Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-023-01995-0

ORIGINAL PAPER

Aptian flood basalts in Bacalhau oil and gas field: petrogenesis

and geodynamics of post‑rift tholeiites in the pre‑salt sequence
of Santos Basin, Brazil
Viktor Souto Louback1 · Sérgio de Castro Valente2 · Cícera Neysi de Almeida1 · Jake Ross3 · Leonardo Borghi1

Received: 23 May 2022 / Accepted: 17 January 2023

© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2023

Abstract
A post-rift Aptian magmatism is recorded in a 500-m-thick sequence of basalts interbedded with marls in the Bacalhau oil
and gas field in Santos Basin, SE Brazil. This magmatic section is within the so-called pre-salt sequence of Santos Basin that
comprises the major oil and gas reserves of Brazil. This is the first publication of systematic petrological and geochronological
data for the Aptian magmatism in Santos. Whole-rock Ar–Ar integrated ages obtained for these basalts are 116.93 ± 0.22 Ma,
116.16 ± 0.10 Ma, 115.21 ± 0.13 Ma and 109.95 ± 0.20 Ma and. As such, they are younger than the rift-related Camboriú
basalts in Santos as well as the Paraná-Etendeka basalts and related dike swarms. The Santos basalts comprise a low-Ti
tholeiitic suite with La/Nbn (2.7–4.2) and La/Ybn (4.2–5.9) ratios typical of continental flood basalt provinces. The basalts
vary in MgO content but show no evidence for cogeneticity by differentiation processes. Lithogeochemical data showed that
the Aptian basalts in Santos cannot be related with either the low-Ti, Esmeralda and Gramado suites in Paraná-Etendeka or
the low-Ti Lumiar, Serrana, and Costa Azul suites in the Serra do Mar Dike Swarm on the basis of lithogeochemical data.
No geochemical and isotopic correlation can be done with the Aptian, Alagoas basalts in Campos basin as well. Initial
(115 Ma) isotope ratios (Sr: 0.705747–0.706804; εNd: −5.9 to −2.8; 206Pb/204Pb: 17.61–18.67; 207Pb/204Pb: 15.47–15.58;
208
Pb/204Pb: 38.17–38.39; εHf: + 0.3 to −8.2) indicate derivation from a EM1 mantle component in the SCLM. Modal batch
partial melting modelling showed that melting occurred within the garnet stability zone. We propose a geodynamic model
for the Aptian in Santos in which the melting of the SCLM is related with either the presence of the Tristan da Cunha man-
tle plume in Aptian time below Santos or stretching of different portions of the blob-rich SCLM itself. This stretching is
due to the remaining heat advected from Tristan during the voluminous Early Cretaceous magmatism that gave rise to the
Paraná-Etendeka CFB.

Keywords Bacalhau field · Pre-salt · Santos basin · Continental flood basalts · Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotopes · Ar–Ar dating

Introduction

Continental flood basalts with intertraps fill many sedimen-

tary basins with oil and gas reservoirs worldwide (Ren et al.
Communicated by Mark S Ghiorso.
2020; Louback et al. 2021; Wu et al. 2021; Marins et al.
* Viktor Souto Louback 2022). However, little is known about the magmatic petrol-
louback@geologia.ufrj.br ogy and petrophysics of volcanic rocks and intrusions that
1
make up those successions (Nelson et al. 2009).
Laboratory of Sedimentary Geology (Lagesed), Department The magmatism of the Paraná-Etendeka continental
of Geology, Institute of Geosciences, Federal University
of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941‑916, Brazil flood basalts (CFB) has been related to the rise of Tristan da
2 Cunha mantle plume, which was associated with the pre-rift
Department of Petrology and Geotectonics, Federal
Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, magmatism (134–132 Ma; Gomes and Vasconcelos 2021)
Rio de Janeiro 23890‑000, Brazil of the Gondwana break-up (Gibson et al. 1995; Mohriak
3
New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, NM et al. 2002; Moulin et al. 2010; Stica et al. 2014). The inter-
Tech, Socorro, NM 87801, USA pretation of ultra-deep seismic lines showed that a syn-rift

13
Vol.:(0123456789)
 15 Page 2 of 25
magmatism (133–113 Ma) is represented by the seaward-
dipping reflectors that fill the Pelotas Basin eastwards, which
is a very different feature when compared to the adjacent
Santos Basin, the latter taken as an example of a magma-
poor passive margin (Stica et al. 2014).
The rift-related, Camboriú magmatism in Santos was
dated at 138 ± 3.5 Ma (whole-rock, K–Ar ages; Fodor and
Vetter 1984) (Fig. 1), being nearly with the Paraná-Etendeka
CFB main magmatism (ca. 134–132 Ma, mineral and whole-
rock, Ar–Ar ages; Thiede and Vasconcelos 2010). Coeval
basaltic magmatism with 134 ± 4 Ma is also recorded as the
Cabiúnas basalts in Campos basin (whole-rock, K–Ar ages;
Mizusaki et al. 1992).
There is no systematic record of the post-rift magmatism
(Moreira et al. 2007) in Santos basin and its adjoining conti-
nental area in SE Brazil. On the other hand, Aptian post-rift
magmatism was recorded in Campos Basin represented by
the low-Ti tholeiitic Alagoas basalts (Dani et al. 2017).
Massive basaltic magmatism in sedimentary basins may
induce thermal and fluid gradients that affect the source and
reservoir rocks as much as sealing and trapping in petroleum
systems (Thomaz Filho et al. 2000; Gudmundsson and Løt-
veit 2014). As such, it is important to determine the time
and duration of the magmatic event to evaluate the effects
of intrusions and volcanism in the petroleum systems of a
sedimentary basin (Senger et al. 2017). The identification
and discrimination of igneous rocks and processes are chal-
lenging for modeling Brazilian pre-salt reservoirs (Penna
et al. 2019). There are few petrological studies regarding
igneous rocks in the pre-salt sequence, as opposed to pub-
lications about their carbonate reservoirs (e.g. Farias et al.
2019; Wan et al. 2019). This paper provides petrographic,
lithogeochemical, Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotope and Ar–Ar geo-
chronological data for the post-rift magmatism in the Pre-
Salt sedimentary sequence of Santos basin. The aims of the
present study were to elaborate comparisons with the coeval
basaltic magmatism in the nearby Campos Basin, as well as
with the earlier Paraná-Etendeka Continental Flood Basalts
and associated dike swarms. In addition, lithogeochemical
data were used to propose a partial melting model in order
to support a conceptual geodynamic model related to the
post-rift magmatism in Santos Basin.
Geological setting
The Santos Basin is a passive margin sedimentary basin
located offshore the southeastern continental margin of
Brazil. The basin covers an area of approximately 350,000
­km2, being limited to the north by the Cabo Frio Structural
High and to the south by the Florianópolis Structural High
(Fig. 2).
13
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15
The Santos Basin is the most prolific oil-producing prov-
ince in Brazil where thick layers of Late Aptian evaporites
seal the voluminous Pre-Salt carbonate reservoirs (Zalán
et al. 2019). Santos originated as a rift basin during the
fragmentation of Gondwana in the Lower Cretaceous and
evolved to a passive margin basin during the opening of
the South Atlantic Ocean (Chang et al. 1992; Cainelli and
Mohriak 1999). Magmatic processes in this region are
associated with rift, post-rift and drift sedimentary megas-
equences recorded in the chronostratigraphic column of the
basin (Fig. 1) (Fodor and Vetter 1984; Moreira et al. 2006,
2007).
High-grade orthogneisses, paragneisses, granulites, gran-
ites and granodiorites constitute the Precambrian crystalline
basement rocks of Santos Basin. These rocks are part of the
Ribeira Collisional Orogen formed during the amalgamation
of Gondwana at ca. 590 Ma (Heilbron et al. 2000). Crys-
tallization ages (U–Pb zircon data) obtained for the calc-
alkaline orthogneisses of the basement in Santos Basin are
ca. 1.96–1.98 Ga, whereas the metamorphism was dated at
500 Ma (Carmo et al. 2017). These ages correspond to those
obtained from rocks within the so-called Cabo Frio Tectonic
Domain exposed on the continental adjoining area of Santos
Basin (Schmitt et al. 2016). This age correlation between
the Santos basement rocks and the metamorphic rocks in
the adjoining continental area is in agreement with other
lines of evidence for the presence of a strongly extended
continental crust in the offshore portion of the Santos and
Campos Basins (Karner 2000; Mio et al. 2005).
Santos encompasses one of the thickest sedimentary
sequence (nearly 10 km) among the basins of the Brazilian
continental margin. The chronostratigraphic chart of Santos
Basin (Fig. 1) comprises three major sedimentary sequences
related to the Gondwana rifting processes and further devel-
opment of the South Atlantic ocean (Moreira et al. 2007).
The Rift Sequence records the sedimentation over a thinned
and strongly stretched crust with half-grabens filled at their
lowermost parts by the tholeiitic basalts of the Camboriú
Formation (Mio et al. 2005; Chang et al. 2008). Polymictic
conglomerates and lithic sandstones with basalt fragments
in the proximal portions of the rift, as well as lacustrine-
related, Mg-rich shales, constitute the Piçarras Formation
at the top of the Camboriú Formation. The Rift Sequence
ends up with the deposition of the coquinas and dark shales
of the Itapema Formation over an Intra-Barremian uncon-
formity. The top of the coquinas deposits is overlain by the
regional-scale, Pre-Alagoas unconformity (Moreira et al.
2007). Hydrocarbon source and reservoir rocks in the so-
called Pre-Salt sedimentary sequence of Santos Basin occur
in the Piçarras and Itapema formations, respectively, and are
part of one of the most important petroleum systems in the
world (Zalán et al. 2019).
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15 Page 3 of 25 15

