Recent distribution and accumulation of organic carbon on the continental margin west off Spitsbergen

The study compiles the controlling factors for organic matter sedimentation patterns from a suite of organogeochemical parameters in surface sediments off Spitsbergen and direct seabed observations using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). In addition we assess its storage rates as well as the potential of carbon sinks on the northwestern margin of the Barents Sea with short sediment cores from a selected fjord environment (Storfjord). While sedimentation in the fjords is mainly controlled by river/meltwater discharge and coastal erosion by sea ice/glaciers resulting in high supply of terrigenous organic matter, Atlantic water inflow, and thus enhanced marine organic matter supply, characterizes the environment on the outer shelf and slope. Local deviations from this pattern, particularly on the shelf, are due to erosion and out washing of fine-grained material by bottom currents. Spots dominated by marine productivity close to the island have been found at the outer Isfjord and west off Prins Karls Forland as well as off the Kongsfjord/Krossfjord area and probably reflect local upwelling of nutrient-rich Atlantic water-derived water masses. Accumulation rates of marine organic carbon as well as reconstructed primary productivities decreased since the middle of the last century. Negative correlation of the Isfjord temperature record with reconstructed productivities in the Storfjord could be explained by a reduced annual duration of the marginal ice zone in the area due to global warming. Extremely high accumulation rates of marine organic carbon between 5.4 and 17.2 g/m**2/yr mark the Storfjord area, and probably high-latitude fjord environments in general, as a sink for carbon dioxide.

(Table 1) Composition of paraffin hydrocarbons at DSDP Site 56-434

Geochemical investigation of 18 samples of sediments from Site 434 involved determining the content of organic carbon, of bitumoid A (The chloroform A-chl and alcohol-benzene A-alb extracts) and its various fractions, and of individual hydrocarbons as well as the structural group composition of resins. We identified certain samples that differed sharply from the rest by their increased bitumen content and relatively low molecular hydrocarbons and by the fact that their resinous components were more neutral and aliphatic in composition. The distribution of bitumoid and its components seems to reflect migration processes in operation during the early stages of the transformation of organic matter.

(Table 1) Composition of clay minerals in DSDP Hole 75-532

An investigation of the quantitative composition of the coarse (> 40 µm) and clay (< 2 µm) fraction of HPC 532, DSDP Leg 75, in 1300 m water depth on the eastern Walvis Ridge off Southwest Africa yielded the following results: (1) The sediments reflect a complete Latest Miocene to Recent depositional history. Sedimentation rates vary between 2.3 and 7.8 cm/ka. (2) Preservation of calcium carbonate is subject to strong variations: short-term (< 100,000 years) and long-term (about 1 m.y.) cycles in carbonate dissolution have been observed, with strongest dissolution occurring during periods of lowered sea level. (3) Upwelling influence from the near-coastal upwelling centre has been detected by means of the opal content: interglacial periods show high opal contents, because the Benguela Current turned westward at about 20°S and carried opal-laden upwelled water to the west. Sediments from glacial periods, however, show opal minima. Besides these short-term cyclic variations in opal content, long-term cycles have been found, with maximum upwelling influence in the latest Pliocene/early Quaternary. (4) Each CaCO3 dissolution minimum (maximum) is correlated with an opal maximum (minimum) throughout the sediment sequence. (5) The oceanographic system off southwest Africa remained essentially unchanged since the latest Miocene: sea level rose and fell periodically on a small and on a large scale, and the Benguela Current flowed southeast-northwest and turned to the west at the latitude of Site 532 during interglacial periods, when sea level was high. (6) The climate in the near-coastal area of southwest Africa in the latitude of Site 532 has probably been arid throughout the investigated period.