Chemical Geology, 67 (1988) 119-139

119

Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - - Printed in The Netherlands

[31

PROVENANCE SIGNATURES OF SANDSTONE-MUDSTONE

SUITES DETERMINED USING DISCRIMINANT FUNCTION
ANALYSIS OF MAJOR-ELEMENT DATA
B.P. ROSER and R.J. KORSCH*
Department of Geology, University of Otago, Dunedin (New Zealand)
Geology Department, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington (New Zealand)
(Received April 21, 1987; accepted for publication July 15, 1987 )

Abstract
Roser, B.P. and Korsch, R.J., 1988. Provenance signatures of sandstone-mudstone suites determined using discriminant function analysis of major-element data. Chem. Geol., 67: 119-139.
Sandstones and argillites from selected New Zealand greywacke terranes represent four differing provenance groups:
P1 (mafic) - - first-cycle basaltic and lesser andesitic detritus, represented by the Maitai terrane and part of the
Caples terrane; P2 (intermediate) m dominantly andesitic detritus (Waipapa and Pelorus terranes) ; P3 (felsie) - acid plutonic and volcanic detritus (Torlesse terrane); and P4 (recycled) - - mature polycyclic quartzose detritus
(Greenland Group). Contrasts in major-element composition occur between the groups due to differing provenance.
Si0~/AI~0:~ and K20/Na~O ratios increase, and Fe20~ T + M g 0 decreases from PI to P4, as a result of petrologic
evolution (P1-P3) and sedimentary maturation (P4). Some parts of oxide or ratio variation diagrams are distinctive
for each group, but considerable overlap occurs due to bulk compositional variation with decrease in grain size. This
overlap is almost eliminated by discriminant function analysis using Al~03, Ti02, F%0:~T, MgO, CaO, Na~0 and K20,
and a plot of the first two functions gives effective separation between the four groups.
Tests of the functions with analyses of volcanic and plutonic rocks from New Zealand and the Lau volcanic arc,
additional sedimentary terranes of New Zealand, and published data of sedimentary suites from Australia and the
Pacific margin give good results, suggesting that the method is a viable technique for provenance determination which
is largely independent of grain-size effects. The functions are applicable only to rocks which lack significant biogenic
fractions, or to those where analyses can be corrected for these inputs. A second set of functions using oxide/A120:~
ratios are designed for samples influenced by biogenic sedimentation. Although classification and test results are
adequate, results are mixed for suites of Tertiary and modern sediments with substantial calcareous or siliceous components from New Zealand, the Japan Trench and the Solomon Islands.

1. I n t r o d u c t i o n
Petrography of sandstones, and in particular
*Present address: Division of Continental Geology, Bureau
of Mineral Resources, G.P.O. Box 378, Canberra, A.C.T.
2601, Australia.

0009-2541/88/$03.50

QFL sytematics, has long been used as a technique for the determination of the provenance
of sedimentary units. It has also been suggested
that mudrocks should be used more extensively
for the same purpose (Blatt, 1985). Lately,
much work has been directed at deriving petro-

graphic parameters suitable for assignment of

1988 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.

120

sedimentary units to plate-tectonic settings

(e.g., Crook, 1974; Valloni and Maynard, 1981;
Dickinson et al., 1983). The use of geochemistry of clastic sediments for similar purposes is
now becoming more prominent as new data become available (e.g., M a y n a r d e t al., 1982; Bhatia, 1983; Bhatia and Crook, 1986; Roser and
Korsch, 1986 ) . As with petrographic work, geochemical studies of sediments are complicated
by major compositional variations due to
changes in grain size, and most effort has been
directed at suites of limited grain-size range. In
an earlier study we examined K20/Na20-Si02
systematics of sandstone-mudstone suites from
three broad tectonic settings, and/bund that the
chemistryofthefiner-grainedmembers, andthe
trends in suites as a whole, can be as distinctive
as the signatures of sandstones alone (Roser
and Korsch, 1986). In this paper we extend that
work by examining chemical variations between clastic sediments from tbur primary
provenance groups, as typified by examples of
ancient New Zealand sedimentary terranes of
well-established provenance, and use the data
to derive discriminant functions based on major-element data of both sandstones and mudstones. Tests with additional and published data
show that the functions are applicable to Phanerozoic sedimentary suites elsewhere,
2. P r o v e n a n c e g r o u p i n g s a n d N e w
Zealand terranes
2.1. PI

Primarily mafic and lesser intermediate igneous provenance, represented here by the volcanogenic sediments of the Maitai terrane, and
a small number of samples from the Kays Creek
Formation of the Caples terrane (Fig. 1). The
Maitai sediments are grey, green and red tithic
sandstone and siltstone, along with conglomcrate and mafic breccia. Aitchison (1985) reports average composition of Q2F26LT~for part
of the Maitai sequence, and other petrographic
work stresses paucity of detrital quartz and K-

feldspar and abundance (80-90%} of volcanogenic detritus consisting of basaltic-4nter~

mediate volcanic lithic fragments, plagioclase
and mafic minerals (Landis, 1974, i980). 'Fbe
detritus was possibly derived from the largely
basaltic volcanic rocks and volcanoclastic sed.
iments of the Brook Street terrane, c~msidered
to be a primitive tholeiitic to calc-alkaline
oceanic island arc (Coombs et al., t276: W i l
t i a m s a n d Smith, 1979; Houghton, 1985). The
Kays Creek samples are of andesitic prove
nance, averaging QsF2oLv~, (Turnbult, t.979 i.
However, their chemistry is more primitive than
all other Caples terrane rocks (see beh~w i, es
pecially the K20/Na20-SiO2 relations {Roser
and Korsch, 1986) and hence they have bee~
included in the P1 category,
2.2. P2

Primarily intermediate igneous provenance,

represented here by lithic volcanogenic greywacke and argillite from the Waipapa and P e
lotus Groups of the Caples terrane. Volcanic
lithic fragments are predominantly andesitic,,
although more evolved volcanic fragments
(dacite, rhyolite, trachyte ) are also present in
the sandstones. Average framework compositions reported by Mayer (1969) and Skinner
(1972) are Q26F4oR24 and Q~F2sR~.,~ respectively. Similar petrography and QFL range ol'
Q~0_3~F~-,~oL~o-75 has been reported by Turnbull (1979) for the Bold Peak, Upper Peak and
Momus/Mt. Campbell formations of the southern portion (Caples Group) of the terrane.
K90/Na20 and SiO2 are higher than in the more
primitive rocks of the P1 category (Roser and
Korsch, 1986). The Caples terrane was possb
bly deposited in a trench environment outboard of the Brook Street volcanic arc and the
fore-arc basin environment of the Maitai Group
(Coombs et al., 1976; Turnbull, 1979; MacKinnon, 1983 ) although timing of sedimenta~
tion may have varied along the length (SpSrli,
1978).

121

[ ~ Greenland- P4
Torlesse - P3

Haast Schist
Caples- P1&2
[-~ Maitai-P]
iiiiiiii Murihiku
ECNI Miocene

~
I
/ ~
I

NO~T.
ISL&ND
1~~
~

SOUT~q
ISLAND

Brook St.

