JOURNALOF SEDIMENTARY PETROLOGY, VOL.34, NO. 2, PP.

294-308
FIGS. 1-12, JUNE, 1964

DIFFERENTIATION OF CARBONATE SEDIMENTS

IN THE HERON ISLAND REEF 1

W. G. H. MAXWELL, ~ J. S. JELL, ~ AND R. G. McKELLAR ~

ABSTRACT
The sediments of the Heron Island reef are derived mainly from Lithotluzmnion, HaUmeda,corals, molluscs
and foraminifera. The relative durabilities of the organisms appear to depend on whether they are calcitic or
aragonitic, The coarser sediment is predominantly calcltic, and the factors of source, physiography and water
movement effect the concentration of the predominantly calcitic sediment in certain regions and the finer
aragonitlc sediment in other regions.

INTRODUCTION samples were analysed chemically for trace ele-

A comparatively detailed analysis of a small ment concentrations of St, Mg, M n and P.
part of the Heron Island reef--less than one-
REGIONAL SETTING
twelfth of the total area was made by Maxwell,
Day, and Fleming in 1961. The present paper The southern end of the G r e a t Barrier Reef is
deals with the entire reef a n d re-assesses some of marked by the Swain Reefs which form the
the d a t a of the earlier work in the light of new outer barrier, a n d the smaller Capricorn and
evidence. The field survey of the reef was under- Bunker Groups which occur 100 miles landward
taken in November, 1960, and further sampling and are separated from the Swain Reefs b y the
was done in November, 1962. Boat traverses Capricorn Channel (fig. 1). The 100 fathom
were made across the reef, mainly in a north- line curves a b r u p t l y westward a t the Swain
south direction and 200 bottom samples were Reefs a n d turns southward again in the vicinity
t a k e n a t intervals ranging from 500 to 1000 feet. of the B u n k e r Group. T h e Capricorn a n d
In depths of less than one fathom, a scoop was Bunker groups are not true barrier reefs. The
used; in deeper water a small dodge, dragged over Bunker Group extends over a distance of 30
distances of 10 to 20 feet, gathered the surface miles along the n o r t h - s o u t h trending shelf
sands. W a t e r samples were collected at wider in- margin, and consists of seven reefs, five to seven
tervals and these were analyzed later for salinity
and in some cases for their calcium content.
Observations on physiographic and faunal pat-
terns were made during the traverse work. In
November, 1962, current velocities were meas-
ured a t selected localities.
Several methods were used in the detailed
study of the sediments. Granulometric analysis
was carried out on all samples. Specific gravity
measurements were made on various organisms
and various sizes of organic particles in order to
find their hydraulic equivalents. Eighty percent
of the samples were impregnated with a polyes-
ter resin (Polylite), sectioned and studied under
a petrologic microscope.
Their composition was measured by means of
a point counter. Examination of unconsolidated
material was with a binocular microscope,
mainly to determine the distribution p a t t e r n of
the Foraminifera and to provide supporting
evidence for the thin section study. Selected
FIG. 1.--Regional map of the southern end of the
Manuscript received February 28, 1963. Great Barrier Reef. Bottom contours reflect the main
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. "Capricorn ridge" and the sharp bend in the self mar-
Queensland Geological Survey, Australia. gin opposite Heron Island Reef.
 D I F F E R E N T I A T I O N OF C A R B O N A T E S E D I M E N T S 295

HERON ISLAND REEF.

FIG. L - - M a p of Heron Island Reef showing the main physiographic units, the main current directions,
and the sample localities.

miles apart. T r e n d i n g a t right angles to this 23°26%, longitude 152°E. I t rises from the
group are the two lines of reefs which constitute eastern extremity of the main Capricorn ridge,
the Capricorn Group. T h e main line rises from a a b o u t 16 miles from the shelf edge and the
b o t t o m ridge which extends in an east-northeast Capricorn Channel. T h e tear-shaped reef has a
direction from the coast to the shelf edge. This m a x i m u m east-west dimension of 5.7 miles a n d a
ridge has a comparatively wide crest a t an m a x i m u m n o r t h - s o u t h width of 2.6 miles near
average d e p t h of 20 fathoms and it falls away its eastern margin. Its western end is acute and
gently to north and south to depths of 30 it is here t h a t the vegetated sand cay has formed.
fathoms. T h e second line of reefs occurs on a The physiographic and faunal zonation of the
shorter, parallel ridge six miles to the north. western part of the reef was described by Max-
There are seven reefs on the first ridge a n d six well a n d others (1961, p. 216--219). In the present
on the one to the north. In general the reefs are paper slight modifications have been made to
oval or tear-shaped with their m a x i m u m dimen- their zonation.
sion in an east-west direction, a n d with their Reef Edge.--The reef edge extends seaward
apices a t the western end. Where sand cays have from the Lilhothamnion ridge a n d falls steeply
formed, they are situated near the western ex- towards the floor of the inter-reef channel. It
tremities of the reefs. In an earlier paper (Max- consists of a profusion of living coral forming a
well, and others, 1961) it was pointed out t h a t in strong, rugged framework in which a n a b u n d a n c e
shape and orientation these reefs do not conform of non-framebuilding organisms a n d coarse
with the northerly trend and straplike shape of detritus occur. The reef edge has been breached
the outer barrier reefs. Their east-west orienta- in several places which now form outlets for reef
tion has probably resulted from the trend of the waters on ebb tides. The location of these breaks
bottom ridge on which they grow, while the in the reef edge exerts a strong influence on the
tear shape has developed in response to the pre- current p a t t e r n in the reef and in turn on the
vailing winds a n d swell which come from the sediment distribution.
southeast and east. Reef Flat.--In the earlier paper (1961), the
authors recognized three z o n e s - - i n n e r sandy,
PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE HERON ISLAND REEF
living coral, and outer coral-algal zones. These
Heron Island Reef (fig. 2) lies approximately are readily defined on the western end of the reef
miles due east of Cape Capricorn, on latitude b u t their differentiation is less obvious eastward.
296 W. G. H. M A X W E L L , J. S. J E L L A N D R. G. M c K E L L A R

