Paleogene sand injectites of the Uljanovsk-Syzran Volga region (eastern Russian platform)

Abstract

Relevance of the work. The Paleogene quartz sandstones of the Sosnov Formation that occurred in the UlyanovskSyzran Volga region are known as a valuable source of glass raw materials being considered a scarce raw material of federal significance. But, predicting new deposits based on ideas of the coastal-marine origin of the Sosnov sands exhausted possibilities. The purpose of the work. The main aim of the work is to consider the Sosnov Formation is a complex of sand intrusions. The second one is to determine the possibility of improving the accuracy of forecasting new objects of sand raw materials. Methods. 35 sand samples from the Sosnov and the Bathonian Lukojanov Formation are analyzed using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence analysis. The 3D-model of the Sosnov strata is constructed. Results. The Sosnov Formation is shown as a complex of sand injectites. The element geochemical study of the Sosnov and the Bathonian Lukojanov sands reveals a high possibility of their genetic similarity. The tectonic trigger of injectite formation is determined. The 3D-model of the Sosnov Formation constructed demonstrates the lateral and vertical variability of the sand deposit morphology. Conclusions. The geochemical study of the Sosnov and Lukojanov sands reveals the latter could be considered a possible source layer due to the genetic similarity of both strata. The tectonic trigger for the formation of sand intrusions was, most likely, the Late Paleocene activation of the Zhigulevskii fault. 3D-modeling of a particular sand deposit could improve the accuracy of predictive constructions.