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Handout_07

APPLICATION OF PROVENANCE
AND DIAGENESIS STUDY

Petrology & Mineralogy Laboratory

Faculty of Geology
Universitas Padjadjaran

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Provenance
✓ Provenance is the reconstruction of the origin of sediments

✓ The purpose of provenance study is to restore

the tectonic, paleo-geographic and paleo-climatic history.

✓ In the modern geological lexicon, "sediment provenance"

specifically refers to the application of compositional
analyses to determine the origin of sediments.

✓ Provenance study is often used in conjunction with the study

of exhumation histories, interpretation of drainage networks
and their evolution, and forward-modelling of paleo-earth
systems. In combination, these help to characterize the
"source to sink" journey of clastic sediments
from hinterland to sedimentary basin.

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Provenance
• Provenance studies involve several techniques which are used to analyze the coarse silt to
fine sand fraction (40-250 μm) of a sedimentary rock from core or cuttings samples.
• The FIRST TECHNIQUE is used to determine composition of the HEAVY MINERAL
ASSEMBLAGE of the sample of interest. Heavy minerals are accessory minerals, such as
garnet, apatite, zircon, chrome- spinel etc., which make up a small proportion of the rock
(commonly less than 1%). Commonly sandstone contain high abundances of quartz, feldspars
and micas.
• Quartz in particular is resistant to abrasion and chemical attack and so becomes
concentrated in sediments and can also be recycled through several generations of
deposition and exhumation meaning they are not diagnostic of a particular provenance.
Unlike quartz, heavy minerals can be diagnostic of certain igneous and metamorphic rocks,
and assemblages of heavy minerals can be linked to source terranes.

Provenance
• Analysis of heavy minerals involves the
separation of these minerals from lighter
minerals in the sandstone using heavy liquids.

• Following this the heavy minerals are

mounted on a petrographic slide for
microscopic analysis. The abundance of heavy
minerals in a sample is then determined by
identifying and counting at least 200 non-
opaque and non-micaceous minerals present
in a sample to produce a statistical data set
e.g. table 1.

• The abundance of heavy minerals typically

changes with time, reflecting the evolution of
the source mountain belt, which can be
detected in a study section (Figure 1).

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Provenance
• The SECOND TECHNIQUE is used to determine the HEAVY MINERAL MORPHOLOGIES of the sample
• The proportion of heavy minerals in a sample is not the only useful information that can be gleaned
from microscopic analysis of the coarse silt and fine sand fraction. Grain morphology also contains
information about transport history and can be used to subdivide the population of one mineral into
sub-populations which can be related to transport duration and so estimate if the source was more
proximal or distal (Figure 2). This might be particularly useful in choosing between two possible
provenances which were identified because they had the right heavy mineral composition but were
situated different distances from the location in the basin. Typically morphological analysis groups
grains into categories ranging from rounded to euhedral, with euhedral likely to originate at a more
proximal source.
Mophology of zircon grains seen under the
microscope. Note the euhedral grains,
indicating younger grains or limited time in a
sediment transport system, and well-rounded
grains indicating prolonged time in a
transport system

Provenance
• The THIRD TECHNIQUE commonly carried out is U-PB DATING of zircon or apatite crystals found within the
heavy mineral fraction. This is an isotopic technique which determines the proportion of parent and daughter
isotopes in a zircon or apatite crystal from the uranium to lead radioactive decay pathways and uses these to
calculate the age of formation of the crystal based on known decay rates.

• Usually a populationof grains are analysed and a range of dates are obtained. Each age is the time that has
passed since that crystal formed in a magma chamber, at which point the uranium and lead daughter isotopes
were trapped in the crystal as it solidified. Since that time uranium has decayed into lead with the release of
energy (nuclear fission) trapping daughter products in the mineral.

• The population of grain ages are commonly displayed in a frequency histogram or as a probability density
function plot. These plots commonly show broad peaks of higher frequency which are interpreted to represent
orogenic (mountain building) events.

• During orogenic events rocks which normally reside deeper in the earth crust are exhumed, including solidified
magma chambers, and this produces an influx of zircons and apatites into the basin. Orogenic events are also
times of increased volcanic activity which leads to an input of zircons and apatite into the sedimentary record
from volcanic ashfall and extrusive events.

