Provenances of late Pliocene rare-metal-titanium placers in the Tamansky Peninsula

Abstract

The comprehensive mineralogical analysis of the Taman nearshore Ti-Zr placers and their provenances in the adjoining late Pliocene sedimentation basin is presented. Taking into account paleogeographic reconstructions and contemporary mineral potential of sediments in the Sea of Azov, a contribution of specific feeding sources of terrigenous minerals to the formation of the late Pliocene placers have been estimated. These sources are crystalline and sedimentary rocks of the Caucasus, the southern Russian Plate, and the southeastern Ukrainian Shield (listed in the order of their contribution). The Miocene placers of the Stavropol Arch and Adygea Prominence, as well as the Cretaceous and younger placers of the Ukrainian Shield and the Voronezh Anteclise are suggested to be transitional reservoirs. Economic deposits are forecasted in the zone of paleostraits.