Abstract

Large fluctuations occur in the aragonite content of fine silt and clay-sized material sampled by piston cores in Tongue of the Ocean, Bahamas. Electron microscopy reveals that sedimentary sequences with high aragonite content are characterized by abundant aragonite needles. Sedimentary sequences containing small amounts of aragonite but large amounts of low-Mg calcite are dominated by coccoliths. The variation in both mineralogy and grain morphology is interpreted to be related to sea level fluctuations and the consequent presence or absence of sediment contribution (needles) from the adjacent Bahama Banks. These fluctuations are useful chronological indicators in these cores and should be applicable in other areas adjacent to carbonate banks. In particular, the last rise in sea level is clearly marked in all the cores.

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