Marine Science Faculty Publications
High-Resolution Investigation of Event Driven Sedimentation: Northeastern Gulf of Mexico
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2018
Keywords
High-resolution stratigraphy, Short-lived radioisotopes, Geochronology, Event stratigraphy, Sedimentology, Gulf of Mexico
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ancene.2018.11.002
Abstract
A rapid sedimentation pulse in the northeast Gulf of Mexico, associated with the Deepwater Horizon blowout in 2010, provided a unique opportunity to investigate a depositional event in real time and at very high resolution. Sediment cores were collected annually (2010-2016) from four sites and sub-sampled at 2 mm resolution to identify and characterize the sedimentary signature, as well as geochronology and accumulation rates using excess Lead-210 (210Pbxs) and excess Thorium-234 (234Thxs). The “time-series” collection of sediment cores on an annual basis allowed for the identification of changes in sedimentation on monthly to annual time-scales, which define the depositional pulse (2010-2011), initial post-event sedimentary impact and response (2011-2012), and post-event stabilization and preservation (2013-2016). The 2010 depositional pulse was short-lived ( < 1 year) with 234Thxs inventories and mass accumulation rates (MARs) indicating higher sedimentation rates and an absence of bioturbation as compared to subsequent years. The initial post-event impact/response (2011-2012) exhibited lower 234Thxs inventories and MARs indicating lower sedimentation rates. The stabilization in sedimentation (2013-2016) was indicated by site-specific apparent increases in MARs that are not supported by increased 234Thxs inventories, reflecting the re-establishment of bioturbation. Initially, 210Pbxs was unable to detect the sedimentation pulse, but with subsequent sedimentation and burial, it begins to resolve the event after 3-5 years. The ability to resolve the sedimentation pulse and the following short-term response was possible due to the high-resolution sampling and analysis, unconventional methodologies, and utilization of high sedimentation rates.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Anthropocene, v. 24, p. 40-50
Scholar Commons Citation
Larson, Rebekka A.; Brooks, Gregg; Schwing, Patrick; Holmes, Charles W.; Carter, Savannah R.; and Hollander, David, "High-Resolution Investigation of Event Driven Sedimentation: Northeastern Gulf of Mexico" (2018). Marine Science Faculty Publications. 436.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/msc_facpub/436
Comments
Data used in this article are available for download.
Core Extrusion Bulk Density/Pore Water, Northern Gulf of Mexico, November 2010 to September 2016
Sediment Texture and Composition of Sediment Cores Collected During R/V Weatherbird II Cruises in the Northern Gulf of Mexico from 2010-11-18 to 2016-09-09
Short-lived Radioisotope Geochronology from Sediment Cores Collected During R/V Weatherbird II Cruises in the Northern Gulf of Mexico from 2010-11-18 to 2016-09-09