Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Elemental and isotopic tracing of mineral infillings from various microstructures of a fault system into fine-grained sediments: which interacting fluids?

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Elemental contents and Sr isotopic data of calcite and celestite infillings from various tectonic microstructures of the so-called “Main Fault” that occurs in the Opalinus Clay Formation (Switzerland) were used to elaborate on the geochemical impact of this structural system on the fine-grained host sediments. The chemical data of the leachates from vein, slickenside and gouge infillings are significantly different from those of leachates from diffuse calcite of the undeformed and of the highly deformed Opalinus Clay rock matrix called scaly clays. For instance, the fluids flowing within the microstructural veins and slickensides could not derive from pore waters of the host sediments, as the data show that the flowing waters diffused from veins into the matrix. The fluid/rock interactions in the gouges were also different from those in the veins and the slickensides, probably due to an additional pressure-solution impact in the former, complemented by a further local supply of organics from very close sediments. The infillings of the vein and slickenside micro-features and of some scaly clays that precipitated from bi-carbonated and/or sulfated flowing fluids yield an almost constant 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.70774 ± 0.00001 (2\(\upsigma\)). This constrained Sr isotopic value points to a unique homogeneous external source for the tectonic-related fluids that were of probable marine origin, signing those of the early, but also of the late faulting event. Notably different from those seeping presently throughout the host rocks, the initial flowing fluids were apparently related to a late-Eocene marine invasion into the Delémont Basin that occurred during the contemporaneous rifting of the Rhine-Graben tectonic system. The flowing fluids induced by the late Main-Fault system obviously used, at least, some if not most of these earlier tectonic microstructures, as they yield the Sr isotopic signature of their infillings. The regional evolution includes then an initial Rhine-Graben tectonic episode with fluids resulting from a flooding of the deposited sediments and into the faults of the regional active Rhine-Graben rifting by contemporaneous seawater. These fluids precipitated precisely calcite and celestite infillings in the microstructures induced by the rifting that remained then unaffected until the renewed tectonic activation during the late Eocene in the Mont Terri and its fault system. This new tectonic–thermal episode created a new generation of microstructures during the thin-skinned deformation of the Jura Belt within and around the Main Fault, in addition to those from earlier Rhine-Graben event that already existed in the host rocks. Connections between the two generations of veins could be observed at the wall of a new gallery in the rock laboratory. The flowing fluids involved in this late belt event moved apparently along these newly created tectonic microstructures, as well as along older ones when accessible. This duality allowed the preservation of the same initial Sr isotopic signature by partial dissolution of the initial infillings that precipitated about 30 million years earlier in the initial drains of the Rhine-Graben fault system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agar SM, Prior DJ, Behrmann JH (1989) Back-scattered electron imagery of the tectonic fabrics of some fine-grained sediments: Implications for fabric nomenclature and deformation processes. Geology 17:901–904

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arch J, Maltman AJ, Knipe RJ (1988) Shear-zone geometries in experimentally deformed clays: the influence of water content, strain rate and primary fabric. J Struct Geol 10:91–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berger JP, Reichenbacher B, Becker D, Grimm M, Grimm K, Picot L, Storni A, Pirkenseer C, Schaefer A (2005) Eocene-Pliocene time scale and stratigraphy of the Upper Rhine Graben (URG) and the Swiss Molasse Basin (SMB). Int J Earth Sci 94:711–731

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boger PD, Faure G (1974) Strontium-isotope stratigraphy of a Red Sea core. Geology 2:181–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boger PD, Faure G (1976) Systematic variations of sialic and volcanic detritus in piston cores from the Red Sea. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 40:731–742

