Provenance Of Sandstones Research Articles

Provenance and tectonic setting of sandstones of the Lomas Coloradas Formation, Cabullona Group, Sonora, México: Constraints on petrography and geochemistry

The sedimentary rocks of the Cabullona Group are well exposed in the Cabullona Basin of northeastern Sonora, México, which represent syntectonic sedimentation associated with Laramide-style deformation during the Campanian−early Maastrichtian. The sandstones of the Lomas Coloradas Formation deposited at the upper part of the Cabullona Group. Petrography and geochemical (major, trace, and rare earth elements) studies were carried out on the sandstones to interpret the palaeoweathering, provenance, and tectonic setting of the Lomas Coloradas Formation sandstones. Most of the sandstone modal analysis data plotted in the QFL and QmFLt ternary diagrams fall into the fields of dissected arcs and recycled orogens, respectively. Geochemically the sandstones are classified as litharenites while few samples plot into the arkosic field. The chondrite-normalized REE diagrams for sandstones have LREE-enriched, relatively flat HREE patterns with negative Eu anomalies. CIA values and the A‒CN‒K diagram indicate a low intensity of chemical weathering in the source area. The tectonic setting diagram suggests both arc and rift settings for the studied sandstones. The bivariate and ternary diagrams and elemental ratios suggest a felsic source for the Lomas Coloradas Formation. The average REE patterns of the studied sandstones are comparable with REE patterns of the granite from the Caborca block, the rhyolite and granite of the Tarahumara Formation, and the Mesozoic felsic volcanic rocks. The modeled mixture of 40% Proterozoic granite, 30% Triassic arc, 10% Jurassic arc, and 20% Laramide arc represents the probable source rocks for the Lomas Coloradas Formation.

Provenance of Upper Paleozoic Sandstones from the Western Carpathians (Slovakia): Petrofacies analysis and U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology

Provenance of Upper Paleozoic Sandstones from the Western Carpathians (Slovakia): Petrofacies analysis and U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology

Sedimentary provenance of the Upper Devonian Old Red Sandstone of southern Ireland: an integrated multi-proxy detrital geochronology study

The Devonian Old Red Sandstone (ORS) magnafacies of southern Ireland is hosted in the Early Devonian Dingle Basin and the Late Devonian Munster Basin. Following the closure of the Iapetus Ocean during the Caledonian Orogeny, the Dingle Basin developed as a pull-apart structure before being deformed by Acadian tectonic activity. The Munster Basin developed as a half-graben structure in response to post-Acadian north–south extension in the region. Thus, the Irish ORS provides insights into the region's tectonic history owing to its temporal and spatial proximity to the Caledonian ( c . 475–425 Ma), Acadian ( c . 400–390 Ma) and Variscan orogenic events ( c . 390–290 Ma). This study presents the first detrital zircon and apatite U–Pb geochronological data for the Upper ORS (UORS) in southern Ireland in addition to detrital white mica 40 Ar/ 39 Ar geochronological data to help unravel the depositional history of the Irish UORS and to assess the possible role of sedimentary recycling in Late Devonian basin development. Most UORS samples contain few late Neoproterozoic detrital zircon grains and are instead dominated by early Paleozoic and c. 1.1 Ga zircons. These populations represent recycling of northerly-derived Ordovician to Silurian strata of the Southern Uplands–Longford–Down terrane, which are of Laurentian affinity, and not recycling of Lower ORS (which contains a significant number of late Neoproterozoic detrital zircons) as previously thought. Similar detrital zircon dates have been observed in Givetian–Frasnian quartzites of the Pulo do Lobo Zone on the Iberian Peninsula, providing a possible Rheic Ocean link with the UORS.

