sandstone framework models and geochemical characteristics suggest the provenance was likely a combination of passive margin (PM) and active continental margin (ACM) with minor continental island arc (CIA) tectonic settings. Sediment derivation from Neoproterozoic metamorphic rocks and Cambrian to Triassic granitoids indicates PM provenance, whereas sediments derived from Jurassic to Cretaceous granitoids suggest ACM and CIA nature. Therefore, the Late Cretaceous redbeds were deposited in a dustpan-like half-graben basin under the back-arc extension regime when Southeast China was possibly influenced by northwestward subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate beneath East Asia.