Browsing Research articles (Dept of Geology) by Subject "Geochemistry"
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Huntsman-Mapila, P.; Kampunzu, A.B.; Ringrose, S.; Vink, B. (Elsevier www.elsevier.com/locate/sedgeo, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: The siliciclastic sediments of the Okavango inland Delta of northwest Botswana have a modal composition of quartz arenites and result from a complex history, including transport by river and deposition in a nascent rift basin located in a desert environment with input of aeolian sands. The geochemical composition of sediments from the Okavango Delta was determined in order to constrain the role of weathering at the source and the composition of the source rocks. The chemical analyses and the interelement ratios show a broad compositional range usually encompassing the PAAS composition. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) values and the A–CN–K diagram define an evolution trend which can be interpreted using a mixing model involving a strongly weathered component which corresponds to the sedimentary fraction transported by the Okavango River and a relatively immature component which corresponds to the aeolian sand component of the Okavango sediments. Field geological data supported by geochemical ratios involving elements with affinity for mafic–ultramafic and felsic rocks such as Th/Cr, Th/Sc, La/Sc, La/Co and Eu/Eu* support a source area including mafic–ultramafic and felsic rocks, with or without intermediate rocks. The relationships between certain elements (Cr–Ni, Na2O–Al2O3, K2O–Al2O3) refine the interpretation by pointing to the existence of at least three source rock end-members, including a felsic rock source and pyroxene-rich and olivine-rich mafic–ultramafic source rocks. Proterozoic granitoid–gabbro and related volcanic and ortho-metamorphic rock complexes exposed in NW Botswana and adjacent Angola and Namibia are the source rocks of the sediment component which was mixed with aeolian sand and interacted with a variable proportion of diagenetic carbonates to produce the Okavango sediments. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/382 Files in this item: 1
Kampunzu2005OkavangoDeltasediments.pdf (1.941Mb) -
Batumike, M.J.; Kampunzu, A.B.; Cailteux, J.H. (Elsevier www.elsevier.com/locate/jafrearsci, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: The Nguba and Kundelungu Groups constitute the middle and upper parts of the Neoproterozoic Katangan Supergroup, respectively, and consist of conglomerates, sandstones, mudrocks and carbonates. During deposition, the Katangan basin received sediments originating from both northern and southern sources. The Nguba and Kundelungu Groups siliciclastic rocks have elemental abundances and ratios suggestive of a relatively felsic TTG source, although slightly more mafic compositions occur in the Nguba Group and the overlying ‘‘Petit Conglome´rat’’ Formation at the base of the Kundelungu Group. Modal compositions of the Nguba Group rocks indicate a basement uplift provenance, and geochemical parameters indicate the source of both the Nguba and Kundelungu Groups had an active continental margin character. Source area weathering was moderate in the Nguba Group. Low Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) and Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA) indices and relatively uniform chemical compositions of the ‘‘Grand Conglome´rat’’ and the ‘‘Petit Conglome´rat’’ Formations lying respectively at the bases of the Nguba and Kundelungu Groups are compatible with deposition in a cool or frigid climate, and support their presumed petrographic based glaciogenic origin. High CIA and PIA indices in Upper Kalule rocks in the middle part of the Kundelungu Group point to the intensification of source weathering, possibly under tropical to subtropical climate under steady state conditions. Geochemical similarities between the Nguba Group and the ‘‘Petit Conglome´rat’’ are compatible with a change from an extensional setting to compression, with derivation of the ‘‘Petit Conglome´rat’’ by reworking of the underlying units during basin inversion. Change in provenance signatures and weathering indices in the Upper Kalule Formation may reflect reduced tectonism and resumption of supply of more weathered extrabasinal detritus, similar to that which fed the basal Roan Group. Overall the data suggest derivation mainly from pre-Katangan Proterozoic sources with continental arc characteristics. The adjacent Paleoproterozoic Ubendian Belt, particularly the Bangweulu block calcalkaline plutonic and volcanic province, is a suitable candidate as the source for the Nguba and Kundelungu Group sedimentary rocks. However, Mesoproterozoic and Archaean terrains have also contributed a minor component to the basin. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/392 Files in this item: 1
Kampunzu2006Petrologyandgeochemistry.pdf (1.585Mb)
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