Composition of modern stream sand derived from a mixture of sedimentary and metamorphic source rocks (Henares River, Central Spain)

Abstract

The Henares River, central Spain, flows westward from the Iberian Range (Mesozoic sedimentary rocks) under semiarid climatic conditions. In the middle and lower reaches, the Henares River receives sediment from three tributaries (Canamares, Bornova and Sorbe rivers) that drain the Central System (Paleozoic crystalline rocks, low-grade metamorphic rocks, and minor amounts of Mesozoic sedimentary rocks). Modern sands from the Henares River and its tributaries offer an excellent opportunity to evaluate the importance of lithology and physiography in determining detrital modes from mixed metamorphic and sedimentary source terrain. Sand modes from the Henares River and its tributaries are quartzolithic. They plot in a restricted area on a QmFLt diagram, with low contents of feldspar and variable amounts of quartz, and carbonate, metamorphic and minor siliciclastic lithic fragments. Higher feldspar abundances in the Canamares and Bornova stream sands are related to the erosion of gneissic rocks. By contrast, sands from Sorbe River are low in feldspar, reflecting the absence of coarse metamorphic sources. Thus, proportions of bedrock lithologies in the drainage sub-basins are the main control on detrital modes of the tributaries. In addition, slope acts on the sand productivity of source rocks. Sedimentary source rocks in the upper reaches of the three tributaries have a poor productivity in the carbonate lithic fragments (Lsc), compared with the Lsc productivity of sedimentary sources located downstream, with higher relief. The percentage of bedrock types in the source area versus petrographic indices (Lm/L, Lss/L and Lsc/L) provide a useful contrast between source and sand composition in the tributaries. Thus, the high content of metamorphic lithic grains in the lithic grain population over-represents this lithology (slate plus schist) at the source terrain. Lithic grains from sedimentary clastic sources generate few recognizable grains (Lss) in the lithic grain population. Local supplies from carbonate sources may produce important increases of Lsc in short reaches of the channels. Sand compositions in the Henares River seem to be very homogeneous in a QmFLt diagram, with only minor differences caused by the supplies from the tributaries. These differences can be modeled in terms of end-member mixing processes between Henares detritus and detritus from the relevant tributary. These mixing processes are more evident when lithic grain contents (LmLvLs and LmLssLsc diagrams) are compared. Changes produced by inputs from the Canamares, Bornova and Sorbe rivers are not permanent along the Henares course. An important homogenization of Henares sand composition takes place by the mixing of tributary deposits with previously deposited Henares River terraces. Abrasion during transport does not appear to cause significant changes in the sand composition along the Henares River.