Sedimentology (1995) 42, 921-934

Sedimentary K-Ar signatures in clay fractions from Mesozoic

marine shelf environments in Israel
G. STEINITZ, Y . KAPUSTA, A. SANDLER a n d P. KOTLARSKY
Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malkhei Israel St., Jerusalem 95501, Israel

ABSTRACT
The K-Ar system in clay fractions from shallow marine carbonate shelf
environments was investigated on silicate fractions (clay minerals, feldspar)
separated from 20 Lower Jurassic to Upper Cretaceous sedimentary rocks,
deposited in the southern Tethys ocean. The range of lithologies investigated
included dolomite and chalk [IR (insoluble residue)<lo%], marl, shale
(IR= 7 0 4 5 % ) and sandstone (IR>90%).The results show that K-bearing clay
fractions often have K-Ar ages similar to the suggested age of deposition, which
means either supply of land-derived authigenic K-bearing clays or synsedimentary
diagenetic authigenesis, or both. This K-Ar synsedimentary signal is recorded in
clay fractions from the whole range of studied lithologies and stratigraphic units.
Among the clay minerals, the synsedimentary K-Ar signature was recorded and
retained in illite/smectite of the d - p m and c0.2-pm fractions. A prominent
synsedimentary signature is found in K-feldspars, from shaly and especially from
calcareous rocks, which is substantiated by their authigenic origin based on
idiomorphic crystal morphology and their limited size distribution (4-10 pm).
Post-depositional closure of the K-Ar system is indicated by ages up to 15 Ma
younger than the stratigraphic age in different lithologies from dispersed localities.
A distinct late diagenetic (20-25 Ma younger) event is recorded in the formation
of authigenic K-feldspar within Upper Cretaceous chalk and shale. In the IR
and >lO-Fm fractions the K-Ar ages reflect the contribution of detrital mica
and feldspar which accompanies the kaolinite-dominated samples. The overall
results differ considerably from K-Ar age patterns observed in deep-sea
sediments, a difference which may be connected with the occurrence of brines in
these shelf deposits. The findings indicate the potential in the K-Ar dating of fine
IR fractions of marine shelf sediments in terms of geochronological-stratigraphic
and palaeogeographical aspects as well as in the petrology of clay minerals
themselves.

