Patterns of Sediment Transport Using Foraminifera Tracers across Sand Aprons on the Great Barrier Reef
Thomas E. Fellowes
Jordan Gacutan
Daniel L. Harris
Ana Vila-Concejo
Jody M. Webster
Maria Byrne
Abstract
Sediment dynamics exert large control over coral reef geomorphological evolution and are vital to understanding past and present geomorphic responses. Large benthic foraminifera (LBF) live in the algal reef flats, and their tests (shells) are transported post-mortem by waves and currents onto back-reef environments, including sand aprons. This study investigated the patterns of transport linking surficial and downcore sediments in samples from three sand aprons with different wave exposures at One Tree Reef on the southern Great Barrier Reef (Australia). Six LBF genera represented up to 32% of the sediments analysed. Lagoonward transport increased LBF test abrasion and sediment bulk density. Sediment grain size and LBF abundance in sediments also decreased with lagoonward transport. Sediment transport patterns indicated by LBF species used as tracer were consistent with the prominent E-SE wave environment. A novel taphofacies approach was used to describe stratigraphic layers in downcore sediments based on LBF test abrasion and abundance. Varied sediment deposition rates did not affect the LBF test abrasion signature downcore. It appears that Baculogypsina sphaerulata has been the dominant species for at least 3 ka. Tests that were deposited slowly exhibited less or the same levels of abrasion than those that were rapidly deposited. It appears that test abrasion is primarily determined by the distance travelled rather than the influence of increased age or chemical dissolution.
Fellowes T.E., Gacutan J., Harris D.L., Vila-Concejo A., Webster J.M. and Byrne M. (2017) Patterns of Sediment Transport Using Foraminifera Tracers across Sand Aprons on the Great Barrier Reef. Journal of Coastal Research 33(4): 864-873. 10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-16-00082.1
@article{Fellowes2017,
Title = {Patterns of Sediment Transport Using Foraminifera Tracers across Sand Aprons on the Great Barrier Reef},
Author = {Fellowes, Thomas E. and Gacutan, Jordan and Harris, Daniel L. and Vila-Concejo, Ana and Webster, Jody M. and Byrne, Maria},
Editor = {},
Journal = {Journal of Coastal Research},
Year = {2017},
Pages = {864-873},
Volume = {33},
Doi = {10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-16-00082.1},
Abstract = {Sediment dynamics exert large control over coral reef geomorphological evolution and are vital to understanding past and present geomorphic responses. Large benthic foraminifera (LBF) live in the algal reef flats, and their tests (shells) are transported post-mortem by waves and currents onto back-reef environments, including sand aprons. This study investigated the patterns of transport linking surficial and downcore sediments in samples from three sand aprons with different wave exposures at One Tree Reef on the southern Great Barrier Reef (Australia). Six LBF genera represented up to 32% of the sediments analysed. Lagoonward transport increased LBF test abrasion and sediment bulk density. Sediment grain size and LBF abundance in sediments also decreased with lagoonward transport. Sediment transport patterns indicated by LBF species used as tracer were consistent with the prominent E-SE wave environment. A novel taphofacies approach was used to describe stratigraphic layers in downcore sediments based on LBF test abrasion and abundance. Varied sediment deposition rates did not affect the LBF test abrasion signature downcore. It appears that Baculogypsina sphaerulata has been the dominant species for at least 3 ka. Tests that were deposited slowly exhibited less or the same levels of abrasion than those that were rapidly deposited. It appears that test abrasion is primarily determined by the distance travelled rather than the influence of increased age or chemical dissolution.},
}
TY - JOUR
AU - Fellowes, Thomas E.
AU - Gacutan, Jordan
AU - Harris, Daniel L.
AU - Vila-Concejo, Ana
AU - Webster, Jody M.
AU - Byrne, Maria
TI - Patterns of Sediment Transport Using Foraminifera Tracers across Sand Aprons on the Great Barrier Reef
T2 - Journal of Coastal Research
PY - 2017
SP - 864-873
VL - 33
DO - 10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-16-00082.1
AB - Sediment dynamics exert large control over coral reef geomorphological evolution and are vital to understanding past and present geomorphic responses. Large benthic foraminifera (LBF) live in the algal reef flats, and their tests (shells) are transported post-mortem by waves and currents onto back-reef environments, including sand aprons. This study investigated the patterns of transport linking surficial and downcore sediments in samples from three sand aprons with different wave exposures at One Tree Reef on the southern Great Barrier Reef (Australia). Six LBF genera represented up to 32% of the sediments analysed. Lagoonward transport increased LBF test abrasion and sediment bulk density. Sediment grain size and LBF abundance in sediments also decreased with lagoonward transport. Sediment transport patterns indicated by LBF species used as tracer were consistent with the prominent E-SE wave environment. A novel taphofacies approach was used to describe stratigraphic layers in downcore sediments based on LBF test abrasion and abundance. Varied sediment deposition rates did not affect the LBF test abrasion signature downcore. It appears that Baculogypsina sphaerulata has been the dominant species for at least 3 ka. Tests that were deposited slowly exhibited less or the same levels of abrasion than those that were rapidly deposited. It appears that test abrasion is primarily determined by the distance travelled rather than the influence of increased age or chemical dissolution.
ER -
