Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geochemistry of Renuka Lake and wetland sediments, Lesser Himalaya (India): implications for source-area weathering, provenance, and tectonic setting

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Geology

Abstract

The geochemical investigation of sediments deposited in the Renuka Lake basin and its adjoining wetland has shown variation in the distribution and concentration of major, trace and REEs. The major elements are depleted in the lake in relation to wetland and that of Post Archaean Australian, Shale (PAAS), except for CaO which is strikingly in excess and has a dilution effect on SiO2 and other oxides and trace elements. The Wetland sediments, on the other hand, are enriched in Al2O3, Fe2O3, K2O and TiO2 and the latter three show a positive correlation with Al2O3 in both wetland and lake sediments suggesting their association with phyllosilicates and similar source rocks. The enrichment of Y, Zr, Ni, Th, U and Nb in wetland compared to lake and their similarity with PAAS in the former, suggests more clay fractions in the wetland. A high Zr/Hf ratio in wetland and lake sediments and a positive correlation of Zr with Y and HREE indicate Zr control on HREEs. However, higher Zr/Yb and Zr/Th ratios in wetland compared to lake indicate mineral sorting during the process of lighter particles (clays) being trapped in wetland soil. This is also reflected from negative correlation of GdN/YbN with Al2O3 and a strong positive correlation with SiO2 in wetland sediments. The wetland in this context has a control on lake sediment chemistry. The chondrite normalized REE patterns are essentially the same for lake as well as wetland sediments but abundance decreases in the former. The similarity of pattern with that of PAAS and negative Eu anomaly indicates a cratonic source of sediments. In a plot of the individual samples, wetland samples cluster while lake samples are separated indicating fractionation of lake sediments. A strong positive correlation of LaN/YbN with Al2O3 and a positive correlation of Zr-∑LREE and Zr-LaN/YbN suggest that LREEs are controlled by both phyllosilicates and zircon. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) indices in lake sediments and in wetland are higher than PAAS indicating moderate chemical weathering in the source area. The petrography, lack of felsic magmatic rock fragments, and negative correlation between Zr-(Gd/Yb)C indicate sedimentary source rocks for the detritus. This is in conformity with the Lesser Himalayan sedimentary sequence belonging to neo-Proterozoic–Proterozoic age and constituting lake catchment of Renuka. The tectonic delineation and discriminant function plots of lake and wetland sediments indicate their cratonic and/or quartzose sedimentary orogenic terrain source that has been deposited in a passive margin setting.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Auden JB (1934) The geology of the Krol Belt. Rec Geol Surv India 67(4):357–454

    Google Scholar 

  • Balasov YA, Ronov AV, Migdisov AA, Turanskaya NV (1964) The effect of climate and Facies environment in the fractionation of the rare earths during sedimentation. Geochem Int 10:951–969

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauluz B, Mayayo MJ, Fernandez-Nieto C, Lopez JMG (2000) Geochemistry, of Precambrian and Paleozoic siliciclastic rocks from the Iberian Range (NE Spain): implications for source-area weathering, sorting, provenance, and tectonic setting. Chem Geol 168:135–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berggren B, Oden S (1972) Analyseresultat rorande Fungmettaller och Klorerade Kolvaten i Rotslam fra Svenska Renningsverk 1968–1971. Inst.f. Markventeskap Lantbrukshogskolan, Uppsala

    Google Scholar 

  • Berrow ML, Webber J (1972) Trace elements in sewage sludges. J Sci Food Agric 23:93–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatia MR (1983) Plate tectonics and geochemical composition of sandstones. J Geol 91:611–627

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatia MR (1985a) Rare-Earth Elements geochemistry of Australian Paleozoic Graywackes and Mud Rocks: provenance and tectonic control. Sediment Geol 45:97–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatia MR (1985b) Composition and classification of Paleozoic flysch mudrocks of Eastern Australia: Implications in provenance and tectonic setting interpretation. Sediment Geol 41:249–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatia MR, Crook KAW (1986) Trace -element characteristics of graywacks and tectonic setting discrimination of sedimentary basins. Contrib Miner Petrol 92:181–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatia MR, Taylor SR (1981) Trace-element geochemistry and sedimentary provinces: a study from the Tasman Geosyncline, Australia. Chem Geol 33:115–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burrard SG, Hayden HH (1908) A sketch of the geography and geology of the Himalayan mountains and Tibet part IV-the geology of the Himalaya

