Evaluating the Baluti Formation at Sararu village,Ora Anticline,Iraqi Kurdistan: a stratigraphic and geochemical approach

Here, we report that a lithostratigraphic unit that outcrops at Sararu village, 6 km northeast of Qumri village that had previously been assigned to the Baluti Formation is not Triassic in age and therefore can not be a correlative equivalent of the Baluti Formation. The outcropping unit at Sararu comprises intercalation of calcareous mudstones and limestones, and is indeed lithologically similar to the Baluti Formation (Late Triassic). The Baluti Formation (also known as the Baluti Shale) is known from a typical section found at the Gara Anticline and from many deep drilled oil exploration wells. It is generally composed of alternations of the shales, limestones, dolomites, and dolomitic limestones. It is underlain by the Kurra Chine Formation (Upper Triassic) and overlain by the Sarki Formation (Lower Jurassic). In this study, detailed field observations, an assessment of stratigraphic successions, studies of microfossils such as age-specific planktonic foraminifera (e.g., Globotruncana bulloides), and age-specific biomarkers (oleanane index and C28/C29 regular sterane index) reveal that the lithostratigraphic unit at Sararu village can not be a correlative equivalent of the Baluti Formation, and it is more likely from the Upper Cretaceous. There are a number of Upper Cretaceous formations found in this part of Kurdistan, but based on fossil-type and palaeoenvironmental associations, the Hadiena Formation, from the Upper Cretaceous, is considered as the most likely correlative equivalent to the calcareous mudstone and limestone succession found at Sararu village.     

Geochemistry of Archean shales from the Witwatersrand Supergroup,South Africa: Source-area weathering and provenance

With a few exceptions, shales from the Archean Witwatersrand Supergroup (~2800 Ma) in South Africa are depleted in Na, Ca, LILE, REE and HFSE compared to Phanerozoic shales. Cr, Co and Ni are enriched in all Witwatersrand shales and Fe and Mg are high in shales from the West Rand Groups (WRG) and lower Central Rand Group (CRG). Shales from the CRG and uppermost WRG are enriched in Na, Al, LILE, REE, HFSE and transition metals relative to shales from the lower WRG. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns for all Witwatersrand shales are enriched in light-REE and exhibit small to moderate negative Eu anomalies. A positive correlation of REE and Al₂O₃ contents in the shales suggests that REE are contained principally in clay minerals.Relative to shales from the CRG, shales from the WRG exhibit depletions of Na, Ca and Sr, a feature probably reflecting intense chemical weathering of their source rocks. CIA indices in Witwatersrand shales are variable (chiefly 70–98), even within the same shale unit. Such variations reflect chiefly variable climatic zones or rates of tectonic uplift in source areas with perhaps some contribution from provenance and element remobilization during metamorphism.Compared to present-day upper continental crust, all but the Orange Grove, Roodepoort, and K8 shales appear to have been derived from continental sources depleted in LILE, REE, and HFSE and enriched in transition metals. Computer mixing models based on six relatively immobile elements (Th, Hf, Yb, La, Sc, Co) and four source rocks indicate that the relative proportions of granite, basalt and komatiite increased with time in sediment source areas at the expense of tonalite. The contributions of basalt and komatiite appear to reach a maximum during deposition of the Booysens shale, and granite during deposition of the K8 shales and possibly during deposition of the Orange Grove shales.     

Geochemistry of the Eocene Jijuntun Formation oil shale in the Fushun Basin,northeast China: Implications for source-area weathering,provenance and tectonic setting

Within the fault-bound Fushun Basin of northeastern China, the Eocene Jijuntun Formation hosts extensive deposits of thick lacustrine oil shale. Systematic sampling and geochemical analysis of these deposits has revealed that the parent rocks of the oil shale underwent moderate chemical weathering; and that its mineralogy and trace and rare earth element geochemistry were mainly controlled by parent rock composition, with no synsedimentary changes in the source terrain. Based on source rock and tectonic setting discrimination diagrams, we concluded that the parent rocks of the oil shale were mostly basalts of the Paleogene Laohutai Formation. These basalts originated in a continental back arc environment and contain abundant nutrient elements such as Fe, P, Ni, Cu and Zn, all of which are essential for the growth of aquatic photoautotrophs in lakes. Continuous, high primary productivity in the Jinjuntun lacustrine depocentre, combined with a stable tectonic setting and underfilled sedimentary environment, were key factors in the genesis of its oil shale.     

