Abstract
Genetically homogeneous clay fractions are not always available for K-Ar isotopic dating of authigenic sedimentary material, particularly when dating illitic mixed-layer clay minerals. Three populations of mixed-layer clay minerals have been recognized in Upper Triassic sandstones from the Paris Basin (France), their occurrences being related to the flow of allochthonous fluids across the stratigraphic sections of the basin during Mesozoic times. A method is described for interpreting the K-Ar mixture ages obtained on carefully selected fractions, resulting in constraints being able to be made on the timing of the movements of these fluids.
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