Abstract
The petrography, major, and trace elements concentration of the sandstones from the Zhanjin Formation in Qiwu area, south Qiangtang Basin, have been studied to determine their provenance, intensity of paleo-weathering and depositional tectonic setting. Petrography indicates that the composition and texture maturity of the sandstones are moderate. The detrital composition of Zhanjin Formation samples are dominated by quartz (70.1–80.3, average 74.1%) and feldspar (18.3–26.5, average 21.9%), but is low in lithic fragment (1.4–8.6, average 3.9%). The sandstone can be classified as arkose and litharenite arkose. The detrital model composition reflects that these sandstones are probably derived from a passive continental margin. The index of chemical variability (ICV), and Th/Sc vs. Zr/Sc discrimination diagram suggests that the compositional maturity and recycling were moderate to low. The index of alteration (CIA) and the A–CN–K diagram indicated that the intensity of weathering in the source area was low. The Al2O3/TiO2 vs. SiO2, Th/Sc, Co/Th, La/Sc, Cr/Th ratio values of the Zhanjin sandstones indicated that the sandstones were mainly derived from felsic source rocks. The Gondwana passive continental margin belt is probably the primary provenance area as evidenced by petrography and geochemistry features of the Zhanjin Formation. All kinds of tectonic discrimination diagrams based on major elements showed a rift setting for Zhanjin sandstones, which is consistent with the general views of study areas.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
N. Absar and B. Sreeniva, “Petrology and geochemistry of greywackes of the ~1.6 Ga Middle Aravalli Supergroup, northwest India: evidence for active margin processes,” Int. Geol. Rev. 57, 134–158 (2015).
S. Ali, K. Stattegger, D. Garbe–Schongerg, M. Frank, S. Kraft, and W. Kuhnt, “The provenance of cretaceous to quaternary sediments in the Tarfaya basin, SW Morocco: evidence from trace element geochemistry and radiogenic Nd-Sr isotopes,” J. Afr. Earth Sci. 90, 64–76 (2014).
J. S. Armstrong-Altrin, “Evaluation of two multi-dimensional discrimination diagrams from beach and deep sea sediments from the Gulf of Mexico and their application to Precambrian clastic sedimentary rocks,” Int. Geol. Rev. 57, 1446–1461 (2015).
J. S. Armstrong-Altrin and S. P. Verma, “Critical evaluation of six tectonic setting discrimination diagrams using geochemical data of Neogene sediments from known tectonic setting,” Sediment. Geol. 177, 115–129 (2005).
J. S. Armstrong-Altrin, Y. I. Lee, S. P. Verma, and S. Ramasamy, “Geochemistry of sandstones from the upper Miocene Kudankulam formation, Southern Indian: implications for provenance, weathering, and tectonic setting,” J. Sediment. Res. 74 (2), 285–297 (2004).
J. S. Armstrong-Altrin, Y. I. Lee, J. J. Kasper-Zubillaga, A. Carranza-Edwards, D. Garcia, N. Eby, V. Balaram, and N. L. Cruz-Ortiz, “Geochemistry of beach sands along the Western Gulf of Mexico, Mexico: implication for provenance,” Chem. Erde 72, 345–362 (2012).
J. S. Armsrtong-Altrin, R. Nagarajan, J. Madhavaraju, L. Rosalez-Hoz, Y. I. Lee, V. Balaram, A. Cruz-Martinez, and G. Avila-Ramirez, “Geochemistry of the Jurassic and upper Cretaceous shales from the Molango Region, Hidalgo, Eastern Mexico: implications of source-area weathering, provenance, and tectonic setting,” Comptes Rend. Geosci. 345, 185–202 (2013).
J. S. Armstrong-Altrin, R. Nagarajan, Y. I. Lee, and J. J. Kasper-Zubillaga, “Geochemistry of sands along the San Nicolas and San Carlos beaches, Gulf of California, Mexico: implication for provenance,” Turk. J. Earth Sci. 23, 533–558 (2014).
