Carbon isotopes in pelites of the Precambrian Uncompahgre Formation, Needle Mountains, Colorado

Geological Society of America Bulletin
By:  and 

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Abstract

Carbon isotopic ratios and weight percentages of carbon were measured in 15 samples of slate, phyllite, and schist of the approximately 1500- to 1600-m.y.-old Uncompahgre Formation of the Needle Mountains, southwestern Colorado. Rocks with less than 1 percent total carbon, all of which is reduced, have δC13 values of −23 to −28 per mil, whereas those with 1 to 6.4 percent carbon have δC13 from −29 to −31 per mil. In general, the slates and phyllites contain more carbon and isotopically lighter carbon than do the schists of higher metamorphic rank. Increasing loss of C12-enriched methane with increasing intensity of metamorphism is suggested to account for these differences.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Carbon isotopes in pelites of the Precambrian Uncompahgre Formation, Needle Mountains, Colorado
Series title Geological Society of America Bulletin
DOI 10.1130/0016-7606(1969)80[1403:CIIPOT]2.0.CO;2
Volume 80
Issue 7
Year Published 1969
Language English
Publisher Geological Society of America
Description 5 p.
First page 1403
Last page 1407
Country United States
State Colroado
Other Geospatial Needle Mountains, Precambrian Uncompahgre Formation
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