In sedimentary provenance analysis, we use the petrographic methods, geochemistry, heavy mineral analysis, etc. I need the methodology for each technique to determine provenance. if possible then suggest a few references for this topic.
The answer to this question can only be provided as a function of the grain size and composition of the host rocks.
In siliciclastic sedimentary rocks, there are three particle intervals, (1) gravel (psephite), (2) sand/arenite (psammite) and (3) clay/mud (stones) (pelite).
Ad 1: Use thin sections/ polished sections combined with MLA and EMPA for a precise lithoclast analysis (>2 mm)
References: Textbooks on igneous and metamorphic petrology for diagnostic lithoclasts
Ad 2: Use allogenic heavy minerals and light minerals (grain size interval 63 µm to 300µm) making use from the routine particulate sections under the petrographic microscope through MLA, EMPA, SEM-WDX/EDX. Micro-Raman and MLA.
References: Textbooks on igneous and metamorphic petrology for diagnostic heavy minerals
You can browse my list of publications where you will find a couple of papers which I can send you on request.
Examples:
a) The (calc-alkali) gabbro clan:
Augite, diallag, hypersthene s.s.s., amphibole and hornblende s.s.s. (metabasic), clinozoisite-epidote s.s.s. (metabasic), Mg-enriched (metabasic) olivine (least resistant transparent HM under supergene conditions) , ilmenite, magnetite, titano-magnetite, titano-hematite, ulvöspinel, titanite (metabasic), pseudobrookite (altered), pseudorutile (altered), chromite (in placer Cr-placers), Cr-enriched rutile (metabasic), Mg-enriched spinel (mantle xenolites), pyrrhotite, pentlandite (least resistant opaque HM under supergene conditions), PGE (mineralized bridging the gap into PGM deposits and placer deposits). Cu-Ni sulfides and -arsenides are only present in placer deposits proximal to the basic source rocks and uncommon to normal siliciclastic sediments at a distal position.
Rare constituents: corundum, sapphirine
Some heavy minerals such as zircon, monazite, garnet... can also be used for radiometric ag dating applying the U/Pb, Sm/Nd...methods.
b) The alkali-gabbro clan:
In addition to the HM of 1. Fe ore minerals, apatite, titanite, perovskite, aegirine, aegirine-augite, diopsidic augite, rare wollastonite, Cr diopside, Cr titanite,
See also for mineralized parts of sediments (placer-type) and basic intrusive source rocks
Ad 3: Clay minerals have to be separated from the sediment samples by settling tubes or centrifuges to get batches of high purity (the interval < 63 µm is suitable for XRD, IR). In this case they may be use for radiometric age dating, e.g., K/Ar, Ar/Ar of micaceous clay minerals and for crystallinity measurement in context with vitrinite reflectance in samples of (1). This grain size fraction and age dating methods are especially useful for low- to very-low grade metamorphic source rocks expected in the provenance area.
For calcareous rocks only procedures referred to under (1) and (2) in combination with micropaleontology makes sense
References: Textbooks on igneous and metamorphic petrology for diagnostic clay minerals
H.G.Dill
As I understand it from your question, you are searching for an “introduction to sedimentary provenance” textbook type resource. To my knowledge, this do not exist yet. You therefore need to rely on method-specific literature in articles and books. As the different methods apply better for some tasks compared to others, I suggest making method decisions based on scientific goal, what others have done in the same area, as well as available lab-equipment.
Dear Hirak Jyoti Nath ,
your answer is a bit generic but i found a useful paper for you.
It's the application of an heavy mineral (detrital zircon) to the sedimentary record. This paper for sure can help you with applied heavy mineral methodology.
Regards,
Gabriele Carnevale
The answer to this question can only be provided as a function of the grain size and composition of the host rocks.
In siliciclastic sedimentary rocks, there are three particle intervals, (1) gravel (psephite), (2) sand/arenite (psammite) and (3) clay/mud (stones) (pelite).
Ad 1: Use thin sections/ polished sections combined with MLA and EMPA for a precise lithoclast analysis (>2 mm)
References: Textbooks on igneous and metamorphic petrology for diagnostic lithoclasts
Ad 2: Use allogenic heavy minerals and light minerals (grain size interval 63 µm to 300µm) making use from the routine particulate sections under the petrographic microscope through MLA, EMPA, SEM-WDX/EDX. Micro-Raman and MLA.
References: Textbooks on igneous and metamorphic petrology for diagnostic heavy minerals
You can browse my list of publications where you will find a couple of papers which I can send you on request.
Examples:
a) The (calc-alkali) gabbro clan:
Augite, diallag, hypersthene s.s.s., amphibole and hornblende s.s.s. (metabasic), clinozoisite-epidote s.s.s. (metabasic), Mg-enriched (metabasic) olivine (least resistant transparent HM under supergene conditions) , ilmenite, magnetite, titano-magnetite, titano-hematite, ulvöspinel, titanite (metabasic), pseudobrookite (altered), pseudorutile (altered), chromite (in placer Cr-placers), Cr-enriched rutile (metabasic), Mg-enriched spinel (mantle xenolites), pyrrhotite, pentlandite (least resistant opaque HM under supergene conditions), PGE (mineralized bridging the gap into PGM deposits and placer deposits). Cu-Ni sulfides and -arsenides are only present in placer deposits proximal to the basic source rocks and uncommon to normal siliciclastic sediments at a distal position.
Rare constituents: corundum, sapphirine
Some heavy minerals such as zircon, monazite, garnet... can also be used for radiometric ag dating applying the U/Pb, Sm/Nd...methods.
b) The alkali-gabbro clan:
In addition to the HM of 1. Fe ore minerals, apatite, titanite, perovskite, aegirine, aegirine-augite, diopsidic augite, rare wollastonite, Cr diopside, Cr titanite,
See also for mineralized parts of sediments (placer-type) and basic intrusive source rocks
Ad 3: Clay minerals have to be separated from the sediment samples by settling tubes or centrifuges to get batches of high purity (the interval < 63 µm is suitable for XRD, IR). In this case they may be use for radiometric age dating, e.g., K/Ar, Ar/Ar of micaceous clay minerals and for crystallinity measurement in context with vitrinite reflectance in samples of (1). This grain size fraction and age dating methods are especially useful for low- to very-low grade metamorphic source rocks expected in the provenance area.
For calcareous rocks only procedures referred to under (1) and (2) in combination with micropaleontology makes sense
References: Textbooks on igneous and metamorphic petrology for diagnostic clay minerals
H.G.Dill
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