Smectite composition as a tracer of deep circulation: the case of the Northern North Atlantic

peer reviewed The link between smectite composition in sediments from the northern North Atlantic and Labrador Sea, and deep circulation is being further investigated through detailed studies of the X-ray pattern of smectites and cation saturations. This allows clear distinction of dominant terrigen...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine Geology
Main Authors: Fagel, Nathalie, Robert, Christian, Preda, Michel, Thorez, Jacques
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Elsevier Science 2001
Subjects:
Online Access:https://orbi.uliege.be/handle/2268/17015
https://orbi.uliege.be/bitstream/2268/17015/1/NF%20margo%20smectite%202001.pdf
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-3227(00)00123-7
Description
Summary:peer reviewed The link between smectite composition in sediments from the northern North Atlantic and Labrador Sea, and deep circulation is being further investigated through detailed studies of the X-ray pattern of smectites and cation saturations. This allows clear distinction of dominant terrigenous sources associated to the main components of the modern Western Boundary Undercurrent. Time variations of smectite characteristics in two piston cores from the inlet and outlet of the Western Boundary Undercurrent gyre in the Labrador Sea indicate: (1) a more southern circulation of North East Atlantic Deep Water during the Late Glacial; (2) a step by step transition to the modern pattern of deep circulation during the Late Glacial/Holocene transition, with intensification of North East Atlantic Deep Water and Davis Strait Overflow; (3) an expansion of Davis Strait Overflow and Labrador Sea Water circulation in relation to ice surges and deposition of detrital layers; (4) an intensified circulation of North East Atlantic Deep Water during the Younger Dryas; and (5) a very recent increased influence of Denmark Strait Overflow Water beginning between 4.4 and <1 kyr. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.