Fig. 1  Stratigraphic chart of the Santos Basin, Brazil (Modified from oceanic boundary. PECFB is the Paraná-Etendeka Continental Flood
Moreira et al. 2007). Column in the right-hand side shows the mag- Basalt Province. Formations of the pre-salt sequence are: Camboriú
matic events recorded in Santos Basin at different stages of its tec- (CAM), Piçarras (PIÇ), Itapema (ITP) and Barra Velha (BVE). The
tonic evolution. Question mark (?) tentatively places the continental- salt deposits comprise the Ariri Formation (ARI)

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 15 Page 4 of 25 Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15

Fig. 2  Location of borehole

4-BRSA-971-SPS (yellow star)
over the São Paulo plateau, cen-
tral portion of Santos basin. The
Vitória High between Campos
and Espírito Santo basins, as
well as the Florianópolis High
between Santos and Pelotas
basins (southwards) are also
shown. Main capital cities in
the continent are indicated for
reference, as well as the Pre-salt
polygon (part of the basin that
reaches the Pre-Salt sequence).
White squares are hydrocarbon
exploration blocks in these sedi-
mentary basins. Source: Google
Earth Pro

The Post-rift Sequence in Santos Basin records mostly
evaporitic cycles typical of shallow water lacustrine depo-
sitional environments (Wright and Rodriguez 2018). It
begins with the deposition of limestones interbedded with
laminated mudstones that comprise the Barra Velha For-
mation. The incipient thermal subsidence of Santos Basin
in the Late Aptian induced a change from a predominantly
lacustrine environment to a shallow, marine hypersaline
environment (Moreira et al. 2007). The latter provided
the conditions for the rapid (ca. 0.7 Myr) deposition of
the thick (up to 3 km) evaporitic section recorded by the
Ariri Formation, which is mainly composed of halite and
anhydrite. These evaporites comprise the seal rocks of the
Pre-Salt petroleum systems within Santos Basin (Moreira
et al. 2007; Yamamoto et al. 2019).
Finally, Santos evolved to a passive-margin basin
whose sedimentary processes are recorded in the Drift
Sequence. This sequence is related to the progressive
thermal subsidence of the basin, leading to the deposi-
tion of marine sediments from the Albian to the Recent.
The rise in sea level resulted in the deposition of a shal-
low marine carbonate platform which covered the Aptian
evaporites (Chang et al. 1992). A marine transgression
over the carbonate platform at the end of Albian gave rise
to the deep-sea terrigenous sediments in a passive margin
platform with thick turbidite deposits (Chang et al. 2008).
These turbidites are hydrocarbon reservoir rocks above
the salt sequence in Santos basin.
The Paraná‑Etendeka CFB and the magmatism
in Santos and adjoining basins
Lava facies and architecture, emplacement modes of dif-
ferent volcanic units and revised volcano-stratigraphy
allow the volcanic rocks within the Paraná-Etendeka CFB
in Brazil to be formerly included in the Serra Geral Group
of the Paraná sedimentary basin (Rossetti et al. 2018).
The Early Cretaceous (Turner et al. 1994; Gomes and
Vasconcelos 2021) Paraná-Etendeka CFB include high-
Ti (Pitanga, Paranapanema and Ribeira magma types
in northern Paraná and Urubici in southern Paraná) and
low-Ti (Gramado and Esmeralda magma types; southern
Paraná) basaltic suites in South America and their coun-
terparts in Africa (Erlank et al. 1984; Duncan et al. 1988;
Renne et al. 1996; Peate 1997; Ewart 1998; Marsh et al.
2001).
The low-Ti basalts in Paraná-Etendeka CFB and associ-
ated dikes were related to decreasing lithospheric contribu-
tions towards the wanning phase of magmatism (Rossetti
et al. 2021). The primitive magmas may have been fed by
a poorly developed lower crustal plumbing system, whilst
their voluminous eruptions were fed by shallow magma
chambers (Rossetti et al. 2021; Simões et al. 2022), crustal
contamination of intrusions being a likely process (Sarmento
et al. 2020). The plumbing system that fed the low-Ti basal-
tic suites in Paraná-Etendeka CFB may have extended over
­107 ­km2 (Macêdo Filho et al. 2023).

