Provenance Studies of Mio-Oligocene Bhuban Sandstones of Surma Group in and around Kolasib, Mizoram, India

Benjamin L Chhangte; Jimmy Lalnunmawia; C. Zoramthara; C. Lalremruatfela; Orizen MS Dawngliana; Malsawmtluangkima Hauhnar

doi:10.51710/jias.v43iI.476

Authors

Benjamin L Chhangte Mizoram University
Jimmy Lalnunmawia Mizoram University
C. Zoramthara Government Zirtiri Residential Science College
C. Lalremruatfela Pachhunga University
Orizen MS Dawngliana Mizoram University
Malsawmtluangkima Hauhnar Pachhunga University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51710/jias.v43iI.476

Abstract

Mizoram is located in the Indo-Burmese tectonic collision zone in the easternmost corridor of the Indian subcontinent, bordering Myanmar to the east and south and Bangladesh to the west resulting in a complex tectonic framework. The region geologically comprises of Oligocene to Miocene sedimentary strata of Surma basin which are texturally and mineralogically immature. In order to enhance the current state of knowledge on the petrogenesis of the sedimentary terrain of this region, the present work deals with the provenance of Mio-Oligocene Bhuban sandstone of Bhuban Formation, Surma Group, around Kolasib in the northwestern section of Mizoram with the help of petrographic and geochemical analyses. Identification of detrital grains and mineral modes in thin section was carried out using LeicaDM4500 P polarizing microscope equipped with Leica DFC420 camera and Leica Image Analysis software (LAS- v4.6). A Gazzi-Dickinson point counting method was employed during modal analysis. Geochemical analyses include major-minor oxides, trace elements and REEs. Results of petrographic and geochemical analyses were plotted in various binary and ternary discrimination diagrams to find out the geological history of the rocks. Detailed petrographic examination indicates that the detrital quartz grains dominate the framework mineral which was followed by rock fragments and feldspars. The classification indicated lithic to sub-lithic arenite of moderate to poorly sorted, fine- to very fine grains. The petrographic analysis eventually confirmed mineralogical and textural immaturity. Based on the petrographic and geochemical studies, rocks of the study area are derived from mixed source ranging from igneous to metamorphic rocks and recycled sedimentary rocks, dominated by felsic igneous and low rank metamorphic sources which were deposited under sub-humid climatic condition in the geological past.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Jimmy Lalnunmawia , Mizoram University

Professor in the Department of Geology at Mizoram University. Supervisor of Benjamin L Chhangte

C. Zoramthara, Government Zirtiri Residential Science College

Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Geology at Zirtiri Residential Science College, Mizoram. Joint Supervisor to Benjamin L. Chhangte

C. Lalremruatfela, Pachhunga University

Assistant Professor in the Department of Geology at Pachhunga University College

Orizen MS Dawngliana, Mizoram University

Casual Assistant Professor in the Department of Geology at Mizoram University

Malsawmtluangkima Hauhnar, Pachhunga University

Assistant Professor in the Department of Geology at Pachhunga University College

References

Armstrong-Altrin, J.S. (2009). Provenance of sands from Cazones, Acapulco, and Bahía Kino beaches, México. Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Geológicas 26 (3): 764-782.

Armstrong-Altrin, J.S., Nagarajan, R., Madhavaraju, J., Rosalez-Hoza, L., Lee Y.IL., Balaram, V., Cruz-Martinez, A. and Avila-Ramirez, G. (2013). Geochemistry of the Jurassic and Upper Cretaceous shales from the Molango Region, Hidalgo, eastern Mexico:Implications for source-area weathering, provenance, and tectonic setting. C. R Geoscience 345: 185–202.

Basu, A., Young, S.W., Suttner, L.J., James, W.C. and Mack, G.H. (1975). Re-evaluation of the use of undulatory extinction and polycrystallinity in detrital quartz for provenance interpretation. J. Sed. Petro. 45: 873-882.

Bharali, B., Borgohain, P., Bezbaruah, D., Vanthangliana, V.,Phukan, P.P. and Rakshit, R. (2017). A geological study on Upper Bhuban Formation in parts of Surma Basin, Aizawl, Mizoram. Sci. Vis. 17(3): 128–147.

Blatt, H. and Christie, J.M. (1963). Undulatory extinction in quartz of igneous and metamorphic rocks and its significance in provenance studies of sedimentary rocks. J. Sed. Petro. 33: 559-579.

Blatt, H., Middleton, G. and Murray, R. (1980). Origin of Sedimentary Rocks. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.

Bracciali, L., Marroni, M., Pandolfi, L. and Rocchi, S. (2007). Geochemistry and petrography of Western Tethys Cretaceous sedimentary covers (Corsica and Northern Apennines): From source areas to configuration of margins. Geol. Soc. Am. 420: 73-93.

Chenkual, L., Kataki, T. and Sarma, J.N. (2010). Heavy minerals of Tertiary rocks exposed in Teidukhan anticline, Kolasib, Mizoram, India Sci. Vis. 10 (1): 8-19.

