USF St. Petersburg campus Faculty Publications
Highly variable sediment distribution: A case for sediment mapping surveys in paleolimnological studies.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1996
ISSN
1573-0417
Abstract
We examine sediment distribution patterns in seven Florida lakes and discuss implications for paleolimnological studies of shallow, subtropical lakes. The study lakes are highly productive and should exhibit thick organic sediment deposits, but organic sediments are often grossly lacking because basins are shallow, and frequent mixing, lack of stratification, and warm temperatures lead to breakdown of organic material.
Organic sediment distribution patterns are highly variable. We observe three types of distribution patterns. When organic sediments are abundant, there may be (1) uniform sediment distribution. In lakes lacking organic sediments, there are (2) distribution to deeper areas if present, or (3) distribution to peripheral areas and embayments when deep waters are absent. We advocate the use of systematic mapping surveys to locate optimal coring sites for paleolimnological studies of shallow, wind-stressed lakes. Because numerous factors affect diagenesis and sediment redistribution, sediment abundance and location are not predictable. Sediment chronologies may be discontinuous and disturbed even in accumulation zones. The extent to which sedimentary records are discontinuous or disturbed is not quantifiable in any practical manner. 210Pb and 137Cs radioisotopic profiles provide qualitative evidence of the degree of stratigraphic disturbance. Total excess 210Pb inventories show that sediments are focused into depositional zones when sediment distribution is uneven. Excess 210Pb inventories are not informative about the completeness of sedimentary profiles unless small inventories suggest discontinuous sedimentation or erosional events. We present examples of disturbed and undisturbed profiles, and discuss how we use radioisotopic and geochemical evidence, and multiple cores to assess stratigraphic continuity.
Publisher
Springer
Recommended Citation
Whitmore, T.J., M. Brenner, M., & Schelske, C.L. (1996). Highly variable sediment distribution: A case for sediment mapping surveys in paleolimnological studies. Journal of Paleolimnology 15(3), 207-221. doi:10.1007/BF00213041.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
Abstract only. Full-text article is available through licensed access provided by the publisher. Published in Journal of Paleolimnology, 15(3), 207-221. doi:10.1007/BF00213041. Members of the USF System may access the full-text of the article through the authenticated link provided.