Sr-Nd-Pb isotope ratios from potential aeolian dust sources in Patagonia, South America

Patagonia in South America is thought to be the largest source of aeolian dust to the Southern Hemisphere during the Late Pleistocene. This study uses Sr-Nd-Pb isotope ratios from 62 samples collected in Patagonia in southern South America to further constrain the Patagonia endmember. Samples collection focused on both glacial and non-glacial sediment samples, including a north to south transect east of the Andes focused in particular on glacial related materials. We also collected a north to south transect focused along the coast, on non-glacial materials. The more easterly sampling strategy was designed for comparison to the glacial-related samples and also to complement other studies. Samples were collected below the soil horizon from potential dust sources, including moraines, other glacial related sediments such as outwash plains, modern glacial sediment and glacial-lacustrine rock flour, dry lakes, and topsoil samples.