Dun Mt.

100km

Fig. 1. Present-day distribution of New Zealand geologic terranes referred to in the text.

2.3. P3

Felsic igneous provenance (volcanic and plutonic), represented by quartzofeldspathic

sandstone (greywacke) and interbedded argillite of the Permian-Cretaceous Torlesse terrane. Numerous petrographic studies have
concluded that the Torlesse sediments were derived from a silicic crystalline (plutonic-metamorphic) terrain with a lesser
intermediate-acid volcanic component (e.g.,
Reed, 1957; MacKinnon, 1983; Korsch, 1984).
Compositions o f t h e l a t e r Torlesse rocks reflect
cannibalistic reworking (MacKinnon, 1983).

Average QFL compositions from differing aged

petrofacies and areas are in the range Q24F.~0L~6
to QnoF43L17 ( MacKinnon, 1983; Korsch, 1984 ),
and are considerably more quartzose and less
lithic than the more mafic and primitive P1 and
P2 sediments on p.120. Torlesse sediments plot
in the transitional to dissected magmatic arc
fields of the QFL plot of Dickinson et al. (1983),
and are considered to have been derived from
an active continental magmatic arc and deposited in a trench or submarine fan setting at the
New Zealand strike-slip/subduction margin
(MacKinnon, 1983; Korsch and Wellman,
1987).

122
2.4. P4

Quartzose sediments of mature continental

provenance, represented by sandstone and argillite of the Ordovician Greenland Group.
Sandstones are quartz-rich and are poor in
feldspar and rock fragments, averaging Qs0FsR,2
( Laird, 1972), although framework Q values
may have been enhanced considerably by formation of secondary matrix (McLennan, 1984 ).
Most of the rock fragments are quartzite or intraformational sediment (Laird, 1972), and
Greenland sediments would plot in the craton
interior or recycled orogen fields of Dickinson
et al. (1983). Laird considered the sediments to
be derived from a deeply weathered granitic-gneissic terrain, but N a t h a n (1976) inferred the sand fraction to be polycyclic, and
thus favoured derivation from a pre-existing
sedimentary terrane.
The provenance groups outlined above thus
cover a wide Q F L / Q F R range, from virtually
non-quartzose to relatively quartz rich, and
represent a progression from primitive volcanic
arc through active continental margin to recycled orogen. In order to examine the variations
in chemistry over this range of provenance and
environment we have assembled 248 analyses
of greywackes and argillites from the New Zealand terranes. Of this number, 152 are unpublished analyses used by Roser and Korsch
(1986), and the remainder are drawn from the
references cited in Fig. 2. Copies of the unpublished analyses may be obtained from the authors on request. For all analyses the major and
minor oxides were recalculated to 100% volatile
or loss on ignition-free after total iron had been
recalculated as FeeO3 T.
3. B u l k c h e m i c a l v a r i a t i o n s
Harker variation diagrams for TiO2, A1203,
Fe203 T and MgO show linear trends from argiltite to sandstone within each group, reflecting decreasing proportions of matrix-sized
detritus (Fig. 2). This is particularly marked

for the more mature P3 and P4 groups, whicll

have parallel and overlapping trends. The
ranges in P I and P2 are smaller, and samples
cluster at lesser SiO2 and greater oxide con~
tents, indicative of lower Q and greater
mafic-intermediate volcanogenic componem.
Linearity on NaeO, K20 ( Fig. 2 ) and ( ;aO plots
is marked only in the P3 and P4 suite~ The P]
and P2 groups occupy diffuse fields and segregation of sandstone and argillite is considerably
poorer, presumably a consequence of ~he relative immaturity of the sediments. C(mlents of
the minor oxides MnO and P~O~-, are variable
and show little contrast between ~he tbur
groups, with MnO ranging overall to ~).:~ wt~'i
and P20,~ from 0.05 to 0.35 wt,[~i.
Sandstones from the four groups occ~py re~atively discrete fields on plots of the ratios
AI203/SiO,) and K20/Na~O against Fe~O:~
+ MgO (Fig. 3). These indices are a m ~ g those
tound to be the most discriminating fbr tectonic
setting in sandstones ~Bhatia. 1983 J. As tbr the
Harker diagrams, overlap is increased when the
argillites are included, and no areas on t he plots
are distinctive for all samples from any terrane.
Most overlap, however, consists of argitlite from
one group with sandstone of another, lt'~ he full
grain-size spectrum in suites is sampled, ambiguity can be minimised, and some indicat ion o~
provenance gained from simple chemical plots.
Sandstones from the P1-P3 groups pk)t near
the composition of appropriate average ,~Ji
canic rocks ( Figs. 2 and 3 ~. suggesting that their
chemistry largely reflects that of theH ~ source
terranes. The P1 to P3 trend overall resembles
the "differentiation" trend of the linked aver.
ages (e.g., MgO, Fig. 2 ). although some deviations do occur. P1 sediments are enriched in
Al.~O3 and depleted in CaO and K20 relative to
the range basalt-andesite, and P2 richer in TiO,,
and Na20 and poorer in CaO relative to andesite-dacite. In the P3 sandstones Ti02, Fe20:~.,.
and MgO are enriched and K,~O depleted. P[
and P2 argillites do not contrast greatly with
their sands, whereas P3 argillites diverge considerably from the magmatic trend line. The P4

123

"" ",p

,.o

TiO2

,,~
.%
...,%.~
~

0.5

"

"'-," ~
G

"'R

12

' "

",:.;:..

;o

2:

%oo
-

~l~:D.t~

MgO

.. ,....-~ -~, ,.

'
AI203

,' d'

..tP"

'

1 6 t-_ . . . . . .

oo

'

.0

Fe203T

%:..:

2oF... %=

i~,'.

24

75
SiO 2

fa

.~ . . , a" n., . . "

Na20

: ~ : , ~ " ...

~o.'.:""

Imm

~,

81o

K20

, . ~ ' ( . ' ~ ; . . .
.
o ....
".~" :

'4

60

~,

- . . . . ,

o
i

70
SiO 2

80

Fig. 2. Harker variation diagrams for New Zealand sediments from the four provenance groups. Symbols: squares = P] (Maitai and Kays Creek) ; diamonds = P2 (Waipapa-Pelorus) ; circles = P3 ( Torlesse ) ; triangles = P4 (Greenland). Open symbols are argillites, filled sands. All data recalculated to 100% LOl-free. Letters A, D, R and G are average andesite, dacite,
rhyolite and granite, respectively, from Le Maitre (1976). Dashed line connects average basalt (off-scale at 48% SiO~)
through rhyolite. Data for this study supplemented by analyses drawn from Reed (1957), Nathan (1976), Wood (1976),
Eggers (1978), Landis (1980), Rowe (1980), Reid (1982), Foley (1984), Orr (1984) and Graham (1985).

group plot well away from average rhyolite or

granite, in keeping with its polycyclic character. Significant weathering of the Greenland
Group source terrane is indicated by values for
the chemical index of alteration (CIA) of Nesbitt and Young (1982), which averages 70.2
(range 64-75) in the P4 argillites. This contrasts with an average of 64 for the P3 (Tor-

lesse) argillites, and 62 and 60 for the PI and

P2 suites, respectively.
The discrepancies seen within individual
groups with respect to their appropriate volcanic precursor do not imply derivation from
distinct monolithlogic protoliths, however. In
a study of sediments derived from the Solomon
Islands volcanic arc, Crook et al. (1984) noted

124
I

0.4

'

Standardised discriminant function coefficients

o o
, t ~
,,R -~
"~,
_

"

AIoO,~

................................................

