Silt fraction heavy-mineral distributions in a lateritic environment: The rivers and insular shelf of north-central Puerto Rico

Sedimentary Geology
By: , and 

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Abstract

This fraction, which is enriched in heavy minerals relative to the sand fraction, is mainly detrital but contains a strong authigenic component. The authigenic silt heavy-mineral fraction is largely a product of the lateritic weathering and dominated by iron oxides and alterites. Grains of bladed rutile and leached ilmenite are common. Spatial variability in silt-fraction mineralogy is considerable. Within the Rio Cibuco system variability is related to compositional differences in rapidly eroding source rocks. On the shelf, silt heavy-mineral abundances are greatest at the river mouths and decrease seaward. Variability in the shelf samples is controlled primarily by source rivers and shelf sorting processes.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Silt fraction heavy-mineral distributions in a lateritic environment: The rivers and insular shelf of north-central Puerto Rico
Series title Sedimentary Geology
DOI 10.1016/0037-0738(94)00114-A
Volume 95
Issue 3-4
Year Published 1995
Language English
Contributing office(s) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 18 p.
Larger Work Title Sedimentary Geology
First page 251
Last page 268
Country United States
State Puerto Rico
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