A description of sediment cores from the Arabian Sea

Abstract

This study describes in detail the lithologic character of five sediment cores from the Arabian Sea (shelf, slope, and basins) and summarizes the distribution and occurrence of their characteristic lithofacies and biofacies in schematic stratigraphic columns. Core no. 1 from the slope is composed of fine-grained, limy marl with oolites and a mixed fauna which incldues in situ and slumped outer shelf material. Core no. 2 is mainly a pelagic ooze with intercalations of turbidites and oolites derived from the outer shelf/slope region. Although the last three cores are all from an offshore, outer neritic, low-energy environment, core no. 3 has sapropelitic sediment which probably developed within a "closed basin" with a highly reducing environment; core no. 4 has oolitic layers with intercalations of clayey material and contains few fossils; and core no. 5 is characterized by two distinct lithologies, a definite stratigraphic break and a moderate concentration of fossils