Stratigraphic evolution of heavy-mineral provenance signatures in the sandstones of the Wajid Group (Cambrian to Permian), southwestern Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT The Wajid Group of southwestern Saudi Arabia consists of a dominantly sandy succession of Cambrian to Permian age that spans several discrete phases in the tectonic evolution of the Arabian Peninsula. The principal aim of this study was to determine whether successive changes in the tectonic setting are reflected in changes in provenance-related mineralogy. Because of the relatively limited compositional range of the Wajid sandstones, heavy-mineral assemblages have been used as the primary tool for assessing changes in provenance signature. A comparison of heavy-mineral and petrological data has, however, also been carried out. Variation in the relative abundances of zircon, rutile, monazite, tourmaline and apatite has revealed significant changes in provenance signature between the Dibsiyah (Cambrian–Ordovician), Sanamah (Ordovician–Silurian), Khusayyayn (Devonian–Carboniferous) and Juwayl (Carboniferous–Permian) sandstones. Since previous studies have established that northward-flowing rivers deposited the fluvial sandstones of the Wajid Group, it appears that the source area lay to the south. In the absence of data from the region to the south, it is not possible to identify specific source areas. It is clear, however, that the successive changes in provenance signature must reflect exposure of new source rocks through progressive denudation, changes in the pattern of tectonic uplift or changes in the drainage system. It is also possible that some of the observed mineral variation is related to lateral influx of sands through long-shore drift during times of high sea level. Two distinct mineral compositions occur within the Dibsiyah sandstones, indicating that a major change in provenance took place during deposition of the Upper Dibsiyah sands. The boundary between the Dibsiyah and Sanamah formations is sharply defined, although the overall composition of the Sanamah sandstones is in many respects similar to that of the Dibsiyah sandstones. There is a relatively small difference in composition between the Sanamah sandstones and the associated diamictites. A major change in provenance is indicated at the base of the Khusayyayn Formation, with an increase in the proportion of monazite and staurolite. This change in composition persists into the Juwayl Formation although the greater variability displayed by the Juwayl heavy-mineral assemblages indicates contribution from several sources. Heavy-mineral assemblages in the Juwayl sandstones are comparable to those of the Unayzah C and B sandstones of central Saudi Arabia, but differences suggest mixing between a southern (Juwayl) and western (Shield) source for the Unayzah sandstones. Compositionally, Wajid sandstones range from quartz arenite to arkose. Comparison of the petrographic and heavy-mineral data is hampered by the different grain-size ranges studied. However, it would appear that samples with similar heavy-mineral provenance character do not necessarily possess similar feldspar percentages, even when the latter are corrected for in-situ kaolinization. The data set is too small to establish an explanation for this apparent discrepancy.

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Heavy minerals in the Wajid Sandstone from Abha-Khamis Mushayt area, southwestern Saudi Arabia: implications on provenance and regional tectonic setting

GeoArabia ◽

10.2113/geoarabia090477 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 77-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mahbub Hussain ◽

Lameed O. Babalola ◽

Mustafa M. Hariri

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Tectonic Setting ◽

Principal Component ◽

Heavy Mineral ◽

Heavy Minerals ◽

Coarse Grained ◽

Distribution Data ◽

The South ◽

Quartz Content ◽

The North

ABSTRACT The Wajid Sandstone (Ordovician-Permian) as exposed along the road-cut sections of the Abha and Khamis Mushayt areas in southwestern Saudi Arabia, is a mediun to coarse-grained, mineralogically mature quartz arenite with an average quartz content of over 95%. Monocrystalline quartz is the dominant framework grain followed by polycrystalline quartz, feldspar and micas. The non-opaque heavy mineral assemblage of the sandstone is dominated by zircon, tourmaline and rutile (ZTR). Additional heavy minerals, constituting a very minor fraction of the heavies, include epidote, hornblende, and kyanite. Statistical analysis showed significant correlations between zircon, tourmaline, rutile, epidote and hornblende. Principal component R-mode varimax factor analysis of the heavy mineral distribution data shows two strong associations: (1) tourmaline, zircon, rutile, and (2) epidote and hornblende suggesting several likely provenances including igneous, recycled sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. However, an abundance of the ZTR minerals favors a recycled sedimentary source over other possibilities. Mineralogical maturity coupled with characteristic heavy mineral associations, consistent north-directed paleoflow evidence, and the tectonic evolutionary history of the region indicate a provenance south of the study area. The most likely provenances of the lower part (Dibsiyah and Khusayyan members) of the Wajid Sandstone are the Neoproterozoic Afif, Abas, Al-Bayda, Al-Mahfid, and Al-Mukalla terranes, and older recycled sediments of the infra-Cambrian Ghabar Group in Yemen to the south. Because Neoproterozic (650-542 Ma) rocks are not widespread in Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia, a significant source further to the south is not likely. The dominance of the ultrastable minerals zircon, tourmaline and rutile and apparent absence of metastable, labile minerals in the heavy mineral suite preclude the exposed arc-derived oceanic terrains of the Arabian Shield in the west and north as a significant contributor of the sandstone. An abundance of finer-grained siliciclastic sequences of the same age in the north, is consistent with a northerly transport direction and the existence of a deeper basin (Tabuk Basin?) to the north. The tectonic and depositional model presented in this paper differs from the existing model that envisages sediment transportation and gradual basin filling from west to east during the Paleozoic.