Heavy Mineral and Zircon Age Constraints on Provenance of Cenozoic Sandstones in the Gulf of Mexico Subsurface

Combined heavy mineral analysis and detrital zircon geochronology have enabled us to track detritus supplied by the ancestral river systems draining the North American continent into the deep subsurface of the Gulf of Mexico, in both the coastal plain and the offshore deep water areas. During deposition of the Paleocene–Eocene Wilcox Group, sandstones in the western part of the area are interpreted as the products of the Rosita system derived via paleo-Rio Grande material, with a large component of sediment shed from the Western Cordillera. By contrast, samples from wells further east have high proportions of zircons derived from the Yavapai-Mazatzal Province and are attributed to the Rockdale system with sediment fed predominantly by the paleo-Colorado or paleo-Colorado-Brazos. There is evidence that sediment from the Rosita system occasionally extended into the central Gulf of Mexico, and, likewise, data indicate that the Rockdale system sporadically supplied sediment to the western part of the basin. During the Late Eocene of the central Gulf of Mexico (Yegua Formation) there was a distinct shift in provenance. The earlier Yegua sandstones have a large Grenville zircon component and are most likely to have had a paleo-Mississippi origin, whereas the later Yegua sandstones are dominated by zircons of Western Cordilleran origin, similar to Wilcox sandstones fed by the Rosita system via the paleo-Rio Grande. The switch from paleo-Mississippi to paleo-Rio Grande sourcing implies there was a major reorganisation of drainage patterns during the Late Eocene. Miocene sandstones in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico were principally sourced from the paleo-Mississippi, although the paleo-Red River is inferred to have contributed to the more westerly-located wells.

The Alps as the main source of sand for the Late Miocene Lake Pannon (Pannonian Basin, Croatia)

The provenance of the Upper Miocene sandstones from the Sava and Drava depressions of the North Croatian Basin was investigated using petrographic, geochemical, and heavy mineral analyses, including Raman spectroscopy. The study of these sandstones, which represent important oil and gas reservoirs in Croatia, allowed reconstruction of the Late Miocene source-to-sink model of the Lake Pannon drainage system and the evolution of the southwestern Pannonian Basin. The studied feldspatho-litho-quartzose sandstones consist of a mixture of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous detritus. Heavy-mineral assemblages are dominated by almandine-rich garnet with apatite, epidote, tourmaline, rutile, zircon, staurolite, and zoisite, indicative of low to medium-grade metamorphic source rocks. Higher concentrations of Ca and Mg than in the Upper Continental Crust standard (UCC) additionally reflect the abundance of limestone and dolostone rock fragments as well as carbonate cement. Geochemical compositional variations between sandstone samples from the Sava and Drava depressions primarily stem from diagenetic processes. CIX and alpha values indicate only minor weathering. Compositional features indicate an orogenic source located in the Eastern Alps and primarily represented by Austroalpine and Penninic nappes. This research offers a novel perspective to distinguish the Upper Miocene reservoirs from other sedimentary units within the basin, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the regional geological dynamics and supporting future exploration projects also related to energy transition.

Provenance response to evolving palaeogeography recorded by Carboniferous sandstones in the northern Pennine Basin, UK

On the basis of a combination of heavy mineral data, provenance-sensitive heavy mineral indices, garnet major element chemistry, rutile trace element chemistry and zircon U–Pb geochronology, six major changes in sandstone provenance during Carboniferous deposition in the northern Pennine Basin, UK, have been recognised. These changes are a manifestation of both tectonic and climatic factors. The earliest Tournaisian sediment was supplied from the local Southern Uplands High, but the increasingly humid climate led to the establishment of the Pennine River system, which introduced northerly-derived sediment from farther afield in the mid Tournaisian. This system was operative until the mid Bolsovian, but shows stratigraphic variations due to changes in input from different parts of the Pennine River hinterland (East Greenland, northern Scotland, western Norway). These variations are believed to be at least partly related to tectonism, since the maximum supply from high-grade metamorphic sources in East Greenland in the Namurian was concurrent with a tectonically-driven change in drainage direction in this part of the northern sourcelands. In addition, at the base of the Visean, there was a temporary influx of mature sediment coincident with a climatically-driven regression and, at the base of the Duckmantian, sediment was briefly introduced from the west as a far-field manifestation of Alleghanian tectonism. Finally, continued uplift of the Variscan mountain belt to the south of the UK led to establishment of northward-directed transport systems that reached the northern Pennine Basin in the mid-Bolsovian, leading totermination of supply from the Pennine River.

