South American Continental Margin Research Articles

Three-stage, 70 Myr exhumation of HP/LT rocks on Margarita, Venezuela: Caribbean intra-forearc shear, Grenada Basin rifting, and continental obduction

The La Rinconada Terrane comprises the core of Margarita Island, Venezuela; it is a composite unit composed of rocks of both continental and oceanic affinity that were brought together and metamorphosed at high-pressure and low- to medium-temperature conditions in a collision zone along NW South America in Albian to Cenomanian time. Details of the ensuing three-stage exhumation path and concomitant eastward translation until Miocene oblique collision of Margarita with central and eastern Venezuela have remained the subject of discussion. In this paper we integrate the results of published age dating and the details of extensive Rb-Sr, K-Ar, 40Ar/39Ar and fission track dating that have been only superficially presented to date. Initial exhumation from high-pressure conditions into ductile mid-crustal levels occurred at 90-80 Ma, followed by essentially isobaric, isothermal conditions for ca. 30 Myr during which the La Rinconada Terrane was subjected to continual ductile penetrative shearing and recrystallization. Partial to total recrystallization with concomitant partial to total isotopic re-equilibration, especially of quartz-rich rocks, was widespread during this time interval. The youngest Rb-Sr, K-Ar and 40Ar/39Ar ages cluster at ca. 50 Ma. Zircon fission track ages of 50–40 Ma corroborate exhumation into brittle levels of the crust at this time. An apatite fission track age of 23 Ma indicates the attainment of shallow depths in Miocene time. This discontinuous history of exhumation fits tectonic models of the Caribbean well. As the Caribbean Plate led by the Antilles Arc entered the gap between the Americas, strongly dextral, transpressive subduction in the SE Caribbean drove shear deep within the forearc. The La Rinconada Terrane of Margarita was exhumed to mid-crustal depths in the Late Cretaceous and is suggested to have occupied high-angle forearc shear zones above the primary Benioff Plane. As the arc migrated past the Guajira promontory and became extensional due to roll-back of Proto-Caribbean oceanic crust north of the Falcón re-entrant of the South American margin, the La Rinconada Terrane formed the footwall of an Eocene lithospheric rift that opened by late Eocene into the Grenada (oceanic intra-arc) Basin, effecting exhumation into the brittle crust. The progressive obduction of the SE Caribbean Plate onto the South American continental margin during prolonged dextral oblique collision completed most of Margarita's exhumation history by middle Miocene time (17–12 Ma).

Diverse Magmatic Evolutionary Trends of the Northern Andes Unraveled by Paleocene to Early Eocene Detrital Zircon Geochemistry

AbstractThe Paleocene‐early Eocene continental magmatic arc (PECMA) in the Northern Andes is an example of arc magmatism following a major collisional event. This arc formed after the arc‐continent collision between the Caribbean Plate and the South American continental margin at ca. 72 Ma. We used detrital zircon LA‐ICP‐MS and CA‐ID‐TIMS geochronology and geochemistry to complement the limited plutonic record of the PECMA and better characterize the PECMA's magmatic evolution. Zircon geochronology and their respective trace element geochemistry were analyzed from Paleocene‐early Eocene strata of the Bogotá Formation in the foreland region. Our results show that after the collision of the Caribbean Plate, the magmas in the PECMA differentiated under a thick continental crust with limited subduction input at ca. 66 Ma. By 62–50 Ma, scattered patterns of Hf, U, U/Yb, and Yb/Gd ratios in detrital zircons suggest the existence of contrasting magmatic inputs attributed to different depths of crustal fractionation, varied temperatures of crystallization, and significant mantle and subduction inputs. These diverse magmatic patterns reflect the evolution of the continental crust. We proposed that oblique convergence and strike‐slip tectonics favored contrasting crustal architectures along the continental margin while local lithosphere dripping from a previously thickened crust promoted the formation of hot magmas under a thick continental crust.

GNSS Constraints to Active Tectonic Deformations of the South American Continental Margin in Ecuador.