For this reason the reef flat has been recognized minifera are common and further in, species of
in the present paper as the broad band extending the branching Acropora, massive Favites,
inward from the Lithothamnion ridge, for a width Goniastrea, and Goniopora are abundant. Seri-
of 3000 to 4000 feet. Algal encrustation is exten- atopora, Pocillopora, Tubipora, and Fungia are
sive in the outer region, living coral more the other corals diagnosie of the reef flat fauna,
abundant inside this zoned and carbonate sand while Porites and Platygyra are common in the
predominants on the inner part of the reef flat. more sandy, inner regions of the reef flat.
Around the eastern and southern margins, large The fauna of the shallow lagoon is sparse and
banks of shingle (up to 1500 feet long and 50 feet consists of small colonies of Acropora, small
wide) project as tongues from the reef margin massive Goniastraea, and a wide variety of small
across the flat. They have formed on the wind- molluscs• Halimeda is also common• In the blue
ward parts of the reef, in east-southeast direc- lagoon, the patch reefs are composed mainly of
tions. At low tide the banks may be as high as 3 species of Acropora with some Lithothamnion
feet above water level. encrustation. The fine sediment on the floor of
Shallow lagoon.--The shallow lagoon is a the lagoon contains a rich in-fauna of turreted
broad, sand)' depression in which very few gastropods of the families Mitradeae and
frame-building organisms live. It is situated Terebridae.
between the main blue lagoon and the southern
reef flat and probably represents an expansion S E D I M E N T A T I O N IN T H E H E R O N ISLAND R E E F
of the inner sandy zone which was recognised by E N V I R O N M E N T OF S E D I M E N T A T I O N
Maxwell and others (1961) at the western end of Physicocheraical.--The entire reef is water-
the reef. However the marked differences in covered except at low tide, when the greater part
depth and fauna between it and the reef flat and of the reef flat is exposed. In the shallow lagoon,
the blue lagoon clearly define it as a major minimum depths range from 1 to 3 feet while the
physiographic unit. It is not developed in the blue lagoon rarely has less than 12 feet of water.
northern half of the reef. Well sorted sand of Salinity measurements made in November,
medium grade (0.25-0.5 ram) composed of equal 1959 and 1960 (fig. 3) show a very narrow range
proportions of Lithothamnion, Halimeda, coral, of variation from 35.9 to 37.2 percent. These
and slightly less molluscan detritus is typical of measurements were made during the day, so that
this zone. There is a noticeable absence of large lower salinities might be expected in the night
coral growth. At low tide water depths range and during the winter months. The diurnal and
from 1 to 3 feet annual temperature ranges for the Heron Island
Blue lagoon.--The central part of the reef region were complied by Endean and others
consists of a deeper belt, 2.8 miles long and 0.8 (1956, p. 321) and their results are reproduced in
miles wide, which has been called the blue figure 4. The mean daily temperature reaches
lagoon. At low tide it has an average depth of 12
feet although depths of 20 feet have been meas-
ured. For the greater part it is of constant width,
but its western end is divided by shallow tongues
of sand and from the northern reef flat and
southern shallow lagoon. At the western end it
tends to lose its identity, but elsewhere the :z~ ~ :', " ii ' 'L I
lagoon margin is clearly marked by an abrupt
increase in depth. The floor of the lagoon is ti: , il !' [ ' i ; ii~!! . . . .

covered with very fine sediment. Numerous

tt;~ ~-~~r-~-t~"-t'~Z "-r'I' ' '',1; ! i! :i~ I '!
small patch reefs 20 to 80 feet in diameter grow
in the lagoon, especially in the northern and
eastern parts where their density is of the order
of 100 reefs per 1,000,000 square feet, e.i., reefs
occupy approximately half of the surface area.
The faunal distribution has been discussed by •"~:; . . . . . . .~ . i . . ~li ' ........

Maxwell and others, (1961, p. 219) and few fur-

ther observations have been made. The reef edge
is dominated by large, spreading and branching
............ ~-t~_~ i ~- ~ ; ~
species of the coral Acropora. Lithothamnion
encrusts the coral marginal to the reef edge and
forms the prominent ridge. Inside the Litho- FI~. 3.--Salinity measurements made at Heron Island,
thamnion ridge, echinoids, molluscs, and fora- November, 1959 and November, 1960.
 D I F F E R E N T I A T I O N OF C A R B O N A T E S E D I M E N T S 297

the physiographic s t r u c t u r e localizes the most

severe wave action a r o u n d the reef margin, so
t h a t greatest turbulence normally occurs there.
Wave energy is dissipated rapidly across the reef
-. :: -i__.!__..11_
II; II flat and reaches a m i n i m u m in the lagoon. Be-
] I[ II
. . . . ; : |i • -
cause of prevailing winds, wave destruction is
I |
greatest along the southeastern margins and it is
• I --ZZ-
here t h a t the large shingle b a n k s form. This
---I I, I! .i i I : material is probably broken down further and
- [_; z' ' then swept into the reef flat and lagoon, while a
large q u a n t i t y also must be lost over the reef
edge. However, the main force of m o v e m e n t by
breaking waves is towards the reef center.
Because of the shallow d e p t h of the reef flat
and its part-exposure a t low tide, the sedi-
FIG.. 4.--Monthly sea temperature range on Heron m e n t a r y material on the flat is subjected to con-
Island Reef Flat, measured 1954-1955. (Data after s t a n t wave action, translatory wave movement,
Endean and others, 1956). and fast moving tidal currents. Thus, the mate-
rial tends to be well sorted and to be in the
a maximum of 26.8°C in J a n u a r y and a m i n i m u m coarse and very coarse size range. Furthermore,
of 19°C in July. M a x i m u m daily t e m p e r a t u r e it probably represents a transient stage in the
variation occurs in October when the range is process of mechanical breakdown a n d trans-
from 16.4 ° to 30.4°C, a range of 14°. portation to deeper waters. There is little chance
The character of the water is determined of large, p e r m a n e n t accumulation on the reef
largely by the seasonal current p a t t e r n s of the fiat and one m u s t conclude t h a t with further
southwest Pacific• Factors such as rainfall a n d breakdown, it will be moved into the lagoon or
river discharge are less significant t h a n for areas swept t h r o u g h a break in the reef edge, into the
closer to the shore. The main current is a branch deeper water s u r r o u n d i n g the reef. These
of the Pacific South Equatorial C u r r e n t and it observations also hold for the shallow
sweeps on to the Queensland coastline at a b o u t lagoon where sorting tends to be even better
the latitude of Heron Island. Inshore counter- because of the lack of coral-algal masses which
currents develop partly in response to the pre-
vailing southeast trade winds. The aqueous en-
v i r o n m e n t than may be regarded as normal
marine, with saHnities only slightly higher than lltttit[ : ::CUtt ~ :-._mllEI
the average oceanic salinity, temperatures of ~tmtlr "13mtih- ~
moderate range, and virtually unrestricted
circulation with the open sea.
Physiographic.--The reef surface is basin-like
as it slopes inward from the high marginal
Lithotharnnion ridge to the deeper blue lagoon.
Thus, as the tide ebbs and sea level reaches the
marginal ridge, the reef water can no longer flow i
freely over the reef and must excape through
breaks in the reef margin. At least 5 major
breaks are known, and they appear to control
the p a t t e r n of strong currents which develop L-.~-
near low tide. One i m p o r t a n t consequence of
their present location is the occurrence of a tidal
watershed or region of little current activity
near the eastern end of the blue lagoon. This
region is clearly reflected in the s e d i m e n t a r y i~._.l~li4 __ ._i~_ , ,

