Characteristics of polymetallic enrichment on oceanic red bed in Matano Formation, Baturubei, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

The Matano Formation on Sulawesi Island has Cretaceous oceanic red bed (CORB) facies, but there is no further research on the geochemical characteristics of the sedimentary rocks. This study aims to classify the CORB of the Matano Formation and reveal the polymetallic element enrichment in CORB by using the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis method. Matano Formation in the research area consists of two different facies: radiolarites facies and red clay facies. Radiolarites facies grouped as Si-ORB, dominated by siliceous pelagic bioclastic and deposited under oxic environment. The red clay facies grouped as Al-ORB, the components dominated by hemipelagic material with a small amount of silica shelled pelagically and deposited under reduction environment. Red clay facies have higher enrichment elements Mn, V, Ni, Zn and La than radiolarites facies. Oceanic red bed facies of Matano Formation deposited in basin plain environment below carbonate compensation depth in a passive margin tectonic setting.