In response to the need to correlate biostratigraphically barren strata such as continental fluvial red beds, a number of isotope, mineral and chemical correlation techniques have been developed. These techniques are based on changes in provenance or climate with time:

Neodymium isotope stratigraphy is based on changes in provenance and can be

applied to sandstones and mudstones. May be overprinted by biogenic phosphates.

Clay mineral stratigraphy of mudrocks is based on changes in provenance and climate. May be overprinted by diagenesis.

Heavy mineral stratigraphy of sandstones is based on changes in provenance. May be overprinted by diagenesis in deeply buried strata.

Chemical stratigraphy of mudrocks is based on changes in provenance and climate that may be overprinted by diagenesis

The limitations of these techniques are understood and integration of two or more techniques may lead to a robust interpretations.

©Isotopic Ltd. 2007

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