13
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15
The Gramado low-Ti suite represents the most crustally
contaminated basalts in Paraná-Etendeka and is derived
from subcontinental lithospheric mantle sources. On the
other hand, the younger (ca. 127 Ma; Turner et al. 1994),
uncontaminated, Esmeralda low-Ti basalts seem related to
a major contribution from asthenopheric mantle sources
(Peate and Hawkesworth 1996; Rossetti et al. 2021). The
Urubici high-Ti basalts predominate in southern Paraná-
Etendeka CFB. The Urubici basalts evolved without major
crustal contamination and magma generation took place in
the sublithospheric mantle at garnet-spinel lherzolite transi-
tion (Peate et al. 1999; Rämö et al. 2016). The other high-
Ti basalts predominate in northern Paraná-Etendeka CFB.
These high-Ti basalts were originated from the subconti-
nental lithospheric mantle metasomatized by pyroxenite.
The source was enriched by fluids or magmas related to the
Neoproterozoic subductions due to the Gondwana amalga-
mation. The slightly EM-I component of the high-Ti basalts
in Paraná-Etendeka CFB has been associated to mixtures of
eclogites or pyroxenite with peridotite (Rocha-Júnior et al.
2013). The Ribeira and Pitanga high-Ti basalts occur in
the northernmost portion of the Paraná-Etendeka CFB and
have been associated to a EM-I amphibole-bearing, metaso-
matized mantle characterized by small amounts of different
components (DMM and EM-II). Compositional differences
between the Ribeira and Pitanga basalts could be explained
by different degrees of melting at different depths of a het-
erogeneously metasomatized mantle source (Giovanardi
et al. 2022).
The widespread occurrence of magmatic rocks interbed-
ded with the sedimentary sequences of the Santos Basin has
been recorded in several boreholes (De Luca et al. 2015),
comprising four major magmatic events: (1) the rift-related,
Valanginian-Hauterivian event; (2) the post-rift, Aptian
event; (3) the drift-related Santonian-Campanian event; and
(4) the drift-related Eocene event (Ren et al. 2020; Moreira
et al. 2007).
The rift-related magmatism in Santos comprise ca.
138 Ma-old (whole-rock, K–Ar; Fodor and Vetter 1984)
continental, tholeiitic basalt flows recorded as the Cambo-
riú Formation (Moreira et al. 2007; Fig. 1). The Camboriú
basalts are contemporaneous with the widespread magma-
tism of the Paraná-Etendeka CFB and the Serra do Mar
dike swarm in SE Brazil (ca. 134–132 Ma, plagioclase and
whole-rock Ar–Ar ages; Guedes et al. 2005; Thiede and
Vasconcelos 2010; Gomes and Vasconcelos 2021). The
predominantly effusive and subaerial Camboriú basalts fill
the depressions between structural basement highs and con-
stitute fissure flows that cover large areas and form lava del-
tas (Chang et al. 2008; Rancan et al. 2018). The Camboriú
basalts have high T ­ iO2 (< 2.0 wt%) contents and are chemi-
cally similar to the high-Ti basalts in the Paraná-Etendeka
CFB. The enriched compositions of the Camboriú high-Ti
Page 5 of 25 15
basalts in Santos were attributed not only to derivation from
enriched sources but also to possible contamination by con-
tinental crust. The Early Cretaceous, continental basaltic
volcanism in Santos Basin is somehow consistent with the
presence of a stretched continental crust, that may extend
over 600 km beyond the Brazilian coastline (Fodor and Vet-
ter 1984).
The Camboriú basalts in Santos Basin are coeval with the
basalts of the Cabiúnas Formation in Campos Basin (Winter
et al. 2007, Fig. 2). The latter are comparable to the low-TiO2
Paraná tholeiites, and have been related to either MORB-
like sources or DUPAL-like mantle components (Mizusaki
et al. 1992; Fodor and Vetter 1984). Tholeiitic basalt dikes
time-correlated to the Camboriú and Cabiúnas basalts have
Sr–Nd–Pb isotope signatures typical of HIMU-like enriched
mantle source possibly represented by enriched, inherited
sub-continental lithospheric mantle due to subduction during
the Neoproterozoic amalgamation of the Gondwana. This
broadly supports the hyper-extended rift model proposed
for Santos based on the interpretation of deep seismic lines
(Almeida et al. 2021).
The rift-related magmatism in Santos is coeval to that in
the Pelotas Basin (Fig. 2). Basalts from Pelotas comprise
high- and low-TiO2 suites that are located in the northern
and southern portions of the basin, respectively. Binary mix-
ing models suggest a large participation of the N-MORB
component in the genesis of these basalts, discarding the
involvement of the Tristan da Cunha plume as a possible
source (Lobo et al. 2006).
The post-rift magmatism in Santos comprises both alka-
line and tholeiitic diabase intrusions and basaltic flows with
Ar–Ar ages ranging from ca. 114 to 117 Ma (Moreira et al.
2007). This Early Aptian magmatism is associated with the
Itapema and Barra Velha formations and the regional scale,
Intra-Alagoas unconformity (Rancan et al. 2018; Ren et al.
2020; Fig. 1). It is worth mentioning that there is no sys-
tematic record of Aptian (115–117 Ma), basaltic tholeiitic
magmatism in the continental area adjoining Santos. On the
other hand, the post-rift magmatism of Aptian age was iden-
tified in the pre-salt sequence of Campos Basin, northwards
Santos (Fig. 2), and comprises low-Ti tholeiitic basalts with
geochemical affinity with the low-Ti suites of Paraná-Etend-
eka CFB (Dani et al. 2017).
The drift magmatism in Santos is recorded in the Santo-
nian-Campanian (ca. 82; Ar–Ar) and Eocene (ca. 49; Ar–Ar)
and comprises mostly alkaline volcanic rocks within the so-
called Post-Salt sedimentary sequences, as well as intrusive
rocks that cut the Pre-Salt sedimentary rocks (Moreira et al.
2006). The drift-related alkaline rocks occur both as intru-
sions in the salt/carbonate interface and as volcanic cones
mostly found at the Cabo Frio High Platform (Fig. 2) (Oreiro
2006; Oliveira et al. 2019; Penna et al. 2019; Louback et al.
2021).
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 15 Page 6 of 25
Materials and methods
Forty-four sidewall core samples were collected along
a thick (500 m) post-rift volcanic succession within the
pre-salt sequence in this borehole (Fig. 2). This magmatic
section is underlain by a 400 m-thick sequence of the main
carbonate reservoir of the Barra Velha Formation (Fig. 3).
Thin-sections were performed for all sidewall core sam-
ples (Fig. 3) and a set of 15 samples was selected for litho-
geochemical analysis. Special attention was given to select
the least altered and more representative samples of the
volcanic succession. Twelve samples with the least loss on
ignition (LOI) values were selected for isotopic analysis
and five for Ar–Ar dating.
Whole-rock geochemical analyses were done at Activa-
tion Laboratories Ltd. (Actlabs, Canada) on fused sam-
ples. Major elements ­(SiO2, ­TiO2, ­Al2O3, ­Fe2O3t, MnO,
MgO, CaO, ­Na2O, ­K2O, ­P2O5; in wt%; F ­ e2O3t being total
iron as ferric iron) were performed by inductively cou-
pled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in
a Thermo Jarrell Ash ENVIRO II equipment. Calibrations
were performed using seven prepared USGS and CAN-
MET certified reference materials. Selected trace elements
(Ni, Cr, Co, Ba, Rb, Sr, Zr, Y, Nb, Ni, Cr, V, Co, U, Th,
Hf, Ta and Pb), including the whole set of rare earth ele-
ments were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass
spectrometry (ICP-MS) in a Perkin Elmer Sciex ELAN
9000 equipment.
The loss on ignition was measured by percentual weight
loss after heating at 1100 °C for 2 h. Calibration was per-
formed using 14 prepared USGS and CANMET certified
reference materials. Three blanks and five controls (three
before the sample group and two after) were analyzed per
group of samples. Duplicates are fused and analyzed every
15 samples. Accuracy and precision for major elements
were lower than 3%, respectively, and lower than 10% for
trace elements. Detection limits were below 0.01 wt% for
major elements, being 20 ppm for Ni and Cr, 5 ppm for Pb,
2 ppm for Ba, Rb, Sr, Zr, 1 ppm for Co, Nb and Y, 0.2 ppm
for Hf and 0.1 ppm for Ta, U and Th. Detection limits for
the REE were below chondritic levels.
Mineral chemistry data were acquired by a JEOL JXA-
8230 electron microprobe at the Federal University of Rio
de Janeiro. The analytical conditions for analysis were
15 kV acceleration voltage, 20 nA sample current, 1 µm
beam diameter and ZAF correction. Natural and synthetic
minerals were used as standards.
Isotope analysis were done on powdered samples
leached in 6 M HCl for 1 h to remove the least strongly
bonded Sr due to alteration. The Sr, Nd, Hf and Pb iso-
tope data were obtained in the Isotope Lab of the New
Mexico State University. An aliquot of 200–400 mg of
13
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15
rock powder were dissolved using hydrofluoric, nitric, and
hydrochloric acids. Sr was purified by cation exchange
through resin using 2.5 N HCl. Sr isotopes were ana-
lyzed using a thermal ionization mass spectrometer
(TIMS) with five Faraday collectors in dynamic mode
with 86 Sr/ 88 Sr ratios normalized to 0.1194 and NBS
987 standard with 87 Sr/ 86 Sr = 0.710284 (n = 2) and
84
Sr/ 86 Sr = 0.056427 (n = 2). The REE were purified
using a cation exchange resin and 6.0 N HCl. Nd was
then separated and purified from the remaining REE
using a HDEHP resin and 0.25N HCl. Purified Nd was
then dissolved in 1–2 mL of 2% ­HNO3 and analyzed for
100 ratios using a ThermoScientific Neptune with seven
Faraday collectors in static mode. Nd isotopes were
normalized to 146Nd/ 144Nd = 0.7219 and analysis used
JNdi-1 standards with 143Nd/ 144Nd = 0.512109 (n = 9)
and 145Nd/ 144Nd = 0.348412 (n = 9). Hf measurements
were made by ThermoScientific Neptune in static mode
using nine Faraday collectors following the methods of
Yang et al. (2010). Hf isotope results were normalized to
176
Hf/177Hf = 0.282160 with standard JMC 475 = 0.282152
(n = 11). Pb was purified using anion exchange resin and
1.0 N HBr. Pb was dissolved in 1–2 mL of 2% H ­ NO3 and
Tl was introduced into the sample to obtain a Pb/Tl ratio
between 2–5 (Wolf and Ramos 2003). Samples were ana-
lyzed for 100 ratios using a ThermoScientific Neptune
in static mode with five Faraday collectors. Pb isotope
results were normalized to 203Tl/ 205Tl = 0.41892 with
standards NBS 981with 206Pb/ 204Pb = 16.931 (n = 11),
207
Pb/ 204 Pb = 15.484 (n = 11), 208 Pb/ 204 Pb = 36.673
(n = 11).
Ar–Ar analysis on samples 6153.7 and 6648.0, were
performed at the New Mexico Geochronology Research
Laboratory in the spring of 2020. Samples were irradiated
in NM-309 for 14 h at the Oregon State University TRIGA
reactor along with the standard Fish Canyon tuff sanidine as
a neutron flux monitor. Ar–Ar analysis on samples 6443.0,
6558.0, were performed at the New Mexico Geochronol-
ogy Research Laboratory in the fall of 2021. Samples were
irradiated in NM-316 for 16 h at the USGS Denver TRIGA
reactor along with the standard Fish Canyon tuff sanidine as
a neutron flux monitor. Samples were analyzed by the step-
heating method using a defocused diode laser to heat the
samples. Ar–Ar measurements were made with a Thermo-
Scientific Helix MC noble gas mass spectrometer, operated
in multicollection mode in which 40Ar, 39Ar, 38Ar, 37Ar are
measured on high gain Faraday collectors and 36Ar is meas-
ured on an electron multiplier ion counter collector. Anal-
yses of standard gas pipettes and procedural blanks were
measured through the duration of the experiment. Samples
analyses are corrected for procedural blank, interfering reac-
tions during irradiation, and detectors are inter-calibrated
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15
Fig. 3  Simplified composite log of the pre-salt section of bore-
hole 4-BRSA-971-SPS. Th (blue), K (red) and U (yellow) peaks are
shown. Photomicrographs of representative thin sections of sidewall
cores at different depths are shown. Black arrows are basaltic samples
with geochemical analyses. Samples 6202.7 and 6265.0 are marls
Page 7 of 25 15
(Blue areas indicate microporosity, whitish areas are mostly carbon-
ates and brow areas are mostly clay minerals). Sample 6348.0 is a
hyaloclastite. Other samples are basalts with different textures along
the composite log. See text for details
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 15 Page 8 of 25 Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15

using the measurements of the standard gas pipettes. Auto-
mated data collection and data reductions were performed
with the open source noble gas software Pychron (Ross
2019). A summary of the preferred crystallization ages is
provided in Table 3 and a listing of the analytical methods
is provided in Appendix 1.
Borehole data interpretation
The post-rift volcanic rocks in borehole 4-BRSA-971B-SPS
are mainly basalts with few interbedded fine-grained lami-
nated marls with low porosity and poor reservoir quality.
The borehole log analysis of the volcanic section (Fig. 3)
led to the identification of cyclic patterns with high gamma

Fig. 4  Simplified composite

log of the pre-salt section
of borehole 4-BRSA-971-
SPS. Gamma-ray (GR),
RHOB, NPHI, caliper (CALI;
in = inches) and borehole size
(BS; in = inches) logs are
shown. Yellow dots mark the
tops of different basaltic flows.
See text for details