Sedimentary facies and mineral provenance of Upper Triassic sandstones offshore Kvitøya, Svalbard: implications for palaeogeographic interpretations in the northern Barents Shelf area

Upper Triassic (Carnian) sandstones of the De Geerdalen Formation cored south of the island of Kvitøya (80°N), north-easternmost Svalbard, are described in terms of sedimentary facies and petrography and compared regionally in the northern Barents Shelf. The succession off Kvitøya is characterized by its great thickness and is dominated by deltaic deposits with high sand content of lithic–feldspathic compositions. Comparison of sediment facies and sandstone compositions with adjacent areas suggest that the succession off Kvitøya is part of a larger delta system with its main sediment source from the east. The delta sedimentation was terminated by marine transgression in the earliest Norian. The sandstone compositions off Kvitøya differ from nearby locations by the higher content of cherty rock fragments and reworked volcanic debris in the Kvitøya sandstone, which is most distinct in the lower part of the succession. Provenance signatures are investigated by mineral–chemical analysis of detrital feldspars, rock fragments, garnet and Cr-spinel, characterizing a wide variety of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary terranes, including palaeo-Urals and areas farther to east. Additional, more proximal sediment source areas may also have existed that could explain the increased sediment thickness and the mineralogical immature sandstone compositions of the Carnian sediments off Kvitøya.

Anatomy and provenance of a typical transgressive sandstone: the Lower Cretaceous Martin House Formation, Northern Canada

Abstract The Martin House Formation is a transgressive sandstone interval representing the first stage of foreland basin deposition in northwestern Canada during the Cretaceous and offers a template for recognition of transgressive sandstones in other regions. Results from outcrop sections, wire-line logs, drill core, palynology, petrographic analyses, and detrital zircon dating were integrated to better constrain the paleogeographic setting for the northern part of the Western Interior Basin during the Albian. Twelve facies and four facies associations were defined across the study area. Earliest Albian floodplain deposits (FA1) were overlain by estuarine (FA2), shallow marine (FA3) and offshore strata (FA4) deposited during a major Albian transgression. During the Lower Cretaceous, the Mackenzie Corridor was on the eastern side of a foreland basin and the Keele Arch formed a north-south trending highland. Facies maps show that the basin paleotopography imparted significant control on the distribution and lateral continuity of stratigraphic units. The results of this study help elucidate controls on sediment routing in northwestern Canada during the Albian and provide insight into processes that affected the development of stratigraphic architecture in the Western Interior Basin. The most likely basin reconstruction involving non-marine Albian strata in the study area is to infer a marine trough forming the Cordilleran foredeep to the west of the study area. Résumé La Formation de Martin House est un intervalle de grès transgressif du Crétacé représentant le premier étage d’un dépôt d’avant-pays dans le Nord-Ouest du Canada et elle fournit un modèle nous permettant de reconnaître les grès transgressifs d’autres régions. Les résultats de sections d’affleurement, de diagraphies de puits, de carottes de forage, de palynologie, d’analyses pétrographiques et de datation de zircon détritique ont été intégrés pour mieux restreindre le contexte paléogéographique de la partie nord du bassin intérieur occidental pendant l’Albien. Nous avons trouvé douze faciès et quatre associations de faciès dans le secteur étudié. Les dépôts les plus précoces parmi les plaines d’inondation de l’Albien (FA1) étaient recouverts de strates de dépôts estuariens (FA2), de strates de mer peu profonde (FA3) et extracôtières (FA4) déposées durant une transgression majeure de l’Albien. Au cours du Crétacé inférieur, le corridor de Mackenzie se situait du côté est d’un bassin d’avant-pays, tandis que l’arche de Keele formaient un haut-pays d’orientation nord-sud. Les cartes de faciès montrent que la paléotopographie du bassin régissait de manière significative la répartition et la continuité latérale des unités stratigraphiques. Les résultats de cette étude permettent d’expliquer ce qui régissait le cheminement des sédiments dans le Nord-Ouest du Canada pendant l’Albien, en plus de nous donner un aperçu des processus qui influent sur l’évolution de l’architecture stratigraphique du bassin intérieur occidental. La reconstruction la plus probable du bassin dans le secteur étudié comprenant des strates non marines de l’Albien supposerait une dépression marine qui aurait formé l’avant-fosse cordillériennne à l’ouest du secteur étudié. Michel Ory