p a t t e r n s illustrating sorting and grain-size dis-

tribution. Current velocities measured a t various ;~;ii~::,i|i~ i :i i 1.~ ¸ -:l.~10--.-:q
localities are tabulated in figure 5. These were
measured on both ebb and flood tides and are of ~:i'iiiF7
the order of 0.15 to 4.0 feet per second. FiG. 5.--Current velocities measured in the Heron
In addition to controlling the current pattern, Island Reef waters November, 1962.
298 W. G. H. M A X W E L L , J. S. J E L L A N D R. G. M c K E L L A R

interfere with sorting processes further out on clear that the bulk of the reef detritus has a
the reef flat. modal range of 0.25-2.0 mm. i.e., m e d i u m - - t o
In the blue lagoon a markedly different en- very coarse sand, while the finer modes---less
vironment prevails because of the deeper water, than 0.125 m m . - - a r e restricted to the blue
the high density of patch reefs, and the Iess in- lagoon, and the modes coarser than 2 mm occur
tensive wave and current action. This is a com- mainly on the outer reef flatof the east and south
paratively protected environment, where the and the middle reef flat in the northwest. The
supply of sedimentary detritus is dependent on general trend is from very coarse near the
weakening translatory waves and small currents seaward margin to very fine at the reef center,
from the reef-flat, together with destruction of i.e., the lagoon.
patch reef material. The scarcity of coarse grades Because the bulk of the sediment is formed
in the lagoonal sediments is clear evidence of through destruction of reef organims, the size
the limited extent of patch reef destruction by pattern should then reflect the source areas and
wave action. Thus the bulk of the sediment con- the direction of movement of material from the
sists of material introduced from the outer re- source. Wave action, which is most severe
gions as well as possible secretions by algae. around the reef margin especially in the southeast
and east, is probably the main agent of de-
Textural Variations struction. Furthermore, coral and algae are the
The textural properties of the reef sediments main contributors to sediment and their regions
are best studied by granulometric analysis. of prolific growth are in the agitated waters of
Results of the analyses are presented on the the reef margin. The initial disintegration of
contoured maps of figures 6-7. Using the these reef-building organisms should result in
physiographic-current map, it is possible to in- coarse detritus, which is winnowed and reduced
terpret the textural patterns in terms of source, further by continuous wave-breaking. As the
water movement, and local environment. In the translatory waves move lagoonward, they trans-
present work, the modal diameter has been port the finer detritus and deposit the various
selected as the measure of average size. While grades as the wave energy decreases. In theory
recognizing its limitations, particularly in the then, the modal pattern should exhibit a con-
more poorly sorted sediments, it remains the centric, horizontal grading over the reef. Two
most convenient parameter and gives a sharply factors interfere with this trend. Firsdy the
defined distribution pattern. From figure 6 it is natural asymmetry of the reef, and secondly, the

HERON ISLAND REEF.

FIG. 6.--Contoured map of the Heron Island Reef showing the size distribution of sediment,
based on modal diameters.
 DIFFERENTIATION OF C A R B O N A T E SEDIMENTS 299

HERON ISLAND REEF

FIG. 7.--Contoured map of the Heron Island Reef showing the pattern of sorting in the sediments.

currents generated by tidal m o v e m e n t and con- of sediment is near the reef margin, a n d the
trolled by the location of breaks in the reef detritus accumulated here represents material
edge. In some cases these currents flow across the still in process of breakdown a n d in process of
direction of normal translatory w a v e - m o v e m e n t , transportation. Consequently it has a wide range
and in so doing, they disrupt the concentric of grain size. As it is reduced, t r a n s l a t o r y wave
grading p a t t e r n in the sediment. Most i m p o r t a n t m o v e m e n t carries the various grades lagoon-
are the currents in the eastern p a r t of the reef. ward. T h e medium a n d coarse grades are de-
Here, three zones of strong flow develop on ebb posited on the inner reef flats where tidal cur-
t i d e s - - o n e in the southeast, one in the northeast, r e n t s a n d wave action sort t h e m even more. The
a n d one in the north-central. They tend to re- finer grades continue further into the quieter,
move the fine sediment carried towards the deeper lagoonal waters and are deposited with-
center of the reef by waves, and to return it sea- o u t f u r t h e r reworking. During periods of
ward. T h u s we find anomalous coarse modes in stronger wave action (storm waves) coarser
the eastern end of the lagoon. Again, where cur- material is driven into the lagoon a n d this ac-
rents converge, banks tend to form and they are counts in p a r t for the poor sorting t h a t is found
subjected to longer periods of wave action, re- there. Comparison of the sorting and modal dis-
moving the finer sediment. In spite of these fac- tribution shows the coincidence of poor sorting
tors, there is an overall concentric p a t t e r n of size with the very fine modes of the lagoon a n d the
distribution a n d its main features are co- very coarse modes of the reef margin, while the
incidental with the physiographic, water move- well sorted sediment has medium to coarse
ment, and source patterns.
modes.
Figure 7 illustrates the sorting p a t t e r n t h a t
In summary, the textural-physiographic rela-
exists over the reef. As with the modal distribu-
tion, the sorting p a t t e r n also is controlled by tionship is:--Outer reef fiat and reef margin--
physiographic, water-movement, and source very coarse, poorly sorted material, zone of
factors. T h e regions of best sorting occur on the strongly breaking waves; Inner reef flat and
inner reef flat, shallow lagoon a n d in the blue shallow lagoon--coarse to medium, well sorted
lagoon and along the extreme reef edge, while material, zone of translatory waves and tidal
the poorest sorting occurs in the outer reef flat. currents; Lagoon--very fine, poorly sorted mate-
This p a t t e r n is not unexpected. T h e main source rial, zone of weak wave and current influence.
300 W. G. H. ~]~rAXWELL, d. S. J E L L A N D R. G. M c K E L L A R

HERON ISLAND REEF DI~i'RIBUTIO~IOF DETRITUSFROM MAJOR ORaANISMS

CORAL

FIG. &--Maps showing the relative concentrations of detritus from the four main groups of organisms.