J. S. Armstrong-Altrin, M. L. Machain-Castillo, Rosales-Hozl, A. Carranza-Edwards, J. A. Sanchez-Cabeza, and A. C. Ruiz-Fernandez, “Provenance and depositional history of continental slope sediments in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico unraveled by geochemical analysis,” Cont. Shelf Res. 95, 15–26 (2015).
J. S. Armstrong-Altrin, R. Nagarajan, V. Balaram, and O. Natalhy-Pinedao, “Petrography and geochemistry of sands from the Chachalacas and Veracruz beach areas, western Gulf of Mexico, Mexico: constraints on provenance and tectonic setting,” J. S. Am. Earth Sci. 64, 199–216 (2015).
M. R. Bhatia, “Plate tectonics and geochemical composition of sandstones” J. Geol. 91, 611–627 (1983).
M. R. Bhatia, “Rare earth element geochemistry of Australian Paleozoic graywackes and mud rocks: provenance and tectonic control,” Sediment. Geol. 45, 97–113 (1985).
M. R. Bhatia and K. Crook, “Trace element characteristics of graywackes and tectonic setting discrimination of sedimentary basins,” Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 92 (2), 181–193 (1986).
J. F. Cao, C. Y. Song, and X. G Fu. “Basic characteristics of Permian Zhanjin source rock in Well Qiangtang-5 in Qiangtang Basin,” Mar. Origin Petrol. Geol. (in Chinese) 20 (2), 15–20 (2015).
Y. J. Chen, X. Z. Pei, R. B. Li, and Z. V. Li, “Geochemical characteristics and tectonic significance of metasedimentary rocks from Naij Tal Group, Eastern Section of East Kunlun,” Geoscience 28 (3), 489–500 (2014).
K. C. Condie and D. J. Wronkiewicz, “The Cr/Th ratio in Precambrian pelites from the Kaapvaal craton as an index of craton evolution,” Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 97, 256–267 (1990).
R. Cox, D. R. Lowe, and R. L. Cullers, “The influence of sediment recycling and basement composition on evolution of mudrock chemistry in the southwestern United States,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 59, 2919–2940 (1995).
R. L. Cullers and V. N. Podkovyrov, “Geochemistry of the Mesoproterozoic Lakhanda shale in southeastern Yakutia, Russia: implications for mineralogical and provenance control, and recycling,” Precambrian Res. 104, 77–93 (2000).
W. M. Deng, J. X. Yi, and Z. P. Gua, “Basic–ultrabasic and volcanic rocks in Chagbu–Shuanghu area of northern Xizang (Tibet), China,” Sci. China Ser. D. 26 (4), 296–301 (1996).
H.F. Deng, D.S. Ma, C.T. Yao, Q.Z. Lian, “Agrochemistry study on Neoproterozoic glaciogenic sediments in Aksu area, Xinjiang,” Geochemica 143 (3), 224–237 (2014).
N. Etemad-Saeed, M. Hossein-Barzi, M. H. Adabi, N. R. Miller, A. Sadeghi, A. Houshmandzadeh, and D. F. Stockli, “Evidence for ca. 560 Ma Ediacaran glaciation in the Kahar formation, central Alborz Mountains, northern Iran,” Gondwana Res. 31, 164–183 (2016).
J. J. Fan, C. Li, and M. Wang, “The genesis and material source of Carboniferous–Late Permian ice miscellaneous conglomerate: a case study of Gangma Co area, Qiangtang, Tibetan Plateau,” Geol. Bull. China. 31 (9), 1451–1460 (2012).
J.J. Fan, C. Li, and M. Wang, “The analysis of depositional environment and U-Pb dating of detrital zircon for Zhanjin Formation at Gangma Co Area, Southern Qiangtang, Tibeteau Plateau,” Acta Geol. Sinica. 88 (10), 1820–1831 (2014).
S. Fatima and M. S. Khan, “Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of Mesoproterozoic Kumbalgarh clastic rocks, NW Indian shield: implications for provenance, tectonic setting, and crustal evolution,” Int. Geol. Rev. 54, 1113–1144 (2012).
