Siliciclastic input into upper Cenomanian synorogenic sediments of the High-Tatric Unit, Central Western Carpathians (Tatra Mountains); petrography, geochemistry and provenance

Abstract

The Upper Cenomanian mixed siliciclastic-carbonate succession of the High-Tatric Unit was deposited during the initial stage of basinal closing of the Tatric area, part of the Zliechov (Križna) Basin (Inner Carpathian domain). As a result of tectonic activity taking place at the northern Veporic margin, pulses of siliciclastic input interrupted marine carbonate sedimentation. The siliciclastic material, part of the Zabijak Formation, has been studied along two sections (Pisana Gully and Zdziarski Gully) in the Western Tatra Mountains. Microfacies, petrographic and geochemical analyses reveal a variability of siliciclastic material composed of various types of granitoids and medium- or high-grade metamorphic rocks, with schists and gneisses. Such interpretation is confirmed by the results of elemental chemical analyses, in which immobile trace elements, such as REE, Th, Cr, Co, Zr, and Y were used as indices for sediment provenance. The parent rocks sustained moderate to intense chemical weathering, documented by chemical weathering indices (CIA, PIA, CIW, R). The weathering occurred in a humid climate with relatively high precipitation that caused strong leaching of particles. Chemical indices related to sorting processes suggest that the recycling of the source material was a minor significance. The siliciclastic input displays a waning upward tendency in the sections, which can be associated with diminishing of the source area by gradual inland progradation of a carbonate platform, caused by a global sea level rise during the Late Cenomanian.