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Petrography and geochemistry of the siliciclastic Araba Formation (Cambrian), east Sinai, Egypt: implications for provenance, tectonic setting and source weathering

Geological Magazine ◽

10.1017/s0016756815000771 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 154 (1) ◽

pp. 1-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

HOSSAM A. TAWFIK ◽

IBRAHIM M. GHANDOUR ◽

WATARU MAEJIMA ◽

JOHN S. ARMSTRONG-ALTRIN ◽

ABDEL-MONEM T. ABDEL-HAMEED

Keyword(s):

Tectonic Setting ◽

Source Area ◽

Xrd Analysis ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Northern Margin ◽

Rock Fragments ◽

Geochemical Parameters ◽

Clastic Sediments ◽

Chemical Index

AbstractCombined petrographic and geochemical methods are utilized to investigate the provenance, tectonic setting, palaeo-weathering and climatic conditions of the Cambrian Araba clastic sediments of NE Egypt. The ~ 60 m thick Araba Formation consists predominantly of sandstone and mudstone interbedded with conglomerate. Petrographically the Araba sandstones are mostly sub-mature and classified as subarkoses with an average framework composition of Q80F14L6. The framework components are dominated by monocrystalline quartz with subordinate K-feldspar, together with volcanic and granitic rock fragments. XRD analysis demonstrated that clay minerals comprise mixed-layer illite/smectite (I/S), illite and smectite, with minor kaolinite. Diagenetic features of the sandstone include mechanical infiltration of clay, mechanical and chemical compaction, cementation, dissolution and replacement of feldspars by carbonate cements and clays. The modal composition and geochemical parameters (e.g. Cr/V, Y/Ni, Th/Co and Cr/Th ratios) of the sandstones and mudstones indicate that they were derived from felsic source rocks, probably from the crystalline basement of the northern fringe of the Arabian–Nubian Shield. The study reveals a collisional tectonic setting for the sediments of the Araba Formation. Palaeo-weathering indices such as the chemical index of alteration (CIA), chemical index of weathering (CIW) and plagioclase index of alteration (PIA) of the clastic sediments suggest that the source area was moderately chemically weathered. On the northern margin of Gondwana, early Palaeozoic weathering occurred under fluctuating climatic conditions.

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Preliminary results of mapping in the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sediments of Scoresby Land and Jameson Land

Rapport Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse ◽

10.34194/rapggu.v30.7241 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

pp. 17-30

Author(s):

R.G Bromley ◽

J Bruun-Petersen ◽

K Perch-Nielsen

Keyword(s):

Sedimentary Basin ◽

Field Work ◽

Trace Fossils ◽

Summer Season ◽

Heavy Mineral ◽

The South ◽

Preliminary Results ◽

Mineral Assemblages ◽

Main Fault ◽

Geological Map

In the 1969 summer season mapping was concentrated in those areas of southern Scoresby Land and northern Jameson Land which had not been visited in 1968 (see Birkelund & Perch-Nielsen, 1969). Mapping was extended westward to the main fault of the post-Caledonian sedimentary basin against the Stauning Alper and to the south as far as 71°10'. The field work was carried out by R. G. Bromley, L. and C. Malmros, K. Perch Nielsen, J. Bruun-Petersen, C. Heinberg, and E. Hjelmar. The preliminary results of the mapping are given in this report together with a geological map at a scale of 1:300 000, compiled from the existing maps (Aellen, in press; Bearth & Wenk, 1959; Callomon, in press; Triimpy & Grasmiick; 1969) and our own observations. Special attention was given to trace fossils by. R. G. Bromley and the heavy mineral assemblages in the Mesozoic sediments by J. Bruun-Petersen.