INTRODUCTION (mainly illites) from clastic sequences (e.g. Lee

The use of fine-grained silicate fractions and
minerals from sedimentary rocks as K-Ar chron-
ometers recording sedimentary events has been
investigated in various locations. The conclu-
sions as to the usefulness of these fractions as
chronometers range from trustworthy to dubious
(e.g. Faure, 1986; Weaver, 1989). K-Ar chronom-
etry has generally been tried on clay fractions
0 1995 International Association of Sedimentologists
et al., 1985; Hamilton et al., 1989) and from
shale beds (mainly bentonite) (e.g. Nadeau et al.,
1981; Burley & Flisch, 1989; Elliott et al., 1991).
Others applied K-Ar and Ar-Ar dating to dia-
genetic K-feldspar overgrowth (e.g. Hearn &
Sutter, 1985; Girrard & Onstott, 1991). Many
studies of the K-Ar and Ar-Ar systems in
fine-grained mineral fractions have focused on
relatively deep-water sediments (e.g. Glassman
921
922 G.Steinitz et al.
et al., 1989) and on basins with relatively high
burial rates or anchimetamorphic conditions
(e.g. Ahrendt et al., 1978; Hunziker et al., 1986;
Eberl, 1993). In other cases glauconite has been
extensively studied, due to its clear authigenic
origin, as well as its high K content (Odin,
1982).
The Mesozoic marine sedimentary rocks in
Israel, on which this research is based, represent
primarily shallow marine carbonate environ-
ments characterized by relatively slow sedimen-
tation and burial rates. Continuous sections are
exposed in southern Israel, the general setting of
which indicates that they were never deeply
buried. Overviews on the Mesozoic and Lower
Tertiary stratigraphy and palaeogeography in
southern Israel are given in Bartov & Steinitz
(1977) and Garfunkel (1978, 1988). The strati-
graphic units span a time interval of some
150 Myr (Lower Jurassic to Upper Cretaceous).
Within this interval, mainly marine conditions
prevailed in the region, portraying diverse facies
aspects ranging from open marine (shelf) to
coastal environments. In many of the formations
close associations of different lithologies are
encountered, ranging from fine-grained clastic
(sandstones and shales) to chemical precipitates
(carbonates and evaporites). The strata are
extensively exposed and the biostratigraphic
control and lithostratigraphic correlation are of
high quality, being based on a large data set of
palaeontological parameters (e.g. Gvirtzman et al.,
1989; Lewy, 1990). Moreover, the stratigraphic,
sedimentological and petrological attributes of
these rocks are extensively documented. These
controls serve as a sound reference framework for
evaluating the analytical results relative to the
numerical time-scale.
The aim of this contribution (following the
initial results in Kapusta et al., 1993) is to present
the K-Ar systematics of the fine silicate frac-
tions in rocks with a significant synsedimentary
signature. The following goals were set:
1 identification of potential sedimentary K-Ar
chronometers within the large variety of lith-
ologies and clay mineral associations in the
stratigraphic column;
2 investigation of the possibility of K-Ar
dating diagenetic events in which an exchange
and/or redistribution of K in silicate fractions
could occur;
3 to give insight into the use of K-Ar isotope
systematics as a palaeogeographical, an environ-
mental (depositional) and a petrological tool in
the study of shallow marine strata.
0 1995 International
GEOLOGICAL SETTING
The rocks studied were deposited during the
Middle and Late Mesozoic, as part of the cratonic
stage of the north-western edge of the Arabian-
Nubian shield (Garfunkel, 1978). During this
cratonic stage, an extensive marine shelf devel-
oped in the area, upon which the shallow epeiric
seas of the southern Tethys Ocean, situated to the
north-west, deposited mainly clastic and carbon-
ate sediment. The sedimentary sequence devel-
oped in several cycles, controlled by the marine
transgressions over the shelf as well as by mild
regional and local differential vertical movements
within it. The sedimentation cycles are generally
developed over southward-transgressing regional
erosional unconformities. Thus, the Mesozoic
units truncate and overlie, southward, older
stratigraphic units (Lower Mesozoic, Palaeozoic)
and finally the basement itself. Continental influ-
ence is reflected in the relative increase in clastic
components towards the south as well as the
thinning of stratigraphic units. Throughout the
period discussed the land areas were gradually
rising in the south, the shorelines being situated
several hundred kilometres to the south of the
central Negev.
The lithofacies reflect the interplay of global/
regional sea-level oscillations as well as the local
morphotectonic basin configuration. A close
association of a variety of marine and mixed
environments of deposition is encountered, lead-
ing to a spectrum of lithologies: sandstones,
shales, marls, different types of shallow-water
carbonates (reefal, chalk, high- and low-energy
carbonate, dolomite) as well as evaporites, cherts
and phosphorites.
The fine- and coarse-grained detrital com-
ponents in these units originated from Palaeozoic
siliciclastic sediments and/or from older base-
ment terrain exposed to the south and south-east.
Erosion of Lower Mesozoic units may have also
contributed clastic material, though both the over-