  • Cantrell KJ, Byrne RH (1987) Rare-earth element complexation by carbonate and oxalate ions. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 51:597–605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Condie KC (1991) Another look at rare-earth elements in shales. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 55:2527–2531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crook KAW (1974) Lithogenesis and geotectonics, the significance of compositional variation in flysch arenites (graywackes). In: Dott RH, Shaver RH (eds) Modern and ancient geosynclinal sedimentation. Soc Econ Pa1eont Miner Sp1 Pub, vol 19, pp 304–310

  • Cullers RL, Stone J (1991) Chemical and mineralogical composition of the Pennsylvanian mountain, Colorado, USA (an uplifted continental blocks) to sedimentary rocks from other tectonics environments. Lithos 27:115–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cullers RL, Chaudhuri C, Kilbane N, Koch R (1979) REE in size fractions and sedimentary rocks of Pennsylvanian–Permian age from the mid-continent of the USA Geochim. Cosmochim Acta 43:1285–1301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cullers RL, Barrett T, Carlson R, Robinson B (1987) REE and mineralogic changes in Holocene soil and stream sediments. Chem Geol 63:275–297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cullers RL, Basu A, Suttner LJ (1988) Geochemical signature of provenance in sand size material in soils and stream sediment near the Tobacco Root Batholith Montana, USA. Chem Geol 70:335–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Das BK, Haake BG (2003) Geochemistry of Rewalsar Lake sediment, Lesser Himalaya, India: implications for source-area weathering, provenance and tectonic setting. Geosciences J 7(4):299–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Das BK, AI-Mikhlafi AS, Kaur P (2006) Geochemistry of Mansar Lake sediments, Jammu, India: implication for source-area weathering, provenance, and tectonic setting. J Asia Earth Sci 26(6):649–668

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson WR, Suczek CA (1979) Plate tectonics and sandstone compositions. Am Assoc Petrol Geol Bull 63:2164–2182

    Google Scholar 

  • Fedo CM, Eriksson KA, Krogstad EJ (1996) Geochemistry of shales from the Archean (∼3.0 Ga) Buhwa Greenstone Belt, Zimbanwe: implications for provenance and source-area weathering. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 60(10):1751–1763

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Floyd PA, Leveridge BE (1987) Tectonic environment of the Devonian Gramscatho basin, Cornwall: frame work mode and geochemical evidence from turbiditic sandstones. J Geol Soc Lond 144:531–542

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forstner U, Wittmann GTW (1979) Metal pollution in the aquatic environment. Springer, Berlin, pp 1–486

    Google Scholar 

  • Franzinelli E, Potter PE (1983) Petrology, chemistry, and texture of modern river sands, Amazon River System. J Geol 91:23–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graver JI, Scott TJ (1995) Trace elements in shale as indicators of crustal provenance and terrain accretion in south Canadian Cordillera. Geol Soc Am Bull 107:440–453

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffin GM (1971) Interpretation of X-ray diffraction data. In: Carve RE (ed) Procedures in sedimentary petrology. Wiley, New York, pp 541–569

    Google Scholar 

  • Gromet LP, Dymek RF, Haskin LA, Korotev RL (1984) The North American shale composite: its compilation and major and trace element characteristics. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 48:2469–2482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herron MM (1988) Geochemical classification of terrigenous sands and shales from core or log data. J Sediment Petrol 58:820–829

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi KL (1984) Geography of Himachal Pradesh. National Book Trust, Delhi

  • Mclennan SM (1989) Rare-earth elements in sedimentary rocks: influence of provenance and sedimentary processes. Rev Miner 21:170–199

