Published 2018 | Version v1
Journal article

Comparison of elemental concentration in near-surface late Holocene sediments and precipitation regimes of the Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico): a preliminary study

Description

Paleoclimate research in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico has mainly involved fossil pollen preserved in sedimentary archives whilst geochemistry has received limited attention. In this study, we compared concentrations of K, Ti, Fe, Ca and Sr in 35 near-surface late Holocene sediments collected from different permanent and seasonal water bodies across the peninsula with mean annual precipitation of 600-1600 mm in order to explore the relationship between concentrations of inorganic elements and precipitation. The calcareous provenance has a diluting effect and sediments have less K, Ti and Fe (associated with clastics) and more Ca and Sr (associated with carbonate and evaporite) compared to the Upper Continental Crust. Individual elements and ratios of K/Ca, Ti/Ca and Fe/Ca in samples with minimal clastics did not show any relationship with precipitation. Average values of elemental ratios in sediments with more clastics increase as the mean annual precipitation increases. However, the sampling protocol and presence of most of the sampled water bodies being in a single precipitation cluster (i.e. 1200-1400 mm/year) did not allow a complete evaluation of the potential correlation between precipitation and elemental ratios. Considering that the concentration of Ti is low in sediments of the limestone-rich Yucatán Peninsula and Fe is mobile in anoxic depositional environments, the K/Ca ratio can be used as a preliminary proxy to evaluate precipitation in sedimentary records.

Availability note (English)

Availability from http://www.igme.es/boletin/2018/129_4.htm

Abstract (Spanish)

La investigación paleoclimática en la Península de Yucatán (YP) de México involucra principalmente el polen fósil preservado en archivos sedimentarios, mientras que la geoquímica ha recibido menos atención. En este estudio, se compararon las concentraciones de K, Ti, Fe, Ca y Sr, en 35 muestras superficiales de sedimento del Holoceno tardío, colectadas en un gradiente de precipitación entre 600-1600 mm/a, a lo largo de la YP, con el objetivo de establecer un testigo de la paleo-precipitación para la región. El origen calcáreo tiene un efecto de dilución en las concentraciones elementales, provocando que los sedimentos presenten baja cantidad de K, Ti y Fe (elementos asociados con clásticos) y mayor cantidad de Ca y Sr (elementos asociados con carbonato y evaporitas), en comparación con la corteza continental superior. Los elementos individuales y las relaciones de K/Ca, Ti/Ca y Fe/Ca en muestras con cantidades mínimas de clástico, no muestran una relación con la precipitación. Los valores promedio de la relación elemental en sedimentos con más clásticos, muestra tendencias positivas con la precipitación. No obstante, el protocolo de muestreo y la presencia de un

Additional details

Additional titles

Original title (Spanish)
Comparación de concentración elemental en sedimentos superficiales del Holoceno tardío y los regímenes de precipitación en la Península de Yucatán, México: un estudio preliminar

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Boletin Geologico y Minero
Journal Volume
129
Journal Issue
4
Journal Page Range
p. 693-706
ISSN
0366-0176
CODEN
BGMIA3

INIS

Country of Publication
Spain
Country of Input or Organization
Spain
INIS RN
50044855
Subject category
GEOSCIENCES;
Quality check status
Yes
Descriptors DEI
GEOLOGIC AGES; GEOLOGIC SURVEYS; GEOMORPHOLOGY; MEXICO; QUATERNARY PERIOD;
Descriptors DEC
CENOZOIC ERA; DEVELOPING COUNTRIES; GEOLOGIC AGES; GEOLOGY; LATIN AMERICA; NORTH AMERICA;