Active circulation of saline ground waters in carbonate platforms: Evidence from the Great Bahama Bank

Abstract

Research Article| March 01, 1990 Active circulation of saline ground waters in carbonate platforms: Evidence from the Great Bahama Bank F. F. Whitaker; F. F. Whitaker 1Department of Geography, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar P. L. Smart P. L. Smart 1Department of Geography, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information F. F. Whitaker 1Department of Geography, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, England P. L. Smart 1Department of Geography, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, England Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1990) 18 (3): 200–203. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)018<0200:ACOSGW>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation F. F. Whitaker, P. L. Smart; Active circulation of saline ground waters in carbonate platforms: Evidence from the Great Bahama Bank. Geology 1990;; 18 (3): 200–203. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)018<0200:ACOSGW>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Measurements of salinity, temperature, and ground-water discharges within the Great Bahama Bank provide evidence of active circulation of near-normal ocean water beneath North Andros Island. Elevated-salinity waters (38‰-42‰) derived by density refulx from the Great Bahama Bank flow eastward beneath the island and mix with normal-salinity cold ground waters (19-20 °C) from deeper than 250 m in the adjacent oceans. East to west flow of water from the Straits of Florida may be driven by head differences generated by the Florida Current, which impinges on the western margins of the platform. Alternatively, density differences between the reflux and Tongue of the Ocean sea waters may cause more local circulation on the eastern flanks. These flows have important diagenetic implications, particularly in the explanation of pervasive secondary dolomitization widely reported at shallow depths in the Bahamas. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.