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Age distribution plots for

detrital zircons shown
using two conventional
plot styles. Expanded
Phanerozoic (below) and
with a continous scale
(above). Broad peaks can
be related to the age of
orogenic events or
magmatic eruptions or
other source regions
adjacent to the basin of
interest

• Provenance analyses such as these are even more powerful when several analyses are carried
out throughout a STRATIGRAPHIC SECTION. In this way the changes in provenance can be
determined and used to explain changes in other parameters such as sedimentary architecture
and palaeogeographic analysis relating to longer term, larger scale tectonic processes.

• Where laboratory expertise and analytical equipment exists more advanced techniques can
also be applied to further develop provenance studies, for example ADVANCED
PETROGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES and GRAIN CHEMISTRY ANALYSIS. Integration with other data
sets, such as CHEMOSTRATIGRAPHY and BIOSTRATIGRAPHY, can help produce a rich
PALAEOGEOGRAPHIC STORY.

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Introduction
• Java (Figure 1) is located within the Indonesian archipelago at the southern margin of Sundaland
which forms the southeastern part of the Eurasian plate.
• Java is essentially a volcanic island and has formed as a result of the northward subduction of the
Indo-Australian plate beneath Eurasia. The island is dominated by products of the modern day arc
volcanoes.

• However, during the Early Cenozoic the volcanic arc was situated further south and is represented
by the Jampang Formation which dominates the Southern Mountains in West Java.

• At this time most of West Java was in a back arc setting and to the north Sundaland was largely
exposed.
• South-flowing rivers drained this flat-lying area and transported sediments considerable distances to
the southern margin of Sundaland. There are a number of potential sources for the sediments.

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Lithologies
• Quartz-rich sands of Eocene and Oligocene age crop out at the following localities, listed in order
from east to west: Padalarang, Gunung Walat near Sukabumi, Cikalong near Warungkiara, Ciletuh and
Bayah (Figure 1).

SRTM image of West Java with localities of Paleogene sediments highlighted

Lithologies
Padalarang: The Lower to Middle Oligocene
• Pre-Rajamandala Clastics is the informal name (P. Lunt, pers. comm., 2005) given to quartz-
rich conglomerates, sandstones and carbonaceous siltstones which crop out to the west of
Bandung in Padalarang.
• The coarser sediments contain reworked sideritic nodules. Rip-up clasts are common as well
as erosive features such as scours and groove casts at the bases of coarser units.
• Conglomeratic material appears to be predominantly metamorphic quartz and is
importantly, often extremely well rounded, suggesting reworking of older fluvial deposits
and a polycyclic history.
• However, the sandstones are texturally immature, poorly sorted and more typical of
immature sediments.

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Lithologies
Gunung Walat: The Upper Eocene-Oligocene
• Walat Formation is characterised by thick, well bedded units of quartz-rich sands
and conglomerates interbedded with low grade coals and carbonaceous muds.
• The sandstones typically contain equidimensional angular to sub-rounded grains
that are predominantly quartz but there are also metamorphic lithic fragments.
• Conglomeratic clasts are typically highly rounded with highly polished surfaces.
Much of the Walat Formation was deposited in an environment ranging from fluvial
to shallow marine and palaeocurrent indicators suggest sediment was sourced from
the north.

Lithologies
Cikalong
• To the southwest of Sukabumi is a succession of clastic sediments which crop out
over several kilometres along the Cikalong River.
• These are of Oligocene age and consist of bedded polymict conglomerates, quartz-
rich pebbly sandstones, tuffaceous sandstones, calcareous sandstones, dark organic
mudstone and limestones.
• The quartz-rich sandstones are often compositionally immature but the pebbles
within them are extremely well rounded, suggesting possible reworking of older
fluvial deposits.
• Channels, load casts, normal grading and fluid escape structures are all consistent
with rapidly deposited sediments.

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Lithologies
CILETUH
• The Ciletuh Formation includes two lithofacies: a conglomeratic quartzose lithofacies and a volcaniclastic lithofacies.
We separate these into two formations. The quartzose lithofacies is here assigned to the Ciemas Formation that
comprises quartz-rich conglomerates and sandstones which are locally bedded and contain sedimentary structures
associated with rapid erosive deposition.

