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Stable Isotope Geochemistry of the Pleistocene Lacustrine-Palustrine Carbonates (Borj Edouane Unit, NW Tunisia)

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Abstract

The Pleistocene carbonates of the Borj Edouane unit are made up of two principal facies associations: (1) calcrete-palustrine-laminar crust and (2) microbialites. The former represents the deposition in shallow lakes, as subjected to periodic exposure, while the second represents a steadier lacustrine environment. The isotopic analyses show singular high δ13C values (up to 11.7‰) with respect to both associations, while most δ18O values are constrained within the range comprised between −4.5 and −6.5‰. High δ13C values are mainly affected by the predominance of carbon emanating from the dissolution of the underlying and surrounding Cretaceous rocks. Additional influences of photosynthetic activity of plant, especially associated with the microbialite association, and evaporation degassing could increase the heavier carbon isotope. The δ18O related values prove to reflect a strong meteoric imprint.

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Correspondence to Naoufel Ghannem .

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Ghannem, N., Recio, C., Armenteros, I., Regaya, K. (2019). Stable Isotope Geochemistry of the Pleistocene Lacustrine-Palustrine Carbonates (Borj Edouane Unit, NW Tunisia). In: Doronzo, D., Schingaro, E., Armstrong-Altrin, J., Zoheir, B. (eds) Petrogenesis and Exploration of the Earth’s Interior. CAJG 2018. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01575-6_28

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