Sedimentary Petrology and Basin Analysis of the Mamu Formation: Insights into Provenance, Depositional Environments, and Paleohydrodynamic Conditions

The Mamu Formation, a sedimentary unit of significant geological and economic interest, remains incompletely understood. This study employed sedimentary petrology and basin analysis techniques to investigate the provenance, depositional environments, and paleohydrodynamic conditions associated with the formation. Sediment samples (MA.1 through MA.8) were collected from various stratigraphic levels to capture the lithological variations within the Mamu Formation. A three-step methodology was implemented. First, samples underwent standard preparation techniques (washing, sieving, drying, crushing, homogenization). Second, petrographic analysis involved creating thin sections from each sample for examination under a polarizing microscope. Modal composition (quartz, feldspar, rock fragments) was quantified using the point-counting method. Finally, a ternary diagram was utilized to visualize the compositional data and classify the sandstones based on their detrital grain composition (quartz, feldspar, rock fragments). The dominance of quartz suggests a likely igneous or metamorphic source area, while the presence of feldspar and rock fragments indicates a potentially mixed source and relatively short transport distances. Grain size distribution points towards a high-energy environment like a fluvial or beach setting. Poor sorting and variable skewness values suggest fluctuations in flow strength during deposition. This analysis provides valuable insights into the origin, transport, and depositional history of the Mamu Formation sediments.