Geochemistry on water profiles from the Kara Sea

As a part of the Russian-German project "Siberian River-Runoff (SIRRO)" the major element composition of the dissolved load and the major and trace element composition of particulate load and bottom sediment of the Yenisei River and Estuary were analyzed and examined in context of the basin lithology and climate. In addition, the processes controlling the transformation of the river load in the estuarine mixing zone were investigated. The chemical composition of the dissolved and particulate load of the Yenisei fluvial endmember is generally comparable to that of other major world rivers. The dissolved load is chiefly controlled by carbonate weathering and the chemical composition of the river suspended particulate matter (SPM) is similar to that of the North American Shale Composite (NASC), which represents the weathering product of the upper continental crust. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) of the Yenisei SPM amounts to 71, which indicates moderate chemical weathering. With regard to the SPM geochemistry, the Yenisei occupies an intermediate position between the adjacent rivers Khatanga and the Lena. Drastic changes in the composition of the river load are seen in the mixing zone between fresh and salt water. While dissolved Na, Ca, Mg, K, CI, S04, F, Br, Sr and HC03 behave conservatively, dissolved Fe is completely removed from solution at very low salinities. Particulate Mn exhibits a pronounced mid-salinity minimum concomitant with a maximum of dissolved Mn, which is probably related to suboxic conditions in the area of the so-called "marginal filter", where highest turbidities are found. The Mn-minimum in SPM is paralleled by depletions of the elements Ba, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cu and V, which can be associated with manganese particles. The estuarine bottom sediments are composed of mud and sand and the sedimentological parameters of the bottom sediments have to be considered for the interpretation of the bulk geochemical data. The chemical composition of the mud is comparable to the SPM, whereas the sand is relatively enriched in Si/Al, Ba/Al, Zr/Al and Sr/Al ratios and depleted in transition metals.

Major and rare earth element contents and their speciations in ferruginous nodules and host sediments from the Barents Sea

Contents of Fe, Mn, Al, P, and rare earth elements (REE) in ferruginous nodules and host sediments of the eastern Barents Sea were studied. A direct Fe-P correlation in reactive components of the sediments and nodules was found. The nodules were shown to be formed through Fe(II) oxidation in the surface layer of sediments and cementation of terrigenous fraction of sediments by Fe(III) oxyhydroxides. The latter accumulate phosphorus due to processes of sorption - co-precipitation, by forming Fe(III) hydrophosphates. REE composition in the sediments and nodules normalized to NASC contents is characterized by increased proportion of light REE that may be caused by regional features of their sources. Due to significant share of terrigenous matter in the Fe nodules (up to 65% for Nd), REE composition of bulk samples is similar to that of host sediments. A negative cerium anomaly in composition of reactive REE may result from REE sorption from seawater. REE bulk composition of a ferruginous crust is closer to that of seawater than one of the ferruginous nodules from the sediments because of essentially lower content of diluent terrigenous matter.

Grain size, mineral and chemical compositions of modern deposits fron the northern Caspian Sea and the Volga River delta

Comprehensive investigations revealed that modern deposits in the northern Caspian Sea involve terrigenous sands and aleurites with admixture of detritus and intact bivalve shells, including coquina. Generally, these deposits overlay dark grayish viscous clays. Similar geological situation occurs in the Volga River delta; however, local deposits are much poorer in biogenic constituents. Illite prevails among clay minerals. In coarse aleurite fraction (0.100-0.050 mm) heavy transparent minerals are represented mostly by epidotes, while light minerals - mostly by quartz and feldspars. Sedimentary material in the Volga River delta is far from completely differentiated into fractions due to abundant terrigenous inflows. Comparatively better grading of sediments from the northern Caspian Sea is due to additional factors such as bottom currents and storms. When passing from the Volga River delta to the northern Caspian Sea, sediments are enriched in rare earth elements (except Eu), Ca, Au, Ni, Se, Ag, As, and Sr, but depleted in Na, Rb, Cs, K, Ba, Fe, Cr, Co, Sc, Br, Zr, ??, U, and Th. Concentrations of Zn remain almost unchanged. Sedimentation rates and types of recent deposits in the northern Caspian Sea are governed mainly by abundant runoff of the Volga River.

Substrate rocks of Fe-Mn crusts on the IOAN and Dalmorgeologiya Guyots

Substratum of cobalt-manganese crusts penetrated by numerous deep-sea drill holes on the IOAN and Dalmorgeologiya Guyots of Magellan Seamounts in the Pacific Ocean has been studied. Rocks have been characterized, and ferromanganese manifestations developed in the substratum in different forms have been studied in detail. They are considered to be products of deposition of water fluids arising in the volcanic pedestal and unloading on the guyot's periphery when penetrating into top parts of rocks to different degree phosphatized mainly by replacement. It is demonstrated by numerous substratum relicts and remains of organisms in them.