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Geochemistry of the Paleocene Clastic Rocks From the Southwestern Jianghan Basin, Central China Reveal Their Provenance, Tectonic Setting, and Palaeoenvironment

10.21203/rs.3.rs-956386/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kai Yan ◽

Chun-lian Wang ◽

Jiu-yi Wang ◽

Xiao-can Yu ◽

Xiao-hua Teng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tectonic Setting ◽

Active Continental Margin ◽

Source Area ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Central China ◽

Clastic Rocks ◽

Ree Distribution ◽

C Value ◽

Tectonic Settings ◽

Jianghan Basin

Abstract This paper intends to learn about the provenance, tectonic setting and paleoenvironment of the Paleocene Shashi Formation in the southern Jianghan Basin by the bulk-rock geochemistry. The K2O/Al2O3 and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios indicate that the major proportion of samples are litharenite. The chondrite-normalized REE distribution pattern of the Shashi Formation’s mudstones are characterized by enriched LREE and flat HREE similar to those of UC with negative Eu anomalies. Combined with the geochemical element ratio discriminant diagram, such as Al2O3-TiO2, Zr-TiO2, La/Sc-Co/Th, and Hf-La/Th, so on, these samples were sourced from mixed felsic/basic rock. Moreover, the discriminant diagrams of K2O/Na2O-SiO2/Al2O3, La-Th-Sc, and Th-Co-Zr/10 suggest that the samples were formed under the tectonic settings of active continental margin and continental island arc. The values of CIA, CIW, PIA, ICV, Zr/Sc-Th/Sc, and ternary diagrams of A-(CN)-K and Al2O3-Zr-TiO2 indicate that weathering in the source area was weak and source rocks have not been reformed by depositional recirculation and hydraulic sorting. And the palaeoenvironmental indicators of C-value, Ni/Co, V/Cr, V/(V+Ni) and Sr/Cu, Ga/Rb indicate that the climate was cool and arid during the evaporite deposition period in the southern Jianghan Basin, and the water was in the condition of oxidation.

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Provenance of basinal sandstones in the Upper Jurassic Hareelv Formation, Jameson Land Basin, East Greenland

Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin ◽

10.34194/geusb.v42.4317 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 115-126

Author(s):

Mette Olivarius ◽

Morten Bjerager ◽

Nynke Keulen ◽

Christian Knudsen ◽

Thomas F. Kokfelt

Keyword(s):

Wide Spectrum ◽

Upper Jurassic ◽

Heavy Mineral ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Zircon Age ◽

East Greenland ◽

Transport Distance ◽

Source To Sink ◽

Mineral Assemblages ◽

Mineral Compositions

Zircon U–Pb geochronology and heavy mineral CCSEM analysis were used to interpret the provenance of Oxfordian–Volgian sandstones of the Hareelv Formation in East Greenland. Six samples were collected from the Blokelv-1 core drilled in southern Jameson Land, and the zircon age distributions and heavy-mineral assemblages are quite uniform. The samples contain a wide spectrum of Archaean to Palaeozoic zircon ages with peak ages at 2.71, 2.49, 1.95, 1.65, 1.49, 1.37, 1.10 and 0.43 Ga when combining all data. The heavy-mineral compositions show derivation from felsic source rocks, some of which were metamorphic. The results reveal that the sediment was derived from the Caledonides, and it is plausible that some or all of the material has experienced several cycles of sedimentation. Devonian and Carboniferous sediments preserved north of the area have zircon age distributions that correspond to those from the Hareelv Formation, and such rocks may have been reworked into the Jameson Land Basin. The provenance signature describes both the gravity-flow sandstones of the Hareelv Formation and the delta-edge sands that are inferred to have fed them. Lithological and provenance contrasts between the sandstones of the Sjællandselv Member and those of the Katedralen Member indicate a shorter transport distance, source to sink, suggestive of proximal topographic rejuvenation in the Volgian.

