Amazon River sediment transport in the Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 1976 Amazon River sediment transport in the Atlantic Ocean Ronald J. Gibbs Ronald J. Gibbs 1College of Marine Studies, University of Delaware, Lewes, Delaware 19958 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Ronald J. Gibbs 1College of Marine Studies, University of Delaware, Lewes, Delaware 19958 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1976) 4 (1): 45–48. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1976)4<45:ARSTIT>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Ronald J. Gibbs; Amazon River sediment transport in the Atlantic Ocean. Geology 1976;; 4 (1): 45–48. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1976)4<45:ARSTIT>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract On the basis of data from seven cruises in the Amazon River–Atlantic Ocean area, and with 14 anchored stations extending over complete tidal cycles, the currents, suspended sediment concentration, temperature, and salinity were measured at various depths. The physical circulation of water shows Amazon River water thrusting out across the continental shelf and over the sea water with some entrainment and mixing with the sea water. The brackish plume from the Amazon is then turned northwestward along the outer shelf by the Guiana current and longshore currents to parallel the coastline for 500 to 700 km. Sea water upwells and flows landward under this plume.The sediments of the Amazon River are thrust out onto the outer shelf, where a gradual depositional process occurs: the sand is deposited first, followed by the silt, and most of the mud is carried shoreward by the landward-moving bottom waters. This combination of processes results in the existing depositional facies pattern; modern mud deposits along the shoreline grade outward into silt deposits and finally into modern sand. The depositional process occurring is contrary to the classic model with sand along the shoreline. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.