F
"

Fig.

0.168

- 0.987

1.027
- 1.085
0.643

-0.338
- 0.827
0A57

.... i. 229
0.48;~
0.331

Na,,Oo
K,:O

0.392
- 1.142

1A3~
1.33 :i

0.38t
LS0S

7.48

3,94

64.57

34.01

1,42

64.57

98~58

t!)(i. )0

0.94

0.89

0.:~

,'

hi

t~

........................................................................................

eft"

hi~-II.u-.

@ @
~3 0 #
.~-..r "-*'~)'O-A$,,,~,
~ - . :; ~. _. . . . .._
. . . .
o ..oO. )
. . ,

.
..
1 II

/
5
)o
~s
Fe203T+Mg O

3. Plots of

1.464

Fe,20:, T
MgO
CaO

Eigenvalue
Per cent of
variance
Cumulative
per cent
Canonical
correlation

.
.:' ..

.. q:
i ~, <~'~

~2.~-%

F2
F3
..............................................................

lo

F1

~ . .-' ' -~c"b

' Y ~' a~' "'~
a .". . . - ~: ~: ~ - . . . . . . .

0 1
.

.....\

TABLE

0 ~ 0.3 i

S -t

A1203/Si02

and

K20/Na20

i
~
~

vs.

Fe20a T + MgO. Data, symbols and sources of analyses as in

Fig. 2.

that the chemical trends mimic those of the

source volcanics, but concluded that departures
from the magmatic trend were the product: of
chemical differentiation during weatheringand
transport, rather than evidence of discrete
sources for individual samples.

groups of standard data (in this case the P1 .-P4

categories based on the New Zealand terranes
described in pp. 120-122). The technique is described by Klovan and Billings (1967)~ and has
been applied previously to geochemical data
(Middleton, 1962; Chayes and Velde, 1965;
Pearce and Cann, 1971; Bhatia, 1983; Sugisaki,
1984). The analysis for this work was made using the discriminant procedures available in the
S P S S -~ package (Norusis, 1985)()n a VAX '~

11/780. P205 and M n O were not included in the

analysis, as concentrations are low and analyt.ical precision poorer than for the major oxides.
The remaining oxides were screened by step,
wise selection, and all except SiO2 were identi,
fled as discriminating variables.

Classification results

4. D i s c r i m i n a n t function analysis

4.1.

Although some portions of the variation diagrams discussed above may be provenance distinctive, we have examined the data using
discriminant function analysis in an a t t e m p t to
improve separation between the groups. The
object of this analysis is to derive a set of linear
functions based on multiple variables, designed
to achieve best separation between pre-defined

Standardised discriminant function coefficients and allied statistics are given in Table 1:
Large eigenvalues and canonical correlations for
the first two functions (F1 and F2) suggest they
are potentially good discriminators, and toilettively they account for 98,6% of the variability
in the data. A territorial plot ( Fig. 4 ) Of the F [

125

. . . .
P~

,
H

p'2

"~R.G

4
,
F2

~ ' '

.c,.

'~,~*.~"t--~
"/ ' ~ '~! " ~~,"~~'~#
~

"~"

D.

~
"~J
-4

-8

. ."
.~ ..
: ~B
~nl

~,

P4
'
-8

pl
-4

'

'

'

'

F1

Fig. 4. Classification plot of function 1 ( F I ) and function

2 (F2) for the New Zealand sediments ( n = 2 4 8 ) . Open

symbols are argillites, fiUedgreywackes. Squares=PI;diamonds=P2; circles=P3; triangles=P4. Boundaries f r o m

SPSS--" software. Crosses are group centroids, and solid
lines mark group boundaries. Letters B, A, D, R, RH and G
are average compositions of basalt, andesite, dacite, rhyodacite, rhyolite and granite, respectively, from Le Maitre
(1976). Dotted line joins the averages from basalt through
rhyolite.

and F2 scores of the classification set samples,

calculated from the unstandardised discriminant function coefficients (Table II), shows
relatively good separation between the pre-defined groups when compared with the variation
diagrams. Separation is marked for the recycled P4 group, but slight overlap remains between P1 and P2, and P2 and P3. This is not
TABLE II
Unstandardiseddiscriminantfunctioncoefficients

TiO,
AI=,O:~
Fe=,O:~T
MgO

CaO
Na20

K,O

Constant

F1

F2

1.773
0.607
0.760
-1.500
0.616
0.509
- - 1.224

0.445
0.070
- 0.250
-1.142
0.438
1.475
1.426

- 9.090

- 6.861

unexpected, as the progression P1-P3 mimics

the evolutionary trend of the volcanic rock averages (Fig. 4). Coincidence with appropriate
volcanic averages suggests that the bulk chemi s t r y o f t h e sediments reflects well that of their
proposed protoliths. The territorial plot also
shows that although grain-size effect in each
group is reduced it is not eliminated. In the P3
and P4 groups sandstone and argillite overlap,
but are slightly displaced. The degree of displacement, however, is much reduced compared with the variation diagrams.
Using the territorial plot itself to backclassify each individual sample, 95.2% of the classification cases are assigned to the correct group.
A rate of 85.1% is gained for a set of 388 additional Torlesse (P3) and Caples-Pelorus t e r rane
(P2) samples (B.P. Roser and R.J.
Korsch, unpublished data, 1986) not included
in the original analysis.
The results above suggest that the functions
derived may be effective in establishing the
b r o a d p r o v e n a n c e of greywacke-argillite suites.
T o explore the relationship between protolith
and sediment we have examined data for several suites of volcanic and plutonic rocks, and
tested the viability of the discriminant with
analyses of sedimentary suites of well-established provenance from elsewhere in the world.
5. V o l c a n i c a n d p l u t o n i c s u i t e s
The positions of the volcanic rock averages
in Fig. 4 indicate that the discriminant fields
reflect the chemistry of appropriate protoliths.
Use of averages, however, conveys no impression of the variability within each volcanic
lithotype or of variation in chemistry due to differing magma series, factors which may influence the composition of' derived sediments.
Cenozoic volcanic rocks of the currently active Taupo Volcanic Zone were erupted in a
marginal basin related to the New Zealand subduction margin. Lavas range from basalt
through to rhyolite, and all are calc-alkaline in
composition (Cole, 1979a). A plot of discrimi-

126

n a n t s c o r e s calculated from the u n s t a n d a r d i s e d

coefficients (Table II) shows a relatively
orderly progression from basalt a n d basaltic
andesite ( P I ) t h r o u g h andesites a n d dacites
( P 2 ) to rhyolites a n d ignimbrites ( P 3 ) in a
broad arcuate t r e n d (Fig. 5A). A n u m b e r of
samples, however, have large negative F1 a n d
F2 scores a n d overlap the P4 field in a region
d e n o t e d p I E X T due to high scores on MgO a n d
Fe203 T. T h i s suggests t h a t the samples used to
define the P I provenance field do not fully, cover
the compositional range of more m a g n e s i a n
volcanic rocks, a n d s e d i m e n t s so derived m a y
therefore plot in p 1 E X T if bulk c h e m i s t r y is
i n h e r i t e d with little alteration. T h e possibility
of confusion with P4 s e d i m e n t s proper seems
small, however, as n o n e of the recycled sedim e n t s of the classification set or those examined below fall in the overlap zone (PI~XT).

