Saharan dust transported Quartz grains in sediment cores GIK13289-1/-2 and GIK13291-1, off Senegal (NW Africa)

Planktonic foraminifera oxygen isotope records in conjunction with 14C ages in the upper core sections were used to establish a stratigraphy. Sedimentological studies of both cores focused on the occurrence and abundance of giant grains of up to 1500 µm.

Three possible transport ways for those giant grains are being discussed: a) transport by turbidity currents b) erosion from the seamount top c) eolian delivery. The sedimentological results, including SEM pictures, point mainly to erosion and additional eolian delivery of the giant grains.