Geochemistry of Vellayani lake sediments: Indicators of weathering and provenance

The Vellayani lake, located on the west coast, Kerala, South India, is a natural fresh water lake. In order to understand the source and nature of the sediments; thirteen lake floor sediment samples were collected from the Vellayani lake at different intervals along the S-N transects covering the entire surface area of the lake. Textural studies indicate that lake floor sediments are dominant in sand (55.39%) followed by clay (30.57%) and silt (14.04%) fractions. Coarse components are dominant at the inlet ofthe stream into the lake. The geochemical content of the sediments reveals low SiO₂, MnO, CaO, MgO, Na₂O, K₂O, and P₂O₅ content while TiO₂, Fe₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ are high when compared with Post Archean Australian Shale (PAAS) and Upper Continental Crust (UCC) values. SiO₂ is high in coarse fractions while Al₂O₃ is strongly associated with fine sediments. Major oxide contents supported by Rare Earth Element (REE) data reveal a distinct negative Eu anomaly reflecting a dominant cratonic origin of the sediments. Detailed geochemical data indicate a mixed source, predominantly, the lateritic soils, sedimentary and metamorphic bedrocks exposed around the lake and in the catchment area.     

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.     

Geochemistry and detrital modes of Proterozoic sedimentary rocks,Bayana Basin,north Delhi fold belt: implications for provenance and source-area weathering

Bayana Basin, sited along the eastern margin of the north Delhi fold belt of the Aravalli Craton, contains an ～3000?m-thick sequence comprising one volcanic and seven sedimentary formations of the Delhi Supergroup. The sedimentary units are the Nithar, Jogipura, Badalgarh, Bayana, Damdama, Kushalgarh, and Weir formations in order of decreasing age. Petrographic study of the sandstones as well as major and trace elements (including rare earth elements) and bulk-rock analyses of the shales and sandstones allow the determination of their provenance, source-rock weathering, and basinal tectonic setting. The sandstones are quartz rich and were derived mainly from exhumed granitoids typical of a craton interior. Geochemical patterns of the sandstones and shales are similar. However, trace element abundances are low in sandstones, probably due to quartz dilution. The coarser clastic Damdama and Weir sandstones, which occur at higher stratigraphic levels, have strikingly low trace element concentrations compared with the underlying Bayana and Badalgarh sandstones. All samples show uniform LREE-enriched patterns with negative Eu-anomalies (Eu/Eu*?=?0.16–0.23) and are similar to those of post-Archaean Australian shales (PAAS). However, the (La/Yb) _n ratios (averages 11–18) of all the sedimentary units are higher than those of PAAS, except for the Bayana Sandstone, which has low values (average 6.77). The chemical index of alteration (70–78) and the plagioclase index of alteration (87–97) values and the A–CN–K diagram suggest moderate to intense weathering of the source area.

The provenance analyses indicate that basin sedimentation was discontinuous. It received input from a terrain comprising granitoids, mafic rocks, sedimentary sequences, and tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) suites. The Nithar and Badalgarh sandstones received input from a source consisting predominantly of granitoids. The succeeding Damdama and Weir sandstones received debris from granitoids and TTG in different proportions. The Kushalgarh shale was possibly derived from a source consisting granites and mafic rocks with a TTG component. The pre-existing sedimentary formations also contributed intermittently during the different phases of sedimentation.

Bulk-rock geochemical data suggest Mesoarchaean gneisses and late Archaean granites of BGC/BGGC (Banded Gneissic Complex/Bundelkhand Granitic Gneiss Complex) basement as possible source terrains. These data indicate deposition in a continental rift setting. The coeval formation of many rift-related Proterozoic sedimentary basins in the BGC/BGGC terrain suggests that the North Indian Craton underwent major intracratonic extension during Proterozoic time, probably triggering the break up of Earth's first supercontinent.     

