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Inthorn, Maik; Wagner, Thomas; Scheeder, Georg; Zabel, Matthias (2006): Compilation of organic carbon distribution and sedimentology in the surface sediments on the continental margin offshore southwestern Africa [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.351146, Supplement to: Inthorn, M et al. (2006): Lateral transport controls distribution, quality and burial of organic matter along continental slopes in high-productivity areas. Geology, 34(3), 205-208, https://doi.org/10.1130/G22153.1

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Abstract:
In this study we demonstrate the relevance of lateral particle transport in nepheloid layers for organic carbon (OC) accumulation and burial across high-productive continental margins. We present geochemical data from surface sediments and suspended particles in the bottom nepheloid layer (BNL) from the most productive coastal upwelling area of the modern ocean, the Benguela upwelling system offshore southwest Africa. Interpretation of depositional patterns and comparison of downslope trends in OC content, organic matter composition, and 14C age between suspended particles and surface sediments indicate that lateral particle transport is the primary mechanism controlling supply and burial of OC. We propose that effective seaward particle transport primarily along the BNL is a key process that promotes and maintains local high sedimentation rates, ultimately causing high preservation of OC in a depocenter on the upper slope offshore Namibia. As lateral transport efficiently displaces areas of enhanced OC burial from maximum production at highly productive continental margins, vertical particle flux models do not sufficiently explain the relationship between primary production and shallow-marine OC burial. On geologic time scales, the widest distribution and strongest intensity of lateral particle transport is expected during periods of rapid sea-level change. At times in the geologic past, widespread downslope lateral transport of OC thus may have been a primary driver of enhanced OC burial at deeper continental slopes and abyssal basins.
Related to:
Birch, G F (1975): Sediments on the continental margin off the west coast of South West Africa [dissertation]. University of Cape Town, 210 pp
Bremner, J M (1981): Sediments on the continental margin off South West Africa between latitudes 17° and 25° S [dissertation]. University of Cape Town, 300 pp
Calvert, Stephen E; Price, N B (1983): Geochemistry of Namibian shelf sediments. In: Thiede, J and Suess, E (eds.) Coastal upwelling: Its sedimentary record: New York, Plenum Press, 337-375
Inthorn, Maik (2006): Lateral particle transport in nepheloid layers –a key factor for organic matter distribution and quality in the Benguela high-productivity area. Berichte aus dem Fachbereich Geowissenschaften der Universität Bremen, 244, 127 pp, urn:nbn:de:gbv:46-diss000102727
Rogers, John (1977): Sediments on the continental margin off the Orange River and the Namib Desert [dissertation]. University of Cape Town, 212 pp
Coverage:
Median Latitude: -28.288864 * Median Longitude: 17.971691 * South-bound Latitude: -37.083300 * West-bound Longitude: 8.300000 * North-bound Latitude: -15.630000 * East-bound Longitude: 40.668300
Minimum DEPTH, sediment/rock: 0.000 m * Maximum DEPTH, sediment/rock: 0.180 m
Parameter(s):
#NameShort NameUnitPrincipal InvestigatorMethod/DeviceComment
1Sample code/labelSample labelInthorn, Maik
2LATITUDELatitudeGeocode
3LONGITUDELongitudeGeocode
4Sample elevationElevationmInthorn, Maik
5DEPTH, sediment/rockDepth sedmGeocode
6Depth, top/minDepth topmInthorn, Maik
7Depth, bottom/maxDepth botmInthorn, Maik
8Carbon, inorganic, totalTIC%Inthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
9Calcium carbonateCaCO3%Inthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
10Carbon, organic, totalTOC%Inthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
11Organic matterOM%Inthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
12Nitrogen, organicN org%Inthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
13Reference/sourceReferenceInthorn, Maik
14Carbon/Nitrogen ratioC/NInthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
15Carbon, totalTC%Inthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
16GlauconiteGlt%Inthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
17Potassium oxideK2O%Inthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
18ApatiteAp%Inthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
19Phosphorus pentoxideP2O5%Inthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
20TerrigenousTerr%Inthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
21Size fraction > 2 mm, gravel>2 mm%Inthorn, MaikGrain size, sieving
22Size fraction > 0.063 mm, sand>63 µm%Inthorn, MaikGrain size, sieving
23Size fraction 0.063-0.002 mm, silt, mud63-2 µm%Inthorn, MaikGrain size, sieving
24Size fraction < 0.002 mm, clay<2 µm%Inthorn, MaikGrain size, sieving
25PorosityPoros% volInthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
26Sulfur, totalTS%Inthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
27Carbon/sulfur ratioC/SInthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)Corg/S
28Opal, biogenic silicabSiO2%Inthorn, MaikCalculated, see reference(s)
Size:
35122 data points

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