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The durability of bioclastic sediments and implications for coral reef deposit formation
Author(s) -
FORD MURRAY R.,
KENCH PAUL S.
Publication year - 2012
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.1365-3091.2011.01281.x
Subject(s) - reef , halimeda , geology , benthic zone , coral reef , coral , acropora , coralline algae , carbonate , sediment , oceanography , foraminifera , durability , bioerosion , paleontology , chemistry , materials science , organic chemistry , composite material
The generation and composition of carbonate sediment within tropical carbonate settings is controlled by the skeletal production of CaCO 3 in conjunction with physical, biological and chemical processes which act to break down and disperse skeletal remains. Using the results of detailed tumbling barrel experiments, this paper discusses the role the physical durability of common constituents of reef sediment plays in the composition of coral reef deposits. The durability of the skeletal remains of six reef sediment constituents was determined experimentally using tumbling barrels. Results indicate that constituent durability varies considerably amongst common reef sediment constituents. Calcareous algae Halimeda was the least durable constituent tested, followed by larger benthic foraminifera Baculogypsina sphaerulata and Marginopora vertebralis and the pelecypod Fragum fragum. Two species of branching coral ( Acropora sarmentosa and Acropora nasuta ) were found to be the most resistant to physical destruction. These findings provide increased power to interpret reef and island deposits and the potential role skeletal durability plays in the retention of constituent skeletons within coral reef associated sedimentary systems.