• Conglomeratic material is predominantly quartz and typically very well rounded. Sandstones are often texturally
immature with angular to subangular grains which are typically poorly sorted.

• Deposition is interpreted to have occurred predominantly in a tidally-influenced shallow marine setting and
paleocurrent observations indicate sediment was sourced from the north..

• The volcaniclastic lithofacies only is here assigned to the Ciletuh Formation and appears to be a much deeper water
deposit characterized by a highly polymict breccio-conglomerate at the base. This has been dated as Early-Middle
Eocene (M. Fadel, pers. comm., 2006) based on newly discovered nummulitic limestone blocks incorporated into the
unit when only partially lithified. This unit probably represents deep marine forearc deposit including debris flows
and interbedded turbidites.

Lithologies
BAYAH:
• The Upper Eocene Bayah Formation crops out to the west of Pelabuhanratu with
excellent coastal exposures around Bayah itself. White quartz-rich conglomerates
and sandstones dominate and are often interbedded with thinner units of laminated
siltstones, mudstones and coals.
• Sedimentary structures such as cross bedding, herring bone stratification and ripple
lamination are common, suggest a deltaic to tidal setting. Palaeocurrent indicators
suggest transport towards the south and southeast.
• The Cijengkol Formation also crops out in the Bayah area and is characterised by
bedded units of quartz-rich sand and conglomerates, marls, calcareous sandstones,
limestones and coals.

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Light Minerals
• Samples from each of the formations discussed above were chosen for point counting
using the Gazzi-Dickinson method based on the major constituents of quartz, feldspar and
rock fragments.
• The relative abundances of quartz, feldspar and lithics (QLF) and monocrystalline quartz,
feldspar and total lithics (QmFLt) in all formations. Angles of undulose extinction in
polycrystalline and monocrystalline quartz may be used to recognize grains of
metamorphic origin. Almost all lithic fragments are of metamorphic origin. In
polycrystalline quartz the number of crystal units (Basu et al., 1972) in a grain can be
used as an indicator of metamorphic grade of the source area.
• This work is ongoing but results so far indicate a low grade metamorphic source for many
of the Paleogene quartz-rich sandstones in West Java.

QLF and QmFLt plots for framework modes of sandstones showing subdivision
according to inferred provenance types, after Dickinson et al, 1983

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Heavy Minerals
• There appears to be very little apatite in the Paleogene sandstones of West Java. In
Jurassic North Sea sandstones apatite is abundant in marine sandstones but depleted
in marginal marine sediments and absent in terrestrial deposits (Morton, 1986).
• Because apatite is stable under deep burial conditions (Morton and Hallsworth,
1999) its absence can signal the influence of acid groundwaters. Tropical processes
can also change the abundance of apatite (van Hattum, 2005).
• Preliminary results suggest that zircon, tourmaline, and rutile are all abundant in the
Paleogene sandstones of West Java suggesting acid igneous and metamorphic
sources. The presence of staurolite and sillimanite in some samples suggests input
from a medium to high grade metamorphic source.

Varietasl Zircon Studies

• Zircon is a chemically ultrastable heavy mineral which is not affected by weathering or
diagenesis. By using such stable minerals it is possible to eliminate the effects of
hydraulic sorting and chemical alteration on the heavy mineral assemblages.
• Zircon morphology can also be used in provenance studies to determine the nature and
genesis of source rocks. For example, euhedral to subhedral zircons in sediments are
believed to indicate first cycle detritus from acid plutonic rocks whereas rounded grains
indicate a polycyclic history. Zircons with a length-breadth ratio greater than 3:1 are also
believed to indicate an acid volcanic source (Mange and Maurer, 1992).
• Colour can also be important and the purple colouration of some zircons has been
attributed to prolonged radioactive decay and consequently the intensity of shades
increases with the amount of radioactive elements, as well as with geologic age (Mange
and Maurer, 1992).