Variations in Composition The proportions of four major components in

The composition of the sediments was de- the sediments are indicated in figure 8, and the
termined by thin section analysis, in which a ratio of the calcific aragonitic organic com-
point counter was used to measure the relative ponents is indicated in figure 9. Examination of
proportion of the organic constituents. These their distributions in conjunction with the
include Lithothamnion, Halimeda, Tubiporct, physiographic and textural maps again stresses
other corals, Marginopora, other foraminifera, the relative importance of the water movement,
molluscs, echinoids, and bryozoa. Analysis of the source and physiographic influences on sediment
foraminiferal content was carried further by composition. From the maps it is seen that coral
counting under a binocular microscope. maxima (40 to 50 percent) occur on the south
Lithothamnion, Halimeda, coral, and molluscs western reef fiat, shallow lagoon, south central,
are the major constituents, with foraminifera of north-west and eastern blue lagoon, and along
intermediate importance and Tubipora, Mar- the outer northeastern reef fiat. Halimeda
ginopora, echinoids, and bryozoa subordinate. maxima (40 to 50 percent) occur on the inner
In addition rare sponge spicules, crustacean, and reef flat marginal to the shallow lagoon and
fish detritus have been recognized. Small pore marginal to the western tongue of the blue
fillings, irregular mud lumps, and fine aragonite lagoon. Lithotharnnion (40 to 50 percent) is most
spherulites make up a very low percentage of abundant around the reef margin and outer reef
some samples. In their facies analysis of the fiat, around the reef fiat bordering the western
western reef flat, Maxwell and others (1961, p, end of the blue lagoon and in small areas near,
223-227) relied largely on the variation in the the center of the lagoon. Foraminifera (fig. 12)
reach their maxima (6 to 12 percent) on the
minor components of the sediment, particularly
western reef flats and the central-north and
the coral Tubipor~z and bryozoa. This seemed
eastern reef fiats frequently in the lee of the
justified in view of the small area studied and the large shingle banks. Their heaviest concentra-
fact that one main environment was being sub- tions are in the protected zones near the reef
divided on a fine scale. The present work, cover- margins. These are also the zones of most prolific
ing a much larger area and more environments, foraminiferal growth. The distributions of
has made use of the variation in the major com- maximum concentrations indicate that except in
ponents and has relied less on the Tubipora-- the blue lagoon, they are strongly influenced by
bryozoan accessory detritus. the location of the areas of dominant growth of
 DIFFERENTIA T I O N OF C A R B O N A T E SEDIMENTS 301

the particular organisms, i.e., by the source pat- on physiography; and the location of zones of
tern. T h u s the source factor is a major one, prolific growth depends largely on the p a t t e r n of
perhaps the controlling factor in the sediment water movement. In the case of the reef, pat-
composition of the reef. This may not be unex- terns of physiography, source, and wave-move-
pected in a n area of such small size. However the ment tend to be concentric a n d so the resultant
source factor should become less i m p o r t a n t in the distribution of organic detritus is similar.
inter-reef areas where mechanical factors will However, in conflict with the wave p a t t e r n is
have more o p p o r t u n i t y to rework and redistrib- the p a t t e r n of tidal currents which depend
ute the detritus. This theory is still in process largely on the location of breaks in the reef edge.
of testing. These currents are responsible for t r a n s p o r t a t i o n
Using the modal distribution map, it is seen and reworking of detritus and account for the
t h a t coral maxima favor the medium to fine anomalous maxima away from source a n d
grade (0.5 to 0.125 ram), Halimeda maxima the physiographic influences, e.g., tidal watershed in
medium grade (0.5 to 0.177 mm), Litholhamnion the eastern part of the lagoon.
and foraminifera the very coarse to medium Coralline detritus reaches its maxima in the
grade (> 2mm to 0.25 mm). Sorting relationships zones of moderate sorting and medium to fine
are also evident with coral reaching maximum grades, and tends to d e p a r t markedly from the
concentration in zones of moderate sorting source-physiography p a t t e r n . Halimeda is also
(1.2 to 1.6) and in smaller zones of poor sorting influenced less by source a n d physiography, and
(1.6 to 2.0). Halimeda maxima occur in zones of tends to concentrate in the medium grades,
moderate sorting (1.2 to 1.8). Lithothamnion is which generally coincide with zones of best sort-
most a b u n d a n t in the very poorly sorted zones ing. Lithothamnion, on the other hand, reflects a
(1.6 to 2.2), and foraminifera maxima favor poor strong source-physiographic influence and shows
sorting (1.4 to 1.8). It is obvious then t h a t the a progressive decrease from the reef margin in-
distribution of the various organic components ward. However, in the central region, i.e., parts
is related to the three factors of physiography, of the blue lagoon, where tidal currents have
source, and water movement, all three of which scoured the finer sediments, Lithothamnion
are interdependent. Physiography is controlled maxima are found. Foraminiferal material is
by the relative rates of growth of the frame- possibly most d e p e n d e n t on source. While
building organisms; tidal currents and the m a x i m u m concentrations occur in the very
effectiveness of wave translation are dependent coarse to medium grades in the n o r t h and east,

HERON ISLAND REEF

F1G. 9.--Ratio map of the calcitic and aragonitic organic detritus based on the analysis of the main
organic components present in the sediments.
302 W. G. H. M A X W E L L , J. S. J E L L A N D R. G. M c K E L L A R

FI6. 10.--Ratio map of organic detritus of high Mg content vs. detritus of low Mg content, based on analyses
of orgamc components in sediment.

their absence from the same grades in the south ment has insufficient space in which to complete
is due to the sparseness of southern foraminif- this separation. It seems probable that the
eral faunas, and the inability of water move- process would be carried further in the larger
ment to transport detritus from the northern inter-reef areas.
source areas. The special conditions relating to
foraminiferal distribution have been considered Minor Constituents
by Jell, McKellar and Maxwell (1963). The minor constituents include the minor
The overall effect of physiography, source, and organic componel0ts, small pore fillings of finely
water movement is illustrated in figures 9 and 10. divided material, minute aragonite svherullte~
Figure 9 is a ratio map of the Lithothamnion- and larger mud aggregates. Of the minor organic
Foraminifera percentage vs. Halimeda-coral components, fragments of bryozoa, echinoids,
percentage, and in fact, should correspond to the and the red coral Tubipora are the most im-
calcite aragonite ratio in the sediment. In figure portant.
I0, Litkothamnion-Foraminifera-Echinoid per- Tubipora detritus contributes from 0 to 2.7
centages have been plotted against Haliraeda- percent of the sediment and is found in highest
coral-mollusc percentages. The first group rep- concentrations on the inner part of the reef flat
resents the calcitic organisms of high Mg con- and in the central blue lagoon (fig. 12). It de-
tent, while the second includes the aragonite and creases sharply towards the reef edge and is
mixed aragonite-low Mg calcite organisms. In practically absent from the shallow lagoon.
this case, the organic ratios should correspond to Except for its occurrence in the blue lagoon,
chemical ratios, i.e., to the Mg/Sr ratios. Tubipora detritus is generally concentrated in
Analyses of 20 samples, listed in figure 11, con- the well-sorted sands. Furthermore it favors the
firm this deduction. medium grades (0.25 to 0.5 mm). Its distribu-
In summary, the main factors influencing sedi- tion is apparently controlled by the inward mov-
ment distribution in the reef all tend towards a ing translatory waves which tend to produce a
differentiation into various facies each char- concentric pattern. This pattern is disrupted in
acterised by distinctive textural, organic, and the south where east-west currents sweep along
chemical properties. Source and physiography the shallow lagoon, scouring the finer sediment
initiate the trends, water movement accentuates and leaving the coarser detritus. The pattern is
them. In the small area of the reef, water move- also modified in the blue lagoon where similar
 D I F F E R E N T I A T I O N OF C A R B O N A TE S E D I M E N T S 303

