Mineralogy of arc-derived sediment: siliciclastic sediment on the insular shelf of Puerto Rico |
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| Authors: | JOHN A BREYER ARTHUR J EHLMANN |
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| Institution: | Department of Geology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | Siliciclastic sediments on the insular shelf of Puerto Rico are derived from a volcanic arc. The sands are feldspatholithic and subquartzose. They confirm predictions about sandstones of arc derivation in the following ways. The quartz content is low, usually less than 25 %. Feldspar is more abundant than quartz, but less so than lithic fragments. If mud rip-up clasts are excluded from the lithic suite, the ratio V/L (volcanic lithic grains to total unstable lithic grains) assumes values near 0.75. Most of the volcanic lithic grains have textures suggesting intermediate volcanics as source rocks. Ratios of plagioclase to total feldspar are high. Values of the parameter C/Q (stable lithic fragments to total lithic grains) are higher than expected for sandstones of volcanic provenance. Four compositionally and areally distinct assemblages of clay minerals are recognized. Clay suites characterized by major concentrations of both halloysite and smectite are found off the north-west coast. Sediments off the north-central and north-east coasts contain major concentrations of halloysite and lesser amounts of smectite, illite and chlorite. Major concentrations of kaolinite are present off the south-east coast. An assemblage of poorly crystallized smectite with lesser amounts of illite and chlorite occurs off the south-west and south-central coasts. Variation in the mineralogic composition of clays around the perimeter of the island reflects changes in the intensity of chemical weathering and the type of rock exposed in the immediate source area and, in instances, either early diagenetic alteration or, more likely, sorting within the clay fraction by currents on the shelf. |
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