Fedo, C.M., Nesbitt, H.W. and Young, G.M. (1995). Unravelling the Effects of Potassium Metasomatism in Sedimentary Rocks and Paleosols, with Implications for Palaeo-Weathering Conditions and Provenance. Geology, 23, 921-924.

Fedo, C.M., Eriksson, K.A. and Krogstad, E.J. (1996) Geochemistry of Shales from the Archean (3.0 Ga) Buhwa Greenstone Belt, Zimbabwe: Implications for Provenance and Source Area Weathering. Geochimimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 60, 1751-1763.

Floyd, P.A., Winchester, J.A., Park, R.G., (1989). Geochemistry and tectonic setting of Lewisian clastic metasediments from the Early Proterozoic Loch Maree Group of Gairloch, NW Scotland. Precambrian Res. 45: 203–214.

Folk, R.L. (1980) Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks. Hemphill Publishing Company, Austin, 184 p.

Ganguly, S. (1975). “Tectonic Evolution of Mizo Hills”. Bull. Geol. Min. Met. Soc. India. 48: 28-40.

Girty, G.H., Ridge, D.L., Knaack, C., Johnson, D. and Ruwaina, K. Al-Riyami (1996). Provenance and depositional setting of paleozoic chert and argillite, sierra Nevada, California. J. Sed. Research 66 (1): 107-118.

Harnois, L. (1988). The CIW index: A new chemical index of weathering. Sedimentary Geology. Volume 55, Issues 3–4, 28, pp 319-322.

Hauhnar, M. and Lalnunmawia, J. (2018). Petrography of Barail sandstone of Champhai- Mualkawi section in Champhai district, Mizoram: Implication on provenance and tectonic setting. Adv. in Eng. Res. 178: 66–73.

Hauhnar, M., Lalnunmawia, J. and Dawngliana, O.M.S. (2021). Geochemistry of Barail sandstone in Champhai, Mizoram: Implications on provenance and weathering history. J. Earth Syst. Sci. 130:27.

Hayashi, K.I., Fujisawa, H., Holland, H.D., Ohmoto, H., (1997). Geochemistry of ?1.9 Ga sedimentary rocks from northeastern Labrador, Canada. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 61: 4115–4137.

Herron, M.M. (1988). Geochemical classification of terrigenous sands and shales from core or log data. J. Sed. Petro. 58: 820-829.

Hussain, M.F. and Bharali, B. (2019). Whole-rock geochemistry of Tertiary sediments of Mizoram Foreland Basin, NE India: Implications for source composition, tectonic setting and sedimentary processes. Acta. Geochim. 38: 897–914.

Ingersoll, R.V., Bullard, T.F., Ford, R.L., Grimm, J.P., Pickle, J.D. and Sares, S.W. (1984). The effect of grain size on detrital modes: A test of the Gazzi–Dickinson point counting method. J. Sed. Petro. 54: 103–116.

Jinliang, Z. and Xin, Z (2008). Composition and Provenance of Sandstones and Siltstones in Paleogene, Huimin Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, Eastern China. Journal of China University of Geosciences. Volume 19, Issue 3, June, pp 252-270.

Lalduhawma, K. and Kumar, S. (2014). Petrochemistry of Bhuban Formation rocks in and around Aizawl City, Mizoram, India. Sci. Vis. 14(2): 71–83.

Lalmuankimi, C., Kumar, S. and Tiwari, R.P. (2011). Geochemical study of upper Bhuban sandstone in Muthi, Mizoram, India. Sci. Vis. 11(1): 40–46.

Lalnunmawia, J. and Lalhlimpuii, J. (2014). Classification and provenance studies of the sandstones exposed along Durtlang road section, Aizawl, Mizoram. Sci. Vis. 14 (3): 158-167.

Lalnunmawia, J., Vabeihmo, Ch. and Lalremruatsanga, H. (2016). Petrography and heavy minerals as tools for reconstruction of provenance and depositional environment of Bhuban sandstones in Aizawl, Mizoram. Sci. Vis. 16: 1–9.

Lalnunmawia, J., Hauhnar, M., Laltluanpuii, Dawngliana, O.M.S. and Lalrochani, T. (2020 a). Petrographic analysis of Surma sandstones in Reiek Hill area, Mizoram, India. In Singh, K.K. (eds): Advances in Environmental Research in Northeast India. South Eastern Book Agencies, pp. 241-254. ISBN: 978-9389262-10-0.

Lalnunmawia, J., Hauhnar, M. and Dawngliana, O.M.S. (2020 b). Provenance studies of Barail sandstone in Ngur Village, Champhai District, Mizoram: Constrains from heavy minerals analysis. In Singh, K.K. (eds): Advances in Environmental Research in Northeast India. South Eastern Book Agencies, pp. 283-296. ISBN: 978-9389262-10-0.

Lalnunmawia, J., Hauhnar, M., Dawngliana, O.M.S. and Kumar, S. (2021). Geochemical Appraisal on History and Evolution of Barail Sandstones of Zote-Ngur, Champhai District, Mizoram, India. Sci. Tech. J. 9 (1): 41-48.

