SEDIMENTARY PROVENANCE

Provenance of sedimentary rocks

Provenance of sedimentary rocks - some thoughts

source https://web.natur.cuni.cz/ugp/main/staff/martinek/Petro3/1-P3-SiliciclasticsEN.pdf    ... also Carbonates I, Carbonates II, Evaporites
            Morton, A. C., Todd, S. P. & Haughton, P. D. W. (eds), 1991, Developments in Sedimentary Provenance Studies. Geological Society Special Publication No. 57, pp. 1-11.
            Geochemical Provenance of Clastic Sedimentary Rocks in the Western Cordillera: Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Oregon By John Aaron Peterson, Master of Science Utah State University, 2009
            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_mineral_sands_ore_deposits

Provenance Analysis by Modal Composition of Sediments
     Cratons and Margins
     Sediments resulting from Continental vs. Magmatic Arc vs. Recycled Orogen
     Sediments resulting from Geotectonic Position
   Sediments resulting from Humid vs. Arid Climate
   Sediments resulting from Different Basalts based on proportions of Titanium / Manganse / Sodium Oxides
Provenance based on Accessory Minerals
    The seven most "long lived" heavy minerals
    Relative stability of some heavy minerals
    Provenance using Heavy Mineral associations
Affect of Burial Depth on composition
Different Models of Dolomitisation may yield diagnostic features related to climate
Patterns in Evaporite Sediments may yield information as to origins
Mineralogical Associations in Evaporite Sediments may yield information as to origins

The process of determining the provenance / origin of sedimentary rocks can be very useful in terms of economic geology and in determining the sequence of geological events.
For example it may be of value to be able to state that a sandstone was derived from a particular type of granite known for its porphyry copper potential or alternatively that a sediment of interest has been metamorphosed and melted to form the igneous rock you are interested in.

Sedimentary rocks are an important source of information about previous orogenic conditions and the composition of which may describe the evolution of provenance and tectonic setting. As the sediment composition changes through time, the geochemical characteristics of the sediment can be used to understand its geologic history.
The study of sedimentary provenance interfaces several of the mainstream geological disciplines (mineralogy, geochemistry, geochronology, sedimentology, igneous and metamorphic petrology). Its remit includes the location and nature of sediment source areas, the pathways by which sediment is transferred from source to basin of deposition, and the factors that influence the composition of sedimentary rocks (e.g. relief, climate, tectonic setting).

However, the process of determining provenance is quite difficult and beyond the scope of this site's intended audience.
This page takes a brief non-academic look at a few ways to approach the topic... with no attempt to do in depth analysis...

Provenance Analysis by Modal Composition of Sediments

Cratons and Margins

Q=quartz F= feldspar RF=Rock Fragments
modal composition of different groups of sandstones

So a starved passive margin results in initial sediments rich in carbonates / mature quartzites / quartz arenites / some feldspars and is rock fragment poor.
While a destructive margin results in inital sediments with high proportions of rock fragments mainly arkoses / greywackes / some arenites

Sediments resulting from Continental vs. Magmatic Arc vs. Recycled Orogen

Qt=total quartz F=feldspar L= lithic fragments Qm=monocrystalline quartz Lt=total lithic component
provenance categories

So a continental block results in initial sediments rich in quartz and feldspar.
While a dissected magmatic arc results in an initial sediment with similar proportions of monocrystalline quartz / feldspar / lithic components

Sediments resulting from Geotectonic Position

Q=quatrz F=feldspar L=lithic component
mineral compositions from different source areas

Sediments resulting from Humid vs. Arid Climate

Q=quatrz F=feldspar L=lithic component
affect of arid and humid climates on igneous / metamorphic rocks

Sediments resulting from Different Basalts based on proportions of Titanium / Manganse / Sodium Oxides

TiO₂ = titanium oxide MnO= manganese oxide Na₂O = sodium oxide
sediments derived from various basalts

Provenance based on Accessory Minerals

The source of zircon, monazite, rutile, sometimes tungsten, and some ilmenite is usually granite.
The source of ilmenite, garnet, sapphire and diamond is ultramafic and mafic rocks, such as kimberlite or basalt.
Garnet is also sourced commonly from metamorphic rocks, such as amphibolite schists.
Precious metals are sourced from ore deposits hosted within metamorphic rocks.