We investigated the Nd isotope signature of the sedimentary rocks, while considering the different lithostratigraphic sequences and their geographic extent within the PB. Nd isotopic ratios and TDM model ages suggest a dominant continental source where are related to Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Amazonian Craton. The Nd isotopic compositions do not display a major contribution from the younger Neoproterozoic juvenile magmatic arc terrane of the Brasília Belt.
TDM model ages plotted against the stratigraphy show old TDM model ages of ca. 2.3–1.5 Ga and strongly negative Nd (T) values of −11 to −6, revealing sedimentary changes in the source. The changing Nd (T) values are interpreted to be function of the erosion/deposition ratio that occurred due to uplift during orogenic processes causing variations in the source area.
Compared to the lower glacial and carbonate successions, the upper siliciclastic succession shows lower Nd isotopic ratios that is consistent with a source from the Paraguay Belt (or another Neoproterozoic continental source?). This can be accommodated by the change from an extensional continental margin to a compressional foreland basin setting.
This provenance study of the Paraguay Belt sedimentary rocks has important implications for the West Gondwana collision history prior to its final amalgamation at the end of the Neoproterozoic and beginning of the Cambrian epoch.