GNSS observations constitute the main tool to reveal Earth’s crustal deformations in order to improve the identification of geological hazards. The Ecuadorian Andes were formed by Nazca Plate subduction below the Pacific margin of the South American Plate. Active tectonic-related deformation continues to present, and it is constrained by 135 GPS stations of the RENAGE and REGME deployed by the IGM in Ecuador (1995.4–2011.0). They show a regional ENE displacement, increasing towards the N, of the deformed North Andean Sliver in respect to the South American Plate and Inca Sliver relatively stable areas. The heterogeneous displacements towards the NNE of the North Andean Sliver are interpreted as consequences of the coupling of the Carnegie Ridge in the subduction zone. The Dolores–Guayaquil megashear constitutes its southeastern boundary and includes the dextral to normal transfer Pallatanga fault, that develops the Guayaquil Gulf. This fault extends northeastward along the central part of the Cordillera Real, in relay with the reverse dextral Cosanga–Chingual fault and finally followed by the reverse dextral Sub-Andean fault zone. While the Ecuadorian margin and Andes is affected by ENE–WSW shortening, the easternmost Manabí Basin located in between the Cordillera Costanera and the Cordillera Occidental of the Andes, underwent moderate ENE–WSW extension and constitutes an active fore-arc basin of the Nazca plate subduction. The integration of the GPS and seismic data evidences that highest rates of deformation and the highest tectonic hazards in Ecuador are linked: to the subduction zone located in the coastal area; to the Pallatanga transfer fault; and to the Eastern Andes Sub-Andean faults.

Habitat suitability and environmental niche comparison of cold-water coral species along the Brazilian continental margin

In face of increasing anthropogenic disturbance in the deep sea, it is a priority to better understand the regional distribution of cold-water corals (CWC). These organisms create some of the most species-rich habitats in the deep sea and, for this reason, they must be properly protected and managed. In this study, we aimed to identify suitable habitat for multiple CWC taxa off the Brazilian continental margin and compare their environmental niches. Habitat suitability models were developed using the Maxent approach, which allowed for the prediction of species distribution and for the identification of potential ‘hot spot’ areas that may be important for biodiversity conservation. Ecological niches were determined by a PCA-env approach, and niche similarity and equivalence were evaluated based on niche overlap using the Schoener's D metric. Potentially suitable habitat for Octocorallia covered a broad latitudinal range encompassing nearly the entire Brazilian continental margin, whereas Scleractinia had greater potentially suitable habitat in the Central and Southern areas. Scleractinian species were observed to slightly differ in their environmental niche, with non-reef-forming species being more tolerant to a wider range of environmental conditions in comparison with reef-forming species, inhabiting a wider area of the South American continental margin. Due to the high potential suitability for several CWC species, the Central and Southern parts of the Brazilian continental margin should be considered as potential areas high CWC diversity. Considering the current state of the art and strategic assessment tools, these areas are important targets for conservation, management, and environmental impact assessment. Most reef-forming species had similar but not directly equivalent ecological niches, indicating that mapping efforts and management planning should consider CWCs at the species level.

New conodont records of the Los Sombreros Formation (Cambrian–Ordovician) from the Western Precordillera, Argentina: biostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental implications

AbstractThe presence of a carbonate platform that interfingers towards the west with slope facies allows for the identification of an ancient lower Palaeozoic continental margin in the Western Precordillera of Argentina. The Los Sombreros Formation is essential for the interpretation of the continental slope of the Precordillera, which accreted to Gondwana as part of the Cuyania Terrane in the early Palaeozoic. The age of these slope deposits is controversial; therefore, a precise biostratigraphic scheme is critical to reveal the evolution of the South American continental margin of Gondwana. The study of lithic deposits of two sections of the Los Sombreros Formation, the El Salto and Los Túneles sections, provides important information for further understanding the depositional history of the slope. At El Salto section, the conodonts recovered from an allochthonous block refer to theCordylodus proavusZone (upper Furongian). The conodonts recovered from the matrix of a calclithite bed of the Los Sombreros Formation in the Los Túneles section are assigned to theLenodus variabilisZone (early Darriwilian), providing a minimum age for this stratigraphic unit. In addition, clasts from this sample yielded conodonts from thePaltodus deltifer−Macerodus dianaezones (upper Tremadocian). The contrasting conodont colour alterations and preservation states from the elements of two latter records, coming from the same sample, argue the reworked clasts originated in the carbonate platform and later transported to the slope during the accretion process of the Precordilleran Terrane to the South American Gondwanan margin during the Middle–Late Ordovician.

