Organic matter maturation vs clay mineralogy: A comparison for Carboniferous to Eocene sediments from the Alpine – Dinaride junction (Slovenia, Austria)

Abstract

Clay mineral diagenesis of Carboniferous to Paleogene rocks within the Alpine-Dinaric junction was studied and compared to vitrinite reflectance. Generally, there is a good fit between clay mineral diagenesis and VR. However, clay mineral alterations lag behind maturation in some Ladinian and Carnian rocks (e.g. northern margin of the Dinaric Platform). Most probably, the lag in clay mineral diagenesis reflects an highly varying geochemical background in these stratigraphic horizons. Carboniferous deposits are late diagenetic to anchimetamorphic. Mesozoic deposits cover the range from middle diagenesis to the anchizone. Triassic to Cretaceous rocks in the SB and the Sava Folds reach the anchizone. Differences in diagenesis/metamorphism are mainly due to different maximum burial in Paleogene time.