C. M. Fedo, H. W. Nesbitt, and G. M. Young, “Unravelling the effects of potassium metamorphism in sedimentary rocks and potassium metamorphism in sedimentary rocks and paleosols, with implications for paleoweathering conditions and provenance,” Geology 23, 921–924 (1995).
P. A. Floyd, J. A. Winchester, and R. G. Park, “Geochemistry and tectonic setting of Lewisian clastic metasediments from the Early Proterozoic Loch Maree Group of Gairloch, NW Scotland,” Precambrian Res. 45 (1), 203–214 (1989).
E. Garzanti, P. Vermeesch, M. Padoan, A. Resentini, G. Vezzoli, and S. Ando, “Provenance of passive–margin sand (Southern Africa),” J. Geol. 122, 17–42 (2014).
Q. R. Geng, G. T. Pan, and L. Q. Wang, “Tethyan evolution and metallogenic geological background of the Banggong Co–Nujiang belt and the Qiangtang massif in Tibet,” Geol. Bull. China 30 (8), 1261–1274 (2011).
Q. R. Geng, Z. M. Peng, and Z. Zhang, “New advances in the study of Carboniferous–Permian palepntology in Guoganjianianshan–Rongma area of Qiangtang region, Tibetan Plateau,” Geol. Bull. China 31 (4), 510–520 (2012).
G. H. Girty, D. L. Ridge, and C. Knaack, “Provenance and depositional setting of Paleozoic chert and argillite, Sierra Nevada, California,” J. Sediment. Res. 66 (1), 107–118 (1996).
X. X. Gu, J. M. Liu, M. H. Zheng, J. X. Tang, and L. Qi, “Provenance and tectonic setting of the Proterozoic turbidities in Hunan, South China: geochemical evidence,” J. Sediment. Res. 72 (3), 393–407 (2002).
M. M. Herron, “Geochemical classification of terrigenous sands and shales from core or log data,” J. Sediment. Petrol. 58, 820–829 (1988).
A. Hofmann “The geochemistry of sedimentary rocks from the Fig Tree Group, Barberton greenstone belt: implications for tectonic, hydrothermal and surface processes during mid–Archaean times,” Precambrian Res. 143, 23–49 (2005).
C.M. Hu, “New genera and species of spiriferacean Carbdniferous to Early Permian from Duoma district, Rutog, Xizang (Tibet), China,” Earth Sci. 1 (19), 106–117 (1983).
J. J. Hu, L. Qi, N. Q. Fu, and J. Y. Yu, “Geochemistry characteristics of the Low Permian sedimentary rocks from central uplift zone, Qiangtang Basin, Tibet: insights into source-area weathering, provenance, recycling, and tectonic setting,” Arabian J. Geosci. 8, 5373–5388 (2014).
P. A. Kappa, A. Yin, C. E. Manning, et al., “Tectonic evolution of the early Mesozoic blueschist–bearing Qiangtang metamorphic belt, central Tibet Tectonics,” Tectonics 22 (4), 17–44 (2003).
M. J. Le–Bas, R. W. Le-Maitre, A. Streckeisen, and B. Zanettinal, “A chemical classification of volcanic rocks based on the total alkali–silica diagram,” J. Petrol. Geol. 27, 745–750 (1986).
C. Li, “The Longmucuo–Shuanghu–Lancangjiang plate suture and the north boundary of distribution of Gondwana facies Permo–Carboniferous system in northern Xizang, China,” J. Jilin Univ. (Earth Sci. Ed.,) 17 (2), 155–166 (1987).
C. Li “A review on 20 years’ study of the Longmu Co–Shuanghu–Lancang River suture zone in Qianghai–Tibet plateau,” Geol. Rev. 54 (1), 107–119 (2008).
D. Y. Liang, Z. T. Nie, and T. Y. Guo, “Permo–Carboniferous Gondwana–Tethys facies in southern Karakoran Ali, Xi Ang (Tibet),” Earth Sci. 1 (19), 9–27 (1983).
B.P. Liu, X.S. Cui, “Discovery of Eurydesma-Fauna from Rutog, northwest Xizang (Tibet), and its biogeographic significance,” Earth Sci. 1 (19), 79–92 (1983).
