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doi:10.2204/iodp.proc.329.105.2011 LithostratigraphyThe sediment at Site U1367 is primarily clay and ooze. The principal components of the clay are smectite and mica-group members, phillipsite (a zeolite), and red-brown to yellow-brown semiopaque oxide (RSO) (see Site U1367 smear slides in “Core descriptions”; Fig. F7). The ooze is composed mainly of coccolithophores and RSO, accompanied by foraminifers. Based on compositional and textural attributes, the sediment at Site U1367 is divided into two lithologic units (Fig. F7). Unit I is metalliferous pelagic clay to metalliferous clay that is divided into Subunits IA and IB based on the vertical distribution of zeolite. Subunit IA contains relatively abundant zeolite, ranging from 14% to 36% in smear slides. The modal clay and RSO concentrations increase in Subunit IB as zeolite abundance decreases proportionately. Unit II is nannofossil ooze and nannofossil marl. Unit II is divided into Subunits IIA and IIB based on the vertical distribution of clay and RSO. Concentrations of clay and RSO in Subunit IIA smear slides are <10%, except for intercalating clay-rich thin layers. Subunit IIB is defined by higher concentrations of clay and RSO. Lithostratigraphic correlation shows that thickness and composition of units vary among the five holes cored at Site U1367 (Fig. F8). The thickness of Subunit IIA, for example, varies from 5.9 m in Hole U1367B to 8.7 m in Hole U1367C. Nonetheless, general composition between different holes is very similar. Description of unitsUnit ISubunit IA
All but the lower ~80 cm of Subunit IA is very dark brown (7.5YR 2.5/2, 2.5/3) (Fig. F9A). The base of the interval corresponds to the base of gradational color change, from very dark brown (7.5YR 3/3) to dark brown (7.5YR 3/4). The lower limit of this gradational change in Hole U1367B is at interval 329-U1367B-1H-3, 110 cm. Similar color change occurs at interval 329-U1367C-1H-3, 10–50 cm. In Hole U1367D, the interval containing the lower contact was not recovered because of whole-round sampling before observation. The likely location of the lower contact is interval 329-U1367D-1H-4, 45 cm. The lower limit of the color change in Hole U1367E is at interval 329-U1367E-1H-3, 120 cm. Smear slide analyses identify the major components as clay, RSO, and zeolite (Fig. F7). Their concentrations fluctuate throughout this subunit, but no clear trends are evident. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses of bulk sediment Sample 329-U1367B-1H-2, 70–72 cm, positively identify the zeolite as phillipsite but cannot conclusively resolve the mineralogy of the clay (Fig. F10A). The zeolite crystals observed in smear slides are euhedral and prismatic and have long-axis lengths of 10–100 µm (Fig. F11A). Many of the crystals taken from the sediment/water interface (i.e., the mudline sample) contain fragile penetration twins. RSO grains are rounded to irregularly shaped, range in width from 1 to 80 µm, and constitute 14%–36% of the sediment. Calcareous nannofossils are recognized at the topmost part of intervals 329-U1367B-1H-1, 0–130 cm, and 329-U1367E-1H-1, 0–15 cm, although their abundance is relatively low (<11%) and decreases sharply with depth (Fig. F7A). Calcareous microfossils (foraminifers) are rare throughout Subunit IA. See “Paleontology and biostratigraphy” for information regarding their identification and distribution. Subunit IA sediment consolidation transitions from very poorly consolidated near the mudline to poorly consolidated at the base of the subunit. Moist samples are spongy and sticky. Most sections are homogeneous and without bedding features. Mottling increases with depth, although the variations in ichnofabric intensity are all within Class 2 (slight bioturbation). Mottling is most evident where heterogeneous components are mixed (e.g., intervals 329-U1367C-1H-3, 18–32 cm, and 329-U1367D-1H-3, 64–90 cm). Subunit IB
The sediment in Subunit IB is dark brown (7.5YR 3/3, 3/4) (Fig. F9B) and very uniform, except for the gradational color change at the boundary between Subunits IA and IB as described above. Although the color change through the lower meter of Subunit IB is gradational, it ends abruptly (within 10 cm) above the contact with Unit II. The contact between Subunits IB and IIA is clearly observed in Holes U1367B, U1367D, and U1367E and is not observed in Hole U1367C because of whole-round sampling before observation. Smear slide analyses indicate an overall abundance of RSO and clay components in Subunit IB (Fig. F11B). Zeolite abundance decreases with increasing depth and comprises 30% of the sediment at the upper contact. Zeolite is entirely absent from clay overlying the lower contact (Fig. F7A). The sediment in the lowermost part of this subunit contains <1% nannofossils. Relatively few whole foraminifers were observed in smear slides. Foraminifers observed in >63 µm sieved samples were fragmented and altered. The consolidation of Subunit IB is uniformly moderately indurated (firm clay). Most sections are homogeneous and without bedding features. Burrowing is evident at the transition between Units I and II where heterogeneous components are mixed (e.g., interval 329-U1367E-1H-5, 50–64 cm). Unit IISubunit IIA
