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Boron and lithium isotopic signatures of nanometer-sized smectite-rich mixed-layers of bentonite beds from Campos Basin (Brazil)

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Clays and Clay Minerals

Abstract

Boron and lithium were analyzed in three nanometer-sized (<20, 20-50 and 50-100 nm) separates of two Santonian (85.8-83.5 Ma) bentonite samples collected closely in the Campos Basin along the southeastern Atlantic coast (Brazil). The B and Li data give various trends that suggest varied crystallization conditions for separates that consist of overwhelming smectite with less than 9% illitic layers. The δ11B of the few illitic tetrahedral sites from one of the samples remains quite constant, while its contents are strictly correlated with those of K, which suggests that illitization proceeded by interaction with pore fluids of the host sediments that supplied the K. In the second sample, the δ11B of the illite layers from the two coarser fractions is indicative of an early volcanic origin, while the smaller size fraction also interacted with sedimentary fluids. Favored by octahedral substitutions of the smectite layers, the δ7Li is more strictly regulated by a volcanic link. In turn, the information of the B and Li isotopic compositions and contents from studied mixed-layers suggests a various origin for the few illite layers of the smectite-rich I-S that contain more B than the smectite layers that host more Li. The difference appears to be sample-site and crystal-size dependent, fueled by pore fluids of the hosting turbidites.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Drs. D.B. Alves and F. Pellon de Miranda of the Brazilian Research Development Center (CENPES) for the sample supply, as well as the geographic, stratigraphic information and constructive discussions. The SIMS analyses for B and Li isotopic compositions were conducted at the Arizona State University SIMS Facility supported by the US National Science Foundation grant EAR 1819550. Two reviewers are also sincerely thanked for their comments.

Funding

US National Science Foundation grant EAR 1819550.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut des Sciences de la Terre et de l’Environnement de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg (UdS/CNRS), 67084, Strasbourg, France

    Norbert Clauer

  2. School of Earth & Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-1404, USA

    Lynda B. Williams

  3. Department of Geology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Istanbul-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey

    I. Tonguç Uysal

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  1. Norbert Clauer
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Clauer, N., Williams, L.B. & Uysal, I.T. Boron and lithium isotopic signatures of nanometer-sized smectite-rich mixed-layers of bentonite beds from Campos Basin (Brazil). Clays Clay Miner. 70, 72–83 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42860-022-00177-6

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