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Geochemistry of the Upper Neoproterozoic and Lower Cambrian siliciclastic rocks and U-Pb dating on detrital zircons in the Central Iberian Zone, Spain

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Abstract

Sandstones and shales from the Upper Neoproterozoic (UN) succession in the Central Iberian Zone (CIZ) show parallel REE patterns and relatively restricted and similar ranges and average values of some element ratios such as Al2O3/TiO2,Ti/Nb, Eu/Eu*, (La/Yb)n, (Gd/Yb)n and Th/U. This remarkable geochemical homogeneity for related medium- and fine-grained rocks is unusual, and strongly suggests a recycled source area. However, the Lower Cambrian (LC) equivalent rocks are, in general terms, geochemically less mature, more heterogeneous and more fractionated. Their average REE patterns are practically coincident, probably as a consequence of REE redistribution related to the reworking of sediments during a stage of sea level fall in Lower Cambrian times. Ti and Zr abundances, chemical index of alteration (CIA) values and element ratios such as Al2O3/TiO2, K/Rb, Ti/Nb and Rb/Zr can be used for discriminating purposes between the UN and LC siliciclastic rocks. Detrital zircons from a UN and a LC sandstone display morphological differences. However, U-Pb data are discordant and cannot be interpreted in a straightforward manner. Nevertheless, age data are compatible with a model in which the continent of Gondwana would have supplied zircons, showing a bimodal age distribution, in variable proportions to the respective sandstone units.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support for this work was provided by the PB91–0321 DGICYT project, the PB96–1283 DGES project, and the BTE 2002–04241-CO2–02 of the MEC (Spain). This paper is a contribution to the International Geological Correlation Programme Project 453 "Ancient and Recent Orogens". Comments by two anonymous reviewers led to improvements in the paper.

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  1. Departamento de Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 , Salamanca, Spain

    J. M. Ugidos, M. I. Valladares & P. Barba

  2. Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50 007, 104 05 , Stockholm, Sweden

    K. Billström

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  1. J. M. Ugidos
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Correspondence to J. M. Ugidos.

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Ugidos, J.M., Billström, K., Valladares, M.I. et al. Geochemistry of the Upper Neoproterozoic and Lower Cambrian siliciclastic rocks and U-Pb dating on detrital zircons in the Central Iberian Zone, Spain. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 92, 661–676 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-003-0355-6

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