Clay mineralogy of South Atlantic surface sediments ...

Surface samples, mostly from abyssal sediments of the South Atlantic, from parts of the equatorial Atlantic, and of the Antarctic Ocean, were investigated for clay content and clay mineral composition. Maps of relative clay mineral content were compiled, which improve previous maps by showing more d...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Petschick, Rainer, Kuhn, Gerhard, Gingele, Franz
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: PANGAEA 1996
Subjects:
Online Access:https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/pangaea.726293
https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.726293
Description
Summary:Surface samples, mostly from abyssal sediments of the South Atlantic, from parts of the equatorial Atlantic, and of the Antarctic Ocean, were investigated for clay content and clay mineral composition. Maps of relative clay mineral content were compiled, which improve previous maps by showing more details, especially at high latitudes. Large-scale relations regarding the origin and transport paths of detrital clay are revealed. High smectite concentrations are observed in abyssal regions, primarily derived from southernmost South America and from minor sources in Southwest Africa. Near submarine volcanoes of the Antarctic Ocean (South Sandwich, Bouvet Island) smectite contents exhibit distinct maxima, which is ascribed to the weathering of altered basalts and volcanic glasses. The illite distribution can be subdivided into five major zones including two maxima revealing both South African and Antarctic sources. A particularly high amount of Mg- and Fe-rich illites are observed close to East Antarctica. They ... : Supplement to: Petschick, Rainer; Kuhn, Gerhard; Gingele, Franz (1996): Clay mineral distribution in surface sediments of the South Atlantic: sources, transport, and relation to oceanography. Marine Geology, 130(3-4), 203-229 ...