Sedimentological and Geochemical Analysis of the Upper Paleozoic Sedimentary Sequences in Kinta Valley, Peninsular Malaysia

The palaeozoic sequence stratigraphic position and
geological age of the Kinta Valley limestone and associated clastics
are not well understood. Subjection to diagenetic and
metamorphic alterations increases the difficulties in the
application of sedimentological study. Geochemical results show
temporal and spatial variation from north to southeast of the
Kinta valley limestone sequences. Mainly it shows a low MgO
(2.38 wt %) at the northern (Khantan) and relatively higher (7.61
wt %) in the southeast of Kinta Valley (Kampar). It also
characterized by having lower trivalent oxides of Fe and Al in the
older outcrops than that of the younger carbonate outcrops. Sr
elemental variation of the analysed samples also followed the same
trend but in a decreasing order towards the southeast. The
implication of this compositional variation might be linked to
fluid-rock interaction during the metamorphism episode or can be
considered as a reflection of contemporaneous palaeo-sea water
composition. Petrographic analyses of 33 thin sections showed
that the limestone is crystallized to form marble and/or affected
by diagenesis. Thus, sedimentological investigation of the Kinta
Valley sequences needs to be integrated with geochemical studies
to have a better understanding of the lithofacies, its regional
stratigraphic position and possibly to determine the geological age
of the non-fossiliferous intervals. In this contribution, geochemical
analysis integrated with sedimentological and paleontological
studies are presented.