Laltluanpuii, Lalchangliana, I. and Lalnunmawia, J. (2019). Provenance and Classification of sandstones of Surma Group of rocks exposed between Dampui and Mamit town. In Malsawmzauva, K, C, (eds.) Proceedings of National Seminar on Natural Resources Management for sustainable development, 2019, Today and Tomorrows Printers and Publishers, pp. 621-631.

Madhavaraju, J. & Ramírez-Montoya, Erik & Solari, L.A. & González–León, Carlos & Monreal, Rogelio. (2018). Geochemistry and Geochronology of the Clastic Rocks of the Morita Formation, Northern Sonora, Mexico. 10.1130/abs/2018RM-313740.

McLennan, S.M. and Taylor, S.R. (1983). Geochemical evolution of Archean shales from South Africa. I. The Swaziland and Pongola Supergroups. Precambrian Research Vol. 22, Issues 1–2, pp 93-124.

McLennan, S. M., (1989). “Rare earth elements in sedimentary rocks: influence o-f the provenance and sedimentary process”. Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Rare Earth Elements. 21: 169-200.

McLennan, S. M., Hemming, S., McDaniel, D. K. and Hanson, G. N., (1993). Geochemical approaches to sedimentation, provenance and tectonics In Johnsson, M. J. and Basu, A. (Eds), Processes controlling the consumption of clastics sediments. Geological Society of America, Spec. Paper. 284: 21-40.

Nandy, D.R., (2017). “Geodynamics of northeastern India and the adjoining Region, Revised Edition”. Scientific Book Centre, Guwahati, Assam. 272.

Nesbitt, H.W. and Young, G.M. (1982): Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutites. Nature, Vol. 299, 715-717.

Pandey, S. and Parcha, S.K. (2017): Provenance, tectonic setting and source-area weathering of the lower Cambrian sediments of the Parahio valley in the Spiti basin, India. J. Earth Syst. Sci. 126: 27.

Parker, A. (1970). An index of weathering for silicate rocks. Geol. Mag., 107, pp. 501-504.

Pearson, K. (1896). On a form of Spurious Correlations which may arise when indices are used in the measurement of organs. Proc. R. Soc., London 60, 489-502

Pettijohn, F.J., Potter, P.E. and Siever, R. (1972). Sand and Sandstone. Springer-Verlag, New York, p 553.

Raza, M., Ahmad, A.H.M., Khan, M. S. and Khan, F. (2012). Geochemistry and detrital modes of Proterozoic sedimentary rocks, Bayana Basin, north Delhi fold belt: implications for provenance and source-area weathering. International Geology Review, 54 (1): 111-129.

Roser, B.P. and Korsch, R.J. (1988). Provenance signatures of sandstone-mudstone suites determined using discriminant function analysis of major?element data. Chemical Geology, Vol. 67, Issues 1-2.

Roy, P., Balaram, V., Kumar, A., Satyanarayanan, M. and Rao, T.G. (2007). New REE and trace element data on two kimberlitic reference materials by ICP–MS. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 31 (3) , pp. 261-273.

Rudnick, R.L. and Gao, S. (2003) The Composition of the Continental Crust. In: Holland, H.D. and Turekian, K.K., Eds., Treatise on Geochemistry, Vol. 3, The Crust, Elsevier-Pergamon, Oxford, 1-64.

Shinjana, S., Mishra, M. and Sarbani Patranabis-Deb (2014). Petrological study of the Kaimur Group sediments, Vindhyan Supergroup, Central India: implications for provenance and tectonics. Geosciences Journal 18 (3): 307 – 324.

Srivastava, S.K. and Pandey, N. (2011). Search for Provenance of Oligocene Barail sandstones in and around Jotsoma, Kohima, Nagaland. J. Geol. Soc. India. 77: 433–442.

Steckler, M.S., Mondal, D.R., Akhter, S.H., Seeber, L., Feng, L., Gale, J., Hill, E.M. and Howe, M. (2016) ‘Locked and loading megathrust linked to active subduction beneath the Indo-Burman Ranges’, Nature Geoscience, 9(8), pp. 615-618.

Suttner, L.J., Basu, A. and Mack, G.H. (1981). Climate and the origin of quartz arenites. J. Sed. Petro. 51: 1235–1246.

Taylor, S. R. and McLennan, S. M. (1985). The Continental Crust: Its Composition and Evolution. xvi + 312 pp. Oxford, London, Edinburgh, Boston, Palo Alto, Melbourne: Blackwell Scientific. ISBN 0 632 01148 3.

Tortosa, A., Palomares, M. and Arribas, J. (1991) ‘Quartz grain types in Holocene deposits from the Spanish Central System: some problems in provenance analysis’, Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 57(1), pp. 47-54.

Xeujing, X., Mingcai, Y., Lianzhong, L., and Huijun, S. (2007). Usuable values for Chinese Standard Referrence Samples of Stream Sediments, Soils, and Rocks: GSD 9-12, GSS 1-8 and GSR 1-6. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research. 9(2): 277-280.

Zoramthara, C., Ralte, V.Z. and Lalramdina, P. (2015). Grain size analysis of Tipam sandstones near Buhchang village, Kolasib district, Mizoram. Sci. Vis. 15: 43–51.