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Heavy Minerals as Indicators of the Source and Stratigraphic Position of the Loess-Like Deposits in the Orava Basin (Polish Western Carpathians)

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min10050445 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 445

Author(s):

Dorota Chmielowska ◽

Dorota Salata

Keyword(s):

Source Area ◽

Heavy Mineral ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Heavy Minerals ◽

Granitic Rocks ◽

Metamorphic Rocks ◽

Tatra Mountains ◽

Stratigraphic Position ◽

Glacial Periods ◽

The Tatra Mountains

This study is focused on the loess-like deposits accumulated on glaciofluvial fans of the Czarny Dunajec River in the Orava Basin (Southern Poland). The deposition of these sediments took place during three cold intervals of the Pleistocene: Würm, Riss, and Günz/Mindel. So far, the provenance and age of the deposits has not been precisely defined, even though the development of each fan is believed to be related to the successive glacial periods in the Tatra Mountains. Heavy minerals were studied to determine the source of the deposits. Heavy mineral analyses revealed that zircon, tourmaline, rutile, garnet, amphibole, epidote, and apatite are the typical constituents of the heavy mineral fraction. Abundances of heavy minerals differ in each of the Pleistocene fans of the Czarny Dunajec River, especially the amphibole content. However, the chemical composition of garnet, amphibole, and tourmaline is rather uniform. This research showed that mainly medium-grade metamorphic rocks with a subordinate share of high-grade metamorphics, and granitic rocks are the dominant source rocks of the deposits studied. Such rocks are exposed in the Western Tatra Mountains, which most probably supplied the Orava Basin with clastic material. Change in abundances of heavy minerals in the succession may reflect the progressive erosion of the source area. Grain-size distribution and textural features of the sampled sediments suggest fluvial and aeolian modes of transportation. Additionally, this study indicated that heavy minerals may be used to correlate the loess covers in the Orava Basin.

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Geochemistry of Recent Brahmaputra River Sediments: Provenance, Tectonics, Source Area Weathering and Depositional Environment

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min10090813 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 813

Author(s):

Md Aminur Rahman ◽

Sudeb Chandra Das ◽

Mark I. Pownceby ◽

James Tardio ◽

Md Sha Alam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rare Earth ◽

Rare Earth Element ◽

Chemical Weathering ◽

Earth Element ◽

Tectonic Setting ◽

River Sediments ◽

Source Area ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Heavy Minerals ◽

Brahmaputra River

Sediments from stable sand bars along a 40 km section of the Brahmaputra River in northern Bangladesh were analyzed for their major, trace and rare earth element contents to determine their provenance, compositional maturity, source area weathering and tectonic setting. Geochemically, the sediments were classified as litharenites and the Index of Compositional Variability (ICV) varied between 1.4 and 2.0, indicating low compositional and mineralogical maturity. A high mean SiO2 concentration (72.9 wt.%) and low Al2O3 (11.1 wt.%) were consistent with a low abundance of shale and clay components. The depletion of the oxide components Na2O, CaO and K2O relative to average upper crustal compositions (UCC) reflected loss of feldspar during chemical weathering in the source region. Average TiO2 values for most samples were higher than average crustal levels, consistent with the northern section of the Brahmaputra River being a potential resource for valuable Fe-Ti oxide heavy minerals. Major and trace element ratios indicated the sediments represented erosional products from typical felsic upper continental crustal materials with contamination (30%–40%) from more intermediate/mafic compositions. The rare earth element patterns showed negative Eu anomalies (0.57–0.71), indicating they were derived mainly from fractionated felsic rocks. Resemblance of the sediment compositions to mean compositions from Higher Himalaya crystalline rocks pointed to these being potential source rocks but with components from a mafic source also present. Major element chemistries and low to intermediate weathering indices for all sediments indicated a lack of substantial chemical weathering. Evidence from tectonic discrimination diagrams suggested the Brahmaputra River sediments were derived from rock types that formed in a transitional tectonic setting ranging from an ancient passive margin to an active continental margin. Deposition occurred under cool to semi-arid climatic conditions in an oxic environment.

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Heavy-mineral analysis as a tool to trace the source areas of sediments in an ice-marginal valley, with an example from the Pleistocene of northwest Poland

Netherlands Journal of Geosciences – Geologie en Mijnbouw ◽

10.1017/njg.2014.37 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 185-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. Pisarska-Jamroży ◽

A.J. van Loon ◽

B. Woronko ◽

B. Sternal

Keyword(s):

