Mineralogical and Geochemical Compositions of Sedimentary Rocks in the Gosau Group (Late Cretaceous), Grünbach–Neue Welt Area, Austria

Xinxuan Xiang (), Eun Young Lee, Erich Draganits and Michael Wagreich
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Xinxuan Xiang: Department of Geology, University of Vienna, Josef Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Eun Young Lee: Department of Geology, University of Vienna, Josef Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Erich Draganits: Department of Geology, University of Vienna, Josef Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Michael Wagreich: Department of Geology, University of Vienna, Josef Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria

Data, 2025, vol. 10, issue 5, 1-17

Abstract: Sedimentary rocks of the Gosau Group in the Grünbach–Neue Welt area (Eastern Alps, Austria) were analyzed to determine their mineralogical and geochemical compositions. This study includes the following: (1) the identification of major minerals using X-ray diffraction (XRD), (2) the analysis of major, minor, and trace elements via X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and (3) the quantification of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total sulfur (TS) using an Elementar Unicube analyzer. Samples were collected from four artificial trenches and one outcrop in Maiersdorf, spanning the Grünbach and Piesting formations deposited during a terrestrial-to-marine transition in the upper Santonian to Campanian (Late Cretaceous). The dominant minerals—quartz, muscovite, illite, and calcite—exhibit relative abundances corresponding with variations in major oxide concentrations. Minor elements show variability but generally follow consistent trends. Trace and rare earth elements display greater variability but similar patterns, with a broader distribution in the Grünbach Formation. Elevated TOC, TN, and TS values are observed near the formation boundary and in the Piesting formation. These results offer the mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the strata, and lay a foundation for further investigations into the paleoenvironmental and basin evolution of the Gosau Group in the region, providing a comparative framework for Gosau basins across the Eastern Alps.

Keywords: Gosau Group; Grünbach–Neue Welt; Grünbach Formation; Piesting formation; Late Cretaceous; mineral; X-ray diffraction (XRD); elemental composition; X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF); inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C8 C80 C81 C82 C83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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