『Abstract
Lacustrine sedimentary successions provide exceptionally high-resolution
records of continental geological processes, responding to tectonic,
climatic and magmatic influences. These successions are therefore
essential for correlating geological and climatic phenomena across
continents and furthermore the globe. Producing accurate geochronological
frameworks within lacustrine strata is challenging because the
stratigraphy is often bereft of biostratigraphy and directly dateable
tuff horizons. The rhenium-osmium (Re-Os) geochronometer is a
well-established tool for determining precise and accurate depositional
ages of marine organic-rich rocks. Lake systems with stratified
water columns are predisposed to the preservation of organic-rich
rocks and thus should permit direct Re-Os geochronology of lacustrine
strata. We present Re-Os systematics from one of the world's best
documented lacustrine systems, the Eocene Green River Formation,
providing accurate Re-Os depositional dates that are supported
by Ar-Ar and U-Pb ages of intercalated tiff horizons. Precision
of the Green River Formation Re-Os dates is controlled by the
variation in initial 187Os/188Os and the
range of 187Re/188Os ratios, as also documented
in marine systems. Controls on uptake and fractionation of Re
and Os are considered to relate mainly to depositional setting
and the type of organic matter deposited, with the need to further
understand the chelating precursors of Re and Os in organic matter
highlighted. In addition to geochronology, the Re-Os data records
the 187Os/188Os composition of lake water
(1.41-1.54) at the time of deposition, giving an insight into
continental runoff derived from weathering of the geological hinterland
of the Green River Formation. Such insights enable us to evaluate
fluctuations in continental climatic, tectonic and magmatic processes
and provide the ability for chemostratigraphic correlation combined
with direct depositional dates. Furthermore, initial 187Os/188Os
values can be used as a diagnostic tool to distinguish between
lacustrine and marine depositional settings when compared to known
oceanic 187Os/188Os values.
Keywords: Re-Os geochronology; lacustrine; Green River Formation;
Uinta basin; osmium』
1. Introduction
2. Geological setting
2.1. Geology of the Green River Formation basins
2.2. Uinta Basin stratigraphy
2.3. Previous geochronology
3. Sampling and methodology
4. Results
4.1. TOC and Rock-Eval
4.2. Re-Os geochronology
5. Discussion
5.1. Re-Os lacustrine organic-rich rock geochronology
5.2. Comparison of Re-Os dates with Ar-Ar geochronology in the
Uinta Basin
5.3. Re-Os uptake and fractionation
5.3.1. Insights from TOC and depositional conditions
5.3.2. Effects of organic matter type
5.4. Os isotope systematics
6. Conclusions
Acknowledgements
Appendix A. Supporting information
References