D a t a from the low- to m e d i u m - K Lau Volcanic Group, representing early a n d m a t u r e arc

stages (Cole et al., 1985) follow a similar ar:
cuate p a t t e r n to the T a u p o Volcanic Zone calc-alkaline rocks a n d progress from basalt to dac~A~TAUPO VOLCANIC ZONE
8~ . . . . .
' - - ~ T ................
P3
4~
o ~wi.o
~
i ,~ ~
-~
~
0 ~ ~,~
..........
o
" . . "~

.,

_~
~,

,!

...:~""

" 'O~o%."

~'o

-~

?>.
. ".

oo

$::q

.p1EXT oO
~'io
o
[
"'" ' ' ~' "o

........................

(~ LAU & MAGO VG.

8 I

iP3

Fig. 5. Discriminant plots of igneous rocks and averages.

A. Calc-alkaline volcanic rocks from the T a u p o Volcanic
Zone (TVZ),NewZealand (dataofCole, t979b) ( n = 2 3 5 ) .

TVZ....
4t

SH' /

Dashedlinemarksbroadtrend(fittedbyeye).MagoGroup
(alkalic) ( n = 8 ) : inverted triangles=basalts. (3 are offscale in p1EXT.) DottedlineisfortheTaupoVolcanicZone
scores ofbasalts (B) through basaltic andesites (b) to andesites (A) of the high-K (HK) and shoshonitic (SH)
volcanic series (appendix IV of Ewart, 1982).
C. Granitoids from the Paparoa Range, New Zealand (P.J.
White, unpublished data, 1987) and average ptut0nic rocks
( Le Maitre, 1976 ) ( n = 32 ). Filled circles= granites; open
circles= granodiorites. GA = average gabbro; D - diorite;
GD= granodiorite; G = granite.

-8 l
/

P4

~-----~--~

"
//,.'*'.~"
,' ,: ~ ' , -

Symbols:fiUedcircles=basalts;opencircles=low-Sian-i/~,~'.i~
desites; filled triangles=andesites; squares = dacites; open
F2 0
diamonds=ignimbrites; filled diamonds=rhyotites and
obsidians. Dotted line denotes general trend (fitted by eye),
solid lines and crosses are boundaries and group centroids,
i
respectively, from Fig. 4. Area between the dashed line and
-4 !
the P1-P4 boundary (denoted pi~'xT) encloses TVZ rocks
i
."
plotting in the P4 field. Some data points hidden or omitted for clarity, but scatter of lithotypes fully represented.
B. Volcanic rocks from the Lau and Mago Volcanic Groups,
Fiji (data of Cole et al., 1986), and averages of high-K and
shoshonitic basalts to andesites (Ewart, 1982). Lau Group
(low-intermediate K) ( n = 1 3 9 ) : filled circles=basalts;
open circles=basaltic andesites; filled triangles= andesites; open squares= dacites; filled diamonds = rhyolites.

'

.............!

~:':~

........

.K ~ "~o~,'(" "
:
, t . ,%,0
~ ~ . . . . . o,. o
h ~i/
~a -o~.* * ,
/ " ~,
" ~ -, I~
~
"~*
'
" . . . , .... "
P~ ,

"'

,.'""
~"

PAPAROA

P3

~ ~

. . . . .

,i

..............

/
GD

..

J ' ..........

/"/'o
-4

-s

~.~

P4

/
-8

- '4

.... /
%0

F2

~T-/

--it?

,'1 I'T6"

4i

1~
~

G~
~

127

ite/rhyolite, although none plot in p1EXT (Fig.

5B). The overall trend is however displaced to
the right (greater F1 ). In contrast, intraplate
alkali olivine basalts from the Mago Volcanic
Group in the same area (Cole et al., 1985) plot
parallel but left of the Taupo Volcanic Zone line
and a c r o s s p1EXT. Average data for high-K and
shoshonitic basalts to andesites also plot to the
left of the Taupo trend, and spread into P3 for
the shoshonites,
The pattern from the low-K20 Lau trend to
high-K20 shoshonite thus reflects an evolutionary sequence in orogenic lavas, and has several implications to this work. Firstly, it suggests
that sediments derived from the more basic
shoshonitic or high-K rocks are likely to be
misclassified. Thus, for P I - P 3 sediments the
present discriminant is therefore applicable
only to low-K or calc-alkaline source terranes,
and to the more siliceous high-K and shoshonitic lithotypes. This restriction may not be too
severe, however, as the frequency of the latter
rocks in orogenic regions is greatest in the range
andesite-rhyolite (Ewart, 1982). Secondly, and
more importantly, the pattern may in future
permit the identification in sediments of the
magma series of the protoliths, if the step from
source terrane to sediment has been conservative geochemically.
Patterns for average plutonic rocks are similar to those of the volcanics. Values from gabbro to granite plot in an arc from P1 to P3 (Fig.
5C ) in positions comparable to volcanic equivalents. Individual samples from an example
suite (granitoids from the Paparoa Range of
New Zealand; P.J. White, unpublished data,
1987) plot in P3, with granodiorites displaced
from granites.
Results for the volcanic and plutonic rocks
confirm the provenances attributed by independent studies to the classification data
groups. The patterns in the Taupo and Lau data,
however, emphasise that chemical composition
is a continuum, and the boundaries between
provenance groups should be viewed as guides
rather than rigid divisions. Overlaps across

boundaries must be expected due to magmatic

evolution and the sedimentary processes that
preserve a record of that evolution.
6. S e d i m e n t a r y suite~
Several previously published geochemical
data-sets of sediments of differing ages from
different tectonic settings around the world
have been compared with the discriminant
function plots developed here.
6. I. Australia

Quartz-poor volcanogenic sandstones from

the Late Devonian Baldwin Formation of New
South Wales are of andesitic provenance
(Chappell, 1968), and represent fore-arc basin
deposits derived from a calc-alkaline island arc.
Chemistry of the sandstones is comparable with
that of average andesite apart from enrichment
in Na20 (Chappell, 1968). This is confirmed
by the discriminant (Fig. 6A), with samples
lying along the P I - P 2 boundary. Classification
into PI or P2 reflects difference in SiO2 content
as between low- and high-Si andesite.
In contrast to the Baldwin rocks, quartzose
Ordovician and Silurian greywackes and associated shales from the Snowy Mountains plot
in the P4 field (Fig. 6A). Some grain-size effect
is apparent, as in both sets samples with > 70%
Si02 ( greywacke end) are displaced from those
with lesser SiO2 (shaleend).Thesegreywackes
are thought to be the products of successive recycling episodes of older sedimentary rocks of
the Lachlan Fold Belt (Wyborn and Chappell,
1983), and this is perhaps reflected by respective position of the groups on the plot. The more
mature Silurian samples plot deeper overall in
the P4 field (more negative F1 and F2 scores)
than do their Ordovician precursors. The Ordovician rocks fall nearer the group centroid of
the Greenland terrane classification set, which
they closely resemble geochemically (Wyborn
and Chappell, 1983).