13
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15
ray peaks (GR) accompanied by low bulk density (RHOB)
and high neutron porosity (NPHI) (Fig. 4). Planke (1994)
recognized that this cyclical pattern in log data corresponds
to the internal structure of tabular flows divided into crust,
core and base. The GR peaks are related with the increase
in potassium contents in the crust of the flows due to the
presence of alteration clays (e.g. smectite, celadonite),
commonly formed in weathered subaerial flow tops. The
crust is also fractured and vesiculated, leading to low bulk
density (RHOB) and high neutron porosity (NPHI) values.
The flow core is massive and non-vesicular and as such the
density and porosity are, respectively, higher and lower than
in the crust. The thin and glassy portions at the base of the
flows are generally fractured and vesicular (Self et al. 1997),
resulting in GR peaks coupled with low bulk density and
high neutron porosity values (Nelson et al. 2009).
It was possible to identify 15 tabular classic flows in the
volcanic succession of borehole 4-BRSA-971B-SPS on the
basis of the aforementioned GR, RHOB and NPHI varia-
tions. Individual flows vary between 7.5–40 m with an aver-
age thickness of 22.6 m. Other flows display less coherent
variations in log data preventing faciological discrimination.
These flows occur in four sections of the volcanic succes-
sion with thicknesses between 15 and 55 m (Fig. 4). Overall,
the interpretation of the log data points to a subaerial vol-
canic environment typically associated with the described
markedly core/crust division. Volcanic quiescence seems to
have been long enough to allow weathering of lava flow tops
(Nelson et al. 2015).
Petrography
The sidewall core samples are 2.5 cm in diameter and usu-
ally less than 5 cm in length. They are aphyric and fine-
grained basalts in which plagioclase microphenocrysts are
immersed in a dark green to black aphanitic matrix. Many
samples have veins and fractures filled with carbonate, in
addition to a clay-rich, greenish, altered matrix. Most of the
samples are massive, lack fractures and a few have vesicles
and amygdales (Fig. 3). Samples are moderately magnetic
and react to HCl whenever altered to carbonates. A less
thick (nearly 32 m; 6316.5–6348 m) depth interval contains
a hyaloclastite composed of basaltic clasts immersed in
a fine-grained brownish matrix (Fig. 3). Only 7 out of 44
recovered samples are not basalts, being associated with thin
sedimentary layers interbedded within the basaltic flows.
Fine-grained laminated marls with small angular volcanic
fragments with thicknesses between 5 and 20 m constitute
three intertraps. The marls were not investigated in detail in
the present study, but the macroscopic observation of side-
wall core samples shows a partially altered and fractured
Page 9 of 25 15
rock, and the petrography under the microscope indicates a
lack of porosity due to high amount of clay minerals (Fig. 3).
Thin sections of 44 sidewall core samples were studied
under the optical microscope. In general, samples exhibit
plagioclase and olivine microphenocrystals immersed in
a fine-grained, hypocrystalline matrix, commonly seen in
tholeiitic basalts. Plagioclase, augite, and volcanic glass are
the main matrix phases, whereas opaque minerals (Fe–Ti
oxides) and apatite are the accessory mineral assemblage.
The main secondary phases are sericite and carbonate.
Predominant textures are intergranular and intersertal,
the former with small augite crystals between plagioclase
laths, and the latter with interstitial glass (Fig. 5A). Por-
phyritic, fine-grained basalts have swallow-tail plagioclase
microphenocrysts surrounded by variolitic fine-grained to
glassy matrix (Fig. 5B). Basalts also display glomeropor-
phyritic (Fig. 5C) and sieve textures (Fig. 5D), as well as
compositional zoning in plagioclase antecrystals (Fig. 5E).
Basalts within a small depth interval (ca. 32 m thick;
6316.5–6348 m) present a jigsaw-fit texture, typically found
in hyaloclastites. (Fig. 5F). Predominant post-magmatic
alteration products include saussurite over the possibly, Ca-
rich, inner zones of plagioclase zoned phenocrysts as well
as cryptocrystalline materials over nearly all olivine phe-
nocrysts (Fig. 5G).
Amygdales are the main structure in the studied basalts.
They are submillimetric, circular to subcircular and com-
monly filled with chlorite and minor euhedral opaque miner-
als, mostly pyrite (Fig. 5H). Other structures include post-
magmatic veins filled with carbonate. No flow structures
were found in the studied basalts.
Overall, the petrographic characteristics of the basalts
point to a subaerial effusive environment, except a small
interval with ca. 32 m thick (6316.5–6348 m), which pre-
sents a hyaloclastite with jigsaw-fit texture, typically found
in subaqueous flows. (Fig. 5F).
Mineral chemistry
Six thin-sections (6153.7, 6181.5, 6198.0, 6535.0, 6588.0
and 6646.0 m) were selected for analysis by scanning elec-
tron microscope with emission dispersive spectrometer
(SEM–EDS) prior to electron-microprobe analysis (EMPA).
Olivine phenocrysts are pseudomorphs altered to Mg-rich
clays and pyrite (Fig. 6A). Phenocrysts are surrounded by
glass and fine-grained microlites of plagioclase, pyroxene
and needles of ilmenite (Fig. 6B). Plagioclase phenocrysts
and clots with sieve textures are filled by Fe–Mg rich glass
(Fig. 6C). All matrix phases display common quenching tex-
tures in some basaltic flows (Fig. 6D). Circular and irregular
shaped amygdales are filled by chlorite in patches (Fig. 6E)
and spherulitic zones (Fig. 6F).
13
 15 Page 10 of 25 Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15

Fig. 5  Photomicrographs of rep-

resentative samples of the stud-
ied basalts under plane-polar-
ized light (A, B, D, F, G and H)
and under cross-polarized light
(C and E). A–C Representative
textures; D, E disequilibrium
textures; F hyaloclastite; G, H
post-magmatic alteration; H
structure. Ol olivine pseudo-
morphs; Cpx clinopyroxene; Pl
plagioclase; Gl volcanic glass;
Chl chlorite; Py pyrite. See text
for details

EMPA data were obtained for five selected samples (6153.7,
6181.5, 6198.0, 6466.0, and 6646.0 m). Data are in Appen-
dix 2. Plagioclase phenocrysts are bytownite and core and rim
analysis in zoned crystals showed little variation within the
bytownite field in the ternary classification diagram (Fig. 7A).
Local patches of albite in Ca-rich plagioclase phenocrysts are
probably due to alteration (Fig. 7A). Plagioclase crystals in
matrix are less rich in Ca than phenocrysts and plot within
the labradorite field in the ternary classification diagram, also
displaying albite-rich patches similarly attributed to altera-
tion (Fig. 7A). Pyroxenes in the matrix classified as augite
and no coexisting Ca-poor clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene
were identified in the analyzed thin sections (Fig. 7B). Opaque
phases in matrix are represented by ilmenite only (Fig. 7C).

13
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15
Fig. 6  SEM–EDS hypermaps of the studied basalts of borehole
4-BRSA-971B-SPS. A Olivine (Ol) phenocryst altered to Mg-rich
clays and pyrite (py). B Matrix with glass, plagioclase (Pl) and nee-
dle-shaped ilmenite (Ilm) microlites. C Glass-infilled sieve texture
Lithogeochemistry
Fifteen samples of basalts were selected for whole-rock
analysis and results are shown in Table 1. The data indicate
that the samples are mafic rocks (48.80 < ­SiO2 < 52.42%)
with relatively evolved compositions (5.00 < MgO < 6.81%;
5.67 ± 0.56%) and var iably but weakly altered
(1.66 < LOI < 4.08%; 2.71 ± 0.79%). In the TAS (total alka-
lis vs silica) discrimination diagram (Fig. 8A; Le Bas et al.
1986) the samples plot in the subalkaline basalt and basaltic
andesite fields of the TAS overlapping the dividing curve in
the AFM diagram (Fig. 8B).
The tholeiitic trend of the studied basalts is supported by
the Nb/Y ratios (< 0.65; Winchester and Floyd 1977) and the
presence of normative hypersthene (16.14 ± 2.01 wt%) in all
the samples. The tholeiitic basalts and basaltic andesites are
predominantly silica-oversaturated (normative quartz < 4.80
wt%) and subordinately silica-saturated (olivine < 3.31 wt%)
rocks, attesting to their relatively evolved compositions. The
discrimination of high-Ti and low-Ti basaltic suites as previ-
ously proposed for continental basalt provinces (Hergt et al.
Page 11 of 25 15
in plagioclase phenocrysts (same shown in Fig. 5D). D Clinopyrox-
ene (Cpx) and plagioclase microlites with quenching textures. E, F
Amygdales with different shapes and sizes filled by chlorite (Chl)
with patch and irregular zones
1991; Peate et al. 1992) is ambiguous considering their
­TiO2 contents (< 2.01 wt%) and Ti/Y ratios (439 ± 12). The
post-rift basaltic rocks of Santos Basin were plotted in a
tectonic discriminant diagram due to uncertainties about
the occurrence of oceanic crust in the Pre-Salt sequence
(Fig. 8C; Pearce and Cann 1973). All samples plotted in the
within plate basalts field, corroborating the non-occurrence
of MORB-type basalts in the post-rift phase of the Santos
Basin.
The large-ion lithophile elements (LILE) display an
enriched pattern compared to high field-strength elements
(HFSE) in the primitive mantle-normalized multielement
diagram (Fig. 8D; Sun and McDonough 1989). The negative
anomalies in Nb (2.7 < La/Nbn < 4.2), P and Ti are com-
monly associated with continental flood basalts, particularly
in low-Ti basaltic suites, such as in Paraná-Etendeka, for
instance (Peate 1997). Finally, the chondrite-normalized
rare-earth element diagram (Fig. 8E; Boynton 1984) shows
a strong enrichment in light REE relative to heavy REE
(4.2 < La/Ybn < 5.9).
13
 15 Page 12 of 25
Fig. 7  EMPA data of studied basalts in borehole 4-BRSA-971B-SPS.
A Plagioclase classification of phenocrysts and matrix phases in the
ternary classification diagram (in mole%). Classification after Smith
and Brown (1988). Albite (Ab), Anorthite (An) and Orthoclase (Or).
B Ternary classification diagram (in mole%) of pyroxenes in matrix
Isotope geochemistry (Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb)
Isotope analyses were performed on 12 samples selected
from the basaltic flows (Table 2). The 87 Sr/ 86 Sr (115)
(0.705747–0.706804) and εNd (115) (−5.90 to −2.78)
data of the basalts suggest derivation from a source with
time-integrated low Rb/Sr and Sm/Nd ratios. The basalts
present a narrow range of 206 Pb/ 204 Pb (17.66–18.67),
207
Pb/204Pb (15.47–15.58) and 208Pb/204Pb (38.17–38.39)
ratios and εHf(115) values from −8.23 to + 0.29.
The Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotope compositions of the studied
basalts are unlikely to represent derivation from a sin-
gle mantle source or component (Fig. 9). The apparent
13
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15
of the studied basalts. Classification after Morimoto (1988). Enstatite
(En), Ferrosilite (Fs), Wollastonite (Wo). C Classification of opaque
phases in the ternary classification diagram of Fe–Ti oxides. After
Haggerty (1991)
involvement of HIMU and DMM components on the petro-
genesis of the studied basalts, considering their Pb isotope
compositions (Fig. 9C, D) is, however, implausible on the
basis of Sr, Nd and Hf isotope compositions, even con-
sidering possible mixing processes (Fig. 9A, B). Overall,
the isotope compositions of the basalts are more akin with
EM1 than EM2 mantle components (Fig. 9A, B).
Ar–Ar geochronology
In this sedimentary basin previous published geochro-
nological data for the Pre-Aptian basaltic magmatism in
Santos are related to the rift magmatism of the Camboriú
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15 Page 13 of 25 15

