Major elements of Bara Formation at Ranikot Fort, Southern Indus Basin, Pakistan

Abstract

Major elements of fifty one samples of Bara Formation were observed through X-ray fluorescence in order to investigate and determine the geochemical properties of its sediments. The study of major elements (Si, Ti, Al, Na, Ca, K, Mn, Mg, Fe+3, P & S ) and their ratios indicate that the Bara Formation is dominantly composed of quartz (low). The silica has originated as either biogenically precipitated or in detrital modes. The studied sediments are less mature and are mostly transported in detrital mode. The study area has faced the changing climatic conditions. The Bara Formation deposited under fluvio-deltaic depositional system with rapid rate of sediment deposition. The fast rate of sediment deposition might have produced the reducing environment, and allowed the mineralization of sulphur, which has been found in the studied rock samples.