Paleoclimatic controls on mercury deposition in northeast Brazil since the Last Interglacial

The sediment core GL-1248, collected from the continental slope off northeastern Brazil, was used to reconstruct mercury (Hg) variations in NE South American continental margin and understand its variability in response to paleoclimate changes over the past 128 ka. Mercury concentrations in GL-1248 ranged between 14.95 and 69.43 ng/g, showing a glacial-interglacial pattern with higher (lower) concentrations in the glacial period (interglacial period). Parallel trends of Hg and XRF-Fe plots suggest that following atmospheric Hg deposition onto the continent, Hg is incorporated with Fe compounds before transportation and eventual immobilization at the NE Brazil continental slope. Peaks of Hg and Fe/Ca ratio peaks occurred concurrently during certain Heinrich Stadials, indicating that Hg is transported from the continent alongside fluvial sediments during periods of increased precipitation and erosion in NE Brazil continent. Mercury concentrations varied with periodicities of 56 ka and 900 yr suggesting glacial-interglacial changes and millennial-scale variability, respectively. Total Hg and total organic carbon are poorly correlated, although the latter likely influenced Hg sequestration into marine sediments during millennial-scale events between 60 ka and 30 ka. Altogether, our results suggest that the atmosphere is the primary source of Hg to GL-1248 and glacial-interglacial climate variations were the major determinant of atmospheric Hg deposition. Furthermore, increased precipitation during millennial-scale events played a secondary role by enhancing Hg transport to the continental slope of NE Brazil.

Modern and late Pleistocene particulate organic carbon transport by the Amazon River: Insights from long-chain alkyl diols

The relative abundance of the C32 1,15 long-chain alkyl diol (LCD) is an emerging proxy for the input of riverine aquatic particulate organic carbon (POC) into coastal oceans. This compound has the potential to complement other established proxies reflecting riverine terrestrial POC input and allows for a more nuanced assessment of riverine POC export to coastal seas. The current understanding of this proxy is, however, limited. In this study, we compare different indices for riverine sediment input to coastal marine waters (i.e. C32 1,15-LCD, BIT index and Fe/Ca ratio) in a source-to-sink assessment in the Amazon River drainage system and the northeast South American continental margin, and we test their down-core applicability in a marine gravity core containing late Pleistocene fluvial Amazonian sediments. We show that the relative abundance of the C32 1,15-LCD is highest in water bodies with low flow velocity and low turbidity such as the downstream portion of lowland tributaries and floodplain lakes. Relative C32 1,15-LCD abundance is lowest in Andean white water tributaries where autotrophic productivity is hindered by high turbidity and high flow velocity. We also find that suspended particulate matter from all major tributaries during the extreme 2015 dry season has a similar LCD distribution to that of floodplain lakes. This indicates that the chemical composition of the tributaries is less relevant for the LCD distribution than their physical properties such as flow velocity and turbidity. Results from marine surface sediments offshore the Amazon River estuary show significant positive correlations between all three studied proxies. In contrast, we find that the relative C32 1,15-LCD abundance in the down-core record is anti-correlated to the BIT index and Fe/Ca ratio. While BIT index and Fe/Ca ratio show high (low) values during Heinrich stadials (Dansgaard-Oeschger interstadials), the C32 1,15-LCD proxy shows the opposite signal. BIT values are also higher during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 than during MIS 3, in contrast to trends in the C32 1,15-LCD proxy. We posit that this pattern arises from a reduction in relative C32 1,15-LCD abundance and total LCD productivity in the Amazon River during MIS 2 when less-humid conditions and lower sea level led to reduced area of floodplains. During Heinrich stadials, Andean sediment input increased and led to higher turbidity that resulted in lower C32 1,15-LCD production. Our study shows that major changes in water discharge, sediment transport and river morphology can lead to discrepancies between the BIT index and the relative abundance of the C32 1,15-LCD. Thus, we suggest that Amazonian aquatic and terrestrial POC pools had contrasting responses to changes related to both climate (e.g. increased Andean precipitation) and river morphology (e.g. steeper along-channel slope due to falling and low stand sea level).

