A Quantitative Provenance Analysis (QPA) Approach to Quantify Controls on Sediment Generation and Sediment Flux in the Upper Reaches of the Magdalena River (Colombia): 2. Lithological Control on Contribution to Silt‐ to Clay‐Sized Fractions

Liedel S, Caracciolo L, Beltrán‐Triviño A, Restrepo JC, Restrepo Ángel JD, Szczerba M (2024)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Journal of Geophysical Research F: Earth Surface American Geophysical Union

Book Volume: 129

Article Number: e2023JF007379

Journal Issue: 5

URI: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023JF007379

DOI: 10.1029/2023JF007379

Open Access Link: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023JF007379

Abstract

The composition of 27 fluvial silt and clay sediments was used in this study to identify and quantify the processes in the upper valley of the Magdalena river in South Colombia. The combination of seismic activity, intense precipitation, and landsliding resulted in limited chemical weathering and a very efficient transfer of weathered products to the transfer zone of both tributary rivers and the main trunk. Inputs from plutonic, high-grade metamorphic, volcanic, and low- to medium-grade metamorphic lithologies vary in coarse silt-sized versus fine silt- and clay-sized sediments, reflecting inherited textural parameters and mineralogy. Plutonic and high-grade metamorphic rocks mostly produce sand-sized sediments, up to two times more than coase silt and up to 10 times more than fine silt to clay. The prevalence of siltstone in the area enhances the contribution of sedimentary rocks to fine silt and clay (up to 50% higher than to sand). Volcanic rocks mainly produce coarse silt (up to 2.5 times more than sand). Low-grade metamorphic detritus is enriched in silt and clay (up to 5–7 times). These findings highlight the critical role of lithology in regulating sediment generation. The study's approach can establish or modify factors modeling lithological control on suspended sediment flux, such as in the BQART equation.

Authors with CRIS profile

Stefan Liedel Lehrstuhl für Geologie (Exogene Dynamik) Luca Caracciolo Lehrstuhl für Geologie (Exogene Dynamik)

Involved external institutions

Universidad del Norte CO Colombia (CO) EAFIT University CO Colombia (CO) Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences / Instytut Nauk Geologicznych, Polskiej Akademii Nauk PL Poland (PL)

How to cite

APA:

Liedel, S., Caracciolo, L., Beltrán‐Triviño, A., Restrepo, J.C., Restrepo Ángel, J.D., & Szczerba, M. (2024). A Quantitative Provenance Analysis (QPA) Approach to Quantify Controls on Sediment Generation and Sediment Flux in the Upper Reaches of the Magdalena River (Colombia): 2. Lithological Control on Contribution to Silt‐ to Clay‐Sized Fractions. Journal of Geophysical Research F: Earth Surface, 129(5). https://doi.org/10.1029/2023JF007379

MLA:

Liedel, Stefan, et al. "A Quantitative Provenance Analysis (QPA) Approach to Quantify Controls on Sediment Generation and Sediment Flux in the Upper Reaches of the Magdalena River (Colombia): 2. Lithological Control on Contribution to Silt‐ to Clay‐Sized Fractions." Journal of Geophysical Research F: Earth Surface 129.5 (2024).

BibTeX: Download