Determining main carbonate mineralogy, and the primary components of the non carbonate fraction, at two depths in core GC10, collected from the Capricorn Channel.

A gravity core (GC10) was collected from a depth of 335 mbsl within the Capricorn Channel, southern Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Analysis of other parameters revealed the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) sitting at a depth of ~130cm into the core. Three samples were collected for X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis; at the sediment surface (GC10-0) representing interglacial sediment, 100cm depth (GC10-100) and 270cm (GC10-270) - both of which represent glacial sediment. XRD analysis shows that during the interglacials aragonite increases relative to calcite, presumably as a result of shelf carbonate transported down the channel. During the glacials there is a higher percentage of quartz and feldspar, but reduced clay content in the non-carbonate fraction. This suggests that the terrigenous fraction is dominant within the sediments, however the energy in the environment is possibly too high for the clays to settle.

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Published (Metadata Record) 03/03/2026
Last updated 03/03/2026
Organisation Australian Federal Government
License License Not Specified
Update Frequency Unknown