CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Beierle, B.D.; Lamoureux, S.F.; Spooner, I.S.; Cockburn, J.M.H.; and Barnes, S.D.
Date : 2000.
Title : Decomposition of sediment grain-size distributions as a paleolimnological proxy record.
Publication : 8th International Paleolimnology Symposium, August 20 to August 24, 2000. Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
Issue :
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Abstract
Conventional uses of sediment grain size data as a proxy of paleoenvironmental processes are usually restricted to simple statistical descriptions of the particle size distribution (PSD) (e.g. mean, median and mode). These descriptions provide only a limited indication of down-core changes in depositional conditions and processes, and in some cases, can be misleading. For example, the arithmetic mean and median are not descriptive of PSD, especially where the PSD is asymmetric or multi-modal. In contrast, response surface plots of grain size data allow intuitive interpretation of the characteristics of the entire PSD and can provide important insights into depositional processes and changing environmental conditions. Using examples from a variety of lacustrine depositional environments, we demonstrate the utility of this approach to characterize sediment input processes and changes in depositional setting. This method is especially useful for distinguishing between discrete event deposits and productivity hiatuses that are frequently interpreted as paleoclimatic oscillations. A similar approach can be applied to characterizing subannual events contained within varved sediments. This approach can be used in most depositional environments, over a wide range of timescales, and in combination with other proxy methods, furthers the paleoenvironmental interpretation of clastic and organic depositional processes in lake sequences.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology