Abderrazzak El Albani

Chapter 8Productivity and bottom water redox conditions at the Frasnian-Famennian boundary on both sides of the Eovariscan Belt: constraints from trace-element geochemistry

Abtract The Late Devonian Frasnian-Famennian (F-F) mass extinction event coincides in many places with the depositionof C org -rich “Kellwasser” facies. Four F-F boundary sections representative of platform and basin environments from widely separated locations (Morocco, Germany, and France) were analysed for inorganic geochemistry, especially trace elements (redox and productivity proxies), in order to describe paleodepositional environments for the Kellwasser horizons. Ni/Co, V/Cr, U/Th, and V/(V+Ni) ratios, as well as redox trace metal concentrations indicate that oxygen-depleted conditions existed during the times of Kellwasser facies deposition. In platform settings, dysoxic conditions seem to be limited to the Late Frasnian. In basinal settings, oxygen depletion was stronger and persisted into the Early Famennian. Enrichments of Ba, Cu, Ni, that are limited to the Late Frasnian, show that surface productivity was relatively high and organic matter could accumulate, especially in the deeper environments. The stratigraphical distribution of several geochemical markers are linked with two positive excursions of the δ 13 C carb signal that result from enhanced organic matter burial. Reducing conditions likely resulted from high productivity of Late Devonian marine ecosystems. Intense nutrient supply resulted probably from the biogeochemical recycling of nutrients, and/or runoff from emerged lands. Coupled with other factors, such as rapid sea-level fluctuations and climatic changes, oxygen-depleted conditions and eutrophication would have modified Late Devonian environments and could be possible factors in the F-F mass mortality.

Early diagenesis of the Upper Devonian Escuminac Formation in the Gaspé Peninsula, Québec: sedimentological and geochemical evidence

Abstract Clay mineral investigations, pyrolysis of organic matter, and microscopic observation of palynomorphs are used to interpret the diagenetic conditions of the Upper Devonian Escuminac Formation, Quebec, Canada. Pyrolysis of kerogen, vitrinite reflectance, and the presence of smectite show that the sediments of this formation have been subjected only to a shallow burial diagenesis; hence, the geochemical signatures are informative on the palaeoenvironment. Concretions are observed in the Escuminac Formation. Sedimentological and geochemical evidence suggest that these concretions were formed during early diagenesis from biodegradation of organic matter. The well-known fish-fauna of the Escuminac Formation show good preservation, due in part to extensive early diagenetic carbonate cementation. The occurrence of calcite cements and fibrous calcite is attributed to the early diagenetic transformation of pre-existing organic matter.

SAPONITE-RICH BLACK SHALES AND NONTRONITE BEDS OF THE PERMIAN IRATI FORMATION: SEDIMENT SOURCES AND THERMAL METAMORPHISM (PARANÁ BASIN, BRAZIL)

Shales and claystones in the Permian Irati Formation consist of Al-rich or Fe-Mg clay minerals in its southern/central and northern parts, respectively. The constrasting compositions indicate particular geological and paleo-environmental conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the conditions of formation by characterizing the black shales and claystones from different sections of the northern edge of the basin, some of which reveal the presence of intruded diabase sills.Black shales consist of saponite or saponite-talc mixed layers, talc, lizardite, nontronite, and quartz. Green claystones are nontronite-rich but also contain lizardite, talc, and quartz. The chemical compositions of the black shale and claystones, except for one sample (POR-56), exhibit a positive correlation of the TiO2, Cr, and P2O5 contents with Al2O3, which typically results from weathering processes. The presence of saponite, nontronite, and some accessory minerals (spinel, pyroxene, native silver) suggests altered basic-ultrabasic rocks as sediment sources, consistent with the rare earth element (REE) composition being less than the Post-Archean Average Shale (PAAS) or North American Shale Composite (NASC) levels and with negative Ce and Eu anomalies. Sample POR-56 consists largely of nontronite and is anomalously rich in zircon, monazite, and apatite. Chemically, sample POR-56 is different from the black shales and claystones, being richer in Al2O3-Fe2O3, MgO-poor, and having greater REE contents than the PAAS or NASC standards. The POR-56 bed is probably a bentonite resulting from the alteration of volcanic ash in sea water (strong, negative Ce anomaly). The Zr/TiO2vs. Nb/Y relation indicates that the magmatism was andesitic. During the Upper Permian, intermediate to basic volcanic activity was recorded in the Mitu Group of the Central Andes.Close to the diabase sill, the black shales and claystones contain saponite, talc, and lizardite but nontronite is absent. Saponite and talc crystals, however, exhibit a larger coherent scattering domain size (CSDS) and are randomly oriented with respect to the sedimentary bedding. The thermal metamorphism effect is confirmed by the presence of secondary enstatite-augite and albite crystals.