Abstract
The Sr contents of 54 samples of Quaternary travertines from 23 deposits of Latium were measured. Sr isotope ratios of only selected samples were also determined. On the basis of the Sr contents, ranging 20–3700 ppm, it is possible to distinguish two different geographic areas: the northwestern part of Latium (“ A” zone) characterized by high Sr contents ( x ̄ = 1219 ppm ) and the southeastern part (“ B” zone), where the travertines have low Sr contents ( x ̄ = 151 ppm ). Such low contents are quite compatible with a provenance of the element from the dissolution of marine limestones. The Sr isotope ratios ( 0.7078 ⩽ 87 Sr 86 Sr ⩽ 0.7089 ) of the travertines from the A zone are significantly lower than the values characteristic of the Sr-rich volcanics from the same area. This suggests that leaching of the volcanic rocks was not generally a major factor in providing Sr to the travertine-bearing waters. Due to the high Sr content, the Upper Triassic evaporties seem to be the most likely source of the element for the travertines from the A zone. Only the Palidoro deposit has an isotopic ratio (0.7125) close to the value of the local volcanics, clearly suggesting a provenance of the element from the leaching of such rocks.
Published Version
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