all stratigraphic setting and the relative volume of
detritus imply they are a minor source.
K-Ar dating of rocks (mainly volcanics) and
minerals (mainly feldspar, mica and amphibole)
from the basement in Sinai, Jordan, Saudi Arabia,
Egypt and Sudan yielded upper Precambrian
ages, reflecting late Pan-African thermal events
which affected the Arabian-Nubian shield
(Bentor, 1985). Clay minerals from the Palaeozoic
sedimentary sequence in Israel were dated by
Segev (1986) and by Harlavan (1992). Using the
K-Ar, Ar-Ar and the Rb-Sr methods on illites
Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 42, 921-934
 K-Ar signatures of Mesozoic clay fractions, Israel 923
(<2 pm) separated from Cambrian carbonates and
sandstones, they demonstrated that the K-Ar
and Rb-Sr systems in the illites were reset by a
Devonian - c. 375 Ma - (thermal?) event.
METHODS
Samples were dried at 100Cfor 10-15 h prior to
mild crushing (jaw crusher) and gentle grinding.
Carbonate was removed by acid dissolution ( 2 N
HC1). This treatment removed the exchangeable
and loosely bound K. The insoluble residue (IK)
was rinsed to remove all chloride. In most
samples, size fractions of <2 pm and >4 pm were
separated by standard sedimentation methods. In
some cases the <0.2-ym and 4-10-pm fractions
were also separated. The <0.2-pm fraction was
separated using a centrifuge. Dry separates
were homogenized in a Spexmix mill using
plastic balls. K-feldspar was concentrated
from the > 4 y m fraction, which was processed (at
least three times) in an ultrasonic bath to dis-
aggregate the clay particles from the feldspar
surfaces.
The IR content was determined on 1-2-g sub-
samples. Mineralogical identifications were
made using a Philips 1730 X-ray diffractometer
(XRD).Bulk, IK and some coarse fractions were
backpacked into aluminium holders or (when
only small quantities were available) were
smeared with methanol onto glass holders. Clay
fractions were deposited from stable suspensions
onto glass or pumped onto filters. XRD identifi-
cation of clay minerals was performed on glyco-
lated samples. Mineral content was estimated
qualitatively to semi-quantitatively following
routine procedures ( e g Pearson & Small, 1988)
for clays and various in-laboratory calibration
curves for the non-clay minerals. In some cases
mineralogical observation with SEM (Jeol 840
equipped with a Link model 10000 EDS
detector) was carried out.
The amount of potassium in the samples was
determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy
(AAS) using a Varian Spectra 400 AA spec-
trometer. Samples were dissolved in a mixture of
HFtHNO, +HC10, and all determinations were
performed in duplicate.
The argon analysis was performed using the
standard isotope dilution procedures of the geo-
chronological laboratory at the Geological Survey
of Israel (Steinitz et al., 1983; Kotlarsky et al.,
1992). Samples, packed in aluminium foil, were
loaded into the glass arm of a metal extraction
0 1995 International Association of Sedimentologists,Sedirnentology,42,921-934
line and baked overnight at 120C. Argon was
extracted in a molybdenum crucible using RF
induction heating. Scrubbing of gases followed in
two steps, using liquid nitrogen and ZrAl getters.
Argon was concentrated on a charcoal finger and
let into an MM-1200 mass spectrometer and
measured under full computer control. Many
determinations were performed in duplicate and
in some cases triplicate.
The stratigraphic ages of the units investigated
are those of Bartov et al. (1981). The age results
obtained by the K-Ar method were compared
with the assumed stratigraphic age of the samples
using the numerical time-scale of Odin & Odin
(1990).
SAMPLING
The samples analysed represent a lithological and
stratigraphic variety from the exposed Mesozoic
(Lower Jurassic to Upper Cretaceous) marine
formations in central and southern Israel (Table 1,
Fig. 1).The sampled rocks were carbonates (lime-
stone, dolomite, chalk) and associated clay-rich
rocks (marl, shale) and in some cases also sand-
stones. The units sampled are presented below
according to the stratigraphic sequence.
The Lower Jurassic Ardon Formation was Sam-
pled in Makhtesh Ramon where it is 50 m thick. A
Late Sinemurian - Middle Pliensbachian age was
recently attributed to it by Buchbinder & le Roux
(1993). The formation consists of shale, marl,
limestone and dolomite, probably in part of
lagoonal origin and in part of shallow marine
origin. Some sandstone beds occur in the upper
part. The three samples analysed were collected
from a 10-m stratigraphic interval at the upper
part of the formation (locally known as the
Chocolate Clay).
The Middle Jurassic Mahmal Formation was
sampled in Makhtesh Ramon where it is 80m
thick. The formation is composed mainly of
sandstone, calcareous sandstone, shale, as well
as sandy limestone and dolomite, all presumed
to be of marine origin. The three samples ana-
lysed were collected from a zone of calcareous
beds.
The Cenomanian Hazera Formation is 250m
thick in the Makhtesh Ramon area. It is composed
mainly of limestone, dolomite and marls which
were deposited in a shallow open marine environ-
ment. Clay-rich rocks are relatively abundant in
the lower part of the formation. Two samples
from the northern flank of Makhtesh Ramon
924 G. Steinitz et al.

