Title: Scanning electron microscope (SEM) microtextural analysis as a paleoclimate tool for fluvial deposits: A modern test
Abstract: Research Article| March 02, 2018 Scanning electron microscope (SEM) microtextural analysis as a paleoclimate tool for fluvial deposits: A modern test Curtis Smith; Curtis Smith † 1School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma, 100 East Boyd Street, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA †[email protected] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gerilyn S. Soreghan; Gerilyn S. Soreghan 1School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma, 100 East Boyd Street, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Tohru Ohta Tohru Ohta 2Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences, Waseda University, 1-6-1, Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8050, Japan Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2018) 130 (7-8): 1256–1272. https://doi.org/10.1130/B31692.1 Article history received: 29 Oct 2016 rev-recd: 05 Sep 2017 accepted: 31 Jan 2018 first online: 02 Mar 2018 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Curtis Smith, Gerilyn S. Soreghan, Tohru Ohta; Scanning electron microscope (SEM) microtextural analysis as a paleoclimate tool for fluvial deposits: A modern test. GSA Bulletin 2018;; 130 (7-8): 1256–1272. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B31692.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Microtextural analyses of sedimentary quartz grains are increasingly being used as a paleoenvironmental proxy, as some microtextures have been proposed to reflect processes unique to a particular environmental or climatic condition. However, little consensus exists regarding which microtextures or microtextural suites may be unique to an environmentally relevant process, along with appropriate quantitative approaches for data analysis. This study documents microtextures on quartz grains from fluvial systems in modern end-member climates, along with quartz grains from moraine samples in two proglacial fluvial settings, to assess whether climate imparts unique microtextures potentially useful for interpreting paleoclimate. To isolate climate as the primary variable, other attributes such as bedrock lithology, transect length, and drainage basin size were controlled to the degree possible in an empirical comparison. The presence of 17 microtextures on first-cycle quartz from fluvial systems in Puerto Rico, Norway, California, and Peru, as well as two moraine samples from Peru and Norway, was documented under double-blind conditions, and results were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). Humid climates were found to be statistically distinct from arid climates on the basis of common precipitation features and V-shaped percussion fractures on grains from humid climates. Grains from arid climates exhibited a larger incidence of upturned plates, interpreted to reflect the influence of high-stress eolian saltation on grains that subsequently underwent fluvial entrainment. Grains from proglacial systems exhibited a higher incidence of fracture faces, possibly attributable to the effects of both freeze-thaw weathering and glacial crushing, corroborated by higher occurrences of these textures on grains from the moraine samples as well. However, with the exception of the humid-arid distinction, differences in microtextural suites are subtle. These results suggest that quartz microtextural analysis holds some promise for aiding paleoclimatic interpretations for coarse-grained fluvial strata, but more research is needed to assess whether additional methodological approaches to grain analyses and/or statistical techniques could further strengthen climatic differentiation. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.
Publication Year: 2018
Publication Date: 2018-03-02
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 23
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