Source and origin of glacial paleovalley-fill sediments (Upper Ordovician) of Sarah Formation in central Saudi Arabia

A study was carried out on the combination of petrographies, geochemistry (major and trace), weathering and the digenesis of 31 sandstones samples to determine their provenance and depositional tectonic setting of sedimentary basins. Based on the composition of Detrital grains (point counting), most of the Sarah sandstones were classified as quartz arenites types (99% on an average). The petrographic data indicated that the resultant mature sandstones are derived from recycled and craton interior tectonic provenance. Tectonic setting discrimination diagrams based on major elements suggest that sandstones were deposited in a passive margin and polycyclic continental tectonic setting. The relationship between K₂O/Na₂O ratio and SiO₂ showed that the Sarah sandstone samples fall into the passive margin field. The chemical index of alteration (CIA?=?63.84%) of sandstones suggested moderate weathering or reworking in the area. The concentration of trace elements indicates that the sediments were probably derived from the mixed sedimentary-meta sedimentary provenance and changes in sedimentary process due to climatic variations. The main diagenetic events were in the form of cements, which occur as grain coats and as pore fillings. An integrated approach showed that the parent area of paleovalley-fill sediment is probably a complex of granite, metasedimentary and pre-existing sedimentary rocks.