Periplatform Environments and Sediments of the Maldive

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Drill core samples from ODP Leg 115 demonstrate that aragonite cycles on the Maldives platform mimic changes in oxygen isotope values, and as found elsewhere, probably result from changes in dissolution and detrital input. Furthermore, reconnaisance surveys have revealed that, in contrast to their asymmetry in the Bahamas, prograding clinoforms in the Maldive lagoons respond to the bi-directional, seasonal Asian monsoon. Dr. Droxler has been awarded funds to participate on an international expedition to this area aboard the French vessel Marion Dufresne. Giant piston cores (up to 40 m long), water samples and high resolution echosounding and seismic profiles will be collected. Back in Texas, Dr. Droxler and assistants will conduct preliminary studies including: 1) sedimentologic and isotopic analyses of selected core samples; 2) chemical analyses of hydrocast samples; and 3) processing and interpretation of 1200-1500 km of SCS data. These latter data will be integrated with multichannel seismic reflection data collected in the 1970's by Elf Aquataine and made available to Dr. Droxler by his French colleagues. His research goals are to: 1) match carbonate mineralogy to observed water chemistry; 2) map thicknesses of Holocene sediments to guage offbank transport; 3) measure Pleistocene aragonite cycles and match them to known patterns of platform diagenesis; and 4) determine the response to Pleistocene sea-level changes.