From accretion to forearc basin initiation: The case of SW Ecuador, Northern Andes

The SW of Ecuador offers a great opportunity to study the long-term behavior of an almost entire forearc system, from the external accretionary prism to the landward limit of the forearc basin. A combination of field observations, LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating on zircon and interpretation of different vintages of unpublished industrial seismic records are used to study the evolution of the forearc system of SW Ecuador including the accretionary prism and the forearc depocenter. The youngest dates, obtained from U-Pb dating on zircon grains believed to be derived from the arc, define the best estimate for the age of sedimentation and permit a clear description of the temporal and spatial evolution of the accretionary, post accretionary and forearc basin series between 60 Ma and 10 Ma. This reinforces the idea that forearc sediments can be dated by U-Pb on zircon provided that the arc is active at the moment of sedimentation. The Azúcar Formation reflects the accretion of SW Ecuador against the South American continental margin from 61 Ma to 55 Ma. This event is post-dated by the formation of an accretionary prism which may have started at circa 55 Ma. Deformation of the accretionary prism may have been less active during sedimentation of the Ancón Group from ~54 Ma (?) to ~40 Ma which shows evidence of normal faulting and other extensional processes. The transition from the Azúcar Formation to the Ancón Group is marked by a significant decrease of the topographic profile, which in turn resulted in sedimentary series that shallow upwards. The forearc basin sensu strictu develops coevally with the uplift of the outer forearc high (Estancia Hills) and the sedimentation of the Zapotal Formation at 32–30 Ma; the latest marking a significant differentiation in the sedimentary style of the area to shallower and even continental environments. From 30 Ma to 10 Ma the forearc basin was defined by shallow water deposits, progressively influenced by tidal dynamics, most likely related to a protected triangular bay symbolizing the shape of the forearc basin. Evidence presented here suggests the existence of a stable outer forearc high limiting the forearc depocenter for at least 20 My and creating, at least in part, the accommodation necessary for an ~3 km thick forearc sedimentary package. The architecture of SW Ecuador is typical of a forearc basin setting including an accretionary prism and an outer forearc high such as those observed in the Kumano (Japan) and the Coast Range and Great Valley basins (USA). The Estancia Hills may correspond to one of the best preserved exposures of an ancient outer forearc high worldwide.

Cretaceous extensional and compressional tectonics in the Northwestern Andes, prior to the collision with the Caribbean oceanic plateau

The Cretaceous units exposed in the northwestern segment of the Colombian Andes preserve the record of extensional and compressional tectonics prior to the collision with Caribbean oceanic terranes. We integrated field, stratigraphic, sedimentary provenance, whole rock geochemistry, Nd isotopes and U-Pb zircon data to understand the Cretaceous tectonostratigraphic and magmatic record of the Colombian Andes. The results suggest that several sedimentary successions including the Abejorral Fm. were deposited on top of the continental basement in an Early Cretaceous backarc basin (150–100 Ma). Between 120 and 100 Ma, the appearance of basaltic and andesitic magmatism (~115–100 Ma), basin deepening, and seafloor spreading were the result of advanced stages of backarc extension. A change to compressional tectonics took place during the Late Cretaceous (100–80 Ma). During this compressional phase, the extended blocks were reincorporated into the margin, closing the former Early Cretaceous backarc basin. Subsequently, a Late Cretaceous volcanic arc was built on the continental margin; as a result, the volcanic rocks of the Quebradagrande Complex were unconformably deposited on top of the faulted and folded rocks of the Abejorral Fm. Between the Late Cretaceous and the Paleocene (80–60 Ma), an arc-continent collision between the Caribbean oceanic plateau and the South-American continental margin deformed the rocks of the Quebradagrande Complex and shut-down the active volcanic arc. Our results suggest an Early Cretaceous extensional event followed by compressional tectonics prior to the collision with the Caribbean oceanic plateau.

New insight on the recent tectonic evolution and uplift of the southern Ecuadorian Andes from gravity and structural analysis of the Neogene-Quaternary intramontane basins

