Climate and sea level controlled sedimentation processes in two submarine canyons off NW-Africa

• Main Author: Pierau, Roberto
• Other Authors: Henrich, Rüdiger, Krastel, Sebastian
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Universität Bremen 2008
• Subjects: NW-Africa; submarine canyons; turbidite system; sea level changes; paleoclimate; Heinrich equivalents; 550; 550 Earth sciences and geology; ddc:550; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://media.suub.uni-bremen.de/handle/elib/2570; https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:gbv:46-diss000111940

This study focuses on the trigger mechanisms of gravity-driven sediment transport in two submarine canyons at the passive continental margin off NW-Africa during the past 240 kyr. The sedimentary records allow to determine the turbidite emplacement times based on high resolution age models. The sediment textures of the turbidites were studied by using X-ray radiographies. The sedimentary properties like the terrigenous silt size distribution and XRF-core scanning element data allow to identify the variability of the aeolian dust input in the hemipelagic sediments. These variations can be used to reconstruct the climatic conditions in the hinterland which strongly influence the sediment supply on the shelf. In addition a clay mineral assemblage was used to reconstruct the fluvial input of the West-African rivers.The trigger mechanisms of gravity-driven sediment transport in submarine canyons during sea level changes has been reported from many regions. However, the relationship of sea level changes and short-term climatic events with turbidite deposition is poorly documented. The turbidite history of the Dakar Canyon during the late Quaternary was reconstructed using gravity cores directly recovered from the canyon axis. The highest frequency of turbidite deposition is restricted to the last two major climatic terminations when remobilisation of sediments from the shelf was triggered by eustatic sea level rise. Coarse terrigenous silt size data and high Ti/Ca ratios reflect an overall increased dust supply during the last two peak glacials resulting in the formation of extensive sand seas covering the exposed shelf. The interglacials were characterised by less intensive wind stress. However, sporadic turbidite events coincide with the timing of Heinrich events in the North Atlantic. During these times continental climate has changed rapidly towards increased aridity and enhanced wind strength. This in turn led to a higher dust supply which has fed turbidity currents.The turbidite being deposited during the two ...