Petrography and Geochemistry of Pre-Ariyalur Sequence in Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu - Implications on Depositional Environment and Palaeoclimate

摘要

The Maruvattur quarry section (Dalmiapuram Formation) is located near the Archaean-sedimentary boundary at the western margin of the Ariyalur-Pondicherry sub-basin. The lithofacies observed in the quarry include boulder-algal limestone and clastic limestone alternating with siltslone and claystone. This amply reveals that the depositional conditions fluctuated between carbonate facies to fine clastic facies. The coarse clastic materials are not found in the litho-sequence suggesting that the source area reached a peneplanation stage. This stage released only fine clastic materials to develop silty clay and siltstone lithologies. The clastic deposition was fine grained, hence it is interpreted that the depositional basin experienced a calm environment. The limestone units are mostly bedded types pointing out that the older biohermal limestone underwent erosion and redeposited as clastic limestone to form biostromal limestone. The clastic limestone has a few impressions of trace fossils suggesting the slower rate of sedimentation in a comparatively deeper marginal basin.