Clay mineralogy of Cape Roberts sediment cores ...

• Main Authors: Ehrmann, Werner, Setti, Massimo, Marinoni, L
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: PANGAEA 2005
• Subjects: Core wireline system; CRP-1; CRP-2; CRP-3; Sampling/drilling ice; Sampling/drilling from ice; Cape Roberts Project CRP; Priority Programme 1158 Antarctic Research with Comparable Investigations in Arctic Sea Ice Areas SPP1158; Antarc*; Antarctic; Antarctica; McMurdo Sound; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/pangaea.738196; https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.738196

The clay mineral assemblages of the ca. 1600 m thick Cenozoic sedimentary succession recovered at the CRP-1, CRP-2/2A and CRP-3 drill sites off Cape Roberts on the McMurdo Sound shelf, Antarctica, were analysed in order to reconstruct the palaeoclimate and the glacial history of this part of Antarctica. The sequence can be subdivided into seven clay mineral units that reflect the transition from humid to subpolar and polar conditions. Unit I (35-33.6 Ma) is characterised by an almost monomineralic assemblage consisting of well crystalline, authigenic smectite, and therefore does not allow a palaeoclimatic reconstruction. Unit II (33.6-33.1 Ma) has also a monomineralic clay mineral composition. However, the assemblage consists of variably crystallized smectite that, at least in part, is of detrital origin and indicates chemical weathering under a humid climate. The main source area for the clays was in the Transantarctic Mountains. Minor amounts of illite and chlorite appear for the first time in Unit III ... : Supplement to: Ehrmann, Werner; Setti, Massimo; Marinoni, L (2005): Clay minerals in Cenozoic sediments off Cape Roberts (McMurdo Sound, Antarctica) reveal palaeoclimatic history. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 229(3), 187-211 ...