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Geochemistry Of Upper Cretaceous Sediments Of Bozeş Formation (Apuseni Mts., Romania) – Provenance Implications, Luminiţa Zaharia, Romona Bălc, Cosmin C. Stremţan, Adriana Socaciu

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

A whole-rock geochemical study was carried out on sandstones from the Upper Cretaceous Bozeş Formation in the southeastern part of the Apuseni Mountains (Romania) in order to constrain their provenance and depositional setting. The geochemical results were compared and integrated with previously reported provenance indicators, such as framework composition and heavy mineral assemblages. The chemical composition is similar for all samples investigated, with limited ranges for both major oxides and trace elements. The sandstones are potassic (Na₂O/K₂O < 1) and can be classified mainly as arenites with a few greywackes. Their immature to relatively mature character is revealed by the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios, ranging between 3.90 and 11.25, as well as their high Sr/Rb ratios. The …