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Phosphogenesis on selected low atolls in the near-equatorial part of the Western Indian Ocean

  • Marine Geology
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Oceanology Aims and scope

Abstract

The compositions, structures, and microstructures of different types of phosphorites and poorly phosphatized rocks from low atolls in the near-equatorial part of the Western Indian Ocean are described. The rocks were examined under optical and scanning microscopes using microprobing techniques and etching of selected samples with weak solvents as well as with the help of chemical analyses. It is proved that phosphorites have been formed owing to the uneven phosphatization of the primary carbonate rocks; the degree of their phosphatization ranges from traces to 40% P2O5. In the phosphorites, numerous organic remains were encountered; they included fragments of plankton, debris of tortoise shells, and coccoidal and filamentous bacteria-like formations. It is suggested that the phosphorites were formed due to the high local biological productivity over the outer edges of coral reefs and are not related to guano accumulation or to endoupwelling.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Far Eastern Geological Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia

    E. L. Shkol’nik

  2. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    G. N. Baturin

  3. Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    E. A. Zhegallo

  4. Department of Geography, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

    S. D. Nikolaev

Authors
  1. E. L. Shkol’nik
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  2. G. N. Baturin
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  3. E. A. Zhegallo
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  4. S. D. Nikolaev
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Additional information

Original Russian Text © E.L. Shkol’nik, G.N. Baturin, E.A. Zhegallo, S.D. Nikolaev, 2006, published in Okeanologiya, 2006, Vol. 46, No. 2, pp. 263–277.

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Shkol’nik, E.L., Baturin, G.N., Zhegallo, E.A. et al. Phosphogenesis on selected low atolls in the near-equatorial part of the Western Indian Ocean. Oceanology 46, 242–255 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437006020111

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437006020111

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