Sr-Nd Isotopic Composition of Pyroxenes as a Provenance Indicator of a Double-Volcanic Source in Sands of the Ofanto River (Southern Italy)

Abstract

The sands of the Ofanto River (Southern Italy) include a volcaniclastic component represented by clinopyroxene, melanite garnet, amphibole and subordinate volcanic lithics. In order to infer the provenance of this component, we have conducted a microanalytical and isotopic study on the volcanic minerals of the sands collected in three different sites along the Ofanto River: (1) upstream sector, where only sedimentary rocks are drained; (2) middle course, along a tributary draining only the Monte Vulture volcanic rocks, (3) the mouth of the Ofanto. Moreover, minerals of the beach sands of the Tyrrhenian Cilento coast were analyzed for comparison. The microanalytical study and the Sr-Nd isotopic composition reveal the existence of two populations of pyroxenes characterized by distinct isotopic signatures and indicating a provenance from two different volcanic sources. One is confidently identifiable with Monte Vulture, and is evident in the minerals of the middle course and mouth sands. The pyroxenes of the upstream sector, isotopically similar to those of the Cilento coast, have a Campanian signature. The simultaneous occurrence of amphibole and garnet point to the explosive eruptions of Mount Vesuvius as the most probable sources of these minerals. The absence of Campanian pyroxenes at the mouth of the Ofanto River could be related to the occurrence of dams limiting the transport of solids along the river.