Abstract
The oolitic ironstone sedimentation has been widely developed in the Saharan Platform within relative stable cratonic basins, during Ordovician, Silurian and especially Devonian periods. Extensive and Local Ironstone Deposits are related to large scale controls (eustatic variations, epeirogenic movements) supplemented by small scale metallotects, particularly structural traps on the flanks of which the oolitic ironstone occur. Therefore, the ironstones are located at the top of minor or major regressive cycles, and were deposited in peculiar depositional systems, especially deltas or barrier-islands. The major part of iron was probably transported to the depositional areas by rivers from a southern source which has been, depending on the different periods, located in the West African Craton, the Mauritanides, the Taoudenni Basin, the Panafrican mobile belt of Nigeria and the Congo Shield. There was no evident climatic control of the ironstone which developed during cold to temperate climates.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of African Earth Sciences (and the Middle East)
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
