Itu rhythmites: petrography and paleo-depositional considerations

Abstract

Rhythmite samples from Varvite Quarry and Park of Itu (SP), and well cores from Rafard (SP), were analyzed by optical microscopy to describe the petrographic characteristics of their light-colored (siltstone) and dark-colored (shale) laminae. The light-colored ones are essentially siltstones, commonly with traces of sands; the mineralogical composition is mainly quartz, with traces of feldspar and scarce mica; quartz or calcite cementation occurs in variable intensity, the first one being more intense in the Itu rhythmites; parallel laminations, internally normal graded or massive are the most common sedimentary structures in these rocks; bioturbations and dropstones are commonly observed in Itu rhythmites; contacts between siltstone laminae, and siltstone beds and shale laminae are commonly non-erosive and sharp. Considering this study and the macroscopic description of these rhythmites it was possible to clarify many questions about their composition, as the grain-size of the light-colored beds composed by silt with subordinate dropped sand, and the inappropriate use of the term varvite to the most of the Itu rhythmites. It was also important to reinforce their proglacial lacustrine origin, with random freezing of lacustrine surface water, and only sporadic ice-contact.