Compositional variations in calciturbidites due to sea-level fluctuations, late Quaternary, Bahamas

Abstract

Piston cores in Tongue of the Ocean, Bahamas, revealed an alternating sequence of periplatform ooze and bankderived turbidites of the past 5 glacial and interglacial periods. By using the point-count method we have analyzed the composition of the turbidite sediment. Variations in the bank-derived fraction are clearly linked to the glacial-interglacial cycles. Nonskeletal components (pellets; ooids; grapestones) are most abundant in interglacial turbidites, while skeletal components (calcareous algae; peneroplids and reef builders) dominate in glacial turbidites. We attribute this pattern to the exposure and flooding of the surrounding carbonate platforms during Late Quaternary sea-level cycles. Because nonskeletal sediment is produced in the interior of the platforms, its growth and subsequent export to the flanks are at a maximum when the banks are flooded, i.e. during interglacial periods. During glacials, skeletal grains dominate because the banks are exposed and carbonate production is limited to a narrow belt of skeletal sands and fringing reefs. The resulting compositional signal appeared to have a good correlation with aragonite variations in the periplatform ooze between the turbidites. Further, compositional variation parallels the change in turbidite frequency described earlier (»highstand bundling«). Frequency and composition of turbidites are both unaffected by diagenesis and therefore provide an excellent monitor of sealevel fluctuations.