Geochemistry and depositional environment of fuchsite quartzites from Sargur Group, western Dharwar Craton, India

Abstract

Meso-Neoarchean fuchsite quartzites are present in different stratigraphic positions of Dharwar Craton including the oldest (~ 3.3 Ga) Sargur Group of western Dharwar Craton. The present study deals with the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of the fuchsite quartzites from the Ghattihosahalli belt to evaluate their genesis, depositional setting and the enigma involved in the ancient sedimentation history. Their major mineral assemblages include quartz, fuchsite, and feldspars along with accessory kyanite and rutile. The geochemical compositions are characterized by high SiO₂, Al₂O₃, low MgO, CaO, strongly enriched Cr (1326–6899 ppm), Ba (1165–3653 ppm), Sr (46–210 ppm), V (107–868 ppm) and Zn (11–158 ppm) contents compared to the upper continental crust (UCC). The UCC normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns are characterized by depleted light REE [(La/Sm)_UCC = 0.33–0.95] compared to heavy REE [(Gd/Yb)_UCC = 0.42– 1.65)] with conspicuous positive Eu-anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 1.35–18.27) characteristic of hydrothermal solutions evidenced through the interlayered barites. The overall major and trace element systematics reflect a combined mafic-felsic provenance and suggest their deposition at a passive continental margin environment. The comprehensive field, petrographic, and geochemical studies indicate that these quartzites are infiltrated by Cr-rich fluids released during high-grade metamorphism of associated ultramafic rocks. The Sargur and the subsequent Dharwar orogeny amalgamated diverse lithounits from different tectonic settings, possibly leading to the release of Cr-rich fluids and the formation of fuchsite quartzite during or after the orogeny. These findings suggest a pre-existing stable crust prior to the Sargur Group and the link between orogenic events and various mineral deposits in the Dharwar Craton.