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bos B, Spiers C (2001) Experimental investigation into the microstructural and mechanical evolution of phyllosilicate-bearing fault rock under conditions favouring pressure solution. J Struct Geol 23:1187–1202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bossart P, Bernier F, Birkholzer J, Bruggeman C, Connolly P, Dewonck S, Masaaki F, Herfort M, Jensen M, Matray JM, Mayor JC, Moeri A, Oyama T, Schuster K, Shigeta N, Vietor T, Wieczorek K (2017) Mont Terri rock laboratory, 20 years of research: introduction, site characteristics and overview of experiments. Swiss J Geosci 110:3–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buatier MD, Chauvet A, Kanitpanyacharoen W, Wenk HR, Ritz JF, Jolivet M (2012) Origin and behavior of clay minerals in the Bogd fault gouge, Mongolia. J Struct Geol 34:77–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cathelineau M, Boiron MC, Fourcade S, Ruffet G, Clauer N, Belcourt O, Coulibaly Y, Banks DA, Guillocheau F (2012) A major Late Jurassic fluid event at the basin/basement unconformity in western France: 40Ar/39Ar and K-Ar dating, fluid chemistry, and related geodynamic context. Chem Geol 322–323:99–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clauer N, Chaudhuri S, Subramanium R (1989) Strontium isotopes as indicators of diagenetic recrystallization scales within carbonate rocks. Chem Geol (Isotope Geosciences) 80:27–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clauer N, Techer I, Nussbaum C, Laurich B (2017a) Geochemical signature of paleofluids in microsructures of the Main Fault in the Opalinus Clay of the Mont Terri rock laboratory, Switzerland. Swiss J Geosci 110:105–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clauer N, Boiron MC, Nussbaum C, Techer I (2017b) Chemical clues for the extent and timing of fluid-mineral interactions in the gouge(s) from the Main Fault in the OPA. In: 35th Technical Meeting (TM-35), Porrentruy, 8–9 Feb. 2017

  • de Haller A, Mazurek M, Spangenberg J, Möri A (2014) Self-sealing of faults (SF) project: Final report. Mont Terri Technical Report 2008-02, 63p

  • Degueldre C, Scholtis A., Thomas B (1998) WS-A experiment: opalinus clay groundwaters and colloids. A sampling and analysis exercise at Mont Terri (June/July 1997). Analytical results. Mont Terri Project, Technical Note 97-20, 45p

  • Dehandschutter B, Vandycke S, Sintubin M, Vandenberghe N, Wouters L (2005) Brittle fractures and ductile shear bands in argillaceous sediments: inferences from Oligocene Boom Clay (Belgium). J Struct Geol 27:1095–1112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doblas M (1998) Slickenside kinematic indicators. Tectonophysics 295:187–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gay NC (1970) The formation of step structures on slickensided shear surfaces. J Geol 78:523–532

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray MB, Nickelsen RP (1989) Pedogenic slickensides, indicators of strain and deformation processes in red bed sequences of the Appalachian foreland. Geology 17:72–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gromet LP, Dymek RF, Haskin LA, Korotev RL (1984) The North American Shale Composite: its compilation, major and trace element characteristics. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 48:2469–2482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haines SH, Kaproth B, Marone C, Saffer D, van der Pluijm B (2013) Shear zones in clay-rich fault gouge: a laboratory study of fabric development and evolution. J Struct Geol 51:206–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holzer L, Muench B, Wegmann M, Gasser P, Flatt RJ (2006) FIB-nanotomography of particulate systems—part I: particle shape and topology of interfaces. J Am Ceram Soc 89:2577–2585

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houben ME, Desbois G, Urai JL (2013) Pore morphology and distribution in the Shaly facies of Opalinus Clay (Mont Terri, Switzerland): Insights from representative 2D BIB–SEM investigations on mm to nm scale. Appl Clay Sci 71:82–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houben ME, Desbois G, Urai JL (2014) A comparative study of representative 2D microstructures in shaly and sandy facies of Opalinus Clay (Mont Terri, Switzerland) inferred from BIB-SEM and MIP methods. Mar Pet Geol 49:143–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingram GM, Urai JL, Naylor MA (1997) Sealing processes and top seal assessment. In: Møller-Pedersen P, Koestler AG (eds) Norwegian Petroleum Society Special Publications. Elsevier, Berlin, pp 165–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishii I (2012) Microstructure and origin of faults in siliceous mudstone at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory site, Japan. J Struct Geol 34:20–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaeggi D, Laurich B, Nussbaum C, Schuster K, Connolly P (2017) Tectonic structure of the “Main Fault” in the Opalinus Clay, Mont Terri rock laboratory (Switzerland). Swiss J Geosci 110:67–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koehn D, Passchier CW (2000) Shear sense indicators in striped bedding-veins. J Struct Geol 22:1141–1151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Labaume P., Maltman A.J., Bolton A., Tessier D., Ogawa Y. and Takizawa S. (1997) Scaly fabrics in sheared clays from the decollement zone of the Barbados accretionary prism. In: Shipley TH, Ogawa Y, Blum P, Bahr JM (eds) Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific results, vol 156. pp 59–77

