The Palaeo-Salinities of the Despositional Waters During the Deposition of “Kussak Formation” of Cambrian age, Exposed at Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The elemental sulphur was investigated in 128 samples collected from Kussak Formation exposed at Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan. The sulphur was analysed in Carbon-Sulphur analyzer to know the local and regional variations of sulphur in the Kussak Formation. It varies from 0.01% to 0.96% in the Formation. The sulphur gradually increases from the eastern Salt Range to the central Salt Range and again decreases towards the western Salt Range. The increase of sulphur towards the central part indicates comparatively more saline conditions within the central Salt Range. The salinity of depositional waters probably decreased again towards west. It is most likely that the quantity of sulphur from east to west represents a general gradual increase in the depth of depositional basin towards central Salt Range. The decrease of sulphur towards west indicates some local highlands, responsible for a local decrease in the salinity of the marine waters.