Geochemistry of Tertiary sandstones from southwest Sarawak,Malaysia: implications for provenance and tectonic setting

Tertiary sandstones collected from southwest Sarawak, Malaysia, were analyzed to decipher their provenance, weathering, and tectonic setting. The studied sandstones have a sublitharenite composition and are dominantly composed quartz with little mica and feldspar, and a small amount of volcanic fragments. These sandstones were generally derived from quartz-rich recycled orogenic sources. They have relatively high SiO₂ content with low Na₂O, CaO, MnO, and MgO contents. Values of Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) of these rock samples vary from 71 to 93, with an average of 81, implying intense chemical alteration during weathering. A felsic igneous source is suggested by a low concentration of TiO₂ compared to CIA, enrichment of Light Rare Earth Elements, depletion of Heavy Rare Earth Elements, and negative Eu anomalies. A felsic origin is further supported by a Eu/Eu* range of 0.65–0.85 and high Th/Sc, La/Sc, La/Co, and Th/Co ratios. This work presents the first reported geochemical data of Tertiary sandstones of the Sarawak Basin. These data led us to conclude that the sandstones were dislodged from recycled orogenic sources and deposited in a slowly subsiding rifted basin in a passive continental tectonic setting.     

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.     

Petrography,geochemistry, and provenance of the Chalki rocks in Kurdistan region,North Iraq

Outcrops of the Paleozoic Chalki volcanic rocks are restricted to part of the northern Thrust Zone of Iraq close to Iraqi-Turkish border. Petrographically, the volcanic rocks from the Chalki area are mainly layered, appearing fresh in the field and exhibiting some basaltic lava flows. Porphyritic, amygdaloidal, and microlite-porphyric are the main observed textures. Phenocrysts of primary phases (i.e., olivine, iron oxides) are in a groundmass of feldspars and clinopyroxene. Chalki Formation is intercalated with Pirispiki Formation which consists of thin to medium bedded, greenish gray marl, red mudstone, and veins of calcite. The Chalki rocks are mafic of theolitic basalt type. Geochemically, they have high chromium and nickel concentrations in most samples. Rare earth element (REE) patterns illustrate parallel to sub-parallel, moderately fractionated REE patterns. The low heavy REE (HREE) contents in the studied samples appear to be due to partial melting of metamorphosed oceanic crust leaving HREE-rich accessory minerals (i.e., garnet) as a residual phase in the source. No Eu anomalies were observed in the Chalki samples which may indicate a back-arc basin pattern. The non-subduction signature of the Chalki rocks is confirmed by the Nb/Yb versus Th/Yb diagram, which shows that most of the studied rocks fall in the compositional field of non-arc-related rocks—well within the field of the mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-ocean island basalt (OIB) mantle array.     

Geochemistry of late quaternary sediments from Tecocomulco lake, central Mexico: Implication to chemical weathering and provenance

This paper presents the first detailed multi-element geochemical data from the late Quaternary sediments of the Tecocomulco lake basin (central Mexico) and rocks exposed in the basin catchments to understand the extents of chemical weathering and provenance of the siliciclastic fractions. Ternary diagrams of A-CN-K, A-C-N and A-CNK-FM and elemental ratios suggest that most of the lacustrine sediments were derived from mafic volcanic deposits comprising the Chichicuatla and the Apan-Peñon andesites and the Apan-Tezontepec basaltic-andesites. The felsic tephra layers have chemical compositions comparable to the Acoculco volcanic sequences. The calculated indices of chemical weathering such as chemical index of alteration (CIA), plagioclase index of alteration (PIA) and chemical index of weathering (CIW) indicate low to extreme chemical weathering for the lacustrine sediments and low chemical weathering for tephra layers. The varying degree of chemical weathering in lacustrine sediments is related to the fluctuating average annual precipitation during the late Quaternary. However, the low weathering of tephra layers are due to their higher rate of deposition. The dacite-rhyolitic tephra layers of ca. 31,000 ¹⁴C yr BP are relatively more weathered compared to the unweathered rhyolitic tephra of ca. 50,000 ¹⁴C yr BP. This could be due to the rapid deposition of ca. 200 cm of tephra layers during the ca. 50,000 ¹⁴C yr BP volcanic eruption that might have prevented the interaction between tephra layers and weathering agents.     