128
~)

AUSTRALIA

(~)

P3

P2

/
F2

8OLOMON$

"

~
~

~'J/

F2 0

P4

-8

P}

-8
@

/l ...........................
0
.J.
8

ALASKA

F2

~-4

,~

"

""
-8

~o

....

P!

PIeX: /I
-4

B,

~.~ CALIFORNIA

/-

+ . . ~ . .

o o~..i

oo / o

F~0

'

-4

-8

~:; . t " f

P4

-S

Pl

-4

FI

-8

~o

0\"

"/

.~"

....

P4

-8

Pl

-4

,1

FI

Fig. 6. Discriminant plots for sedimentary suites.

A. Australian sedimentary rocks. Baldwin Formation sandstones ( ChappeU, 1968); filled squares = < 57% Si02; open
squares = > 57% (n = 10). Silurian (triangles) and Ordovician (circles) greywackes and shales (Wyborn and Chappeik
1983 ) ; open symbols = < 70% Si02, filled = > 70% SiO~ ( n = 25 ). Crosses are the group centroids from Fig. 4.
B. Sea-floor sediments from the Solomon Islands and Woodlark Basin (carbonate-free data of Crook et al., 1984 ) (n = 4 7 )
Filled squares = sands; open squares = muds. Eight samples plot off-scale, 4 in the P1 and P2 fields, and 4 in Pt ~>:~'.Letters
B, A and G are average New Georgia basalt, low-Si andesite and glass, respectively, also from Crook et aL (19841. Average
picritic basalt plots off-scale in p/EXT.
C. Alaskan sandstones (data of Connelly, 1978). Filled d i a m o n d s =Kodiak Formation and Kodiak Slivers; (.~pen di~l
m o n d s = Uyak Complex and Cape Current terrane.
D. Californian arkoses and shales (data of Van de Kamp et al., t976; carbonate-free). Filled c i r c l e s = S a n t a Ynez arkoses:
open circles = shales; filled triangles = Salton sands. M = average of Mojave Desert-Transverse Ranges granitic rocks. Two
shales in which calculated carbonate CaO exceeds CaO present are not plotted.

6.2. Solomon Islands

Sea-floor sediments from various tectonic

settings of the Solomon Islands and the Woodlark Basin (Crook et al., 1984) plot mainly in
the P1 field, indicative of basalt-basaltic an-

desite provenance (Fig. 6B ). A number of Mgrich samples spread into the P1Exrr section delineated by the Taupo Volcanic Zone data. As
described above, Crook et al. (1984) compared
elemental contents of these sediments with average values for possible igneous parents from

129

the New Georgia Island group (picritic basalt,

basalt, low-Si andesite and glass). Discriminant scores for these averages correspond well
with the sediments (Fig. 6B). Although close
relationship of sediments to any particular parent does not imply selective contribution from
that source, the discriminant results accurately
reflect the bulk provenance of the suite as a
whole,

iments differs from that of the source. Van de

Kamp et al. (1976) recognised that Na and Ca
were lesser in the sediments than in the source,
and that Fe, Mg and Ti were enriched in the
shales compared with the arkoses and sands, due
to precipitation in clay minerals. The patterns
on Fig. 6D are compatible with these changes,
but the results overall still identify a P3
provenance.

6.3. Alaska

6.5. New Zealand

Arkosic greywackes from the Uyak Complex,

Cape Current terrane, and Kodiak Formation
of Kodiak Island were derived from an active
volcanic arc, deposited in a trench and later incorporated into an accretionary prism (Connelly, 1978). Using petrographic criteria,
Connelly interpreted the provenance of the
Uyak and Cape Current rocks as andesitic,
whereas higher quartz contents and the chemistry of the Kodiak wackes reflected a greater
cratonic input. Discriminant results (Fig. 6C)
support an andesitic source, as Uyak and Cape
Current rocks are concentrated in P2 and along
the P 1 - P 2 join. There is little evidence of a
greater cratonic influence in the Kodiakwackes,
although the displacement of the data towards
P4 relative to the other groups may be a result
of such a contribution,
6.4. California
Eocene and Oligocene arkoses and shales
from the Santa Ynez Mountains, and Holocene
sands from the Salton Basin were derived from
a calc-alkaline plutonic and metamorphic terrain with a lesser volcanic component (Van de
Kamp et al., 1976). The arkoses and Holocene
sands generally plot in the P3 field consistent
with such a provenance, but grain-size effect is
shown by the shales, which are displaced into
P2 and P4 (Fig. 6D). The data overall lies towards P4 with respect to the composition of average Mojave/Transverse Range granite,
indicating that the bulk composition of the sed-

Quartz-poor volcanogenic sandstones and

siltstones of the Triassic to Jurassic Murihiku
terrane of southern South Island were derived
from a mature active arc and deposited in a forearc basin environment (Coombs et al., 1976;
MacKinnon, 1983). Recent work suggests that
some Proterozoic basement may have been
present beneath the arc (Coombs, 1985). Using various lines of evidence, Boles (1974)
identified temporal variations in provenance.
Detritus was andesitic in the lowermost North
Range Group (Lower-Middle Triassic), became more felsic (dacite-rhyolite) for the
greater part of the Taringatura Group, and returned to andesitic in its upper part (latest
Triassic). Andesitic detritus remained predominant through the Jurassic part of the sequence. These changes are reflected in the
discriminant plot (Fig. 7). North Range samples cluster in P2 near the composition of andesite, whereas the more evolved Taringatura
rocks fall in the P3 field (Fig. 7A). Samples
from the uppermost part of the terrane spread
back into P2 (Fig. 7B ). Although there is some
scatter, the bulk of the data lies along the Taupo
Volcanic Zone trend, confirming previous suggestions that the source terrane was calc-alkaline in nature (Boles, 1974), and supporting
proposed maturity of the arc.
Psammitic and pelitic schists of the Haast
Schist terrane (Bishop, 1972) span the
greenschist and amphibolite facies, and hence
original detrital mineralogy has been largely or
completely destroyed. The schist has gradational boundaries with the quartzofeldspathic

130
(~ MURIHIKU- TRIASSIC
8

HAAST SCHIST

....

oJD

'

'

'

'

I./

"

'/e

"

~"

P2

//

%/

o"

~ . . m , ~ . %o o
i

if

-4

-8

P"

//

J~

,J

........

~i

Fl
JURASSIC

P3'

'

'

'

'

'/ " P2 '

!,,.
,

~,
F2 (

"~

-4

-f
....

