About This Item

Share This Item

The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Journal of Sedimentary Research (SEPM)

Abstract


Journal of Sedimentary Research
Vol. 82 (2012), No. 8. (August), Pages 559-570
Research Methods

Cathodolumenescence Spectra of Quartz as Provenance Indicators Revisited

Carita Augustsson, Annalena Reker

Abstract

We present a discrimination scheme for cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra of quartz as a tool in provenance studies. We analyzed > 1000 quartz crystals from 58 samples of different plutonic, volcanic, metamorphic, and pegmatitic rocks. The technique is based on the measurement of the relative intensity of the two main emission centers in visible light at 470–490 nm and 600–640 nm. The results confirm a red, violet, or bright to medium Previous HitblueNext Hit luminescence for volcanic phenocrysts, mainly bright Previous HitblueNext Hit colors for felsic plutonic and high-temperature metamorphic quartz, as well as brown to dark Previous HitblueNext Hit CL for quartz of low-temperature metamorphic origin. These and additional results for mafic plutonic (dark Previous HitblueNext Hit) and pegmatitic quartz (bright Previous HitblueTop) lead to a possible discrimination with the following rock grouping: (1) volcanic quartz, (2) low-temperature metamorphic and mafic plutonic quartz, and (3) felsic plutonic, high-temperature metamorphic, and pegmatitic quartz. In the proposed scheme, 87% of the spectra are classified correctly. The three quartz groups can be taken as an estimate for the amount of volcanic, metamorphic, and plutonic quartz in sediments, unless major input from plutonic, high-temperature metamorphic, or pegmatitic quartz has taken place. Hence, despite criticism within the literature during the last decades, the CL colors of detrital quartz still can be used as provenance indicators. We finally conclude that the measurement of wavelength spectra is a fast and straightforward method to determine quartz-bearing source rocks of siliciclastic sediments.


Pay-Per-View Purchase Options

The article is available through a document delivery service. Explain these Purchase Options.

Watermarked PDF Document: $14
Open PDF Document: $24