Provenance and early diagenetic processes of the Ordovician Šárka Formation at Praha - Červený vrch Hill (Barrandian, Czech Republic)

 

Authors: Drost K, Linnemann U, Wemmer K, Budil P, Kraft P, Fatka O, Marek J

Published in: Bulletin of Geosciences, volume 78, issue 2; pages: 147 - 156; Received 4 March 2003; Accepted in revised form 3 April 2003;

Keywords: Middle Ordovician, Šárka Formation, diagenesis, clastic micas, Prague Basin,

full text (PDF, 0.79 MB)

Export to RIS

 

Abstract

Shales and siliceous nodules from Praha - Červený vrch Hill (Middle Ordovician, Šárka Formation, Barrandian area) were studied by chemical and X-ray phase analyses as well as by K-Ar age dating to specify their formation and provenance. White micas occurring as detrital components within the shales of the Šárka Formation reveal a Neoproterozoic (Cadomian) K-Ar age (599 ± 12 Ma) of the source rocks. The enrichment of heavy rare earth elements (HREE) over light rare earth elements (LREE), high Th/U ratios, and a distinct kaolinite content in the shales of the Šárka Formation point to strong chemical weathering of the source area in pre-Middle Ordovician times. Major element data indicate a passive margin setting for these shales, whereas trace element data and discriminant function analysis display the inherited island arc signature of the Neoproterozoic basement. Very low sulphide sulphur (Spyrite) and organic carbon (Corg) contents as well as the depletion in Fe and Mn are interpreted as a tracer for oxic bottom-water conditions during deposition and transport of these elements by bottom currents. The growth of the siliceous nodules is supposed to be connected with the replacement of former sediment by SiO2 and with leaching of most elements simultaneously with the enrichment in Mn, Ca, Co, Pb, Y and HREE.