-8

1
t

P4

,
-8

.,

Pl

.../]

~.'"L"],
-4

,
o

F1
Fig. 7. Sandstones and siltstones from the Murihiku terrane, New Zealand (Boles, 1974; B.P. Roser, unpublished
data, 1986) n= 110. Open symbols = siltstones; filled symbols=sands. Dotted line is the calc-alkaline Taupo Volcanic Zonetrend from Fig. 4.
A. Triassic diamonds = North Range Group; circles = Kaihikuan-Otamitan Taringatura Group.
B. Otapirian and Jurassic (inverted triangles).
Torlesse terrane to the north and with the volcanogenic Caples terrane to the south. Analyses from three areas cluster in P3 (Fig. 8)
suggestive of P3 (Torlesse) precursor (compare with Fig. 4 ). Similar correlation is shown
by KzO/NazO-SiO2 patterns (Roser and
Korsch, 1986). The data used cover the full
range in metamorphism, and no consistent
changes in discriminant score can-be attributed
to change in metamorphic grade, Pelitic schists
are displaced relative to psammitic, but this is

Fig. 8. Quartzofeldspathic schists from the Hadst Schist

terrane, New Zealand.Data drawn from Wiltiamson (t939),
Grapes et al. (1982) and this work. n=69. Filled c,ir
cles=psammitic schists; open circles=pelitic schists
similar to that seen in the Tortesse classifica:
t i o n d a t a (Fig. 4) a n d s o i s a r e l i c g r a i n - s i z e
effect rather t h a n evidence of metamorphic shif~
or P2 provenance.
Classification results ibr the data-sets discussed above are summarised in Table I[I. The
provenances indicated for the sedimentary
suites used as test data are generally in accord
with the prior and independent assessments
based on other techniques.

7. E f f e c t o f b i o g e n i c s e d i m e n t a t i o n
The functions derived above are applicable
only to sediments which lack significant bio~
genic components, the most importan~ of which
are CaCO3 and SiO2. Addition of biogenic CaO
increases FI and F2 scores, pushing c o m p o s i
tion towards P2. Although SiO2 is not used directly in the functions, dilution effect is implicit,
and addition ofbiogenic silica will decrease both
FI and F2 scores and push scores towards P4.
In modern or sediments of low metamorphic
grade biogenic carbonate can be estimated from
CO2 content, but biogenic silica is more problematic (e.g., M u r d m a a et al., 1980; Crook et

131
T A B L E III
Classification summary
Data-set

Classification set
M a i t a i - K a y s Creek
Pelorus-Waipapa
Torlesse
Greenland
Additional Torlesse
Caples-Tuapeka Group

PRIOR

(%)

P1

P2

P3

P4

P1 v'~'r

---100.0

-----

---

---

----

30.4
3.8
--

------

---87.5
--

4.5
55.3
77.7

-100.0
4.3
-36.8
22.2

--14.9
----

4.8
76.0
31.7
84.1

-----

-----

27
60
117
44

P1
P2
P3
P4

88.9
3.3
---

11.1
86.7
---

-10.0
100.0
--

247
141

P3
P2

-6.4

7.3
73.0

92.7
20.6

56
105
74

P1
P2
P3

69.6
25.7
--

-62.9
1.4

--

67
68
4
8
32

P1
P2
P3
P1
P2, P3

97.0
26.5
-12.5
--

3.0
69.1
100.0
---

--

10
25
47
22
38
9

P2
P4
P1
P2
P3
P3

60.0
-68.1
27.3
---

40.0
-12.8
68.2
7.8
--

----

42
25
41
69

P2
P3
P 3 ~ P2
P3, P2

4.8
-4.9
--

90.5
24.0
63.4
15.9

Volcanics, plutonics:
Taupo Volcanic Zone
basalt, basaltic andesite
andesite, dacite
rhyolite, ignimbrite
Lau Volcanic Group
basalt, basaltic andesite
andesite, dacite
rhyolite
Mago Volcanic Group
Paparoa granitoids

7.6
98.6

4.4
--100.0

Sedimentary suites:
Baldwin Formation
Snowy Mountains
Solomons-Woodlark
Kodiak Island
Santa Ynez
Salton Basin
Murihiku terrane
N o r t h Range Group
Taringatura Group
Otapirian-Jurassic
Haast Schist terrane

n - - n u m b e r of analyses; P R I O R - - p r o v e n a n c e classification from independent references cited in the text.

al., 1 9 8 4 ) .

Estimating

tion by assuming

detrital

SiOz contribu-

a fixed SiOz/AleOa ratio and

hence deriving "excess" silica (Murdmaa

1980) does not account
due

to sedimentary

biogenic Ca and
discriminant

e t al.,

in the ratio

differentiation

and differing provenance

In an attempt

for change

processes

( Fig. 3).

to circumvent

a n d K z O t o A1203. A l t h o u g h

are not immune

to disturbance,

be small generally when

of substantial

additions

Unstandardised

these ratios

effects should

compared

with those

of CaO and SiQ.

discriminant

function

coef-

ficients for this analysis are listed in Table IV.

the influence of

Si we have derived

Na20

a second

using the same classification data,

b u t b a s e d o n t h e r a t i o s o f T i O 2 , F % O 3 T, M g O ,

The first two functions account for 98.3% of the

variance,

but eigenvalues

nonical correlations
the

previous

(4.66, 1.53) and ca-

(0.91, 0.78) decrease from

analysis,

indicating

poorer

dis-

132
TABLE IV
Unstandardised discriminant function coefficients fbr the
analysis using oxide/A120~ratios

TiO~/AI~Q
Fe20:~T/A120.~
MgO/A120.~
Na~O/A120:,
K20/A120:~
Constant

FI

F2

30.638
- 12.541
7.329
12.031
35.402
- 6.382

56.500
.... 10.879
30.875
-5.404
11.112
- 3.890

crimination. The territorial plot for the classification set (Fig. 9) shows contraction of the
P2 field, increased overlap, and a marked grainsize trend in the P3 data. Although the fields
are inverted, the progression from P1 to P4 remains. Back-classification rate falls to 86.7%,
largely through classification of many P3 argillites into P4.
The volcanic rock averages plot in their respective fields (Fig. 9) as before, and the individual volcanic and plutonic suites have similar
classification rates (Table V) and an arcuate
trend, although differences between the Taupo
Volcanic Zone and Lau trends are not as
marked. The Taupo data again define a pIEXT
.... ~
-U
B~\ p~,~.,
\
,\ /
"- ~~Ji
" /"~
' ~ ~:~'
~t1~
. ~ o ~ ~ ,
.
~

%0 o . * ; ~ . . "
/ o -D-~.~, ."
/

F2 o
-4

,~4
~
t
,

,,,

!
~
~i
~

/
/

-8
-;

,
-,

P3

P2

t
l

o
F~

;,

,~

Fig. 9. Territorial plot for the ratio discriminant. Classification data and symbols, letters B to RH and G, and overlap
field pi~xT defined by data for TVZ volcanic rocks as in