Table 1  Major and trace element compositions of selected samples in borehole 4-BRSA-907-SPS
Sample 6153.7 6156.7 6198.0 6252.0 6411.5 6429.0 6443.0 6466.0 6505.0 6558.0 6588.0 6608.0 6616.0 6646.0 6648.0

SiO2 48.80 48.99 50.90 49.55 50.64 49.50 51.15 49.27 51.65 49.56 49.01 51.47 52.42 50.65 50.69
TiO2 1.74 1.64 1.83 1.52 1.58 1.64 2.01 1.66 1.72 1.64 1.84 1.80 1.46 1.49 1.46
Al2O3 15.05 15.86 14.24 16.89 15.75 16.64 14.19 15.13 15.40 15.14 15.44 15.30 14.39 15.69 15.70
Fe2O3t 10.52 9.95 11.07 9.75 10.56 10.49 11.96 11.22 9.74 11.05 10.60 11.12 10.11 9.60 9.27
MnO 0.12 0.12 0.18 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.22 0.18 0.15 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14
MgO 6.81 6.03 5.23 5.06 5.46 5.22 5.26 5.97 5.12 5.85 6.37 5.00 6.47 5.60 5.61
CaO 9.72 10.28 9.68 11.03 10.53 10.38 9.94 10.07 9.62 10.57 8.96 10.08 9.71 11.22 11.05
Na2O 2.62 2.62 2.83 2.60 2.53 2.56 2.66 3.01 3.28 2.50 2.92 2.53 2.45 2.68 2.63
K2O 0.65 0.43 0.51 0.49 0.37 0.60 0.81 0.66 0.88 0.70 0.84 0.68 0.49 0.69 0.70
P2O5 0.24 0.22 0.25 0.21 0.20 0.22 0.27 0.21 0.20 0.21 0.25 0.23 0.15 0.18 0.18
L.O.I 3.85 3.91 2.92 3.22 1.85 2.47 1.66 2.90 2.10 2.75 4.08 1.77 2.95 2.12 2.17
Total 100.12 100.05 99.64 100.48 99.62 99.88 100.13 100.27 99.86 100.14 100.47 100.15 100.75 100.07 99.60
Sc 28 27 29 27 28 26 32 29 28 30 29 29 27 28 27
Cr 180 190 250 170 210 180 120 180 90 140 130 170 280 370 330
Co 36 33 39 35 37 33 33 39 29 40 25 37 39 37 37
Ni 60 60 90 100 90 80 60 70 60 70 60 80 110 100 100
V 237 225 257 234 241 240 300 254 248 260 262 259 222 233 225
Ba 366 407 281 200 162 140 219 198 269 126 204 190 145 158 155
Rb 7 7 12 7 11 11 8 10 15 10 10 16 5 10 11
Sr 502 553 487 426 416 409 363 393 365 377 408 446 344 368 370
Y 24 21 24 20 22 22 28 23 24 23 26 25 20 20 20
Zr 136 130 150 115 116 124 149 123 133 118 138 135 112 108 108
Nb 14 12 11 11 8 11 10 10 11 8 10 9 7 8 8
La 19.5 19.3 21.1 16.2 14.8 16.3 18.9 14.8 13.3 15.2 17.9 17.2 11.9 13.3 13.8
Ce 42.6 42.8 45.8 35.9 33.4 35.5 43.0 34.4 29.8 33.9 39.7 39.0 25.9 29.6 30.5
Pr 5.36 5.28 5.71 4.30 4.28 4.42 5.53 4.32 4.21 4.35 4.97 5.03 3.53 3.75 3.94
Nd 24.0 23.5 25.7 18.8 20.0 20.5 25.5 20.1 18.4 20.1 23.1 23.0 15.5 17.1 18.4
Sm 6.00 5.60 5.80 4.70 5.00 4.90 6.20 4.90 4.85 5.30 6.00 6.00 3.96 4.50 4.40
Eu 1.93 1.85 1.99 1.66 1.70 1.74 2.08 1.67 1.62 1.79 2.04 2.00 1.37 1.52 1.62
Gd 6.60 5.90 6.40 5.10 5.70 5.50 7.00 5.60 5.16 5.80 7.00 6.70 4.16 5.00 5.10
Tb 1.00 0.90 1.00 0.80 0.90 0.90 1.10 0.90 0.80 0.90 1.00 1.00 0.65 0.80 0.80
Dy 5.60 5.10 5.70 4.40 5.00 5.10 6.30 5.20 4.55 5.40 5.80 5.70 3.78 4.40 4.60
Ho 1.00 0.90 1.00 0.80 0.90 0.90 1.10 0.90 0.88 1.00 1.10 1.10 0.73 0.80 0.80
Er 2.70 2.50 2.80 2.30 2.60 2.50 3.10 2.70 2.39 2.70 3.00 3.00 1.98 2.30 2.40
Tm 0.380 0.350 0.400 0.330 0.350 0.360 0.450 0.380 0.333 0.380 0.430 0.410 0.264 0.320 0.330
Yb 2.30 2.20 2.40 2.00 2.10 2.10 2.80 2.30 2.08 2.40 2.60 2.60 1.66 2.00 2.10
Lu 0.340 0.330 0.350 0.290 0.320 0.320 0.410 0.330 0.295 0.350 0.380 0.380 0.242 0.290 0.310
Hf 3.7 3.5 4.0 3.1 3.1 3.3 3.9 3.2 3.1 3.3 3.9 3.8 2.3 3.0 3.0
Ta 0.70 0.70 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.60 0.70 0.60 0.88 0.60 0.70 0.60 0.48 0.50 0.50
Pb n.d n.d n.d n.d n.d 5 n.d n.d n.d 14 n.d n.d n.d n.d n.d
Th 2.00 2.00 2.20 1.50 1.40 1.60 1.80 1.40 1.29 1.30 1.70 1.60 1.12 1.20 1.20
U 1.0 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.3 1.2 0.5 3.4 0.3 5.1 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3

Fe2O3t is total iron as ferric iron; LOI loss on ignition. Oxides in wt.%; elements in ppm; n.d. not detected

Formation (ca. 138 Ma, whole-rock, K–Ar; Fodor and Vet-
ter 1984). Ar–Ar ages (ca. 114–117 Ma) were referred to
the post-rift magmatism in Santos (Moreira et al. 2007,
although no data were published. As such, Ar–Ar geo-
chronological data for the Pre-Aptian basaltic magmatism
in Santos is firstly presented in this paper (Table 3;
Appendix 1).
Ar–Ar ages were obtained for four samples (6153.7, 6443,
6558 and 6648.0). Interpreting the shape of the spectra is dif-
ficult since no well-defined plateaus as defined by Fleck et al.

