鄂尔多斯盆地晚古生代沉积岩源区构造背景及物源分析

鄂尔多斯盆地周缘物源均来自上地壳,以长英质岩石为主,主要为太古宇、元古宇的各类变火山-沉积岩组成的古老变质岩系,同时具有一定量的花岗岩和碱性玄武岩的混合,但物源成分及南北源区构造背景有所差异。在常量元素及稀土元素组成上,盆地南北物源区的沉积岩在地区及层位之间存在差异,且该变化符合大洋岛弧→大陆岛弧→活动大陆边缘→被动大陆边缘常量元素、稀土元素以及负Eu异常的变化趋势。常量元素变化分析表明盆地北部物源主要来自板块俯冲碰撞地带,与被动大陆边缘环境和活动大陆边缘环境相关,少数为与活动大陆边缘相关的岛弧构造环境有关,到晚古生代中晚期才逐渐与被动大陆边缘环境和活动大陆边缘环境相关。稀土元素对比分析表明,盆地北部物源与太古宙、元古宙的花岗片麻岩、闪长片麻岩、二长花岗岩、变余岩屑砂岩及千枚岩具有亲源性;而盆地南部早—中二叠世长期受被动大陆边缘物源影响,具有高SiO2,低Na2O的特征,这与太古宙—元古宙的太华群、秦岭群、宽坪群等岩系的高SiO2含量,K2O/Na2O>1的特征一致,到晚古生代后期,逐渐与活动大陆边缘物源相关。北秦岭晚古生代山间盆地具有快速混杂堆积的沉积特点,属于盆地外缘,并与鄂尔多斯盆地呈连续过渡的状况,物源上具有继承关系;盆地晚古生代沉积岩中Gd含量及(Gd/Yb)N比值具有随时间迁移的特征,分析表明北部物源区在太原期处于构造快速活动期,而南部物源从山西期才开始进入快速活动期,这与区域构造演化背景一致,即北部物源区抬升要早于南部。     

哈尔滨地区罗家窝棚组地层的沉积学、矿物学及地球化学特征:对沉积环境的指示

罗家窝棚组是哈尔滨地区的第四纪下限地层,其岩性是紫红色砂砾石,被认为是冰碛物堆积。早期的区测资料对其进行了岩性描述,对于其它地层属性,特别是地球化学属性的认识尚未涉及。为此,本文选择黑龙江五常拉林镇罗家窝棚村层型剖面作为研究对象,首次对其沉积学、矿物学、元素地球化学展开综合研究,以揭示其沉积过程和沉积环境。结果表明,这套砾石分选和磨圆较差,风化程度很高,无定向性排列,砾石成分以陆源碎屑岩(砂岩和粉砂岩,44.2%)和花岗岩(37.4%)为主,其次为凝灰岩(11.2%),石英质、闪长岩、流纹岩和玄武岩等少量出现。重矿物组成以赤/褐铁矿占绝对优势(87.5%),其次是白钛石(5.0%),其它重矿物含量较少。元素地球化学揭示,罗家窝棚组中的细颗粒碎屑以及泥质基质经历了很强的化学风化过程,是初次循环的结果。砾石岩性和地球化学组成共同揭示了这些碎屑主要来源于长英质母岩,但中性和铁镁质母岩也有少量贡献。综合沉积学、矿物学和地球化学地层属性,本文认为罗家窝棚组地层是在炎热气候条件下的洪积物堆积,而非寒冷气候条件下的冰碛物。这项研究对于哈尔滨地区第四纪地层的划分和早更新世构造—地貌—气候—水系演化等地质事件的重建具有重要意义。     

Geochemistry of Neogene sedimentary rocks from Borneo Basin,East Malaysia: Paleo-weathering,provenance and tectonic setting

Multi-element geochemistry and mineralogy are used to characterize the chemical composition, degree of paleo-weathering, provenance and tectonic settings of the Neogene sedimentary rocks of Borneo Basin of east Malaysia. Sedimentary rocks are classified as extremely weathered sandstones (i.e. wacke, arkose, litharenite, Fe-sandstone and quartz arenite). Wacke, arkose, litharenite and Fe-sandstone are characterized by post-depositional K-metasomatism and zircon enrichment through sediment recycling. Geochemical characteristics suggest a mixed-nature provenance for the sandstones and the variable tectonic settings possibly mirror the complexity of the basin. Enriched Cr in quartz arenite and Fe-sandstone are related to the contribution from ophiolite or fractionation of Cr-bearing minerals.     

