Strontium distribution for the carbonates of the Flagstaff Formation, Ephraim, Utah
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Date
1968-03
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Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
The strontium concentrations of twenty nine samples of carbonate rocks from the Flagstaff formation at Fairview Canyon in Ephraim, Utah were determined by X-ray fluoresence. X-ray diffraction was used to determine the dolomite content in the samples. An inverse relationship was expected to hold between the dolomite content and the strontium concentration. As a result of this investigation it has been found that the strontium concentration varies directly with the dolomite content. In as much as the dolomite content is controlled by dolomitization, one concludes that dolomitization may affect the strontium concentration in either one of three ways: (1) it may increase the strontium concentration, (2) it may decrease the strontium content or (3) in case of primary strontium, dolomitization may have no effect on the Sr concentration. The presence of pelecypods, ostracods and gastropods may have a positive effect on the strontium content. Until the strontium distribution among these fossils is determined no further comment on their exact role in determining the strontium concentration can be made here. In so far as the Flagstaff dolomites show higher strontium concentration than the limestones, one sees that crystall form of the Flagstaff carbonates is not of primary importance in controling the strontium content.