The sedimentary basins of Loja, Malacatos-Vilcabamba and Catamayo belong to the Neogene-Quaternary synorogenic intramontane basins of South Ecuador. They were formed during uplift of the Andes since Middle-Late Miocene as a result of the Nazca plate subduction beneath the South American continental margin. This E-W compressional tectonic event allowed for the development of NNE-SSW oriented folds and faults, determining the pattern and thickness of sedimentary infill. New gravity measurements in the sedimentary basins indicate negative Bouguer anomalies reaching up to −292 mGal related to thick continental crust and sedimentary infill. 2D gravity models along profiles orthogonal to N-S elongated basins determine their deep structure. Loja Basin is asymmetrical, with a thickness of sedimentary infill reaching more than 1200 m in the eastern part, which coincides with a zone of most intense compressive deformation. The tectonic structures include N-S, NW-SE and NE-SW oriented folds and associated east-facing reverse faults. The presence of liquefaction structures strongly suggests the occurrence of large earthquakes just after the sedimentation. The basin of Malacatos-Vilcabamba has some folds with N-S orientation. However, both Catamayo and Malacatos-Vilcabamba basins are essentially dominated by N-S to NW-SE normal faults, producing a strong asymmetry in the Catamayo Basin area. The initial stages of compression developed folds, reverse faults and the relief uplift determining the high altitude of the Loja Basin. As a consequence of the crustal thickening and in association with the dismantling of the top of the Andes Cordillera, extensional events favored the development of normal faults that mainly affect the basins of Catamayo and Malacatos-Vilcabamba. Gravity research helps to constrain the geometry of the Neogene-Quaternary sedimentary infill, shedding some light on its relationship with tectonic events and geodynamic processes during intramontane basin development.

Origin of increased terrigenous supply to the NE South American continental margin during Heinrich Stadial 1 and the Younger Dryas

We investigate the redistribution of terrigenous materials in the northeastern (NE) South American continental margin during slowdown events of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The compilation of stratigraphic data from 108 marine sediment cores collected across the western tropical Atlantic shows an extreme rise in sedimentation rates off the Parnaíba River mouth (about 2°S) during Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1, 18–15 ka). Sediment core GeoB16206-1, raised offshore the Parnaíba River mouth, documents relatively constant 143Nd/144Nd values (expressed as εNd(0)) throughout the last 30 ka. Whereas the homogeneous εNd(0) data support the input of fluvial sediments by the Parnaíba River from the same source area directly onshore, the increases in Fe/Ca, Al/Si and Rb/Sr during HS1 indicate a marked intensification of fluvial erosion in the Parnaíba River drainage basin. In contrast, the εNd(0) values from sediment core GeoB16224-1 collected off French Guiana (about 7°N) suggest Amazon-sourced materials within the last 30 ka. We attribute the extremely high volume of terrigenous sediments deposited offshore the Parnaíba River mouth during HS1 to (i) an enhanced precipitation in the catchment region and (ii) a reduced North Brazil Current, which are both associated with a weakened AMOC.

Constraints on deformation of the Southern Andes since the Cretaceous from anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility

The southernmost segment of the Andean Cordillera underwent a complex deformation history characterized by alternation of contractional, extensional, and strike-slip tectonics. Key elements of southern Andean deformation that remain poorly constrained, include the origin of the orogenic bend known as the Patagonian Orocline (here renamed as Patagonian Arc), and the exhumation mechanism of an upper amphibolite facies metamorphic complex currently exposed in Cordillera Darwin. Here, we present results of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) from 22 sites in Upper Cretaceous to upper Eocene sedimentary rocks within the internal structural domain of the Magallanes fold-and-thrust belt in Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). AMS parameters from most sites reveal a weak tectonic overprint of the original magnetic fabric, which was likely acquired upon layer-parallel shortening soon after sedimentation. Magnetic lineation from 17 sites is interpreted to have formed during compressive tectonic phases associated to a continuous~N-S contraction. Our data, combined with the existing AMS database from adjacent areas, show that the Early Cretaceous-late Oligocene tectonic phases in the Southern Andes yielded continuous contraction, variable from~E-W in the Patagonian Andes to~N-S in the Fuegian Andes, which defined a radial strain field. A direct implication is that the exhumation of the Cordillera Darwin metamorphic complex occurred under compressive, rather than extensional or strike-slip tectonics, as alternatively proposed. If we agree with recent works considering the curved Magallanes fold-and-thrust belt as a primary arc (i.e., no relative vertical-axis rotation of the limbs occurs during its formation), then other mechanisms different from oroclinal bending should be invoked to explain the documented radial strain field. We tentatively propose a kinematic model in which reactivation of variably oriented Jurassic faults at the South American continental margin controlled the Late Cretaceous to Cenozoic evolution of the Magallanes fold-and-thrust belt, yielding the observed deformation pattern.