Table 1. Sample location.

Stratigraphy
Formation
Age
Million years
(Reference) Location & coordinates Sample Lithology

Ardon Fm. Makhtesh Ramon GYP-1 limestone

Liassic 137210015 GYP-2 marl
205-180 Ma GYP-3 shale
(Nevo, 1963a,b)
Mahmal Fm. Makhtesh Ramon GYP-4 marl
Bajocian 134510035 GYP-5 shale
176-167 Ma GYP-6 shale
(Nevo, 1963a,b)
Hazera Fm. Makhtesh Ramon GYP-7 dolomite
AlbianlCenomanian 132410037 GYP-8 shale
96-91 Ma
(Arkin & Braun, 1965)
OralNezer Fm. Maale Shaharut HG-69 shale
Turonian 151519261 HG-74 shale
91-88 Ma Har Zavoa SA-2 sandstone
(Freund, 1962; 137210491 SA-11 sandstone
Bentor & Vroman, 1963)
Nahal Darga SA-107 dolomite
186411104 SA-109 shale
Menuha Fm. Massada Graben AG-1 chalk
Late Coniacian to Middle 183210806 AG-2 shale
Campanian AG-3 chalk
87-80
(Shaw, 1947; Bentor & Jerusalem GYP-12 shale
Collab., 1960) 172311349 GYP-13 chalk
Ghareb En Mor GYP-11 chalk
Maastrichtian 128710282
72-65
(Shaw, 1947)

originate from the bentonite beds at Maale
HaAzmaut (cf. Bentor, 1966, p. 79). These beds,
attaining there a thickness of 3 m, belong to
the Hevyon Member (Late Albian to Early
Cenomanian - cf. Bartov et al., 1981), which
is the lowermost member of the Hazera
Formation.
The Turonian Ora (Shale) Formation and Nezer
Formation occur in the southern and northern
Negev, respectively. The Ora Formation, attaining
a thickness of around l o o m , is composed of
shale, dolomite, limestone, and locally of sand-
stone, gypsum and anhydrite. The environment of
deposition is assumed to be shallow marine, from
open to partially restricted (lagoonal). The Nezer
Formation consists of open marine limestones
and marls attaining a thickness of several tens
of metres. The samples analysed are from the
0 1995 International
Upper Member of the Ora Formation and from
equivalent beds of the clastic unit of the Nezer
Formation (Sandler, 1992) of Middle Turonian
age. The two samples from the Ora Formation
originate from an anhydrite and dolomitic shale
unit in the southern Negev. The samples from the
Nezer Formation are from the northern Negev and
from the Judean Desert.
The Late Coniacian - Middle Campanian
Menuha Formation consists mainly of massive
marine chalks. In the Negev it can attain a thick-
ness of some 80m. In some areas (southern
Negev, Judean Desert) a middle clayey unit is
developed which contains shale, phosphoritic
mads and chert. Three adjacent samples were
collected in the Massada graben, and two adjacent
samples, at a similar stratigraphic position, were
collected in Jerusalem.
Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 42, 921-934
 K-Ar signatures of Mesozoic clay fractions, Israel 925

tN
z I SENONIAN
I GHAREBFm.
I (ofherFms.)

?E @i
I \ I TURoNIAN
NEZER Fm.

ORA Fm.

(other Fms.)
0
-1 I
v ) .
v)
d MIDDLE MAHMAL Fm
c??
@i
- (other Fms.)
2
7 LOWER ARDON Fm.

Fig. 1. (a) Location map with sampling sites and (b) a

generalized stratigraphic section of the studied
sequence (only sampled formations are shown).

