『Abstract
In this study, porewater chemistry, solid-phase analysis and
microscopic observations were combined to evaluate phosphogenesis
in three boxcores located within the intensive oxygen minimum
zone of the Arabian Sea. Three parameters, namely a decrease of
the dissolved phosphate and fluoride concentrations with depth,
saturation with respect to carbonate fluorapatite, and the presence
of a solid-phase Ca-phosphate mineral, all indicate that phosphogenesis
is currently taking place at all three sites. Authigenic apatite
precipitation rates vary between 0.076 and 1.94 μmol P cm-2
yr-1, and are of the same order of magnitude as reported
for other high productively areas. Precipitation of an intermediate
precursor precedes francolite formation in the continental slope
sediments on the Karachi Margin. Results of a diagenetic P model
indicate that phosphogenesis is induced by high rates of organic
matter degradation. Dissolution of fish debris is likely to provide
a substantial additional source of phosphate. Redox iron cycling
does not influence phosphogenesis in these environments. Model
results suggest that sediment mixing is essential in promoting
early diagenetic phosphogenesis. The highest rate of francolite
formation was observed in a boxcore taken on the Oman Margin,
where it contributes to the formation of a Holocene phosphorite
deposit. This observation contrasts with previous reports of only
old phosphorites in this area. Phosphorites are presently forming
on the Oman Margin as a result of: (a) deposition of older, reworked
material from the continental shelf, which has undergone an earlier
phase of phosphogenesis; (b) a high input of reactive P (fish
debris and degradable organic matter); (c) a relatively low sediment
accumulation rate; and (d) the absence of winnowing on this location.
Holocene phosphorite deposits may be less common on the Oman Margin
than in other coastal upwelling areas because of the narrowness
of the shelf and the steepness of the slope, which limit the area
where phosphorite formation may occur.
Keywords: Phosphogenesis; Phosphorites; Oxygen minimum zone; Arabian
Sea; Early diagenesis』
1. Introduction
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Sediment sampling and core description
2.2. Porewater analysis
2.3. Solid-phase analysis
2.4. Description of the model
3. Results
3.1. Porewater
3.2. Solid phase
3.3. Microscopic observations and calibrated 14C ages
of apatite macro particles in BC484
Coated foraminifers
Phosphatised pelletes
3.4. Application of the model
4. Discussion
4.1. Authigenic apatite formation
Porewater phosphate and fluoride concentrations
The francolite saturation state
Solid-phase authigenic phosphorus
4.2. Implications of the model
4.3. Phosphorite formation in BC484
4.3.1. Winnowing
4.3.2. Redeposition
5. Conclusions
Acknowledgements
Appendix A
References