CONTRIBUTION OF MULTIVARIATE GEOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND MINERALOGICAL STUDY IN THE CHARACTERIZATION OF SEDIMENTS - THE MIOCENE-PLIOCENE BOUNDARY IN THE SORBAS BASIN (SE SPAIN)
As. Bellon et al., CONTRIBUTION OF MULTIVARIATE GEOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND MINERALOGICAL STUDY IN THE CHARACTERIZATION OF SEDIMENTS - THE MIOCENE-PLIOCENE BOUNDARY IN THE SORBAS BASIN (SE SPAIN), Clay Minerals, 32(4), 1997, pp. 517-530
A mineralogical study and multivariant geochemical analysis have been
carried out to determine the sedimentation processes and the influence
of surrounding rocks on sediments. Analyses were made on the clay fra
ction of sediments and on bulk samples of rocks from nearby reliefs in
the Sorbas Basin (SE Spain). Source rocks were identified by statisti
cal analysis of trace elements and by comparison of the crystallograph
ic parameters of phyllosilicates in sediments and supposed sources. Pa
laeoenvironmental conditions are recorded by specific elements in the
clay minerals. The study of the B and Mg content and of the different
types of smectites and palygorskite found in distinct areas has permit
ted a description of these conditions for this Basin. In this way, dif
ferent types of deposition environment, showing varying degrees of con
finement and influence from marine or continental water, have been dis
tinguished.