J. M. G. Lopez, B. Bauluz, C. Fernandez-Nieto, and A. Y. Oliete, “Factors controlling the trace–element distribution in fine-grained rocks: the Albian kaolinite-rich deposits of the Oliete Basin (NE Spain),” Chem. Geol. 214, 1–19 (2005).
J. Madhavaraju and S. Ramasamy, “Petrography and geochemistry of Late Maastrichtian–Early Paleocene sediments of Tiruchirapalli Cretaceous, Tamil Nadu–Paleoweathering and provenance implications,” J. Geol. Soc. India 59, 133–142 (2002).
S. M. McLennan, S. Hemming, D. K. McDaniel, and G. N. Hanson, “Geochemical approaches to sedimentation, provenance, and tectonics,” Processes Controlling the Composition of Clastic Sediments, Ed. by M. J. Johnsson and A. Basu” Geol. Soc. Am. Spec. Pap. 21–40 (1993).
X. H. Meng, Sedimentary Basin and Construction Sequence (Beijing China, 1993).
F. Migani, F. Borghesi, and E. Dinelli, “Geochemical characterization of surface sediments from the northern Adriatic wetlands around the Po river delta. Part I: bulk composition and relation to local background,” J. Geochem. Explor. 156, 72–88 (2015).
S. M. Moosavirad, M. R. Janardhana, M. S. Sethumadhav, and M. R. Moghadam, “Geochemistry of lower Jurassic shales of the Shemshak Formation, Kerman Province, Central Iran: provenance, source weathering, and tectonic setting,” Chem. Erde 71, 279–288 (2011).
R. Nagarajan, S. John, J.S. Armstrong-Altrin, and L. Franz, “Provenance and tectonic setting of Miocene siliciclastic sediments, Sibuti Formation, northwestern Borneo,” Arab. J. Geosci. 8, 8549–8565 (2015).
H. W. Nesbitt and G. M. Young, “Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutites,” Nature 299, 715–717 (1982).
H. W. Nesbitt and G. M. Young, “Formation and diagenesis of weathering profiles,” J. Geol. 97, 129–147 (1989).
H. W. Nesbitt, G. M. Young, and S. M. McLennan, “Effects of chemical weathering and sorting on the petrogenesis of siliciclastic sediments, with implications for provenance studies,” J. Geol. 104 (5), 525–542 (1996).
G. T. Pan, Tectonic Map and Instructions of Tibet Plateau and Adjacent Region (Beijing, 2010).
A. Pullen, P. Kapp, and G. E. Gehrel, “Triassic continental subduction in central Tibet and Mediterranean–style closure of the Paleo–Tethys Ocean,” Geology 36, 351–354 (2008).
B. P. Roser and R. J. Korsch, “Determination of tectonic setting of sandstone–mudstone suites using SiO2 content and K2O/Na2O ratio,” J. Geol. 94, 635–650 (1986).
B. P. Roser and R. J. Korsch, “Provenance signatures of sandstone–mudstone suites determined using discriminant function analysis of major-element data,” Geochem. J. 67, 119–139 (1988).
B. P. Roser, R. A. Cooper, S. A. Nathan, and A. J. Tulloch, “Reconnaissance sandstone geochemistry, provenance, and tectonic setting of the lower Paleozoic terrains of the West Coast and Nelson, New Zealand,” New Zeal. J. Geol. Geophys. 39, 1–16 (1996).
H. A. Tawfik, I. M. Ghandour, W. Maejima, J. S. Armstrong-Altrin, and A. M. T. Abdel-Hameed, “Petrography and geochemistry of the siliciclastic Araba Formation (Cambrian), east Sinai, Egypt: implications for provenance, tectonic setting and source weathering,” Geol. Mag. 154 (1), 23 (2017).
S. Taylor and S. M. Mclennan, The Continental Crust: Its Composition and Evolution (Blackwell, Oxford, 1985), pp. 1–312 (1985).
