Spatial changes in surface sediments derived from the different sediment sources and land uses at "El Jable" (Lanzarote, Spain)

Abstract

This paper describes the sedimentological properties of sedimentary materials along a North - South orientated sand strip (21 km long and 5 km wide on average) that crosses the island of Lanzarote (Canary Islands, Spain). The area is characterized as a sand sheet because it is mostly covered by acolian sediments, which were blown southwards from the northern coast. This predominantly acolian environment is interspersed with agricultural areas, volcanic cones and lava fields.Different sectors of the sand sheet can be distinguished on the basis of grain size properties and carbonate content of the surface sediments. Results are discussed and interpreted considering the geological origin, the human use and the sediment sources of the study area.