Question

Find out the correct statement(s).

• A. Authigenic minerals form during diagenesis of sandstone.
• B. Heavy minerals in sandstone are good indicators of provenance.
• C. An arkose is mineralogically more mature than a quartz arenite.
• D. Matrix in sandstone may form by post-depositional infiltration and/or authigenic filling.

Hint:

When studying sandstone, the presence of heavy minerals can provide significant clues about the source area and the depositional environment.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B, D

Step 1: Analyzing the statements.
- (A) Authigenic minerals do indeed form during the diagenesis process, but this is not universally true for all sandstones.
- (B) Heavy minerals are excellent indicators of provenance in sandstone, as their presence and composition can help identify the source rock.
- (C) An arkose is a more immature rock than quartz arenite, as it contains a higher percentage of feldspar.
- (D) Matrix in sandstone can form by post-depositional processes, but this is not the defining feature of all sandstones.

Step 2: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B) Heavy minerals in sandstone are good indicators of provenance.