H. F. Tao, S. Sun, Z. Q. Wang, X. F. Yang, and L. Jiang, “Petrography and geochemistry of Lower Carboniferous greywacke and mudstones in Northeast Junggar, China: implications for provenance, source weathering, and tectonic setting,” J. Asian Earth Sci. 87, 11–25 (2014).
F. H. Tobia and K. J. Aswad, “Petrography and geochemistry of Jurassic sandstones, Western Desert, Iraq: Implications on provenance and tectonic setting,” Arab. J. Geosci. 8, 2771–2784 (2015).
R. Valloni and J. B. Maynard “Detrital modes of recent deep-sea sands and their relation to tectonic settings: a first approximation,” Sedimentology 28, 75–83 (1981).
P. P. Vandekamp and B. E. Leake, “Petrography and geochemistry of feldspathic and mafic sediments of the northeastern Pacific margin,” Trans. R. Soc. Edinb: Earth Sci. 76, 411–449 (1985).
S. P. Verma and J. S. Armstrong-Altrin, “New multidimensional diagrams for tectonic discrimination of siliciclastic sediments and their application to Precambrian basins,” Chem. Geol. 355, 117–180 (2013).
H. A. Wanas and M. M. Abuel-Hassan, “Paleosols of the upper Cretaceous–lower Tertiary Maghra Elbahari Formation in the northeastern portion of the Eastern Desert, Egypt: their recognition and geological significance,” Sediment. Geol. 183, 243–259 (2006).
C. S. Wang, H. S. Yi, and Y. Li, The Geological Evolution and Oil and Gas Bearing Perspective Evaluation of the Qiangtang Baisn, Tibet (Beijing, 2001).
J. Wang, W. Tan, Y. L. Li., Y. T. Li, M. Chen, C. S. Wang, Z. J. Guo, X. L. Wang, B.W. Du, and Z. F. Zhu, The Potential of the Oil and Gas Resources in Major Sedimentary Basins on the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau (Beijng, 2004).
Q. Wang, S. C. Xu, and R. Z. Wei, “Characteristics and tectonic setting of volcanic rocks of the Permain Zhanjin Formation in the Tuoheping Co area, northern Qiangtang, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau,” Geol. Bull. China 25 (1–2), 146–155 (2006).
Z. W. Wang, J. Wang, and X. G. Fu, “Provenance and tectonic setting of the Quemoco sandstones in the North Qiangtang Basin, North Tibet: evidence from geochemistry and detrital zircon geochronology,” Geol. J. 53 (4), 1465–1481 (2018).
D. J. Wronkiewicz and K. C. Condie, “Geochemistry and provenance of sediments from the Pongola Supergroup, South Africa: evidence for a 3.0 Ga–old continental craton,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 53, 1537–1549 (1989).
G. Y. Wu, “Azores-type oceanic island basalts in the Paleo-Tethyan major oceanic basin in the Bitu area, eastern Tibet, China,” Geol. Bull. China. 25 (7), 772–781 (2006).
S. B. Yang, Z. M. Song, and D. Y. Liang, “Late Carboniferous–Early Permian flysch trace fossils from Ali, Xizang (Tibet),” Earth Sci. 1 (19), 93–103 (1983).
S. M. Zaid, “Geochemistry of sandstones from the Pliocene Gabir Formation, north Marsa Alam, Red Sea, Egypt: Implication for provenance, weathering and tectonic setting,” J. African Earth Sci. 102, 1–17 (2015).
S. M. Zaid and F. A. Gahtani, “Provenance, diagenesis, tectonic setting and geochemistry of Hawkesbury sandstone (Middle Triassic), southern Sydney Basin, Australia,” Turk. J. Earth Sci. 24, 72–98 (2015).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This study is financially supported by the Project support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 41 772 113). We thank the journal reviewers for their very constructive and helpful comments, which helped to improve the manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Qian Hou, Han, Z., Mou, C. et al. Petrography and Geochemistry of Upper Carboniferous-Early Permian Sandstones from Zhanjin Formation in Qiwu Area, South Qiangtang Basin, Tibet: Implications for Provenance, Source Weathering and Tectonic Setting. Geochem. Int. 59, 1274–1292 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702921080127
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702921080127