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Varietasl Zircon Studies

• Varieties of zircon have been categorised by their shape and colour as euhedral,
subhedral, anhedral, subrounded, rounded, purple subrounded, purple rounded, elongate
euhedral and elongate subhedral. A division into P and S type zircons is based on
Pupin’s (1980) temperature and alkalinity index.
• Results to date suggest that there are differences between zircon populations (Figure 3)
from different formations that indicate differences in the history and sources of zircons.
For example, the Ciemas Formation (JBC2259) contains a considerably higher proportion
of rounded zircons (18%) in comparison to the Bayah Formation (JBC2187) (7%).
Differences also exist in the number of S type euhedral and subhedral zircons between
the samples. All samples studied so far contain both first cycle and rounded zircons as
well as elongate volcanic zircons. This suggests multiple sources for most of the
Paleogene sediments in West Java.

SEM images and photomicrographs; rounded zircon from the Cikalong section,
subhedral zircon from the Pre-Rajamandala Clastics, an elongate zircon from the
Bayah Formation and a euhedral zircon with apatite from the Walat Formation

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Conclusions
• Paleocurrent analysis suggests that sediment was mainly sourced from the north
• Most of the sandstones plot in the recycled orogenic field according to diagrams of
Dickinson et al. (1973) However, the depletion of apatite probably results from tropical
processes which also leads to enrichment in quartz and apparent increase in maturity (van
Hattum, 2005; Smyth, 2005) so these diagrams may be misleading.
• Conglomerates with a texturally immature matrix (angular quartz) and highly rounded/
polished clasts most likely represent a polycyclic history and rapid deposition.
• Preliminary heavy mineral analyses indicate an acid plutonic and/or metamorphic source for
a large proportion of Paleogene sediments in West Java.
• Zircon typology analyses also suggest multiple sources for most of the Paleogene
sediments of West Java, including acid igneous, acid volcanic and reworked sedimentary
sources.

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Composition stratigraphic column with a

crohonostratigraphic references for the
various tectonostratigraphic units (TSU) and
their component turbidites systems and
nomenclature in the Spanish Pyrenees
(modiefied from Remacha et al., 2003)

(a). Conceptual schematic cross-section of the eastern and

central part of the Eocene foreland basin of the south
central Pyrenees Spain. The stratigraphic succession
consits of five major unconformity-bounded units
{tectonostratigraphic units (TSUs), modiefied after Mutti et
al, 1988.
(b). General stratigraphic of the Ainsa Basin (modified from
Fernandez et al, 2004). Other this sandbodies present in
the Ainsa Basin are not represented.
(c). Paleogeographic skects map showing the dispersal
pattern from the Hecho Group turbidites (modified from
Remacha et al, 2005)

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Samples & Method

SAMPLED LOCATIONS

(a). Chronostratigraphic succession of the turbidite system within the Hecho Group, showing the various
tectono-sedimentary units and the studied sections : TSU-2, channelobe transition turbidite arenites, TSU-3,
channel-lobe transition; TSU-4, canyon-channel transition, overbank deposits; TSU-5, channel and channel-
lobe transition, high sinousity channel system and channel – overbank complexes. (b). Simplified road map
of the soutcentral Pyrences showing the sampled setion.

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Arenite Petrography = Carbonate grains

RESULTS

First-order compositional plots of the carbonate-rich

arenites (arenites, calcilithites and hybrid arenites) Compositional ternary plot QFL where Q=quartz;
based on relative abundance of NCE (Non-Carbonate F=Feldspar; and L=Lithic fragments
Extrabasinal grains); CE (carbonate Extrabasinal; and CI
(Carbonate Intrabasinal)

A-F. Optical photographs of extrabasinal

grains:
(a) Angular quartz riddled with salt crystals
inclusions
(b) Microcodium fragment;
(c) Micritic Limestone and dolostone;
(d) Fossiliferous grainstones;
(e) Optical photogrph showing
monocrystalline sparitic limestone;
(f) Cathodoluminescene image showing
monocrystalline sparitic limestone present
truncated crystallization zones; tructaed has
presumably occured during transportation,
and the grain is thus considered to be
extrabasinal in origin.

