Comprehensive REE + Y and sensitive redox trace elements of Algerian phosphorites (Tébessa, eastern Algeria): A geochemical study and depositional environments tracking

Abstract

The Algerian sedimentary phosphorites of marine origin are located mainly in the Tébessa region, which is part of the Eastern Saharan Atlas. These phosphorites are hosted by Paleocene-Eocene series and crop out in two main sedimentary areas: the northern sites (Djebel El Kouif, Djebel Dyr and Djebel Tazbant) and the southern sites, which include the Djebel Onk commercial world-class ore deposits that are represented in this study by the Kef Essenoun sector. This study reports a detailed investigation of these phosphorites at a regional scale and is aimed to characterizing the evolution of their depositional environments. Field and laboratory works consist of a systematic sampling of outcrops, petrographical (OM and SEM-EDS), mineralogical (XRPD) and chemical (major, trace and rare earth elements by ICP-MS) analyses associated with a PCA statistical treatment. The time-wise evolution of the depositional environments was constrained based on rare earth elements (REE) and selected redox sensitive element proxies, such as Ce, Eu, Y, Mn, U and V.The results show that the phosphorites have a granular fabric with variable grain sizes. The grains can contain micro-remains and impurities related to their origin, which was most often fecal pellets. Carbonate fluor-apatite is the main mineral phase in these phosphorites, where P2O5 contents show large variations between different outcrops (average from 18.39 to 30.16 wt%). A marked evolution of depositional environments is observed in their vertical trends from sub-reduced and sub-oxic in the lower beds to rather oxic conditions in the upper layers. This evolution shows a significant shift along the sedimentary profiles reflecting more open connection to Tethyan seawater towards younging trend. These results contrast remarkable changes of depositional conditions during Paleocene–Eocene transition.