Whole rock geochemical analyses (major and trace elements, REE) of Neoproterozoic turbiditic greywackes (Lausitz Group), Cadomian anatexitic rocks, and granodiorites (Saxo-Thuringia, Germany)

The data presented are whole rock geochemical analyses (major and minor elements, REE), of Neoproterozoic turbiditic greywackes, Cadomian anatexitic rocks with metabasaltic inclusions, and post-collisional granodiorites. The data publication presents geochemical classification of the source regions of greywacke outcrops across the Lusatian massif, supported by microscopic lithoclast analysis. Discrimination further served to evaluate formerly assumed different geotectonic settings during age-different orogenic processes in the Western, as well as in the Eastern part of Lusatia. This was applied to the turbiditic greywackes, adjacent anatectic to granodioritic rocks, and mafic volcanogenic intercalations within the greywackes (tuffitic material) and the anatexites.
Analyses with different methods (ICP, AAS, XRF, OES, WET) were made between 1987 and 1993 in different laboratories of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the early GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences. Economical constraints limited the capacity of and access to labs, and also available techniques in the GDR - limiting the spectrum of elements to be analysed, especially that of REE, as well. Switching from lab to lab (see table) became a necessary tool. Despite these problems, all data proved to be comparable. This also applies to data from later used techniques (ICP, from 1991 on) on some additional sample material, regardless of its higher resolution. In few cases, detection limits have not been been communicated.
The data are reported with the EarthChem Templates (https://doi.org/10.26022/IEDA/112263) and as original data tables. The data description is provided in English and German.
German title: Gesamtgesteins-Geochemie (Haupt-/Spurenelemente, REE) an neoproterozoischen Grauwacken (Lausitz-Gruppe), Cadomischen Anatexiten und Granodioriten (Saxothuringia, Deutschland)

The Lausitz Group in the easternmost part of Saxo-Thuringia, forms the largest exposure of partly anchimetamorphic Cadomian basement in Germany. In common with adjoining units to the west, the turbiditic greywackes (Lusatian Group) were deposited in a convergent-margin basin of northern peri-Gondwana. Sedimentary features within the greywacke successions suggest continuous accumulation during a deepening stage that followed basaltic-andesitic arc-volcanic activity. The turbidites are irregularly intercalated with tuffaceous greywacke, which was derived from reworked basic volcanic material. Petrological and geochemical data reveal a broadly uniform source area for the greywackes with a dissected magmatic arc signature containing exhumed pre-Cadomian basement. Part of the greywackes together with earlier Cadomian sedimentary input from Western Gondwana became mobilized during Cadomian subduction-related anatexis. During basin closure, the greywackes were weakly folded with a northerly vergence.
Subsequently, they were contact-metamorphic overprinted by granodioritic intrusions, which mark the end of the Cadomian orogeny and show both Cadomian and pre-Cadomian crustal signatures. Tuffitic members of the greywacke successions yielded zircon ages of 575 - 565 Ma (Gehmlich et al. 1997), which are interpreted as the time of active Cadomian arc magmatism in peri-Gondwana and maximum sedimentation age. Dating of anatexitic and intrusive granodioritic rocks of S-type signature provided ages between 550 - 530 Ma (Tichomirowa 2002). Superimposed very low-grade S-C textures in greywackes of the easternmost Lausitz area are due to Variscan processes.