Rare-earth element geochemistry of Ordovician and Silurian shales in Lithuania: A provenance study

• Main Author: Šliaupa, Saulius
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Lithuanian; English
• Published: 2002
• Subjects: Silurian; Ordovician; Provenance; REE; Foreland; Geochemistry; Fennoscandia
• Online Access: http://lsmu.lvb.lt/LSMU:ELABAPDB5584108&prefLang=en_US

The Silurian shows a strong similarity of all samples, thus pointing to the domination of one source during the Silurian. Comparison with sediments of different tectonic setting indicates the strongest affinity to source rocks deposited on the passive continental margins. This might be alternatively interpreted as an indication of (1) dominating influx of terrigens from the eastern Sarmatia-Fennoscandia platform or (2) recycled orogen type of the western Caledonides. The similarity of the REE patterns for all samples points to a domination of one terrigenic source in the territory of Lithuania during the Silurian. Yet, a miserable addition of the mafic component in the late Silurian, recognised in the western and central lithofacies, is likely to reflect the advancement of mafic sources. Also, Archean-sourced-like shales were reported from the easternmost part of the basin from Ludlow and Pridoli rocks, which strongly suggests an increased influx from the east in the latter part of the Silurian, which is explained in terms of the basin regression and advancement of the eastern shore line.