Geochemical Fingerprinting of Bentonites Resolves Stratigraphic Uncertainties: Implications for Dinosaur Faunal Turnover, Dinosaur Park Formation, Alberta, Canada

Geochemical fingerprinting of bentonites has resolved long-standing stratigraphic uncertainties within the Dinosaur Park Formation (DPF) at Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rich dinosaur fossil record. The study reveals that previously indistinguishable bentonite beds exhibit distinct geochemical and physical differences, enabling cost-effective and straightforward identification parameters. This breakthrough establishes a robust stratigraphic framework crucial for refining biostratigraphic correlations and understanding faunal turnover events in the DPF. The research utilized whole rock geochemistry on unprocessed samples alongside microprobe analysis of phenocrysts such as biotite, feldspars, volcanic glass, and zircons, combined with phenocryst ratio counts to characterize the bentonites effectively.

Thompson, M., Brink, K., Brown, C., & Durkin, P. (2024). Geochemical Fingerprinting of Bentonites Resolves Stratigraphic Uncertainties: Implications for Dinosaur Faunal Turnover, Dinosaur Park Formation, Alberta, Canada. The Past Is the Key to a Sustainable Future, 98. https://doi.org/10.2110/sepmmisc.24.098