Geochemical evidence of Saharan dust parent material for soils developed on Quaternary limestones of Caribbean and western Atlantic Islands

Auteurs :
MUHS, D. R.
BUSH, C. A.
STEWART, K. C.
ROWLAND, T. R.
CRITTENDEN, R. C.

Description :
Soils on Quaternary coral terraces and carbonate eolianites on Barbados, Jamaica, the Florida Keys (United States) and New Providence Island (Bahamas) were studied to determine which, if either, external source was important. Carribean volcanic ashes and saharan dust can be clearly distinguished using ratios of relatively immobile elements (Al2O3/TiO2, Ti/Y, Ti/Zr, and Ti/Th). Comparison of these ratios in 25 soils from 125,000 to 870,000 yr shows that saharan dust is the most important parent material for soils on all islands.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Quaternary research, issn : 0033-5894, 1990, vol. 33, n°. 2, p. 157-177, Références bibliographiques : 59 réf.

Date :
1990

Editeur :
Pays édition : Etats-Unis, San Diego, CA, Elsevier