Chapter 47 The Bebedouro Formation, Una Group, Bahia (Brazil)

The Bebedouro Formation (Fm.) is a Neoproterozoic glaciogenic succession at the base of the Una Group on the São Francisco Craton. The glaciogenic sequence is composed of diamictites, pelites and sandstones with a variety of lithofacies that are grouped into four associations: (i) ice-contact, (ii) pro-glacial, (iii) ice-rafted and (iv) aeolian (extraglacial). Thus, the Bebedouro Fm. is interpreted to have been deposited in a shelf marine environment where glacio-proximal sedimentation dominated. It variably overlies Palaeoproterozoic/Archaean basement and Mesoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Chapada Diamantina Group. The overlying carbonate succession (Salitre Fm.) is informally subdivided into five mappable units. Unit C, at the base, is composed of red argillaceous dolostone with typical negative δ 13 C signatures averaging –5.1‰ (VPDB). Unit B consists of grey laminated limestones that grade upward into grey dolostone with tepee structures of Unit B1; both have δ 13 C values around 0‰. The overlying Unit A consists of interbeds of greyish marl, shales and siltstones grading upward into massive black organic-rich limestone with oolitic and pisolitic beds of Unit A1. Positive δ 13 C signatures averaging +8.5‰ VPDB characterize the black limestones of Unit A1. 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of well-preserved samples of these carbonate units show values of 0.70745 and 0.70765. These units can be correlated litho- and chemostratigraphically with formations of the Bambuí Group (São Francisco Basin) to the west.