currents are effective and where greater depths same factors are probably responsible in both
interfere with wave transportation. There the cases.
band of low Tubiopora concentration appears to Pore fillings, mud aggregates, and aragonite
coincide with the path of currents which sweep spherulites are all related in their occurrence and
through breaks in the reef edge. Bryozoan together form less than 2 percent of the sediment.
detritus ranges from 0 to 3.0 percent in the reef Pore fillings are most common in the fragments
sediment and reaches its maximum in the outer of Haliraeda and in foraminifera, particularly
part of the reef flat. It decreases rapidly towards Marginopora. They are of two kinds, the first
the central part of the reef and is almost absent consisting of finely divided, almost opaque
from the blue lagoon. This type of distribution matrix which probably represents invading mud;
was observed by Maxwell and others (1961, p. the second consisting of wall linings of fine radial
225) for the western reef flat. Maxima occur in crystals which may completely fill the pore or
the coarse sediments, but the controlling factor leave a central space. This second type probably
in this case appears to be the location of zones of forms through precipitation from sea water.
strongest bryozoan growth rather than the Both kinds are common in abraded fragments of
pattern of water environment. Halimeda, but never in fresh detritus. Thus, it
Echinoid detritus occurs in similar proportions appears that the process of filling takes place
to those of bryozoa and Tubipora, viz. 0 to 3.0 after the organism has been disintegrated and
percent. Maxima are found in the outer parts of not during life through organic secretion. The
the reef flat, minima in the blue lagoon, and along absence of such material in the more coarsely
the paths of strong currents, i.e., the shallow chambered foraminlfer is noticeable and might
lagoon and northern reef flat. Sands of medium suggest that pore size and shape is a determining
and coarse grade (0.35 to 0.7 mm) contain the factor in this process.
highest concentration. The distribution pattern Aggregations of finely divided, opaque mate-
is similar to that of bryozoan detritus and the rial and coarser organic detritus occur in most
parts of the reef. They probably owe their forma-
tion to various processeD-normal compaction,
................ ~: .... i:!!i!! !!!rql ':': ;!her organic activity (faecal pellets), and possibly to
t/] ..... i iiiIJi;* ~l~t j binding of fine sediment by blue green algae.
This material generally contains fine aragonite
....... spherulites. They may represent carbonate
precipitated into the mud from sea water or they
may be secretions from living algae. Occa-
sionally, spherulites are found in Halimeda
i]:~ :,,,,;:~:~:" ]iii:ii,,i ];[: iii ;i: ?:i[i :m,,, i pores and less commonly in the outer parts of
i)-(iil ] ~,[';i::;!!!i!!!iiii::!~;!.!!!:h~.,~,,,
.dilllii ~1~": ~i :lti: !: .i tH J ! I
coral fragments. The extremely small percenage
of such material in the sediments may be re-
garded as evidence of the virtual lack of chem-
;flii :'i ili !]F . . ical precipitation in the Heron Island reef waters.
:ii!,i!i:: ::~1 ~ ~: ],,:1 :,,,:,'.; ',!,!,'.~I' 1 !!~l.ff impel
I" : I i ' ' ' rl~l,~,~l!:,= i , ~ i ] i ~ I
Causes and Effects of Sediment
"1;'i'
~!ql~*" 1;] i ! '1 ' Distribution

i . • ; . ::':,:;H;
;: ; ,:: ill:;:~:~;i
~,, :!]~ IH '~ :J
i ~' 'lit' ~"f~,~r.w ';a'j}
]!' lit
From the analyses ol sand texture and com-

Ji i l i? !.i~'il iIi
ii]~li~ ~!]~ iNl,,i~ li] i i,,,,.,,.** !!**
:'~i
! !!!
,,,hlh,. '. ]]iili
, I~ •
position it is evident that certain major com-
ponents are predominant in particular grades, at
particular levels of sorting, and in very definite
i i!i}i
:~i: 'i i :'' ~:~I,; ~:, itrtl2r I~:,: H,,!it: '!!l!lt', ~ f :tt!!
~!~i: ,+I!1 ; i ~i I;lljl'' q!'"
i,,nI'
areal zones that are closely related to source and
physiographic patterns. The textural character
of the sediment results largely from water
e if:i}ii":i:~ ~'~i '1i''/' ~ ~::!'d['~:'l,'
!'
~ I ,/,'. . .',..; . . .
........
. '.I:~,'~] '"
' .... i
l![tlti!iilil
'r"' '[l'~''[i
ttlli."11t;[:'[i'li;' Iit!iI !t
lil,] m o v e m e n t - - b o t h wave and current, while the
composition is determined initially by the
~ri~ :: ',: :::'
/~"i ~''I ~;: :~1::i ::,!] ~jiilit ~
h "~
:i '1 it !.i location of source material and is modified sub-
....... " ~'~ ,~lt:ii tt tli sequently by the water movement. Certain
o !,ihhd ti!i;,i! !! il organisms and in particular Litkotkamnion
n :i~i! i:~a~z~.,~,'li i:li'.]tl i!li I¢',ll!t:[=i:~ ]!!
: i:.~ ~n.'~",,~.,,i~ !] ii'.! i;'ii~:ii: iFt]i'rll. are most resistant to mechanical destruction
than others such as the fragile Halimeda and
FIG.ll.--Graphs illustrating the relationship be-
tween trace element ratios and the modal size and various species of the coral Acropora. This is re-
organic composition of Heron Island Reef sediments. fleeted in the predominance of Litkotkamnion
304 W. G. H. M A X W E L L , J. S. .fELL A N D R. G. M c K E L L A R

