Geochemical constrains for unravelling the condition of sedimentation, provenance, paleoclimate variation, and metallogenic implication of the cretaceous deposits of Mayo Oulo Basin (North Cameroon, Africa)

Abstract

The sediments from the Mayo Oulo intracontinental Basin, along the N–S cross section between the Gadavou and Lombel localities in central part of the basin, were investigated through major and trace elements geochemistry associated with palynological analysis to determine their condition of sedimentation, paleoclimate evolution and metallogenic implication along the Cretaceous sequence from the N–S cross section of the central part of this basin. From bottom to top of this sequence there are various types of facies with various concentrations of carbonate. Based on their major oxides compositions, the sediments were classified as Shales associated with Fe-shales, Fe-sands, Wacke and Litharenite. The CIX (Chemical Index of Alteration, 62.65 to 98.14) and PIX (Plagioclase Index of Alteration, 65.00 to 99.13) sediments underwent a various chemical weathering; little chemical weathering in the middle to the upper part of the sequence and moderate to high chemical weathering in the lower part. The discriminant function-based multidimensional tectonic diagrams indicate mainly and respectively arc-collisional and Island arc-active continental margin settings which are consistent with the Precambrian geological history of the study area. The SiO₂ vs. Al₂O₃+K₂O + Na₂O, C-values, associated with trace elements plots such as Sr/Ba, and Rb/Sr, and palynological content (continental or terrestrial species exclusively, dominated by Gymnosperm pollens such as. Inaperturopollenites sp., Araucariacites sp. and Classopollis sp, associated with spores such as Cicatricosisporites sp) indicate mainly arid to semi-arid climate with periodic humid to semi-humid conditions. The Sr/Ba values ranging from 0.084 to 6.408 suggest a fluctuating and sometimes high salinity (Hypersaline milieu). The rare earth elements data show high LREE/HREE ratios (2.86–13.31); high negative and positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu∗ = 0.33 to 1.38) and no Ce anomaly (Ce/Ce∗ = 0.94 to 1.02); these features, together with mixed major and trace element ratios and plots such as, Al₂O₃/TiO₂ ratios (14.31–54.26); Th/Co ratios (0.30–14.58); Ce vs La/Yb, Zr vs TiO₂ and La/Sc vs Th/Co plots, indicate that the sediments are derived mainly from felsic to intermediate or mafic rock composition. Ni/Co (1.86–3.59) and U/Th (0.03–0.76) ratios are consistent with oxic conditions from bottom to top of the sequence. The Al/Si ratio shows positive correlation with CIA, Th, Zr, Hf, Na, K and negative correlation with Ca and Mg. The positive correlation with K, Hf, Na, Zr, and Th from detrital origin and negative correlation with Ca and Mg from chemical origin could suggest the geochemical composition control of grain size. According to the ternary Al–Fe–Mn diagram metallogenic classification, the studied samples are essentially terrigenous and partially weakly metalliferous, close to those from the Babouri –Figuil and Mamfe Basins (Cameroon) and contrary to those from the Sob area (Polar Urals). No marine or transitional fossil species are recorded. The presence of numerous tetrads to dyads indicate a lacustrine or swampy environment surrounded by vegetation.