Preliminary characteristics of rare earth elements and other trace elements in fine-grained deposits from the Triassic-Jurassic transition in the former Mid-Polish Trough

Abstract

Fine-grained siliciclastic rocks from the Triassic-Jurassic transition (Rhaetian–Hettangian) in the former Mid-Polish Trough were the subject of the geochemical study at the Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute in Warsaw. Ninety-four samples of claystones and mudstones from six archived drill cores were analysed by ICP-MS and XRF for rare earth elements (REE) and other trace elements. The results indicate that the sources of most of the claystones and mudstones were sedimentary rocks of the upper continental crust of old cratonic areas, where the protolith had a moderately felsic character. Weathering and recycling processes modified the original chemical composition to some extent. However, during Rhaetian and early Hettangian, some geochemical data in the south-eastern segment of the MPT suggest significant input from a mafic volcanic protolith. Moreover, a clear enrichment in rare-earth elements was observed in few samples, caused by admixtures of accessory minerals (being a main carrier of REE). Nevertheless, based on currently obtained data, the Rhaetian–Hettangian concentrations of REE (and other trace elements) in the MPT are low and they are of scientific indicative significance, not of raw material importance.