Details
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 236-258 |
Number of pages | 23 |
Journal | The Depositional Record |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 25 Jul 2019 |
Publication status | Published - 5 Feb 2020 |
Abstract
Delineation of stratigraphic sequences and their component systems tracts in mudstone-dominated successions is challenging due to the relatively homogenous, fine-grained nature of the strata. High-resolution elemental intensity data from X-ray fluorescence core scanning is used in order to develop a sequence stratigraphic framework for the Lower Cretaceous monotonous mudstone succession in the eastern Lower Saxony Basin. The study is based on four drill cores covering the Berriasian to Aptian interval. In addition, carbon isotope (δ13Corg), grain size and CaCO3 analyses were carried out on discrete samples. The studied cores represent both proximal and distal basinal environments of the eastern Lower Saxony Basin and can be reliably correlated by utilizing variations in selected X-ray flourescence elemental ratios, K/Ti data have proven to be particularly suitable in this regard. The core correlation shows that chemostratigraphic variability within the studied succession is laterally reproducible in the eastern Lower Saxony Basin, and can be used to establish a sequence stratigraphic framework. Further, Si/Al and Ca/Ti ratios have been applied to characterize the cores in terms of variation in grain size and CaCO3 content, respectively. Vertical grading trends inferred from Si/Al changes were used to identify transgressive and regressive systems tracts within the studied succession. An important regression in the uppermost lower Valanginian coincides with the onset of the Valanginian Weissert Event, as indicated by the well-known positive δ13C shift, and, thus, supports the idea that the initial interval of this event corresponds to enhanced supply of terrigenous material. The results of this study are also in agreement with previously recognized transgressive–regressive trends in the Lower Saxony Basin and adjacent areas. This clearly shows that systematic geochemical variations recorded in mudstone-dominated basinal settings are suitable to establish sequence stratigraphic frameworks.
Keywords
- Lower Cretaceous, Lower Saxony Basin, mudstones, sequence stratigraphy, Weissert Event, X-ray fluorescence core scanning
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
- Geology
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
- Oceanography
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
- Palaeontology
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
- Stratigraphy
- Environmental Science(all)
- Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
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In: The Depositional Record, Vol. 6, No. 1, 05.02.2020, p. 236-258.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Using high-resolution XRF analyses as a sequence stratigraphic tool in a mudstone-dominated succession (Early Cretaceous, Lower Saxony Basin, Northern Germany)
AU - Thöle, Hauke
AU - Bornemann, André
AU - Heimhofer, Ulrich
AU - Luppold, Friedrich Wilhelm
AU - Blumenberg, Martin
AU - Dohrmann, Reiner
AU - Erbacher, Jochen
N1 - Funding information: This research has been funded by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) in the framework of the project ‘Subsurface Potentials for Storage and Economic Use in the North German Basin (TUNB)'. T. Kollaske is thanked for her support during XRF?CS, G. Grützner and S. Stäger for sample preparation (all BGR). We further thank two anonymous reviewers for their insightful and constructive comments.
PY - 2020/2/5
Y1 - 2020/2/5
N2 - Delineation of stratigraphic sequences and their component systems tracts in mudstone-dominated successions is challenging due to the relatively homogenous, fine-grained nature of the strata. High-resolution elemental intensity data from X-ray fluorescence core scanning is used in order to develop a sequence stratigraphic framework for the Lower Cretaceous monotonous mudstone succession in the eastern Lower Saxony Basin. The study is based on four drill cores covering the Berriasian to Aptian interval. In addition, carbon isotope (δ13Corg), grain size and CaCO3 analyses were carried out on discrete samples. The studied cores represent both proximal and distal basinal environments of the eastern Lower Saxony Basin and can be reliably correlated by utilizing variations in selected X-ray flourescence elemental ratios, K/Ti data have proven to be particularly suitable in this regard. The core correlation shows that chemostratigraphic variability within the studied succession is laterally reproducible in the eastern Lower Saxony Basin, and can be used to establish a sequence stratigraphic framework. Further, Si/Al and Ca/Ti ratios have been applied to characterize the cores in terms of variation in grain size and CaCO3 content, respectively. Vertical grading trends inferred from Si/Al changes were used to identify transgressive and regressive systems tracts within the studied succession. An important regression in the uppermost lower Valanginian coincides with the onset of the Valanginian Weissert Event, as indicated by the well-known positive δ13C shift, and, thus, supports the idea that the initial interval of this event corresponds to enhanced supply of terrigenous material. The results of this study are also in agreement with previously recognized transgressive–regressive trends in the Lower Saxony Basin and adjacent areas. This clearly shows that systematic geochemical variations recorded in mudstone-dominated basinal settings are suitable to establish sequence stratigraphic frameworks.
AB - Delineation of stratigraphic sequences and their component systems tracts in mudstone-dominated successions is challenging due to the relatively homogenous, fine-grained nature of the strata. High-resolution elemental intensity data from X-ray fluorescence core scanning is used in order to develop a sequence stratigraphic framework for the Lower Cretaceous monotonous mudstone succession in the eastern Lower Saxony Basin. The study is based on four drill cores covering the Berriasian to Aptian interval. In addition, carbon isotope (δ13Corg), grain size and CaCO3 analyses were carried out on discrete samples. The studied cores represent both proximal and distal basinal environments of the eastern Lower Saxony Basin and can be reliably correlated by utilizing variations in selected X-ray flourescence elemental ratios, K/Ti data have proven to be particularly suitable in this regard. The core correlation shows that chemostratigraphic variability within the studied succession is laterally reproducible in the eastern Lower Saxony Basin, and can be used to establish a sequence stratigraphic framework. Further, Si/Al and Ca/Ti ratios have been applied to characterize the cores in terms of variation in grain size and CaCO3 content, respectively. Vertical grading trends inferred from Si/Al changes were used to identify transgressive and regressive systems tracts within the studied succession. An important regression in the uppermost lower Valanginian coincides with the onset of the Valanginian Weissert Event, as indicated by the well-known positive δ13C shift, and, thus, supports the idea that the initial interval of this event corresponds to enhanced supply of terrigenous material. The results of this study are also in agreement with previously recognized transgressive–regressive trends in the Lower Saxony Basin and adjacent areas. This clearly shows that systematic geochemical variations recorded in mudstone-dominated basinal settings are suitable to establish sequence stratigraphic frameworks.
KW - Lower Cretaceous
KW - Lower Saxony Basin
KW - mudstones
KW - sequence stratigraphy
KW - Weissert Event
KW - X-ray fluorescence core scanning
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85086585708&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/dep2.83
DO - 10.1002/dep2.83
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85086585708
VL - 6
SP - 236
EP - 258
JO - The Depositional Record
JF - The Depositional Record
SN - 2055-4877
IS - 1
ER -