Magnetic fabric and paleomagnetism of the Middle Triassic siliciclastic rocks from the Nanpanjiang Basin,South China: Implications for sediment provenance and tectonic process

A combined magnetic fabric and paleomagnetic study has been carried out on the siliciclastic rocks gathered from a stratigraphic cross-section through the Nanpanjiang Basin, South China, in an attempt to extract the paleoflow information preserved in and, thus, constrain the possible origins of these clastic rocks. The sediments used for this study were formed by sediment-gravity flows along the southern margin of the South China block in the Middle Triassic time (ca. 245–228 Ma). The results show a normal distribution of both low field magnetic susceptibility values and natural remanent magnetization intensities, which along with the monotonic detrital framework mode, mainly comprising quartz and lithic particles, may suggest a single provenance involved in deposition of these clastic deposits. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis acquires primarily the sedimentary magnetic fabrics, which, in this study, reveal paleoflow directions ranging from NNW to ENE with an overall mean orientation of NE. Demagnetization on a part of samples isolates a characteristic remanent component averaged at D = 44.8°, I = 16.9°, κ = 9.7, α₉₅ = 6. 5°, n = 55, corresponding to a paleolatitude N8.6° and a clockwise rotation of ca. 45° since the Middle Triassic for the studied cross-section. This mean direction passes fold tests and is consistent with the reference direction expected from the South China block at the 95% confidence level. Restoring this ∼45° declination renders an overall northward paleoflow, which, combined with other evidence, suggests a southern provenance for these sediments during deposition in the Middle Triassic time. In terms of the early Mesozoic plate framework of southeastern Asia, a tectonic scenario is proposed here, whereby the nearly N–S convergence of the Indochina and South China blocks and its related Indosinian orogeny in the Middle Triassic caused the formation of the Nanpanjiang foreland basin, which was filled by voluminous detritus shed from the uplifted orogenic belt on its southern side.     

Depositional environment and sedimentary of the basinal sediments in the Eibiswalder Bucht (Radl Formation and Lower Eibiswald Beds), Miocene Western Styrian Basin,Austria

The Eibiswald Bucht is a small subbasin of the Western Styrian Basin exposing sediments of Lower Miocene age. In the past the entire sequence exposed in the Eibiswalder Bucht has been interpreted as being of fluvial/lacustrine origin; here, results are presented of detailed sedimentological investigations that lead to a revision of this concept. The lowermost siliciclastic sedimentary unit of the Eibiswalder Bucht sequence is the Radl Formation. It is overlain by the Eibiswald Beds, which are subdivided into the Lower, Middle and Upper Eibiswald Beds. The Radl Formation and the Lower Eibiswald Beds are interpreted as a fan delta complex deposited along NNW-SSE striking faults. Based on the sedimentary facies this fan delta can be subdivided into a subaerial alluvial fan facies group, a proximal delta facies group and a distal delta/prodelta facies group. The Radl Formation comprises the alluvial fan and proximal delta facies groups, the Lower Eibiswald Beds the distal delta/prodelta facies group. The alluvial fan and the proximal delta consist of diverse deposits of gravelly flows. The distal delta/prodelta consists of wave-reworked, bioturbated, low density turbidites intercalated with minor gravelly mass flows. The prodelta can be regarded as as the basin facies of the small and shallow Eibiswalder Bucht, where marine conditions prevailed. The basin was probably in part connected with the Eastern Styrian Basin, the contemporary depositional environment of the Styrian Schlier (mainly turbiditic marine offshore sediments in the Eastern Styrian Basin). Analysis of the clast composition, in conjunction with the paleotransport direction of the coarse delta mass flows of the Radl Formation, shows that the source rocks were exclusively crystalline rocks ranging from greenschists to eclogites.     

