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Understanding genesis of iron oxide concretions present in Dhandraul (Vindhyan) Sandstone: Implications in formation of Martian hematite spherules

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Abstract

The iron oxide concretions of Shankargarh (Allahabad), India belongs to Dhandraul Sandstone of Vindhyan Supergroup. Petrography of concretions shows abundant quartz grains embedded within the iron oxide cementation. XRD analysis of the concretion shows diagnostic peaks for quartz, hematite, and goethite. The A–CN–K and A–CNK–FM ternary diagrams drawn for concretion and host rock bulk composition clearly indicate the interaction of concretions rock with iron-bearing diagenetic fluids. A negative Ce anomaly, lower Th/U ratio, and enrichment of redox responsive trace element (e.g., vanadium) indicate concretion formation is redox-controlled. The concretions show Fe enrichment and Si depletion as compared to the host sandstone. The mass balance calculations indicate that the total Fe2O3 in the ferruginous sandstone system is 17.63 wt%. The iron mobilization and recycling in the sandstone pore spaces have formed concretions with Fe2O3 (25–35% by volume). The sandstone volume required to produce a 6 mm diameter iron oxide concretion is 1807.83 mm3. The Fe laminae and random red colouration patterns in Dhandraul sandstone are consistent with the movement of iron-enriched fluid through pores and spaces. These iron oxide concretions have similarities with the hematite spherules discovered in the Burn Formation, Meridiani Planum, Mars.

Highlights

  • Random red colouration pattern, iron laminae, the role of advective and diffusive processes during the formation of the iron oxide concretions present in Dhandraul sandstone are discussed in detail.

  • Mineralogical and textural study of the Shankargarh iron oxide concretions using petrography and XRD.

  • Fe bearing paleofluid circulation, redox processes, and elemental mobility (enrichment and depletion of elements) are discussed in detail using whole-rock geochemistry of Shankargarh iron oxide concretions and associated sandstone.

  • The similarities and difference between Shankargarh iron oxide concretions and Martian hematite spherules.

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Acknowledgements

Mr Prakash Jha acknowledges IIT (ISM) Dhanbad for the Institute fellowship. The authors acknowledge the XRF analysis facility at NGRI Hyderabad (India), ICPMS analysis facility at IIT Kanpur (India), and XRD analysis facility at SRM University, Chennai, India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Geology, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, 826 004, India

    Prakash Jha & Pranab Das

  2. Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, 380 009, India

    Dwijesh Ray

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  1. Prakash Jha
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Mr Prakash Jha has done the fieldwork, petrography, and analyzed the photographs and data generated from it. He has also analyzed the geochemical data generated from various scientific labs and organizations. Mr Prakash Jha, Dr Pranab Das and Dr Dwijesh Ray have cooperatively written this research paper.

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Correspondence to Prakash Jha.

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Communicated by Saibal Gupta

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Jha, P., Das, P. & Ray, D. Understanding genesis of iron oxide concretions present in Dhandraul (Vindhyan) Sandstone: Implications in formation of Martian hematite spherules. J Earth Syst Sci 130, 49 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-020-01542-6

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