Clay minerals in Cenozoic sediments off Cape Roberts (McMurdo Sound, Antarctica) reveal the palaeoclimatic history

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 Antarct...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology
Main Authors: Ehermann W., SETTI, MASSIMO, MARINONI, LUIGI TITO
Other Authors: Ehermann, W., Setti, Massimo, Marinoni, LUIGI TITO
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2005
Subjects:
ANTARCTICA
CENOZOIC
CLAY MINERALS
PALAEOCLIMATE
CAPE ROBERTS PROJECT
Cape Roberts
McMurdo Sound
Transantarctic Mountains
Antarc*
Antarctica
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11571/133009
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2005.06.022
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Summary: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 (33.1–31 Ma) and suggest subordinate physical weathering. The sediments of Unit IV (31–30.5 Ma) have strongly variable smectite and illite concentrations indicating an alternation of chemical weathering periods and physical weathering periods. Unit V (30.5–24.2 Ma) shows a further shift towards physical weathering. Unit VI (24.2–18.5 Ma) indicates strong physical weathering under a cold climate with persistent and intense illite formation. Unit VII (18.5 Ma to present) documents an additional input of smectite derived from the McMurdo Volcanic Group in the south.

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