River System ◽

Middle Part ◽

Sediment Supply ◽

Heavy Mineral ◽

The South ◽

Ice Caps ◽

The North ◽

Mineral Assemblages ◽

The Difference ◽

Heavy Mineral Analysis

AbstractThe ice caps that covered large parts of the continents of the northern hemisphere during the Pleistocene glaciations drained huge quantities of meltwater. In several places the erosive power of the meltwater rivers has led to the formation of ice-marginal valleys (IMVs). A much-debated question is whether sediments deposited in IMVs by proglacial and extraglacial streams can be distinguished on the basis of their heavy-mineral content. This question was assessed by an inventory of the heavy-mineral assemblages from the middle part of the Toruń-Eberswalde IMV in northwest Poland, two sandurs that supplied sediment from the north and the pre-Wisła river system that supplied sediment from the south; all these streams fed the IMV. The largely similar heavy-mineral compositions and sediments concentrations of the middle part of the IMV and sandurs suggest that the sediment in the IMV was supplied almost entirely by the streams on the sandurs but also that some sediments were eroded from the Miocene subsoil of the IMV itself and for a small part from the south by the pre-Wisła river system. The only heavy mineral in the pre-Wisła sediments for which the percentage is significantly different from those in the sediments of the sandurs and the IMV terrace is epidote. The difference, however, is not seen in the sediments of the IMV so it can be concluded that the sediment supply to the middle part of this IMV by streams from the south was insignificant. This is in contrast with what was hitherto commonly assumed.

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Late Wisconsinan ice-flow reconstruction for the central Great Lakes region

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences ◽

10.1139/e85-097 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 935-940 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Stephen Irving Dworkin ◽

Grahame J. Larson ◽

G. William Monaghan

Keyword(s):

Lake Michigan ◽

Source Area ◽

Heavy Mineral ◽

Lake Huron ◽

Georgian Bay ◽

South Central ◽

Mineral Assemblages ◽

Specific Source ◽

Late Wisconsinan ◽

Lake Michigan Lobe

Late Wisconsinan tills from the lower peninsula of Michigan can be differentiated with respect to the Lake Michigan, Saginaw, and Huron–Erie lobes on the basis of their heavy-mineral assemblages. Using discriminant analysis, the heavy-mineral assemblages can also be associated with specific source areas on the Canadian Shield. These associations suggest that (1) the Lake Michigan Lobe flowed southwestward across a region north of Lake Huron and then into southwestern Michigan; (2) the Saginaw Lobe flowed southwestward across a region northwest of Georgian Bay and then into south-central Michigan; and (3) the Huron–Erie Lobe flowed southwestward across a region north of Georgian Bay and then southward into southeastern Michigan.Comparison of the heavy-mineral assemblages of tills from southeastern Michigan with those from younger tills just south of Lake Huron indicates that a significant westward shift in source area occurred during the retreat of the Huron–Erie Lobe from southeastern Michigan.

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Petrographic and geochemical interpretations of source provenance and tectonic setting of the Lokoja Sandstone, Bida Basin, Nigeria

International Journal of Advanced Geosciences ◽

10.14419/ijag.v8i2.31196 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 279

Author(s):

G. U. Ozulu ◽

A. U. Okoro ◽

V. O. Ndubueze

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Tectonic Setting ◽

Source Area ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Heavy Minerals ◽

Petrographic Analysis ◽

Moderate Degree ◽

X Ray

The petrography and geochemistry of major and trace elements distribution pattern for the Lokoja Sandstones, Southern Bida Basin, Nigeria; were used to interpret their provenance, weathering conditions and paleotectonic setting. A total of seven (7) representative sandstone samples were selected for petrographic, heavy minerals and inorganic geochemical analyses; that is X- ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Results of the petrographic analysis showed 52.14 % quartz, 39.29 % feldspar, 2.00 % rock fragments, 5.14 % matrix and cement fraction as well as 1.43 % unfilled voids. Results of major elements and oxides suggests intermediate to felsic source rocks while the dominance of Na-rich feldspar to the k-feldspar and high value of Fe2O3+MgO shows contribution from ferromagnesian minerals of mafic igneous source provenance and oceanic island arc region. Average concentrations of designated trace elements in the studied sandstones are low in concentrations. The lower concentrations of Cr, Co, and Ni and higher concentrations of Zr, Ba, and Sr suggest a felsic progenitor rock. But significantly high values of Ni (7.02 ppm), La/Co (7.99), and Ni/Co (3.28) as well as the low concentration value of Y, (3.23 ppm) suggests contributions from mafic source rocks. Low average ratios for La/Co, Th/Co, Th/Sc, Ni/Co, Cr/Ni, Cr/Sc, Cr/Th, Ni/Co, Cr/Ni, Cr/Th, Cr/Sc, Th/Sc, La/Co and Th/Co also suggest a felsic source provenance. An average CIA value of 78.04% is indicative of an intense recycling in the source area while an average MIA value of 56.13% suggests a moderate degree of weathering. The high clay matrix and feldspar content have been used to classify the sandstones as feldspathic greywackes deposited in dry arid climatic conditions under a basement uplifted tectonic setting.

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