Sedimentation in a tropical fiord: Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica

Sedimentation processes in Golfo Dulce, a periodically anoxic fjord-like em bayment on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, have been investigated by analy ses of surface sediments and 3.5-m-long sediment cores. The large proportio n of non-biogenic material (> 90%) reflects the dominance of terrigenous se diment input to Golfo Dulce. Biogenic components such as organic carbon and carbonate are also supplied from terrigenous sources. The two components, however, originate from different parts of the coast surrounding the gulf. The sediment cores did not show any laminated sections. The sediments can b e divided into turbiditic basin deposits and almost undisturbed, hemipelagi c slope deposits.