Transient Cenozoic tectonic stages in the southern margin of the Caribbean plate: U-Th/He thermochronological constraints from Eocene plutonic rocks in the Santa Marta massif and Serranía de Jarara, northern Colombia

We use U-Th/(He) zircon and apatite thermochronology and Al in hornblende geobarometry from Eocene granitoids of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Guajira uplifted massifs in northern Colombia to elucidate the exhumation history of the northern South America continental margin and its bearing to Cenozoic Caribbean– South American plate interactions. Aluminium in hornblende geobarometry from the Eocene Santa Marta batholith yields pressures between 4.9±0.6kbar and 6.4±0.6kbar, which indicate that at least, 14.7-19.2km of unroofing took place since 56-50Ma in the northwestern Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. In the Guajira Peninsula, calculated pressures for the Eocene Parashi stock are 2.3±0.6kbar and 3±0.6kbar. Stratigraphic considerations pertaining to Oligocene conglomerates from the Guajira area suggest that 6.9-9km of crust was lost between 50Ma and ca. 26Ma. U-Th/He zircon and apatite thermochronology from granitoids in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta shows the existence of major exhumation events in the Late Eocene (ca. 45-40Ma), Late Oligocene (ca. 25Ma) and Miocene (ca. 15Ma). The Guajira region records the Late Eocene to Early Oligocene (35-25Ma) event, but it lacks evidence for the Miocene exhumation phase. These differences reflect isolation of the Guajira region from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Andean chain due to extensive block rotation and transtensional tectonics that affected the region during post-Eocene times. The post-Eocene events correlate in time with an increased convergence rate and the frontal approach of North and South America. It is suggested that the two major tectonic mechanisms that govern exhumation in these Caribbean massifs are: 1) subduction of the Caribbean plate, and 2) post Eocene changes in plate convergence obliquity and rates that caused the South American continental margin blocks to override the Caribbean plate. Temporal correlation with other Caribbean and Northern Andean events allows to resolve the regional Cenozoic plate tectonic reorganizations experienced by the South American, Caribbean and Pacific plates at a regional scale

Geology reviewed for the Falkland Islands and their offshore sedimentary basins, South Atlantic Ocean

ABSTRACTThe position of the Falkland Islands adjacent to the South American continental margin belies the close association of their geology with that of South Africa. A Mesoproterozoic basement is unconformably overlain by a Silurian to Devonian succession of fluvial to neritic and shallow marine, siliciclastic strata. This is disconformably succeeded by a largely Permian succession that, near its base, includes a glacigenic diamictite and, thence, passes upwards into a succession of deltaic and lacustrine strata. The lithological succession and the character of its deformation bear striking similarities to the Cape Fold Belt and Karoo retroarc foreland basin. Swarms of Early Jurassic dykes were coeval with the Karoo magmatism and the initial break-up of Gondwana; Early Cretaceous dykes were intruded during the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean. Offshore sedimentary basins surrounding the archipelago contain Late Jurassic to Palaeogene successions and are currently the focus of hydrocarbon exploration. Best known is the North Falkland Basin, a classic failed rift. To the SE, the passive margin, Falkland Plateau Basin may also be rift-controlled, whilst the South Falkland Basin is a foreland basin created at the boundary of the South American and Scotia plates. The role of the Falkland Islands during the breakup of Gondwana remains controversial. Compelling evidence from the onshore geology favours rotation of an independent microplate from an original position adjacent to the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Alternative interpretations, justified largely from offshore geology, favour extension of the Falkland Plateau as a fixed promontory from the South American margin.

Depositional provinces, dispersal, and origin of terrigenous sediments along the SE South American continental margin

Continental margin sediments of SE South America originate from various terrestrial sources, each conveying specific magnetic and element signatures. Here, we aim to identify the sources and transport characteristics of shelf and slope sediments deposited between East Brazil and Patagonia (20°–48° S) using enviromagnetic, major element, and grain-size data. A set of five source-indicative parameters (i.e., χfd%, ARM/IRM, S0.3T, SIRM/Fe and Fe/K) of 25 surface samples (16–1805 m water depth) was analyzed by fuzzy c-means clustering and non-linear mapping to depict and unmix sediment-province characteristics. This multivariate approach yields three regionally coherent sediment provinces with petrologically and climatically distinct source regions. The southernmost province is entirely restricted to the slope off the Argentinean Pampas and has been identified as relict Andean-sourced sands with coarse unaltered magnetite. The direct transport to the slope was enabled by Rio Colorado and Rio Negro meltwaters during glacial and deglacial phases of low sea level. The adjacent shelf province consists of coastal loessoidal sands (highest hematite and goethite proportions) delivered from the Argentinean Pampas by wave erosion and westerly winds. The northernmost province includes the Plata mudbelt and Rio Grande Cone. It contains tropically weathered clayey silts from the La Plata Drainage Basin with pronounced proportions of fine magnetite, which were distributed up to ~24° S by the Brazilian Coastal Current and admixed to coarser relict sediments of Pampean loessoidal origin. Grain-size analyses of all samples showed that sediment fractionation during transport and deposition had little impact on magnetic and element source characteristics. This study corroborates the high potential of the chosen approach to access sediment origin in regions with contrasting sediment sources, complex transport dynamics, and large grain-size variability.

