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Terrigenous sedimentation processes along the continental margin off NW Africa: implications from grain‐size analysis of seabed sediments
Author(s) -
Holz Christine,
Stuut Jan–berend W.,
Henrich Rüdiger
Publication year - 2004
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.1365-3091.2004.00665.x
Subject(s) - terrigenous sediment , geology , continental margin , fluvial , aeolian processes , seabed , sedimentary rock , silt , continental shelf , sediment transport , sediment , oceanography , trough (economics) , sedimentation , clastic rock , geomorphology , paleontology , tectonics , macroeconomics , structural basin , economics
Abstract The terrigenous fraction of seabed sediments recovered along the north‐west African continental margin illustrates spatial variability in grain size attributed to different transport mechanisms. Three subpopulations are determined from the grain‐size analyses ( n = 78) of the carbonate‐free silt fraction applying an end‐member modelling algorithm (G. J. Weltje, 1997). The two coarsest end‐members are interpreted as representing aeolian dust, and the fine‐grained end‐member is related to fluvial supply. The end‐member model thus allows aeolian fallout to be distinguished from fluvial‐sourced mud in this area. The relative contributions of the end‐members show distinct regional variations that can be related to different transport processes and pathways. Understanding present‐day sediment dispersal and mixing is important for a better understanding of older sedimentary records and palaeoclimate reconstructions in the region.