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。     

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 the Paleogene sandstones from the Ningnan Basin,NW China: implications for provenance,weathering and tectonic setting

Petrographical and geochemical characteristics of the Paleogene sandstones in the Ningnan Basin, NW China, were studied by analyzing thin sections and major, trace, and rare earth element (REE) compositions. The sandstones of the Sikouzi and Qingshuiying formations are sublitharenite to feldspathic litharenite and characterized by low-medium compositional and textural maturity. Petrographic provenance study indicates a quartzose-recycled provenance with higher concentration of Zr in the Qingshuiying Formation. Depositional environment of the Sikouzi and Qingshuiying sandstones was mainly oxic as evidenced by lower values of δEu, δCe, V/Cr, Ni/Co, U/Th, and δU. The Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW’) and the Th/U ratios (av. 3.3 and 3.54) reveal weak and moderate weathering history in the source area. The Zr, Nb, Y, Th, and U concentrations in the Qingshuiying Formation are comparable to upper continental crust (UCC) values and the negative Eu anomalies support contribution from a felsic source. However, a significantly larger range of Ce anomalies in the Sikouzi Formation also reveals mixing of felsic and mafic/ultramafic source terrains. The petrology and geochemistry analyses of the Sikouzi sandstones imply that the provenance was mainly derived from diabase in Xiang Shan and lower Cretaceous strata in the study area whereas the Qingshuiying sandstones were derived from the granites in the southern part of Liupan Shan, which means that the northeastward expansion of the Tibetan Plateau did not make the Liupan Shan a high relief during Paleogene. The present study has let to document the origin of the Ningnan Basin that was formed during the late phase of Ordos Basin reformation, along with the other synchronous peripheral fault-bounded basins of the Ordos Basin, and was not related to the northeastern extrusion of Tibetan Plateau.     

四川盆地西南缘龙马溪组泥岩地球化学特征及物源区和构造背景分析

本文对川西南荥经地区龙马溪组泥岩的岩石学、矿物学及元素地球化学开展了研究,探讨了龙马溪组沉积环境、物源区属性及构造背景。结果表明,研究区龙马溪组泥岩砂质、钙质含量较高,指示其沉积水体较浅。稀土元素特征及及A—CN—K图解说明龙马溪组泥岩组成较少受成岩及交代作用影响,样品较完整地保存了物源和风化作用信息。K2O、Rb、Al2O3 /TiO2含量较高及Eu负异常指示其母岩为偏酸性的长英质岩、花岗岩类,推测主要来自康滇古陆新元古代早期地台盖层。ICV值大于1,CIA平均值为66,Th/U与地壳UCC值相近,Rb/Sr值明显低于PAAS,指示其物源为近源初次旋回的快速沉积产物,受化学风化作用较小,沉积环境为干燥、寒冷环境。La/Yb、LREE/HREE及Sc/Cr等值均与被动大陆边缘值相近,结合Sc/Cr—La/Y等判别图解,说明研究区沉积构造背景主要为被动大陆边缘。     

Geochemistry of black shales from the Lower Cretaceous Paja Formation,Eastern Cordillera,Colombia: Source weathering,provenance, and tectonic setting

The major and trace element characteristics of black shales from the Lower Cretaceous Paja Formation of Colombia are broadly comparable with those of the average upper continental crust. Among the exceptions are marked enrichments in V, Cr, and Ni. These enrichments are associated with high organic carbon contents. CaO and Na₂O are strongly depleted, leading to high values for both the Chemical Index of Alteration (77–96) and the Plagioclase Index of Alteration (86–99), which indicates derivation from a stable, intensely weathered felsic source terrane. The REE abundances and patterns vary considerably but can be divided into three main groups according to their characteristics and stratigraphic position. Four samples from the lower part of the Paja Formation (Group 1) are characterized by LREE-enriched chondrite-normalized patterns (average La_N/Yb_N = 8.41) and significant negative Eu anomalies (average Eu/Eu¹ = 0.63). A second group of five samples (Group 2), also from the lower part, have relatively flat REE patterns (average La_N/Yb_N = 1.84) and only slightly smaller Eu anomalies (average Eu/Eu¹ = 0.69). Six samples from the middle and upper parts (Group 3) have highly fractionated patterns (average La_N/Yb_N = 15.35), resembling those of Group 1, and an identical average Eu/Eu¹ of 0.63. The fractionated REE patterns and significant negative Eu anomalies in Groups 1 and 3 are consistent with derivation from an evolved felsic source. The flatter patterns of Group 2 shale and strongly concave MREE-depleted patterns in two additional shales likely were produced during diagenesis, rather than reflecting more mafic detrital inputs. An analysis of a single sandstone suggests diagenetic modification of the REE, because its REE pattern is identical to that of the upper continental crust except for the presence of a significant positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu¹ = 1.15). Felsic provenance for all samples is suggested by the clustering on the Th/Sc–Zr/Sc and Gd_N/Yb_N–Eu/Eu¹ diagrams. Averages of unmodified Groups 1 and 3 REE patterns compare well with cratonic sediments from the Roraima Formation in the Guyana Shield, suggesting derivation from a continental source of similar composition. In comparison with modern sediments, the geochemical parameters (K₂O/Na₂O, La_N/Yb_N, La_N/Sm_N, Eu/Eu¹, La/Sc, La/Y, Ce/Sc) suggest the Paja Formation was deposited at a passive margin. The Paja shales thus represent highly mature sediments recycled from deeply weathered, older, sedimentary/metasedimentary rocks, possibly in the Guyana Shield, though Na-rich volcanic/granitic rocks may have contributed to some extent.     

