Characterization and 10Be content of iron carbonate concretions for genetic aspects – Weathering, desert varnish or burning: Rim effects in iron carbonate concretions

Publication date: July 2017
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 173
Author(s): Márta Polgári, Szaniszló Bérczi, Kazuho Horiuchi, Hiroyuki Matsuzaki, Tibor Kovács, Sándor Józsa, Zsolt Bendő, Krisztián Fintor, József Fekete, Zoltán Homonnay, Ernő Kuzmann, Arnold Gucsik, Ildikó Gyollai, János Kovács, István Dódony
The research investigated three iron carbonate (siderite) sedimentary concretions from Nagykovácsi, Úri and Délegyháza, Hungary. To identify possible source rocks and effects of the glaze-like exposed surface of the concretions, we carried on comparative petrological, mineralogical, geochemical and isotopic studies. The samples were microbially mediated siderite concretions with embedded metamorphous and igneous mineral clasts, and had specific rim belts characterized by semi-concentric outer Fe-oxide layers, fluffy pyrite-rich outer belts and siderite inner parts. We investigated the cross section of the Fe-carbonate concretions by independent methodologies in order to identify their rim effects. Their surficial oxide layers showed evidence of degassing of the exposed surface caused most probably by elevated temperatures. The inner rim pyrite belt in the concretions excluded the possibility of a prolonged wet surface environment. Microtextural and mineralogical features did not support desert varnish formation. ¹⁰Be nuclide values of the Nagykovácsi and Uri concretions were far above the level of terrestrial in-situ cosmogenic nuclides, but they were consistent with the lowest levels for meteorites. Though the data were not conclusive to confirm any kind of known origin, they are contradictary, and open possibilities for a scenario of terrestrial meteorite origin.



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