Geochemical Indicators in Provenance Estimation

The geochemical and isotopic composition of sediments is a function of the host rock composition from where the sediment has been derived, climate and topography, weathering, mixing from variable sources, grain size and hydrodynamic processes, transportation, and post-depositional changes. Deconvoluting the sediment source is of prime significance for paleogeographic reconstructions, characterizing crust that is no longer exposed and understanding the evolution of the crust. The present chapter aims to review some geochemical and isotopic proxies frequently used for sediment source estimations. Nevertheless, the study has also provided glimpses of other methods wherein the applicability of statistical and geophysical approaches has been highlighted. The present study cautions on the implementation of the statistical approach to delineate the possible role of sorting or other processes which might have affected the geochemical composition. Further, the adoption of multiple approaches in sediment source determination is needed to have reliable provenance identification. The future of the robust identification of sediment provenance lies in the multidisciplinary approach that needs to be conceived and devised.