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Rare earth element geochemistry of Post- to Neo-archean shales from Singhbhum mobile belt, Eastern India: implications for tectonic setting and paleo-oxidation conditions

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Abstract

In the present study, trace element (including rare earth element) chemical data has been interpreted with the aim to decipher the tectonic setting and paleo-redox conditions of the Post- to Neo-archean shales from the Singhbhum Mobile Belt, eastern India. The data show moderate enrichment of compatible elements [such as Cu (avg. 59.28 ppm), Ni (avg. 59.49 ppm), V (avg. 234.24 ppm) and Cr (avg. 181.23 ppm)] relative to the Post-Archean Australian Shale. Their chondrite normalized light rare earth elements are moderately fractionated [(La/Sm)N ranges from 2.21 to 5.78], whereas heavy rare earth elements show a nearly flat pattern [(Gd/Lu)N ranges from 0.74 to 1.68]; this indicates that the rare earth element (REE) concentrations, rather than being severely affected by the diagenesis and weathering processes, decreased gradually from Gd to Lu. The Post-Archean Australian Shale normalized multi-element diagram shows the slight enrichment of Cr, V, Zr, Y, U and Sc, whereas Sr, Pb, Hf and Th are depleted. The notable negative anomaly of Sr indicates the least accumulation of plagioclase, which is also supported by the negative Eu-anomaly in these rocks. The La–Th–Sc and Th–Zr–Sc tectonic setting diagrams indicate their continental arc setting. The geochemical parameters, such as U/Th, V/Cr, Ni/Co, and Cu/Zn, indicate that these shales were deposited under oxic to anoxic environmental conditions.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank the Chairman, Department of Geology, A.M.U., Aligarh and Director N.G.R.I., Hyderabad for allowing me to use the facilities from the Department and Geochemical Laboratories of N.G.R.I. for my analysis of rock samples. I am highly thankful to Dr.S.H.Alvi, Associate professor, Department of Geology, A.M.U., Aligarh for his valuable advices. I would also like to pay my sincere thanks to Dr. V. Balaram, Scientist Emeritus, N.G.R.I., Hyderabad for his constant encouragement. My special thanks to Prof. S. A. Romshoo, Head, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar for providing the necessary facilities. In addition, I would like to acknowledge the comments and suggestions from the anonymous reviewers.

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  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, India

    Akhtar R. Mir

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Mir, A.R. Rare earth element geochemistry of Post- to Neo-archean shales from Singhbhum mobile belt, Eastern India: implications for tectonic setting and paleo-oxidation conditions. Chin. J. Geochem. 34, 401–409 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-015-0052-8

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