13
 15 Page 14 of 25
Fig. 8  Geochemical data of basalts from borehole 4-BRSA-971B-
SPS. A Samples plotted in the total alkalis vs. S ­ iO2 (TAS) dia-
gram (in wt%). Classification after Le Bas et al. (1986). The X–Y
curve divides the alkaline-subalkaline fields and is from Miyashiro
(1978). B Samples plotted in the AFM diagram (A = ­Na2O + ­K2O;
F = FeO + 0.8998 ­Fe2O3; M = MgO; in wt%). The tholeiitic-calcal-
kaline divide curve is from Irvine and Baragar (1971). C Tectonic
(1977) were obtained and some MSWD indicate scatter in
some analysis (Fig. 10). Despite these drawbacks, three out of
four integrated ages (Table 3) gave results that are within the
range attributed to the post-rift magmatism in Santos (Moreira
et al. 2007). The Ar–Ar ages presented here points out a mag-
matic event prior the Camboriú basalts in Santos Basin. This
magmatic event produced thick basaltic sequences related to
the carbonate (Barra Velha Formation) hydrocarbon reservoirs
in the so-called pre-salt plays in this sedimentary basin.
Discussions of results
Differentiation processes
Some textures of the successive basaltic flows of bore-
hole 4-BRSA-971B-SPS seem to be related to differences
in cooling rates, including quenching (Fig. 5B), whereas
other may have resulted from differentiation processes.
13
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15
discriminant diagram for basic rocks using Ti, Zr and Y, Pearce and
Cann (1973). (WPB Whitin-Plate Basalts; IAT Island Arc Tholei-
ites; MORB Middle Ocean Ridge Basalts; CAB Calc-Alkali Basalts).
Major element data recalculated to 100% on a volatile-free basis. D
Primitive mantle-normalized multielement diagram. Normalization
factors are from Sun and McDonough (1989). E Chondrite-normal-
ized REE diagram. Normalization factors are from Boynton (1984)
For instance, the glomeroporphyritic textures (Fig. 5C)
may represent the accumulation of plagioclase in shallow-
seated, subvolcanic magma chambers. Fractional crystal-
lization and multiple stages of replenishment of magma
chambers may also explain the compositional zoning in
plagioclase phenocrysts and the sieve-like corrosion of
plagioclase antecrystals (Fig. 5D, E). In general, the pet-
rographic features of the different basaltic flows in the
magmatic succession point to complex differentiation pro-
cesses taking place in subvolcanic magma chambers.
At first face, two groups of basalts can be generally dis-
criminated on the basis of different trace element ratios
(La/Ybn, Zr/Y, and Zr/Nb), as such: group 1 (5.4 < La/
Ybn < 5.9, 5.7 < Zr/Y < 6.3, and 9.7 < Zr/Nb < 13.6) and
group 2 (4.2 < La/Ybn < 4.8, 5.1 < Zr/Y < 5.7, and 12.3 < Zr/
Nb < 15.8). Combined elemental and isotope data can be
used to assess possible differentiation processes within and
between these two groups of basalts. For instance, samples
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15 Page 15 of 25 15

Table 2  Sr, Nd, Hf and Pb isotope ratios of basalts and basaltic andesites of borehole 4-BRSA-971B-SPS in Santos Basin
87
Sample Rock type Sr/86Sr meas- 87Sr/86Sr 143
Nd/144Nd 143
Nd/144Nd ε115Nd 176
Hf/177Hf 176
Hf/177Hf ε115 Hf initial
whole- ured initial measured initial initial measured initial
rock

6153.7 Basalt 0.706233 ± 10 0.706167 0.512461 ± 54 0.512333 −2.78 0.282820 ± 6 0.282797 + 0.29
6156.7 Basalt 0.706790 ± 11 0.706730 0.512364 ± 14 0.512242 −4.57 0.282616 ± 8 0.282592 −6.95
6198.0 Basalt 0.706921 ± 17 0.706804 0.512290 ± 10 0.512174 −5.90 0.282578 ± 7 0.282556 −8.23
6252.0 Basalt 0.706066 ± 13 0.705988 0.512373 ± 22 0.512245 −4.50 0.282662 ± 7 0.282638 −5.31
6411.5 Basalt 0.706413 ± 11 0.706288 0.512381 ± 28 0.512253 −4.34 0.282632 ± 6 0.282606 −6.46
6429.0 Basalt 0.705931 ± 11 0.705804 0.512321 ± 25 0.512198 −5.42 0.282676 ± 10 0.282651 −4.85
6443.0 Basalt 0.705851 ± 14 0.705747 0.512414 ± 30 0.512289 −3.64 0.282642 ± 5 0.282615 −6.12
6466.0 Basalt 0.706744 ± 11 0.706624 0.512381 ± 9 0.512256 −4.29 0.282640 ± 7 0.282614 −6.18
6558.0 Basalt 0.705901 ± 10 0.705776 0.512394 ± 9 0.512258 −4.21 0.282652 ± 9 0.282625 −5.78
6608.0 Basalt 0.706623 ± 14 0.706453 0.512376 ± 7 0.512242 −4.54 0.282609 ± 4 0.282584 −7.24
6646.0 Basalt 0.706465 ± 11 0.706337 0.512385 ± 11 0.512250 −4.38 0.282609 ± 3 0.282584 −7.21
6648.0 Basalt 0.706518 ± 10 0.706377 0.512353 ± 8 0.512230 −4.79 0.282619 ± 8 0.282593 −6.92
206
Sample whole-rock Pb/204Pb measured 207
Pb/204Pb measured 208
Pb/204Pb
measured

6153.7 18.39 ± 1 15.50 ± 1 38.22 ± 3

6156.7 18.06 ± 1 15.47 ± 1 38.17 ± 2
6198.0 17.66 ± 1 15.47 ± 1 38.22 ± 2
6252.0 17.74 ± 1 15.49 ± 1 38.21 ± 2
6411.5 17.87 ± 1 15.51 ± 1 38.39 ± 2
6429.0 18.17 ± 1 15.56 ± 1 38.35 ± 2
6443.0 17.99 ± 3 15.49 ± 3 38.23 ± 7
6466.0 18.67 ± 1 15.53 ± 1 38.19 ± 2
6558.0 18.83 ± 2 15.60 ± 1 38.35 ± 3
6608.0 17.80 ± 1 15.49 ± 1 38.38 ± 2
6646.0 17.76 ± 2 15.49 ± 2 38.32 ± 6
6648.0 17.77 ± 2 15.49 ± 2 38.32 ± 6

Initial ratios (Sr–Nd–Hf only) recalculated for 115 Ma. The εNdi values calculated after Goldstein et al. (1984) and εHfi values calculated after
Patchett et al. (1981)

show no coherent variations in bivariate diagrams for the
immobile trace elements Y, Nb and Zr (Fig. 11) that could
represent a liquid line of descent. However, the lack of
coherent correlations in the variation diagrams cannot be
attributed to analysis of phenocryst-rich samples, analytical
errors or alteration, since only the alteration-free, matrix-
rich portion of the samples were selected for lithogeochemi-
cal analysis, and the error values presented in previous sec-
tions are low. More likely, the dispersion of the basalts in the
variation diagrams (Fig. 11) indicate they are not cogenetic
by magma chamber-related differentiation processes.
The range of MgO contents (6.81–5.00 wt%) for all sam-
ples coupled with Sr–Nd data (Table 2; Fig. 11B) could
be related with assimilation and fractional crystallization
(AFC). However, samples with similar MgO contents (e.g.
group 1: 6558 and 6648; group 2: 6156.7; Tables 1 and 2)
have rather different Sr, Hf and Pb isotope ratios. Moreover,
both immobile trace element and isotope ratios vary greatly
and not coherently within and between the two groups of
basalts (Fig. 11). Overall, it is unlikely that the basaltic sam-
ples in borehole 4-BRSA-971B-SPS can be cogenetic by
differentiation processes, i.e., related to a single subvolcanic
magma chamber. More likely, the basaltic lava pile repre-
sents flows from different emission centers associated with
distinctive differentiation processes occurring in different
subvolcanic magma chambers.
Mantle sources
The evaluation of possible crustal contamination processes
associated with the basalts is difficult to perform since
they seem to be effusions from different magma cham-
bers. Thus, considerations related to mantle sources based
on isotope compositions must be done with care since
they can also represent, at least in part, crustal contamina-
tion processes occurring in distinctive magma chambers.

13
 15 Page 16 of 25 Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15

Fig. 9  Isotope diagrams with studied samples and major mantle com-
ponents. A 87Sr/86Sr vs 143Nd/144Nd; B 143Nd/144Nd vs 176Hf/177Hf; C
206
Pb/204Pb vs 207Pb/204Pb; C, D 206Pb/204Pb vs 143Nd/144Nd. Mantle
components from Zindler and Hart (1986) except Hf data (Salters and
White 1998). Tristan da Cunha (TDC) and Walvis Ridge (WR) iso-
tope compositions from Le Roex et al. (1990), Gibson et al. (2005),
Hoernle et al. (2015). All data recalculated to 115 Ma

Table 3  Summary of 40Ar/39Ar Sample Lithotype Material Integrated age (Ma) MSWD K/Ca N
geochronological data (for more
complete data see Appendix 1) 6153.7 Basalt Whole rock 116.93 ± 0.12 26.52 0.06 14/14
6443 Basalt Whole rock 115.21 ± 0.13 130.75 0.09 15/15
6558 Basalt Whole rock 109.95 ± 0.2 197.77 0.07 15/15
6648 Basalt Whole rock 116.16 ± 0.22 352.97 0.07 14/14

Age and error calculations performed using Pychron software, version 18.2. Decay constants after Min
et al. (2000), λKtotal = 5.464e−10/a. Isotopic abundances after Steiger and Jäger (1977). Ages calculated
relative to FC-2 Fish Canyon Tuff sanidine interlaboratory standard at 28.201 Ma after Kuiper et al. (2008)
MSWD mean square of weighted deviates; N number of analyses use to compute age over total analyses

However, the values of Sr isotope initial ratios are rela-
tively small (< 0.706804), implying that crustal contami-
nation, if occurred, may have not strongly changed their
original isotope compositions. As such, we assume that the
Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotope compositions of the Santos basalts
may be close to those of their respective mantle sources.
The isotope compositions of typical mantle sources and
components (DMM, HIMU, EMI and EMII) are shown
along with average isotope compositions of mafic rocks in
Walvis Ridge and Tristan da Cunha in Fig. 9. The isotope
compositions of basalts drilled from Walvis Ridge were used
to discuss the origin of EM1 and its contribution for the
petrogenesis of the Gondwana rift-related magmatism in SE
Brazil (Gibson et al. 2005). The Tristan da Cunha (TDC)
mantle plume head played a key role during the Gondwana
rifting between 135–134 Ma, either as a mantle component

