Study of Volcanic Sediments by Microbeam-PIXE Technique

Authors

Nazrul I. Khandaker, CUNY York CollegeFollow
M. Ahmed, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
M. A. Garwan, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 4-1996

Abstract

Single mineral grains in a suite of Cretaceous (85–90 Ma) volcanic sedimentary rocks were analyzed using the microbeam-PIXE technique to understand fundamental geological processes responsible for micro-scale variation in elemental composition across mineral zones, twinning, cleavage planes, fractures and grain boundaries. Distributions of major and trace elements show distinct geochemical features indicative of a specific geological setting and a subsequent diagenetic process in these volcanic sediments. Examples of mineral zoning, microstructures of variable chemistry and post-depositional fluid flow are discussed using the data on feldspar group of minerals.