Geochemical constraints on marine invasion and provenance change related to the opening of the Japan Sea: an example from the Lower Miocene shales in the Hoda section,Shimane Peninsula,SW Japan

Geochemical changes related to the opening of the Japan Sea are described in the Miocene shale sequence across the boundary of the nonmarine Koura and the marine Josoji formations in southwest Japan. Typical shales of the Koura Formation were derived from source material of acid to intermediate compositions. The Josoji Formation consists of black shales and is more homogeneous in composition than the Koura Formation, with gradual change from intermediate to basic source rock compositions. CIA values chemical index of alteration; ratio of (Al to Al+Ca+Na+K)×100] for the upper Koura and Josoji formations show higher values (70–80) than those of the underlying lower and middle Koura Formation (40–60). This indicates that highly weathered detritus was supplied to the basin after transgression of the Japan Sea. Both Koura and Josoji shales are depleted in Nb compared with the average composition of cratonic shales, suggesting a volcanic arc signature. Total organic carbon and nitrogen contents increase gradually upward in the two formations, while total sulfur contents show oscillatory change. This relationship suggests a signal of fluctuating sea water invasion into the sedimentary basin during the deposition of the upper units of the Koura Formation (probably between 20–23 Ma) and a regression dominated by fluvial conditions for the lower Josoji Formation.