Downstream changes in quartz OSL sensitivity in modern river sand reflects sediment source variability: Case studies from Rocky Mountain and Andean rivers

Abstract

OSL (optically stimulated luminescence) sensitivity of quartz has been shown to either (1) record downstream sediment transport related to increased number and duration of light exposure cycles or (2) be a function of source geology, presenting a potential tool to track sediment provenance. To test these competing models this study leverages a suite of modern river samples from an extensional basin system in the Rocky Mountains of western USA (Bear River) and a retroarc foreland basin system in the southern Central Andes of Argentina (Río San Juan) to understand the relationships among quartz luminescence sensitivity, sediment transport distance, and catchment lithologies. We compare our results with petrographic analysis of the river sand composition, and characterization of the lithology and morphometrics of the river catchments. Samples taken along the Bear River and its major tributaries in the Rocky Mountains show a progressive downstream decrease in quartz OSL sensitivity that records variation in sediment provenance and steady contribution of lower OSL sensitivity quartz recycled from Palaeozoic passive margin stratigraphy. Andean river sand samples from the Rio San Juan network exhibit pervasive low sensitivity quartz derived from Andean arc volcanic rocks and recycled Neogene foreland basin strata. These modern river sand data do not show increased sensitivity with transport distance and instead indicates that in these landscapes, quartz OSL sensitivity is an intrinsic property of the source rock. Our study shows that river sands primarily composed of older, recycled low-strained quartz derived from quartzite lithologies exhibit the highest quartz sensitivity values. Moderate quartz OSL sensitivity values are observed in rivers with young igneous quartz derived directly from the volcanic and intrusive rocks. Conversely, microcrystalline quartz in chert lithic grains or polycrystalline quartz found in composite metamorphic lithic grains record the lowest quartz OSL sensitivity values. Determining the controlling factors of quartz sensitivity in river sand provides a current baseline for resolving paleogeographic and paleodrainage histories in the sedimentary record and provides further understanding of how sediments are eroded, transported, and deposited in fluvial systems with diverse tectonic settings and geologic source rocks.