  • Lacombe O, Angelier J, Byrne D, Dupin JP (1993) Eocene-Oligocene tectonics and kinematics of the Rhine-Saone Continental Transform Zone (eastern France). Tectonics 12:874–888

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lancelot J (ed) (2001) WS-G experiment: Geochemical pore water characterisation of reference argillaceous samples from the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory. Mont Terri Technical Note, pp 99–43

  • Laurich B (2016) Evolution of microstructure and porosity in faulted Opalinus Clay. PhD thesis, RWTH-Aachen University, 2016

  • Laurich B, Urai JL, Besbois G, Vollmer C, Nussbaum C (2014) Microstructural evolution of an incipient fault zone in Opalinus Clay: Insights from an optical and electron microscopic study of ion-beam polished samples from the Main Fault in the Mt-Terri Underground Research Laboratory. J Struct Geol 67:107–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laurich B, Uraï JL, Nussbaum C (2017) Microstructures and deformation mechanisms in Opalinus Clay: insights from scaly clay from the Main Fault in the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory (CH). Solid Earth 8:27–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laurich B, Urai JL, Vollmer C, Nussbaum C (2018) Deformation mechanisms and evolution of the microstructure of gouge in the Main Fault in Opalinus Clay in the Mont Terri rock laboratory (CH). Solid Earth 9:1–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lerouge C, Grangeon S, Claret F, Gaucher E, Blanc P, Guerrot C, Flehoc C, Wille G, Mazurek M (2014) Mineralogical and isotopic record of diagenesis from the Opalinus Clay formation at Benken, Switzerland: Implications for the modeling of pore- water chemistry in a clay formation. Clays Clay Miner 62:286–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lerouge C, Maubec N, Wille G, Flehoc C (2015) BDB1 experiment: mineral characterization and diagenesis. Mont Terri Project, Technical Note 2014-92, p 41

  • Logan JM, Dengo CA, Higgs NG, Wang ZZ (1992) Fabrics of experimental fault zones: their development and relationship to mechanical behavior. Int Geophys Ser 51:33–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazurek M, Hurford AJ, Leu W (2006) Unravelling the multi-stage burial history of the Swiss Molasse Basin: integration of apatite fission track, vitrinite reflectance and biomarker isomerisation analysis. Basin Res 18:27–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McArthur JM, Howarth RJ, Bailey TR (2001) Strontium isotope stratigraphy: LOWESS Version 3: Best fit to the marine Sr-isotope curve 0–509 Ma and accompanying look-up table for deriving numerical age. J Geol 109:155–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Means WD (1987) A newly recognized type of slickenside striation. Shear Criteria Rocks 9:585–590

    Google Scholar 

  • Milliken KL, Reed RM (2010) Multiple causes of diagenetic fabric anisotropy in weakly consolidated mud, Nankai accretionary prism, IODP Expedition 316. J Struct Geol 32:1887–1898

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitra G, Ismat Z (2001) Microfracturing associated with reactivated fault zones and shear zones: What it can tell us about deformation history. Geol Soc Lond Sp Publ 186:113–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morgenstern NR, Tchalenko JS (1967) Microstructural observations on shear zones from slips in natural clays. In: Proceedings of the Geotechnological Conference, Oslo 1, 147–152

  • Nagra (2008) Vorschlag geologischer Standortgebiete für das SMA- und das HAA-Lager, Technischer Bericht 08–04

  • Nierhoff R, Clauer N, Speath G (2011) New findings on the tectono-metamorphic history of the western Rhenish Massif by K-Ar dating of metasedimentary illite. J Geodyn 52:129–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nussbaum C, Meier O, Masset O, Badertscher N (2006) Self-sealing of fault (SF) experiment drilling of resin impregnated boreholes part of drilling campaign of phase 11 drilling data, drillcore mapping and photo documentation. Mont Terri technical note, TN 2006-22. Wabern, Switzerland: Federal Office of Topography (swisstopo)