The Maastrichtian Ghareb Formation is com- RESULTS

posed of chalk and marl of marine to restric-
ted marine origin. In the northern Negev this The mineralogical compositions of the analysed
formation is several tens of metres thick. A single samples and the average of two or more K-Ar age
chalk sample was collected from Zin Valley results are presented in Tables 2 and 3. Relative to
(northern Negev). the assumed stratigraphic age, three K-Ar age
0 1995 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 42, 921-934
926 G. Sfeinitz et al.
Table 2. Mineralological
Sample Lithology IR Ka I Q KF Others composition (%) of insoluble
residue fractions.
Ardon Formation
GYP-1 IR limestone 18 60 tr 30 tr G, Anat
GYP-2 IR marl 53 50 tr lo? 30 10 G
GYP-3 IR shale 81 60 ? 20 10 G
Mahmal Formation
GYP-4 IR marl 54 tr 90
GYP-5 IR shale 69 50 ? 30 G
GYP-6 IR shale 83 30 20? 40 ? (GI
GYP-6 < 2 shale 70 10 lo? tr (GI
Hazera Formation
GYP-7 IR dolomite 8 ? 20 20? ? 60
GYP-7 <O-2 dolomite I 90 J G
GYP-7 >4 dolomite 10 90
GYP-7 4-10 dolomite tr 100
GYP-7 >10 dolomite 20 80 (GI
GYP-8 IR shale 76 20 10 60 20 10
GYP-8 <0.2 shale 20 10 70
GYP-8 <2 shale 30 10 60
GYP-8 >4 shale 70 30
GYP-8 4-10 shale 20 80
GYP-8 >10 shale 90 10

Ora and Nezer formations

SA-2 <0.2 sandstone 97 tr 80 10
SA-2 < 2 sandstone 20 10 70 tr
SA-11 <0.2 sandstone 96 90 G
SA-11 < 2 sandstone tr tr 80 tr
SA-107 < 2 dolomite 13 10 20 60
SA-107 >4 dolomite tr tr 10 50 20
SA-109 <2 shale 52 10 { 80 1 tr Ch, Anh
SA-109a <2 shale 30 { 60 1 Ch, G
HG-69 < 2 shale 61 { 100 1
HG-69 4-10 shale 70 20 (MI
HG-69 >10 shale 20 tr D
HG-74 <2 shale 77 { 100 I
HG-74 4-10 shale 50 40 (MI
HG-74 >10 shale 70 20
Menuha Formation
AG-1 < 2 chalk 7 tr tr 50 40
AG-1 >4 chalk tr 70 30 Ap?
AG-2 < 2 shale 75 10 tr 70 10
AG-2 >4 shale tr tr 50 40 AP
AG-2 4-10 shale tr tr 30 60
AG-2 >10 shale 60 40
AG-3 < 2 chalk 14 10 tr 70 10
AG-3 >4 chalk tr tr 40 60 Ap?
AG-3 4-10 chalk tr tr 20 70
AG-3 >10 chalk 60 40
GYP-12 IR shale 50 1 60 I 20 10
GYP-12 < 2 shale 20 80
GYP-12 0.2-2 shale 30 tr 60
GYP-13 IR chalk 2 ( 40 I 40 10
GYP-13 <0*2 chalk 20 20 50 tr
GYP-13 < 2 chalk 30 20 40 tr
Ghareb Formation
GYP-11 IR chalk 11 ( 70 1 20 10 tr, <5%. Anat, anatase; Anh,
GYP-11 d . 2 chalk tr 90 tr? anhydrite; Ap, apatite; Ch, chlorite;
GYP-11 < 2 chalk tr tr 80 tr? D, dolomite; G, goethite; I, illite;
GYP-11 >4 chalk tr 20 60 20 IIS, illite/smectite; M, mica; Ka,
kaolinite; KF, feldspar; Q, quartz.
0 1995 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 42, 921-934
 K-Ar signatures of Mesozoic clay fractions, Israel 927
Table 3. K-Ar analytical results.
*Average value. 40Arradx 10 Average age
o 40
Sample % K (cm3gpl)* /a Arrad (Ma)

Ardon Formation
GYP-1 IR 0.690 0.0921 85.2 314.3 & 6.0
GYP-2 IR 1.330 0.1946 90.8 342-0 z t 6-5
GYP-3 IR 1.640 0.2423 92.7 344.9 f 6.5
Mahmal Formation
GYP-4 IR 0.074 0.0164 78.5 494.7 f 9.0
GYP-5 IR 0.250 0.0341 61.3 321.0 f 6.2
GYP-6 IR 1.087 0.0778 79.8 175.3 f 3.6
GYP-6 <2 1.295 0.0789 61.0 148.8 f 2.0
Hazera Formation
GYP-7 IR 8.615 0.3380 82.4 98.2 f 1.9
GYP-7 <O.2 4.140 0.1610 71.5 97.4 f 2.1
GYP-7 >4 11.970 0.4620 95.2 96.7 f 2.0
GYP-7 4-10 12.220 0.4770 97.5 97.7 f 1.9
GYP-7 >10 10.300 0.4280 96.0 104.0 f 2.1
GYP-8 IR 3.290 0.1490 8.8 112.9 f 2.1
GYP-8 <0.2 2.430 0.09 70.3 95.4 f 2.0
GYP-8 < 2 2.480 0.0958 64.0 96.8 f 2.0
GYP-8 >4 5.350 0.2534 83.7 117.7 f 2.4
GYP-8 4-10 8.380 0.3616 95.4 105.1 f 2.1
GYP-8 >10 2.320 0.1480 94.5 157.1 f 3.1
Ora and Nezer formations
HG-69 <2 4.240 0.1309 59.1 78.3 f 1-6
HG-69 4-10 2-425 0.1250 91.1 129-1f 2.6
HG-69 >10 0-580 0.1564 86.3 587.1 & 11
HG-74 <2 4.710 0.1433 63.6 76.6 f 1.6
HG-74 4-10 5.290 0.2984 95.2 139.7 f 2.8
HG-74 >10 2.200 0.2891 96.8 309.9 f 5.9
SA-2 <O.2 2.270 0.0663 50.0 73.6 f 1.5
SA-2 <2 2.550 0.0957 61.8 94.0 f 1.9
SA-11 <0.2 1.370 0.0440 18.7 80.5 f 1.9
SA-11 <2 1.690 0.0652 65.9 96.7 f 2.0
SA-107 <2 3.640 0.1104 57.1 76.4 f 1.6
SA-107 >4 3.450 0.1334 77.6 97.1 f 2.0
SA-109 <2 4.990 0.1512 61.0 76.2 f 1.9
SA-1O9a <2 4.285 0.1329 63.4 78.1 f 1.6
Menuha Formation
AG-1 <2 1.015 0.0422 49.8 103,8 f 2.1
AG-1 >4 4.740 0.1942 84.7 102.5 f 2.2
AG-2 <2 1.470 0.0541 57.8 92.2 f 1.9
AG-2 >4 6.520 0.2430 79.8 93.4 f 1.9
AG-2 4-10 8.330 0.2090 95.4 63.6 f 1.3
AG-2 > I 0 4.850 0.2520 93.9 128.9 f 2.6
AG-3 <2 1.535 0.0670 65.3 109.3 f 2.2
AG-3 >4 8.245 0.2335 90.3 71.4 f 1.5
AG-3 4-10 9-140 0.2150 93.3 59-7 f 1.2
AG-3 >I0 6.580 0.2460 90-3 93.7 it 1.9
GYP-12 IR 0.660 0.0493 77.6 182.5 f 3.6
GYP-18 <0.2 0.530 0.0220 57.0 103.5 f 2.1
GYP-12 <2 0.620 0.0396 68.1 157.1 f 3.2
GYP-13 IR 1.680 0.0746 76.6 110.7 f 2.3
GYP-13 <O.2 1.560 0.0739 74.3 117.9 f 2.4
GYP-13 <2 1.760 0.0916 76.1 1294 f 2.6
Ghareb Formation
GYP-11 IR 1.828 0.0529 71.3 73.0 f 1.7
GYP-11 <0.2 0.850 0.0250 45.3 74.2 f 1.6
GYP-11 <2 1.415 0.0389 57.4 69.3 f 1.5
GYP-11 >4 2.380 0.1150 72.2 120.2 f 2.5
GYP-11 4-10 3.320 0.1861 84.5 121.0 f 2.4

