Petrography of detrital zircons from sandstones of the Lower Devonian Accraian Formation, SE Ghana: Implications on provenance

Abstract

Integrated petrographic studies entailing quartz‐type analysis and zircon typologic studies were carried out on sandstones of the Lower Devonian Accraian Formation of southern Ghana to constrain their provenance and tectonic setting. The stratigraphic succession of the Devonian Accraian Group consists mainly of sandstones in the Lower Accraian Formation, shales in the Middle Accraian Formation, and sandstone–shale intercalations in the Upper Accraian Formation. Systematic sampling of sandstones was conducted in the Lower Devonian Accraian Formation. Modal petrographic analysis indicates that the sandstones are quartz arenites with their framework grains consisting on average of, 99.8% quartz, 0.14% lithics with little or no feldspars. They are subangular to subrounded in shape. Modal mineralogy of the sandstones suggests that they are of craton interior origin with an affinity to recycled orogenic provenance. Quartz‐type analysis was used to unravel distinct characteristic features of the quartz grain, namely its polycrystallinity, nonundulose, and undulose nature to constrain the source rock. This pointed to multiple sediment supply from both a plutonic origin and a medium‐ to high‐grade metamorphic terrain. Furthermore, a comprehensive zircon typology study on 298 zircon grains indicate multiple provenances of calc‐alkaline affinity. This study revealed that the Lower Accraian Formation sandstones probably received sediment input from the Paleoproterozoic Birimian Basin granitoids and their associated metasedimentary rocks and some additional supply from the Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks from the Volta Basin which are inclusive of sediments derived from the Dahomeyide Belt of the Pan‐African Orogeny.