Provenance of mesozoic sandstones in the Saurashtra Basin using heavy minerals geochemistry and geochronology: Implications for paleogeographic reconstruction in Western India

Two contrasting Precambrian sources has been established for the Mesozoic sediments of the Dhrangdhara Group at the western margin of India based on the integration of petrography of sandstone, mineral chemistry of tourmaline and rutile, and U–Pb zircon and U–Th–total Pb monazite dating. The geochemical characteristics of rutile and tourmaline indicate sediment supply from metapelites, granites, pegmatite, quartz vein and tourmalinites. The potential source terrains for these stratigraphic zones are comprehended on the basis of the overlap of probability density of zircon and monazite ages. Zircon trace elements and REE concentrations suggest its derivation from granitoids. U–Pb zircon age data reveals four major populations at 3584–2502 Ma (Archean), 2499–1642 Ma (Paleoproterozoic), 1595–1010 Ma (Mesoproterozoic) and 993–539 Ma (Neoproterozoic). In contrast, U–Th–total Pb monazite age data show major age populations at 900–700 Ma and 500 Ma. The mineral chemistry signatures and zircon-monazite age data indicate predominant sediment derivation from metasedimentary rocks of the Aravalli and Delhi supergroup of rocks, with limited input from Archean gneissic (e.g., Mewar Gneisses and equivalents) and granitic (e.g., Berach Granite and equivalents) rocks. Besides, the predominance of zircon and tourmaline grains with high textural maturity supports significant input from sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks from the Aravalli Delhi Fold Belt (ADFB) and Marwar Supergroup. The detrital zircon and monazite age distributions are consistent with the major Precambrian supercontinent assemblies and corresponding orogenies. The Archean age (2.6–2.5 Ga) components correspond to the Bhilwara Orogeny of the ADFB, 1.8–1.7 Ga and 1.0–0.9 Ga correspond to the tectonothermal events associated with the assembly of Columbia and Rodinia supercontinents, respectively. The Neoproterozoic younger age ∼0.75 and ∼0.65–0.50 Ga corresponds to the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent and the assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent, respectively. The mineral chemical and geochronological data track major global and local orogenies recorded within the ADFB. Therefore, the sedimentary succession of the Saurashtra Basin preserves the records of paleo-drainage pattern and paleogeography of the northwestern margin of eastern Gondwanaland, which is a repository of the sediments derived from the Aravalli-Delhi fold belt and Pan-African orogenies.

Inherited Grain‐Size Distributions: Effect on Heavy‐Mineral Assemblages in Modern and Ancient Sediments