0 1995 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 42,921-934

928 G. Steinitz et al.
Table 4. Overview of K-Ar dating
Shale (IR=76%) Dolomite (IR=8%) ages for Hazera Formation samples
[GYP-81 [GYP-71 (GYP-7, 8). The purest fractions of
K-bearing Age K-bearing the K-bearing phases in each
Fraction phases "OK (Ma) phases %K (M~) sample are in bold type.

IR I/S+Kf 3.3 113f2 Kf+I/S 8.6 98 f 2

<0.2 pm 11s 2-4 +
95 2 I/ s 4.1 97f2
<2 pm 11s 2.5 +
97 2
4-10 pm Kf 8-4 105f2 Kf 12.2 9a+2
>4 pm Kf 5.4 118f2 Kf 12.0 97f2
>10 pm 2.3 157&3 10.3 10442
U S , illite-smectite; Kf, K-feldspar.

patterns are encountered: (1)significantly older
ages: (2) similar ages - i.e. ages taken to be within
a range of *5% of the stratigraphic age. This
interval is both larger than the analytical error
and also overlaps the error on the stratigraphic
age as well as the time span assumed for
syngenetic processes; (3) younger ages.
Older ages
Predominance of K-Ar ages older than the
sedimentary age was encountered in the Jurassic
(Ardon and Mahmal) formations. In the insoluble
residue of the samples from the Ardon Formation
kaolinite predominates with minor amounts of
mica among the clay minerals. The high kaolinite
content of the three marine samples indicates
a detrital source for the clay fractions. This is
based on the notion (Murray, 1988) that the
source of kaolinite, as a major component of
the silicate fraction in such rocks, is continental
and could not have been formed under marine
conditions.
The K content of the IR fraction of the samples
increases with IR content of the rock (Tables 2
and 3). The K-Ar ages of the IR fractions span
from 314 to 344 Ma, ages which are significantly
higher than the stratigraphic age of the Ardon
Formation. Considering the mineralogy of the IR,
it must be concluded that the K is probably
contained mainly in feldspar and possibly also in
mica (which was noticed also in hand specimen).
Assuming a source with a limited age range for
the detrital fraction in these samples, we can
assume a minimum age of 340Ma. This age is
somewhat lower than the 370-380 Ma K-Ar ages
reported from the Cambrian sediments in Israel,
which have probably been reset by a thermal
event (Segev, 1986; Harlavan, 1992). Similar
detrital zircon fission track ages (307-355 Ma)
in Palaeozoic formations, from boreholes in
0 1995 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedirnentology, 42,921-934
southern Israel, have been attributed to an Early
Carboniferous uplift (Feinstein et al., 1989).
The K-Ar ages of the IR fraction in the three
samples from the Mahmal Formation span from
495 to 175 Ma. The IR of the marl sample, having
the lowest K content of all IR fractions, yields a
'Pan African' age (cf. Bentor, 1985) of 494Ma.
This is probably a lower estimate for the age of the
presumed source rocks of the detrital fraction. An
overall decrease in the age is observed with the
rise in %K content in the IR. This tendency is also
implied by the single result on the <2-pm fraction
yielding a significantly younger ( 25 Ma) age-
relative to the stratigraphic age, indicating that
late diagenetic or epigenetic effects may have
been recorded.
Similar ages
K-Ar ages similar to the sedimentary age were
frequently found in the IR fractions of the Upper
Cretaceous (Hazera, Ora, Nezer and Ghareb
formations). The ages of the various fractions of
the Hazera Formation span from 157 to 95Ma,
most of them within the Albian-Cenomanian
time-scale (108-91 Ma) (Table 4 and Fig. 2). Since
even the unseparated IR fractions yield ages
which seem to conform to the stratigraphic age
(GYP-7),or are close to it (GYP-8),it is concluded
that a significant synsedimentary signal is
recorded and retained in the K-Ar system of the
samples.
Among the K-bearing phases of the shale sam
ple (GYP-8), illilte/smectite (I/S) is the major
component in the IR, with subordinate illite and
feldspar (Table 2). I/S is the K-bearing phase
in the <&pm and <0-2-pm fractions, yielding an
age which conforms to the numeric age of the base
of the Cenomanian. The A-pm fraction, with a
significantly higher %K content, yields a some-
what higher age. SEM investigation (Fig. 3a)
 K-Ar signatures of Mesozoic clay fractions, Israel 929
.-'m 0.5 - Hazera Formation
Late Albian - Eafiy Cenomanian
6 0.4 -
P conform with the stratigraphic age and are thus
z considered to represent the age of authigenesis of
0.3 -
.-
5 these minerals in the sedimentary environment. It
.$ 0.2 -
U c0.2 <2 4-10pm IR.
P .4pm
,j0.1 - Dolomite V 0
0.0
0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 1 4
%K
Fig. 2. K-Ar correlation diagram for samples and their
size fractions from the Hazera Formation. A reference
isochron is shown for comparison.
shows two grain-size populations in this fraction
- a dominant component in the size range < l o pm
of K-feldspar, and a variety of other irregularly
shaped grains of the same or of larger size.
Separation of the 4-10-pm fraction (Fig. 3b)
displays a homogenous population of almost pure
K-feldspar grains exhibiting idiomorphic crystal
facets. The larger components of the >4-pm frac-
tion include detrital K-feldspar, which retain
older K-Ar ages as shown by the average age of
the >lO-ym fraction. The effect of these older
components is probably also reflected in the age
of the 4-10-ym fraction.
The IR fraction of the dolomite sample (GYP-7)
is rich in K-feldspar associated with minor
amounts of illite and illitic US. Size separation
yields high-purity mineral separates, with illitic
I/S predominating in the <0-2-ym fraction and
K-feldspar in the 4-10-pm fraction. SEM investi-
gation shows the latter to be crystals with idio-
morphic forms (Fig. 3c,d), mostly in the size
range 4-10ym, and detrital quartz as a minor
component. Based on these petrographic criteria,
it is assumed that the K-feldspar in the dolomite
is authigenic. Cenomanian carbonates enriched
with apparently authigenic K-feldspar have
previously been reported in Israel and Lebanon
(Huckel, 1974; Taitel-Goldman, 1993). The K-Ar
age (98 Ma) of the pure K-feldspar (4-10-ym frac-
tion) and the age (97 Ma) of the I/S in the <0.2-pm
fraction both correspond to the stratigraphic age
of the sample.
The major K-bearing phase in the IR of the shale
(GYP-8) is I/S and K-feldspar in the dolomite
(GYP-7) (Table 2). Despite these two different
lithologies and their different IR composition, the
ages of the end-member phases in the IR overlap,
0 1995 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedirnentology, 42,921-934
being in the narrow range 95-98 Ma. These ages,
occurring in mineral phases which account for
the bulk of the K in the fine silicates of the IR,
is concluded that the K-Ar system in the various
silicate fractions is basically controlled by a
synsedimentary process.
Another example of a similar age was found in
the (single) sample analysed from the Ghareb
Formation. The IR and the clay fractions, domi-
nated by smectitic US, yield K-Ar ages (74-
69Ma) which are only slightly higher than the
stratigraphic age (Fig. 4). The result implies a
major authigenic component in the K-Ar system
of these fractions. The higher K content in the
>4-pm fraction is accompanied by an increase in
the age, due to the presence of detrital feldspar
and mica (together with quartz) observed by SEM.
Lower ages
The ages of the various separated fractions from
the Ora and Nezer formations, most of them in the
range from 140 to 74 Ma, spread around the strati-
graphic age of the sampled formations with a
tendency towards lower ages in the finer size
fractions (Fig. 5). The samples analysed can be
grouped into a continental sandstone facies
(SA-2, SA-11) and a restricted marine dolomite-
anhydrite and shale facies (SA-109, SA-107,
HG-74, HG-69). The ages of the < 2 y m fractions of
the first group range from 97 to 94 Ma and those of
the second group around 76Ma. The I/S com-
positions of the latter group are more illitic
(higher K) and were suspected to be syngenetic to
early diagenetic products (Sandler, 1992). The
results imply that the analytically significant age
difference of the two groups of <2-pm fractions
may be controlled by facies parameters. The
coarse fractions analysed from two samples of
the latter group resulted in a higher age. From the
mineralogical analyses and SEM observations it
seems that the K-feldspar in the Turonian samples
is mainly of a detrital origin.
In the case of the Menuha Formation the K-Ar
ages of the various fractions scatter near the strati-
graphic age (Senonian, Fig. 6). Some of the frac-
tions (4-10pm) tend to give K-Ar ages that are
lower than the sedimentary age. The fractions
from the Judean Desert span the range from 129 to
59 Ma and the samples from Jerusalem, from 182
to 103 Ma. The K-Ar ages of the d - p m fractions
are in the range 92-109 Ma for the samples from
930 G. Steinitz et al.