Geochemistry of the Jurassic and Upper Cretaceous shales from the Molango Region,Hidalgo, eastern Mexico: Implications for source-area weathering,provenance, and tectonic setting

This study focuses on the Jurassic (Huayacocotla and Pimienta Formations) and Upper Cretaceous (Méndez Formation) shales from the Molango Region, Hidalgo, Mexico. In this article, we discuss the mineralogy, major, and trace element geochemistry of the Mesozoic shales of Mexico. The goal of this study is to constrain the provenance of the shales, which belong to two different periods of the Mesozoic Era and to understand the weathering conditions and tectonic environments of the source region.     

自贡沙溪庙组地球化学特征及其对物源区和古风化的指示

本文对中侏罗统沙溪庙组泥质岩的主量元素、微量元素和稀土元素特征进行了研究,并讨论了物源区性质以及风化特征。物源区以长英质岩石为主,指示化学风化程度的CIA指数及成分成熟度的ICV指数,表明经历了低-中等的化学风化作用,反映了中侏罗世的半干旱气候环境。     

成都粘土地球化学特征及其对物源和风化强度的指示

提要：成都平原晚更新世成都粘土地球化学分析表明,不同剖面样品的化学组成具有较好的一致性,以SiO2（平均75.24%）、Al2O3（平均14.12%）、Fe2O3（平均5.81%）为主,地球化学特征与UCC基本相似。与北方黄土相比,成都粘土具有较高的TiO2/Al2O3、Zr/Al、Zr/Ti和Y/Al以及较低的Eu/Eu?鄢、LaN/SmN和LaN/YbN比值,这些特征与成都平原第四系深层土壤样品组成一致,表明成都粘土来源于当地,与北方黄土物源不同。成都粘土CIA平均值为78.59,高于北方黄土平均值（69.34）,经历了中期的K迁移阶段,在风化过程中Ca、Na、Mg和K是主要的活动性元素。与北方黄土相比,成都粘土Na、Mg、K和Ca亏损较大,表明经历了更强的化学风化。     

Rare-earth elements in Oligo-Miocenic pelitic sediments from Lagonegro Basin,southern Apennines,Italy: implications for provenance and source area weathering

The Lagonegro Units are a part of the southern Apennines orogenic wedge. The age of the Lagonegro successions ranges from lower–middle Triassic to Oligo-Miocene. During late Cretaceous and Oligocene the deposition of calcareous-clastic sediments occurred interbedded with shales (Flysch Rosso Fm). During Oligocene and early Miocene, in the Mediterranean area, an important variation of the tectonic regime occurred, and siliciclastic sediments of the Numidian Basin unconformably lay on the Meso-Cenozoic units of the Lagonegro Basin. In the Lucanian Apennine, the Aquitanian–Langhian Numidian Flysch Fm overlies the Flysch rosso Fm. The shales of the Flysch rosso Fm have a peculiar geochemical fingerprint relative to typical shales of post-Archean age. The abundance of Ni and Cr is significantly higher and the HREE chondrite-normalized patterns are steep with a (Gd/Yb)_ch>2. A supply of material from the African Archean terranes could be the cause. The palaeo-weathering indices record changes at the source, reflecting variations in the tectonic regime. The oldest samples are derived from an environment in which steady-state weathering conditions prevailed, whereas the youngest samples are related to non-steady-state weathering conditions. This difference could record deformational events that affected the Mediterranean area during the Oligocene and early Miocene. The sample at the top of the studied log has very high silica content and an abundant coarse grain-sized fraction. This suggests that this sample belongs to the Numidian Flysch Fm. The geochemical proxies of this sample are different from those associated with samples from the Flysch rosso Fm, indicating that the source-area of the Numidian Flysch Fm did not include the Archean terranes.