AbstractHeavy‐mineral suites are used widely in sandstone provenance and are key when connecting source and sink. When characterizing provenance related signatures, it is essential to understand the different factors that may influence a particular heavy‐mineral assemblage for example, chemical weathering or diagenetic processes. Hydrodynamics, causing size‐density sorting, exert major control on the distribution of heavy minerals. Here, we highlight the effect of grain‐size inheritance, essentially the absence of certain grain sizes within a specific heavy‐mineral species, on two distinct types of sediments. Modern deposits from a high‐energy beach in NW Denmark give an analog for heavily reworked sediment, primarily controlled by hydrodynamic processes. In contrast, three Palaeogene turbidite successions in the Eastern Alps were sampled, presenting a more complex history that includes diagenesis. All samples were processed for their heavy‐mineral compositions using Raman spectroscopy, and several techniques applied to determine the effect of grain‐size inheritance. Results show that (a) even within the hydrodynamically well‐sorted beach and placer deposits, evidence of grain‐size inheritance is apparent, and (b) turbidites of variable heavy‐mineral composition show strong effects of grain‐size inheritance for several mineral species. Moreover, considerable intersample contrasts within single turbidite beds are observed. We enforce the importance of understanding grain‐size inheritance, as well as other processes effecting size‐density relations in clastic sediment that go well beyond purely hydrodynamic control of intrasample heavy‐mineral variability.

Provenance of Conglomerate and Sandstone from Early Permian Shoushangou Formation in Xi Ujimqin, Inner Mongolia: Implications for Understanding Paleo‐Asian Ocean Subduction

AbstractDuring the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian, a rift was formed by post‐collisional extension after ocean closure or an island arc‐related basin formed by Paleo‐Asian Ocean (PAO) subduction in the Xi Ujimqin area. Nevertheless, the closure time of the PAO is still under debate. Thus, to identify the origin of the PAO, the geochemistry and U‐Pb age of zircons were analyzed for the extra‐large deep marine, polymict clastic boulders and sandstones in the Shoushangou Formation within the basin. The analyses revealed magmatic activity and tectonic evolution. The conglomerates include megaclasts of granite (298.8 ± 9.1 Ma) and granodiorite porphyry (297.1 ± 3.1 Ma), which were deposited by muddy debris flow. Results of this study demonstrated that the boulders of granitoids have the geochemistry of typical I‐type granite, characterized by low Zr + Nb + Ce + Y and low Ga/Al values. The granitoid boulders were formed in island arc setting, indicating the presence of arc magmatism in the area that is composed of the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian subduction‐related granitoid in southern Xi Ujimqin. Multiple diagrams for determining sedimentary provenance using major and trace elements indicate that Shoushangou sediments originated from continental island arc‐related felsic rocks. Detrital zircon U‐Pb age cluster of 330‐280 Ma was obtained, indicating input from granite, ophiolite, Xilin Gol complex, and Carboniferous sources to the south. The basin was geographically developed behind the arc during the Early Permian period because the outcropped intrusive rocks in the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian form a volcanic arc. The comprehensive analyses of source areas suggest that Shoushangou sediments developed in a backarc basin in response to the northward subduction of the PAO. The backarc basin and intrusive rocks, in addition to previously published Late Carboniferous to Early Permian magmatic rocks of arc unit in Xilin Gol, confirm the presence of an Early Permian trench‐arc‐basin system in the region, represented by the Baolidao arc and Xi Ujimqin backarc basin. This study highlights the importance and potential of combined geochemical and geochronological studies of conglomerates and sandstone for reconstructing the geodynamic setting of a basin.

Classification and Provenance of Lower and Upper Cretaceous Sandstones of the Bornu Basin, Ne Nigeria

Representative sandstone samples from different formations such as the Bima Group (Lower, Middle and Upper Bima Sandstones), Yolde Formation and Dumbulwa Member of the Pindiga Formation in the study area were classified on the basis of their mineralogical compositions for sandstones. Samples 4, 5, 7, 24, 27, 28, 34, 35, 36, 38, 40 and 41a are classified as arkosic arenites due to the high percentage of feldspars and quartz than rock fragments in majority of the samples, whereas samples 12, 21, 25 are classed as lithic arenites because rock fragments have higher mineral aggregate than feldspar. The compositional maturity of the sandstones was identified, the matured is composed of arkosic arenites and the immature ones are related to lithic arenites.

