Late Quaternary sediment dispersal and accumulation on slopes of the Great Barrier Reef mixed siliciclastic-carbonate depositional system, Gulf of Papua, Papua New Guinea and North Queensland Margin, Australia

dc.contributor.advisorDickens, Gerald R.en_US
dc.contributor.advisorDroxler, Andre W.en_US
dc.creatorFrancis, Jason Michaelen_US
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-03T21:11:14Zen_US
dc.date.available2009-06-03T21:11:14Zen_US
dc.date.issued2007en_US
dc.description.abstractThe Great Barrier Reef (GBR) margin, located on the continental margin between Papua New Guinea and northeast Australia, is the largest extant example of a tropical mixed siliciclastic-carbonate depositional system. It is constructed by the combined input of terrigenous siliciclastic sediment delivered through riverine transport and biogenous carbonate sediment from neritic and pelagic production. This study investigates late Quaternary changes in sediment dispersal and accumulation on the slopes of this margin. Sedimentation across the GBR mixed system also serves as an important analog for understanding deposition on other extant and ancient systems and provides insight into global change, geochemical cycling, and resource management. Several concepts (e.g., reciprocal sedimentation, coeval sedimentation) have been proposed to explain spatial and temporal variations in siliciclastic and carbonate components. While these concepts are frequently used to evaluate ancient tropical mixed systems, they are rarely assessed in the Quaternary, an interval where the magnitude and timing of sea level are relatively well-constrained, and precise dating techniques can be used. These studies of the GBR mixed system integrate a full suite of data including core, seismic, and multi-beam bathymetry to gain a quantitative understanding of the GBR system and to evaluate reciprocal sedimentation concepts. Results indicate that slopes along the GBR margin have a complex depositional history. Sea level, climate, and margin physiography are all important depositional controls affecting timing, location, and mechanism of sediment dispersal. Reciprocal sedimentation can be used to predict carbonate accumulation. However, this approach must be combined with a firm understanding of sedimentary controls and processes to accurately predict siliciclastic accumulation along this margin.en_US
dc.format.extent304 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS GEOL. 2007 FRANCISen_US
dc.identifier.citationFrancis, Jason Michael. "Late Quaternary sediment dispersal and accumulation on slopes of the Great Barrier Reef mixed siliciclastic-carbonate depositional system, Gulf of Papua, Papua New Guinea and North Queensland Margin, Australia." (2007) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/20681">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/20681</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/20681en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectGeologyen_US
dc.subjectGeochemistryen_US
dc.titleLate Quaternary sediment dispersal and accumulation on slopes of the Great Barrier Reef mixed siliciclastic-carbonate depositional system, Gulf of Papua, Papua New Guinea and North Queensland Margin, Australiaen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentEarth Scienceen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US
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