Decorative marbles from the Krkonoše-Jizera Terrane (Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic): provenance criteria

Abstract

Marbles from western part of the Krkonose-Jizera Terrane (northern part of the Bohemian Massif) have been studied to obtain mineropetrographic and chemical reference data for provenance studies. Samples from six different quarries were analysed by mineralogical-petrographic and geochemical methods (optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, stable isotope ratio analysis, cathodoluminescence, bulk magnetic susceptibility). Petrographic characteristics permit a distinction between fine-grained to medium-grained marbles from the Jizera Mts (amphibolite metamorphic facies) and fine-grained marbles from the Jestěd Mts (low-grade greenschist facies). The samples studied are mainly calcitic, with the exception of those from Raspenava in which dolomite is abundant in two types. The mineralogical composition of the insoluble residues is clinochlore ± serpentine ± tremolite ± diopside ± pyrite + magnetite in case of the locality Raspenava and clinochlore + muscovite ± quartz ± pyrite ± rutile ± haematite in case of the localities from the Jestěd Mts. δ13C and δ18O variations in primary and secondary carbonate phases allow to distinguish genetically different carbonate veins and permit quarry separation in one case (Raspenava, Jizera Mts). The δ13C and δ18O values of the groundmass range from −1 to +3‰ and from −8 to −20‰ (PDB), respectively. The δ13C and δ18O values of secondary carbonate veins decrease to −3‰ and reach more negative values up to −26‰ in case of δ18O. The fabric of cathodomicrofacies allows the distinction between calcite and dolomite, except three localities (Pilinkov, Horni Hanychov, Jitrava—rose type) with majority of quenchers (high content of iron in carbonate). The genetically different calcite is characterised by a pale and dark orange luminescence distribution. Serpentine, tremolite, forsterite, opaque minerals and quartz have no luminescence and very dull luminescence, respectively. The majority of studied marbles exhibits low values of the bulk magnetic susceptibility, with the exception of those from Raspenava rich in magnetite.