Application of petrography, geochemistry and palynology of the mid-Ordovician – Pennsylvanian sediments of Tabenken in the investigation of Palaeo-environmental alterations of the Oku massif, North West Cameroon

Abstract

This study is effected on the volcano-sedimentary terrain of Tabenken on the Oku massif. Here is a region predominantly underlain by a granitoid basement of Precambrian age (600 ma), overlain in most parts by alkali basalts, andesites, trachytes and rhyolites. Between the basement and volcanics is sandwiched a discontinuous sequence of sedimentary lithofacies composed of conglomerates, sandstones, claystones, siltstones and patches of coal raising the question of the palaeoenvironment. Petrographic analyses, major and trace element geochemistry and palynological analyses were conducted on samples of sediments. Palynological constituents found include amorphous organic matter, phytoclasts, opaque material and palynomorphs consisting of spores with no pollen grains. The presence of cuticles is environmental indicator for delta sediments while abundance of amorphous organic matter (AOM) suggests deposition in a reducing environment. Petrographic studies reveal two cycles of deposition; L1 and L2 separated by Cenozoic outpours. U/Th ratios for the analyzed samples range from 0.3, 0.06, 0.00 to 0.2 and fall within the range of sediments formed in oxidizing environments. This contrasts evidence from AOM hence suggests sediment input cut across climatic and environmental alterations over a long period of time. Sr/Ba ratios range from 0.08 to 0.25 with an average of 0.18 reflecting fresh water environment; while Rb/Sr ratios range from 0.2, 0.29, 0.33 and 0.45 being low and suggests sediments deposited under warm climatic conditions. Diagram of Roser and Korsch, 1986 reveals deposition in a passive margin while Al₂O₃/TiO₂ and Th/Co ratios support sediment input of principally felsic origin with little input from mafic sources.