13
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15 Page 17 of 25 15

Fig. 10.  40Ar/39Ar step-heating spectra in whole rock samples of basaltic flows of borehole 4-BRSA-971B-SPS, Santos basin. The integrated
age, which includes Ar released from all heating steps were the preferred Ar/Ar age for all samples

(Gibson et al. 1995, 2005) or the heating source for melting
of the SCLM (Thiede and Vasconcelos 2010). Recent work
also showed that both the HT and LT basalts from Paraná
plot around the EM1 component, which likely reflects the
significant involvement of the SCLM in their petrogenesis
(Beccaluva et al. 2020).
The isotope compositions of the Santos basalts make
it unlikely that HIMU was involved in their petrogenesis
(Fig. 9). In fact, no previous work on the Gondwana-related
magmatism in SE Brazil has pointed out a role for the
involvement of a HIMU mantle component. The involvement
of EMII as a likely component is precluded by its Sr–Nd
isotope compositions (Fig. 9A). Similarly, the involvement
of DMM is unlikely due to its 206Pb/204Pb and 143Nd/144Nd
(Fig. 9D). The same applies for mixing between EM1 with
either HIMU or TDC (Fig. 9).
The origin of the EM1 component has been debated in
the literature but it has generally been attributed to melting
in upwelling mantle plumes with the following main sce-
narios: subducted continentally derived sediments or crust
itself into the mantle (Cohen and O’Nions 1982); delamina-
tion of the SCLM (McKenzie and O’Nions 1983) or mantle
metasomatism (e.g. Menzies 1983). It is also possible that
EM1 and EM2 constitutes a single enriched portion of the
mantle brought together by stretching and stirring promoted
by mantle convection rather than uprising mantle plumes

13
 15 Page 18 of 25
Fig. 11  Selected samples of basalts in borehole 4-BRSA-971B-SPS
in Santos Basin plotted in variation diagrams for immobile trace ele-
ment and initial isotope ratios. A MgO (wt%) vs Zr (ppm). B MgO
(Stracke 2012). Nevertheless, it seems to be a general agree-
ment that the main process for mantle enrichment would
involve subduction of oceanic plates and also possible sub-
ordinate amounts of lower and upper continental crust. In
fact, it has been proposed that the EM1 component in the
central South Atlantic area seems to have changed both in
time (100–30 Ma) and space with at least three different
end-members such as the Congo craton and the Damara belt
in Africa, the São Francisco craton and the Brasilia Belt in
Brazil and the Rio Apa-Luis Alves craton in South America
(Gibson et al. 2005). In general, the mantle source of the
Santos basalts seems to be strongly related with an enriched
mantle component, similar to EM1, and likely to represent
the local SCLM in SE Brazil.
Comparisons with Paraná‑Etendeka and related
dike swarm and basalts in Campos Basin
The post-rift (ca. 117 Ma) basaltic magmatism in San-
tos is coeval to the so-called Alagoas basalts in Campos
Basin. The latter were associated with a late stage magmatic
13
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15
(wt%) vs 143Nd/144Nd (115 Ma). C MgO (wt%) vs Y (ppm). D MgO
(wt%) vs Nb (ppm) Basaltic groups (1 and 2) are indicated
episode of the low-Ti basaltic magmatism in the Paraná-
Etendeka CFB (Dani et al. 2017). On the other hand, the
rift-related, Early Cretaceous low-Ti basalts of the Cabiú-
nas Formation in Campos Basin have been related to the
Paraná-Etendeka CFB (Mizusaki et al. 1992), that include
the low-Ti Gramado and Esmeralda basaltic suites (Peate
and Hawkesworth 1996; Rossetti et al. 2021). The Serra do
Mar Dike Swarm along the coastline bordering Santos Basin
is also time-correlated with Paraná-Etendeka CFB and the
Cabiúnas basalts in Campos. The dike swarm include both
high-Ti and low-Ti diabases, the latter represented by the
Serrana, Costa Azul and Lumiar suites (Ludka 1997; Corval
et al. 2008).
Samples with similar MgO contents of the aforemen-
tioned basalt suites were selected for comparison using
chondrite-normalized multielement diagrams (Fig. 12). The
MgO contents of all samples are above 6 wt% and similarly
to other works in CFB (e.g., Gibson et al. 1995) they are
considered to be unaffected by major changes due to pos-
sible crustal contamination during differentiation processes
at shallow magma chambers. The post-rift basalt in Santos
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15 Page 19 of 25 15

Fig. 12  Low-Ti, basaltic samples of Santos (post-rift), Campos (Rift
and post-rift) and Esmeralda and Gramado (Paraná-Etendeka CFB
province) plotted in normalized multielement diagrams and bivariate
plot. A Primitive mantle-normalized multielement diagram. Normali-
zation factors are from Sun and McDonough (1989). B Chondrite-
normalized REE diagram. Normalization factors are from Boyn-
ton (1984). Sample 6153,7; MgO = 6.81 wt%; this study); Campos
post-rift (sample 35; MgO = 6.63 wt%; Dani et al. 2017); Campos
rift (sample BD-4, MgO = 7.12 wt% Mizusaki et al. 1992); Esmer-
alda and Gramado (respectively, samples RP9; MgO = 6.16 wt%;
and RP23; MgO = 6.53 wt%; De Min et al. 2018). C Ti/Y vs Ti/Zr
diagram with areas of representative compositions of the Esmeralda
and Gramado basalts and low-Ti diabases of the Serra do Mar Dike
Swarm (Costa Azul, Serrana and Lumiar) (black and grey shaded
areas). Data of Esmeralda and Gramado compiled from Peate and
Hawkesworth (1996). Data from low-Ti diabases from Ludka (1997),
Corval et al. (2008)

Table 4  Chondrite-normalized Sample La/YbN La/SmN Gd/YbN

REE ratios of low-Ti basalts
6153.7 (this study) 5.7 2.0 2.3
Sample 35 (Alagoas basalts; post-rift Campos) 5.8 2.7 1.7
BD-4 (rift Campos; Cabiúnas Fm.) 6.5 2.8 1.6
RP9 (Esmeralda; Paraná-Etendeka CFB) 3.2 2.0 1.4
RP23 (Gramado; Paraná-Etendeka CFB) 3.9 2.4 1.4

Sample 6153,7; MgO = 6.81 wt%; this study); Campos post-rift (sample 35; MgO = 6.63 wt%; Dani et al.
2017); Campos rift (sample BD-4, MgO = 7.12 wt% Mizusaki et al. 1992); Esmeralda and Gramado
(respectively, samples RP9; MgO = 6.16 wt%; and RP23; MgO = 6.53 wt%; De Min et al. 2018). Normali-
zation values from Boynton (1984)

13
 15 Page 20 of 25
(sample 6153.7) presents the negative Nb–Ta anomaly typi-
cal of the other CFB-related basalts in Paraná-Etendeka and
Campos Basin. It also presents negative anomalies of Ti
and P seen in low-Ti samples from Paraná-Etendeka and
Campos (Fig. 12A). The patterns of all samples in the REE
chondrite-normalized diagram are quite different from
N-MORBS, attesting for the influence of the continental
lithosphere on the origin of the basalts. Sample 6153.7 of
borehole 4-BRSA-971-SPS and sample 35 of the Alagoas
(post-rift) basalt in Campos (Dani et al. 2017) have similar
La/YbN ratios, both lower and higher than the rift-related
basalt in Campos (BD-4) and the Paraná-Etendeka basalts
(RP9 and RP23), respectively (Fig. 12B and Table 4). How-
ever, the Alagoas basalts in Campos and the post-rift basalt
in this study differ in their REE ratios. For instance, the La/
SmN and Gd/YbN ratios of the Alagoas and Santos basalts
with similar MgO contents are 2.7 and 1.7, and 2.0 and 2.3,
respectively (Fig. 12B and Table 4). These differences may
be related to derivation from different mantle sources or
retention of different residual phases during partial melting.
The post-rift basalts in Santos also have Ti/Zr and Ti/Y dif-
ferent from the low-Ti Esmeralda and Gramado as well as
ca. 130 Ma low-Ti diabase suites in the Serra do Mar Dike
Swarm (Ludka 1997; Corval et al. 2008) (Fig. 12C). In gen-
eral, the post-rift basaltic magmatism recorded in borehole
4-BRSA-971-SPS in Santos seems unrelated to the Early
Cretaceous Paraná-Etendeka and associated dike swarms.
The post-rift Santos basalts and the post-rift and rift-
related Campos basalts have distinctive Sr–Nd initial isotope
ratios (Fig. 13). The rift-related Campos basalts (Cabiúnas
Fm.) spread over a wide range of radiogenic Sr compositions
that are likely to be related with crustal contamination pro-
cesses (Mizusaki et al. 1992; Lobo et al. 2007). The Alagoas
basalts in Campos also spread over a larger range of radio-
genic Sr isotope ratios. This wide range or Sr isotope ratios
Fig. 13  Bivariate diagram with Sr–Nd isotope initial ratios of low-Ti
basaltic samples of Santos (post-rift), Campos (Rift and post-rift). All
data recalculated to 115 Ma. Sources: Campos post-rift (Dani et al.
2017); Campos rift (Mizusaki et al. 1992)
13
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15
of the Alagoas basalts has been attributed to due to sea-water
alteration and/or crustal assimilation (Dani et al. 2017).
The least contaminated rift-related basalt in Campos
(RJS-156) displays lower Nd isotope ratios than the Alagoas
basalts in Campos and the post-rift basalts in Santos (Sam-
ple 6). Samples RJS-36 (10) and RJS-36 (11) were dated at
112 ± 4 Ma (whole-rock, K–Ar data; Mizusaki et al. 1992)
and, as such, could also be coeval with the post-rift magma-
tism in Campos and Santos. Nevertheless, those ages must
be taken with care since their Sr isotope ratios (Fig. 13)
could also have been affected by alteration processes (Mizu-
saki et al. 1992).
Altogether, the largely uncontaminated post-rift basalts
in Santos and the uncontaminated rift- and post-rift related
basalts in Campos (respectively, RJS-156 and Sample 6;
Fig. 13) have rather similar Sr–Nd isotope ratios. As such,
they could be associated with similar mantle sources but
different amounts of partial melting as shown by their dif-
ferent REE ratios (Fig. 12B and Table 4). Differences in
residual modal phases in the same mantle source could also
contribute for the differences in the REE ratios of the basalts.
Geodynamics
The Paraná-Etendeka CFB evolved from a thick cover in
the pre-rift stage (Paraná plateau), to a progressive conti-
nental rifting in Etendeka, and then opened to the South
Atlantic at the same latitude (Beccaluva et al. 2020). This
Early Cretaceous magmatism is associated with the Cam-
boriú and Cabiúnas basalts, found at the bottom of San-
tos and Campos Basins, respectively (Thomaz Filho et al.
2008). The Tristan da Cunha mantle plume played a key
role in the Paraná-Etendeka magmatism and may even
have led to the Gondwana breakup initiation in the Early
Cretaceous. The occurrence of several alkaline complexes
(145–138 Ma) before the main tholeiitic magmatism points
to the heating of the SCLM probably due to the long resi-
dence time of the plume (Comin-Chiaramonti et al. 1997;
Gibson et al. 2005; Beccaluva et al. 2020). Several authors
suggested that the SCLM was the main mantle source of
the Paraná-Etendeka magmatism and that the Tristan da
Cunha plume had a major thermal effect upon the hetero-
geneous SCLM enriched by subducted material during the
Neoproterozoic orogenic cycle (Peate 1997; Ernesto et al.
2002). In this case, contributions of melts from the Tristan
da Cunha plume would be of minor or no relevance in
the petrogenesis of the rift-related basalts in Santos and
Campos basins.
The Santos post-rift basalts have Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotope
compositions that are similar to Walvis Ridge and EM1
(Fig. 9). As such, the mantle sources for the studied basalts
are likely to be related to the local SCLM. There is no nota-
ble evidence for contributions from depleted N-MORB
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15 Page 21 of 25 15