Sediment color in Subunit IIA is variable, but it is generally strong brown to pink (7.5YR 5/4, 5/6, 6/3, 6/4, 6/6, 7/3, 7/4) (Fig. F9C), except for intercalating clay-rich thin layers (brown to dark brown; 7.5YR 3/2, 3/3, 3/4, 4/2, 5/3). The color changes gradually at the base of this subunit to brown (7.5YR 5/3). The transition to Subunit IIB is clearly observed in Holes U1367B and U1367E and is not observed in Holes U1367C and U1367D because of whole-round sampling before observation. Smear slide analyses indicate that Subunit IIA is predominantly nannofossil ooze (Fig. F11C). Most intervals consist of 80%–95% coccolithophores and coccolithophorid debris (Fig. F7). Foraminifers are also recognized by smear slide analyses, but their content is generally <15% of bulk sediment samples. In two intervals of particularly low clay abundance (intervals 329-U1367B-1H-2, 70–72 cm, and 2H-6, 5–7 cm), XRD analyses identified calcite (a: 4.9887 Å, c: 17.05290 Å) as the form of the carbonate (Fig. F10B). The upper middle part of the subunit includes a thick (20–40 cm) bed of clay containing 10%–40% RSO. The clay corresponds to a distinctive uptick in magnetic susceptibility that occurs in Holes U1367B–U1367E. Thin (5–10 cm) layers with relatively high RSO content are repeatedly intercalated throughout this subunit and exhibit distinct color changes (Fig. F9C). Subunit IIA is poorly consolidated, except for the transitional part to Subunit IIB where RSO content is relatively high. Moist samples of this unit are sticky. Mottling occurs throughout this subunit. Thin layers reflecting change in nannofossil content and RSO content are also common. Slight to moderate burrowing is evident in intervals 329-U1367B-2H-2, 50–100 cm; 329-U1367C-1H-4, 110–130 cm; 329-U1367D-2H-2, 110–150 cm; and 329-U1367E-2H-2, 105 cm, to 2H-3, 100 cm. Several narrow (3–4 mm) burrows below the thickly bedded clay in the upper middle part of Subunit IIA are particularly noteworthy because they extend as far as 80 cm into the underlying nannofossil ooze (Fig. F9D). Subunit IIB
The color of Subunit IIB is variable, reflecting changes in concentrations of nannofossils and RSO (Fig. F7). The overall color of the subunit is dark yellow-brown (10YR 3/4) (Fig. F9E). Generally, the colors become darker in the lower part of the subunit, changing from brown (7.5YR 4/4, 5/3) and dark yellow-brown (10YR 3/4) to very dark brown (7.5YR 2.5/2). The colors of intercalated layers containing relatively abundant nannofossils are dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4), brown (7.5YR 4/3, 4/4, 10YR 4/3), and dark brown (7.5YR 3/3), probably reflecting differences in nannofossil content. The lower part of this subunit exhibits strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) to reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/6) colors. A well-indurated layer (40–120 cm) in the lower quarter of subunit is dark brown (7.5YR 3/3, 3/4, 10YR 4/3), dark yellowish brown (10YR 3/4), and yellow (10YR 7/6) (Fig. F9F). Smear slide analyses indicate that Subunit IIB contains abundant nannofossil ooze (Fig. F7). Of the 12 slides prepared from samples below Section 329-U1367B-5H-5 (11.5 mbsf), 10 consist of >70% calcareous nannofossils and nannofossil debris. RSO concentration is higher than in Subunit IIA (Fig. F11D) and increases with depth in Hole U1367E (Fig. F7B). Numerous foraminifers from Sample 329-U1367B-2H-CC contain micrite on the exterior surfaces of their shells. A diffractogram from XRD analyses of bulk sediment (Sample 329-U1367B-3H-4, 50–52 cm) includes numerous peaks corresponding to calcite (Fig. F10C). Several peaks of much lower intensity in the lower and higher ranges of 2θ correspond to clay that is most likely smectite. The upper half of this subunit is poorly consolidated. The lower half is well consolidated. The chalk layer is well indurated. Subunit IIB contains numerous thin layers (1–3 cm) and laminations (<1 cm) that correspond to changing nannofossil and RSO abundances. These bedding features are visible as lighter (nannofossil) and darker (RSO) layers in core photographs (e.g., Fig. F9E). All of the observed layers in Subunit IIB are bioturbated. The bioturbation forms ichnofabric Classes 2–4 that moderately disrupt to thoroughly destroy bedding features (Fig. F9F). Sediment/Basalt contactComponents of the sediment/basalt interface were recovered in Holes U1367B–U1367D. Although the steel cutting shoe on the APC core barrel was damaged significantly by hitting hard rock at 24.17 mbsf in Hole U1367E, no sediment was recovered. Rotary drilling in Hole U1367F produced sediment and basalt; however, several meters of core were lost during drilling and the sediment that was recovered was highly disturbed. Therefore, we do not consider those materials to be representative of the sediment/basalt contact. The recovered sediment was mixed thoroughly with fragmented basalt and volcanic glass. Continuous sections of interfacial sediment and overlying marl were recovered in Holes U1367B and U1367D. However, the 30–60 cm of sediment overlying the interface was highly disturbed in both holes. Therefore, the nature of the contacts and structures associated with the sediment/basalt contact at Site U1367 are unknown. We believe, however, that