HERON ISLAND REEF

DISTRIBUTION OF DETRITUS FROM
MINOR ORGANISMS
12 % "~ $ II,N aN$

I SCALE
NIFEET
FORAMINIFERA

TUBIPORA

FIG. 12.--Maps showing the distribution patterns of detritus from minor organisms.
 D I F F E R E N T I A T I O N OF CA R B O N A T E S E D I M E N T S 305

detritus in the coarser grades throughout the reef After completion of the main part of this work
sediments. The coarser material is less mobile early in 1962, the writer's attention was drawn
and is moved less rapidly from its source areas. to the paper on carbonate mineralogy by Chave
Thus it is found that the Lithotkamnion detritus (1962) in which similar aspects of carbonate
is concentrated near its source areas and in zones differentiation were discussed. While the theory
of poor sorting. Coral and Halimeda on the other of differential organic attrition and subsequent
hand are broken down to finer grades and are redistribution according to grain size is ad-
more readily transported by wave and current vanced in both the present paper and Chave's
action. They are deposited in less turbulent earlier work, the relative durabilities of the
waters and are generally concentrated in zones organisms postulated by Chave (1962. p. 221-
of better sorting. Thus, the Lithothamnion 223) are in fact the reverse of those found by the
detrital pattern tends to be a residual one, where- present authors. At Heron Island Lithothamnion
as the pattern of Halimeda and coral is a de- and foraminiferal detritus are invariably coarser
positional one. than that of the aragonltic coral and Halimeda.
The different manner of breakdown of the While it is difficult to reconcile the different find-
organisms leads to a sediment differentiation de- ings on the available data, it is possible that the
pendent on grain size, while the different source size relationships depend on the relative abun-
areas of the various organisms tend to produce a dance of the source materials as well as on their
separation according to organic composition. durabilities. If the growth of Lithothamnion is
Both factors lead to the segregation of the less prolific, then its detritus may well be re-
calcitic detritus and the segregation of the duced to finer grades through more prolonged
aragonitic detritus. The degree of segregation wave action. In order to test this possibility it
depends largely on the intensity of wave and would be necessary to compare the proportions
current action, the distance over which these of Lithothamnion detritus in sediments from two
forces may operate, and the balance between areas where the size relationships are opposed.
organic destruction at the source and rate of If such is the ease then yet another factor be-
transportation from the source. If the rate of comes operative in the development of the
supply is too high then the differentiation is carbonate distribution pattern.
obscured. The progressive decrease in the density The second important observation by Chave
of organic growth towards the reef center helps (1962, p. 218, 222) relates to the stabilities of the
to accentuate this separation. In the Heron high Mg calcite, aragonite, and low Mg calcite.
Island Reef the trend is clearly evident but the Phase equilibrium studies of Jamleson (1953),
area in which the processes may operate is small Harker and Tuttle (1955), and Graf and Gold-
and differentiation is far from complete. How- smith (1955) have shown low Mg calcite to be
ever, the ratio maps (figs. 9, 10) indicate clearly, the stable carbonate under surface and near
the zones .of maximum calcitic detritus and surface conditions. However the relative stabil-
those of maximum aragonitic detritus. Con- ities of aragonlte and high Mg calcite in organ-
firmation of this differentiation is found in the isms, as indicated by the tendency of coral and
M g / S r ratios. Halimeda to recrystallize and Lithothamnion and
The high calcitic, high Mg zones border the foraminifera to remain unaltered in the reef rock
reef and occur as small areas in the lagoonal of Heron Island (Maxwell, 1962) might suggest
region where strong currents have winnowed out that the behaviour of organic carbonates is not
the finer material. High aragonite, low Mg zones in complete accord with that of inorganic mate-
occur in the lagoon and inner reef flat regions-- rial. This is a subject for further investigation.
areas that are subjected to weaker wave and While the Mg content of certain organims ex-
current action. It was pointed out by Maxwell, ceeds 4 percent MgCO3, thus ranking them as
Jell, and McKeller (1963) that this could lead unstable calcite, few samples of sediment from
subsequently to selective dolomitization, the the Heron Island Reef reach this value because
marginal reef zone and certain central patches of admixture with low Mg material. In the
being more susceptible than the greater part of richest sediments, the MgCOs range is from
the reef. The same authors indicated that sub- 4.00 to 8.40 percent and in these the Litho-
sequent lithification could be selective also the thamnion--foraminifera: Halimeda-coral ratio is
finer aragonitic sediment being more readily greater than 0.6.
lithified. The general lack of chemical precipita-
CONCLUSIONS
tion from sea water has prevented complication
of the facies pattern developed through mechan- The bulk of sediment in the Heron Island reef
ical and source influences. In areas where chem- is composed of detritus from Litkotkamnion,
ical precipitation is widespread, the facies pat- Haliraeda, coral, mollusc and foraminifera.
tern could be strongly modified. These organisms account for more than 90 per-
306 W. G. H. M A X W E L L , J. S. J E L L A N D R. G. M c K E L L A R

cent of the material. Because of their different depend on the relative influences of physiog-
composition (calcite and aragonite), their differ- raphy, source and mechanical agencies, all of
ent skeletal structures, their different resistances which are interrelated.
to destructive agencies, and their different areas The implications of these observations have
of intensive growth, each organic group tends to been presented already by the authors (1963).
give rise to an initial differentiation of detritus Briefly they are:
rather than a random heterogeneous distribution
1. The more resistant Lithothamnion gives
with the detritus of other groups. The calcitic
rise to coarser detritus than the aragonitic coral-
organisms appear to be more resistant possibly
Haliraeda material and because of mechanical
because of the nature of their skeletal structure.
processes a separation of the two types of car-
They tend to produce coarser, more durable,
bonates is effected.
less mobile material. By contrast, the aragonitic
organisms provide the finer more mobile sedi- 2. Because the coarser sediment contains a
ment. Thus the intial tendency of separation is higher Mg fraction, it should be more susceptible
effected at the source. This tendency is deveoped to subsequent dolomitization, and therefore the
further during transportion when suitable phys- localization of such would be predtermined in
ical conditions exist. Complete separation is part by earlier mechanical factors.
prevented because of the restricted area over 3. If aragonite material is more prone to re-
which these factors are operative. The resultant crystallization than calcitic material (and this
sedimentary pattern is one of regions of coarse appears to be the case in the subsurface reef
predominantly calcite material, other regions rock) then the segregated finer sediment should
of fine aragonitic matrial and area of inter- have a greater lithification potential and should
mediate character. Variations in the pattern will give rise to low porosity zones within the reef.