Sandstone Provenance of Walanae Formation as a Parent Rock in Bulukumpa area, Bulukumba Regency, South Sulawesi

The Walanae Formation has a wide distribution in the southern arm of Sulawesi, this rock formation was deposited during the formation of the basin due to the Walanae strike-slip fault. The Walanae Formation in the study area comprises sedimentary rocks and pyroclastic rocks, which give different soil characteristics. This study aims to determine the types of sandstones, rocks of origin, and provenance of sandstones in the study area by using spot sampling at representative stations and petrographic analysis. The sandstones of the study area are divided into two groups based on Folk (1974), namely arkose lithic and feldspathic litharenite. Based on the type of quartz, rock fragments, and associated minerals, the origin of the sandstones in the study area are plutonic igneous rocks, volcanic rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks. The results show that the types of provenance sandstones in the study area are magmatic arc and recycled orogenic.

Provenance and Diagenetic Features of Sandstones in the Surma -Tipam Transitional Sequence exposed in the Schuppen Belt, Naga Hills, NE India

The Schuppen Belt, a part of the Indo-Burma Ranges is basically comprised of molasses of Tertiary age. This tectono–stratigraphic belt is restricted by two major thrust faults, namely Disang and Naga. In the southern part of the Naga Hills a significant part is occupied by Surma–Tipam Transitional Sequences (STTS). This study deals with the petrography, provenance, and tectonic setting of the STTS sandstones. The sandstones are classified as arkose and arkosic wacke types. The major contribution of detritus has been observed from the recycled orogen, dissected arc, transitional continental and basement uplift. The geochemistry data reveals that the sandstones were derived from a collisional setting of an active continental margin. The low degree of chemical maturity indicates that the sandstones were deposited in an arid climatic condition. The diagenetic signatures observed in these sandstones such as, point, long and concavo-convex grain boundary, albitization, crushing and squashing of quartz grains, warping of mica around detrital grains, and bending of mica suggest early to a late stage deep burial diagenesis.

Detrital zircon and rutile geochronology, geochemistry and provenance of Cambrian sandstones of Iranian Azerbaijan: implications for the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian evolution of the northern Gondwana margin

Detrital zircon and rutile geochronology, geochemistry and provenance of Cambrian sandstones of Iranian Azerbaijan: implications for the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian evolution of the northern Gondwana margin

Mudstone diagenesis and sandstone provenance in an Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous evolving half-graben system, Wollaston Forland, North-East Greenland

The influence of rifting on the composition of Kimmeridgian to Barremian mudstones from northern Wollaston Forland, North-East Greenland is investigated by petrographic and mineralogical analyses of the Brorson Halvø-1 and Rødryg­gen-1 cores, and provenance of analysis by zircon U-Pb age dating of nearby sandstones. Mudstone composition varies systematically as a function of the timing of rifting progression and position in the half-graben depositional system. Pyrite primarily precipitated in the early rift to rift climax phases. Euhedral pyrite overgrowths on framboids formed only during the rift climax phase (Lindemans Bugt Formation). Dolomite is the dominant carbonate cement, except for the sediments deposited in the early waning rift phase (Palnatokes Bjerg Formation) where calcite is dominant, and in the late waning rift phase (Stratumbjerg Formation) where siderite dominates. The highest-temperature reactions with precipitation of illite, quartz, ankerite and barite signify sediment burial depths of >2 km prior to exhumation. Uplift-induced fracturing occurred mainly in the early rift to rift acceleration succession (Bernbjerg Formation). Mudstones in the proximal part of the half-graben (Rødryggen-1) include more detrital kaolinite than the distal mudstones (Brorson Halvø-1), which contain more mixed-layer illite-smectite and illite. Vermiculite was deposited only in the proximal part of the basin in the rift climax and waning rift successions. Chlorite was deposited proximally and distally during the waning rift phase, though supply began earlier in the distal part. Fine-grained sediment in the distal part of the half-graben was therefore probably supplied by axial transport from Palaeoproterozoic crystalline rocks and Meso- to Neoproterozoic metamorphic rocks located to the north and north-west. This agrees with the zircon provenance signature from outcropping sand-rich facies, where zircon grains with U-Pb ages of 2.0–1.6 Ga are dominant, in addition to common 1.6–0.9 Ga ages, and fewer 2.8–2.6 Ga and 0.47–0.36 Ga ages.

