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Silt heavy-mineral distributions off the Southeastern United States

January 1, 1996

Until recently heavy-mineral studies of marine sediments were largely restricted to sand fractions. New techniques permitting analysis of decalcified silt fractions have been applied to sediments off the southeastern United States. Our data, which confirm predictions from the basic relationship among grain size, specific gravity, and equivalent hydraulic transport behavior, show that concentrations and average diameters of the silt heavy minerals progressively decrease seaward. Heavy minerals always constitute a substantially greater weight percent of the silt than of the sand fraction. Despite corroded surface textures suggestive of extensive weathering and dissolution, spatial trends in the detrital heavy-mineral populations are predominantly controlled by source and hydraulic factors.

Publication Year 1996
Title Silt heavy-mineral distributions off the Southeastern United States
DOI 10.1007/BF02202606
Authors L. J. Poppe, J.A. Commeau
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Geo-Marine Letters
Index ID 70017712
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center