REFERENCES
CaAVE, K. E., 1962, Factors influencing the mineralogy of carbonate sediments. Limnology and Oceanography,
v. 7, p. 218--223.
GgAF, D. L. AND GOLDSMITr~J. R., 1955, Dolomlte-magnesian calcite relations at elevated temperatures and
CO2 pressures: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, v. 7, p. 109-128.
HARKER, R. I. AND TUa~rLE, O. F., 1955, Studies of the system CaO-MgO-CO~: Am. Jour. Sci., V. 253, p. 274-
282.
JAMIESON, J. C., 1953, Phase equilibrium in the system calcite-aragonite: J. Chem. Phys., v. 21 p. 1385-1390.
MAXWELL,W. G. H., 1962. Lithification of carbonate sediments in the Heron Island Reef, Great Barrier Reef:
Geol. Soc. Australia Jour., v. 8, p. 217-238.
MAXWELL, W G. H., DAY, R. W. ANn FLEMING,P. J. G., 1961, Carbonate sedimentation on the Heron Island
Reef, Great Barrier Reef: Jour. Sedimentary Petrology, p. 215-230.
MAXWELL,W. G. H., JELL, J. S., ANDMcKELLBR, R. C., 1963, A preliminary note on the mechanical and organic
factors influencing Carbonate differentiation, Heron Island Reef: Jour. Sedimentary Petrology, in press.
JELL, J. S., MCKELLAR, R. G., ANn MAXWELL,W. G. H., 1963, The significance of larger foraminifera in the
Heron Island Reef sediments: manuscript.
 DIFFERENTIA T I O N OF C A R B O N A TE S E D I M E N T S 307

APPENDIX I
Modal Analyses of Heron Island Reef Sands

No. L H C M F Mi No. L H C M F Mi

4 12.5 37.8 22.8 20.3 6.6 0 201 34.0 25.0 19.1 14.7 5.9 1.3
12 43.1 8.0 36.1 7.0 4.9 1.0 202 47.3 6.8 38.9 6.0 1.0 0
14 23.1 2?.5 22.3 16.6 10.3 0 203 44.4 12.3 30.4 11.5 1.0 0.4
17 14.0 8.2 47.0 8.2 19.0 3.6 204 18.7 45.3 20.3 8.4 3.7 3.6
19 34.6 17.8 24.0 17.8 5.6 0.2 205 18.6 40.4 23.9 13.2 2.5 1.4
21 28.9 31.0 24.0 12.4 3.3 0.4 206 16.6 28.2 45.7 1.1 4.7 3.7
23 23.8 34.? 24.6 11.5 2.2 3.2 207 18.8 37.3 34.7 2.4 2.4 4.4
25 41.0 18.8 16.6 18.9 3.8 0.9 208 35.2 23.4 17.7 18.6 3.4 1.7
31 27.8 24.0 32.2 10.1 1.9 4.0 209 31.8 14.0 40.2 9.3 1.9 2.8
32 35.0 22.2 22.3 16.8 2.8 1.9 210 33.8 24.1 25.8 11.8 3.4 1.1
37 28.4 19.9 25.0 19.9 2.0 4.8 211 53.8 8.8 20.7 10.1 1.0 5.6
39 28.0 29.2 21.4 17.1 3.5 0.8 212 11.9 49.2 21.0 7.3 1.6 9.0
40 45.1 13.0 27.4 12.1 1.2 1.2 213 33.3 8.9 48.0 8.3 0 1.5
45 32.0 20.0 21.4 11.1 4.1 1.4 215 31.2 21.8 33.9 2.2 1.3 9.6
47 34.5 28.3 22.2 9.1 4.0 1.9 217 36.8 20.4 30.1 7.6 1.4 3.7
49 30.0 22.0 32.9 13.0 0.2 1.9 220 29.7 13.8 20.4 10.1 22.8 3.2
54 32.4 24.4 19.7 17.4 4.2 1.9 221 42.8 12.6 17.3 13.9 8.8 5.6
58 34.8 29.6 20.2 12.3 2.3 0.8 222 42.8 16.8 20.1 7.6 10.5 2.2
62 42.1 21.4 22.2 4.9 9.4 0 223 46.0 10.0 28.2 7.2 8.1 0.5
71 27.7 28.9 27.2 14.7 0.6 0.9 226 16.8 18.2 13.7 6.4 43.0 1.9
73 25.4 31.8 23.1 13.7 2.9 3.1 228 26.2 28.0 22.5 16.0 6.0 1.3
75 29.0 27.3 31.0 8.9 3.1 0.7 230 38.6 13.5 32.3 7.1 7.6 0.9
79 28.2 17.5 33.4 11.3 4.8 4.8 232 18.1 38.2 34.9 4.0 2.0 2.8
97 34.1 30.7 20.3 11.0 1.4 2.5 234 25.0 19.7 42.7 8.7 2.0 1.9
100 16.4 34.1 20.3 16.2 11.1 1.9 235 42.4 17.7 23.8 11.0 2.7 2.4
102 25.5 21.3 33.1 9.3 10.8 0 236 25.5 36.9 29.2 7.4 0.2 0.8
103 28.8 16.8 37.4 6.0 10.5 0.5 237 23.3 17.0 34.0 10.2 15.4 0.1
106 29.1 22.6 30.4 11.1 5.2 1.6 239 28.3 23.7 33.6 10.4 3.2 0.8
108 23.0 29.3 22.0 11.0 14.6 0.1 240 38.1 23.0 19.9 11.9 5.7 1.4
110 15.1 22.7 38.4 13.9 8.2 1.7 241 13.3 18.6 49.2 8.8 9.9 0.2
112 25.3 31.1 28.6 4.8 8.0 2.2 242 15.7 18.5 42.4 15.6 7.8 0.0
113 15.9 33.2 33.3 7.4 8.1 2.1 243 42.7 5.9 37.8 10.5 0 3.1
116 45.3 13.8 22.1 8.2 8.5 2.1 244 48.0 5.0 32.4 10.5 3.5 0.6
117 29.4 8.5 32.4 9.7 13.9 6.1 245 35.5 15.1 37.2 11.0 0.3 0.9
118 51.0 2.2 36.1 8.1 2.4 0.2 246 34.7 18.8 28.0 15.,5 2.3 0.7
119 29.3 10.4 42.6 8.7 6.9 2.1 247 22.1 33.9 27.0 12.2 3.7 1.1
14-6 29.9 25.4 14.1 24.0 5.9 0.7 249 29.4 36.4 20.2 8.5 5.0 0.4
152 25.8 7.5 34.0 23.4 8.5 0.8 252 26.0 29.6 25.9 15.7 1.4 1.4
153 34.6 9.7 39.9 8.1 6.6 1.1 254 23.8 38.7 29.1 4.6 1.5 2.3
156 26.3 19.2 33.9 10.2 9.7 0.7 256 23.0 36.5 24.3 14.5 0.5 1,2
171 32.8 26.6 26.6 10.7 1.6 1.7 259 27.0 17.0 28.0 9.5 16.0 2.5
172 28.8 33.4 22.4 8.3 3.5 3.6 260 48.7 9.8 21.8 9.8 9.7 0.2
173 16.4 34.3 32.7 10.0 3.6 3.0 261 17.5 29.9 35.0 8.4 6.5 2,7
174 15.3 29.9 38.6 5.9 4.6 5.7 262 37.0 9.5 39.7 9.2 2.9 1.7
176 16.6 22.4 40.5 17.2 2.0 1.3 263 17.1 33.1 23.5 10.0 7.8 6.5
177 26.9 29.5 22.2 12,9 7.1 1.4 265 27.1 33.7 26.1 5.2 4.5 3.4
178 19.0 26.2 25.0 19,6 8.8 1.4 266 23.4 31.2 34.2 8.3 2.1 0.8
180 25.8 28.0 29.7 9,6 4.2 2.7 267 22.8 31.5 31.5 7.7 3.6 2.9
181 28.6 27.8 35.4 3.3 2.8 2.1 268 30.2 20.8 24.9 22.5 0.8 0.8
182 30.8 31.0 23.8 1.1 2.5 0.8 269 30.5 14.3 38.3 13.3 2.1 1.5
183 20.5 16.6 41.6 12,8 3.3 5.2 270 22.6 19.9 38.0 12.9 6.5 0.1
184 15.5 7.1 51.7 16.1 3.9 5.7 271 44.8 6.7 17.9 15.5 4.2 0.9
185 18.0 10.4 47.9 18.1 3.5 2.1 272 37.3 19.4 23.4 10.9 6.0 0.9
187 29.2 21.2 28.7 10.9 4.4 5.6 273 37.4 20.9 29.9 7.5 3.1 1,2
188 27.8 21.3 28.7 10.4 1.2 0.6 274 25.6 22.3 36.9 12.3 2.1 0.8
189 21.8 36.3 26.7 9.1 3.4 2.7 275 40.5 15.1 29.4 9.0 4.7 1.3
190 18.6 26.0 43.3 10.3 1.3 0.5 276 30.8 22.2 27.5 16.7 1.2 1.6
192 38.6 16.2 25.5 13.9 4.0 1.8 277 25.5 23.1 35.7 11.0 4.2 0.5
194 26.0 18.5 35.5 8.7 1.0 10.3 278 22.9 25.6 36.8 9.3 3.8 1.6
198 31.4 12.7 30.3 15.2 8.4 2.0 279 30.0 23.1 27.9 14.1 4.9 0
199 30.5 20.4 33.8 8.4 1.1 5.8 280 30.7 30.7 21.4 11.9 3.5 1.8