Petrography and geochemistry of sandstones of the Ash Shumaysi Formation in the Jeddah-Makkah region, Saudi Arabia: Implications for provenance, tectonic setting, paleoweathering, paleoclimate and paleogeography

This study aims to evaluate the provenance of sandstones of the Ash Shumaysi Formation (Early Eocene to Oligo-Miocene) exposed in the Jeddah-Makkah region (an intra-continental cratonic region in the west of the central part of the Arabian Shield), in addition to re-establish the tectonic setting, paleoclimate and paleo-weathering of their source rocks. This aim has been achieved by petrographic investigation and geochemical (major, trace and rare earth elements) analysis of the sandstones. Integration of both petrographic and geochemical data reflects a derivation of the sandstones from intensively-weathered and multi-recycled felsic igneous (granites) rocks, with a minor contribution of intermediate (granodiorite), mafic igneous (andesite), metamorphic (mainly gneisses) and recycled sedimentary rocks, which correspond to the Precambrian rock units of the west of the central part of the Arabian Shield. The latter was developed under semi-humid climatic conditions in the source area. Tectonically, the source rocks are of a cratonic interior in a passive continental margin of the Upper Continental Crust. This passive continental margin was later affected by rifting as revealed from the discrimination function diagrams of high-silica samples of sandstones. In general, the Ash Shumaysi sandstones may represent erosional products of the nearby high-topographic crystalline rocks of the Western Arabian Shield that were located in a tectonically stable passive margin subjected to a subsequent continental rift. Results of this study could add to the knowledge about paleoweathering, paleoclimate and tectonic setting in the Arabian Shield which is a part of the southern margin of the broad stable continental shelf of the northern margin of the Gondwana supercontinent.

Provenance, diagenesis and reservoir quality of sandstone facies of the Maracangalha Formation, Recôncavo Basin – Northeastern Brazil

Sedimentary composition studies on siliciclastic reservoirs and their relationship with sedimentary provenance have proved to be useful in hydrocarbon exploration, enabling the prognosis of reservoir quality and diagenetic models. However, unconventional terrigenous reservoirs in the Maracangalha Formation, Upper Cretaceous from Recôncavo Basin, have not yet been evaluated regarding sedimentary provenance and its control over reservoir quality. This study aims to define the provenance of the Maracangalha Formation sandstones and its control on the diagenetic processes affecting the reservoir quality. Based on petrography analysis and X-Ray Fluorescence data, it was possible to identify a granite-gneissic terrain under wet climate as the primary source area for quartz-feldspathic sandstones. The granite-gneissic terrains with predominantly felsic minerals, within in the surrounding Precambrian Terrains, represent a major source area for the quartz-feldspathic sandstones found in the Maracangalha Formation. These sources are characterized by significant contributions from recycled sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks, leading to the occurrence of litho and quartzose petrofacies. The high chemical-textural sediment maturity and paleoweathering dispersion, under semi-umid to semi-arid climates, may be a result of paleoclimatic changes and the variable residence times of the sediments in the dispersion routes or temporary storage. The mineral composition and primary texture of sandstones show a clear influence on diagenetic evolution, particularly in terms of mechanical compaction inhibition, by early cementation, and the generation of secondary porosity due to the dissolution of framework grains and early cements. Therefore, understanding the sedimentary provenance, composition, and diagenesis is crucial for predicting the quality of the reservoir and the compartmentalization of the Maracangalha Formation and its analogues.