Fig. 3. (a) Sample GYP-8, >4-pm fraction (shale, Hazera Fm.). Two populations of crystals: 4-10-pm rhomb K-feldspar
crystals and a heterogeneous population of larger grains, composed mainly of detrital quartz (scale bar=lo pm). (b)
Sample GYP-8, 4-10ym fraction (shale, Hazera Fm.). Separated rhombohedra1 K-feldspar crystals in the 4-10ym
fraction. The crystals show stepped facets (scale bar=10 pm). (c) Sample GYP-7, >4-pm fraction (dolomite, Hazera
Fm.). Idiomorphic K-feldspar crystals are abundant (scale bar=lo pm). All grains in the range 4-10 pm are
K-feldspars. Most, but not all, of the larger grains are also idiomorphic K-feldspar. (d) Sample GYP-7, 4-10-pm
fraction (dolomite, Hazera Fm.). Separated idiomorphic K-feldspar crystals in the 4-10-pm fraction [scale
bar=lo pm).

0.3 -

Ghareb Formation
-rn s o
k
0

8
3
vo:0.075 6 0.2
x
-

._
V ._
0
C
LT
0.050 0rn
.- 5 0.1
7J
P E
-4
0.025 3
0.000 0.0
0.0 0.5 1.o 1.5 2.0 2.5
%K
Fig. 4. K-Ar correlation diagram of clay fractions sepa- Fig. 5. K-Ar correlation diagram for Turonian samples
rated from a chalk sample from the Ghareb Formation. and fractions. Reference isochrons are shown for
A reference isochron is shown for comparison. comparison.
0 1995 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 42,921-934
 K-Ar signatures of Mesozoic clay fractions, Israel 931

0.25
/ DISCUSSION
'm The overall age patterns in these clay fractions
*g 0.20 indicate that even the finest fractions (<@2prn)
b
7 seem to have retained radiogenic argon since
0.15
.- sedimentation and/or diagenesis. This retention
5 is remarkable given the geological time elapsed,
B
6
0.10
the present-day exposure to erosion at the out-
2 Menuha Formation
crops, as well as the analytical processing which
sa 0.05 Santonian-Campanian
included acid leaching and bakeout (c. 12O"C,
4 - 1Opm
0.00
10 h) on the extraction line. This confirms earlier
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
findings by Elliot et al. (1991) and Aronson & Lee
(1986) on the K-Ar system of diagenetic illite.
%K
A general trend of decreasing age with de-
Fig. 6. K-Ar correlation diagram for samples and their creasing size fractions reflects the occurrence of
clay fractions from the Menuha Formation. Reference high-age detrital K-bearing minerals, namely
isochrons are shown for comparison.
K-feldspar and mica, in the silt-size fraction.
These minerals carry ages of 314-587 Ma,
recorded in some of the IR and >10-pm fractions.
the Judean Desert, lower than the 103-157Ma This age range indicates a Precambrian prov-
range for the Jerusalem samples. Overall, the enance with ages of 500Ma or older, and a
finest fractions, dominated by smectitic US, Devonian age that was imprinted on the Palaeo-
yield ages that are somewhat higher than the zoic sediments (and older rocks?) in a thermal
stratigraphic age. event, as suggested by Segev (1986) and Harlavan
The coarser fractions of the IR in the chalk [1992). This provenance was expected given the
and the shale from the Judean Desert samples palaeogeographical setting outlined above.
are relatively enriched in potassium. Idio- In the clay fractions, the US minerals (including
morphic K-feldspar was identified in both the discrete illite) are the main K-bearing component
chalk and the shale (Fig. 7a,b), which were that are expected, a priori, to bear a pronounced
concentrated in the 4-10-pm size fraction. The detrital signature. Unlike the coarser fractions,
K-Ar ages of a semi-pure fraction are 64Ma they yield ages that are close to the preferred
(shale; 8-3%K) and 60Ma in a purer fraction stratigraphic ages. In some instances the smallest
(chalk; 9.1%K). The petrographic observations IR fractions (<0.2 pm) yield ages that are (some-
combined with the analytical results imply a what) lower than the ages of the clay fraction
(late) diagenetic (20-25 Ma later) age for the (<2 pm), while in others they yield equal ages. In
K-feldspar. the case of the Turonian sandstone samples this