the recovered sediment is representative of the overall composition of the interface, and those results are presented below. The sediment/basalt interface is dark yellow-brown (10YR 3/4) clay with nannofossils and microfossils. The dark color of the clay corresponds to a high (35%–40%) abundance of RSO grains that vary in size from 2 to ~200 µm. Other components of the very fine sediment fraction include calcareous nannofossils and discoasters. Silt and sand grains (>4 and >63 µm, respectively) constitute <10% of the sediment and consist of RSO, microfossils (foraminifers, fish teeth, and sponge spicules), volcanic glass, and quartz (in order of decreasing abundance). Although planktonic and benthic foraminifers exhibit a large range of preservation (see “Paleontology and biostratigraphy”), most exhibit signs of alteration. Volcanic glass exists as large subangular fragments that are highly angular, translucent, amber, and free of surface pits or alterations. The volcanic components are described in “Igneous lithostratigraphy, petrology, alteration, and structural geology.” DiscussionSediment composition and textureSmear slide and XRD analyses identify clay, zeolite, RSO, and calcite as the principal components of the clay, ooze, marl, and chalk at Site U1367. Clay and calcite distributions stand in stark contrast to one another and define the two units at Site U1367: Unit I contains RSO and zeolitic clay and Unit II contains nannofossil ooze, marl, and chalk. Within the broad units outlined above, zeolite distribution and clay-to-carbonate relationships help provide insight into the depositional history of Site U1367. These features are described below. ZeoliteAlthough phillipsite never comprises a majority of the sediment, it exists in equal proportions with clay and RSO throughout the uppermost 4–5 m of Unit I. Its abundance decreases sharply in the lowermost 1.5 m of Unit I, and it becomes completely absent in the lowermost 50 cm of the unit. This distribution could result from differences in sediment composition (Bonatti, 1965; Hay, 1966), sediment accumulation rate (Czyscinski, 1973; Glaccum and Boström, 1976), availability of in situ dissolved silica and potassium (Glaccum and Boström, 1976; Sheppard and Gude, 1970), or the age of the phillipsite crystals (Stonecipher, 1976). Each of these parameters is important for reconstructions of the depositional and diagenetic histories of the sediment. However, additional data (petrologic, geochemical, and chronostratigraphic) are needed before the interstitial water-sediment processes that control phillipsite distribution can be used to more fully define the history of Site U1367. CarbonateSeveral abrupt clay-to-carbonate transitions occur in all of the Site U1367 holes and carry possibly important depositional or oceanographic implications. For example, the Unit I/II boundary consists of a large-scale compositional change from metalliferous clay (60% RSO and 40% clay) to nannofossil ooze (>80% calcite) that spans a distance of only 10–15 cm (see Site U1367 core photographs in “Core descriptions”). Slow sediment accumulation on both sides of the contact is indicated by low but persistent abundance of RSO in both the clay and carbonate units (Heath and Dymond, 1977). The contact is also associated with a distinct community of burrowing organisms that mixed clay and carbonate sediment and fragmented most foraminiferal shells. Micritic overgrowths on the foraminiferal shells imply that postdepositional mineralization occurred in the sediment. Conditions that might account for the Unit II/I carbonate-to-clay transition include an increase in depth of the carbonate compensation depth (Coxall et al., 2005), variable influx of terrigenous and/or biogenic sediment (Glasby, 1991), or evolution of interstitial water chemistry (e.g., Giambalvo et al., 2002). Each of these phenomena, acting exclusively or in consort, might have produced the transition observed from Unit II to I. However, as was the case with zeolite distribution, more thorough studies of sediment petrology, geochemistry, and chronostratigraphy are needed before the origin and implications of the carbonate to clay-transition at Site U1367 can be defined. IndurationConsidering the overall thinness of the total sedimentary succession (<25 m), the high degree of induration in Subunit IIB is impressive. Steel blades and a mallet were needed to extract shipboard sediment samples. One thick (40–120 cm) interval in the middle of Subunit IIB was sufficiently indurated to earn the distinction of being labeled “chalk” (Figs. F7, F8). The cause of variable induration in the sediment is unknown. However, foraminifers from discrete depth intervals of Subunit IIB show evidence of carbonate diagenesis in the form of recrystallization. Sedimentary structures
Two observations regarding the bioturbation of sediment at Site U1367 are worthy of note:
Interhole correlation
Lithostratigraphic correlation among the five APC holes at Site U1367 shows that differences exist among the units and subunits of Site U1367. Several of the differences are artificially created by coring operations, for example,
Despite these challenges, a tentative correlation of lithostratigraphic units among the holes of Site U1367 was created (Fig. F9). |