可可西里盆地中新统五道梁群湖相碳酸盐岩岩石学特征与沉积环境分析

湖相碳酸盐岩在可可西里盆地的古、新近纪地层中分布广泛,更是中新统五道梁群沉积的主要组成部分。五道梁群湖相碳酸盐岩分为生物粘结灰岩(叠层石)、泥晶灰岩、颗粒灰岩与泥晶白云岩四大类,反映出沉积环境为一个具有浅水—半深水、高盐度、半封闭—封闭特点的综合湖泊系统。     

Provenance and weathering history of Mesoproterozoic clastic sedimentary rocks from the basal Gulcheru Formation,Cuddapah Basin

Geochemical analysis for the Mesoproterozoic clastic sedimentary rocks of the basal Gulcheru Formation of the Cuddapah Basin in the Gugudu-Dadithota-Parnapalle-Palkonda region (extending atleast 40 km) have been performed to highlight their provenance and weathering history. The low K₂O/Al₂O₃ ratios of the representative samples points to the recycled nature of sediments and illite clay in the sediments indicate an overall cold climate (low chemical weathering degree). All the provenance diagrams indicate a mixed source of the Gulcheru sediments with felsic dominancy and Upper continental crust (UCC) signature.     

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%.     

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.     

天山南缘石炭系-三叠系碎屑岩成分及其对物源区大地构造属性的指示

本文通过对天山南缘石炭系-三叠系碎屑岩岩石学特征和地球化学特征的分析,揭示了研究区石炭系-三叠系碎屑岩的物质组分特征及其物源区的大地构造背景.碎屑岩的岩石学、地球化学分析表明,天山南缘石炭系、三叠系砂岩成分成熟度和结构成熟度均不高,杂基含量较高,从石炭系至三叠系砂岩不稳定组分依次增加.石炭系、二叠系具有相似的稀土元素含量特征,三叠系稀土元素含量明显低于石炭系和二叠系,石炭系-三叠系轻、重稀土元素分馏程度依次减弱,La/Th、La/Y 比值依次增大,Th/U比值减小,来自再旋回的物质依次增多.综合碎屑组分、常量元素、稀土元素及微量元素特征的判别,天山南缘石炭系物源区构造背景为既有指示大陆岛孤、活动大陆边缘的证据,也有指示为被动大陆边缘,二叠系物源区示为大陆岛弧,三叠系物源区示为大陆岛弧和含有古老沉积岩的陆块.对比石炭系、二叠系及三叠系物源区的大地构造属性,石炭系物源区示有多种属性,而二叠系、三叠系则相对较为单一,这可能与中天山-伊犁地块和塔里木陆块的碰撞有关.     

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。     

Geochemical study of the Neoproterozoic clastic sedimentary rocks of the Khambal Formation (Sindreth Basin), Aravalli Craton,NW Indian Shield: Implications for paleoweathering,provenance, and geodynamic evolution

Petrographic and geochemical studies characterize lithologies of the Khambal Formation deposited in the Sindreth Basin as arkosic, subarkosic, and quartzarenite. Weathering indices, such as CIA and CIW in conjunction with the ACNK diagram, prescribe mostly moderate chemical weathering with intermittent pulses of extreme weathering in the source area. The discrimination diagrams suggest that these Neoproterozoic clastics were deposited in an active rift basin. Provenance indicators of the detritus components point to a terrane possessing subordinate mafic material in conjunction with large felsic components. A comparison of immobile element ratios with probable source rocks suggest that the Mesoproterozoic Delhi arc situated to the east of the Sindreth Basin could be the possible source. Our mixing calculation defines the proportion of end member components in the Delhi arc. Geodynamic considerations relate the origin of the Sindreth Basin to the processes of disintegration and reassembly of supercontinents.     