  • Nussbaum C, Bossart P (2008) Geology. In: Thury M, Bossart, P (eds) Mont Terri Rock Laboratory project, Programme 1996 to 2007 and results, Wabernn, Swiss Geological Survey

  • Nussbaum C, Amann F, Aubourg C, Bossart P (2011) Analysis of tectonic structures and excavation induced fractures in the Opalinus Clay, Mont Terri underground rock laboratory (Switzerland). Swiss J Geosci 104:187–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nussbaum C, Kloppenburg A, Caër T, Bossart P (2017) Tectonic evolution around the Mont Terri rock laboratory, northwestern Swiss Jura: constraints from kinematic forward modelling. Swiss J Geosci 110:39–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orellana LF, Violay M, Henry P, Guglielmi Y, Nussbaum C (2017) Petro-physical characterization of the Main Fault at the Mont Terri Laboratory. The 7th International Conference on Clays in Natural and Engineered Barriers for Rasioactive Waste Confinement, Book of Abstracts, 268

  • Passchier CW (2005) Microtectonics. Springer, Berlin, 366p

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearson FJ, Arcos D, Jordi B, Fernandez AM, Gaucher E, Pena J, Sanjuan B, Turrero J, Waber HN, Griffault L, Boisson JY, Gäbler HE, Gautschi A, Hernan P (2001) Geochemical modelling and synthesis (GM) task: Compilation of aqueous geochemistry data collected during phases 4 and 5, rock property data from all phases and results of phase 5 geochemical modelling. Mont Terri Project, Technical note 2000-36, p 161

  • Pearson FJ, Acros D, Bath D, Boisson JY, Frenández AM, Gäbler H-E, Gaucher E, Gautschi A, Griffault L, Hernán P, Waber HN (2003) Mont Terri Project – Geochemistry of Water in the Opalinus Clay Formation at the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory. Reports of the Federal Office for Water and Geology (FOWG), Geology Series No. 5, p 319

  • Petit JP, Laville E (1987) Morphology and microstructures of hydroplastic slickensides in sandstone. Geol Soc Lond Sp Publ 29:107–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pin C, Joannon S, Bosq C, Le Fèvre B, Gauthier PJ (2003) Precise determination of Rb, Sr, Ba and Pb in geological materials by isotope dilution and ICP-quadrupole mass spectrometry following selective separation of the analytes. J Anal Spectrom 18:135–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piper DZ, Bau M (2013) Normalized rare earth elements in water, sediments, and wine: Identifying sources and environmental redox conditions. Am J Anal Chem 4:69–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pirkenseer C (2007) Foraminifera, Ostracoda and other microfossils of the southern Upper Rhine Graben: palaeoecology, biostratigraphy, palaeogeography and geodynamic implications. PhD Thesis, University of Fribourg.

  • Rieder M, Cavazzini G, D’Yyakonov YS, Frank-Kamenetskii VA, Gottardi G, Guggenheim S, Koval PV, Müller G, Neiva AMR, Radoslovich EW, Sassi FP, Takeda H, Weiss Z, Wones DR (1998) Nommenclature of the micas. Can Mineral 36:905–912

    Google Scholar 

  • Rimstidt JD (1997) Gangue mineral transport and deposition. In: Barnes HL (ed) Geochemistry of hydrothermal ore deposits, 3rd edn. Wiley, pp 487–515

