Influence of localised igneous activity on cleat dawsonite formation in Late Permian coal measures, Upper Hunter Valley, Australia

Stable (δ13C and δ18O) and radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr isotopic data have been used to investigate the origin of cleat dawsonite (NaAlCO3(OH)2) in the Late Permian Wittingham Coal Measures of the Upper Hunter region in the Sydney Basin, New South Wales. The δ13CPDB values have a narrow range (− 1.7‰ to + 2.4‰), with an average of + 0.3‰, suggesting a magmatic source for the carbon. In contrast, δ18OSMOW values have a wide range (+ 13.6‰ to + 19.8‰), and decrease systematically with decreasing distance from a major intrusion. This systematic variation reflects establishment of localised hydrothermal cells. Water–rock interaction between fluids associated with these hydrothermal cells, and Rb-poor volcaniclastic detritus in the coal measures, produced mantle-like 87Sr/86Sr (0.705032 to 0.706464) in the dawsonite.