Figs. 4 and5A,

overlap zone in P4. Analysis of the sedimentary

test data sets gives results comparable to those
determined originally (compare Tables V and
III). Although percentages in leading ca~e
gories are generally lower, maintv ~hrough
movement of P2 samples into PI or P& prove.
nance characterisation remains in good agreement with the prior classifications. 'F~ further
test the distinctiveness of the ratios as provenance indicators, we have examined several ex
Ira data-sets in which biogenic sedimentation
is significant.
Miocene flysch and massive mudstones from
the east coast of North Island, New Zealand
( Roser and Korsch, 1986 J were deposited m
trench slope basins at the Hikurangi subdue-.
tion margin (Van der Lingen and Pettinga.
1980). Provenance is mixed ~Ghent and Hen
derson, 1966), with derivation from I'orlesse
(P3) sediments, plus felsic volcanic detritus
from the Coromandel volcanic arc. Many of the
sandstones contain bioclasts and carbonate cement, and mudstones are rich in calcareous mrcrofossils. Strong grain-raze trend is seen on a
ratio discriminant plot (Fig. 10A }. Sandstones
fall in P3 near the position of interbedded tufl~
and trend to the finer-grained members at the
P2-P3-P4 junction. Although effects may be
masked to an extent by the P3 volcanogenic ditritus, it seems that the Miocene sediments have
inherited a Torlesse signature without major
fractionation of the ratios during recycling,
Argillaceous hemipelagic sediments trom In
ternational
Phase
of
Ocean
DriUing
(I.P.O.D)/Deep
Sea
Drilling
Project
(D.S.D.P.) sites on the west slope o f t h e Japan
trench are greatly enriched in biogenic silica.
with anhydrous SiO2 reaching 85.3% , S u g b
saki, 1980). The sediments have complex
provenance, being derived from the tithologitally diverse geologic belts of northern Honshu
and Hokkaido, and volcaniclastic detritus becomes more important in the upper parts of the
cores (Von Huene et al., 1980: Arthur et at..
1980). Most samples plot in the P2 field indicative of intermediate bulk provenance (Fig

133
TABLE V
S u m m a r y of classification results for previous data-sets, using ratio d i s c r i m i n a n t
Data-set

Classification set
M a i t a i - K a y s Creek
Pelorus-Waipapa
Torlesse
Greenland
Additional Torlesse
C a p l e s - T u a p e k a Group

PRIOR

(% )
P1

P2

P3

.
10.0
81.2
--

P4

pi1~:x'r

1.7
13.7
100.0

----

4.4
2.8

---

9.5

27
60
117
44

P1
P2
P3
P4

100.0
6.7
---

.
.
81.7
5.1
--

247
141

P3
P2

-14.2

13.8
69.5

56
105
74

P1
P2
P3

67.9
32.4
--

-46.7
--

-2.9
100.0

--

32.1
3.8
--

67
68
4

P1
P2
P3

98.5
54.4
--

-33.8
--

-11.8
100.0

----

---

8
32

PI
P2,P3

.
--

--

100.0

--

100.0
--

10
25
47
22
38
9

P2
P4
P1
P2
P3
P3

90.0
-74.5
50.0
2.6
--

10.0
16.0
4.2
50.0
23.7
--

----39.5
22.2

-84.0
4.2
-34.2
77.8

--17.0
----

42
25
41
69

P2
P3
P3--*P2
P3,P2

21.4
-4.9
--

69.0
12.0
46.3
27.5

2.4
80.0
36.9
71.0

4.8
8.0
12.2
1.4

81.8
13.5

Volcanics, plutonics:

Taupo Volcanic Zone

basalt, basaltic andesite
andesite, dacite
rhyolite, ignimbrite
Lau Volcanic Group
basalt, basaltic andesite
andesite, dacite
rhyolite
Mago Volcanic Group
basalt
Paparoa granitoids

--

1.5

Sedimentary suites:

Baldwin F o r m a t i o n
Snowy M o u n t a i n s
Solomons-Woodlark
Kodiak Island
S a n t a Ynez
Salton Basin
M u r i h i k u terrane
N o r t h Range group
T a r i n g a t u r a Group
Otapirian-Jurassic
H a a s t Schist terrane

2.4
----

n = n u m b e r of analyses; P R I O R - - provenance classification from i n d e p e n d e n t references cited in the text.

1 0 B ). I n v i e w o f t h e r e s t r i c t e d
however,

a P3 character

pare with fine-grained

10A).

Clearer

grain-size

is a l s o p o s s i b l e
sediments

indication

of slightly mature
al., 1 9 8 0 ) .

in Figs. 9 and

of P2 provenance

given by data for lower Miocene

quartz-intermediate

range
(comis

turbidites

and

sands

from

Oligocene

Surficial continental
Zealand,
al., 1 9 8 4 )

contain

rived

gin of the South

tary-volcanic

mixed

source

(the

clastic
Oyashio

sedimenlandmass)

strike-slip

(Fujioka

cannot

sediments

from
New

margin

(Stoffers

be applied

(Fig. 4). The

Islandis

et

offWestland,

up to 70% CaCO3

and hence

first discriminant

margin

shelf and slope environments

H o l e s 4 3 8 B a n d 4 3 9 ( F i g . 1 0 B ). T h e s e w e r e d e from

arc composition

western

et

to the
mar-

an active continental

between

the Australian

and

134
~) EAST COAST N I
8

(~ JAPAN TRENCH

F2

F2 0

Pl
-8

-8

P2

P3

P1
i

-4

.......... 4 .............. 8 . . . .

-8

''~" . . . . . ~ " - ~ - - ......

F2

-4

P3

,~

"

t
,

............ ~ ........

[
--4 ~

P2

P1

-~

P2

,,

-8

......

(D) SOLOMONS (raw data~

C~ WESTLAND

F2

-~

P3

F1

-8

i
L

/
Pl

-~

F:3

P2

-~

...........,

.......

FI

Fig. 10. Ratio discriminant plot for sedimentary suites.

A. Miocene sediments, east coast North Island (B.P. Roser, unpublished data, 1984) (n = 208) Filled circles = sandstones:
o p e n circles = mudstones and siltstones; triangles = interbedded rhyolitic tufts.
B. Japan trench sediments. O p e n triangles = argillaceous sediments, Sites 434, 435, 438, 440, 441 ( Sugisaki, 1980) ( r~= 170) ;
filled, o p e n squares = sandstones and siltstones, respectively, lower Miocene and upper Oligocene Units 4 and 5, Holes 438B
and 439 (Murdmaa et al., 1980; Sugisaki, 1980) ( n = 18).
C. Surficial shelf and slope sediments, Westland, New Zealand. Filled triangles = sands; o p e n t r i a n g l e s = muds and silts
(Stoffers et aL, 1984), ( n = 3 0 ) .
D. Solomons-Woodlark sediments, raw data of Crook et al. (1984), Filled squares = sands; o p e n s q u a r e s = muds. Nine samples plot off-scale in the p1EXWfield (high F2).

