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Biogeochemical remanent magnetization in pelagic sediments of the western equatorial Pacific Ocean
Author(s) -
Tarduno John A.,
Tian Wenlai,
Wilkison Sarah
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1998gl900079
Subject(s) - remanence , geology , natural remanent magnetization , paleomagnetism , magnetite , biogeochemical cycle , pelagic sediment , sedimentary depositional environment , pelagic zone , greigite , oceanography , geochemistry , magnetization , geophysics , paleontology , sedimentary rock , magnetic field , chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , structural basin , environmental chemistry
Paleomagnetic data from pelagic sediments are an important source of information on the history of the geomagnetic field. However, fundamental uncertainties about how these sediments acquire their magnetizations remain. Here we address whether biogenic magnetite, formed at depth within the sediments, can contribute to remanent magnetizations. In sediments of the western equatorial Pacific Ocean (ODP Site 805), biogenic magnetite found near the Fe‐redox boundary carries a natural remanent magnetization. Because the production of biogenic magnetite is tied to the geochemical zonation of the sediments, we call this magnetization a biogeochemical remanence. These data indicate that some pelagic sediments can continue to acquire remanence significantly after the post‐depositional lock‐in of detrital magnetic grains.