MATLAB algorithm for grayscale analysis of carbonate cyclicity: Example application to Demopolis chalk (Cretaceous, Alabama)

Cyclostratigraphic studies of rhythmically bedded pelagic/hemipelagic carbo nate sequences, which are important for understanding paleo-oceanographic c onditions and paleoclimatic controls, can be facilitated by computer-assist ed grayscale analysis. Application of a simple yet flexible algorithm, "doc ore", written for the MATLAB software package and its associated image proc essing toolbox, can be used to generate detailed grayscale curves or time s eries that closely approximate carbonate time series from rapidly scanned i mages. The potential of "docore"-derived grayscale data as proxies for carb onate is demonstrated through comparative analyses of carbonate, organic ca rbon and grayscale data from a core drilled within the Upper Cretaceous Dem opolis Chalk of western Alabama. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.