Terrigenous sedimentation processes along the continental margin off NW Africa: implications from grain-size analysis of seabed sediments |
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| Authors: | Christine Holz Jan–berend W Stuut Rüdiger Henrich |
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| Institution: | Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, Klagenfurter Straße, 28359 Bremen, Germany (E-mail: ) |
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| 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. |
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| Keywords: | Aeolian dust Canary Islands carbonate-free silt deep-sea sediments end-member modelling grain size Sahara |
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