『Abstract
This present study describes the elemental geochemistry of fluvial
sediments in the Kurigram (upstream) to Sirajganj-Tangail (downstream)
section of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River, Bangladesh, with the
aim of evaluating their provenance, weathering and tectonic setting.
Petrographically, the sediments are rich in quartz (68%), followed
by feldspars (8.5%) and lithic grains (7%). The bulk sediment
chemistry is influenced by grain size. Concentrations of TiO2, Fe2O3, MgO, K2O,
P2O5, Rb, Nb, Cr, V,
Y, and, Ce, Th and Ga slightly decrease with increasing SiO2/Al2O3
and grain size, suggesting clay matrix control. In contrast, concentrations
of CaO, Na2O, Sr and Pb increase with increasing
SiO2/Al2O3
and grain size, suggesting residence of these substances in feldspar.
Decrease in Zr as grain size increases is likely controlled both
by clay matrix and heavy minerals. In addition, heavy mineral's
sorting also influences Ce, Th, Y and Cr abundances in some samples.
The sediments are predominantly quartzose in composition with
abundant low-grade metamorphic and sedimentary lithics, low feldspars
and trace volcanic detritus, indicating a quartzose recycled orogen
province as a source of the sediments. Discriminant diagrams together
with immobile element ratio plots show that, the Brahmaputra-Jamuna
River sediments are mostly derived from rocks formed in an active
continental margin. Moreover, the rare earth element ratios as
well as chondrite-normalized REE patterns with flat HREE, LREE
enrichment, and negative Eu anomalies indicate derivation of the
sediments of Brahmaputra-Jamuna River from felsic rock sources
of upper continental crust (UCC). The chemical indices of alteration
suggest that Brahmaputra-Jamuna River sediments are chemically
immature and experienced low chemical weathering effects. In the
A-CN-K ternary diagram, most of the samples close to the plagioclase−K-feldspar
join line and to the UCC plot, and in the field of various lithologies
of Higher Himalayan Crystalline Series, suggesting that rocks
in these series are likely source rocks. Therefore, the elemental
geochemistry of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River sediments is controlled
mostly by mechanical breakdown of lithic fragments and subsequent
preferential attrition of muscovite>albite>quartz.
Keywords: Geochemistry; Fluvial sediments; Provenance; Weathering;
Brahmaputra-Jamuna River; Chemical index of alteration』
1. Introduction
2. Geology and geomorphologic setting
3. Methods
3.1. Sample collection and grain-size analysis
3.2. Mineralogical and geochemical study
3.3. Methods of geochemical data interpretation
4. Results and analysis
4.1. Grain-size variations
4.2. Petrography
4.3. Geochemistry
4.3.1. Major elements
4.3.2. Trace elements
4.3.3. Rare earth elements (REEs)
4.3.4. Correlation
4.3.5. Sorting and maturation
4.4. Provenance and tectonic setting
4.4.1. Major elements
4.4.2. Trace elements
4.5. Weathering in the source area
5. Discussion
6. Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References