Segmentation of the Andean margin by isostatic models and gradients

The gravity gradients of the South American continental margin are the highest on Earth. These gradients are proxies for the strong horizontal stresses due to the convergent movement of the Nazca plate and the overriding South American plate. The frequently occurring large earthquakes in this zone suggest a correlation of gravity anomalies and seismogenic structures which is the major target of our research. Numerical analyses of the Central Andean gravity field were conducted using different techniques such as isostatic calculations, inversion and edge detection while varying the key parameters of the respective methods. Also, a constrained 3D density model was built through forward modelling of the terrestrial Bouguer anomaly. The results point out that a Vening-Meinesz model with a rigidity of 1023 Nm fits optimally the isostatic behaviour of the Central Andes. For numerical inversion the following parameters provided best results: density contrasts between 430−500 kg/m3, compensation depths of 30−40 km and a 400/300-km-wavelength filter. Moho depths obtained from the different methods agree reasonably well in the continental and oceanic area but defer the most in the transition zone between the two. In this coastal area, north-south segmentation of the residual fields is evident. The respective gravity defined segments correspond well with the extent of large earthquake rupture planes in the southern part of the investigation area. We propose that this segmentation is reflected by changing thicknesses of high density crustal bodies modelled in the 3D density model. These old batholiths fit extremely well to high-velocity domains from seismic tomography. Further seismic asperity structures also display a good correlation with different features of the residual fields.

Southern-ocean and glaciogenic nutrients control diatom export production on the Chile margin

Biogenic particle flux was reconstructed using 230-Thorium normalization at two sites on the southern Chile margin. ODP Site 1233 at 41°S, 838 m depth, is at the southern limit of the Peru–Chile upwelling system, where the northern extent of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current impinges on the South American continental margin. ODP Site 1234, at 36°S, 1014 m depth, is located within the core of the coastal upwelling system near the mouths of the Bio Bio and Itata Rivers. At 41°S, opal, lithogenic and carbonate fluxes are greatest during the Last Glacial interval (26–20 ka), carbonate has a secondary peak during the mid Holocene (∼8 ka) and organic carbon fluxes increase slightly from 17 ka to the present. At 36°S, large lithogenic fluxes are observed both during the Last Glacial interval and the Holocene, and a maximum in organic carbon flux is observed during the late Holocene (∼5 ka) without an accompanying peak in opal flux. These reconstructed fluxes at 36°S and 41°S fit within a larger latitudinal pattern of a poleward increase in the magnitude of opal flux during the glacial period. The pattern of normalized opal flux, opal mass accumulation rate and opal:carbonate ratios is consistent with either i) enhanced supply of Si from the Southern Ocean, as proposed by the Silicic Acid Leakage Hypothesis or ii) enhanced Si and Fe delivery from land, driven by glacial erosion. The pattern of reconstructed export production supports our view that the appearance of more reducing conditions in the sediments upon deglaciation was most likely driven by decreased ventilation, rather than increased local productivity.

A mid-Holocene climate reconstruction for eastern South America

Abstract. The mid-Holocene (6000 calibrated years before present) is a key period in palaeoclimatology because incoming summer insolation was lower than during the late Holocene in the Southern Hemisphere, whereas the opposite happened in the Northern Hemisphere. However, the effects of the decreased austral summer insolation over South American climate have been poorly discussed by palaeodata syntheses. In addition, only a few of the regional studies have characterised the mid-Holocene climate in South America through a multiproxy approach. Here, we present a multiproxy compilation of mid-Holocene palaeoclimate data for eastern South America. We compiled 120 palaeoclimatological datasets, which were published in 84 different papers. The palaeodata analysed here suggest a water deficit scenario in the majority of eastern South America during the mid-Holocene if compared to the late Holocene, with the exception of northeastern Brazil. Low mid-Holocene austral summer insolation caused a reduced land–sea temperature contrast and hence a weakened South American monsoon system circulation. This scenario is represented by a decrease in precipitation over the South Atlantic Convergence Zone area, saltier conditions along the South American continental margin, and lower lake levels.