    Google Scholar 

  • Rousset D, Lancelot J, Verdoux P, Clauer N, Leclerc S (2005) Influence of local fluid flow on properties of low permeability Cretaceous siltstones (South-Eastern France): Implications for a nuclear waste deep repository. J Geochem Explor 87:1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter EH, Maddock RH, Hall SH, White SH (1986) Comparative microstructures of natural and experimentally produced clay-bearing fault gouges. Pure Appl Geophys 124:3–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saffer DM, Lockner DA, McKiernan A (2012) Effects of smectite to illite transformation on the frictional strength and sliding stability of intact marine mudstones: Friction and smectite transformation. Geophys Res Lett 39:L11304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samuel J, Rouault R, Besnus Y (1985) Analyse multi-élémentaire standardisée des matériaux géologiques en spectrométrie d’émission par plasma à couplage inductif. Analusis 13:312–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Sasseville C, Tremblay A, Clauer N, Liewig N (2008) K-Ar time constraints on the evolution of polydeformed fold-thrust belts: the case of the Northern Appalachians (southern Quebec). J Geodyn 45:99–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schleicher AM, van der Pluijm BA, Solum JG, Warr LN (2006) Origin and significance of clay-coated fractures in mudrock fragments of the SAFOD borehole (Parkfield, California). Geophys Res Lett 33:1–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sissingh W (1998) Comparative Tertiary stratigraphy of the Rhine graben, Bresse graben and Molasse basin: correlation of Alpine foreland events. Tectonophysics 300:249–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sissingh W (2006) Syn-kinematic palaeogeographic evolution of the West European platform: correlation with Alpine plate collision and foreland deformation. Geol Mijnbouw 82:131–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steele-Macinnis M, Manning CE (eds) (2020) Hydrothermal fluids. Elements 16:375–411

  • Taylor SR, McLennan SM (1985) The continental crust: its composition and evolution. Blackwell, Malden

    Google Scholar 

  • Tjia HD (1964) Slickensides and fault movements. Geol Soc Am Bull 75:683–686

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Urai J, Wong SW (1994) Deformation mechanisms in experimentally deformed shales. Ann Geophys 12(Supplement 1):C98

    Google Scholar 

  • Urai JL, Humphreys FJ, Burrows SE (1980) In-situ studies of the deformation and dynamic recrystallization of rhombohedral camphor. J Mater Sci 15:1231–1240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ustaszewski K, Schmid SM (2007) Latest Pliocene to recent thick-skinned tectonics at the Upper Rhine Graben–Jura Mountains junction. Swiss J Geosci 100:293–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ustaszewski K, Schuhmacher ME, Schmid SM (2005) Simultaneous normal faulting and extensional flexuring during rifting: an example from the southernmost Upper Rhine Graben. Int J Earth Sci 94:680–696

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veizer J, Ala D, Azmy K, Bruckschen P, Buhl D, Bruhn F, Carden GAF et al (1999) 87Sr/86Sr, δ13C and δ18O evolution of Phanerozoic seawater. Chem Geol 161:59–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vrolijk P, van der Pluijm BA (1999) Clay gouge. J Struct Geol 21:1039–1048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warr LN, Cox S (2001) Clay mineral transformations and weakening mechanisms along the Alpine Fault, New Zealand. Geol Soc Lond Sp Publ 186:85–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Will T, Wilson CJ (1989) Experimentally produced slickenside lineations in pyrophyllitic clay. J Struct Geol 11:657–667

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We sincerely thank Drs. B. Laurich (of the Aachen University, Germany, at the time of the study and at BGR since) and J. Uraï (of the Aachen University, Germany) for supplying the microstructural samples and for the discussions during the release of the chemical data. Our thanks go also to the Mont Terri Consortium and Swisstopo for financial support of the FI research project. Dr. René Boutin, engineer of the Laboratoire d’Hydrologie et de Géochimie de Strasbourg (UdS/CNRS), deserves special thanks for the high quality of the elemental database, as well as Dr. Roy Freeman for adjusting and improving the English presentation of this publication. We also would like to give a special credit to two reviewers, who unfortunately remained anonymous, for their comments and remarks allowing an improved presentation and discussion of the results. They definitely deserve our sincere thanks.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut des Sciences de la Terre et de l’Environnement, Université de Strasbourg (UdS/CNRS), 67084, Strasbourg, France

    Norbert Clauer

  2. Equipe Associée 7352 CHROME, Université de Nîmes, 30021, Nîmes, France

    Isabelle Techer

  3. Swiss Geological Survey, Federal Office of Topography Swisstopo, 3084, Wabern, Switzerland

    Christophe Nussbaum

Authors
  1. Norbert Clauer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Isabelle Techer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Christophe Nussbaum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Norbert Clauer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Clauer, N., Techer, I. & Nussbaum, C. Elemental and isotopic tracing of mineral infillings from various microstructures of a fault system into fine-grained sediments: which interacting fluids?. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 111, 1107–1127 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-021-02143-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-021-02143-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation