Geochemistry, SiO2 minerals and isotopes at DSDP Hole 72-516F

Cherts recovered during DSDP Leg 72 from Rio Grande Rise sediments (Site 516) consist of both cristobalite and quartz, and contain ghosts of foraminifers and (more rare) radiolarians. Porcelanite made of disordered cristobalite is found in most old enclosing sediments. Local dissolution of siliceous microfossils during diagenesis is the most likely source of the silica required for the chert formation. As sediment age increases, the proportion of biogenic silica decreases and authigenic silica increases.

Geochemical analyses at DSDP Holes 72-515B and 72-516F

The petroleum-generating potential of five samples from Hole 515B, Vema Channel, and of 23 samples from Hole 516F, Rio Grande Rise, was analyzed. Organic carbon and pyrolysis data indicated that source rocks of good quality are not present. Microscopic examination showed predominance of woody organic matter, which is more favorable for the generation of gas in a mature stage; all samples, however, are still thermally immature.

Datum events and their estimated magnetochronology at DSDP Site 72-516

Calcareous plankton biostratigraphy (foraminifers and nannoplankton) and magnetostratigraphy of the upper Oligocene to Pleistocene have been studied in hydraulic piston Cores 516-1 to 516-44, 516A-5 to 516A-11, and 516F-1 to 516F-11, Rio Grande Rise (water depth 1313 m). Some 80 biostratigraphic datum events have been correlated to the magnetic polarity stratigraphy over an interval representing the Matuyama to Chron 5, and Chrons 16 to 23. Coring disturbance and biostratigraphic evidence of a condensed section preclude unambiguous identification of polarity or biostratigraphic events over an approximately 30-m interval in the middle and upper Miocene. Sedimentation rates varied considerably during the Neogene, but an abnormally thick upper Oligocene and lower Miocene section allows a high degree of magnetobiochronologic resolution. A new planktonic foraminiferal zonation for the Miocene completes the midlatitude Neogene zonation of the South Atlantic. Important magnetobiostratigraphic correlations at Site 516 and their estimated magnetochronology include: (1) Oligocene/ Miocene boundary = first appearance datum (FAD) Globorotalia kugleri = last appearance datum (LAD) Reticulofenestra bisecta = mid-Anomaly 6C (Chron 23) = 23.7 Ma; (2) Aquitanian/Burdigalian boundary = LAD G. kugleri = between base Anomaly 6A and top of unnumbered anomaly between 6A and 6B (Chron 21) = 21.8 Ma; (3) Zone N6/N7 boundary = LAD Catapsydrax dissimilis (= FAD G. pseudomiozea and G. zealandica) = Chron 16/17 boundary = 17.6 Ma; (4) early/middle Miocene (= Burdigalian/Langhian) boundary = FAD Praeorbulina sicana = midpart of Anomaly 5C (Chron 16) = 16.6 Ma or FAD P. glomerosa = just above Anomaly 5C (inferred) = 16.3 Ma; (5) Zone N8/N9 boundary = FAD Orbulina suturalis above Anomaly 5C (later part Chron 16, inferred); (6) Miocene/ Pliocene boundary = LAD Globoquadrina dehiscens LAD Globorotalia lenguaensis = basal Gilbert Chron = 5.3 Ma.

Displaced diatom, discoasters and benthic foraminifers at DSDP Hole 72-515A

Late Pliocene to Recent sediments from the southern Brazil Basin (DSDP Hole 515A, hydraulic piston core) were analyzed for evidence of episodic flow of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) through the Vema Channel. Carbonate-enriched layers punctuate the post-Pliocene section, otherwise composed predominantly of terrigenous silt and clay. Carbonate enrichment is thought to result from rapid deposition of fine-grained calcareous turbidites, originating in canyons incised on the northern margin of the Rio Grande Rise. The composition of benthic foraminiferal assemblages and the presence of stratigraphically displaced discoasters is consistent with a turbidite origin. Based on the presence of displaced Antarctic diatoms, AABW flow through the Vema Channel apparently has had a major influence on this site for only four periods during the last 2.7 Ma (about 45 to 250; 375 to 430; 700 to 780; 1320 to 1345 thousand yr. ago).

Relationship between definitive datum levels and magnetic polarity and revised geomagnetic polarity time-scale at DSDP Hole 72-516F

This paper contains magnetobiostratigraphic correlation charts for each of the four sites occupied during DSDP Leg 72. Microfossil zonal boundaries and magnetic polarity determinations for Sites 515 through 518 are summarized in Figures 1 through 4, respectively. Our discussion focuses on the correlations derived for the Paleogene and late Cretaceous (Coniacian-Maestrichtian) of Site 516, because of the value of this site as a stratigraphic reference section for the South Atlantic.