Shelf‐edge reefs as priority areas for conservation of reef fish diversity in the tropical Atlantic

Abstract Data from fishing surveys employing bottom long‐lines were analysed to characterize the diversity, assemblages and distribution patterns of demersal fish along the Brazilian outer shelf and upper slope, between latitudes 13°S and 22°S. Non‐metric multi‐dimensional scaling (MDS) and cluster analysis indicate three distinct species assemblages separated primarily by depth (the 200 m isobath) and secondarily by latitude (19°S), suggesting a continual transition along the depth and latitudinal gradients in the study area. Species richness was negatively correlated with depth, but with no clear relationship with latitude. Results suggest the existence of reef formations on the shelf‐edge zone (40–200 m) and slope down to 500 m depth off the eastern Brazilian coast. More than 75% of the catches recorded were reef fish species from the families Serranidae, Lutjanidae, Malacanthidae, Muraenidae, Sparidae, Balistidae, Carangidae, Haemulidae, Scorpaenidae and Priacanthidae. The maximum depth of occurrence for 20 reef species was extended from limits previously recorded. The findings reinforce the hypothesis of a faunal corridor for species associated with deep reef formations along the shelf‐edge zone (40–200 m), in the South American continental margin, connecting the south‐western Atlantic and the Caribbean provinces. The shelf‐edge reefs support important multi‐species fisheries and harbour critical habitats for the life cycle of many reef fish species, including spawning aggregation sites that are extremely vulnerable to human pressures, such as intensive fishing, shipping and offshore oil and gas exploitation; all activities currently expanding off the Brazilian coast. Results reveal the biological importance of deep shelf‐edge reefs as a critical ecological area. Despite their importance, shelf edge reefs are not currently included in any marine protected area network in the tropical south‐western Atlantic. There is now an urgent need to enhance knowledge, implement adequate management strategies and consider these deeper habitats as priority areas for conservation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Recent geographical distribution of organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts in the southeast Pacific (25–53°S) and their relation to the prevailing hydrographical conditions

Forty-eight surface sediment samples from the southeast (SE) Pacific (25–53°S) are investigated for the determination of the spatial distribution of organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts along the western South American continental margin. Fifty-five different taxa are recorded and reflect oceanic or coastal assemblages. The oceanic assemblages are characterised by low cyst concentrations and the dominance of autotrophs, while the coastal assemblages generally contain a higher number of cysts, which are mainly produced by heterotrophic species. Highest cyst concentrations are observed in the active upwelling system offshore Concepción (35–37°S). Brigantedinium spp., Echinidinium aculeatum, Echinidinium granulatum/delicatum and cysts of Protoperidinium americanum dominate assemblages related to upwelling. Echinidinium aculeatum appears to be the best indicator for the presence of all year round active upwelling cells. Other protoperidinioid cysts may also occur in high relative abundances in coastal regions outside active upwelling systems, if the availability of nutrients, co-responsible for the presence/absence of their main food sources such as diatoms and other protists, is sufficient. The importance of nutrient availability as a determining environmental variable influencing cyst signals on a regional scale (SE Pacific) is demonstrated through statistical analyses of the data. Because of the importance of nutrients, uncertainties about the outcomes of quantitative sea-surface temperature (SST) reconstructions (Modern Analogue Technique) based on dinoflagellate cysts may arise, since no interaction between different hydrographical variables is considered in this approach. The combination of the SE Pacific surface sample dataset with other published cyst data from the Southern Hemisphere resulted in a database which includes 350 samples: the ‘SH350 database’. This database is used to test the accuracy of the quantitative reconstructions by calculating and comparing the estimated versus observed values for each site. An attempt to perform quantitative SST reconstructions on the last 25 cal ka of site ODP1233 (41°S; 74°27′W) is made and again stresses the importance of other environmental variables such as nutrient availability in determining the dinoflagellate cyst assemblages.