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Petrographic and geochemical analysis of caliche profiles in a Bahamian Pleistocene dune
Author(s) -
BEIER J. A.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
sedimentology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.494
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1365-3091
pISSN - 0037-0746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3091.1987.tb00588.x
Subject(s) - geology , petrography , subaerial , carbonate , breccia , geochemistry , pleistocene , recrystallization (geology) , paleontology , chemistry , organic chemistry
Two caliche profiles from a Pleistocene carbonate dune on San Salvador Island, Bahamas, were examined by petrographic and geochemical analysis. Profile A is an immature buried caliche profile characterized by caliche pisolites, a friable crust and abundant Cerion. Profile B is a more well‐developed caliche profile at the top of the dune which contains abundant pisolites, rhizomorphs, laminated calcrete, a breccia and abundant Cerion . Geochemical changes in caliche profiles relative to the host rock are an increase in Al 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 and total organic carbon, a decrease in Mg and Sr, and a decrease in δ 13 C carb , δ 18 O carb and δ13C org . The magnitude of these changes is probably a function of the duration of subaerial exposure and resultant colonization by dune plants and associated microflora. Abundance of calcified filaments and needle‐fibre crystals in profile A attests to the importance of microbial processes in the early development of caliche profiles. Biogenic structures are largely destroyed in profile B due to recrystallization, but indirect evidence of biological activity is retained in the form of carbon isotope values.