Provenance reconstructions. Article 2. Litho- and isotope-geochemical approaches and methods

• Main Authors: A. V. Maslov, O. Yu. Melnichuk, G. A. Mizens, Yu. V. Titov, M. V. Chervyakovskaya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: A.N. Zavaritsky Institute of Geology and Geochemistry 2020-02-01
• Series: Литосфера
• Subjects: sandstones; mudstones; shales; provenance reconstruction methods; rock-forming oxides; trace elements; riphean; vendian; upper devonian; lower cretaceous; southern urals; middle urals; west siberian sedimentary megabasin; bolshekhetskaya depression
• Online Access: https://www.lithosphere.ru/jour/article/view/1238
• ISSN: 1681-9004; 2500-302X

Research subject. In this paper, we consider specific features of the use of litho- and isotopic-geochemical data for the purposes of provenance reconstruction.Methods and materials. The reconstruction tools under consideration included the analysis of the ratio of major oxides and variable trace elements, as well as the study of the distribution of trace elements. The research potential of these methods was illustrated using the data on the bulk chemical composition of sandstones and mudstones from the Bir’yan Member of the Upper Riphean Zilmerdak Formation, Upper Vendian Basa Formation (Southern Urals), Upper Devonian Kodinka and Ust’kodinka formations (Middle Urals), Lower Cretaceous Sortym Formation (Western Siberian sedimentary megabasin, Bolshekhetskaya depression).Results. It was shown that the use of the vast majority of the described paired and triangular diagrams allows conclusions (consistent both with each other and conventional geological concepts) to be drawn about the composition of source rocks. These findings reinforce the insights gained from mineralogical and petrographic studies of sandstones.