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A computer‐interfaced sedigraph for modal size analysis of fine‐grained sediment
Author(s) -
JONES K. P. N.,
McCAVE I. N.,
PATEL D.
Publication year - 1988
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.1365-3091.1988.tb00910.x
Subject(s) - turbidite , settling , geology , sediment , silt , grain size , turbidity current , mineralogy , turbidity , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering , sedimentary depositional environment , oceanography , environmental science , structural basin , environmental engineering
A system has been developed allowing the direct storage on disc of size data from the X‐ray scanning settling tube SediGraph 5000ET. Processing of the cumulative percentage data output to produce smooth frequency curves is described. This allows rapid (15 min) and precise (±M 0.1ø) discrimination of size modes, peak heights, median and silt and clay percentages of fine‐grained sediments. An example of a mud turbidite is given showing systematic changes in bulk and modal properties, not visible by eye. Lack of size segregation in the > 1 m thickness of this turbidite shows that it may have been deposited from a highly concentrated flow, rather than from a dilute, waning turbidity current. Such flows may explain ungraded/poorly graded, muddy sediments also known as homogenites, unifites or megaturbidites by other authors.