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Phytoliths at DSDP Site 591 in the southwest Pacific and the aridification of Australia

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Zusammenfassung

Phytolithe, die in Tiefsee-Sedimenten von DSDP Site 591 im SW-Pazifik gefunden wurden, reflektieren den Beginn und den Verlauf der Aridisierung Australiens vom mittleren Miozän bis zum frühen Pleistozän (14.4.-1.0 Ma BP) unter Einschluß eines Ariditätsmaximums im späten Pliozän. Der Prozeß kann auf die nordwärts gerichtete Drift der Australischen Platte, das Wachstum der Eisschilde auf der Süd- und Nordhemisphäre und entsprechende Entwicklungen im globalen Windsystem bezogen werden.

Abstract

Phytoliths found in deep-sea sediments at DSDP Site 591 in the southwest Pacific reflect the onset and progress of aridification on the Australian continent from the middle Miocene to early Pleistocene (14.4.-1.0 Ma BP), including a maximum of aridity in the late Pliocene. The process can be attributed to the northward drift of the Australian Plate, the growth of Southern and Northern Hemisphere ice sheets, and related developments in the global wind system.

Résumé

Des phytolites, trouvées dans les sédiments de mer profonde au site DSDP 591 dans le sud-ouest du Pacifique, traduisent le début et le développement de la désertification du continent australien du Miocène moyen au Pleistocène inférieur (14,4 à 1,0 Ma), avec un maximum d'aridité au Pliocène supérieur. Le processus peut être attribué à la dérive vers le nord de la plaque australienne, la croissance des calottes glaciaires des hémisphères nord et sud et les modifications corrélatives du système global des vents.

Краткое содержание

Фитолиты, найденные в кернах глубоководны х седиментов, отобранные в рамках DSDP в местоположении 591 на юго-западе Тихого океана, отражают нача ло и развитие аридного к лимата в Австралии, на чиная со среднего миоцена д о раннего плейстоцен а, т.е. 14,4-1,0 Ma BP; причем максимум ег о достигает до нижнег о плиоцена. Этот процес с можно связать с напр авленным к северу дрейфом авст ралийской глыбы, с ростом ледяного щит а на южном и северном п олушариях и с соответствующим р азвитием направлени я ветров в глобальном масштаб е.

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  1. S. Locker

    Present address: Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut der Universität, Olshausenstraße 40/60, D-2300, Kiel

  2. E. Martini

    Present address: Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut der Universität, Senckenberg-Anlage 32/34, D-6000, Frankfurt

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    1. S. Locker
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    Locker, S., Martini, E. Phytoliths at DSDP Site 591 in the southwest Pacific and the aridification of Australia. Geol Rundsch 78, 1165–1172 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01829338

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