Tracing Oligocene−Miocene source-to-sink systems in the deep Levant Basin: A sandstone provenance study

The Levant Basin in the Eastern Mediterranean contains an ∼3-km-thick, predominantly siliciclastic section of Oligocene−Miocene age, which hosts large hydrocarbon reservoirs (“Tamar Sands Play”). Here, we present a provenance study of Oligocene−Miocene sandstones based on detrital zircon U-Pb-Hf and heavy mineral assemblages. Samples were retrieved from four boreholes across the Levant Basin: Myra-1, Dolphin-1, Leviathan-1, and Karish North-1. Our investigations revealed that the sediments are dominated by Neoproterozoic and older Precambrian zircons with variable Hf isotopic composition, indicating that they were mainly reworked from Paleozoic−Mesozoic sandstones of African-Arabian provenance, with minor derivation from the Neoproterozoic basement of the Arabian-Nubian Shield. Variations in the proportions of pre−900 Ma zircons were encountered in various levels of the siliciclastic section. These zircons were markedly enriched (44%−57%) in the Rupelian and Aquitanian−Burdigalian intervals, accompanied by abundant detrital apatite peloids in the heavy mineral fraction, and relatively sparse (21%−38%) in the Chattian−Aquitanian and Langhian−Tortonian intervals, alongside scarce Mesozoic−Cenozoic zircons. These findings allow us to associate the deep-basin detrital record with two sedimentary transport systems that reached the Levant Basin from both NE Africa and Arabia simultaneously until the late Miocene, when sediment transport from Arabia ceased. While Rupelian and Aquitanian−Burdigalian sediments, including the main section of the “Tamar Sands,” were derived mainly from Arabian sources via the Levant continental margin, Chattian−Aquitanian and Langhian−Tortonian sediments were primarily sourced from NE Africa via the Nile Delta. Detrital contribution from the Eurasian side of the Eastern Mediterranean was not identified, suggesting that sand originating in the Arabia-Eurasia collision belt did not reach the Levant Basin.

Late Triassic Tectonic Setting in Northeastern Margin of North China Craton: Insight into Sedimentary and Apatite Fission Tracks

The closure timing of the Paleo-Asian Ocean and the terminal stage of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt have been widely debated in the geological community. It’s known that the gradual scissor-like closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean occurred from west to east during the Paleozoic period. However, it was not until the Triassic period that the complete closure of the ocean occurred at the northeastern margin of the North China Craton. Nevertheless, there is still much uncertainty regarding the Late Triassic tectonic setting in Northeast China. In this study, we focused on the Upper Triassic Dajianggang Formation, located in the Shuangyang area of central Jilin Province, which is situated on the northeastern margin of the North China Plate. Our aim was to determine the formation age of the Dajianggang Formation by analyzing the detrital particle composition, petrogeochemistry, detrital zircon U-Pb isotope dating, and apatite fission track thermochronology. Our results indicated that the primary sandstone provenance area of the Dajianggang Formation in the Shuangyang area is the island arc orogenic belt. The tectonic background of the sandstone provenance area is mainly a continental island arc environment. The provenance area is mostly composed of felsic rocks with sedimentary tendencies, and some of its material may have originated from the northern margin of the North China Craton or the eroded recycle orogenic belt. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of detrital zircons shows that the Dajianggang Formation formed after 226.8 ± 5 Ma. Moreover, analysis of the thermal evolution history modelling shows that the Dajianggang Formation in the Shuangyang area continued to be deposited and heated in the early stage, and then experienced rapid exhumation around 30 Ma. This suggests that the study area underwent an orogenic process during the early stage of formation, but then transitioned into a post-orogenic extension period, which constrained the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean prior to the Late Triassic period. In addition, our study indicates that the remote effect of the Pacific subduction did not reach the study area until 30 Ma. The central age of the detrital apatite fission track of sample 19DJ-1 is 94.2 ± 8.3 Ma, which is younger than its corresponding stratigraphic age. The two peak ages of the fission track analysis are 62.9 ± 5.4 Ma and 126 ± 11 Ma. These findings provide new evidence for the tectonic evolution of Northeast China and shed light on the Late Triassic tectonic setting, as well as the influence time of subsequent tectonic domains in the southern part of Northeast China.