    Google Scholar 

  • McLennan SM, Taylor JR (1991) Sedimentary rocks and crustal evolution: tectonic setting and secular trends. J Geol 99:1–21

    Google Scholar 

  • McLennan SM, Nance WB, Taylor WB (1980) Rare-Earth-thorium correlations in sedimentary rocks, and the composition of the continental crust. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 44:1833–1839

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLennan SM, Hemming S., McDaniel DK, Hanson GN (1993) Geochemical approaches to sedimentation, provenance and tectonics. In: Johnsson MJ, Basu A (eds) Processes controlling the composition of clastic sediments. Geol Soc Am Spl Pap, vol 284, pp 21–40

  • Murali AV, Parthasarathy R, Mahadevan TM, Sankar Das M (1983) Trace element characteristics, REE patterns partition coefficients of zircons from different geological environments-A case study on Indian zircons. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 47:2047–2052

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nesbitt HW (1979) Mobility and fractionation of rare-earth elements during weathering of a granodiorite. Nature 279:206–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nesbitt HW, Young GM (1982) Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutites. Nature 299:715–717

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pettijohn FJ, Potter PR, Siever R (1972) Sand and sandstones. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Piper DZ (1974) Rare-earth elements in the sedimentary cycle: a summary. Chem Geol 14:285–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potter PE (1978) Petrology and chemistry of big river sands. J Geol 86:423–449

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ronov AB, Balashov YA, Migdisov AA (1967) Geochemistry of the rare-earths in sedimentary cycle. Geochemistry Int 4(1):1–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Roser BP (1983) Comparative studies of copper and manganese mineralization in the Torlesse, Waipapa, and Haast Schist terranes, New Zealand: Unpublished Ph.D thesis. Victoria University of Wellington, p 329

  • Roser BP, Korsch RJ (1986) Determination of tectonic setting of sandstone–mudstone suites using SiO2 content and K2O/Na2O ratio. J Geol 94:635–650

    Google Scholar 

  • Roser BP, Korsch RJ (1988) Provenance signatures and sandstone-mudstone suites determined using discriminant function analysis of major-element data. Chem Geol 67:119–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowe GH (1980) Applied geology of Wellington rocks for aggregate and concrete: Unpublished Ph.D thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington

  • Schwab FL (1975) Frame work mineralogy and chemical composition of continental margin-type sandstones. Geology 3:487–490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siever R (1979) Plate-tectonic controls on diagenesis. J Geol 87:125–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Srikantia SV, Bhargava ON (1998) Geology of Himacahal Pradesh. Geol Soc India Spl Publ 124–137

  • Takahashi Y, Simizu H, Kagi H, Yoshida H, Usui A, Nomura M (2000) A new method for the determination of CeIIl/CeIV ratios in geological materials; implication for weathering, sedimentary and diagenetic processes. Earth Planet Sci Lett 182(3–4):201–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor SR, McLennan SM (1985) The continental crust; its composition and evolution. Blackwell, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Vital H, Stattegger K (2000) Major and trace elements of stream sediments from the lower most Amazon River. Chem Geol 168:151–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The financial support received from University grants commission, Government of India under the project [No. F5–2/98 (SR-I)] sanctioned to BKD and the German Research Council Grant GA 755/3 to GB are thankfully acknowledged. We thank Dieter Garbe-Schoenberg (Institute for Geosciences, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany) for carrying out rare earth elements analysis.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    Brijraj K. Das & Parkash Kaur

  2. Institute of Biogeochemistry and Marine Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Bundesstrasse 55, 20146, Hamburg, Germany

    Birgit-Gaye

Authors
  1. Brijraj K. Das
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Birgit-Gaye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Parkash Kaur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brijraj K. Das.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Das, B.K., Birgit-Gaye & Kaur, P. Geochemistry of Renuka Lake and wetland sediments, Lesser Himalaya (India): implications for source-area weathering, provenance, and tectonic setting. Environ Geol 54, 147–163 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0801-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0801-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation