A reconnaissance study of carbonates in Mexican beach sands

Carbonate concentrations were measured on sand samples from the beach face of 274 Mexican beach locations. Tectonic processes apparently have an influence on the carbonate contents in the sands. Samples from the passive margin of the Gulf of Mexico have higher values, with an average of 40.52% carbonate, while the more active margin of the Pacific with higher relief, shows an average of 8.86% of carbonated sands. In general, high amounts of carbonates apparently are related to areas of low energy, dry climate and low fluvial sediment transport. The main carbonate components are fragments of pelecypods, gastropods, corals and calcareous algae.