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Science 3 September 1982:
Vol. 217. no. 4563, pp. 929 - 931
DOI: 10.1126/science.217.4563.929
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Articles

Carbonate Dissolution and Sedimentation on the Mid-Atlantic Continental Margin

WILLIAM L. BALSAM 1

1 Natural Science Division, Southampton College Long Island University, Southampton, New York 11968

The calcium carbonate content was determined for core tops from two transects on the upper slope to lower rise on the mid-Atlantic continental margin. Carbonate content in the sediment increases from sim 5 percent (by weight) on the upper slope to more than 30 percent on the upper rise. A zone of low-carbonate content extends from 3000 to 4400 meters. Below 4400 meters, the percent carbonate increases. An examination of dissolution indices in these core tops indicates that the low-carbonate zone is associated with intense dissolution. Below 4400 meters, dissolution decreases and carbonate is well preserved. The decrease in dissolution occurs where the high-velocity core of the Western Boundary Undercurrent is first encountered.

Submitted on April 20, 1982
Revised on June 1, 1982

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)