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G-K Optical photomicrographs of

intrabasinal grains;
(g) Equinoderm plate;
(h-j) Foramol shallow-water facies
characterized by Eocene foraminifera
and other bioclasts, such as red algae;
(k) peloids; and
(l) fragment of phosphates

Arenite Petrography = Siliciclastic grains

Compositional ternary
plot (Q-F-(L+CE),
where Q=quartz;
F=feldspar; and L+CE
=lithic rock fragments
+ extrabasinal
carbonates

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(a). Backscattered imaging (BSE) of perthite

grain showing albite intergrowths that are
largely semicoherents in K-feldspar
(b) BSE image of flame perthitie
(c) BSE; image of showing alkali feldspar
(d) Optical photomicrograph by ferroan
calcite
(e) Optical photomicrograph showing albite
overgrowth (arrow) around turbidite,
untwinned; plagioclas, F) Cahthodolumine
imageof the previous veiw showing that the
albite overgowth is non-luminescent

(a). Compositional plot showing the relative

abundances of the rock fragments in the
various tectonostratigraphic units.
SRF=Sedimentary Rock Fragments; MRF=Metamorphic Rock
Fragments; and PRF=Plutonic Rock Fragments
(b) Compositional plot and the types of
metamorphic rock fragments showing the
increase in low-and medium-grade
metamorphic rock fragments towards the
tectonostratigraphic unit TSU-5

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Optical phtomicrographs of lithic fragments.

(a) and (b) medium-grade metamorphic rock
fragments (phyllites and metasandstones).
(c) Chert rock fragment (chr) of possible biogenic
origin
(d) Plutonic rock fragment (prf)
(e) and (f) basaltic volcanic rock fragments (vrf)

Whole rock Chemical Analysis

Si-Mg-Ca ternary plots for medium-
grain-sized arenites. The high
composional maturity of TSU-2
arenites, which can be attributed to
intense chemical weathering of
granites source rocks.
CaO enrichment broadly correlates
with an increase in intrabasinal
carbonates variation.
MgO enrichment correlates with an
increase in extrabasinal dolostone.
The triangle in the middle is given for
a better comparison between the
different tectonostratigapic units.

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Whole rock Chemical Analysis

Si-Al-Fe ternary plots for medium-sized

sandstones. This plots broadly correlates well
with Q-F-L discriminating between highly
compositional mature arenites from TSU-2 and
TSU-3 and the least mature sandstones, which
are the riches in feldspar, and hence in Al2O3.
The triangle in the middle is given for a better
comparison between the different
tectonostratigapic units.

Chronostratigraphic succesion on the Hencho

group showing the predominant arenites in the
turbidites system studied. Calcilithites (enriched
in extrabasinal carbonates) occurs broadly in
the lowerpart of each turbidites system and
hybdrid arenites (enriched in intrabasinal
carbonates) are dominant in the uppermost
part of each turbidite system.
There are two exceptions to the observed
dominance of the type arenites and its
occurence within a turbidite system; hybrid
arenites of the Torla and calcilithites of the
Banaston 5 turbidite system which can reflect
local alterations.

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Systhesis of the main compositional results and provenance interpretation. The compositional data correspond to
average values. Provenance evolution of Hencho group turbidites suggest that arenites (quartz-rich and feldspar-poor)
were derived from intensely weathered cratonic basement rocks during the initial fill of the foreland basin. Succesive
sediment supply was derived from older uplifted basement rocks (feldpar-rich and richest in rock fragment), thrust-
fold-belt deposits (supplying CE) and from coeval carbonates platforms developed at the basin margin (CI).

Paleogeographic reconstruction
Paleogeographic reconstruction of the
Ainsa basin and surrounding areas during
the Eocene. The average petrological
composition reveals the importance of
NCE, derived from intense weathered
srystalline rocks (granites) during the first
filling episodes of the turbidites basin
(TSU-2) During TSU-3 to TSU-5 deposition,
CE components were derived dominanty
from the Paleogene carbonate platform
located in the south of the basin. CI are
progessively increasing towards the
uppermost turbidites system (TSU-5),
reflecting the decrease in tectonic activity
and the complete filling of the Ainsa basin.
NCE=Non-carbonate extrabasinal grains;
CE=Carbonate extrabasinal; CI=carbonate intrabasinal;
Q=quartz; F=K-feldspar; P=Plagioclase; L=lithics;
LMRF=low-grade metamorphic rock fragment;
PRF=plutonic rock fragment; SRF=sedimentary rock
fragment.

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