No ffiSample number
L = Lithothamnion H - Halimeda
C ffiCoral M ffiMollusc
Mim Minor constituents (Tubipora, Echinoid, Bryozoa, Mud Aggregates, Indeterminate)
308 W. G. H. M A X W E L L , J. S. J E L L AND R. G. M c K E L L A R

A P P E N D I X I~(continued)

No. L H C M F Mi No. L H C M F Mi
281 15.1 27.8 ~37,3 10.2 6,2 3.4 359 18,9 39.3 23.6 12.0 1.7 4.5
283 24.6 35.4 23.6 13.4 2.4 0.6 362 27.7 30.2 22.3 13.2 5.8 0.8
286 22.9 8.9 46.7 14.5 2.2 ! 4.8 366 26.3 31.5 19.5 15.9 4.8 2.0
287 43.7 11.0 33.0 7.0 4.0 1.3 372 35.0 20.4 13.7 13.9 11,3 5.7
289 32.6 33.3 19.6 14.5 0 0 373 31.7 20.8 22.8 12.4 11,1 1.2
291 18.5 36.5 30.4 9.9 3.5' 1.2 374 30.3 27.4 20.0 6.9 13.9 1.5
293 30.4 25.8 22.8 18.0 1,9 1.1 375 33.6 29.2 16.1 ~ 9.3 10.0 1.8
294 30.9 20.9 28.8 15.0 3,6 0.8 378 20.0 19.2 48.3 1 1 . 4 1,1 0
295 25.8 26.1 34.7 9.2 1.9 2.3 381 38.5 15.8 21.9 19.5 3,1 0.2
296 38.8 8.5 32.3 17.0 3,4 0 382 40.7 6.1 29.6 18.4 3.1 2.1
297 33.4 14.0 34.4 11.8 4.7 1.7 383 21.9 23.8 29.6 16.9 5.2 2.6
299 28.8 38,5 22.0 7.2 2.4 1.1 384 22.3 32.7 29.8 10.7 1.5 2.8
300 36.2 34.2 18.5 7.5 2.3 1.3 386 18.4 29.9 30.5 17,5 2.2 1.5
302 24.8 30.8 32.2 8,9 1.9 1.4 387 40.1 26.9 9,2 14.8 7.9 1.1
304 41.4 23.2 17.6 15.0 1.1 0.8 389 19.7 35.6 23.5 11.7 9.1 0.6
306 28.1 31.3 27.2 9.6 3.4 0.4 390 34.3 28.4 14,1 14.6 6.0 2.6
308 30.0 18.7 44.2 5.0 1.7 0.4 391 25.0 33.0 23,7 10.9 6,5 0.9
309 41.8 8.0 34.6 11.3 1.5 2.8 392 40.0 25.5 20.0 10.2 3.6 0.7
310 20.0 36.4 30.2 9.4 0.5 3.5 395 50.I 3.3 20.7 20.6 2.4 2.9
311 16.1 30.5 32.0 15.6 1.6 4.2 397 38.5 9,1 27.3 21.5 3.4: 0.2
313 22.2 39.5 24.5 6.6 0.4 6.8 398 42.5 12.4 26.9 12.5 4.8 0.9
314 31.4 15.2 31.6 15.2 1.8 4.8 400 20.4 39.9 24.8 10.5 3.4 1.0
352 27.1 5.3 23.0 35.9 7.1 1,6 401 30.2 32.5 21.9 11.5 3.1 0.8
353 29.7 23.2 16.6 24.6 3.2 2.7 402 28.8 30.4 20.6 12.9 6.3 0
355 19.4 18.4 23.8 12.5 14.2 1.7 403 25.1 27.5 22,1 22.2 2.2 0.9
358 20.6 27.4 30.7 20.5 0.5 0.3

A P P E N D I X II
TRACE EL EMENT A N A L Y S E S

Magne- Stron- Manga- Phos-

Sample slum tium nese phorus
g Sr Mn P
% ppm %
HI-71 0.91 0.645 6 0.028
H 1 - 73 1.10 0.60 9 0,032
H I - 75 1.12 0.545 9 0.028
H 1-103 1.38 0.535 8 0.029
H l-lI7 1.61 0.465 12 0.032
H 1-173 1.10 0.60 9 0.035
H 1-185 1.39 0.525 12 0.034
H 1-202 1.83 0.435 15 0.033
H 1-222 1.83 0.46 12 0.035
H 1-230 1.38 0.435 11 0.045
H 1-232 1.21 0.60 12 0.034
H 1-243 1.69 0.475 11 0.035
H 1-244 2.28 0.335 14 0.046
H 1-249 1.48 0.545 11 0.034
H 1-260 2.40 0.33 16 0.038
H 1-262 1.71 0.485 II 0.04.0
H 1-272 1.72 0.505 14 0.038
H 1-299 1.14 0.64 12 0.034
H 1-304 1.23 0.49 29 0.029
H 1-309 1.63 0.485 25 0.029