Surficial sediments of the western Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia

Abstract

Modern sedimentation in the Gulf of Carpentaria is confined principally to marginal areas in water depths of less than 50 m. Within this zone, the distribution of sediments is irregular, being controlled by proximity to sediment sources and degree of exposure to waves and tidal activity. This is particularly so in the western gulf, where fluvial sediments supplied to Limmen Bight have been transported by waves and tides northwards beyond that embayment to accumulate in the sheltered environment of Blue Mud Bay. Limmen Bight is exposed to the south-easterlies, which produce sufficient wave action in the nearshore zone to prevent the widespread deposition of fine-grained terrigenous sediments. As a result, relict sand deposits occupy much of the floor of Limmen Bight in areas shallower than about 25 m. In deeper areas, terrigenous muds are deposited at a low rate over relict fluvial and marine sediments. The relict deposits accumulated in continental and nearshore marine environments during low-sea-level periods of the late Pleistocene.