Pacific plates. The hinterland of the area sampled by Stoffers and coworkers consists of acid
plutonics and banded gneiss (as in Fig. 5C),
quartzose Greenland Group metasediments
(P4), and schistose metasediments of the P3
Torlesse-Haast Schist terranes. Sediments derived from this terrane should therefore have
P3 or P4 chemistry depending on the relative

contributions. The data are, however, almost

evenly split between P2 and P4 (Fig. t0C). This
seems to be primarily a grain-size effect, as
coarser samples (sand) fall mainly in P4, and
finer (mud) in P2. Two sands plotting deep in
the P1 and P2 fields are enriched in authigenic
and relict glauconite-goethite pellets, giving
large Fe20~ T/A120.~ ratios and consequently

135
negative F1 and F2 scores. The results overall,
however, indicate a nett P4 provenance consistent with the lithologies available in the source
region,
As an example of sediments of basic provenance, we have again utilised the Solomons-Woodlark data of Crook et al. (1984),but
have analysed the raw data rather than that
which is carbonate-corrected. The results (Fig.
10D) are in good agreement with those from
the first discriminant and using the ratios of
the carbonate-corrected data (Fig. 6B, Tables
III and V), except that numbers in the p1EXT
overlap category are increased due to larger
MgO/A1203 ratios. PI-type provenance is still
clearly identified,
The results from the sets above indicate that
the oxide/A12Q ratios are useful as provenance
guides in sediments rich in biogenic detritus
where it is not possible to apply the first discriminant. However, discrimination is poorer
than that using the first discriminant, especially for fine-grained samples that fall about
the P 2 - P 3 - P 4 join.
8. Discussion

The good agreement seen overall between indicated and previously postulated provenances
for the test sets (Tables III and V), and the
comparability of volcanic, plutonic and metamorphic lithotypes with the classification categories suggest that the functions developed
here are viable tools for determination of bulk
provenance. However, it must be emphasised
that the change in sediment composition from
P 1 - P 4 i s a c o m p l e x systeminfiuencedbypetrologic evolution and magma characteristics of the
source terranes, coupled with sedimentary maturation, weathering and diagenesis. Unique
classifications within single fields may therefore be the exception rather than the rule, and
should not be presumed. The general distribution of data with respect to the fields, potential
parents (e.g., appropriate rock averages), any

related terranes and within suites themselves is

of more significance.
Incorporation of argillite data in the discriminants has extended the lithological range
available for use. Although variation related to
grain size has been reduced compared to that
seen in the variation diagrams (Figs. 2 and 3)
some contrast remains between sandstone and
argillite in the more fractionated P3 and P4
categories. In some cases (e.g., Santa Ynez, New
Zealand Miocene, Japan Trench data; Figs. 6D,
10A and B) provenance type cannot be identifled clearly using data for the finer-grained sediments alone. Nevertheless, sand-mud trends
in these two categories differ. For the first set
of functions P3 argillites have greater F1 and
lesser F2 scores than their companion sands,
whereas both F1 and F2 scores tend to be greater
in P4 argillites compared to their sands, plotting near the P3-P4join (Figs. 4, 6A, D and 8).
It is preferable therefore for sampling to span
the full available range in grain size, as the
trends themselves in these two categories can
be used to resolve ambiguities. Such sampling
also gives a better impression of the bulk chemical composition of individual terranes (Roser
and Korsch, 1985; Sawyer, 1986).
Apparent retention of P3 chemical characteristics by greenschist- and amphibolite-facies
rocks of the Haast Schist terrane (Fig. 8) suggests that provenance signatures can survive
relatively high-rank metamorphism. This is
supported by subsets of the 141 Caples terrane
samples used as additional test data (Table III)
for the first discriminant. Of 56 Pelorus Group
sandstones and argillites in this set, 49 (88%)
are classed as P2 by their discriminant scores.
A very similar rate (89%) is given by 27 more
metamorphosed ( chlorite zone ) Pelorus Group
semi-schists and schists from the same area.
The discriminant may hence be useful for characterising bulk provenance (mafic, intermediate, felsic, or recycled) in metamorphic terranes
where recrystallisation has obscured or destroyed original detrital mineralogy. In less reconstituted rocks results should be interpreted

136

in conjunction with petrography, as the nature

of detritus (volcanic, plutonic, metamorphic)
cannot be differentiated using the chemistry.
The discriminants discussed here should be regarded as a complement to established methods
for determining provenance rather than as an
alternative,
The possibility of being able to identify, in
sediments, the magmatic series of volcanic
source terranes is an interesting aspect worthy
of future work. Before this can be furthered,
comprehensive data are needed for high-K,
shoshonitic and alkalic magma source terranes
and derived sediments, along with improved
characterisation of P1 provenances by inclusion of more samples from basic Mg- and Tirich protoliths,
Central to the above and to chemical discrimination of sediments in general is the need
for more data from sediments of known provenance, which may be compared with the protolith, so that the nature and magnitude of
chemical fractionation between the two can be
assessed. Studies such as that of Crook et al.
(1984) are important in this context. While
source-sediment comparisons are most easily
accomplished in modern situations, and the effects of weathering can be more readily evaluated, data from older lithified suites are also
desirable, as the chemistry of modern sedi-

Several recent studies (Maynard et al.. 1982:

Bhatia, 1983, 1985; Roser and Korsch. 1986:
Bhatia and Crook, 1986) have examined sediment chemistry as an indicator of tect~mic setting. The present discriminant categories are
themselves broadly related to tectonic setting
in that sediments from each category are likely
to be more common in particular plate-tectonic
environments. Immature oceanic island arc
sediments are likely to concentrate m l)l and
p1EXT,and detritus from mature island arcs and
immature continental margin magmatic arcs in
P2. P3 classifications are probable {or sediments at mature continental margin arcs and
continental transform boundaries (pull-apart
basins), whereas suites at passive continental
margins, intracratonic sedimentary basins an(]
recycled orogenic provinces wilt commonly ex~
hibit P4 signatures. Such interpretat ion should
be made with caution, however, given the petrographic anomalies possible in transitional or
unusual plate-tectonic settings ~Valloni and
Maynard, 1981; Mack, 1984: Potter. 1984: Velbel, 1985) and petrological evolution m magmatic source terranes iFigs. 5A. B and 7, ol
single setting, and the need to integrate chem~
istry with geologic and petrographic studies
remains.

ments may differ in some respects from that of

ancient counterparts ( Bhatia, 1983). Processes of chemical differentiation operating
during and subsequent to sedimentation have
reached completion in the older suites, and if
provenance is well established using independent criteria their chemical characteristics provide a direct basis of comparison for enigmatic
suites of similar history. An approach which
may be of special value in examining
source-sediment relations in ancient sequences
is analysis of conglomerate clasts to evaluate
evolutionary stage of contributing arcs (e.g.,
Leitch and Willis, 1982), combined with com-

X-ray fluorescence analyses were made in the

Analytical Facility, Victoria University of Wellington, with the assistance of K. Palmer and
H. Roe. Financial support was provided by a
N.Z.U.G.C. Postdoctoral Fellowship (B.P.R..).
and internal research grants of the University
of Otago and Victoria University of Wellington.
Our thanks to P.J. White for the use of his Paparoa data, to J.N. Ashby and K. Palmer ibr
helpful discussions, and to C.A. Landis and D.S
Coombs for comments on the manuscript.

p a r i s o n o f t h e c h e m i s t r y of t h e c o n g l o m e r a t e
matrix.

Acknowledgements

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