Sedimentary models of Precambrian ergs in Brazil and India

• Grant number: 17/03649-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2017
• End date: February 29, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Giorgio Basilici
• Grantee: Giorgio Basilici
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências (IG). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Francisco Romério Abrantes Júnior ; Patrick Francisco Führ Dal' Bó ; Prabir Dasgupta ; Tapan Chakraborty

Abstract

Are the Precambrian erg depositional systems similar to present ergs in inland deserts? Is the lack vegetation in the terrestrial Earth the main controlling factor for formation of aeolian deposits in pre-Silurian age? Or did other factors control the Precambrian sedimentation in aeolian-dominated systems? These are the main questions and the leitmotiv that drive this project. The abundance and good exposures of Precambrian aeolian deposits in Brazil and India, the general paucity of knowledge in global scientific community of the Brazilian Precambrian aeolian deposits and the good scientific relationships between the Instituto de Geociencias (UNICAMP) and the Geological Studies Unit (Indian Statistical Institute - India) are other relevant reasons that helped to realise the formulation of this project. The study areas are localised in Precambrian aeolian sedimentary successions in Brazil (Galho do Miguel Formation) and India (Venkatpur sandstone Formation), exposures of which constitute optimal conditions to develop this project. Main objective is define the factors that controlled the architecture in these Precambrian aeolian deposits, and, in particular, if the absence of vegetation was a major factor in inducing construction and accumulation of aeolian deposits. This main objective is planned to be realised in following four steps (or secondary objectives), that are, in order: i) definition of the sedimentary structures and interpretations of processes; ii) reconstruction of an architectural model; iii) sequence stratigraphic analysis of the architectural model; iv) comparison of the obtained model with published models of post-Silurian ergs. Most of the data is acquired in the field by detailed analysis of the lithofacies, descriptions of 2D and 3D sections, high-resolution photographic reproductions and collection of samples. In the laboratory, other data are acquired by graphical reproduction of stratigraphic sections, cut and polished samples of rock, microscopic analyses in thin sections, surface microtextures analysis of quartz grains. The expected results of this research depend on the acquired data and relative discussion. Thus, in this planning phase we can only highlight the main points that could be object of discussion and the possible results. The discussion should regard: 1) the comparison of our architectural models with forward and literature architectural models of ergs and 2) tentative to define the controlling factor of our Precambrian architectural models. Finally, the likely results can be: (1) the distinction of the controlling factors that generated the sedimentary succession of Galho do Miguel and Venkatpur Sandstone Formations; (2) the comparison of our models with post-Silurian and pre-Silurian erg sedimentary successions to check analogies and/or differences. (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BASILICI, GIORGIO; MESQUITA, AQUILA FERREIRA; THEODORO SOARES, MARCUS VINICIUS; JANOCKO, JURAJ; MOUNTNEY, NIGEL PHILIP; COLOMBERA, LUCA. A Mesoproterozoic hybrid dry-wet aeolian system: Galho do Miguel Formation, SE Brazil. Precambrian Research, v. 359, JUL 1 2021. (17/03649-9)

ABRANTES, JR., FRANCISCO R.; BASILICI, GIORGIO; THEODORO SOARES, MARCUS VINICIUS. Mesoproterozoic erg and sand sheet system: Architecture and controlling factors (Galho do Miguel Formation, SE Brazil). Precambrian Research, v. 338, MAR 2020. (17/11091-8, 17/03649-9)

MESQUITA, AQUILA FERREIRA; BASILICI, GIORGIO; THEODORO SOARES, MARCUS VINICIUS; VASCONEZ GARCIA, RICHARD GUILLERMO. Morphology, accumulation and preservation of draa systems in a Precambrian erg (Galho do Miguel Formation, SE Brazil). SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY, v. 412, FEB 2021. (17/03649-9)

BASILICI, GIORGIO; THEODORO SOARES, MARCUS VINICIUS; MOUNTNEY, NIGEL PHILIP; COLOMBERA, LUCA. Microbial influence on the accumulation of Precambrian aeolian deposits (Neoproterozoic, Venkatpur Sandstone Formation, Southern India). Precambrian Research, v. 347, SEP 2020. (17/03649-9)

MESQUITA, AQUILA FERREIRA; BASILICI, GIORGIO; THEODORO SOARES, MARCUS VINICIUS; JANOCKO, JURAJ; MOUNTNEY, NIGEL P.; COLOMBERA, LUCA; DE SOUZA FILHO, CARLOS ROBERTO. Hybrid dry-wet interdune deposition in Precambrian aeolian systems: Galho do Miguel Formation, SE Brazil. SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY, v. 425, NOV 2021. (17/03649-9)