the range of Dy/Yb and La/Yb ratios of the samples with

Fig. 14  Results of the non-modal batch partial melting model. REE
ratios are indicated. Partition coefficients (Kd) from Rollinson (1993),
except for amphibole (McKenzie and O'Nions 1991) re indicated.
Element ratios of the source (Co) are indicated
or OIB-like asthenospheric sources such as the Tristan da
Cunha plume.
The depths of partial melting of the SCLM were inves-
tigated by geochemical modeling and results are presented
in Fig. 14. A non-modal batch partial melting model was
done to test for melting within the garnet-spinel transition
zone (80 km). The aims of the modelling was to reproduce
MgO > 5 wt%, likely to be unaffected by crustal contami-
nation as proposed for CFB elsewhere (e.g. Gibson et al.
1995). Results of the non-modal batch modeling showed
that those trace element ratios (5 < La/Yb < 10; 2.0 < Dy/
Yb < 2.5) could be achieved by about 30% melting within the
spinel-garnet transition zone involving an enriched SCLM
(peridotite with 54% olivine, 20% orthopyroxene, 15% clino-
pyroxene and equal amounts (3%) of garnet and spinel. The
source would also have about 5% amphibole as a means
to explain the general negative anomalies in Rb and K not
coupled with Ba. The presence of a volatile-bearing phase
(amphibole) in the source is consistent with the involvement
of the SCLM in the petrogenesis, as well as the trigering of
the melting process at lower temperatures than those neces-
sary to melt the dry peridotite. The La/Yb and Dy/Yb ratios
of the SCLM source would have to be about 5.5 times and
2.0 times richer than chondritic values, respectively (i.e.,
an enriched LREE SCLM). Therefore, the non-modal par-
tial melting model indicates that the post-rift magmatism in
Santos is related to melting of the volatile-bearing, enriched
peridotite of the SCLM within the garnet-spinel transition
stability zone (about 80 km).
A conceptual geodynamic model for Santos Basin in the
Aptian (ca. 115 Ma) based on the petrological data obtained
by this study is shown in Fig. 15. The model assumes a
thick continental crust in southern Santos (Zalán 2015) in

Fig. 15  Geodynamic conceptual

model for the Aptian magma-
tism in Santos Basin illustrating
the melting of the blob-rich
SCLM due to heat (arrows)
from the Tristan da Cunha
mantle plume. The extension
of the plume heat conduction
eastwards and interactions with
N-MORB mantle components
are difficult to constrain (ques-
tion marks). Possible plumb-
ing systems in the upper crust
below central Santos (borehole
location; not in scale) is shown
as connected brown ellipses.
The structure of the continental
crust is modified from Zalán
(2015)

13
 15 Page 22 of 25
the Aptian and a thick lithospheric mantle below Moho. The
depleted N-MORB asthenospheric source would be placed
eastwards the study area, contributing to oceanic crust ini-
tiation. Partial melting solely of the SCLM is attributed to
either the presence of the Tristan da Cunha mantle plume
at ca. 115 Ma or stretching of the still hot SCLM that was
strongly heated about 15 Myr before, during the Paraná-
Etendeka magmatism. The different Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotope
ratios of samples 6153.7 and 6558 indicate that distinctive
portions of the enriched SCLM were melted in the Aptian
as opposed to melting of the same mantle source due to dif-
ferent amounts of stretching. Overall, the proposed geody-
namic model implies an elevated geothermal gradient below
southern Santos Basin in the Aptian.
Summary and conclusions
The magmatic section in borehole 4-BRSA-971B-SPS is
about 500 m thick and is interbedded with three layers of
marls. The magmatic section comprises multiple basalt flows
of mostly subaerial lavas as depicted by coherent, non-brec-
ciated, top–bottom amygdaloidal lithofacies. These flows
may have covered large areas in Santos as typically seen in
CFB provinces elsewhere. Flows were probably formed by
effusion from different vents since the basalts are not coge-
netic according to lithogeochemical data.
The basalts are predominantly porphyritic rocks with
plagioclase phenocrysts immersed in an altered glass-rich
groundmass also composed of plagioclase, clinopyroxene
and Fe–Ti oxides. Plagioclase phenocrysts are bytownite
whereas the groundmass plagioclase is labradorite. The
clinopyroxene is augite and Fe–Ti oxide is ilmenite. Scarce
olivine phenocrysts altered to Mg-rich clay minerals occur
in some basalts. Normal zoning in plagioclase phenocrysts
is a common feature and attest for fractional crystallization,
although their sieve textures imply in more complex dif-
ferentiation processes or re-equilibration throughout crustal
plumbing systems. Chlorite-, carbonate- and pyrite-infilled
amygdales are common features of the basalts.
The basaltic magmatism recorded in the Pre-Salt
sequence in borehole 4-BRSA-971B-SPS in Santos Basin
comprises a low-Ti, tholeiitic series. The basalts vary in
MgO content but show no evidence for cogeneticity by dif-
ferentiation processes. They are likely to represent uncon-
taminated or weakly contaminated lavas with isotope ratios
that may well reflect those of their mantle sources. The nega-
tive Nb anomalies and La/Ybn > 1 of the studied basalts are
typical of continental basaltic magmatism and reveal con-
tributions or derivation from the subcontinental lithospheric
mantle.
13
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2023) 178:15
The basalts were dated at ca. 115 Ma and as such are
younger than the Camboriú basalts in Santos Basin and the
Paraná-Etendeka continental flood basalts and related dike
swarms in the adjoining continental area. The ca. 115 Ma,
Aptian Santos basalts are not related to either the low-Ti,
Esmeralda and Gramado suites in Paraná-Etendeka or the
low-Ti Lumiar, Serrana, and Costa Azul suites in the Serra
do Mar Dike Swarm on the basis of lithogeochemical and
isotope data. No correlation exists with the Aptian, Alagoas
basalts in Campos on the same basis, as well.
The Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotope ratios of the Aptian basalts in
Santos points to a major or solely derivation from a EM1
mantle component likely to be found in the SCLM. The
Aptian basalts in Santos are thought to be related with melt-
ing of a thick local, SCLM within the garnet stability zone.
Melting in the Aptian was possible due to heat conduction
from either the underlain Tristan da Cunha mantle plume or
stretching of the anomalously hot SCLM due to the remain-
ing heat advected by Tristan during the voluminous basaltic
magmatism of the Paraná-Etendeka CFB.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplemen-
tary material available at https://d​ oi.o​ rg/1​ 0.1​ 007/s​ 00410-0​ 23-0​ 1995-0.
Acknowledgements The authors thank Shell Brazil for the financial
support through the R&D project, “PRESALT—Geological charac-
terization of carbonate reservoirs from the Pre-Salt interval of San-
tos Basin, correlates (Sergipe-Alagoas Basin) and analogues” (ANP
20225-9). We also thank the Brazilian Centre for Mineral Technology
(CETEM) for sample preparation and SEM-EDS analysis.
Data availability Not applicable.
Code availability Not applicable.
Declarations
Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no known com-
peting financial interests or personal relationships that could have ap-
peared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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