Relations of petrographical and geochemical parameters in the middle Miocene Lavanttal lignite (Austria)

Samples from two lignite seams (Lower Seam, Upper Seam) of the Lavanttal basin (Austria) and additional xylite were investigated for variations in maceral composition, petrography-based facies indicators, bulk geochemical parameters, and molecular composition of hydrocarbons. Both seams originated in a topogenous mire and evolved within a transgressive setting. The final drowning of the mire is indicated by sapropelic shales. Whereas the sapropelic shale overlying the Lower Seam was deposited in a freshwater lake, the sapropelic shale above the Upper Seam represents a brackish lake.Numerous relationships are found between petrography-based facies indicators and the geochemical composition of organic matter. The contents of macerals of the liptinite group are positively correlated with soluble organic matter (SOM) yields and hydrogen index (HI). Consistent with maceral composition and high HI values, enhanced proportions of short-chain n-alkanes, which are predominantly found in algae and microorganisms, are obtained from samples of the sapropelic shales. The final drowning of the mire is reflected by decreasing pristane/phytane ratios, due to the rise in (ground)water table and the establishment of anaerobic conditions, as well as by decreasing ratios of diasterenes/sterenes, indicating increasing pH values in the mire. The degree of gelification of plant tissue (gelification index) is governed by the microbial activity in the mire, as indicated by the hopanes concentration. The differences in floral assemblage during the formation of the Lavanttal lignite seams are reflected by major differences in tissue preservation. Preservation of plant tissue (TPI) in the Lavanttal lignite is obviously controlled by the presence/absence of decay-resistant gymnosperms in the peat-forming vegetation, and additionally influenced by the relative contribution of wood to coal formation. The results provide evidence that valuable information for coal facies characterization could be obtained by petrography-based and geochemical facies indicators. An influence of the floral assemblage (gymnosperms/angiosperms ratio) and of the contribution of algal biomass on carbon isotopic composition of the organic matter (δ¹³C = − 24.2 to − 28.6‰) is proposed. Carbon cycling during biogeochemical decomposition of plant tissue by bacteria is suggested to affect the δ¹³C values of the coal. The chemotaxonomical classification of the xylites as gymnosperm remnants, based on the molecular composition of terpenoid biomarkers, is corroborated by the carbon isotopic composition of the xylites (mean δ¹³C = − 24.1‰) and the extracted cellulose (mean δ¹³C = − 20.2‰). The higher isotopic difference of about 3.9‰ between cellulose and total organic carbon of the xylites, compared to the difference between cellulose and wood found in modern trees, is explained by the smaller effect of decomposition on δ¹³C of cellulose.     

松辽盆地钱家店地区姚家组赋矿砂岩的组成、地球化学特征及其构造背景

松辽盆地钱家店地区姚家组砂岩矿物、地球化学成分与源区岩石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、岩屑和长石组成,含少量的黄铁矿、炭屑和重矿物等矿物。地球化学特征上,这些岩石普遍具有高SiO2含量(68.4%~79.61%)、相对高的K2O/Na2O比值(1.83~2.03)和较低的Fe2O3T+MgO含量(1.48%~4.22%),稀土元素标准化配分曲线呈现轻稀土富集,重稀土平坦和弱Eu、Ce负异常特征。较低的CIA(57~63)和PIA(60~71)指数、A-CN-K以及AK-C-N分布模式还说明源区经历了相对较弱的风化作用。Zr/Sc和Th/Sc比值共同表明姚家组的碎屑组成不具备沉积再旋回的特征,说明其为近源沉积,具有较差的分选性。砂岩物源区组成判别图研究表明,姚家组砂岩的物源区主要出露长英质岩浆岩。砂岩形成构造环境判别图解及特征指数分析表明,姚家组主要形成于被动大陆边缘沉积环境。     

Symplectite in spinel lherzolite xenoliths from the Little Hungarian Plain, Western Hungary: A key for understanding the complex history of the upper mantle of the Pannonian Basin

Two spinel lherzolite xenoliths from Hungary that contain pyroxene–spinel symplectites have been studied using EPMA, Laser ablation ICP-MS and universal stage. Based on their geochemical and structural characteristics, the xenoliths represent two different domains of the shallow subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the Pannonian Basin. The occurrence of symplectites is attributed to the former presence and subsequent breakdown of garnets due to significant pressure decrease related to lithospheric thinning. This implies that both mantle domains were once part of the garnet lherzolitic upper mantle and had a similar history during the major extension that formed the Pannonian Basin.

