Comparison of glacial/interglacial carbonate concentrations in Atlantic sediments ...

• Main Authors: Balsam, William L, McCoy, F M J
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: PANGAEA 1987
• Subjects: Barcelona Coast; Cork Harbour; Guadiana Estuary; Himmerfjarden; Limfjorden; Oder Estuary; Pertuis Charentais; Scheldt Delta Estuary; Taranto Mare Piccolo; Thau Lagoon; Piston corer; Trigger corer; A150/180; RC08; RC09; RC10; RC11; RC12; RC13; RC15; V04; V15; V16; V17; V18; V19; V20; V22; V23; V24; V25; V26; V27; V28; V29; V30; V31; Robert Conrad; Vema; Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University LDEO; Quaternary Environment of the Eurasian North QUEEN; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/pangaea.726644; https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.726644

To assess the regional effects of glaciation on sedimentation in the Atlantic Ocean we compare sediment types, distributions, and rates between Recent (core top) and last glacial maximum (LGM: ~18,000 years B.P.) stratigraphic levels. Based upon smear slides and carbonate analyses in 178 cores we find that glacial age carbonate content is generally lower than Recent. During both the Recent and LGM, carbonate content shows an east/west asymmetry with western basins exhibiting lower carbonate values. Input of ice-rafted detritus into the North Atlantic during LGM time interrupts this topographic control on carbonate distribution considerably farther south than at present; in the South Atlantic this effect is minor. Comparison of LGM and Recent sediment distributions indicates that the LGM seafloor was dominated by biogenic oozes, calcareous clays, and clays, while the Recent is dominated by biogenic oozes and marls. Coarse-grained detritus is much more prevalent in LGM sediments, derived not only from glacial ... : Supplement to: Balsam, William L; McCoy, F M J (1987): Atlantic sediments: glacial/interglacial comparisons. Paleoceanography, 2(5), 531-542 ...