Fig. 7 . (a) Sample AG-2, 4-10-pm fraction (shale, Menuha Fm.). Rhombohedra1 authigenic K-feldspar crystals and
rounded quartz (chert) grains exhibiting rough surfaces (scale bar=lo pm). (b) Sample AG-1, >4-pm fraction (chalk,
Menuha Fm.). Large idiomorphic K-feldspar surrounded by similar small K-feldspar crystals. All are assumed t o be
authigenic. The few irregular grains are quartz (chert) and a mica flake (lower left edge) (scale bar=lo pm).
0 1995 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 42, 921-934
932 G. Steinitz et al.
pattern is interpreted in terms of the general trend
of decreasing age with decreasing grain size, com-
bined with the effect of diagenetic processes on
the finest clay fraction. In the whole clay fraction
of these samples this diagenetic clay is mixed
with other older than stratigraphic-age phases,
mainly illites. In other cases it seems that a
similar age is obtained for both clay fractions due
to a single US phase, which dominates both size
fractions. An example is the illitic I/S of the
Hazera Formation, which is probably the product
of a discrete syngenetic to early diagenetic proc-
ess of neoformation or illitization, and hence all
its clay size fractions yield similar ages. A differ-
ent pattern is shown by the smectitic I/S of the
Menuha Formation, in which all samples yield an
age older than the stratigraphic agq. In this case
the diversity of the results is greater than in the
Hazera Formation. These smectites are con-
sidered to be mainly detrital, removed from
weathering profiles, with minor additions of re-
cycled older illites.
This investigation shows that synsedimentary
events (including early diagenetic processes) are
recorded by the K-Ar isotopic system in clay
fractions, often masking all previous K-Ar signa-
tures. The fine (<lo pm) K-bearing clay fractions
have, to a large extent, K-Ar ages synchronous
with the time of deposition, implying either detri-
tal supply of land-derived authigenic K-bearing
clays, or synsedimentary authigenesis, or both.
Such a synsedimentary K-Ar signal is recorded in
clay fractions of rocks from a wide lithological
range (IR<10% to IR>90%) representing different
environments of deposition. In the Hazera
Formation, these effects were traced in two end-
member lithologies (carbonate, shale), represent-
ing a closely associated lithological transition.
The synsedimentary ages are manifested basically
in two mineralogical types - illite/smectite and
K-feldspar. Among the clay minerals, the synsedi-
mentary signature is recorded in monomineralic
fractions regarded as authigenic. The synsedi-
mentary signature in K-feldspars, such as in the
Hazera and Menuha formations, is substantiated
by petrographic criteria for their authigenic origin
in the sediments - i.e. crystal morphology and a
limited size (4-10 pm) distribution.
Authigenic K-feldspars, concentrated in some
samples in the 4-10-pm fraction, enable the iso-
lation of a very stable K-bearing authigenic phase
that can be dated with high accuracy. In the
Hazera Formation their age was found to be iden-
tical (within the analytical error) to the age of the
clay, both corresponding to the stratigraphic age.
0 1995 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 42,921-934
In the Menuha Formation the age of the
K-feldspar is some 20 Myr younger than the sedi-
mentation age and thus probably bears no relation
to associated clays. If this result can be verified in
the same beds at other locations, it may indicate a
large-scale geological event.
The abundance of authigenic K-feldspar was
greater than suggested by previous studies. This
phenomenon is in accordance with the neo-
formation and potassium redistribution in the
I/S phases deduced from the clustering of the
K-Ar clay ages around the stratigraphic age.
Since these strata have never been subjected to
deep burial or to thermal events, it seems that
the availability of potassium was due solely to
interaction with brines migrating into shallow
levels within the sedimentary sequence. Brines
were frequently formed in the shallow shelf
environment as is recorded directly by evaporite
and evaporite imprints in this Mesozoic
sequence or indirectly by the frequent occur-
rences of dolomite which formed from evapor-
ated seawater (Sass & Katz, 1982; Eilon et a].,
1988; Sass & Bein, 1988).
Post-depositional closure of the K-Ar system in
mineral fractions is also evident. In the case of
samples from the Turonian formations (Ora and
Nezer) many of the ages of the d - p m fractions
cluster around 76Ma. The age difference of c.
15 Ma (beyond the analytical error) between this
K-Ar age and the stratigraphic age (90 Ma) com-
bined with the fact that the samples are dolomite,
shale and sandstone from dispersed localities,
implies that a late diagenetic event is recorded.
The late diagenetic resetting of the K-Ar clock in
clay fractions of the Turonian formations may
thus be ascribed to brines (Steinitz, 1977; Bartov
& Steinitz, 1982), originating in Late Senonian
strata, a few tens of metres above. In the case of
the Menuha Formation a post-depositional (20-
25Ma) event is recorded in the formation of
authigenic K-feldspar.
It is generally thought that the clay fractions in
marine sedimentary sequences (particularly deep-
sea sediments), and especially in shales, are
primarily of detrital origin with little or no authi-
genic contribution (cf. Kastner, 1981; Weaver,
1989). K-Ar dating of clay fractions, mainly
illites, in North Atlantic deep-sea sediments has
yielded ages in the range of 200-1000 Ma, clearly
reflecting long-distance transport from continen-
tal sources without significant modifications to
this isotopic system in the minerals (Biscaye,
1965; Griffin et a]., 1968; Jantschik & Huon, 1992).
Thus, there is a discrepancy between the results
 K-Ar signatures of Mesozoic clay fractions, Israel 933
presented here and the generally accepted
viewpoint.
Studying the K-Ar isotopic system in the clay
fractions in different lithologies (e.g. carbonate
and shale) from carbonate shelf environments can
yield significant information not only on their
source, but also on parameters such as syngenesis
of clay minerals and diagenesis of K-bearing
silicates. As different K-Ar patterns were
encountered among the various stratigraphic
units investigated as well as between the different
lithologies, it is suggested that facies parameters
(depositionaland/or diagenetic) may be a control-
ling factor. Thus, K-Ar investigations, in conjunc-
tion with detailed mineralogical studies, can
serve as an additional tool in the palaeogeographi-
cal and stratigraphic study of marine carbonate
shelf sequences that have not been subjected to
deep post-depositional burial. Furthermore, in
such cases the K-Ar clock can be applied as a
petrological tool in the study of its fine K-bearing
silicates. It may also prove useful to follow such
strata along strike into areas of higher burial
and/or (palaeo-) thermal gradients and trace the
K-Ar resetting of the fine clay fractions. Under
favourable conditions this sensitive analytical
tool, used on relatively abundant mineral frac-
tions, could be applied to determine thermal
histories.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This project was funded by the Ministry of
Science and Technology (no.3402). D. Stiber
performed the potassium analysis, Y. Lakatosh
helped with mineral separation, C. Dallal helped
with argon analysis and M. Dvorachek with the
SEM. A. Heimann is acknowledged for his fruitful
remarks. The final manuscript benefited from con-
structive remarks by W. C. Elliot, P. J. Hamilton
and especially by T. Fallick.
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Manuscript received 25 April 1994; revision accepted
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