Garnet breakdown resulted in distinct geochemical characteristics in the adjacent clinopyroxene crystals in both xenoliths. This is manifested by enrichment in HREE, Y, Zr and Hf towards the clinopyroxene porphyroclast rims and also in the neoblasts with respect to porphyroclast core compositions. This geochemical feature, together with the development and preservation of the texturally very sensitive symplectites, enables us to determine the relative timing of mantle processes. Our results indicate that garnets had been metastable in the spinel lherzolite environment and their breakdown to pyroxene and spinel is one of the latest processes that took place within the upper mantle before the xenoliths were brought to the surface.     

Textural and geochemical characteristics of the Ajali Sandstone,Anambra Basin,SE Nigeria: Implication for its provenance

This study presents the mineralogical, textural and geochemical characteristics of the regional Maastrichtian Ajali Sandstone in Anambra Basin, SE Nigeria. The intent is to highlight possible constraints on the chemical weathering conditions of the source materials on one hand, and to infer the provenance on the other hand. The investigation approach involved field studies and collection of samples from 12 different outcrop locations, followed by laboratory studies involving grain-size analysis (GSA), major and trace elements analyses using the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) method as well as thin section petrography. Field studies show that the sandstones are friable at all locations and range in color from white in freshly cut stone, to reddish brown on weathering. In addition, the sandstone units are cross-bedded and show graded bedding exemplified by fining upward sequence. Textural examination indicates that the sandstones range from fine to medium sands, constituting about 76 to 99% sand fraction, with graphic mean grain size of 0.23 to 0.53 mm. Standard deviation (sorting) ranges from 0.56 to 1.24 Ø and implies moderately well sorted sediments. Inferred from the textural indices, the depo-environmental discrimination of the Ajali Sandstone revealed a fluvial/river system-dominated sedimentary process. The sandstones are quartz arenite with quartz greater than 90% and less than 5% K-feldspar which indicate a predominant basement source as also revealed by the heavy mineral assemblages. In addition, major elemental oxides shows SiO₂ content greater than 96% for the fresh Ajali Sandstone samples with extreme depletion of mobile oxides such as Na₂O, CaO and the ferromagnesian minerals through weathering and sedimentary processes. Provenance and tectonic setting discrimination using geochemical data and compositional maturity revealed typical felsic igneous-dominated cratonic environment while inter-elemental ratios (such as Zr/Cr, Y/Ni, Th/Sc, La/Sc and La/Co) and ternary plots (e.g. Th–Sc–Zr; La-Th–Sc and Th-Co-Zr) reflect passive continental margin setting for the Ajali Sandstone. Consequently, the source area is constrained to the Precambrian basement rock units of Adamawa-Oban massif areas to the east of the Anambra Basin and the adjacent Abakaliki Anticlinorium.     

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.     

The Early and Middle Miocene transgression at the southern border of the North Sea Basin (northern Belgium)

