Isotopic (K-Ar and oxygen) constraints on the extent and importance of the Liassic hydrothermal activity in western Europe

Abstract

AbstractThe K-Ar dates and oxygen isotope data of illite-to-mica mineral phases in Permian to Triassic sandstones from Germany and Libya have been compared to previously published results of similar minerals of Liassic ages taken from lithologically similar rocks in several sites in western Europe and northern Africa. The widespread Liassic age for the micaceous mineral phases can be related to abnormal heat pulses induced by pre-rifting conditions. The temperatures in most cases appeared to be in the 150–220°C range. Some of these hydrothermal activities were responsible for both gas generation and U and Pb-Zn concentrations.An approach combining K-Ar isotope dates and oxygen isotope signatures provides a framework for the characterization of the clay separates used in isotopic investigations and for depicting any crystallization conditions. The trend in decreases in δ18O values relative to increases in K-Ar dates, while the size of the clay fractions in a single sample increases, is indicative of detrital contamination. Varied trends in the δ18O values at constant K-Ar dates for clay fractions with increase in size might be indicative of changes in the pore volume of the host rocks.