The Lower–Middle Miocene Berchem Formation of northern Belgium is an essentially sandy sequence with a varying glauconite content and often abundant shelly intervals. The formation was deposited in a shallow marine environment and rests unconformably on stiff Rupelian clays or Chattian sands. The lithological recognition of the four members (Edegem Sands, Kiel Sands, Antwerpen Sands and Zonderschot Sands members) of the Berchem Formation solely based on lithological criteria proved to be difficult, especially in boreholes. The geometry of the Formation in the subsurface of northern Belgium remained largely unknown. Diverse and well preserved dinoflagellate cyst associations have been recovered from the four members in seven boreholes and two outcrops, and allow a refinement of the biostratigraphy of these deposits. A Miocene biozonation defined in mid‐latitude shallow marine deposits in the Atlantic Coastal Plain of the USA (Salisbury Embayment, Maryland) is readily applicable to this material, and has led to a detailed stratigraphic assessment of each member. Three detailed profiles depicting the distribution of the biozones in the subsurface of northern Belgium allow the reconstruction of the geometry and depositional history of the Berchem Formation. The oldest Miocene deposits are of early Burdigalian age and they testify to a transgression, which invaded Belgium from a north–northwestern direction. The maximum flooding took place during early Serravallian times. The upper boundary of the formation is a major erosional surface of late Serravallian or (slightly) younger age. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Petrography and major element geochemistry of the Permo-Triassic sandstones, central India: Implications for provenance in an intracratonic pull-apart basin

Detrital mode, composition of feldspars and heavy minerals, and major element chemistry of sandstones from the Permo-Triassic succession in the intracratonic Satpura Gondwana basin, central India have been used to investigate provenance. The Talchir Formation, the lowermost unit of the succession, comprises glacio-marine and glacio-fluvial deposits. The rest of the succession (base to top) comprising the Barakar, Motur, Bijori, Pachmarhi and Denwa formations, largely represent variety of fluvial depositional systems with minor fluvio-deltaic and fluvio-lacustrine sedimentation under a variety of climatic conditions including cold, warm, arid, sub-humid and semi-arid. QFL compositions of the sandstones indicate a predominantly continental block provenance and stable cratonic to fault-bounded basement uplift tectonic setting. Compositional maturity of sandstones gradually increases upwards from the Early Permian Talchir to the Middle Triassic Denwa but is punctuated by a sharp peak of increased maturity in the Barakar sandstones. This temporal change in maturity was primarily controlled by temporal variation in fault-induced basement uplift in the craton and was also influenced by climatic factors. Plots of different quartz types suggest plutonic source rocks for the Talchir sandstones and medium-to high-rank metamorphic plus plutonic source rocks for the younger sandstones. Composition of alkali feldspars in the Permo-Triassic sandstones and in different Precambrian rocks suggests sediment derivation from felsic igneous and metasedimentary rocks. Compositions of plagioclase in the Talchir and Bijori sandstones are comparable with those of granite, acid volcanic and metasedimentary rocks of the Precambrian basement suggesting the latter as possible source. Rare presence of high-K plagioclase in the Talchir sandstones, however, indicates minor contribution from volcanic source rock. Exclusively plagioclase-bearing metasedimentary rock, tonalite gneiss and mafic rocks are the probable sources of plagioclase in the Upper Denwa sandstones. Quartz-rich nature of the sandstones, predominance of K-feldspar over plagioclase and albite rich character of plagioclase in the sandstones is consistent with deposition in an intracratonic, pull-apart basin like the Satpura Gondwana basin. Composition of garnet and its comparison with that from the Precambrian basement rocks suggests mica-schist and amphibolite as possible sources. Predominance of dravite variety of tourmaline in the Permian sandstones suggests sediment supply from metasedimentary rocks. Presence of both dravite and schorl variety of tourmaline in subequal amount in the Triassic sandstones indicates sediment derivation from granitic and metasedimentary rocks. However, schorl-bearing rocks are absent in the basement complex of the study area. A-CN-K plot suggests granites, acid volcanic rock and meta-sediments of the basement as possible sources of the Talchir sandstones and metasedimentary rocks for the Barakar to Pachmarhi sandstones. The Denwa sandstones were possibly derived from K-feldspar-free, plagioclase-bearing metasediments, mafic rocks and tonalite gneiss. Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) values suggest low intensity source rock weathering for the Talchir sandstones and higher intensity source rock weathering for the others. Various bivariate plots of major oxides composition of the sandstones suggest passive to active continental margin setting and even arc tectonic setting for a few samples.